nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Endothelial-Specific Overexpression of Histone Deacetylase 2 Protects Mice against Endothelial Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis.

We recently described a novel regulatory role for histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in protecting endothelial cells from oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL)-induced injury. In this study, we examined the effects of endothelial-specific HDAC2 overexpression on endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation and atherogenesis in vivo.



Endothelial-specific HDAC2-overexpressing transgenic mice (HDAC2-Tg) were generated under control of the Tie2 promoter. An atherosclerosis model was produced by injecting HDAC2-Tg and wild-type (WT) mice with adeno-associated virus encoding a PCSK9 gain-of-function mutant under control of a liver-specific promoter and feeding them a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Aortic stiffness in vivo was determined by measuring pulse wave velocity. Wire myography was used to measure endothelium dependent (acetylcholine) and independent (sodium nitroprusside) relaxation in isolated mice aortas. Atherosclerotic plaque burden in aortas was determined by Oil Red O staining and protein expression was determined by western blotting.



At baseline, HDAC2-Tg mice had normal mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and body weight, but pulse wave velocity (PWV), an inverse measure of vascular health and stiffness, was decreased, suggesting that their vessels were more compliant. Moreover, basal nitric oxide production was enhanced in the vessels of HDAC2-Tg mice as compared to that in WT controls, although no significant differences in acetylcholine (endothelial component)- or sodium nitroprusside (non-endothelial component)-mediated relaxation were observed. However, after exposure to OxLDL, aortas from HDAC2-Tg mice exhibited greater acetylcholine-induced relaxation than did those from WT mice. Thus, endothelial-specific vasodilator production was enhanced despite oxidative injury. Atherosclerosis induction in WT mice led to a significant increase in PWV, but in HDAC2-Tg mice, PWV and MAP remained unchanged. Further, aortic rings from HDAC2-Tg exhibited better endothelial-dependent vascular relaxation than did those from WT mice, but not when treated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME. Finally, plaque burden, determined by Oil red O staining, was significantly increased in WT, but not HDAC2-Tg mice, subjected to the atherogenic model. Deletion of endothelial HDAC2 led to impaired endothelial cell-dependent vascular relaxation and increased PWV, compared with those in littermate controls.



HDAC2 protects against endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis induced by oxidized lipids. Hence, overexpression or activation of HDAC2 represents a novel therapy for endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Tg mice provide an opportunity to determine the role of endothelial HDAC2 in vascular endothelial homeostasis.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Neuroscience and learning: lessons from studying the involvement of a region of cerebellar cortex in eyeblink classical conditioning.

How the nervous system encodes learning and memory processes has interested researchers for 100 years. Over this span of time, a number of basic neuroscience methods has been developed to explore the relationship between learning and the brain, including brain lesion, stimulation, pharmacology, anatomy, imaging, and recording techniques. In this paper, we summarize how different research approaches can be employed to generate converging data that speak to how structures and systems in the brain are involved in simple associative learning. To accomplish this, we review data regarding the involvement of a particular region of cerebellar cortex (Larsell's lobule HVI) in the widely used paradigm of classical eyeblink conditioning. We also present new data on the role of lobule HVI in eyeblink conditioning generated by combining temporary brain inactivation and single-cell recording methods, an approach that looks promising for further advancing our understanding of relationships between brain and behavior.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Performance Limits of III–V Barrier Detectors

Minority-carrier lifetimes and diffusion lengths have been deduced from a comparison of band structure simulations and experimental measurements on mid-wave infrared InAsSb XBn and long-wave infrared InAs/GaSb type II superlattice (T2SL) XBp barrier detectors with low diffusion-limited dark current close to mercury cadmium telluride Rule 07 and high quantum efficiency. For the XBn devices, a lifetime of 1.9 μs was observed with a corresponding diffusion length of 14.5 μm. In contrast, the T2SL exhibited a much shorter lifetime of 7.5 ns, but the diffusion length of ∼ 7 μm was long enough to ensure that almost 90% of the photocarriers are collected. The lifetime appears to be Auger limited in the case of n-type InAsSb, but for the p-type T2SL, Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) traps appear to dominate. In the second case, possible scenarios for the dominance of SRH recombination are discussed to identify pathways for further performance optimization.

Field of study: Materials science
Microstructure and Properties of Aluminum Matrix Compositite Joint with Transient Liquid-phase Diffusion Bonding Process

The aluminum matrix compositite was welded by transient liquid-phase bonding process using Ag-Cu-In-Sn filler in argon atmosphere. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the transient liquid-phase bonding joint was analyzed by changing bonding temperature.The results show that as the welding temperature increasing,the weld seam is narrowed, and the shear strength increases. The microstructure and properties of TLP bonding joint are best with the bonded temperature at 580 ℃ heated for 6 min. The shear strength of the welded joint is 80 MPa.

Field of study: Materials science
Beta-function measurement and analysis at HLS

A simple measurement of beta-function is to detect the shift in the betatron tune as the strength of an individual quadrupole magnet is varied. The beta-function value obtained is a mean value respect to the length of the quadrupole. The beta-function values at 30 quadrupoles in the HLS storage ring were measured by this means. The measurement results using different calculation formulas are compared with the ideal values. Error analysis is also given. Methods to improve the precision of the measurement are put forward for the advanced measurement.

Field of study: Physics
The growth of seaports in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia for 2007–2011

Malaysia is a maritime country located at one of the important maritime crossroads of the world, serving high maritime trade volume yearly. Although the shipping activities can bring a huge benefit to the country's economic growth, the statistical data of the growth of seaports in both the Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia are hardly found. This study discussed the main ports in Malaysia including Port Klang (Northport, South Port and Westports), Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor Port, Penang Port and Bintulu Port. This research aims to collect and analyse the ports traffic data such as container throughput, cargo throughput and ships call of the main ports to find out the fast growing ports in the country. Based on the result analysis, the authors concluded that Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Port Klang in particular Westports gained a healthy growth over the years. These two ports are experiencing growing demand in container trade with an average annual growth rate of 8.64% and 11.63% respectively. Further researches on ship's propeller wash are recommended to be conducted in these two ports in order to reduce the risk of seabed scouring.

Field of study: Environmental science
Positive Magnetoresistance of Composite Fermions in Laterally Modulated Structures

Adopting the mean-field composite fermion picture, we describe the magneto-transport properties of a two-dimensional electron gas with laterally modulated density around filling factor 1/2. The occurrence of a strong positive magnetoresistance at low effective magnetic fields as well as Weiss oscillations, which were observed in recent experiments in such systems, can be explained within a semi-classical Boltzmann equation approach, provided one goes beyond a second order approximation in the modulation strength.

Field of study: Physics
Entering into WTO, Bringing A New Idea to the Adult Education

Adult education is a kind of education styles which is related closely to the economic reform and social development. After China entered into WTO many direct or indirect influences on the adult edu-cation. It also brings a great challenge and development opportunity. To enhance the sustainable development of adult education in China, we must have a more clear idea including using the advanced information tech-nology, building an advanced learning system, forming a high-qualified staff and volunteer's team, changing the original adult educational management system, setting up a management principle and systematic frame according to the market economical performances, using various teaching resources, and exploring con-stantly new way of adult education.

Field of study: Education
Recent fluid-structure interaction modeling challenges in IC encapsulation - A review

The rapid development of computing software has facilitated multifarious research in integrated circuit (IC) packaging. Complicated and complex processes can be visualized via simulation modeling with this software. The applications of aided software enhance the fundamental physicochemical understanding and visualization of the IC encapsulation process. In this article, fluid–structure interaction (FSI) during IC encapsulation through computer-aided simulation is reviewed based on the amount of substantial work conducted from the past decades to the present. FSI phenomena in various IC encapsulations, such as wire sweep, paddle shift, lead frame deformation, IC chip, and through-silicon via (TSV) deformation, is considered in the review. The significance and challenges of FSI analysis are also highlighted in this article.

Field of study: Engineering
Does varicocelectomy improve semen analysis outcomes in adolescents without testicular asymmetry?

The main indications for adolescent varicocelectomy are testicular hypotrophy or pain. However, we have previously shown that both serial total testicular volume and volume differential are weakly associated with semen quality. The ultimate patient goal is paternity, but semen analysis is critical to appropriate management of varicocele. We hypothesize that varicocelectomy improves total motile count (TMC) among patients who only have abnormal semen analysis (SA) parameters, but not among those with potential hormonal dysfunction such as Klinefelter syndrome or cryptorchidism.



We retrospectively reviewed our registry of adolescent males followed with a clinical left varicocele. For this study, subjects without sustained testicular asymmetry, who were Tanner V, and gave at least one preoperative SA were included. Subjects were excluded if they had embolization for their varicocele or no postoperative SA. Primary outcome was change in TMC before and after surgery, compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test after stratifying by surgical indication. Secondary outcomes included rates of improved TMC and normalized TMC (>20 million) after surgery, compared across covariates using the Fisher exact test.



Seventeen patients met the eligibility criteria, 11 of whom underwent repair for only abnormal preoperative TMC. Overall, median age (interquartile range [IQR]) at first preoperative SA was 17.6 (15.9-17.9) years. The median preoperative TMC across all SA was 2.8 (0.7-7.4) million. The median age at surgery was 18.2 (16.8-18.9) years. Postoperatively, the median TMC across all SA increased to 18.2 (3.6-18.2) million (Wilcoxon signed rank test, p < 0.01; see Figure). The improvement in TMC occurred primarily in the group who only had abnormal preoperative TMC (82% improved, 55% normalized); lack of improvement was seen in patients who had a history of Klinefelter or orchiopexy for cryptorchidism.



Adolescent varicocele patients should undergo SA after development of Tanner V. Varicocelectomy has a high success rate for improving TMC in adolescent or young adult males who only have abnormal TMC and no history of cryptorchidism.

Field of study: Medicine
Non-Bayesian updating in a social learning experiment

In our laboratory experiment, subjects, in sequence, have to predict the value of a good. The second subject in the sequence makes his prediction twice: first (“first belief”), after he observes his predecessor's prediction; second (“posterior belief”), after he observes his private signal. We find that the second subjects weigh their signal as a Bayesian agent would do when the signal confirms their first belief; they overweight the signal when it contradicts their first belief. This way of updating, incompatible with Bayesianism, can be explained by the Likelihood Ratio Test Updating (LRTU) model, a generalization of the Maximum Likelihood Updating rule. It is at odds with another family of updating, the Full Bayesian Updating. In another experiment, we directly test the LRTU model and find support for it.

Field of study: Economics
The Status of the Indian in Brazil After 1820

Indian policy in Brazil, as in many countries, was and is a confused mixture of religion, humanitarianism, and greed. Almost every kind of system has been tried: open barter during the early years, undisguised slavery until 1570, lay administrators until 1624, missionary tutelage in some form from 1624 to 1759, with intermittent relapses into lay administration, secularization after 1755, with lay directors until 1798; military administration under civil judges until the end of the empire, and finally in 1910 the establishment of the Indian Service under General Rondon.

Field of study: History
On assumption-free tests and confidence intervals for causal effects estimated by machine learning

For many causal effect parameters $\psi$ of interest doubly robust machine learning estimators $\widehat\psi_1$ are the state-of-the-art, incorporating the benefits of the low prediction error of machine learning algorithms; the decreased bias of doubly robust estimators; and.the analytic tractability and bias reduction of cross fitting. When the potential confounders is high dimensional, the associated $(1 - \alpha)$ Wald intervals may still undercover even in large samples, because the bias may be of the same or even larger order than its standard error. In this paper, we introduce tests that can have the power to detect whether the bias of $\widehat\psi_1$ is of the same or even larger order than its standard error of order $n^{-1/2}$, can provide a lower confidence limit on the degree of under coverage of the interval and strikingly, are valid under essentially no assumptions. We also introduce an estimator with bias generally less than that of $\widehat\psi_1$, yet whose standard error is not much greater than $\widehat\psi_1$'s. The tests, as well as the estimator $\widehat\psi_2$, are based on a U-statistic that is the second-order influence function for the parameter that encodes the estimable part of the bias of $\widehat\psi_1$. Our impressive claims need to be tempered in several important ways. First no test, including ours, of the null hypothesis that the ratio of the bias to its standard error can be consistent [without making additional assumptions that may be incorrect]. Furthermore the above claims only apply to parameters in a particular class. For the others, our results are less sharp and require more careful interpretation.

Field of study: Computer science
Purification and characterization of 4-methylmuconolactone methylisomerase, a novel enzyme of the modified 3-oxoadipate pathway in the gram-negative bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 134.

4-Carboxymethyl-4-methylbut-2-en-4-olide (4-methyl-2-enelactone) isomerase, transforming 4-methyl-2-enelactone to 3-methyl-2-enelactone, was purified from a derivative strain of Pseudomonas sp. B13, named B13 FR1, carrying the plasmid pFRC2OP. This plasmid contained the isomerase gene cloned from Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 134, which uses 4-methyl-2-enelactone as a carbon source. The enzyme consists of a single peptide chain of Mr 40,000 as judged by SDS/PAGE. In addition to 4-methyl-2-enelactone, the putative reaction intermediate, 1-methyl-3,7-dioxo-2,6-dioxy-bicyclo[3.3.0]octane (1-methylbislactone), was a substrate for the enzyme, but kinetic data presented did not favour its role as a reaction intermediate. Isomeric methyl-substituted 4-carboxymethylbut-2-en-4-olides were neither substrates nor inhibitors. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.

Field of study: Biology, Computer science
Effects of ketamine, midazolam, thiopental, and propofol on brain ischemia injury in rat cerebral cortical slices.

To compare the effects of ketamine, midazolam, thiopental, and propofol on brain ischemia by the model of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in rat cerebral cortical slices.



Cerebral cortical slices were incubated in 2 % 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) solution after OGD, the damages and effects of ketamine, midazolam, thiopental, and propofol were quantitatively evaluated by ELISA reader of absorbance (A) at 490 nm, which indicated the red formazan extracted from slices, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) releases in the incubated supernate were also measured.



Progressive prolongation of OGD resulted in decreases of TTC staining. The percentage of tissue injury had a positive correlation with LDH releases, r=0.9609, P<0.01. Two hours of reincubation aggravated the decrease of TTC staining compared with those slices stained immediately after OGD (P<0.01). These four anesthetics had no effects on the TTC staining of slices. Ketamine completely inhibited the decrease of A value induced by 10 min of OGD injury. High concentrations of midazolam (10 micromol/L) and thiopental (400 micromol/L) partly attenuated this decrease. Propofol at high concentration (100 micromol/L) enhanced the decrease of A value induced by 10 min of OGD injury (P<0.01).



Ketamine, high concentration of midazolam and thiopental have neuroprotective effects against OGD injury in rat cerebral cortical slices, while high concentration of propofol augments OGD injury in rat cerebral cortical slices.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
A three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes flow solver using primitive variables

An implicit, finite difference computer code has been developed to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in a three-dimensional curvilinear coordinate system. The pressure field solution is based on the pseudocompressibility approach in which a time derivative pressure term is introduced into the mass conservation equation. The solution procedure employs an implicit, approximate factorization scheme. The Reynolds Stresses, which are uncoupled from the implicit scheme, are lagged by one time step to facilitate implementing various levels of the turbulence model. Test problems for external and internal flows are computer and the results are compared with existing experimental data. The application of this technique for general three-dimensional problems is then demonstrated.

Field of study: Physics
Parental Divorce and Family History of Alcohol Disorder: Associations with Young Adults’ Alcohol Problems, Marijuana Use, and Interpersonal Relations

This study used prospective data from 706 young adults to evaluate the impact of parental divorce and family history of alcoholism (FH+) on the outcomes of offspring alcohol problems, marijuana use, and interpersonal relationships with parents.



Assessments of parental divorce were based on parent reports, and young adult outcomes were collected from an offspring cohort (n = 706; X age = 33.25 years; females = 53%) via computer-based individual interviews (CAPI and ACASI). Family history of alcohol disorders for parents was based on assessments by mothers, fathers, and young adults.



Parental divorce significantly predicted marijuana use but not alcohol problems. Maternal, but not paternal, alcoholism also significantly predicted marijuana use. Two-way interactions indicated that sex moderated several of the relationships. For example, among those with divorced parents, daughters reported higher levels of conflict with fathers than sons, and sons reported lower levels of maternal support than daughters. Paternal alcoholism was also associated with higher levels of alcohol problems among sons relative to daughters. There was also a significant 2-way interaction between divorce status and maternal alcoholism indicating that young adults who experienced both maternal alcoholism and parental divorce had the highest levels of marijuana use.



These findings highlight the role that parental divorce and FH+ have on alcohol problems, marijuana use, and interpersonal relationships in young adulthood, and how sex may moderate some of these more nuanced relationships.

Field of study: Medicine
ZrO2 insulator modified by a thin Al2O3 film to enhance the performance of InGaZnO thin-film transistor

A high-performance InGaZnO (IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT) with ZrO 2 –Al 2 O 3 bilayer gate insulator is fabricated. Compared to IGZO-TFT with ZrO 2 single gate insulator, its electrical characteristics are significantly improved, specifically, enhancement of I on / I off ratios by one order of magnitude, increase of the field-effect mobility (from 9.8 to 14 cm 2 /Vs), reduction of the subthreshold swing from 0.46 to 0.33 V/dec, the maximum density of surface states at the channel-insulator interface decreased from 4.3 × 10 12 to 2.5 × 10 12  cm − 2 . The performance enhancements are attributed to the suppression of leakage current, smoother surface morphology, and suppression of charge trapping by using Al 2 O 3 films to modify the high- k ZrO 2 dielectric.

Field of study: Engineering
New fabrication process for superconducting quantum interference devices with Nb/AlAlOx/Nb junctions by using photosensitive polyimide insulation layers

We propose a new fabrication process for Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) with Nb/Al/AlOx/Nb junctions by using photosensitive polyimide insulation layers. The photosensitive polyimide, which is synthesized by multi-block copolymerization, can be formed into a thin layer with spin-coating, and patterned with conventional photolithography. Compared to forming a SiO/sub 2/ insulation layer with a sputtering and etching process, the fabrication is simplified and the coverage over the edge of the patterns can be improved due to planarization. SQUIDs with a flux transformer having two insulation layers were successfully fabricated with this process and were characterized. The critical current of the flux transformer was more than 20 mA, and a flux noise of less than 1/spl times/10/sup -6/ /spl Phi//sub 0///spl radic/Hz was obtained in the white region. With an axial gradiometer in combination with this SQUID, a field resolution of 1.5 fT//spl radic/Hz was achieved.

Field of study: Physics
Research into analogs of pyran and related compounds

The reduction of the oximes of 2,2-dimethyl-4-chromanone (I), 2,2, 6-trimethyl-4-chromanone(II), and 2,2, 5, 7, 8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxy-4-chromanone (III) with lithium aluminum hydride has been investigated. The first of these affords the normal reduction product 2,2-dimethyl-4-amino chroman (VI), which was also obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of the oxime. The second oxime is converted into a mixture containing the 4-aminochroman (VII) and the product of reductive ring expansion, 2,2,7-trimethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1, 5-benzoxazepine (VIII). From the oxime of III was obtained 2,2,6,8, 9-pentamethyl-7-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzoxazepine (IX), the structure of which was confirmed by determination of the basicity constants, the NMR spectra, and the preparation of the N-benzoyl derivatives (XI).

Field of study: Chemistry