gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Object recognition and segmentation using SIFT and Graph Cuts (2008)

In this paper, we propose a method of object recognition and segmentation using Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) and Graph Cuts. SIFT feature is invariant for rotations, scale changes, and illumination changes and it is often used for object recognition. However, in previous object recognition work using SIFT, the object region is simply presumed by the affine-transformation and the accurate object region was not segmented. On the other hand, Graph Cuts is proposed as a segmentation method of a detail object region. But it was necessary to give seeds manually. By combing SIFT and Graph Cuts, in our method, the existence of objects is recognized first by vote processing of SIFT keypoints. After that, the object region is cut out by Graph Cuts using SIFT keypoints as seeds. Thanks to this combination, both recognition and segmentation are performed automatically under cluttered backgrounds including occlusion.
Direct use of CT scans for hyperthermia treatment planning (1992)

In the field of deep regional hyperthermia cancer therapy, the BSD-2000 Hyperthermia System is one of the most widely used devices. Because of the complexity of the treatment process, computer modeling has long been viewed as a desirable means of planning patient treatments. Patient-specific, three-dimensional computer modeling for treatment planning in the BSD-2000 has been in clinical use at this institution for two years. Two of the persistent problems have been the large amount of time needed to create the patient model from a computed tomography (CT) scan (one and a half days), and the lack of a way to view the large amounts of data that comprise the output of a treatment plan, i.e., the specific absorption rate (SAR) at 20,000 to 30,000 cells. Here we present a method that obtains the dielectric properties needed for hyperthermia treatment planning directly from the CT image with minimum operator interaction, a process which takes about a half day and is more accurate. Comparison is made with the previous method of drawing contours around the different tissue types. We further describe a method which displays the output as iso-SAR contours directly over the CT scan of the patient.
Laser amorphisation of glass ceramics: basic properties and new possibilities for manufacturing microoptical elements (2007)

The laser amorphisation of glass ceramics (LAGC) is studied by optical pyrometry and video recording. The mechanism of local LAGC as a structural phase transition determined by the temperature kinetics in the laser-irradiated region is proposed. The ranges of the power density and exposures to the 10.6-μm IR radiation required for amorphisation of the typical glass ceramics, a SiO2–Al2O3–CaO–MgO–TiO2 sital are determined. It is shown that LAGC can be used to fabricate a number of miniature optical elements such as lenses, lens rasters, light guides and waveguides, etc.
Telecontrol for the auto-reclose protection of rural distribution schemes and the changing needs of the RECs (1994)

High speed auto-reclosing controlled by microprocessor relays avoid permanent loss of supply for the vast majority of distribution network transient faults. However, in the event of a permanent fault, for all the sophistication of the relay, they cannot maximise the post fault restoration of supply without knowledge of the state of the circuit at other switching points. It is well known that possible improvements to a rural distribution scheme can be achieved by remotely controlling network switching points, and several schemes are already in existence. This paper considers some of the improvements, but concentrates on the emerging requirements of the regional electricity companies in the UK in the light of these recent telecontrol schemes.
A circularly polarized stacked patch antenna array for tracking applications in S-band (2015)

Design of a high gain and broadband circularly polarized array antenna using air cushion and stacked patch technique is presented in this paper. Basic radiating element of the proposed array consists of a driven patch and parasitic patch supported over an air cushion. Driven patch is fed through a microstrip line whereas the parasitic patch is electromagnetically coupled to the lower patch. Using this antenna element, a probefed 2×2 array antenna has been designed and tested. VSWR of the array antenna is less than 2 from 2.02 to 2.38 GHz. Axial ratio is less than 3dB from 2.15 to 2.40 GHz with peak gain of 17 dBi.
Fault tolerant remote procedure call (2003)

A scheme is presented that makes a remote procedure call (RPC) mechanism fault-tolerant to hardware failures. Fault tolerance is provided by replicating the procedure at a group of nodes, called a cluster. The copies in a cluster are linearly ordered. A call to a procedure is sent to the first copy in the cluster and is propagated internally to all other copies. In the event of failures, the first copy in the cluster that has not failed returns the result to the caller. The scheme is transparent to the user and supports nested procedure calls. It has been implemented on a network of Sun workstations making use of Sun's existing RPC mechanism.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Common-angle migration: A strategy for imaging complex media (2001)

Abstract Complex velocity models characterized by strong lateral variations are certainly a great motivation, but also a great challenge, for depth imaging. In this context, some unexpected results can occur when using depth imaging algorithms. In general, after a common shot or common offset migration, the resulting depth images are sorted into common-image gathers (CIG), for further processing such as migration-based velocity analysis or amplitude-variation-with-offset analysis. In this paper, we show that CIGs calculated by common-shot or common-offset migration can be strongly affected by artifacts, even when a correct velocity model is used for the migration. The CIGs are simply not flat, due to unexpected curved events (kinematic artifacts) and strong lateral variations of the amplitude (dynamic artifacts). Kinematic artifacts do not depend on the migration algorithm provided it can take into account lateral variations of the velocity model. This can be observed when migrating the 2-D Marmousi dataset either with a wave-equation migration or with a multivalued Kirchhoff migration/inversion. On the contrary, dynamic artifacts are specific to multi-arrival ray-based migration/inversion. This approach, which should provide a quantitative estimation of the reflectivity of the model, provides in this context dramatic results. In this paper, we propose an analysis of these artifacts through the study of the ray-based migration/inversion operator. The artifacts appear when migrating a single-fold subdata set with multivalued ray fields. They are due to the ambiguous focusing of individual reflected events at different locations in the image. No information is a priori available in the single-fold data set for selecting the focusing position, while migration of multifold data would provide this information and remove the artifacts by the stack of the CIGs. Analysis of the migration/inversion operator provides a physical condition, the imaging condition, for insuring artifact free CIGs. The specific cases of common-shot and common-offset single-fold gathers are studied. It appears clearly that the imaging condition generally breaks down in complex velocity models for both these configurations. For artifact free CIGs, we propose a novel strategy: compute CIGs versus the diffracting/reflecting angle. Working in the angle domain seems the natural way for unfolding multivalued ray fields, and it can be demonstrated theoretically and practically that common-angle imaging satisfies the imaging condition in the great majority of cases. Practically, the sorting into angle gathers can not be done a priori over the data set, but is done in the inner depth migration loop. Depth-migrated images are obtained for each angle range. A canonical example is used for illustrating the theoretical derivations. Finally, an application to the Marmousi model is presented, demonstrating the relevance of the approach.
InAlGaAs/InGaAs HBT (1992)

We trial-produced InAlAs/InGaAs HBT (heterojunction bipolar transistor) and InAlGaAs/InGaAs HBT changing the base thickness from 1500 A to 4000 A. As a result, we clarified that many high energy electrons injected from the emitter reach the collector high electric field region with their high energy intact, and if the injection energy is high, those electrons deteriorate collector current saturation characteristics by generating impact ionization, not in the emitter side base region but in this high electric field region. In addition, in trial-production of InAlGaAs/InGaAs HBTs for which injection energy is restricted for the purpose of improving the collector current saturation characteristics, we obtained f/sub T/=50 GHz, although it is a rather large size device having an emitter-base junction area of 20 um/sup 2/, a base-collector junction area of 220 um/sup 2/, and a base thickness of 1500 A. Further, according to these trial-productions, we were able to propose a InAlAs/InGaAs/InP DHBT which allows near-ballistic action.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Perovskite-based solar cells with inorganic inverted hybrid planar heterojunction structure (2018)

We demonstrated the good performance of inorganic inverted CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite-based solar cells (SCs) with glass/ITO/NiOx/CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite/C60/ room temperature (RT)-sputtered ZnO/Al structure. We adopted spin coating and RT sputtering for the deposition of NiOx and ZnO, respectively. The inorganic hole and electron transport layer of NiOx and RT-sputtered ZnO, respectively, could improve the open-circuit voltage (VOC), short-circuit current density (JSC), and power conversion efficiency (η%) of the SCs. We obtained inorganic inverted CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite-based SCs with a JSC of 21.96 A/cm2, a VOC of 1.02 V, a fill factor (FF%) of 68.2%, and an η% of 15.3% despite the sputtering damage of the RT-sputtered ZnO deposition. Moreover, the RT-sputtered ZnO could function as a diffusion barrier for Al, moisture, and O2. The inorganic inverted CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite-based SCs demonstrated improved storage reliability.
Effects of alkaline or liquid-ammonia treatment on crystalline cellulose: changes in crystalline structure and effects on enzymatic digestibility (2011)

Earlier studies have focused on determining which cellulose allomorph is the most digestible. In this study we have found that the chemical treatments to produce different allomorphs also changed the crystallinity of the cellulose, and this had a significant effect on the digestibility of the substrate. When determining the relative digestibilities of different cellulose allomorphs it is essential to also consider the relative crystallinities of the celluloses being tested.
Dynamics of P2X<sub>7</sub> receptor pore dilation: Pharmacological and functional consequences (2001)

Abstract The biophysical and functional properties of the human P2X 7 receptor, expressed recombinantly in HEK‐293 cells or natively in THP‐1 pro‐monocytic cells, were investigated in the context of pore dilation and externalisation of mature interleukin 1β (IL1β). In HEK‐293 cells, the agonist 2′‐ and 3′‐O‐(4‐benzoylbenzoyl)‐ATP (BzATP) caused concentration‐dependent inward currents (EC 50 59 μM) and with prolonged application this agonist caused a gradual increase in inward current culminating in a plateau. This increase in current was associated with pore dilation, determined by intracellular accumulation of YO‐PRO‐1. BzATP displayed increased potency at the pore‐dilated form of the P2X 7 receptor (EC 50 17 μM), and positive correlations between apparent receptor density and speed of pore dilation were observed. A monoclonal antibody selectively blocked current mediated by the naïve receptor, while currents through pore‐dilated receptors were not significantly affected, which together suggest a conformational change at the level of the receptor during the dilation event. The release of mature IL1β from THP‐1 cells was independent of P2X 7 ‐mediated cell lysis, as determined by study of lactate dehydrogenase release. Moreover, using conditions designed to minimise pore dilation (using buffers containing 2 mM Ca 2+ and 1 mM Mg 2+ ), BzATP caused significant release of IL1β, but without concomitant YO‐PRO‐1 accumulation, indicating pore dilation is not required for IL1β release. In addition, short (4‐min) incubation of THP‐1 cells with BzATP (terminated by enzymatic degradation of BzATP using apyrase) resulted in significant quantities of IL1β release some 60 min later, suggesting commitment of cells to release IL1β can be triggered with only brief receptor ligation. These findings suggest that receptor expression and ligation time are critical factors for selecting multiple functional states of P2X 7 . Drug Dev. Res. 53:60–65, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A functional calcium-binding site in the metalloprotease domain of ADAMTS13 (2008)

ADAMTS13 regulates the multimeric size of von Willebrand factor (VWF). Its function is highly dependent upon Ca(2+) ions. Using the initial rates of substrate (VWF115, VWF residues 1554-1668) proteolysis by ADAMTS13 preincubated with varying Ca(2+) concentrations, a high-affinity functional ADAMTS13 Ca(2+)-binding site was suggested with K(D(app)) of 80 muM (+/- 15 muM) corroborating a previously reported study. When Glu83 or Asp173 (residues involved in a predicted Ca(2+)-binding site in the ADAMTS13 metalloprotease domain) were mutated to alanine, Ca(2+) dependence of proteolysis of the substrate was unaffected. Consequently, we sought and identified a candidate Ca(2+)-binding site in proximity to the ADAMTS13 active site, potentially comprising Glu184, Asp187, and Glu212. Mutagenesis of these residues within this site to alanine dramatically attenuated the K(D(app)) for Ca(2+) of ADAMTS13, and for D187A and E212A also reduced the V(max) to approximately 25% of normal. Kinetic analysis of the Asp187 mutant in the presence of excess Ca(2+) revealed an approximately 13-fold reduction in specificity constant, k(cat)/K(m), contributed by changes in both K(m) and k(cat). These results were corroborated using plasma-purified VWF as a substrate. Together, our results demonstrate that a major influence of Ca(2+) upon ADAMTS13 function is mediated through binding to a high-affinity site adjacent to its active site cleft.
Contact lenses as a platform for ocular drug delivery (2013)

The main reason for prior failures was the short duration of release from the lenses. The new technologies can provide extended drug release for hours to days. The in vivo animal and clinical studies have proven the safety and efficacy of drug-eluting contact lenses, while showing considerable improvements compared to eye drops. The future appears to be promising but several challenges remain such as processing and storage issues, regulatory hurdles, high costs of clinical studies, potential lack of acceptance by the elderly, etc.
Promotion of the development of safe driving support system with close collaboration between ITS engineers and social scientists (2008)

Since the first ITS World Congress was held in 1994, 14 years have passed. In this period in-vehicle navigation systems and the electronic toll collection (ETC) systems have been put into practice and now 30% of all passenger cars in Japan have equipped with in-vehicle navigation systems. Moreover many cars in Japan have equipped with in-vehicle ETC units and the infrastructure for ETC has been built at almost every toll gate. At very early stage of ETC popularization, people said that there was "chicken and egg arguments" between building ETC infrastructure at toll gates and spreading in-vehicle ETC units. They, therefore, worried about not spreading of ETC systems. But actually there was not any anxiety for spreading of ETC systems. On the contrary of this, safe driving support systems are not widely used in Japan as well as all over the worlds. Why are safe driving support systems not widely used? In this paper, necessity of the close collaboration between social scientists and natural scientists is proposed after our reviewing spare capacity model and the risk-homeo-stasis theory to explain both the relation between several characteristics of traffic accidents and human beings, qualitatively.
Personalisation of online avatars: is the messenger as important as the message? (2005)

In traditional media, the selection of an appropriate source for communication (such as a celebrity) is left in the hands of the advertiser who generally adopts a standardised spokesperson for an entire target market. Online, the opportunity now exists for this spokesperson to be personalised to suit individual consumers, through the use of avatars. This exploratory study investigates the potential functions and manifestations of avatars as well as consumer preference for avatars as a direct source of communication. Using a non-probability referral sample of college educated females (aged 18?30) from Southern California, preliminary findings revealed that empowering female consumers to select their own source of communication for online apparel shopping may offer a more effective way of developing persuasive messages.
The Circadian Rhythm of Plasma Melatonin During the Normal Menstrual Cycle and in Amenorrheic Women* (1988)

Plasma melatonin, PRL, and LH levels were measured in samples collected every 2 h for 24 h from 14 normally cycling women during the early follicular, periovulatory, and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles. Plasma melatonin levels also were measured in samples collected at the same interval from 7 patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea. A distinct daily rhythm in plasma melatonin was evident in all subjects, with peaks occurring around 0300 h. Each woman's rhythm was remarkably consistent throughout the menstrual cycle (in terms of the phase, amplitude, and total melatonin secreted). Plasma PRL levels also exhibited daily rhythms which did not change during the menstrual cycle; the nocturnal peak plasma PRL level tended to occur 1-2 h after that for melatonin. Among the amenorrheic women, both daytime and nighttime melatonin levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.005) than in the normal women. Their plasma PRL levels were similar to those in the normal women. We conclude that, as for PRL, the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion does not change significantly during the normal menstrual cycle. The elevated plasma melatonin levels in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea suggest that the hormone may be involved in the neuroendocrine pathology underlying this disorder.
Passive Immunization with Milk Produced from an Immunized Cow Prevents Oral Recolonization by <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> (2001)

Cell surface protein antigen (PAc) and water-insoluble glucan-synthesizing enzyme (GTF-I) produced by cariogenic Streptococcus mutans are two major factors implicated in the colonization of the human oral cavity by this bacterium. We examined the effect of bovine milk, produced after immunization with a fusion protein of functional domains of these proteins, on the recolonization of S. mutans. To prepare immune milk, a pregnant Holstein cow was immunized with the fusion protein PAcA-GB, a fusion of the saliva-binding alanine-rich region (PAcA) of PAc and the glucan-binding (GB) domain of GTF-I. After eight adult subjects received cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) treatment, one subgroup (n = 4) rinsed their mouths with immune milk and a control group (n = 4) rinsed with nonimmune milk. S. mutans levels in saliva and dental plaque decreased after CPC treatment in both groups. Mouth rinsing with immune milk significantly inhibited recolonization of S. mutans in saliva and plaque. On the other hand, the numbers of S. mutans cells in saliva and plaque in the control group increased immediately after the CPC treatment and surpassed the baseline level 42 and 28 days, respectively, after the CPC treatment. The ratios of S. mutans to total streptococci in saliva and plaque in the group that received immune milk were lower than those in the control group. These results suggest that milk produced from immunized cow may be useful for controlling S. mutans in the human oral cavity.
Experimental prediction of the performance of grasp tasks from visual features (2004)

This paper deals with visually guided grasping of unmodeled objects for robots which exhibit an adaptive behavior based on their previous experiences. Nine features are proposed to characterize three-finger grasps. They are computed from the object image and the kinematics of the hand. Real experiments on a humanoid robot with a Barrett hand are carried out to provide experimental data. This data is employed by a classification strategy, based on the k-nearest neighbour estimation rule, to predict the reliability of a grasp configuration in terms of five different performance classes. Prediction results suggest the methodology is adequate.
Amphiregulin anti‐sense oligodeoxynucleotides inhibit growth and transformation of a human colon carcinoma cell line (1995)

Amphiregulin (AR) is a secreted heparin-binding growth factor that is structurally and functionally related to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha). GEO cells are from a human colon cancer cell line that expresses high levels of AR protein and mRNA. To assess the role of AR in colon-cancer cell proliferation and transformation, 2 different anti-sense 20-mer phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (AR AS-1 and AR AS-2 S-oligos) complementary to the 5' sequence of AR mRNA were synthesized. Both AR AS S-oligos were able to inhibit the anchorage-dependent growth (ADG) of GEO cells. The 2 AR AS S-oligos were equipotent when used in equimolar concentrations. In particular, a 40% growth inhibition was observed at a concentration of 10 microM, while a mis-sense S-oligo used as control had no effect on GEO cell growth. The AR AS-1 S-oligo used at the same concentration also inhibited by 40% the 3H-thymidine incorporation by DNA of GEO cells. The anchorage-independent growth (AIG) of GEO cells was even more significantly affected by AR AS S-oligo treatment. In fact, up to 80% inhibition of the AIG of GEO cells was observed when cells were treated with 10 microM of both AR AS S-oligos. Finally, the AR AS S-oligos were able to specifically inhibit AR protein expression in GEO cells, as assessed by immunocytochemistry. These data suggest that AR is involved in colon-cancer cell transformation, and that AR may represent a suitable target for gene therapy in human colon carcinomas.