nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Microstructures and Properties of AlMgTi-Based Metal-Intermetallic Laminate Composites by Dual-Steps Vacuum Hot Pressing

AlMgTi-based metal–intermetallic laminated composites were successfully fabricated through an innovative dual-step vacuum hot pressing. First, this study prepares the AlTi-based laminated composites by vacuum hot pressing at 650 °C. Then, the researchers place the Mg-Al-1Zn (AZ31) magnesium alloy between the prepared AlTi-based laminated composites at 430 °C for hot pressing. This study investigates the microstructure, phase composition, and microhardness distribution across interfaces of the intermetallics and metal. A multilayer phase (Mg17Al12, Al3Mg2, and transition layers) structure can be found from the diffusion layers between Al and AZ31. The microhardness of the material presents a wavy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the layers; the maximum can be up to 600.0 HV0.2 with a minimum of 28.7 HV0.2 The microhardness gradient of an AlMgTi-based composite is smoother due to the different microhardness of the layers, and reduces the interface stress concentration. The bending strength of AlMgTi-based composites can reach 265 MPa, and the specific strength is 105 × 103 Nm/kg, higher than AlTi-based composites.

Field of study: Materials science
Unfulfilled promise: social acceptance of the smart grid

Smart grids use digital information technology to simultaneously increase energy efficiency while integrating renewables into the electric grid, making it a critical component of achieving a low-carbon energy system. Prior research on the social acceptance of smart grids has relied on either single time point assessment (i.e. prior to a smart grid rollout) or experimental and lab settings. These approaches miss key aspects of social acceptance because they fail to capture change over time through the interaction between stakeholders, technology, and utilities. In contrast, we compare two waves of survey data on the social acceptance of smart grid technologies, the first (n = 609) prior to a local rollout of a smart grid program in upstate New York and the second (n = 533) two years after the same rollout. Our results demonstrate that in contrast to the hopes of smart energy advocates, the social acceptance of four dimensions of smart grids either remain steady or decline over time. Further analyses reveal that the factors that shape acceptance also change over time. This study demonstrates that the social acceptance of smart grids may actually decrease over time even with the robust engagement of consumers, not only challenging optimistic views of smart grid technology but also challenging broader theoretical arguments in the literature on the social acceptance of energy technologies.

Field of study: Environmental science
Epidemiology of Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy in Qatar during 1996–2003

To report the rates of cardiomyopathies in the population below 50 years of age in Qatar.  We conducted a retrospective review of clinical data on patients with cardiomyopathy who were hospitalized in Hamad General Hospital, Doha. Data were collected from medical records during the 1996–2002 period and prospectively from the patients who were hospitalized during the year 2003. All cardiomyopathy patients below 50 years of age who were citizens or permanent residents in Qatar were included in this study.  During the study period, a total of 132 cases were recorded with idiopathic cardiomyopathies. Among these, 67.4% were males and 32.6% females; Qatari 31.8%, non-Qatari 68.2%. The consanguinity rate was high among Qatari patients. In the first 7-year study period, 1996–2002, the incidence rate of all types of cardiomyopathies was 2.5/100,000 population per year (95% CI: 1.4–3.5). It increased to 5.2/100,000 population during the year 2003 (95% CI: 3.6–6.7). Dilated cardiomyopathy was most prevalent (75.8%) in all age groups, and the incidence increased remarkably with age. Lower prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (13.6%) and left ventricle noncompaction cardiomyopathy (6.1%) was found. In children below 15 years of age, the incidence rate for all types of cardiomyopathies was 2.7/100,000 population. The overall mortality rate was 5.3%.  Most cases of cardiomyopathy were identified at an early age: below 15 years and above 35 years of age. Introducing preventive and early diagnosis programs may have an impact on reducing the mortality and morbidity from idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

Field of study: Medicine
Biological activity in vitro of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies with different affinities.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in epithelial tumors and is associated with a poor prognosis. An increasing interest in developing anti-EGFR therapies has resulted in the evaluation of monoclonal antibodies with the capacity to bind to the EGFR, inhibiting EGFR-dependent cellular transformation. A differential toxicity and therapeutic effect in vivo are associated with the affinity and isotype of the molecule. In this study, we examined the biological activities of three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) -- Ior egf/r3 (mouse IgG2a, 10(-9) M), Nimotuzumab (humanized IgG1, 10(-9) M), and Cetuximab (human/mouse chimeric IgG1, 10(-10) M) -- considering inhibition of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and complement-mediated cell death in squamous cell carcinoma A431 in vitro. All the antibodies bound to the EGFR on these cells, inhibiting the receptor phosphorylation, as measured by flow cytometry, inmunocytochemistry, and Western blot. Exposure to the different antibodies inhibited cell proliferation in culture in a range from 50 to 80% compared to controls. Furthermore, similar capabilities to induce either complement-mediated cytotoxicity (ranging between 70 and 90%) or a two-fold increase in the rate of apoptotic cells were found when tumor cells were exposed to the antibodies. These results suggest that the affinity between specific anti-EGFR antibodies and its receptor could affect, but not determine their biological activity at least in those cell lines that exhibit high sensitivity to withheld EGFR. Our findings also confirm previous evidences that blocking EGFR in A431 cells by means of antibodies significantly changes tumor cell biology by promoting apoptosis while decreasing tumor cell proliferation.

Field of study: Biology
Solar Drying Coupled with Solid Desiccant Energy Storage

HOT air collectors coupled with solid desiccant energy storage were evaluated for surface drying fresh produce. Drying potential of either the dehumidified or heated air was expressed as a humidity ratio difference. Typical advantages for desiccant energy storage include: high energy density, extended storage capability, low cost and simplicity of holding containers and a comparable drying potential to heated air systems

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Lower Bounds for the Expected Sample Size and the Average Risk of a Sequential Procedure

Sections 1–6 are concerned with lower bounds for the expected sample size, E ), of an arbitrary sequential test whose error probabilities at two parameter points, θ1 and θ2, do not exceed given numbers, α1 and α2, where E ) is evaluated at a third parameter point, θ0. The bounds in (1.3) and (1.4) are shown to be attainable or nearly attainable in certain cases where θ0 lies between θ1 and θ2. In Section 7 lower bounds for the average risk of a general sequential procedure are obtained. In Section 8 these bounds are used to derive further lower bounds for E ) which in general are better than (1.3).

Field of study: Mathematics
REMOVAL OF Cu~(2+) FROM CLAY BY ELECTROREMEDIATION

Removal of Cu 2+ from clay by electroremediation was carried out in a multicompartment apparatus. The batch adsorption and desorption of Cu 2+ on clay were firstly studied against buffer composition in terms of pH and electroconductivity. Then effects of particle diameter, washing buffer composition on the magnitude of ζ - potential of clay and on the specific electroosmosis velocity of the clay bed were examined,respectively. In case of using citric acid buffer as the washing solution, 89.9% of the Cu 2+ adsorbed on clay could be recovered at the expense of the buffer 1.33 times as much as the clay weight. Finally, scaling-up of the apparatus in terms of the expansion of cross area was attempted. An approximate recovery of Cu 2+ was obtained for the packed beds of different cross area operated at an identical current density, indicating a high potential of this technique in large scale soil remediation.

Field of study: Chemistry, Environmental science
Impulsbedingte Kathodenzerstäubung und Elektronenemission

ZusammenfassungEs wird angenommen, daß es zwei verschiedene Mechanismen der primären Kathodenzerstäubung gibt. Die Zerstäubung des ersten Mechanismus beginnt bereits dicht oberhalb von 10 V und ist sehr gering. Ihr Gesetz ist unbekannt. Von einem defipierten Schwellwert von der Größenordnung 200 V an lagert sich über diesèn ersten ein zweiter Mechanismus sehr viel stärkerer Zerstäubung. Er ist eine lineare Funktion des Impulses der stoßenden Kationen. In Quecksilberdampf ist die Menge der von einem Hg-Kation primär zerstäubten Atome nur vom Impuls und nicht von der Art des zerstäubten Metalles abhängig. Auch die durch den Stoß von Kationen hervorgerufene Elektronenemission hat einen Schwellwert und nimmt von ihm an linear mit dem Impuls der Kationen zu.über die sekundäre Zerstäubung ist trotz zahlreicher Versuche quantitativ noch fast nichts bekannt.Ausführliche Untersuchungen auf dem Gebiete der primären Zerstäubung sind dringend erwünscht.

Field of study: Physics
Non-adaptive Group-Testing Aggregate MAC Scheme

This paper applies non-adaptive group testing to aggregate message authentication code (MAC) and introduces non-adaptive group-testing aggregate MAC. After formalization of its syntax and security requirements, simple and generic construction is presented, which can be applied to any aggregate MAC scheme formalized by Katz and Lindell in 2008. Then, two instantiations of the construction is presented. One is based on the aggregate MAC scheme by Katz and Lindell and uses addition for tag aggregate. The other uses cryptographic hashing for tag aggregate. Provable security of the generic construction and two instantiations are also discussed.

Field of study: Computer science, Mathematics
STRUCTURE AND ABSOLUTE CONFIGURATION OF TRANS(O)-N,N′-ETHYLENEBIS-(S-METHYL-L-CYSTEINATO)COBALT(III) PERCHLORATE

The crystal structure of trans(O)-N,N′-ethylenebis(S-methyl-L-cysteinato)cobalt(III) perchlorate was determined by X-ray diffraction study. The structure consists of two kinds of complex cations with asymmetric sulfur atoms of different absolute configuration (S(S)S(S) and R(S)S(S)). The differences between the configurations of the sulfur atoms in crystal and those in solution are discussed.

Field of study: Chemistry
QR factoring to compute the GCD of univariate approximate polynomials

We present a stable and practical algorithm that uses QR factors of the Sylvester matrix to compute the greatest common divisor (GCD) of univariate approximate polynomials over /spl Ropf/[x] or /spl Copf/[x]. An approximate polynomial is a polynomial with coefficients that are not known with certainty. The algorithm of this paper improves over previously published algorithms by handling the case when common roots are near to or outside the unit circle, by splitting and reversal if necessary. The algorithm has been tested on thousands of examples, including pairs of polynomials of up to degree 1000, and is now distributed as the program QRGCD in the SNAP package of Maple 9.

Field of study: Engineering
Strontium isotopic signatures in the enameloid and dentine of upper Cretaceous shark teeth from western Alabama: Paleoecologic and geochronologic implications

The 87Sr/86Sr isotopic composition of the enameloid tips of teeth of Scapanorhynchus texanus, a common and widespread upper Cretaceous shark, differs from that found in the dentine inner portions of the same teeth. Using a marine 87Sr/86Sr isotopic evolution curve, we converted the 87Sr/86Sr isotopic composition of different sections of the teeth to numerical ages. Portions of fossil teeth dominated by enameloid (but that include some dentine) yield numerical ages (74.2 ± 0.8 Ma, 2 standard error [S.E.]) that fall within the upper Cretaceous, and are consistent with the known geologic age range of these fossils. As the proportion of dentine present in samples of the teeth increases, the 87Sr/86Sr-derived numerical ages trend from biostratigraphically reasonable upper Cretaceous ages to those that are far younger and biostratigraphically impossible (about 32 Ma, i.e., Oligocene). This deviation in isotopic composition (and numerical age) is likely the result of post-burial diagenetic alteration of dentine, which is generally more susceptible to such alteration than enameloid. To avoid the contaminating effects of dentine, we sampled only the enameloid portion of twelve S. texanus teeth by scratching their surfaces. The enameloid scratch samples yield numerical ages (78.8 ± 0.4 Ma, 2 S.E.) older than those obtained for any of the sectioned samples. This suggests that sampling only the surface enameloid of shark teeth is useful in reducing spurious isotopic results arising from post-burial alteration of teeth. The numerical age for the enameloid scratch samples is consistent with the known early Campanian–early Maastrichtian occurrence of S. texanus in North America and with the radiometric age of the deposit from which these samples were recovered.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
Voiding patterns of adult patients who underwent hypospadias repair in childhood.

This study aimed at evaluating the voiding patterns of adult patients who underwent hypospadias repair in childhood.



Following IRB approval 103 (22.7%) of 449 adult patients who underwent hypospadias repair between 1978 and 1993 responded to the following questionnaires: International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and Short Form 12 questionnaire (SF-12). Uroflowmetry (UF) was performed for all patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to the primary meatus localization. Group I had 63 patients (61.5%) treated for glanular hypospadias, group II had 19 patients (18.4%) treated for distal hypospadias, and group III comprised the remaining 21 patients (20.4%) treated for proximal hypospadias.



The mean ± SD I-PSS score for all patients who responded to the questionnaire was 2.3 ± 2.4, and UF was 21.1 ± 4.3 mL/s. The patients from groups I and III had fewer urinary symptoms compared with those of the group II: 1.3 ± 1.5, 5.5 ± 2.4, and 1.6 ± 1.4, respectively (p < 0.0001). With regards to UF, the patients from the groups I and III did better compared with those from the group II: 22.1 ± 4.1 mL/s, 18.91 ± 4.2 mL/s, and 20.11 ± 3.42 mL/s, respectively (p = 0.021) . The UF was better in patients with normal vs. abnormal IPSS (p = 0.0064). The physical component summary was 49.8 ± 10.3, 51.1 ± 3.6, and 46.4 ± 0.3 in groups I, II, and III, respectively. The mental summary component was 42.64 ± 4.1, 42.2 ± 2.4, and 39.89 ± 2.9 in groups I, II, and III, respectively.



Most of the adult patients who underwent hypospadias repair in childhood had normal or mild voiding disturbance, with no effects on their physical or mental status.

Field of study: Medicine
Fibrose kystique atypique Identification en milieu de soins primaires

Resume Objectif Passer en revue le diagnostic des patients atteints de fibrose kystique (FK) atypique. Sources des donnees On a procede a une recension exhaustive dans MEDLINE (de 1950 a la troisieme semaine de mai 2009), dans MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations and Cases (de 1950 a la troisieme semaine de 2009) et dans EMBASE (de 1980 a la quatrieme semaine de mars 2009). On a aussi passe en revue le site web de Fibrose kystique Canada et on a consulte son plus recent rapport des inscriptions de donnees sur les patients. Message principal La FK atypique est une forme moins intense du trouble de la FK, qui est associee a des mutations du gene regulateur de la conductance transmembranaire de la fibrose kystique. Au lieu d’avoir les symptomes classiques, les personnes atteintes d’une FK atypique pourraient avoir une legere dysfonction d’un seul systeme organique et avoir ou non des concentrations de chlorure elevees dans la sueur. La FK atypique est un trouble tres diversifie affectant differents systemes organiques a divers degres. Les symptomes du patient peuvent aussi fluctuer avec le temps; par ailleurs, certains signes et symptomes cliniques touchant les systemes respiratoire, gastro-intestinal, endocrinien et metabolique et genito-urinaire devraient signaler aux medecins la possibilite d’une FK. Les patients atteints d’une FK atypique ont moins d’hospitalisations durant l’enfance que ceux qui ont une FK classique et le diagnostic peut passer inapercu pendant de nombreuses annees, parfois meme jusqu’a l’âge adulte.  Meme si les patients atteints d’une FK atypique ont une esperance de vie plus longue que les personnes atteintes de la forme classique, les issues a long terme pour de nombreuses personnes qui ont la forme atypique sont inconnues. Il est important de conseiller les patients a propos de la possibilite d’une manifestation future de la maladie. Renseigner les patients a propos de la FK peut les aider a comprendre leurs symptomes, a modifier leur mode de vie pour optimiser leur sante, a reduire l’incidence des complications et a recevoir au besoin du counseling sur la planification familiale.

Field of study: Medicine
Excited states in the neutron deficient nuclei138Sm and139Eu

Excited states in the two N=76 nuclei138Sm and139Eu have been identified via32S induced reactions on different targets using γ-ray spectroscopy methods. Lifetimes have been measured with the Doppler shift recoil distance technique, showing the coexistence of a large nuclear deformation (β=0.24) with excitations of single particle character. The E2 transition strengths in the odd-even nucleus139Eu and in its core138Sm are discussed.

Field of study: Physics
Tolerable Limits of Voltage Fluctuations Produced by Magnets Pulsed Directly from Alternating Current Power Lines

Switching magnets, for time sharing of beam lines, can be pulsed directly from the ac power line if it does not cause objectionable line voltage fluctuations (flicker). Switching circuits, which are less expensive and more reliable than conventional magnet power supplies are often all that are needed. Of particular interest for beam lines of the Zero Gradient Synchrotron (ZGS) was a test to determine the permissible attenuation of 1 cycle of the 60 Hz power line every 2 s. Other tests included multiple cycle attenuation at different repetition rates and square wave modulation of the ac power line. Thresholds of perception and the distribution of opinions on the flicker disturbance as functions of voltage attenuation were determined for viewing TV and reading by incandescent light. The results of these tests are reported and can be used to calculate the permissible magnitude of pulsed current in a given ac power system.

Field of study: Physics
6-O-angeloylplenolin exerts neuroprotection against lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo

Neuroinflammation is one of the critical events in neurodegenerative diseases, whereas microglia play an important role in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of a natural sesquiterpene lactone, 6-O-angeloylplenolin (6-OAP), isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Centipeda minima (L.) A.Br., on neuroinflammation and the underlying mechanisms. We showed that treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) caused activation of BV2 and primary microglial cells and development of neuroinflammation in vitro, evidenced by increased production of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and the transcriptional upregulation of COX-2 and iNOS, leading to increased production of proinflammatory factors NO and PGE2. Moreover, LPS treatment induced oxidative stress through increasing the expression levels of NOX2 and NOX4. Pretreatment with 6-OAP (0.5−4 μM) dose-dependently attenuated LPS-induced NF-κB activation and oxidative stress, thus suppressed neuroinflammation in the cells. In a mouse model of LPS-induced neuroinflammation, 6-OAP (5−20 mg·kg−1·d−1, ip, for 7 days before LPS injection) dose-dependently inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines, the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and the expression of inflammatory enzymes in brain tissues. 6-OAP pretreatment significantly ameliorated the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the brains. 6-OAP at a high dose caused a much stronger antineuroinflammatory effect than dexamethansone (DEX). Furthermore, we demonstrated that 6-OAP pretreatment could inhibit LPS-induced neurite and synaptic loss in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that 6-OAP exerts antineuroinflammatory effects and can be considered a novel drug candidate for the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
From Europeanization toward Americanization: the shift of China’s dichotomic investment treaty-making strategy

China has concluded a large number of international investment treaties (IITs) in the past decades. A historical and empirical review of Chinese IITs shows that China has adopted an untold dichotomic IIT-making strategy that is experiencing a gradual shift from Europeanization to Americanization. While China’s early IITs are mainly of “European style” featuring succinct contents and protection of investment, a few recent IITs are of “American style” featuring comprehensive contents, a high level of investment protection and broadened market access. Such a shift is mainly prompted by China’s reversed economic status vis-à-vis its IIT partner countries, and a refreshed need for the development of its highly export-oriented economy. While acknowledging the pros and cons of such a strategy shift, it is advised that China should carefully consider the normative convergence of the different styles of IITs and make concerted efforts to address the potential impacts of the strategy shift.

Field of study: Political science
The N-soliton solutions of the fifth-order KdV equation under Bargmann constraint

We derive the N -soliton solutions for the fifth-order KdV equation under Bargmann constraint through Hirota method and Wronskian technique, respectively. Some novel determinantal identities and properties are presented to finish the Wronskian verifications. The uniformity of these two kinds of N -soliton solutions is proved.

Field of study: Mathematics
Primary desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the kidney in a 7-year-old girl.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare pathologic entity that most frequently affects the peritoneal cavity and presents in adolescent boys. It often presents at an advanced stage and has a generally poor prognosis. We present an unusual case of DSRCT of the kidney presenting in a young girl. This is the first report of DSRCT of the kidney in the pediatric population, and it suggests that this condition should be a diagnostic consideration when assessing a child with a kidney mass.

Field of study: Medicine