nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Chloroform desorption from poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites: a thermal desorption spectroscopy study

Biopolymer nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting dispersing lauryl-functionalized cellulose nano-fibrils (CNF) in a poly(lactic acid) matrix (PLA). The release of residual chloroform (CHCl3) solvent molecules was studied by Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS) analysis. TDS spectra of the PLA matrix show a single desorption peak at TP = 393 K with FWHM ~10 K, compatible with a zero-order desorption kinetics. This narrow TDS peak was accurately reproduced assuming that: (i) the rate limiting step is given by the CHCl3 de-trapping from sites in the PLA matrix where residual solvent molecules form small aggregates and (ii) the activation energy for desorption linearly decreases from 1.19 eV for saturated traps to 1.11 eV when the traps occupancy by solvent molecules approaches zero. The balance energy term ϵD = −0.08 eV is due to the attractive interactions between trapped CHCl3 molecules. Adding CNF particles to the PLA matrix the zero-order peak shifts to lower temperatures and a second peak with FWHM ~60 K appears at higher temperatures. This second peak is compatible with a first-order desorption kinetics and is attributed to the release of dispersed CHCl3 molecules from trapping sites in PLA-CNF interface region. The obtained information are of interest for applications in food and electronic packaging and for the development of medical materials.

Field of study: Chemistry
Effects of age on cerebrospinal fluid oxytocin levels in free-ranging adult female and infant rhesus macaques.

There is growing interest in examining oxytocin and social functioning in human and non-human primates. Studies of human oxytocin biology are typically restricted to peripheral assessments because opportunities to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are rare. Several studies have examined CSF oxytocin levels in captive adult primates, but none to our knowledge have been conducted under free-ranging conditions and inclusive of infants. The main goal of this study was to establish feasibility of quantifying CSF oxytocin levels in free-ranging adult female and infant rhesus monkeys living on Cayo Santiago, PR. CSF oxytocin levels were examined in relation to individuals' demographic and reproductive characteristics as well as plasma cortisol levels. CSF oxytocin concentrations ranged from 36.02 to 134.41 pg/ml in adult females (ages 7-26 years; N = 31) and 35.94 to 77.3 pg/ml in infants (ages 38-134 days; N = 17). CSF oxytocin levels were positively correlated with adult female age and negatively correlated with infant age. The former correlation was driven by reproductive status. CSF oxytocin levels were unrelated to dominance rank or plasma cortisol levels. In contrast to a previous study of plasma oxytocin concentrations in this population, CSF oxytocin levels did not differ significantly between lactating and non-lactating females.  1) provide feasibility data for examining CSF oxytocin levels in free-ranging non-human primates and 2) indicate that CSF oxytocin levels may be a biomarker of age-related central nervous system changes across lifespan development. Research is now required to examine CSF oxytocin levels in the context of social functioning in free-ranging rhesus monkeys.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
A Novel RFID Anti-Collision Algorithm based on Binary Tree

The method to deal with the tag collision in RFID system can be directly called “Multiple Access”. According to the ideas of these different anti-collision algorithms, they can be divided into two categories. One is the binary tree algorithm based on deterministic; the other is the statistical-based ALOHA algorithm. Overall, however, there is still room for improvement on anti-collision algorithm path optimization and communication complexity,. This paper focuses on binary tree algorithm. After analysis of the basic binary tree algorithm, dynamic binary tree algorithm, Trajan binary tree algorithm, paper propose a novel binary tree algorithm based on the dichotomy. Simulation performance shows that there have upgraded path optimization and communication efficiency

Field of study: Computer science
Images of Struggle: Teaching Human Rights with Graphic Novels

The authors explore how graphic novels can be used in the middle and high school social studies classroom to teach human rights. The article begins with a rationale on the benefits of using graphic novels. It next focuses on four graphic novels related to human rights issues: Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds (Speigelman 1986), Footnotes in Gaza: A Graphic Novel (Sacco 2010), War Brothers: The Graphic Novel (McKay 2013), and March Book Two (Lewis and Aydin 2015). Each graphic novel is briefly discussed and classroom activities are provided. Example activities demonstrate how the texts and visuals within them can be combined to teach human rights issues. An appendix of human rights-related graphic novels is also included.

Field of study: Sociology
Monitoring the Opinion of the Crowd: Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Public Opinion Perceptions on Social Media

Social media technologies offer several features that allow users to monitor other people’s opinions on public issues. Initial research showed that user-generated content can shape recipients’ perceptions of the majority opinion on societal problems. Still, it remains largely unexplored under which circumstances people gauge other users’ opinions through social media and whether perceived opinion climates affect people’s opinions and communication behavior in these environments. Results of a two-session experiment revealed that people’s fear of isolation sharpens their attention toward user-generated comments on Facebook which, in turn, affect recipients’ public opinion perceptions. The latter influenced subjects’ opinions and their willingness to participate in social media discussions. These findings are discussed in light of the spiral of silence theory and the social projection hypothesis.

Field of study: Psychology
WHO BUYS AND WHO SELLS OPTIONS : THE ROLE OF OPTIONS IN AN ECONOMY WITH BACKGROUND RISK

In this paper, we derive an equilibrium in which some investors buy call/put options on the market portfolio while others sell them. Since investors are assumed to have similar risk-averse preferences, the demand for these contracts is not explained by differences in the shape of utility functions. Rather, it is the degree to which agents face other, non-hedgeable, background risks that determines their risk-taking behavior in the model. We show that investors with low or no background risk have a concave sharing rule, i.e., they sell options on the market portfolio, whereas investors with high background risk have a convex sharing rule and buy these options.

Field of study: Economics
WE-A-201B-04: Reducing Dose in Breast Tomosynthesis Using Bayesian Image Estimation

To reduce dose of breast tomosynthesisimaging by applying Bayesian Image Estimation (BIE) processing to projection images. BIE has been shown previously to reduce scatter and improve image signal‐to‐noise ratios without an associated loss of resolution.  A mammography QA phantom (CIRS model 011A) was imaged on a prototype Siemens breast tomosynthesis system. Projection images were processed with BIE, which is an iterative, statistical processing technique that estimates and removes radiographic noise and scatter. To assess image quality, line pair and mass‐like objects were digitally embedded at varying levels of contrast. A grid search over the four free parameters of the algorithm (full‐width half‐maximum, Gibbs beta multiplier, scatter‐to‐primary ratio, and iteration number) was conducted to optimize signal‐difference‐to‐noise ratio (SdNR) of those line pairs and masses. The optimized, processed images were reconstructed using the Siemens filtered backprojection algorithm.  Resolution (measured by SdNR of line pairs) was consistently preserved for 1/2 and 1/4 Nyquist frequencies and/or targets with at least medium (≥3%) contrast. These correspond well to parenchyma that tends to be low‐frequency and medium‐contrast as well as calcifications which are high‐frequency and high‐contrast. For simulated masses, SdNR was consistently improved up to 4‐fold. Reconstructed images showed qualitative improvements in lesion conspicuity for masses, fibers, and calcifications.  BIE processing demonstrated improved lesion conspicuity while maintaining resolution in tomosynthesis projection images. On‐going work will explore trading off this image quality improvement for reduced dose. Specifically, low‐dose (50% or lower) images will be processed with BIE to yield the same image quality as a regular‐dose acquisition. Low‐dose tomosynthesis is clinically significant given the likelihood of requiring two scans per breast for screening and even more scans for diagnostic exams, contrastimaging, or biopsy guidance. Conflict of interest statement: Research sponsored in part by Siemens Healthcare.

Field of study: Medicine, Physics
Exploring Podcasting in English as a Foreign Language Learners' Writing Performance.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether giving English as a foreign language learners podcast lectures in addition to the traditional lectures help them to enhance their English language writing, and to explore and discover useful information regarding the adoption of podcasting as a learning or training tool in order to better understand and improve learning and teaching methods. This study was conducted with fifty five level two male students at the scientific section of the Preparatory Year in King Saud University. They were assigned into the experimental and control group randomly. The experimental group listened to podcast lectures as well as the in-class traditional lessons. Meanwhile, the control one was given traditional classroom lessons only. To assess the performances in the pre- and post-tests, analytic scoring rubric was used. To answer the research’s questions, a within group two paired samples t-test was computed. In addition, a survey questionnaire was administered to the podcasting group to explore their attitudes towards using podcast instruction to improve writing ability. The results showed that the students in the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group. There was a significant decrease in spelling, punctuation and capitalization errors. Questionnaire’s results reported that EFL learners in the experimental group mostly conveyed positive attitudes. The current study recommended that EFL learners need to be familiarized and trained with the use of podcasting technology in language learning in order to get better gains. EFL teachers are suggested to integrate podcasting lectures into their EFL writing teaching.  Mobile learning, Podcasting, Writing accuracy, Attitudes.

Field of study: Education
Improved instrumental line shape monitoring for the ground-based, high-resolution FTIR spectrometers of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change

We propose an improved monitoring scheme for the instrumental line shape (ILS) of high-resolution, ground-based FTIR (Fourier Transform InfraRed) spectrometers used for chemical monitoring of the atmosphere by the Network for Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). Good ILS knowledge is required for the analysis of the recorded mid-infrared spectra. The new method applies a sequence of measurements using different gas cells instead of a single calibration cell. Three cells are used: cell C1 is a refillable cell offering 200 mm path length and equipped with a pressure gauge (filled with 100 Pa N2O), cells C2 and C3 are sealed cells offering 75 mm path length. C2 is filled with 5 Pa of pure N2O. Cell C3 is filled with 16 Pa N2O in 200 hPa technical air, so provides pressure-broadened N2O lines. We demonstrate that an ILS retrieval using C1 improves significantly the sensitivity of the ILS retrieval over the current calibration cells used in the network, because this cell provides narrow fully saturated N2O lines. The N2O columns derived from C2 and C3 allow the performance of a highly valuable closure experiment: adopting the ILS retrieved from C1, the N2O columns of C2 and C3 are derived. Because N2O is an inert gas, both columns should be constant on long timescales. Apparent changes in the columns would immediately attract attention and indicate either inconsistent ILS results or instrumental problems of other origin. Two different cells are applied for the closure experiment, because the NDACC spectrometers observe both stratospheric and tropospheric gases: C2 mimics signatures of stratospheric gases, whereas C3 mimics signatures of tropospheric gases.

Field of study: Environmental science
A New Racemic Conglomerate and Its Characterization by the Melting Point Diagram – Formation of the Metastable Racemic Compound

The highly branched ester rac-1 has been prepared. It exists in the form of a conglomerate (m.p. 90–92 °C) in which the two enantiomers are present in separate crystal lattices, as indicated by the melting point diagram. Both enantiomers of 1 have been isolated by crystallization [m.p. 112–114 °C, [α]D22 = +24.4 ± 0.7 (c = 0.45, Et2O), –25.4 ± 0.8 (c = 0.44, Et2O)]; mechanical manipulation of the conglomerate provided samples enriched in one or the other enantiomer and subsequent recrystallization of these partially resolved samples furnished the isolated enantiomers. The high value of the enthalpy of fusion of enantiomers 1 (ΔHfenant = 8.8 ± 1.4 kcal mol–1) and the moderate value of the corresponding entropy (ΔSfenant = 23 ± 4 cal K–1 mol–1), both derived from the melting point diagram, are ascribed to the relative compactness of the highly branched molecule and to its reduced conformational flexibility, respectively. Ester rac-1 has been serendipitously obtained in the form of a racemic compound (m.p. 82–84 °C) by crystallization of the racemate. The racemic compound transforms into the conglomerate at 70 °C. This transformation may be regarded as a spontaneous optical resolution occurring in the solid crystalline state.

Field of study: Chemistry
Effects of bacterial inoculum and moisture adjustment on composting of pig manure.

Spent litter (a mixture of partially composted pig manure and sawdust) was taken from pig pens employing the pig-on-litter system with and without the addition of a commercial bacterial product (Odor control (OC)-organic fertilizers (OF)). A duplicate series of windrows was set up with spent litter which contained the bacterial product and a further duplicate series was set up with spent litter which did not contain the bacterial product. All four sets had their initial moisture content adjusted to 60% but one of each duplicate pair had its moisture content adjusted to 60% during the entire period of further composting in windrows. The rate of further (windrow) composting was significantly different in the litter which contained no bacterial product and which only had its moisture content adjusted at the beginning of the experiment. Decomposition was incomplete in this set even after day 91. In the three other sets, the rate of decomposition was faster and the spent litter became stabilised by day 56. This result suggests that if the bacterial product has been added during the initial pig-on-litter composting process, moisture adjustment during further (windrow) composting is not important. Conversely, if moisture was adjusted during further composting, the addition of bacterial product during initial pig-on-litter composting would be of no value. Such a finding is of remarkable significance in the further composting of spent litter since this indicates that the process could be run on a much more economical basis.

Field of study: Environmental science
Bartolomé Yun-Casalilla and Patrick K. O'Brien with Francisco Comín Comín, eds., The rise of fiscal states: a global history, 1500–1914 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Pp. xxi + 471. 41 figs. 51 tabs. ISBN 9781107013513 Hbk. £65)


Field of study: Economics, History
Deep feelings around a shallow coast. A spatial analysis of tourism jobs and the attractivity of nature in the Dutch Wadden area

The Dutch Wadden area is an internationally renowned natural area with World Heritage status. Its ecological uniqueness can be attributed to its shallow coastal waters. However, the Wadden area is also a rural area in search of competitive economic activity so as to provide employment to its population. The aim of the analysis is to ascertain the level of the contribution of tourism to different parts of the rural economy, and to examine which parts and aspects of the natural area are highly appreciated by visitors and thus may serve as immobile resources for the local economy. The results of our study indicate that the islands have a completely specialized local economy: tourism, while the share of tourism in the economy of the mainland coast is below the Dutch national average. The natural attractivity of the Wadden area relates mainly to the islands and the sea, whereas the mainland coast is very modestly appreciated for its natural qualities. Eight spatial clusters of attractive places are identified. The tourism employment level and the share in attractive places are assessed for each cluster. Although strongly attractive parts of the Wadden area are often spatially-related to huge numbers of visitors, they nevertheless lead to only modest employment figures. We also find that the natural attractivity of the Wadden area arouses deep feelings in visitors in that they experience priceless qualities such as the purity and immensity of the natural environment, and they feel strongly connected to nature. Our findings cast light on the need for an integrative management approach to the Wadden area as both a rural and a natural area, and meanwhile relating it to competing urban areas. An example of a suitable integrative policy would be one that accounts for the trade-off between the value of urban dwellers' deep feelings (as tourists) and the value of rural jobs.

Field of study: Environmental science
An integrated 11 GHz cryogenic downconverter

A cryogenic downconverter has been designed and built to demonstrate the integration of semiconducting and superconducting components in a complete subsystem cooled by a closed cycle Stirling cryocooler. The frequency selective receiver converts 11 GHz (X-band) signals to an IF of 1000 MHz using a high temperature superconducting (HTS) microstrip input filter with a 1% bandwidth, a silicon diode mixer and a local oscillator stabilized by means of a 10 GHz HTS cavity and driven by a GaAs HEMT. The components are packaged into a cryogenic unit cooled to 60 K. Details of the system integration are presented, together with microwave and thermal test results.<<ETX>>

Field of study: Physics
Deficiency of the mannan‐binding lectin pathway of complement and poor outcome in cystic fibrosis: bacterial colonization may be decisive for a relationship

In cystic fibrosis (CF) prognosis concerning lung damage development is highly variable and difficult to predict. Mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) deficiency has been reported to be associated with poor outcome in CF lung disease. MBL is a recognition molecule of the MBL pathway of the complement system and is encoded by a gene characterized by a high degree of polymorphism. Some genotypes result in low serum concentrations of MBL. MBL‐associated serine protease 2 (MASP‐2) is another protein belonging to the MBL pathway. A mutation resulting in low levels of MASP‐2 in serum has been described recently. In the present study, 112 CF patients aged 4–54 years were investigated for MBL and MASP‐2 genotypes, serum levels of MBL and MASP‐2 and the MBL pathway function in serum. No correlation to reduced lung function or need for lung transplantation was seen, either for MBL deficiency, MASP‐2 gene mutation or reduced MBL pathway function. However, in the 27 patients colonized with Staphylococcus aureus, MBL‐deficient genotypes were associated with decreased lung function. As expected, MBL pathway function in serum was reduced both in MBL‐deficient patients and in patients carrying a mutant MASP‐2 allele. An unexpected finding was that CF patients had higher serum levels of MBL than healthy controls when corrected for MBL genotype. In conclusion, MBL pathway function was affected both by MBL and by MASP‐2 genotypes. However, MBL or MASP‐2 levels in serum did not affect the clinical outcome in the cohort of CF patients studied.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Determinants of Value Creation in Cross-Border M&As: The Case of the Software Industry

This study specifically focuses on the software market and tries to identify the sources that intensify equity investments through merger and acquisition (M&A) paths. Increasing the firm size and accessing new growth opportunities is particularly significant in the software industry. Consistent with this view, this work focuses on the cross-border strategies that could be used to manage value creation processes. The results found are based on the fact that diversification of the geographic market (acquiring cross-border technology) is relevant to the positive answers given by the stock markets. Moreover, the age of the target firm strongly influences M&A decisions and the younger the target firm is, the higher the possibility of creating value, but this variable increases uncertainty in the evaluation of the target firm, decreasing the purchase offers. The complementary nature between the acquiring and the target firm and the size of the investing firm influence market return and appear to be linked. These results provide empirical evidence on the use of financial measures to determine the goodness of an acquisition but, above all, they provide a new reading of the evaluation of the complementary nature between the buyer and the target firm.

Field of study: Business
Fracture of Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Joints on Cu Substrates:
I. Effects of Loading and Processing Conditions

During service, microcracks form inside solder joints, making microelectronic packages highly prone to failure on dropping. Hence, the fracture behavior of solder joints under drop conditions at high strain rates and under mixed-mode conditions is a critically important design consideration for robust joints. This study reports on the effects of joint processing and loading conditions on the microstructure and fracture response of Sn-3.8%Ag-0.7%Cu (SAC387) solder joints attached to Cu substrates. The impact of parameters which control the microstructure (reflow condition, aging) as well as loading conditions (strain rate and loading angle) are explicitly studied. A methodology based on the calculation of the critical energy release rate, GC, using compact mixed-mode (CMM) samples was developed to quantify the fracture toughness of the joints under conditions of adhesive (i.e., interface-related) fracture. In general, higher strain rate and increased mode-mixity resulted in decreased GC. GC also decreased with increasing dwell time at reflow temperature, which produced a thicker intermetallic layer at the solder–substrate interface. Softer solders, produced by slower cooling following reflow, or post-reflow aging, showed enhanced GC. The sensitivity of the fracture toughness to all of the aforementioned parameters reduced with an increase in the mode-mixity. Fracture mechanisms, elucidating the effects of the loading conditions and process parameters, are briefly highlighted.

Field of study: Materials science