gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
X-ray emission spectra and the effect of oxidation on the local structure of porous and spark-processed silicon (1997)

The paper presents a comparison of x-ray emission spectra of porous silicon (P-Si) and of spark-processed silicon (sp-Si). Both types of Si structure display strong photoluminescence in the visible range of the spectrum. Porous samples were prepared by anodization of and Si wafers. Whereas for the P-Si processed from Si the presence of some amorphous silicon is detected, the x-ray emission spectra of porous Si prepared from Si display a higher content of . For spark-processed Si the x-ray emission spectra reveal a much stronger degree of oxidation which extends to depths larger than 10 000 Å. Furthermore, the chemical state of silicon atoms of sp-Si measured at the centre of the processed area is close to that of silicon dioxide, and depends slightly on the emission maximum. Specifically, green-photoluminescing sp-Si shows a higher degree of oxidation than the blue-luminescing specimen. However, the depth of oxidation consistently decreases for areas with weak photoluminescence and without photoluminescence. Possible origins for the photoluminescence are discussed.
The Guinean traditional medicine in the treatment of HIV/AIDS (2006)

In Guinea, for the majority of the 8 millions inhabitants, essential medicines remain unavailable and unaffordable. With the high cost of the imported drugs, it is less than 10% of the urban populations that benefited of these. Consequently, malaria and HIV/AIDS continue to claim innumerable lives over the country. The high cost and scarcity of many essential drugs as well as antiretroviral drugs has led the majority of people living with HIV/AIDS to use traditional herbal treatment for a variety of HIV-related conditions including opportunistic infections. Such widespread use of traditional medicine by people living with HIV/AIDS along with the role of traditional healers in contributing to AIDS prevention and support may be of interest in view to identify, evaluate and develop safe and effective local treatments for HIV-related-illnesses. Aiming that, an ethnopharmacological survey (2002–2005) over the country led to the recruitment of 418 traditional healers (36 to 87 years old), all assuming to be able to treat at least one Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STD) such as gonorrhoeae, syphilis, AIDS... From these healers, 370 have already heard about HIV/AIDS and only 120 have declared to be able to treat specifically HIV/AIDS. After three educational sessions focused on the prevalence, the contamination, the prevention and the treatment of both STD and HIV/AIDS, only 9/120 traditional healers were affirmative in being able to cure the disease. An ethnobotanical study has allowed a collection of 190 traditional recipes containing 218 plants used in the traditional treatment of STD. Of the 190 biologically tested extracts, 11 have shown a moderate in vitro antimicrobial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Candida albicans, and Herpes simplex virus. Of the 184 extracts tested for their anti-HIV effect, 12 have shown a moderate activity on both strain of the virus (VIH1 and 2). Bioassay guided fractionation on the most active extract resulted in the isolation of some anti-HIV compounds which are under structural investigations. A therapeutic evaluation of two traditional remedies were done under the auspice of the traditional healers and within their social environment. Significant adverse effects have been observed with one remedy. A slight increase of the CD4/CD8 burden was recorded.

These preliminaries results provide evidence on the presence of biologically active constituents. However, due to the adverse effects, an attention must be paid in their uses.
Bayesian inversion of marine CSEM data with a trans-dimensional self parametrizing algorithm (2012)

The posterior distribution of earth models that fit observed geophysical data convey information on the uncertainty with which they are resolved. From another perspective, the non-uniqueness inherent in most geophysical inverse problems of interest can be quantified by examining the posterior model distribution converged upon by a Bayesian inversion. In this work we apply a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo method to sample the posterior model distribution for the anisotropic 1-D seafloor conductivity constrained by marine controlled source electromagnetic data. Unlike conventional gradient based inversion approaches, our algorithm does not require any subjective choice of regularization parameter, and it is self parametrizing and trans-dimensional in that the number of interfaces with a resistivity contrast at depth is variable, as are their positions. A synthetic example demonstrates how the algorithm can be used to appraise the resolution capabilities of various electromagnetic field components for mapping a thin resistive reservoir buried beneath anisotropic conductive sediments. A second example applies the method to survey data collected over the Pluto gas field on the Northwest Australian shelf. A benefit of our Bayesian approach is that subsets of the posterior model probabilities can be selected to test various hypotheses about the model structure, without requiring further inversions. As examples, the subset of model probabilities can be viewed for models only containing a certain number of layers, or for models where resistive layers are present between a certain interval as suggested by other geological constraints such as seismic stratigraphy or nearby well logs.
The Arithmetic of Maximal Planes (1992)

The geometry of shapes made up of finite planes is considered in detail. Algorithms on maximal planes for performing shape arithmetic are developed.
Prospective randomized controlled trial comparing Lichtenstein with modified Bassini repair of inguinal hernia. (1998)

We present a prospective randomized study of 80 patients with inguinal hernia who underwent either a modified Bassini repair (n = 38) or a Lichtenstein mesh repair (n = 42). Treatment groups were matched for age, side of hernia, type of hernia and ASA grade. There was no difference in the time taken to perform the two operations: the mean time taken to perform Lichtenstein repair was 26.8 min (range 12 to 49), Bassini repair taking a mean of 27.5 min (range 9 to 51), P = 0.76. There was, however, a difference between the operating times with respect to the type of hernia present, direct hernias being the fastest to repair. Pain scores were assessed by a visual analogue scale, and there was significantly less pain in the Lichtenstein group, P = 0.028. Despite this, there was no difference between the analgesic requirements of the two groups, P = 0.073. In order to assess rehabilitation, lengths of time not working and not driving were assessed. There was no difference in either measurement, P = 0.335 and 0.467 respectively. Patients were followed up a mean of 7 weeks post-operatively (range 1 to 13 weeks). There was no significant difference between the two procedures with regard to post-operative urinary complications, wound infection or other complications. All measurements except the time taken to perform the operation were independent of the surgeon involved. The accuracy of the clinical diagnosis was also assessed, and found to be moderate, with 63% of diagnoses being correct.
SYNTHESIS OF ROD-LIKE MAGNETITE BY USING LOW MAGNETIC FIELD (2011)

Magnetic (nano)particles are intensively studied in the last years due to their multiple applications. The purpose of this paper is the synthesis of rod-like magnetite by magnetically assisted co-precipitation. The synthesized magnetite nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, DSC-TG and TEM from compositional and especially morphological point of view. The use of 0.5T magnetic field induces a preferential growth of magnetite nanoparticles on the 400 direction while this preferential growth cannot be identified in the absence of the magnetic field proving that the synthesis of rod-like magnetite is due to the applied magnetic field. The mechanism of synthesis was explained based on the magnetite particles behaviour in magnetic field.
HMG-CoA reductase regulation: use of structurally diverse first half-reaction squalene synthetase inhibitors to characterize the site of mevalonate-derived nonsterol regulator production in cultured IM-9 cells (1999)

The activity of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) is tightly regulated, in part through post-transcriptional mechanisms that are mediated by nonsterol products of mevalonate metabolism. Previous reports have suggested that these mediators are derived from farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). Recent studies have implicated FPP hydrolysis products (e.g., farnesol), the squalene synthetase (SQS) reaction products presqualene pyrophosphate (PSQPP) and squalene, or their metabolites. To distinguish among these possible mediators, we evaluated the ability of HMGR and SQS inhibitors to induce compensatory increases in HMGR activity in cultured IM-9 cells. Mevinolin (HMGR inhibitor) produced predicted increases in HMGR activity that were related to the degree of cholesterolgenesis inhibition (e.g., 4-fold, 9-fold, and 17-fold increases relative to 50%, 76%, and 90% inhibition, respectively). By contrast, a variety of structurally distinct reversible, competitive, first half-reaction SQS inhibitors all reduced cholesterolgenesis by up to 90% with no appreciable increases in HMGR activity. These observations strongly suggest that nonsterol-mediated post-transcriptional mechanisms regulating HMGR activity remain intact after SQS first half-reaction inhibition, indicating that nonsterol regulator production is independent of SQS action and ruling out PSQPP, squalene and their metabolites as possible mediators. Unexpectedly, the SQS mechanism-based irreversible inactivator, zaragozic acid A (ZGA) exhibited the greatest degree of HMGR modulation, producing 5-fold, 11-fold, and 40-fold increases in HMGR activity at concentrations that produced 25%, 50%, and 75% cholesterolgenesis inhibition, respectively. The markedly greater magnitude of HMGR stimulation by ZGA versus mevinolin at similar levels of cholesterolgenesis inhibition suggests that ZGA may directly interfere with the production or action of the nonsterol regulator.
High-efficiency thin-film cadmium telluride photovoltaic cells. Annual technical report, January 20, 1996--January 19, 1997 (1997)

The University of Toledo photovoltaics group has been instrumental in developing rf sputtering for CDs/CdTe thin-film solar cells. During the third phase of the present contract our work focussed on efforts to determine factors which limit the efficiency in our {open_quotes}all-sputtered{close_quotes} thin-film CdTe solar cells on soda-lime glass. We find that our all-sputtered cells, which are deposited at substantially lower temperature than those by sublimation or vapor deposition, require less aggressive CdCl{sub 2} treatments than do other deposition techniques and this is presumably related to CDs/CdTe interdiffusion. The CDs/CdTe interdiffusion process has been studied by several methods, including photoluminescence and capacitance-voltage measurements. Furthermore, we have deposited special thin bilayer films on quartz and borosilicate glass. Interdiffusion in these thin bilayers have been probed by Rutherford backscattering, with collaborators at Case Western Reserve University, and grazing incidence x-ray scattering (GIXS), with collaborators at the University at Buffalo and Brookhaven National Lab. Also, in order better to understand the properties of the ternary alloy material, we used laser physical vapor deposition to prepare a series of CdS{sub x}Te{sub 1-x} films on borosilicate glass. The composition of the alloy films was determined by wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy at NREL. These films are currently being investigated by us and other groups at NREL and IEC.
Complete expression trees for evolving fuzzy classifier systems with genetic algorithms and application to network intrusion detection (2003)

We propose a linear representation scheme for evolving fuzzy rules using the concept of complete binary tree structures. We also use special genetic operators such as gene addition, gene deletion, and variable length crossover. Results show that using these special operators along with the common mutation operator produce useful and minimal structure modifications to the fuzzy expression tree represented by the chromosome. The proposed method (representation and operators) is tested with a number of benchmark data sets including the KDDCup'99 Network Intrusion Detection data.
The Electrical Conductivity of Liquid Selenium and Selenium-Tellurium Mixtures (1952)

The electrical conductivity of liquid selenium and selenium-tellurium mixtures was studied in detail. Measurements in the temperature range 230° to 500°C from dc to 1 mc/sec indicated the conductivities to be frequency-independent at low field strength (&lt;5 v/cm). For larger fields (5 to 250 v/cm) the conductivity increases and higher dc than ac values result. Adding increasing amounts of tellurium to selenium produced a continuous rise in conductivity from 1.26×10−4 ohm−1 cm−1 (pure Se) to 2.08×10−1 ohm−1 cm−1 (50.3 percent Se, 49.7 percent Te) at 480°C and a decrease in activation energy from 1.14 ev to 0.84 ev. Comparatively good reproducibility was obtained in the measurements. An attempt to study ionic migration in liquid selenium by tracer methods has thus far not given satisfactory results. The conductivity values obtained for pure selenium are in good agreement with those presented by Henkels but disagree with those of Borelius. The electrical characteristics of liquid selenium and selenium-tellurium mixtures indicate that hole conduction as pictured for selenium in the solid state cannot be considered as an adequate explanation of the conduction process in these liquids. A complex mixture of conduction by electrons, holes, and ions is believed to exist.
VEGF‐overexpressing transgenic mice show enhanced post‐ischemic neurogenesis and neuromigration (2007)

New neurons are generated continuously in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of the adult brain. Neuropathologic processes, including cerebral ischemia, can enhance neurogenesis, as can growth factors and other physiologic stimuli. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic and neuroprotective growth factor that can promote neurogenesis, but it is unknown whether VEGF can enhance migration of newborn neurons toward sites of ischemic injury, where they might be able to replace neurons that undergo ischemic death. In the present study we produced permanent focal cerebral ischemia in transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress VEGF. Cell proliferation and neurogenesis were assessed with bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) labeling and immunostaining for cell type-specific markers. In VEGF-Tg mice, brains examined 7-28 days after cerebral ischemia showed markedly increased subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenesis, chains of neuroblasts extending from the SVZ to the peri-infarct cortex, and an increase in the number of newly generated cortical neurons at 14-28 days after ischemia. In concert with these effects, VEGF overexpression reduced infarct volume and improved postischemic motor function. These findings provide evidence that VEGF increases SVZ neurogenesis and neuromigration, consistent with a possible role in repair. Our data suggest that in addition to its neuroprotective effects, which are associated with improved outcome in the acute phase after cerebral ischemia, VEGF enhances postischemic neurogenesis, which could provide a therapeutic target for more chronic brain repair.
Stomach Specific Anti-Helicobacter Pylori Therapy: Preparation and Evaluation of Amoxicillin-Loaded Chitosan Mucoadhesive Microspheres (2006)

The purpose of this research was to formulate and systematically evaluate in vitro and in vivo performances of mucoadhesive amoxicillin microspheres for the potential use of treating gastric and duodenal ulcers, which were associated with Helicobacter pylori. Amoxicillin mucoadhesive microspheres containing chitosan as mucoadhesive polymer were prepared by simple emulsification phase separation technique using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. Results of preliminary trials indicate that volume of cross-linking agent, time for cross-linking, polymer-to-drug ratio, and speed of rotation affected characteristics of microspheres. Microspheres were discrete, spherical, free flowing and also showed high percentage drug entrapment efficiency. In vitro mucoadhesive test showed that amoxicillin mucoadhesive microspheres adhered more strongly to gastric mucous layer and could retain in gastrointestinal tract for an extended period of time. A 3(2) full factorial design was employed to study the effect of independent variables, polymer-to-drug ratio (X(1)), and stirring speed (X(2)) on dependent variables i.e. percentage mucoadhesion, t(80), drug entrapment efficiency, particle size and swelling index. The best batch exhibited a high drug entrapment efficiency of 70 % and a swelling index of 1.39; percentage mucoadhesion after 1 h was 79 %. The drug release was also sustained for more than 12 h. The polymer-to-drug ratio had a more significant effect on the dependent variables. The morphological characteristics of the mucoadhesive microspheres were studied using scanning electron microscopy. In vitro release test showed that amoxicillin released slightly faster in pH 1.0 hydrochloric acid than in pH 7.8 phosphate buffer. In vivo H. pylori clearance tests were also carried out by administering amoxicillin mucoadhesive microspheres and powder, to H. pylori infectious Wistar rats under fed conditions at single dose or multiple dose(s) in oral administration. The results showed that amoxicillin mucoadhesive microspheres had a better clearance effect than amoxicillin powder. In conclusion, the prolonged gastrointestinal residence time and enhanced amoxicillin stability resulting from the mucoadhesive microspheres of amoxicillin might make contribution complete eradication of H. pylori.
Contribuição ao estudo da anatomia patológica do megaesôfago chagásico (1991)

Systematized study was made in 56 esophagi of chronic chagasics (17 with and 39 without megas) aiming to: 1) to evaluate the esophageal caliber and thickness ranges; 2) analyse qualitative and quantitatively, the myenteric plexuses, trying to evaluate the relation of their lesions and the development of megaesophagus (ME); 3) study the lesions of the muscularis propria to verify if they contribute or not to the beginning of the process; 4) search for T. cruzi and its eventual relationship with the inflammation; 5) identify the principal mucosal alterations. It was confirmed that the severest lesions were found in the muscularis propria and in the plexures of Auerbach ganglia. In the former, the main alterations were myositis and fibrosis. The myentric plexuses showed inflammation and neuronal depopulation when compared with non-mega chagasic esophagi and even more when compared with the controls. On the other hand, there were normal caliber esophagi with severe denervation. It is possible that several factors may lead to the esophagopathy, especially to the ME. The search for T. cruzi was found positive in four out of eight esophagi with mega and in none of eight chagasic esophagi without mega. Mucosal and submucosal lesions were unremarkable and do not seem to be involved with the development of the process.
Prior Elicitation: Interactive Spreadsheet Graphics With Sliders Can Be Fun, and Informative (2014)

There are several approaches to setting priors in Bayesian data analysis. Some attempt to minimize the impact of the prior on the posterior, allowing the data to "speak for themselves, " or to provide Bayesian inferences that have good frequentist properties. In contrast, this note focuses on priors where scientific knowledge is used, possibly partially informative. There are many articles on the use of such subjective information. We focus on using standard software for eliciting priors from subject-matter specialists, in the form of models such as the binomial, Poisson, and normal. Our approach uses a common spreadsheet package with the facility to display dynamic pictures of prior distributions as the user toggles scroll bars or "sliders" that manipulate parameters of particular distributions. This allows interactive exploration of the shape of a probability distribution. We have found this a useful tool when eliciting priors for Bayesian data analysis. We present examples to illustrate the scope and flexibility of the method. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a redox-sensitive cytokine in cardiac myocytes (2001)

Objective: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which plays a pivotal role in the control of inflammatory responses, was first characterized as a T-cell cytokine, but later was also found as a pituitary peptide released in response to infection and stress. However, MIF's role and expression in the myocardium has never been reported. The goal of this study is to examine MIF in the myocardium. Methods and results: MIF protein and mRNA levels were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Increased MIF concentrations were detected in the sera of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In cultured rat cardiac myocytes, significant amounts of MIF were produced in response to hypoxia and hydrogen peroxide (H O ), but not to angiotensin II, endothelin-1, interleukin-1b (IL-1b) or tumor necrosis factor a (TNFa). 2 2 H O -induced MIF production increased in a time-and dose-dependent manner and was completely abolished in the presence of catalase.
Discomfort glare: What do we actually know? (2012)

Glare models were reviewed with an eye for missing conditions or inconsistencies. Ambiguities were found relating to when to use small source versus large source models and as to what constitutes a glare source in a complex scene. Also, there was surprisingly little information validating the assumed independence of the factors driving glare. A barrier to progress in glare research is the lack of a standardized dependent measure of glare. The glare models were inverted so as to predict luminance and to compare model predictions against the 1949 Luckiesh and Guth data that form the basis of many of them. The models performed surprisingly poorly, particularly with regards to the luminance-size relationship and additivity. Evaluating glare in complex scenes may require fundamental changes to the form of the glare models.
Design and preliminary experimental results for a high-frequency crossed electrode phased array, based on a reconfigurable Fresnel lens (2016)

A reconfigurable Fresnel lens approach for 3D imaging on crossed electrode array is described. A Fresnel lens can provide a focus comparable to traditional beamforming if the Fresnel focus is used in one direction, combined with conventional beamforming in the other direction. For example, in azimuth the Fresnel pattern is applied on transmit and dynamic beamforming is completed on receive. A second feature to our crossed electrode design arises from the fact that although a Fresnel lens can create a tight lateral focus, inherently long axial pulses result in poor axial resolution. This is because the phase delays are quantized to 0 or 180 degrees, and at wide steering angles the element path distance spans multiple wavelengths. We have developed a split and delay subaperture technique that maintains axial resolution throughout the image. At 0, 15 and 25 degrees the axial resolution using a single aperture was 64, 180 and 321 um. After splitting the aperture into 8 sub-apertures the resolution is 53, 64 and 77 um. The beamwidths using this technique are comparable to a traditional array and agree well with simulation suggesting that this Fresnel approach shows promise for 3D imaging.