nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
The nature of the slow metal ion-dependent conformational transition in bovine prothrombin.

Kinetic parameters characterizing the slow structural isomerization observed via metal ion-dependent intrinsic fluorescence quenching of bovine prothrombin Fragment 1 have been determined. From forward and reverse rate constants, an equilibrium constant of approx. 0.25 is calculated. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that there exists, in the absence of metal ions, an equilibrium between two forms of bovine Fragment 1, one of which can interact rapidly with Ca2+ and subsequently with phospholipid. The other form of Fragment 1 cannot interact with Ca2+ in a manner that yields a phospholipid-binding form of the protein. Interconversion of these two forms of Fragment 1 occurs and may involve the isomerization of a proline residue.

Field of study: Biology, Computer science
Upper bounds for ruin probabilities under model uncertainty

In this paper, we investigate some ruin problems for risk models that contain uncertainties on both claim frequency and claim size distribution. The problems naturally lead to the evaluation of ruin probabilities under the so-called G-expectation framework. We assume that the risk process is described as a class of G-compound Poisson process, a special case of the G-Lévy process. By using the exponential martingale approach, we obtain the upper bounds for the two-sided ruin probability as well as the ruin probability involving investment. Furthermore, we derive the optimal investment strategy under the criterion of minimizing this upper bound. Finally, we conclude that the upper bound in the case with investment is less than or equal to the case without investment.

Field of study: Mathematics
Mergers & Acquisitions and Efficiency of Financial Intermediation in Nigeria Banks: An Empirical Analysis

The value gains that alleged to accrue to the large and growing wave of merger and acquisition activity have not been verified. Thus leading the research community in quandary on whether the industry has followed a path of massive restructuring on a misguided belief of value gains or whether the financial regulators and operators are lying to the public and shareholders about the effects of their activity on shareholders value and banking performance. It is important to address this issue by reconciling data with empirical reality of continued merger and acquisition activity. This paper fills the gap by investigating the effects of mergers and acquisitions on the efficiency of financial intermediation in the Nigerian banking industry. This is carried out by estimating a model that incorporates some key financial variables in a model that regress interest rates on these financial variables. Two models are estimated: one for the lending activity and the other is for the deposit activities. The model for lending activity has interest rate on loan as the dependent variable and deposit rate represents the dependent variable in the deposit model. The study found evidence to support the thesis that the consolidation programme-induced mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry had improved competitiveness and efficiency of the borrowing and lending operations of the Nigerian banking industry.

Field of study: Business
Assessing the epidemiology of suicide and parasuicide.

Suicide is a rare phenomenon – in most countries, it explains between 0.5 and 1% of all deaths – no more than 15 per 100 000 population. Although rates increase with age, its impact on the total mortality of the young is greater than its impact on the elderly. Despite its rarity, the subject has attracted, and continues to attract, wide interest among academics and popular writers.

Field of study: Medicine, Psychology
Destabilization of Heterologous Proteins Mediated by the GSK3β Phosphorylation Domain of the β-Catenin Protein

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays important roles in development and cellular processes. The hallmark of canonical Wnt signaling activation is the stabilization of β-catenin protein in cytoplasm and/or nucleus. The stability of β-catenin is the key to its biological functions and is controlled by the phosphorylation of its amino-terminal degradation domain. Aberrant activation of β-catenin signaling has been implicated in the development of human cancers. It has been recently suggested that GSK3βmay play an essential role in regulating global protein turnover. Here, we investigate if the GSK3β phosphorylation site-containing degradation domain of β-catenin is sufficient to destabilize heterologous proteins.  We engineer chimeric proteins by fusing β-catenin degradation domain at the N- and/or C-termini of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). In both transient and stable expression experiments, the chimeric GFP proteins exhibit a significantly decreased stability, which can be effectively antagonized by lithium and Wnt1. An activating mutation in the destruction domain significantly stabilizes the fusion protein. Furthermore, GSK3 inhibitor SB-216763 effectively increases the GFP signal of the fusion protein. Conversely, the inhibition of Wnt signaling with tankyrase inhibitor XAV939 results in a decrease in GFP signal of the fusion proteins, while these small molecules have no significant effects on the mutant destruction domain-GFP fusion protein.  Our findings strongly suggest that the β-catenin degradation domain may be sufficient to destabilize heterologous proteins in Wnt signaling-dependent manner. It is conceivable that the chimeric GFP proteins may be used as a functional reporter to measure the dynamic status of β-catenin signaling, and to identify potential anticancer drugs that target β-catenin signaling.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Prevalence and Determinants of Epilepsy among School Children in Aseer Region- KSA

Epilepsy is a heterogeneous collection of neurological conditions and syndromes characterized by recurrent, unprovoked, paroxysmal seizure activity. It is estimated that 10.5 million children under 15 years have active epilepsy, representing about 25% of the global epilepsy population.2  Of the 3.5 million people who develop epilepsy annually, 40% are younger than 15 years, and more than 80% live in developing countries.  Epilepsy is an important cause of neurological morbidity in .children. Family history of epilepsy, neonatal complications, perinatal brain damage, congenital cerebral malformations, intracranial infection, neonatal seizures, febrile seizure were found as predictors of childhood seizure disorder in many of the studies. In early onset epilepsy perinatal asphyxia, neonatal meningitis and neonatal seizure was found to be the important predictors little research has been done on childhood epilepsy in Aseer region. Greater knowledge on risk factors of epilepsy in the early years of life could help to improve understanding of epilepsy, can tell us about its prognosis and allow early intervention.  This research aimed to determine the prevalence of epilepsy among the school children and determine the risk factors associated with epilepsy Methodology: A case control study was conducted among school students aged 6 up to 18 years. Primary , preparatory and secondary schools was randomly selected in Abha and Khamis Mushait.   20 cases of epilepsy was detected among the studied group. The identified major etiologic factors of the epilepsies were cerebral trauma , febrile convulsions, A family history of epilepsy was a risk factor of the cases, and the consanguinity rate among the parents was high. The most important risk factors for epilepsy in this study only head trauma, febrile convulsions, consanguinity and family history of epilepsy were significant Keywords : Prevalence, Determinants, Epilepsy, children, school

Field of study: Education
Teslatransformertype electron beam accelerator

An electronbeam Teslatransformer accelerator is described. It consists of the primary storage energy system, Tesla transformer, oil Blumlein pulse form line, and the vacuum diode. The experiments of initial stage showed that diode voltage rises up to about 500kV with an input of 20kV and the maximum electronbean current is about 9kA, the pulse width is about 50ns. This device can operate stably and be set up easily.

Field of study: Physics
Heat flow and crustal thermal structure in the Late Archaean Closepet Granite batholith, south India

The Late Archaean Closepet Granite batholith in south India is exposed at different crustal levels grading from greenschist facies in the north through amphibolite and granulite facies in the south along a ∼400 km long segment in the Dharwar craton. Two areas, Pavagada and Magadi, located in the Main Mass of the batholith, best represent the granitoid of the greenschist and amphibolite facies crustal levels respectively. Heat flow estimates of 38 mW m−2 from Pavagada and 25 mW m−2 from Magadi have been obtained through measurements in deep (430 and 445 m) and carefully sited boreholes. Measurements made in four boreholes of opportunity in Pavagada area yield a mean heat flow of 39 ± 4 (s.d.) mW m−2, which is in good agreement with the estimate from deep borehole. The study, therefore, demonstrates a clear-cut heat flow variation concomitant with the crustal levels exposed in the two areas. The mean heat production estimates for the greenschist facies and amphibolite facies layers constituting the Main Mass of the batholith are 2.9 and 1.8 μW m−3, respectively. The enhanced heat flow in the Pavagada area is consistent with the occurrence of a radioelement-enriched 2-km-thick greenschist facies layer granitoid overlying the granitoid of the amphibolite facies layer which is twice as thick as represented in the Magadi area. The crustal heat production models indicate similar mantle heat flow estimates in the range 12–14 mW m−2, consistent with the other parts of the greenstone-granite-gneiss terrain of the Dharwar craton.

Field of study: Environmental science
Deep-Sequencing Identification of MicroRNA Biomarkers in Serum Exosomes for Early Pig Pregnancy

Early pregnancy diagnosis in sows can significantly improve the efficiency of pig industry. Exosomes are membrane-covered nanovesicles that can transport microRNAs (miRNAs) and other molecular signals between cells. In other species, serum exosome-derived miRNAs can serve as good biomarkers of diseases and different physiological states, including pregnancy status. We hypothesized that circulating exosome-derived miRNAs might be used to differentiate the pregnancy status as early as several days after insemination in pigs. To test this hypothesis, we randomly assigned pigs for artificial insemination with fertile or dead semen (control group). Serum samples were obtained from pregnant pigs on days 9, 12, and 15 after insemination and from non-pregnant pigs on days 0, 9, 12, and 15 after insemination. Exosomes were isolated for RNA extraction. The exosomal RNA samples from pigs on day 9 of the estrus cycle and pregnancy were used for small-RNA sequencing. A total 321 miRNAs were identified in all samples. Twenty eight differentially abundant miRNAs were identified between the pregnant and control groups. miRNAs with | log2 (fold change)| > 2 from sequencing results were selected for validation by quantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in larger samples. Finally two upregulated miRNAs (miR-92b-3p and miR-17-5p) in the pregnant groups (on days 9, 12, and 15 of pregnancy) were confirmed by RT-qPCR. In summary, we have successfully identified circulating exosomal miRNA profiles in the serum of pigs in early pregnancy. miR-92b-3p and miR-17-5p could be used as potential circulating biomarkers for early pregnancy diagnosis.

Field of study: Biology
Cadmium induces two waves of reactive oxygen species in Glycine max (L.) roots.

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential heavy metal that may be toxic or even lethal to plants as it can be easily taken up by the roots and loaded into the xylem to the leaves. Using soybean roots (Glycine max L.) DM 4800, we have analysed various parameters related to reactive oxygen metabolism and nitric oxide (NO) during a 6 day Cd exposure. A rise in H(2)O(2) and NO, and to a lesser extent O(2)(·-) content was observed after 6 h exposure with a concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation and carbonyl group content. Both oxidative markers were significantly reduced after 24 h. A second, higher wave of O(2)(·-) production was also observed after 72 h of exposure followed by a reduction until the end of the treatment. NOX and glicolate oxidase activity might be involved in the initial Cd-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and it appears that other sources may also participate. The analysis of antioxidative enzymes showed an increase in glutathione-S-transferase activity and in transcript levels and activity of enzymes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and the NADPH-generating enzymes. These results suggest that soybean is able to respond rapidly to oxidative stress imposed by Cd by improving the availability of NADPH necessary for the ascorbate-glutathione cycle.

Field of study: Environmental science
Chronic palmitate exposure inhibits AMPKα and decreases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from β-cells: modulation by fenofibrate

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a vital regulator of glucose metabolism, may affect insulin secretion in β-cells. However, the role of AMPK in β-cell lipotoxicity remains unclear. Fenofibrate has been reported to regulate lipid homeostasis and is involved in insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of palmitate on AMPK expression and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in rat islets and INS-1 β-cell, as well as the effect of fenofibrate on AMPK and GSIS in INS-1 cells treated with palmitate.Isolated rat islets and INS-1 β-cells were treated with and without palmitate or fenofibrate for 48 h. The mRNA levels of the AMPKα isoforms were measured by real-time PCR. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of total AMPKα (T-AMPKα), phosphorylated AMPKα (P-AMPKα), and phosphorylated acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (P-ACC). Insulin secretion was detected by radioimmunoassay induced by 20 mmol/L glucose as GSIS.Results:The results showed that chronic exposure of β-cells to palmitate for 48 h inhibited the expression of AMPKα1 mRNA and T-AMPKα protein levels, as well as P-AMPKα and P-ACC protein expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Accordingly, GSIS was inhibited by palmitate. Compared with the palmitate-treated cells, fenofibrate ameliorated these changes impaired by palmitate and exhibited a significant elevation in the expression of AMPKα and GSIS.Conclusion:Our findings suggest a role of AMPKα reduction in β-cell lipotoxicity and a novel role of fenofibrate in improving GSIS associated with the AMPKα activation in β-cells chronically exposed to palmitate.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
Abscisic acid regulation of gene expression during water-deficit stress in the era of the Arabidopsis genome.

Changes in gene expression may lead to cellular adaptation of water-deficit stress, yet all of the induced mRNAs may not play this role. Changes in gene expression must be signalled by transduction mechanisms that first sense a water deficit. This first step triggers changes in gene expression that function to synthesize additional signals such as abscisic acid (ABA). The enzymes involved in ABA biosynthesis have been cloned and their regulation during water-deficit stress is being characterized. Once ABA levels are increased, further signalling mechanisms are initiated to signal new gene expression patterns that are proposed to play a role in cellular adaptation to water-deficit stress. As the genome of Arabidopsis is now completed, much more information can be exploited to characterize these responses.

Field of study: Environmental science
Sessile serrated adenomas detection rate among the surgeons and the gastroenterologists: A retrospective analysis

Sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs) are flat or sessile benign lesions occasionally covered by a mucous cap and invariably lead to colorectal cancer. The adenoma detection rate (ADR) is recognized as an important quality measure for colonoscopy.  The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the ADR during colonoscopy among surgeons and gastroenterologists.  In this retrospective analysis, all colonoscopies performed during July 2018–July 2019 at Caboolture Hospital, Queensland, Australia were included in the study. After considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the rate of sessile polyp detection among the gastroenterologist versus surgeons was investigated by calculating a correlation coefficient weighted by factors such as experience, colonoscopy intubation time, and removal of scopes.  A total of 3425 colonoscopies performed by 7 surgeons and 4 gastroenterologists were assessed. Among them, 58.7% colonoscopies were performed by the surgeons, while gastroenterologists performed 41.3% colonoscopies. The median age of patients was 56.5 years (25–88 years), more common in male than female (58.9% and 41.1%, respectively, p<0.0001). The average withdrawal time among the surgeons and gastroenterologist was 8.05 and 8.54 min, respectively (p=0.02). Mean cecal intubation rate among the surgeons and gastroenterologist was 94.7% and 97.4%, respectively. Most patients had adequate bowel preparations; however, poor bowel preparation was observed among 6.15% gastroenterology patients and 5.6% in surgical patients.  Based on the longer withdrawal time and improved skillset, sessile serrated polyp detection rate during colonoscopy was higher among the gastroenterologist as compared to the surgeons.

Field of study: Medicine
Heating of the Beurling operator: Sufficient conditions for the two-weight case

We establish sucient conditions on the two weights w and v so that the Beurling-Ahlfors transform acts continuously from L 2 (w 1 ) to L 2 (v). Our conditions are simple estimates involving heat extensions and Green's potentials of the weights. Notation. C a constant not depending on any functions, other than the weights. C will not necessarily denote the same constant at each occurrence. x := (x1;x2), @1f(x) := @f=@x1. (x;t) = t(x) := (4t ) 1 e k xk 2 =4t

Field of study: Mathematics
THE EFFECT OF SIMULATED RAIN ON FOLPET AND MANCOZEB RESIDUES ON GRAPES AND ON VINE LEAVES

Artificial rainfalls were used to determine the effect of the amount of the rainfall and the time interval between pesticide application and rainfall event, on folpet and mancozeb residues on grapes and vine leaves. Forty-five mm of rain were administered to the vineyard in different amounts (45; 30+15; + 15 15+15 mm). Folpet showed good rainfastness on the grapes and on the leaves. A modest decrease was observed only in the experiments that had received 45 mm of rain at one go. Mancozeb showed a lower rainfastness, since a portion of the deposit was easily washed off also by a modest rainfall. The percentage of this portion was higher in the grapes (38%) than in the leaves (20%). The data obtained in these experiments show that, in the case of folpet, it is not necessary to repeat the treatment when it rains the day after, while it is recommendable to repeat it in the case of mancozeb.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
On the status quo of the sports club in China and corresponding countermeasures

Considerable progress has been achieved in trying to make the sports club professional;nevertheless,there still remain quite a few problems which are hindering its deep and sustaining development. These problems are mainly reflected in the following aspects: backward in management concept, unclear property ownership,unreasonable distribution mechanism,weak consuming power of the mass,imbalanced district economic development,and inadequate cooperation with the news media.In order to provide a proper solution to these problems, this article puts forward the following countermeasures and suggestions,which include clarifying the property ownership, improving the management mechanism,establishing and perfecting the system of regulations of the sports club,transforming management concept,enhancing managers' qualities, perfecting the intermediary institutions and brokers systems and adopting the financing policy.

Field of study: Education
"Words that hold us up:" Teacher talk and academic language in five upper elementary classrooms

This study investigates the oral academic language used by English as a second language prepared teachers during content area instruction in five upper elementary classrooms in the United States. Using ethnographic and sociolinguistic perspectives the authors examine the oral, academic language exposure students received from their teachers during mathematics, social studies, and language arts instruction in mainstream classrooms. 
 
Findings suggest that English language learners in these classrooms (1) had limited opportunities to hear the specialized language of the content areas, and (2) encountered a variety of opaque terms (e.g., homophones, idiomatic expressions), which can potentially hinder understanding. These findings have important implications for: understanding the subtle and overt aspects of the language of school, increasing our understanding of teacher talk during content area instruction, and preparing educators to teach the unique linguistic demands of each academic content area.

Field of study: Education, Linguistics
An Improved Interference Suppression Algorithm Based on Regular WPT in the DSSS Satellite Communication System

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), which is a typical spread spectrum technology with the characteristic of anti-jam, is widely used in satellite communication systems. Nevertheless, its processing gain is always limited because there are some restrictions on bandwidth and techniques in a practical system. When the interference is over threshold, it will lead to performance degradation Transform domain processing technology does improve the system's antiinterference ability. Fourier transform possesses a certain analyzing ability in the time and frequency domain, and wavelet packet transform has a better one. Both of their results of signal processing are not satisfied due to the limited capability of the interference detection and suppression. Through comparing and summarizing the traditional algorithm, a novel interference suppression algorithm which combines wavelet packet transform with Fourier transform is put forward in this paper. Simulation results reveal that the proposed interference suppression algorithm significantly improves the anti-jamming capability the DSSS satellite communication system

Field of study: Engineering
Structure of Rhodoferax fermentans high-potential iron-sulfur protein solved by MAD.

The crystal structure of Rhodoferax fermentans high-potential iron protein (HiPIP) has been solved by MAD methods using the anomalous signal from the Fe atoms in the [Fe(4)S(4)] cluster present in the protein and refined to a resolution of 1.45 A. The peptide chain is well defined except in the N- and C-terminal areas. The structure of the protein reveals the presence of three helical fragments, a small beta-sheet and several turns, with the [Fe(4)S(4)] cluster being located close to a surface patch containing several well conserved aromatic residues. The protein fold is very similar to the structures of other known HiPIPs, especially in the region proximal to the [Fe(4)S(4)] cluster, while the largest differences are observed on the opposite side of the protein, which is rich in positive charges and has no sequential homology to other HiPIP families.

Field of study: Chemistry