nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Nutrient variation in colored varieties of Ipomea batatas grown in Vihiga County, Western Kenya.

Nutrient deficiencies are a major global health problem affecting more than 2 billion people (children included) in low income countries. Deficiencies are reported for both organic nutrients such as vitamin C, beta-carotene (BC)-the vitamin A (VA) precursor and for mineral nutrients; calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and potassium (K). In Kenya, potential nutrient-rich foods such as Ipomea batatas (sweet potato) are locally available but their nutrient content needs to be quantified.  County, Kenya grows white, yellow, purple and orange colored flesh sweet potato varieties. This study aimed at quantifying vitamin VA and C in raw and boiled varieties of sweet potato from Vihiga County. In addition, raw samples of sweet potato as well as soils growing them were quantified for Ca, Fe, K and copper (Cu). Liquid chromatography, iodometric titration and atomic absorption spectroscopy were employed. The orange fleshed varieties had significantly higher level of Fe, K, Cu and vitamins. Vitamins though reduced significantly with boiling. The level of Ca, Fe, K and Cu in soils was positively correlated (r=0.07) with those found in the sweet potato. This study indicates that the orange fleshed sweet potato contain higher levels of Fe, Cu, K, VA and vitamin C making it a very rich source for both organic and mineral dietary nutrient. While production of other sweet potato varieties is encouraged, the study findings promote the consumption of orange fleshed sweet potato to address nutrient deficiencies.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Detection of Trace Elements in Active Luminescent Glass Using Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Combined with Laser-induced Fluorescence

In the preparation of active luminescent glass, trace elements are generally co-doped to improve the properties. To overcome the poor sensitivity of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) on detecting trace elements in glass, LIBS combined with laser-induced fluorescence was utilized to detect trace Yb, Al and P. A wavelength-tunable laser was used to excited Yb ions, Al atoms, and P atoms. The transition process in laser-induced fluorescence was described. The results showed that the spectral intensities of Yb, Al and P were enhanced by 23, 50 and 8 times, respectively. LIBS sensitivity was demonstrated to be greatly improved by combining laser-induced fluorescence.

Field of study: Chemistry
Semiconjugacy to a map of a constant slope

Let us consider continuous maps f : X → X and g : Y → Y , where X, Y are compact Hausdorff spaces and φ : X → Y is continuous such that the diagram X f → X ↓φ ↓φ Y g → Y commutes, i.e., φ ◦ f = g ◦ φ. When φ is surjective, we say that f is semiconjugated to g via a map φ and in that case the topological entropy htop(·) satisfies htop(f) ≥ htop(g) . Let X = Y = [0, 1]. A continuous map f : [0, 1] → [0, 1] is said to be piecewise monotone if there are k ∈ N and points 0 = c0 < c1 < · · · < ck−1 < ck = 1 such that f is monotone on each [ci, ci+1], i = 0, . . . , k− 1. We shall say that a piecewise monotone map g has a constant slope s if on each of its pieces of monotonicity it is affine with the slope of absolute value s. In one-dimensional dynamical systems the following interesting result has been proved.

Field of study: Mathematics
Resource Based Pricing Framework for Integrated Services Networks

This paper addresses the impact of Quality of Service on resource requirements in networks that implement exclusive bandwidth allocation, such as IntServ. The paper proposes a framework for pricing flows based on the impact of their reservations on the resources for which the network must be provisioned. The developed framework is analytical and is based on the economies associated with aggregating vs. segregating exclusive bandwidths that cater to customers demanding a specified Quality of Service.

Field of study: Computer science
Nonparametric Stepwise Multiple Comparison Procedures

Nonparametric multiple comparisons are discussed, with particular emphasis given to stepwise procedures. Nonparametric analogs of the stepwise all-subset procedure of Einot and Gabriel are presented, along with an ad hoc nonparametric analog of the Newman—Keuls procedure. These new procedures are compared among themselves and with nonstepwise procedures based on Type I error levels and comparisonwise power. It is shown that these stepwise nonparametric procedures control Type I error levels, and that they have superior pairwise power compared to the commonly used nonstepwise procedures.

Field of study: Mathematics
The dogmatist, Moore's proof and transmission failure

According to Jim Pryor�s dogmatism, if you have an experience as if P, you acquire immediate prima facie justification for believing P. Pryor contends that dogmatism validates Moore�s infamous proof of a material world. Against Pryor, I argue that if dogmatism is true, Moore�s proof turns out to be non-transmissive of justification according to one of the senses of non-transmissivity defined by Crispin Wright. This type of non-transmissivity doesn�t deprive dogmatism of its apparent antisceptical bite.

Field of study: Philosophy
[The efficacy of divasa in the early recovery period of ischemic stroke].

To evaluate the efficacy of the drug divasa in treatment of cognitive and emotional disorders in patients in the early recovery period of ischemic stroke (IS).



The study included 60 patients, aged from 45 to 64 years, in the early recovery period of IS. The main group (n=30) received divasa in the dose of 2 tablets three times a day for 12 weeks in the combination with standard treatment, patients of the comparison group (n=30) received only standard treatment. Treatment efficacy was assessed using psychometric scales at baseline (21st day after stroke onset), in 3rd and 12th weeks of the study.



Divaza significantly improved cognitive status as assessed with MMSE and reduce anxiety symptoms according to the Hamilton anxiety scale after three weeks of treatment. This statistically significant trend was observed after 12 weeks treatment. Correction of cognitive and emotional capacities contributed to a significant increase in quality of life (SS-QOL) in patients of the main group. The drug was well-tolerated by all patients and had no side-effects.



Divaza can be used in patients in the early recovery period of IS as the drug with nootropic, vasoactive and antioxidant properties.

Field of study: Medicine, Psychology
Optical Investigation Of The Thermal Annealing Dependence Of Selenium Films

Two types of Se films were deposited on glass substrates by the thermal evaporation technique. Thin films of thickness 393 and 652 nm and thick films of thickness 2642 nm were deposited. A range of annealing temperatures from 323 up to 373 K was used for the films which had a thickness of 652 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations indicate the development of crystalline phases as the annealing temperature reaches a transition temperature of 347 K. The effects of annealing were revealed by studying the morphology of the samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The refractive index, n, was found to be dependent on the annealing temperature and film thickness. The mechanism of the optical absorption follows both the direct and indirect transitions. The indirect, Egi, and direct, Egd, optical band gaps were found to be nearly constant with increasing annealing temperature, followed by a sharp decrease after the transition temperature of 347 K. Both Egi and Egd were found to be film thickness dependent.

Field of study: Materials science
Highly diverse community structure in a remote central Tibetan geothermal spring does not display monotonic variation to thermal stress.

We report an assessment of whole-community diversity for an extremely isolated geothermal location with considerable phylogenetic and phylogeographic novelty. We further demonstrate, using multiple statistical analyses of sequence data, that the response of community diversity is not monotonic to thermal stress along a gradient of 52-83 degrees C. A combination of domain- and division-specific PCR was used to obtain a broad spectrum of community phylotypes, which were resolved by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Among 58 sequences obtained from microbial mats and streamers, some 95% suggest novel archaeal and bacterial diversity at the species level or higher. Moreover, new phylogeographic and thermally defined lineages among the Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Eubacterium and Thermus are identified. Shannon-Wiener diversity estimates suggest that mats at 63 degrees C supported highest diversity, but when alternate models were applied [Average Taxonomic Distinctness (AvTD) and Variation in Taxonomic Distinctness (VarTD)] that also take into account the phylogenetic relationships between phylotypes, it is evident that greatest taxonomic diversity (AvTD) occurred in streamers at 65-70 degrees C, whereas greatest phylogenetic distance between taxa (VarTD) occurred in streamers of 83 degrees C. All models demonstrated that diversity is not related to thermal stress in a linear fashion.

Field of study: Biology, Environmental science
Wheel access duration in rats: I. Effects on feeding and running.

The effects of 0-, 2-, and 24-hr wheel access on the pattern of running, feeding, and weight were explored over 24 days in 3 groups of 8 male rats. Both 2 and 24 hr of wheel access suppressed feeding by about 15% for about 8 days before feeding gradually returned to normal. Weight in these 2 groups was similar and was suppressed for the 24 days. Like the pattern seen with drug self-administration (S. H. Ahmed & G. F. Koob, 1998, 1999), running levels stayed low with short, 2-hr daytime wheel access, but with long, 24-hr access, rats' running escalated over days to chronically high levels. These results may have relevance for the understanding of addiction and anorexia nervosa.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Incident beam polarization for laser Doppler velocimetry employing a sapphire cylindrical window.

For laser Doppler velocimetry studies employing sapphire windows as optical access ports, the birefringency of sapphire produces an extra beam intersection volume which serves to effectively smear the acquired velocity flow field data. It is shown that for a cylindrical window geometry, the extra beam intersection volume may be eliminated with minimal decrease in the fringe visibility of the remaining intersection volume by suitably orienting the polarizations of the initial laser beams. For horizontally incident beams, these polarizations were measured at three intersection locations within the cylinder. It was found that the measured polarization angles agreed with the theoretical predictions.

Field of study: Physics
Pupils’ Academic Achievement in Genetics After Hands-on Teaching: Multiple-Choice Testing Versus Performance-Based Testing

Pupils’ academic achievement in genetics can be assessed using different assessment techniques.  Effective assessment procedures are important for most biology teachers who usually face challenges to identify appropriate assessment tools to improve the teaching and learning of genetics in schools. However, literature regarding choice of a suitable assessment tool with respect to other tools available in measuring pupils’ academic achievement in genetics is unavailable. It is against this background that this study sought to determine the correlation between multiple-choice testing (MCT) and performance-based testing (PBT) on pupils’ academic achievement in genetics in the Copperbelt province of Zambia after hands-on teaching. The study showed a statistically significant difference in the effects of multiple-choice testing on pupils’ academic achievement in genetics from those of performance-based testing: Pupils performed better in multiple choice tests than in the performance-based test. The study also demonstrated that there was a weak correlation between multiple-choice testing and performance-based testing regarding pupils’ academic achievements in genetics for pupils taught genetics using hands-on method and those taught the subject using the conventional-based methods. The study further showed a small effect size (coefficient of determination, R 2 value) between MCT and PBT for all the four groups under study with the highest being 0.112 for the pre-test experimental group, E1. Based on the results, the study recommended that biology teachers should be employing MCT alongside PBT in assessing pupils’ academic achievement in genetics.  Academic achievement, Multiple-choice testing, Performance-based testing, Hands-on teaching.

Field of study: Education
Synthesis and secretion of VLDL by rat hepatocytes--modulation by cholesterol and phospholipids.

The synthesis and secretion of apoB, the major protein component of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL), were studied using rat hepatocytes maintained in primary culture. Supplementation of hepatocytes with rat serum VLDL and LDL increased the production of apoB while delipidated lipoproteins had no significant effect, suggesting a role for lipids in the production of apoB. Addition of cholesterol to the culture medium also increased the production of apoB in a concentration-dependent manner. Pulse labelling followed by chase in presence of cholesterol indicated enhancement in apoB secretion. Mevinolin which inhibits cholesterol synthesis significantly reduced the secretion of apoB. The presence of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in the culture medium also increased the secretion of apoB into the medium. These data suggest that availability of lipids, particularly cholesterol, is an important determinant of apoB synthesis and secretion as VLDL.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Severe back pain, depression and psycho-organic syndrome.

Sir,

Altered mental activity is a common symptom of hypopituitarism. The most frequent causes of acquired hypopituitarism are pituitary tumors, empty sella, infiltrative or vascular disorders or cranial radiation therapy. We describe a patient with a classical clinical presentation and laboratory findings for a hypopituitarism, but with an extremely rare aetiology.

A 69-year-old woman was referred to the clinic in May 2000 because of progressive debilitation, depression and psycho-organic syndrome. In May 1999, a peridural catheter was placed for continuous administration of morphine (2.5 mg/day) to relieve long-lasting, severe lumbo-vertebral pain of degenerative origin. Since the autumn of 1999, the patient had fallen into a progressive condition of generalized tiredness, inactivity, depression, and mental confusion. On examination, she was debilitated and …

Field of study: Medicine
Terminus-Associated Non-coding RNAs: Trash or Treasure?

3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of protein-coding genes are well known for their important roles in determining the fate of mRNAs in diverse processes, including trafficking, stabilization, translation, and RNA–protein interactions. However, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) scattered around 3′ termini of the protein-coding genes, here referred to as terminus-associated non-coding RNAs (TANRs), have not attracted wide attention in RNA research. Indeed, whether TANRs are transcriptional noise, degraded mRNA products, alternative 3′ UTRs, or functional molecules has remained unclear for a long time. As a new category of ncRNAs, TANRs are widespread, abundant, and conserved in diverse eukaryotes. The biogenesis of TANRs mainly follows the same promoter model, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity-dependent model, or the independent promoter model. Functional studies of TANRs suggested that they are significantly involved in the versatile regulation of gene expression. For instance, at the transcriptional level, they can lead to transcriptional interference, induce the formation of gene loops, and participate in transcriptional termination. Furthermore, at the posttranscriptional level, they can act as microRNA sponges, and guide cleavage or modification of target RNAs. Here, we review current knowledge of the potential role of TANRs in the modulation of gene expression. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the current state of knowledge about TANRs, and discuss TANR nomenclature, relation to ncRNAs, cross-talk biogenesis pathways and potential functions. We further outline directions of future studies of TANRs, to promote investigations of this emerging and enigmatic category of RNA.

Field of study: Biology
System-Level Fault Diagnosis Using Comparison Models: An Artificial-Immune-Systems-Based Approach

The design of large dependable multiprocessor systems requires quick and precise mechanisms for detecting the faulty nodes. The problem of system-level fault diagnosis is computationally difficult and no efficient and generic deterministic solutions are known, motivating the use of heuristic algorithms. In this paper, we show how artificial immune systems (AIS) can be used for fault diagnosis in large multiprocessor systems containing several hundred nodes. We consider two models—the simple comparison model and the generalized comparison model (GCM), and we propose AIS-based algorithms for identifying faults in diagnosable systems, based on comparisons among units. We performed experimental analysis of these algorithms by simulating them on randomly generated diagnosable systems of various sizes under various fault scenarios. The simulation results indicate that the AIS-based approach provides an effective solution to the system-level fault diagnosis problem.

Field of study: Computer science
Does illegal hunting affect density and behaviour of African grassland birds? A case study on ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Widespread bushmeat hunting represents one of the major threats to many mammals and birds in Africa. We studied the influence of illegal bushmeat hunting on large grassland birds in the Serengeti National Park (SNP) and adjoining protected areas, by using the ostrich (Struthio camelus) as a case study. First, we documented illegal hunting of both small and large birds by using a questionnaire in the villages on the western and eastern side of the SNP. Second, we studied the effect of illegal hunting on density by driving 4,659 km of transects inside SNP and on the adjacent protected areas, where the data were analysed by DISTANCE sampling. Last, we used flight initiation distance (FID, i.e. the distance between an approaching predator (human) and prey when flight is started), to assess possible impacts on behaviour from illegal hunting. We found that people from the western side of the SNP admitted to hunting both small and large grassland birds, and collect ostrich feathers and eggs. Although the Maasai also hunted small birds, only ostrich feathers and eggs of the large grassland birds were used. Surprisingly, we found no significant differences in densities between the SNP and adjoining partially protected areas, but ostriches had longer FID to an approaching human outside the SNP. Currently illegal hunting does not appear to affect the ostrich population, but given the extensive use of birds for consumption more awareness educational programs accompanied by provision of agricultural incentives within the protected areas are needed.

Field of study: Environmental science
Does the planned long-term care policy in Taiwan meet the needs of people with disabilities?

The long-term care (LTC) insurance policy will be enacted in Taiwan. Under the proposed policy, people with disabilities will have priority in receiving insurance. The aim of this study was to compare the functional statuses of 3 disability groups and to investigate the coverage provided by the planned LTC insurance in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in this study to fulfill this research goal. There were 3239 subjects with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities from the Disability Eligibility System during September 2011 and July 2012. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 - 36-item version (WHODAS 2.0)--traditional Chinese version was used to assess their functional statuses. Significant differences in all of the domain scores and summary scores of the WHODAS 2.0 were determined after adjusting for age among the 3 groups. People with physical or sensory disabilities exhibited the most drastic differences in the domain of daily living, and people with intellectual disabilities exhibited major differences in the cognition domain. After matching the planned coverage services, we determined that the planned LTC insurance does not meet the diverse needs of people with disabilities. In particular, social participation and a sense of security and satisfaction regarding the psychological aspects of having a disability must be considered in LTC insurance policies.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
Se Isotopes as Groundwater Redox Indicators: Detecting Natural Attenuation of Se at an in Situ Recovery U Mine.

One of the major ecological concerns associated with the in situ recovery (ISR) of uranium (U) is the environmental release of soluble, toxic selenium (Se) oxyanions generated by mining. Post-mining natural attenuation by the residual reductants in the ore body and reduced down-gradient sediments should mitigate the risk of Se contamination in groundwater. In this work, we investigate the Se concentrations and Se isotope systematics of groundwater and of U ore bearing sediments from an ISR site at Rosita, TX, USA. Our results show that selenate (Se(VI)) is the dominant Se species in Rosita groundwater, and while several up-gradient wells have elevated Se(VI), the majority of the ore zone and down-gradient wells have little or no Se oxyanions. In addition, the δ82SeVI of Rosita groundwater is generally elevated relative to the U ore up to +6.14‰, with the most enriched values observed in the ore-zone wells. Increasing δ82Se with decreasing Se(VI) conforms to a Rayleigh type distillation model with an ε of -2.25‰ ± 0.61‰, suggesting natural Se(VI) reduction occurring along the hydraulic gradient at the Rosita ISR site. Furthermore, our results show that Se isotopes are excellent sensors for detecting and monitoring post-mining natural attenuation of Se oxyanions at ISR sites.

Field of study: Environmental science
Drag Reduction of Afterbodies by Controlled Separated Flows

The zero-lift drag characteristics of a class of multistep afterbodies that utilize the concept of controlled separated flows are documented at transonic and supersonic speeds. The important geometrical and flow parameters affecting the drag of such afterbodies are identified, and their effects are examined through a parametric study. The results show that multistep afterbodies can be designed that provide significant total drag reduction (as high as 50%) compared to (unmodified) blunt bases; however, compared to axisymmetric boattailed afterbodies of a given base area, the multistep afterbodies have relatively higher drag. Finally, the certain flow features involving separation and reattachment on multistep afterbodies are discussed based on flow visualization studies

Field of study: Physics
Succinct Spooky Free Compilers Are Not Black Box Sound

It is tempting to think that if we encrypt a sequence of messages \(\{x_i\}\) using a semantically secure encryption scheme, such that each \(x_i\) is encrypted with its own independently generated public key \( \mathsf {pk}_i\), then even if the scheme is malleable (or homomorphic) then malleability is limited to acting on each \(x_i\) independently. However, it is known that this is not the case, and in fact even non-local malleability might be possible. This phenomenon is known as spooky interactions.

Field of study: Computer science, Mathematics