nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Convex normal functions revisited

The lattice L"u of upper semicontinuous convex normal functions with convolution ordering arises in studies of type-2 fuzzy sets. In 2002, Kawaguchi and Miyakoshi [Extended t-norms as logical connectives of fuzzy truth values, Multiple-Valued Logic 8(1) (2002) 53-69] showed that this lattice is a complete Heyting algebra. Later, Harding et al. [Lattices of convex, normal functions, Fuzzy Sets and Systems 159 (2008) 1061-1071] gave an improved description of this lattice and showed it was a continuous lattice in the sense of Gierz et al.  In this note we show the lattice L"u is isomorphic to the lattice of decreasing functions from the real unit interval [0,1] to the interval [0,2] under pointwise ordering, modulo equivalence almost everywhere. This allows development of further properties of L"u. It is shown that L"u is completely distributive, is a compact Hausdorff topological lattice whose topology is induced by a metric, and is self-dual via a period two antiautomorphism. We also show the lattice L"u has another realization of natural interest in studies of type-2 fuzzy sets. It is isomorphic to a quotient of the lattice L of all convex normal functions under the convolution ordering. This quotient identifies two convex normal functions if they agree almost everywhere and their intervals of increase and decrease agree almost everywhere.

Field of study: Mathematics
Efficacy of certolizumab pegol on signs and symptoms of axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis: 24-week results of a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled Phase 3 study

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol (CZP) after 24 weeks in RAPID-axSpA (NCT01087762), an ongoing Phase 3 trial in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), including patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA).  Patients with active axSpA were randomised 1:1:1 to placebo, CZP 200 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or CZP 400 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W). In total 325 patients were randomised. Primary endpoint was ASAS20 (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society 20) response at week 12. Secondary outcomes included change from baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) linear.  Baseline disease activity was similar between AS and nr-axSpA. At week 12, ASAS20 response rates were significantly higher in CZP 200 mg Q2W and CZP 400 mg Q4W arms versus placebo (57.7 and 63.6 vs 38.3, p≤0.004). At week 24, combined CZP arms showed significant (p<0.001) differences in change from baseline versus placebo in BASFI (−2.28 vs −0.40), BASDAI (−3.05 vs −1.05), and BASMI (−0.52 vs −0.07). Improvements were observed as early as week 1. Similar improvements were reported with CZP versus placebo in both AS and nr-axSpA subpopulations. Adverse events were reported in 70.4% vs 62.6%, and serious adverse events in 4.7% vs 4.7% of All CZP versus placebo groups. No deaths or malignancies were reported.  CZP rapidly reduced the signs and symptoms of axSpA, with no new safety signals observed compared to the safety profile of CZP in RA. Similar improvements were observed across CZP dosing regimens, and in AS and nr-axSpA patients.

Field of study: Medicine
Nationwide Digital Terrain Models for Topographic Depression Modelling in Detection of Flood Detention Areas

Topographic depressions have an important role in hydrological processes as they affect the water balance and runoff response of a watershed. Nevertheless, research has focused in detail neither on the effects of acquisition and processing methods nor on the effects of resolution of nationwide grid digital terrain models (DTMs) on topographic depressions or the hydrological impacts of depressions. Here, we quantify the variation of hydrological depression variables between DTMs with different acquisition methods, processing methods and grid sizes based on nationwide 25 m × 25 m and 10 m × 10 m DTMs and 2 m × 2 m ALS-DTM in Finland. The variables considered are the mean depth of the depression, the number of its pixels, and its area and volume. Shallow and single-pixel depressions and the effect of mean filtering on ALS-DTM were also studied. Quantitative methods and error models were employed. In our study, the depression variables were dependent on the scale, area and acquisition method. When the depths of depression pixels were compared with the most accurate DTM, the maximum errors were found to create the largest differences between DTMs and hence dominated the amount and statistical distribution of the depth error. On the whole, the ability of a DTM to accurately represent depressions varied uniquely according to each depression, although DTMs also displayed certain typical characteristics. Thus, a DTM’s higher resolution is no guarantee of a more accurate representation of topographic depressions, even though acquisition and processing methods have an important bearing on the accuracy.

Field of study: Geology
Crystalline hemoprotein from Pseudomonas that catalyzes oxidation of side chain of tryptophan and other indole derivatives.

A new enzyme which catalyzes the oxidation of the side chain of tryptophan and other indole derivatives, has been purified to apparent homogeneity from Pseudomonas and crystallized. The overall purification was about 25-fold with a yield of 4.5%. The purified enzyme was apparently homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight estimated by gel filtration was approximately 280,000 and sedimentation coefficient (S20,w) was 11 by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation. The absorption spectra indicated that the enzyme was a hemoprotein. The purified enzyme was shown to catalyze the reaction in which 1 mol each of NH3 and CO2 was formed at the expense of 1 mol each of L-tryptophan and molecular oxygen. Neither peroxidase nor catalase activity was detected in the purified enzyme and no formation of H2O2 was observed during the enzyme reaction. The product(s) of the reaction was unstable but was converted to and was identified as its stable quinoxaline derivative, 2-(3-indolyl)quinoxaline, in the presence of o-phenylenediamine. These results indicate that the product of the reaction was 3-indolylglycoaldehyde or 3-indolylglyoxal. A variety of other indole derivatives such as D-tryptophan, 5-hydroxyl-L-tryptophan, tryptamine, serotonin, melatonin, N-acetyl-L-tryptophan, N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide, 3-indoleacetamide, 3-indolelactic acid, 3-indolepropionic acid, 3-indoleethanol, and skatole were also substrates.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Hybrid method for understanding black-hole mergers: Head-on case

Black-hole-binary coalescence is often divided into three stages: inspiral, merger, and ringdown. The post-Newtonian (PN) approximation treats the inspiral phase, black-hole perturbation (BHP) theory describes the ringdown, and the nonlinear dynamics of space-time characterize the merger. In this paper, we introduce a hybrid method that incorporates elements of PN and BHP theories, and we apply it to the head-on collision of black holes with transverse, antiparallel spins. We compare our approximation technique with a full numerical-relativity simulation, and we find good agreement between the gravitational waveforms and the radiated energy and momentum. Our results suggest that PN and BHP theories may suffice to explain the main features of outgoing gravitational radiation for head-on mergers. This would further imply that linear perturbations to exact black-hole solutions can capture the nonlinear aspects of head-on binary-black-hole mergers accessible to observers far from the collision.

Field of study: Physics
Evidence for the first oxidative insertion of a transition metal into a digallane(4): synthesis, structural characterisation and EPR studies of [Cp2Zr(III){Ga[N(Ar)C(H)]2}2][Li(THF)4], Ar = C6H3Pr(i)2-2,6.

Treatment of "ZrCp2" with the digallane(4), [{Ga[N(Ar)C(H)]2}2], Ar = C6H3Pri2-2,6, in the presence of excess Bu(n)Li leads to the first example of a gallyl-Group 4 complex, [Cp2Zr{Ga[N(Ar)C(H)]2}2][Li(THF)4], via an unprecedented oxidative insertion reaction; the paramagnetic complex has been characterised by X-ray crystallography and EPR spectroscopy.

Field of study: Chemistry
Emission of titanium dioxide nanoparticles from building materials to the environment by wear and weather.

In the present work, we investigate the effect of weathering duration on a commercial photocatalytic nanocoating on the basis of its nanoparticle emission tendency into two media, air and water. It is found that increased weathering duration results in stepwise structural deterioration of the nanocoating, which in turn decreases the nanocoating life, changes the nanocoating removal mechanism, and increases the particle emission concentration. Emission of free TiO2 nanoparticles is found to be weathering duration dependent. Three quantities are introduced: emission transition pace (ETP), stable emission level (SEL), and stable emission duration (SED). By linear extrapolation of these quantities from short weathering durations, complete failure of the nanocoatings can be predicted and, moreover, the potential increase of nanoparticles release into the air.

Field of study: Environmental science, Materials science
Diatom analysis in victim’s tissues as an indicator of the site of drowning

The diagnosis of drowning is one of the most difficult in forensic pathology and previously we proposed criteria for a positive tissue analysis according to the qualitative and quantitative diatom investigations. In the positive cases, we studied the reliability of determining the site of drowning by comparing the diatom taxa found in the lung samples with those of the water samples or in the absence of these samples with the results of the water diatom monitoring programme set up in our region. In this study, we present two series of cases, the first is one of 20 corpses who died from accidental or suicidal drowning with known drowning site, and the second of 20 corpses for which the drowning site was unknown. The results showed that a concordance of the abundance of the diatom taxa in tissues compared to the site of drowning and their distribution relative to one another was 65% in the group where the site of drowning was known and 35% in the other group. The concordance of the individual distribution in the lungs of water diatom taxa may be an interesting method to guide the investigations for determining the site of drowning. The two limiting factors are the concentration of diatoms in the lungs and the development of a river monitoring programme in the district of the study.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Psychometric g and mental processing speed on a semantic verification test

The Semantic Verification Test (SVT) consists of brief, simple statements, which are either true or false, about various arrangements of the letters ABC (e.g. B after A). Mean reaction time (RT) for confirming or disconfirming the various statements varies according to their complexity. In independent studies of university students and Navy recruits, RT and other response latency parameters (intraindividual variability and movement time) from SVT performance show significant correlations of about -0.40 with nonspeeded tests of psychometric g . The mean RTs of adults to the various SVT item types are highly related to the mean error rates on these item types when the SVT is taken by elementary school children as a nonspeeded paper-and-pencil test. RT is correlated with the general cognitive ability factor ( g ) and not with the test-taking speed factor that is found in speeded paper-and-pencil tests. The degree of correlation between RT and psychometric g does not show any regular relationship to differences in the SVT item-type's complexity or difficulty as indicated by mean RT.

Field of study: Psychology
ADAM33 polymorphisms, smoking and asthma in Japanese women: the Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study.

Multiple A disintegrin and metalloprotease 33 (ADAM33) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been shown to be associated with asthma, but results have been inconsistent.



To examine the association between ADAM33 SNPs rs2787094, rs628977, rs2280089, rs2280090, rs2280091, rs2853209, rs528557 and rs612709 and asthma in young adult Japanese women, and to perform haplotype analyses and assess interactions between SNPs and smoking.



A total of 89 cases who met the criteria of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) for asthma were included in the study. Control subjects were 1281 women without asthma, as per ECRHS criteria, who had not been diagnosed with asthma by a doctor. Adjustment was made for age, region of residence, presence of older siblings, smoking and education.



Under a co-dominant model, the AA genotype of the rs612709 SNP was significantly positively associated with asthma compared with the GG genotype: the adjusted OR was 4.27 (95%CI 1.49-12.25). A significant positive relationship was found between the CCGGAAGA haplotype and asthma. Interactions between SNPs rs628977 and rs528557 and smoking were marginally significant (P = 0.09 and 0.095, respectively).



ADAM33 SNP rs612709 and the CCGGAAGA haplotype may be associated with asthma. Smoking may modify the associations between SNPs rs628977 and rs528557 and asthma.

Field of study: Medicine
Relation of Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Health-Related Quality of Life of Middle-Aged Women

This study examined the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and health-related quality of life in middle-aged women. 99 middle-aged Spanish women, who studied in two adult schools, volunteered to participate. 49 were premenopausal and 45 were postmenopausal. These women completed the Trait Meta-Mood Scale and Health Survey SF–36. Scores were analyzed according to social, physical, and mental health, menopausal status, and scores on perceived emotional intelligence. Then, the data regarding the mental and physical health of the premenopausal and postmenopausal women were compared after controlling for age. No associations between menopausal status and health-related quality of life were found. Perceived skill at mood repair was significantly associated with scores on health-related quality of life in these middle-aged women. These findings provide empirical evidence that aspects of perceived emotional intelligence may account for the health-related quality of life in midlife including social, physical, and psychological symptoms.

Field of study: Medicine, Psychology
The effect of chemical modification of 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uridine on tRNA function.

The minor base 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uridine (acp3U) in Escherichia coli tRNAPhe was acylated with the N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of acetic, phenoxy-acetic, and naphthoxyacetic acid, as well as the ester of 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl (dansyl)-glycine. The derivatives of tRNAPhe formed were all capable of accepting phenylalanine. There were only minor effects on the kinetic parameters of these derivatives for E. coli phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. There was no effect on the ability of tRNAPhe to participate in poly(U)- or poly(ACU)-directed polypeptide synthesis or in the poly(U)-stimulated binding to E. coli ribosomes. The rate of photodynamic cross-linking of 4-Srd 8 to Cyd 13 was decreased in tRNAs containing the acetyl and dansyl-glycyl derivatives of acp3U, indicating that acylation of this base may perturb the tertiary structure of the tRNA. This base in tRNAPhe does not appear to play any role in the known biological functions of tRNAPhe.

Field of study: Biology
Potentiation by forskolin of both SNP‐ and ANP‐stimulated cyclic GMP accumulation in porcine isolated palmar lateral vein

1 The aim of this study was to examine the effect of modulation of adenosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels (by using forskolin, a direct activator of adenylyl cyclase, or rolipram, a cyclic AMP selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor) on basal and stimulated guanosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) levels in the porcine isolated palmer lateral vein by use of a [3H]‐guanine prelabelling technique. 2 Sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10−5‐10−3M) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; 10−8‐10−6M), produced concentration‐dependent increases in [3H]‐cyclic GMP levels via stimulation of soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclase respectively. The SNP‐stimulated [3H]‐cyclic GMP response peaked after 5 min in the presence and absence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX). 3 In the absence of IBMX, forskolin (3 × 10−5 M) significantly increased [3H]‐cyclic GMP levels to 118.5 ± 8.7% of basal values (P < 0.05, n = 8), and significantly increased both the SNP‐ and ANP‐stimulated [3H]‐cyclic GMP accumulation at all concentrations of SNP and ANP used. For example, effects at the maximal SNP (10−3M) and ANP (10−6M) concentrations were: SNP: 154.7 ± 15.4% of basal; SNP + forskolin: 191.3 ± 14.8% of basal (P < 0.05, n = 4); ANP: 161.4 ± 17.4% of basal; ANP‐ + forskolin: 220.0 ± 20.0% of basal (P < 0.05, n = 4). 4 The cyclic AMP‐selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram (10−5 M), had no effect on basal or SNP‐stimulated [3H]‐cyclic GMP levels; however, the combination of forskolin and rolipram produced an increase in the basal (158.7 ± 27.1% of basal) and SNP‐stimulated [3H]‐cyclic GMP accumulation (SNP (10−3M): 165.3 ± 8.7% of basal; SNP + forskolin + rolipram: 510.7 ± 64.8% of basal; P < 0.05, n = 5), greater than either forskolin or rolipram alone. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX (10−3 M) significantly raised [3H]‐cyclic GMP levels, and forskolin (3 × 10−5 M) in the presence of IBMX had no significant effect on either basal or SNP‐stimulated [3H]‐cyclic GMP levels (e.g. in the presence of IBMX: SNP (10−3M): 660 ± 90% of basal; SNP + forskolin: 790 ± 86% of basal, n = 3). 5 The data indicate the presence of both soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclase in the porcine isolated palmar lateral vein. The ability of forskolin to potentiate SNP‐ and ANP‐stimulated [3H]‐cyclic GMP accumulation may suggest a cyclic AMP‐cyclic GMP interaction at the level of the phosphodiesterases. Further, the ability of cyclic AMP to influence cyclic GMP levels may indicate that the two nucleotides, as well as having independent mechanisms to induce smooth muscle relaxation, could produce vasodilatation via a common mechanism.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Biochemistry of Fern Spore Germination: Globulin Storage Proteins in Matteuccia struthiopteris L.

Two globulin storage proteins have been identified in spores of the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro. The two proteins comprise a significant amount of the total spore protein, are predominantly salt-soluble, and can be extracted by other solvents to a limited extent. The large 11.3 Svedberg unit (S) globulin is composed of five polypeptides with molecular weights of 21,000, 22,000, 24,000, 28,000 and 30,000. Each polypeptide has several isoelectric point (pI) variants between pH 5 and 7. The small 2.2S storage protein has a pI > 10.5 and is composed of at least two major polypeptides of 6,000 and 14,000 M(r). The amino acid composition of both storage proteins reveals that the 11.3S protein is particularly rich in aspartic and glutamic acid, while the 2.2S protein has few acidic amino acids. During imbibition and germination the globulin fraction declines rapidly, with a corresponding degradation of individual polypeptides of each protein. Polyclonal antibodies against each of the two proteins were produced and used for immunolocalization to determine the site of storage protein deposition within the quiescent spore. The proteins were sequestered in protein bodies of 2 to 10 micrometers, that are morphologically similar to those found in the seeds of flowering plants. The results suggest that spore globulins are biochemically similar to seed globulins, especially those found in some cruciferous seeds.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
[Mathematical formulations of the fetal mass growth in cattle].

After a short review of investigations into fetal weight growth of cattle, the first mathematical treatment of values gained by Swett and collaborators (1948) and approximated by simple power functions after a proposal from Bereskin and Touchberry (1967) is recalled. Thereafter values for the weight of fetus and uterus with content as summarized by Huth (1962) are approximated with growth functions applying nonlinear regressions. The 6 functions taken into consideration range from classical to quite recent types. Results as listed in 2 tables show remarkable improvements. Parameters and an evaluation of 4 components of fetal development are added. Finally a comparison for the fetus of cattle and the domestic pig shows a lagging behind of cattle by temporarily about 20 percent in relative weight.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences, Mathematics
Regulation of low-density-lipoprotein metabolism in the rat.

The mechanism of regulation of plasma low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism in the rat was studied under a number of experimental conditions. LDL clearance and uptake in the liver was measured after intravenous pulse injection of [14C]sucrose-labelled LDL alone or in combination with reductively methylated [3H]sucrose-labelled LDL. Hyperthyroid rats showed a significant increase in fractional catabolic rate (FCR) and the proportion of LDL degraded in the liver, whereas the synthetic rate of LDL increased by 50%. Receptor-mediated clearance increased 2-fold. Hypothyroid rats showed a significant increase in LDL concentration. The FCR and proportion of LDL degraded in the liver were decreased significantly. Receptor-mediated clearance was also reduced. Cholesterol feeding increased chylomicron, very-low-density-and intermediate-density-lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, but there was no change in the LDL concentration, FCR or the synthetic rate of LDL. Cholestyramine feeding did not induce changes in the kinetic parameters. These results indicate that, in the rat, the hepatic LDL-receptor pathway is under hormonal control, whereas cholesterol and cholestyramine feeding have no demonstrated effect on LDL metabolism.

Field of study: Biology
Significance of Local Electrostatic Interactions in Staphylococcal Nuclease Studied by Site-directed Mutagenesis*

In this paper, we show that amino acids Glu73 and Asp77 of staphylococcal nuclease cooperate unequally with Glu75 to stabilize its structure located between the C-terminal helix and β-barrel of the protein. Amino acid substitutions E73G and D77G cause losses of the catalytic efficiency of 24 and 16% and cause thermal stability losses of 22 and 26%, respectively, in comparison with the wild type (WT) protein. However, these changes do not significantly change global and local secondary structures, based on measurements of fluorescence and CD222 nm. Furthermore, x-ray diffraction analysis of the E75G protein shows that the overall structure of mutant and WT proteins is similar. However, this mutation does cause a loss of essential hydrogen bonding and charge interactions between Glu75 and Lys9, Tyr93, and His121. In experiments using double point mutations, E73G/D77G, E73G/E75G, and E75G/D77G, significant changes are seen in all mutants in comparison with WT protein as measured by fluorescence and CD spectroscopy. The losses of thermal stability are 47, 59, and 58%, for E73G/D77G, E73G/E75G, and E75G/D77G, respectively. The triple mutant, E73G/E75G/D77G, results in fluorescence intensity and CD222 nm close to those of the denatured state and in a thermal stability loss of 65% relative to the WT protein. Based on these results, we propose a model in which significant electrostatic interactions result in the formation of a locally stable structure in staphylococcal nuclease.

Field of study: Biology