nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
New Oligocene–early Miocene microflora from the southwestern Turkana Basin: Palaeoenvironmental implications in the northern Kenya Rift

We report five Oligocene–early Miocene pollen assemblages from the Loperot-1 exploration well drilled in the semi-desert Lokichar Basin (latitude 02° 21′ 46.15″ N, longitude 35° 52′ 23.47″ E, ground elevation 615 m above MSL), near Lake Turkana in northern Kenya. They represent the second oldest plant microfossils so far recovered from East Africa and add significantly to the Paleogene–Neogene tropical African fossil plant record. The Loperot pollen indicate a mosaic environment of semi-deciduous forest and humid woodland whose floristic composition presents strong affinities with the vegetation occurring today in the Guinea-Congolia/Zambezia phytogeographical transition zone, with a rainfall more than 1000 mm/year and a well defined dry season. The weak representation of Poaceae and herbaceous taxa characteristic of grassland, dry bushland or savanna and the abundance of shade tolerant plants such as ferns all point to a vegetation composed to a variety of communities with closed forest formations predominant. The lack of typical temperate mountains elements, mainly Podocarpus and Juniperus today widespread on the East African highlands, indicates that the geography of the region was different from that of today. The plateaux or uplands adjacent to the Lokichar basin were probably still not high enough during this period of early rifting in East Africa to support the temperate coniferous forests characteristic of the Plio-Pleistocene.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
Nonlocal energy density functionals for pairing and beyond-mean-field calculations

We propose to use two-body regularized finite-range pseudopotential to generate nuclear energy density functional (EDF) in both particle-hole and particle-particle channels, which makes it free from self-interaction and self-pairing, and also free from singularities when used beyond mean field. We derive a sequence of pseudopotentials regularized up to next-to-leading order (NLO) and next-to-next-to-leading order (N2LO), which fairly well describe infinite-nuclear-matter properties and finite open-shell paired and/or deformed nuclei. Since pure two-body pseudopotentials cannot generate sufficiently large effective mass, the obtained solutions constitute a preliminary step towards future implementations, which will include, e.g., EDF terms generated by three-body pseudopotentials.

Field of study: Physics
Determination of vitamin C by differential pulse voltammetry

The voltammetric behavior of vitamin C was studied by differential pulse voltammetry using glassy carbon electrode,and several detection conditions were optimized.Results showed that the oxidation peak potential was at 0.208 V(vs.SCE)in HAc-NaAc butter solution with a pH value of 5.7.There was a good linear relationship between the peak current and vitamin C concentration in the range of 5～400 mg/L,and the detection limit was 1.51 mg/L.In this way the relative standard deviation was 1.47%,and the recoveries were among 95.9% to 103.3%.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
FIFTH VAVILOV CONFERENCE ON NONLINEAR OPTICS, NOVOSIBIRSK, JUNE 1977: X-ray lasers pumped with synchrotron radiation and low-energy photons

Feasibility of an x-ray laser pumped with synchrotron radiation and low-energy photons is discussed. Systems for pumping of Li II, Li III, and Be III ion lasers are considered.

Field of study: Engineering, Physics
Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase 9 activation by a specific monoclonal antibody.

Two members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1 family of enzymes are expressed at elevated levels in highly aggressive human tumor cells and have been implicated in the catalytic functions of extracellular proteolysis. The zymogen forms of these enzymes are designated proMMP-2 and proMMP-9, also known as 72kDa and 92kDa type IV collagenases/gelatinases, respectively. The MMP family of enzymes can be activated in vitro by a number of compounds including the organomercurial 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). The natural or in vivo activators of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are at present unknown. A partially purified preparation of MMP-9 was used to immunize mice for the isolation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Three IgG1 mAbs were identified by immunoreactivity with purified MMP-9 and are designated 6-6B, 7-11C, and 8-3H. These mAbs react specifically with MMP-9 by ELISA and Western blot. Additionally, these mAbs react with N-glycanase treated 92kDa protein. These mAbs were tested for their ability to inhibit enzyme activation in a radio-labeled gelatin assay. The 6-6B mAb inhibited the activation of MMP-9, but had no effect on MMP-2. These mAbs are highly specific to human MMP-9 and the 6-6B mAb will be extremely useful for examining the autolytic and catalytic activity of MMP-9 in normal and abnormal biological processes.

Field of study: Biology
Mapping Optimization for Joint Source-Channel Coding/Modulation

By optimizing the mapping scheme between source and channel modulation symbols in a joint source-channel coding/modulation system,under the distortion measurement of end-to-end mean square error,the proposed scheme has better performance than that of the traditional tandem coding system.With the local optimization mapping founded by switch algorithm which is similar to the Binary Switching Algorithm,it can reach higher SNR in reconstruction and lower complexity in system realization.

Field of study: Engineering
Eigenvalue bounds for symmetric matrices with entries in one interval

In this paper, we consider the eigenvalue bounds for real symmetric matrices whose entries are in a given interval. Based on some matrix computation theories, a new algorithm and some theorems are presented which provide ways for solving the left problems in former papers and obtain satisfying results. Furthermore, the ideas are spread to general symmetric interval matrices. Finally, numerical examples are presented which show the validity of the proposed methods.

Field of study: Mathematics
Structure-assisted discovery of Variola major H1 phosphatase inhibitors.

Variola major virus, the causative agent of smallpox, encodes the dual-specificity H1 phosphatase. Because this enzyme is essential for the production of mature virus particles, it is an attractive molecular target for the development of therapeutic countermeasures for this potential agent of bioterrorism. As a first step in this direction, the crystal structure of H1 phosphatase has been determined at a resolution of 1.8 A. In silico screening methods have led to the identification of several small molecules that inhibit Variola H1 phosphatase with IC(50) values in the low micromolar range. These molecules provide novel leads for future drug development.

Field of study: Chemistry
Differences between tree species in hydraulic press calibration of leaf water potential are correlated with specific leaf area

To determine the usefulness of the J-14 Hydraulic Press () in estimating leaf water potential, we calibrated the J-14 Press against a Scholander-type pressure chamber for leaves of various tree species. The species tested were: Acer saccharum, Acer negundo, Acer rubrum. Populus tremuloides, Populus grandidentata, Quercus rubra, and Brassaia actinophylla (Schefflera). The regression calibrations were linear with standard errors about the regression less than 0.1 MPa. The regression equations for the four genera were significantly different, with the y- intercept increasing and the slope decreasing in order of decreasing specific leaf area (SLA). There were no significant differences between species of the calibration lines within the genera Acer and Populus. These data may indicate that leaves with lower SLA resist mechanical compression by the hydraulic press, causing the J-14 Press to be less sensitive to differences of leaf water potential. Therefore the J-14 Press is only a relative measure of leaf water status and does not measure leaf water potential.

Field of study: Environmental science
On Learnability under General Stochastic Processes

Statistical learning theory under independent and identically distributed (iid) sampling and online learning theory for worst case individual sequences are two of the best developed branches of learning theory. Statistical learning under general non-iid stochastic processes is less mature. We provide two natural notions of learnability of a function class under a general stochastic process. We are able to sandwich the first one between iid and online learnability. We show that the second one is in fact equivalent to online learnability. Our results are sharpest in the binary classification setting but we also show that similar results continue to hold in the regression setting.

Field of study: Computer science
The Stationary SQUID

In the customary mode of operation of a SQUID, the electromagnetic field in the SQUID is an oscillatory function of time. In this situation, electromagnetic radiation is emitted and couples to the sample. This is a back action that can alter the state that we intend to measure. A circuit that could perform as a stationary SQUID consists of a loop of superconducting material that encloses the magnetic flux, connected to a superconducting and to a normal electrode. This circuit does not contain Josephson junctions, or any other miniature feature. We study the evolution of the order parameter and of the electrochemical potential in this circuit; they converge to a stationary regime, and the voltage between the electrodes depends on the enclosed flux. We obtain expressions for the power dissipation and for the heat transported by the electric current; the validity of these expressions does not rely on a particular evolution model for the order parameter. We evaluate the influence of fluctuations. For a SQUID perimeter of the order of 1$$\mu $$μm and temperature $$0.9T_c$$0.9Tc, we obtain a flux resolution of the order of $$10^{-5}\Phi _0/$$10-5Φ0/Hz$$^{1/2}$$1/2; the resolution is expected to improve as the temperature is lowered.

Field of study: Physics
Identification of Recombinant Human Parathyroid Hormone (1–34) by Nanoelectrospray Ionization-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Recombinant human PTH (1–34) was identified by electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS). The calculated molecular weight of PTH (1–34) was 4117.76 by ESI-MS, and the measured value was 4115.21. The percent of measurement error was only 0.06%. PTH (1–34) was digested by trypsin at 37° overnight. The tryptic-digested peptides were analyzed, and then four charged peptides were selected to determine their amino acid sequence by ESI-MS/MS. Through analysis of the a, b and y series ions, the sequence of peptide m/z 728.4 determined by ESI-MS/MS was VSEIQLMHNLGK, and the database search results of the other three peptides showed that both belonged to PTH (1–34). The study proved that the primary structure of the recombinant PTH (1–34) was accurate, and there was no amino acid deletion, mutation, or modification in its expression and in the purification process of PTH. It also showed that nanoESI-MS/MS was a good method to identify protein with the advantages of high sensitivity, fast analysis, and accuracy.

Field of study: Chemistry
Ovarian steroid manipulation of the antidipsogenic and thermogenic responses of rats to central administration of prostaglandin E1.

Intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) increases arterial pressure, suppresses water intake, and elevates core temperature of rats. Treatment of ovariectomized rats with estradiol or progesterone results in an attenuation of the pressor response to PGE1. This work addressed the effects of daily subcutaneous injection of estradiol (1 microgram), progesterone (5 mg), or oil vehicle on the antidipsogenic and thermogenic response to icv PGE1 of ovariectomized rats. The change of core temperature induced by the PGE treatment was significantly correlated with antidipsogenesis for ovariectomized rats receiving daily oil injections. Although neither the suppression of water intake nor the increase of core temperature in response to icv PGE1 was affected significantly by ovarian steroid treatment, the linear relation between the thermogenic and antidisogenic actions of the icv PGE1 was abolished by either estradiol or progesterone administration. Thus, although the pressor, antidipsogenic, and thermogenic effects of icv PGE1 tend to occur in concert, they may be differentially affected by ovarian steroid administration, which suggests that the mechanisms underlying these varied effects of icv PGE1 may be independent.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Effect of Cd-containing wood ash on the microflora of coniferous forest humus.

The use of wood ash in forestry has been questioned because the cadmium (Cd) concentration of ash, which varies between 1 and 20 mg kg(-1) ash, exceeds the level allowed for fertilizers (3 mg kg(-1)) used in agriculture. To investigate the combined and separated effects of Cd and ash on the forest humus microflora, pumice or wood ash, spiked with a water-soluble (CdCl(2)) or -insoluble (CdO) form of Cd at three levels (0, 400 and 1000 mg kg(-1)), were applied at a fertilization level of 5000 kg ) in a laboratory microcosm study. The trial consisted of 60 microcosms (five replications per treatment), which were incubated in darkness at +20 degrees C and a constant relative air humidity of 60%. After two months the humus in the microcosms was sampled. Analyses of CO(2) evolution to measure the overall microbial activity and of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) pattern to measure microbial community structure were performed. The substrate-use patterns of Biolog EcoPlates were analyzed as a measure of bacterial functionality. Finally the bacterial (3)H-thymidine incorporation in the presence of different concentrations of Cd and the number of colony forming units (cfu) of bacteria on nutrient agar in the presence of 0, 5 and 20 mg Cd l(-1) agar were applied to measure Cd tolerance. The use of pumice (pH of humus under the pumice 4.0) did not induce any changes in the above variables compared to two untreated microcosms (humus pH 3.9). Pumice was therefore used to distribute the Cd evenly over the humus surface in order to estimate the possible effect of Cd without ash (pH of humus under the ash 7.0). The application of ash increased the microbial activity, changed the PLFA and substrate-use patterns and increased cfu compared to the humus under pumice. The form and level of Cd in the ash had no further effect on this result. In the humus under pumice the level, but not the form of Cd decreased the microbial activity and changed the PLFA pattern compared to the unspiked pumice. None of the treatments induced bacterial tolerance to Cd. Ash thus protected the humus microflora from the harmful effects of Cd.

Field of study: Biology, Environmental science
Implementation and Analysis of VLAN Communication among Multi-Routers Based on Packet Tracer

Based on the method of RIP and the simulation software of Packet Tracer,develops virtual VLAN net-work among three routers.Design the simulation topological diagram.Sets static routers' ports and distributes IP addresses.Analyzes the configuration commands of three routers respectively.Analyzes the information of routing table.Thus,carries out the simulation test for the virtual VLAN network,achieves the VLAN communication among three routers.And the experimental test in real network proves that the design of the virtual VLAN network is feasible.

Field of study: Computer science
An Approach to Employing Speed Dependences of the Pressure Loss in Filter-Matrixes to Diagnose the Transitional Regime of the Flow

The paper analyses the data on pressure differential p in a layer of balls loading (of the matrix), the statistics varying with the speed of filtration and the balls diameter. Employing the solid approach to generalization, we obtained explicit reference to critical (transition) value of the Reynolds number (Re=60-80). Alternatively to the recognized universal expression for p, the article provides individual expressions of p fair for laminar and post-laminar flow regimes respectively. The paper features a comparative analysis of different options for considering the filtering media porosity impact.

Field of study: Engineering
HOW EFFECTIVE IS INQUIRY LEARNING FOR STUDENTS WITH MILD DISABILITIES?

This investigation was intended to determine whether students with learning disabilities (LD) and mild mental retardation (MR) differed from normally achieving students with respect to inductive thinking on an inquiry learning task involving pendulum motion. Twenty normally achieving students, 18 students with LD, and 16 students with MR were provided individually with guided coaching, in a prespecified sequence of steps, intended to promote induction of the association between pendulum length and pendulum motion. After the initial guided activity, 75% of the normally achieving students and 50% of the students with LD, but none of the students with MR, provided the correct induction. Over one fourth of the students with LD, and nearly all of the students with MR, required all of the prescribed coaching levels, including direct explanation of the rule. Students with LD and MR were less likely to correctly answer transfer/application questions. Implications for teaching are provided.

Field of study: Education
On compressible turbulent-plane Couette flow.

Equations describing compressible turbulent plane Couette flow for the case of equal heat transfer at both walls were developed for a perfect gas based on the von Karman mixing length model. This model was selected because of its good agreement with available turbulent plane Couette flow measurements of incompressible flow and furthermore, lacking compressible Couette flow data, it is shown by Spalding and Chi that those theories based on the von Karman model give best agreement with compressible turbulent boundary layer measurements. A sample calculation is given for the heat rate to the inner surface of a rail- guided slipper (representative of slippers supporting rocket boosted sleds) based on the assumption of a small air gap between both surfaces.

Field of study: Physics
Prospects for immunotherapy of malignant disease

The majority of T cell‐recognized tumour antigens in humans are encoded by genes that are also present in normal tissues. Low levels of gene expression in normal cells can lead to the inactivation of high‐avidity T cells by immunological tolerance mechanisms. As a consequence, low‐avidity T cell responses in patients are often inadequate in providing tumour protection. Recently, several technologies have been developed to overcome tolerance, allowing the isolation of high‐affinity, HLA‐restricted receptors specific for tumour‐associated peptide epitopes. Furthermore, transfer of HLA‐restricted antigen receptors provides an opportunity to empower patient T cells with new tumour‐reactive specificities that cannot be retrieved from the autologous T cell repertoire.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Optimal Repeated Purchases When Sellers Are Learning about Costs

A buyer repeatedly purchases some good. Suppliers privately learn their cost only upon producing at least once. Efficiency would imply sampling sellers until one is found with cost lower than a (increasing with time) reservation value. Then the good would be permanently purchased from the seller with lowest cost. A sequence of second-price auctions with participation premia and entry fees is shown to be both efficient and optimal for the buyer. An alternative calls for price offers by informed sellers, with compensations that increase in the offer. In both cases, the buyer subsidizes competition through participation premia or compensations.

Field of study: Economics
Marital Fertility in Seventeenth-Century Colyton: A Note

THE fertility history of seventeenth-century Colyton presents many surprises, some of which cause problems of interpretation. In his reappraisal of the data contained in my article of i 966, Morrow seeks to show that one at least of the apparent problems can be laid to rest. There is, he argues, no evidence for family limitation in the later seventeenth century which survives examination by the technique recently developed by Coale and Trussell which makes it possible to test for departure from a natural fertility schedule. Although marital fertility was low, the fall was a general one experienced at all ages in the same proportion, not the age-specific type found where deliberate family limitation is practised. He argues that the decline in marital fertility can be explained as an after-effect of the outbreak of plague in I 645-6 which not only caused heavy immediate mortality but also severely reduced the fecundity of women who survived the epidemic. Morrow describes the plague outbreak as a "Malthusian visitation" which acted both by killing many of those living "at the physical margin of subsistence", and by pushing down the fecundity of married women to a level which militated against any resumption of population growth. Morrow's article falls into two main sections, the first devoted to the specific issue of the evidence for family limitation, the second to the plague of i645-6 and its effects. My comments will follow the same pattern.

Field of study: Economics, History
Efficient Estimation for Linear Transformation Models with Current Status Data

Linear transformation models provide a class of flexible models for regression analysis of failure time data and several methods have been proposed for fitting them to right-censored failure time data (Chen, 2002; Cheng et al., 1995; Yin and Zeng, 2006). This article considers the fitting of these models to current status data, a special type of interval-censored failure time data. We derive the maximum likelihood estimates and their information bound and establish the efficiency of the estimates. Simulation studies show that the approach is appropriate for practical use and an application is given to illustrate the approach.

Field of study: Mathematics
Alginate immobilized enrichment culture for atrazine degradation in soil and water system

An atrazine degrading enrichment culture, a consortium of bacteria of genus Bacillus along with Pseudomonas and Burkholderia, was immobilized in sodium alginate and was used to study atrazine degradation in mineral salts medium (MSM), soil and wastewater effluent. Sodium alginate immobilized consortium, when stored at room temperature (24 ± 5°C), was effective in degrading atrazine in MSM up to 90 days of storage. The survival of bacteria in alginate beads, based on colony formation unit (CFU) counts, suggested survival up to 90 days and population counts decreased to 1/5th on 120 days. Comparison of atrazine degrading ability of the freely suspended enrichment culture and immobilized culture suggested that the immobilized culture took longer time for complete degradation of atrazine as a lag phase of 2 days was observed in the MSM inoculated with alginate immobilized culture. The free cells resulted in complete degradation of atrazine within 6 days, while immobilized cells took 10 days for 100% atrazine degradation. Further, immobilized cultures were able to degrade atrazine in soil and wastewater effluent. Alginate beads were stable and effective in degrading atrazine till 3rd transfer and disintegrated thereafter. The study suggested that immobilized enrichment culture, due to its better storage and application, can be used to degrade atrazine in soil water system.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences