nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
CENC is Optimally Secure

At FSE 2006, Iwata introduced the CENC encryption mode and proved its security up to 2 plaintext blocks processed in total. He conjectured optimal security up to a constant. In this brief note, we confirm this conjecture. Rather than proving it ourselves, we point out that the conjecture’s proof follows as a corollary of Patarin’s “Theorem Pi ⊕ Pj for any ξmax” from 2005. This connection appears to have remained unnoticed, and the sole purpose of this brief note is to make the connection explicit.

Field of study: Computer science, Mathematics
Could benthic biofilm analyses be used as a reliable proxy for freshwater environmental health?

The quality of freshwater undoubtedly reflects the health of our surrounding environment, society, and economy, as these are supported by various freshwater ecosystems. Monitoring efforts have therefore been considered a vital means of ensuring the ecological health of freshwater environments. Nevertheless, most aquatic environmental monitoring strategies largely focus on bulk water sampling for analysis of physicochemical and key biological indicators, which for the most part do not consider pollution events that occur at any time between sampling events. Because benthic biofilms are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, pollution released during sporadic events may be absorbed by these biofilms, which can act as repositories of pollutants. The aim of this study was to assess whether benthic biofilm monitoring could provide an efficient way of properly characterizing the extent of pollution in aquatic environments. Here, bulk water and benthic biofilms were sampled from three Hong Kong streams having various pollution profiles, and subsequently compared via high-resolution microscopy, metagenomic analysis, and analytical chemistry. The results indicated that biofilms were, indeed, reservoirs of environmental pollutants, having different profiles compared with that of the corresponding bulk water samples. Moreover, the results also suggested that biofilms sampled in polluted areas were characterized by a higher species richness. While the analytical testing of benthic biofilms still needs further development, the integration of chemical-pollutant profiles and biofilm sequencing data in future studies may provide unique perspectives for understanding and identifying pollution-related biofilm biomarkers.

Field of study: Environmental science
miR-200b Suppresses Cell Growth, Migration and Invasion by Targeting Notch1 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNA molecules that play important roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We investigated the roles and mechanisms of miR-200b in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).  We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses to measure levels of miR-200b and Notch1 in NPC specimens and cell lines. Human NPC cell lines stably expressing miR-200b or control were used to analyze the tumour-suppressive effect of miR-200b. Luciferase reporter assays were used to determine the association between miR-200b and the Notch1 3' untranslated region.  We found that miR-200b is significantly downregulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies demonstrated that miR-200b suppresses NPC cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro. Importantly, overexpression of miR-200b effectively repressed tumor growth in nude mouse models. Integrated analysis identified Notch1 as a direct and functional target of miR-200b. Overexpression of Notch1 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-200b on NPC cell growth and invasion.  These results indicate that miR-200b exerts tumor-suppressive effects in NPC carcinogenesis through the suppression of Notch1 expression and suggest a therapeutic application of miR-200b in NPC.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Twisted Orlicz algebras, I

Let G be a locally compact group, let $\Omega:G\times G\to \mathbb{C}^*$ be a 2-cocycle, and let ($\Phi$,$\Psi$) be a complementary pair of strictly increasing continuous Young functions. We continue our investigation of the algebraic properties of the Orlicz space $L^\Phi(G)$ with respect to the twisted convolution $\circledast$ coming from $\Omega$. We show that the twisted Orlicz algebra $(L^\Phi(G),\circledast)$ posses a bounded approximate identity if and only if it is unital if and only if $G$ is discrete. On the other hand, under suitable condition on $\Omega$, $(L^\Phi(G),\circledast)$ becomes an Arens regular, dual Banach algebra. We also look into certain cohomological properties of $(L^\Phi(G),\circledast)$, namely amenability and Connes-amenability, and show that they rarely happen. We apply our methods to compactly generated group of polynomial growth and demonstrate that our results could be applied to variety of cases.

Field of study: Mathematics
Characteristics and determinants of human-carnivore conflict in South African farmland

Reducing human-carnivore conflict may provide conservation, social and economic benefits, but designing suitable mitigation activities requires information regarding underlying anthropogenic and environmental determinants. To obtain those data, we interviewed game and livestock farmers in Limpopo province, South Africa from March to August 2011. We quantified (1) human-carnivore conflict characteristics; (2) determinants of perceived carnivore predation levels and; (3) determinants of retaliatory persecution of carnivores. Carnivores reportedly killed 1.4 % of total game and domestic livestock holdings and the median annual rate of loss was ZAR 1.23 ha−1, which is generally not sufficient to threaten farming livelihoods or the provincial economy. Farmers reportedly killed 303 carnivores in the year prior to the interview, 44 of which were threatened species. African wild dogs were the least tolerated species, followed by cheetahs, although these species were only blamed for 6 and 3 % of reported kills respectively. The main determinants of human-carnivore conflict were high elevation, mixed purpose farming (i.e., stocking both game and livestock), dense vegetation cover and high perceived financial losses. The results suggest a number of potential conflict-mitigation strategies which include addressing predation problems in areas with a high proportion of vulnerable farms, improving tolerance of carnivores among low-tolerance social groups and correcting misconceptions about the provenance and financial impact of local carnivore populations. This information has already lead to the implementation of several suitably tailored mitigation activities.

Field of study: Environmental science
Charge distribution in the nitride of MNOS memory devices

The steady state charge distribution for weakly occupied traps is a universal function of position over most of the nitride, with dielectric constant and Frenkel-Poole coefficient α being the only material parameters. The transient charge distribution for constant current pulses is approximated by truncating the steady state distribution and the resulting relation between charge content and its centroid is used to fit experimental data which provides α-values of a reasonable magnitude. A diffusive component of charge motion during application of alternating polarity voltage pulses is identified, and its diffusion coefficient is related to the Frenkel-Poole emission rate from traps.

Field of study: Materials science
Jet singlet oxygen generator modeling

The jet singlet oxygen generator(JSOG) is an efficient energy donor for a chemical oxygen-iodine laser(COIL).Using the trial-solution method under specific boundary conditions,the diffusion equations were derived of chlorine,singlet oxygen,and total oxygen in gas and liquid phases.The analytical solutions for the utilization of chlorine and the yield of singlet oxygen were obtained,which agree with the experimental results and are helpful for further improvement and optimization of the JSOG.

Field of study: Physics
The Commercial Model of Car Breakdown Recovery Service in China

With the rapid increasing of automobiles in China, there are the pressing needs of highefficient vehicle rescue system. However, lagging development of the latter brings heavy economic losses in China currently. In order to improve the roadside assistance system, this paper carries out a survey of both car owner’s and service providers’ opinions toward the Chinese current vehicle rescue service. According to deciding factors the extensive road exploration has been conducted to select elementary service providers with starting scores. Applying algebraic algorithm and information technology, this paper finally builds a commerce-based model, comparing with membership-based model in abroad, to calculate the Service Providers’ Value (abbreviated as SV) to choose the optimal service provider. The result of this study would help working companies to conduct a more efficient and cost-efficient automobile rescue service.

Field of study: Engineering
The Morphology Diversity of Datura stramonium L.from Different Populations

Based on field investigation and experiments,the morphological variations among different populations of Darura stramonium L. in China were studied. Results showed that although planted in the same fields,the phenological phases,stress resistance and seed surface ornamentations of D. stramonium L. differed among different populations. There were always significant morphology variations of leaves,stems and flowers in different populations. Variation coefficients were ranged from 4.64%to 62.24%. And vegetative organs showed more genetic variations than reproductive organs. Nevertheless,some of the reproductive organs also exhibited significant variations. The cluster analysis of morphology indices showed that 10 populations of D. stramonium L. could be divided into 3 clusters: Shuiyun center,Yangling and Tieling,Liaoning; Baoding,Hebei,Weinan,Shaanxi and Lintong,Shaanxi; Dazhaixiang,Yangling,Shangluo,Shaanxi,Laiyang,Shandong,Yulin,Shaanxi and Fengxian,Shaanxi.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Untwinned YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ thin films on MgO substrates: a platform to study strain effects on the local orders in cuprates

We have grown untwinned YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ (YBCO) films on (110) MgO substrates that were pre-annealed at high temperature in oxygen atmosphere. The annealing results in surface reconstruction with shallow facets, which induce the suppression of the YBCO twinning domains, and the preferential alignment of the CuO chains along one of the in-plane directions of the sample. Because of the large mismatch between the in-plane lattice parameters of film and substrate, the strain induced by the MgO into the YBCO layer is strong and very peculiar. The YBCO film is compressed, with respect to the bulk, and presents a unidirectional buckling of the atomic planes, along the chains' direction, due to a deformation of the copper-oxygen octahedra. The YBCO films, which can be grown with thicknesses down to few unit cells and oxygen doping levels spanning most of the superconducting dome, are patterned into nanowires with dimensions down to 50 nm. The anisotropies due to the untwinning state are preserved in these structures; moreover, additional anisotropies appear, in ultrathin structures where strain effects become more pronounced. Such untwinned and compressively strained films can therefore be used as a platform to study the interplay between strain and the various local orders in the normal state of YBCO.

Field of study: Physics
Studies on preparation of inactivated vaccines from cell cultures of mink enteritis virus (MEV) and their immunity.

In this paper, superhigh reproductive rate strains of MEV with titre more than HA8192x or TCID50 log10(9.7) have been achieved both by cultivation in cell lines with different susceptibility to MEV and by isolating and identifying in field by the author. The systematic tests proved that S18 and L12 strains of MEV are the best strains for vaccine preparation. In this study, the best means for the tissue cultivation of MEV and the most advanced technological process for the production and detection of serum-free cell-cultured MEV fluids with super-high HA titre in batches in large quantities have been established for the first time. Optimum conditions for MEV inactivation were determined, and safe and effective inactivated vaccines with mineral oil or Al(OH)3 gel adjuvant were successfully prepared with serum-free cell-cultured MEV fluids. Both vaccines with different adjuvants can be manufactured in batches in large quantities and have been widely used all over China since 1986. The change laws of the immune response kinetics of the MEV vaccines have been determined by the tests, and the indexes and laboratory animal models for monitoring humoral immune efficiency and immune protective rate of parvovirus vaccines have been established for the first time. The manufacturing and monitoring operation rules of the MEV vaccines with different adjuvants have been laid down by the author.

Field of study: Chemistry
Economic Rewards in Non-homogeneous Semi-Markov Systems

In this paper, a general reward model for a non homogeneous semi-Markov system will be provided. Both discrete and continuous time models will be studied considering reward to be a random variable of the economic type associated with the state occupancies and transitions. Basic equations will be exhibited and the main formulas for the expected reward that the system will generate in some interval of time (with and without discounting) will be determined for the discrete and continuous cases and a method is provided in order to find it in closed analytic form in relation with the basic parameters of the system. Also, results will be obtained for the expected reward per time period for the steady state.

Field of study: Mathematics
Development and implementation of a scoring rubric for aseptic technique.

To assess students' development of aseptic technique skills through the use of a scoring rubric.



A scoring rubric was developed to assess students in 6 skill areas of parenteral preparation. Areas were assessed as "likely harmful," "needs improvement," or "acceptable" according to developed criteria. Students were assessed at baseline and at the end of the fall and spring semesters.


ASSESSMENT
Of 624 ratings given to 104 students at baseline and at the end of the spring semester, respectively, 51.1% and 88.9% were "acceptable," 17.9% and 7.6% were "needs improvement," and 30.9% and 3.5% were "likely harmful" (p < 0.001 vs baseline). The percentage of students receiving one or more likely harmful ratings decreased from 85.6% at baseline to 18.3% (p < 0.001).



Use of the rubric successfully documented student improvement. It also identified areas that need additional emphasis in the curriculum.

Field of study: Education, Medicine
A chemical model of Frenkel defects in fluorite

A technique based on the empirical properties of chemical bonds is used to model Frenkel defects in fluorite. It can identify likely positions for the interstitial F ion and, by predicting the ideal defect geometry from the resulting chemical bond network, it predicts a relaxed defect geometry which agrees with both neutron scattering measurements and the geometries predicted by other methods.

Field of study: Materials science
Effect of the structure of neutron-rich 8Li and 9Li isotopes on the characteristics of proton elastic scattering

The differential cross sections of proton elastic scattering from 8Li and 9Li nuclei in inverse kinematics have been calculated. The cross sections were determined within the Glauber diffraction theory with the wave functions of nuclei in the three-particle α-t-n, α-t-2n, and 7Li-n-n models. Comparison with the existing experimental data for E = 700 and 60 MeV/nucleon made it possible to draw a conclusion about the quality of the wave functions and the adequacy of the potentials used for their calculations.

Field of study: Physics
Global Chemistry Simulations in the AMMA Multimodel Intercomparison Project

The authors present results obtained during the chemistry-transport modeling (CTM) component of the African Monsoon Multi-disciplinary Analysis Multimodel Intercomparison Project (AMMA-MIP) using the recently developed L3JRCv2 emission dataset for Af-rica, where emphasis is placed on the summer of 2006. With the use of passive tracers, the authors show that the application of different parameterizations to describe advection, vertical diffusion, and convective mixing in a suite of state-of-the-art global CTMs results in significantly different transport mechanisms westward of the African continent. Moreover, the authors identify that the atmospheric composition over the southern Atlantic is governed by air masses originating from southern Africa for this period, resulting in maximal concentrations around 5°S. Comparisons with ozonesonde measurements at Cotonou (6.2°N, 2.2°E) indicate that the models generally overpredict surface ozone and underpredict ozone in the upper troposphere. Moreover, using recent aircraft measurements, the authors show that the high ozone concentrations that occur around 700 hPa around 5°N are not captured by any of the models, indicating shortcomings in the description of transport, the magnitude and/or location of emissions, or the in situ chemical ozone production by the various chemical mechanisms employed.

Field of study: Environmental science
More effective and less expensive: lessons from five studies examining community approaches to care.

Does the nature of community health services used by chronically ill clients and their caregivers have an impact on utilization of services, expenditure and well-being outcomes? A series of five studies, (four historic cohort and one randomized trial) examined clients suffering from a variety of chronic conditions in a number of community settings in different regions of Southern Ontario. Study sample composition and size varied. Each study was designed to quantify the well-being outcomes, and expenditure associated with different community approaches is covered under a nation-wide system of health insurance plans. As a collective, these studies represent increasing methodological rigor. Multiple-perspective client well-being outcome measures were used. Caregiver burden was also analyzed. A common approach to quantification and evaluation of expenditure for service consumption was applied across all five studies. The nature of community health services (proactive versus reactive approaches to care) was found to have direct and measurable impact on total expenditure for health service utilization and client well-being outcomes. A recurring pattern of lower expenditure for community health service utilization and equal or better client outcomes was associated with well-integrated proactive services when compared with individual fragmented, reactive approaches to care. The main lesson emerging from examining the five studies on approaches to community care is that it is as, or more, effective and less expensive to offer complete proactive health care services to chronically ill people in the early stages of their illness than to provide services on demand in a piecemeal manner.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
A novel resilient and reconfigurable swarm management scheme

As we witness the fast growth of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) field, new applications and services emerge at a rapid pace. Above all, the interest in groups of UAVs working together (swarms) is gaining momentum. This interest emerges since swarms are able to undertake more sophisticated tasks. Furthermore, they can also increase task performance and/or robustness. However, organizing a multi-UAV flight is not easy, involving challenges in terms of (i) swarm formation definition, (ii) takeoff procedure, (iii) in-flight coordination, (iv) communication between the swarm elements, (v) swarm layout reconfiguration, (vi) handling the loss of swarms elements, and (vii) controlled landing. These and other issues still hold back the mainstream adoption of swarms in sectors such as agriculture, border surveillance, and parcel delivery. In this work we provide solutions for two of the main critical challenges: (a) swarm layout reconfiguration, and (b) handling the loss of swarm elements. A wide set of experiments were made using our own realistic UAV emulation tool (ArduSim) in order to validate our proposals. The experiments show that the chances of facing collisions during the reconfiguration are greatly reduced even in error-prone scenarios, and that, in many cases, the loss of a UAV is handled seamlessly; otherwise (in the worst-case scenarios) a delay of just a few seconds is introduced. Additionally, this work addresses cases where, due to the lack of proper communication between the swarm elements, a swarm splits up. Experiments show that with our swarm resilience mechanisms those cases are inherently solved by creating autonomous sub-swarms which will then complete their part of the mission independently.

Field of study: Computer science
Some Techniques for Analyzing a Set of Time Series Subject to a Linear Restriction

Techniques are presented for decomposing each series in a set of time series into trend, seasonal, and non-seasonal, short-run components. The decomposition is such that if the original set of series satisfy a linear condition, the set of components of each type satisfy the same linear condition. This makes it possible to assess the contributions of different industries, commodities, etc., to different types of movements of weighted or unweighted aggregates. Additional summary measures are proposed for describing the relative movements of individual series. Short-Cuts in the analysis are outlined, based on certain restrictive assumptions. Finally, a table of illustrative calculations is presented and discussed.

Field of study: Mathematics
Idiopathic syringomyelia: retrospective case series, comprehensive review, and update on management.

A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord that can be an incidental finding or it can be accompanied by symptoms of pain and temperature insensitivity. Although it is most commonly associated with Chiari malformation Type I, the advancement of imaging techniques has resulted in more incidental idiopathic syringes that are not associated with Chiari, tumor, trauma, or postinfectious causes. The authors present a comprehensive review and management strategies for the idiopathic variant of syringomyelia.



The authors retrospectively identified 8 idiopathic cases of syringomyelia at their institution during the last 6 years. A PubMed/Medline literature review yielded an additional 38 articles.



Two of the authors' patients underwent surgical treatment that included a combination of laminectomy, lysis of adhesions, duraplasty, and syrinx fenestration. The remaining 6 patients were treated conservatively and had neurologically stable outcomes. Review of the literature suggests that an etiology-driven approach is essential in the diagnosis and management of syringomyelia, although conservative management suffices for most cases. In particular, it is important to look at disturbances in CSF flow, as well as structural abnormalities including arachnoid webs, cysts, scars, and a diminutive posterior fossa.



The precise etiology for idiopathic syringomyelia (IS) is still unclear, although conceptual advances have been made toward the overall understanding of the pathophysiology of IS. Various theories include the cerebellar piston theory, intramedullary pulse pressure theory, and increased spinal subarachnoid pressure. For most patients with IS, conservative management works well. Continued progression of symptoms, however, could be approached using decompressive strategies such as laminectomy, lysis of adhesions, and craniocervical decompression, depending on the level of pathology. Management for patients with progressive neurological dysfunction and the lack of flow disturbance is unclear, although syringosubarachnoid shunting can be considered.

Field of study: Medicine