nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Mediation Effect of Research Skills Proficiency on the Core Self-Evaluations – Research Engagement Relationship among Master of Education Students in Uganda

This study investigated the mediation effect of research skills proficiency on the relationship between core self-evaluations and research engagement among Master of Education students in Uganda.  Questionnaire surveys including closed ended questions were administered to two cohorts of the students, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, (N = 102). Results indicated total mediation effect of research skills proficiency on the relationship between core self-evaluations and research engagement.  Implications for educational practice include careful selection and training of adult learners at master’s level on the basis of their core self-evaluations levels; individuals with positive core self-evaluations should be accorded priority entry into the programme. Implications for future research include carrying out intervention studies on how to effectively impart 21st century skills in the adult learners.  Core self-evaluations, Research skills proficiency, Research engagement, Mediation effect, Master of Education, Uganda, 21st century skills

Field of study: Education
High-spin states in the N=50 nucleus86Kr

High-spin states in the N=50 nucleus86Kr have been investigated via the82Se(7Li,p2n) reaction using 32 MeV7Li ions. In order to suppress γ-rays arising from pure neutron evaporation the measurements of angular distributions and relative excitation functions of the γ-rays as well as γ-γ coincidences have been performed in particle-γ coincidence modes. Levels with excitation energy up to 7.9 MeV and tentative spins up to (12) have been established. On the basis of systematics tentative assignments of shell model configurations are proposed.

Field of study: Physics
Hospital merger control in Germany, the Netherlands and England: Experiences and challenges.

Aiming at the efficiency enhancing and quality improving effects of competition, various steps have been undertaken to foster competition in hospital markets. For these mechanisms to work, robust competition policy needs to be enacted and enforced. We compare the hospital markets in Germany, the Netherlands and England regarding their experience with competition and put a special focus on merger control and the stringency of its implementation. Elaborating on the differences in merger control practice we find that despite very similar goals the respective agencies apply very different approaches and take fundamentally different routes when balancing proclaimed benefits of mergers with potential risks of consolidated markets. While the German competition authority has a strong focus on maintaining the preconditions for competition, in the Netherlands we find over the past decade a much stronger focus on hypothesized countervailing buyer power, accepting in turn highly concentrated markets. In England we find the currently most comprehensive analysis of proposed mergers in combination with a clearly positive assessment of the effects of patient choice and competition on prices and quality. All agencies are still reluctant to implement merger simulation models or similarly advanced econometric methods in their appraisal. One very likely reason is a lack of country specific empirical evidence on these matters.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the catalytic domain of adenylyl cyclase Rv1625c from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The Rv1625c gene product is an adenylyl cyclase identified in the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv. It shows sequence similarity to the mammalian nucleotide cyclases and functions as a homodimer, with two substrate-binding sites at the dimer interface. A mutant form of the catalytic domain of this enzyme, K296E/F363R/D365C (KFD-->ERC), was overexpressed in Escherichia coli cells in a soluble form. Crystals were obtained using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with PEG 8000 as a precipitant. The protein crystallized in space group P4(1), with unit-cell parameters a = b = 71.25, c = 44.51 A. X-ray diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 3.4 A and the structure has been solved by the molecular-replacement method using a previously built theoretical model of the protein as the search molecule.

Field of study: Chemistry
Co-localization of preprosomatostatin mRNA and preprotachykinin A mRNA in neurons of the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a circadian oscillator, contains various peptides arranged in the compartment-specific manner. Somatostatin (SS) and substance P (SP), a peptide derived from preprotachykinin A (PPT-A), are expressed in neurons in the intermediate zone, a narrow area between the major dorsomedial and ventrolateral subdivisions. In the present study, we examined the possibility of co-localization of SS and SP in the SCN by a double-labeling in situ hybridization method using 35S-labeled and digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes. In the SCN, most of preprosomatostatin (PPSS) mRNA-containing neurons expressed PPT-A mRNA (86%) and, in turn, almost all preprotachykinin A (PPT-A) mRNA-expressing neurons expressed PPSS mRNA signals (97%). Both PPSS and PPT-A mRNAs were also detected in the cerebral cortex and the caudate-putamen, however, their co-existence was extremely rare (< 4%) in these regions. Since the pharmacological effects of SS and SP are similar to that of the light pulses exposed on animals under constant darkness, the co-release of peptides might be an important process for entraining the circadian clock in the SCN.

Field of study: Biology
Circadian rhythmicity of human plasma cortisol and PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation.

In two experiments, lymphocytes from six healthy subjects were sampled every 4 hr, counted, and cultured with PHA. Plasma cortisol in the same blood samples was measured and showed an expected circadian variation in level. A circadian rhythm in lymphocyte transformability to PHA was found to coincide directly with the cortisol level but varied inversely with lymphocyte numbers. The relationship between cortisol and lymphocyte transformability could be fortuitous or might indicate a role for cortisol in controlling lymphocyte function in vivo.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Quality of life implications of inadequate protein nutrition among hemodialysis patients.

To determine the quality of life implications of inadequate protein nutrition among hemodialysis patients.



Cross-sectional study.



All 22 chronic hemodialysis units in northeast Ohio.



There were 289 randomly selected patients.



Interview and chart abstraction.



Six quality of life subscales related to general health, physical function, social function, symptoms, burden of kidney disease, and employment status.



Low albumin levels were independently associated with decreased physical function, social function, and burden of kidney disease scores after adjustment for patient age, race, gender, health insurance, cause of renal failure, years on dialysis, and number of comorbid conditions. Low protein catabolic rate was independently associated with decreased physical function scores and with being retired or disabled.



Inadequate protein nutrition is independently associated with poor quality of life. Further study is needed to develop interventions to overcome barriers to protein nutrition and to determine the effect of such interventions on protein nutrition and patient quality of life.

Field of study: Medicine
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the catalytic domain of recombinant human phosphodiesterase 3B.

The catalytic domain of human phosphodiesterase 3B has been cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified in the presence of the PDE3 inhibitors IBMX (3-isobutylmethylxanthine) or MERCK1 by affinity chromatography. Initial screening of crystallization conditions for these complexes in the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion mode resulted in three different crystal forms, all characterized by quite large unit-cell parameters, elevated solvent content and poor diffraction quality. Subsequent optimization of these conditions led to crystals that diffract to 2.4 A and belong to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 146.7, b = 121.5, c = 126.3 A, beta = 100.6 degrees. Rotation-function analysis indicates that the asymmetric unit contains four copies of the monomeric enzyme, corresponding to a solvent content of 64%. To solve the structure of the PDE3B catalytic domain, molecular replacement as well as multiple isomorphous replacement methods are currently being utilized.

Field of study: Chemistry
MPZ stability under time-dependent, spatially varying heat loads

Although the on-board superconducting magnets (SCMs) are a relatively small fraction of the cost and weight of magnetic levitation systems their performance is critical to the success of the entire system. The velocity of the MLU 002 vehicle in Japan had been limited by quenching of the SCMs due to track induced vibrations at high speed. Superconductor stability is discussed assuming time-dependent spatially varying heat loads. The one-dimensional minimum-propagating zone (MPZ) model has been extended to include time-dependent disturbances. The MPZ has been determined as a function of the disturbance frequency, amplitude, and length. The spatial variation of the initial disturbance is modeled as a sinusoidal function. Results for the MLU 002 and cable-in-conduit conductors are compared.<<ETX>>

Field of study: Physics
All-Bias Designs for Spline Functions Joined at the Axes

Often, a sensible approach to a general design problem is to slightly expand the appropriate all-bias designs. This idea is applied to situations involving polynomial spline models in which it is necessary to (i) guard against second-degree models in some part, or all, of a cuboidal region of interest, while fitting first-degree models; (ii) guard against third-degree models, while fitting second-degree models. All joins are made on the axes. For (i), suitable designs include 2 IV k—p factorial designs in each 2 k -tant. For (ii), consideration of symmetrical designs leads to cuboidal designs of the type previously considered in Draper and Lawrence (1965).

Field of study: Mathematics
Plant-produced hepatitis B core protein chimera carrying anthrax protective antigen domain-4.

The hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) can generate a strong immune response and is recognized as an effective carrier for foreign epitopes. The domain-4 epitope of the anthrax protective antigen (PA-D4) plays an essential role in generating protective immunity against virulent Bacillus anthracis. Here we report the successful production of a recombinant protein comprised of the antigenic PA-D4 integrated into the c/e1 loop of HBcAg in transgenic low-alkaloid Nicotiana tabacum. Sera of mice injected with the plant-derived purified HB/PA-D4 protein exhibited significant anti-PA- and anti-HBcAg-specific IgG titers; however, formation of virus-like particles (VLP) was not observed. These data support the feasibility of producing complex protein chimeras in plants.

Field of study: Biology
SYNTHESIS OF BENZO[ f ]COUMARINS FROM 2-TRIFLUOROACETYL-1 H -BENZO[ f ]CHROMENES AND 2-NAPHTHOLS

Взаимодействием 2-трифторацетил-1 H -бензо[ f ]хроменов с 2-нафтолами в присутствии DBU получен ряд 3 H -бензо[ f ]хромен-3онов, содержащих в положении 2 (2-гидрокси-1-нафтил)метильный или 2-гидроксибензильный заместитель. Реакция включает 1,4-присоединение, внутримолекулярное расщепление галоформного типа с последующим раскрытием дигидропиранового цикла.

Field of study: Chemistry
The Study on Relationship with Asymptomatic Cholecystolithiasis and Diabetes

To the association of asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis with diabetes,and to discuss the prophylactic removal of asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis and the perioperative management of biliary surgery in diabetic patients. Methods there were 46 hyperglycemia cases among 601 asymptomatic holecystolithiasis patients. diabetic mellitus was diagnosed in 46 patients, operations were performed on 36 cases.46 cases of hyperglycemia in asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis patients were reviewed retrospectively.Results postoperative complications included wound infection in 2,pneumonia in 2,urinary infection in 1, one woman and one man died from septic shock.Conclusion cystectomy should have been performed on patients with asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis at least once the gallstones become symptomatic and keep the metabolism in balance.

Field of study: Medicine
Stimulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (guanosine triphosphate) activity by low concentrations of circulating glucose in perfused rat liver.

1. After nicotinic acid treatment, rat liver glycogen is depleted and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity increased, to about twice the initial value. 2. The increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity promoted by nicotinic acid is prevented by cycloheximide or actinomycin D, suggesting that this effect is produced by synthesis of the enzyme de novo. 3. Despite the enhancement of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity and glycogen depletion, which occurs 5h after the injection of nicotinic acid, the gluconeogenic capacity of liver is low and considerably less than the values found in rats starved for 48h. 4. When the livers of well-fed rats are perfused in the presence of low concentrations of glucose, the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase significantly increases compared with the control. 5. This increase is not related to the glycogen content, but seems to be also the result of synthesis of the enzyme de novo, since this effect is counteracted by previous treatment with cycloheximide or actinomycin D. 6. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity is not increased in the presence of low concentrations of circulating glucose when 40 mM-imidazole (an activator of phosphodiesterase) is added to the perfusion medium. 7. Addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP to the perfusion medium results in an increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity, in spite of the presence of normal concentrations of circulating glucose. On the other hand, the concentration of cyclic AMP in the liver increases when that of glucose in the medium is low. 8. These results suggest that, in the absence of hormonal factors, the regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase can be accomplished by glucose itself, inadequate concentrations of it resulting in the induction of the enzyme. The mediator in this regulation, as in hormonal regulation, seems to be cyclic AMP.

Field of study: Biology, Computer science
Synthesis of 2,3,7,8-tetramethyldibenzofuran

Abstract3,4,3′,4′-Tetramethyldiphenyl ether readily forms 2,2′-dihalo derivatives on bromination and iodination. Heating 2,2′-diiodo-4,5,4′,5′-tetramethyldiphenyl ether with copper powder or oxidation, of 2,2′-dilithio-4,5,4′,5′-tetramethyldiphenyl ether gives 2,3,7,8-tetramethyldibenzofuran, the structure of which was proved by alternative synthesis from 2,2′-dinitroand 2,2′-diamino-4,5,4′,5′-tetramethyldiphenyls.

Field of study: Chemistry
Binding of gluten‐derived peptides to the HLA‐DQ2 (α1*0501, β1*0201) molecule, assessed in a cellular assay

The nature of the immunopathogenic relationship underlying the very strong association of coeliac disease (CD) to the HLA‐DQ (A1*0501, B1*0201) genotype is not known, but probably relates to binding of gluten‐derived epitopes to the HLA‐DQ (α1*0501, β1*0201) heterodimer (DQ2). These epitopes have not yet been defined. In this study we have tested the binding of various gluten‐derived peptides to DQ2 in a cellular assay using Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐transformed B lymphocytes and murine fibroblast transfectants. One of these peptides (peptide A), which has previously been shown to exacerbate the CD lesion in vitro and in vivo, was found to bind to DQ2, albeit only moderately, lending further credence to its possible role in the pathogenesis of CD. The nature of peptide A's binding to DQ2 was explored with truncated and conservative point substituted analogues and compared with the published DQ2 binding motif, the results of which explain the observed level of binding.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Manifestation of disorder effects in the excess tunnel current of heavily doped silicon diodes

The temperature dependence of the forward current in heavily doped silicon p-n diodes has been measured at low temperatures, at which conduction occurs via tunneling. In the lowest temperature region, variable range hopping conduction was observed, whereas at higher temperatures the diode current exhibited a superexponential temperature dependence, which can be explained by thermotunneling through some random potential barriers.

Field of study: Physics
Biocontrol of Root Rot in Cotton and Compatibility of Potential Bioagents with Fungicides

Systematic studies were conducted (2006 to 2009) to search for potential biocontrol agent against dry root rot pathogen (Rhizoctonia bataticola) of cotton and consequently compatibility of potential bioagents with fungicides. Among nine local and exotic bioagent isolates evaluated against R. bataticola under dual culture technique, Coimbatore isolate of Trichoderma viride-1 and local isolate of T. harzianum (TG-1) proved most effective inhibited 76.53 and 72.78 per cent growth of R. bataticola respectively. These two bioagents also proved their superiority over rest of the bioagents in controlling root rot disease in pots under cage house conditions. Minimum at par root rot incidence of 35.78 and 38.98 per cent was recorded in pots where seeds and soil was treated with T. viride-1 and T. harzianum (TG-1) respectively. These bioagents exhibited 56.28 and 52.53 per cent disease reduction over untreated control. Metalaxyl, fosetyl-Al, mancozeb, cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb 64% mixture and copper oxychloride fungicides were found compatible with bioagent T. harzianum (TG-1) and tolerance limits (ED50) of these fungicides were >1000 μg/ml. Metalaxyl proved their compatibility with another potential bioagent T. viride-1 also where even >1000 μg/ml concentration was under safe tolerance limit (ED50). Copper oxychloride, mancozeb, fosetyl-Al and cymoxanil 8% + mancozeb 64% mixture fungicides showed moderate to good compatibility with T. viride1 by exhibiting tolerance limits (ED50) of 848, 710, 578 and 448 μg/ml respectively.

Field of study: Biology
The Risks of Street Hawking among Students of Practical Agriculture in Secondary Schools of Taraba State

The study determined the risks of street hawking among students of practical agriculture in secondary schools of Taraba state. The street child is defined as any child who may have parents or guardians in a locality but living and working on the streets. Street children engage in work or employment on a regular basis with the aim of earning a livelihood for themselves or for their families. Street hawking may also lead to behavioral patterns inimical to healthy citizenship. They may indulge in negative activities or criminal acts, such as prostitution, armed robbery, and pick pocketing, and later imprisonment.  For the purpose of this study, two research questions were stated. The study employed a survey design and Taraba State was the area of the study which consisted of 16 local government areas and 118 junior secondary schools. The population was made up of all 8839 JSS II students as at 2010/2011 school session. The sample size of 384 was drawn using the Taro Yamane formula. Questionnaires for students’ responses were instruments used to collect data from the students, which was validated by two experts. The instrument was pilot tested using the split halve method. Data collected were analyzed using the mean. For the research questions, a mean of 3.5 and above was considered agreed while less than 3.5 were considered disagreed.  Findings revealed that 8 out of the 10 suggested reasons for hawking by students were agreed on by the respondents. Respondents also agreed on 7 of the 15 suggested risks involved in street hawking such as moving round in the market, they get hungry sometimes while hawking, sometimes rain fall on them, they sometimes come back late in the night, they fight with other children, and they fall victims of accident when they go for hawking and they fall sick sometimes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the poverty level of most Nigerian especially those in the rural areas be improved by the state government, well to do individuals and nongovernmental bodies. The government should make basic education free or affordable for the common Nigerian. The State government should legislate against street hawking by school aged children so that they can concentrate on their studies.

Field of study: Education
Synthesis and characterization of layered Li1−x(Ni0.5Co0.5)1−yFeyO2(0 ≤ (1 − x) ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.2) cathodes

Layered Li(Ni 0.5 Co 0.5 ) 1− y Fe y O 2 cathodes with 0 ≤  y  ≤ 0.2 have been synthesized by firing the coprecipitated hydroxides of the transition metals and lithium hydroxide at 700 °C and characterized as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries to various cutoff charge voltages (up to 4.5 V). While the y  = 0.05 sample shows an improvement in capacity, cyclability, and rate capability, those with y  = 0.1 and 0.2 exhibit a decline in electrochemical performance compared to the y  = 0 sample. Structural characterization of the chemically delithiated Li 1− x (Ni 0.5 Co 0.5 ) 1− y Fe y O 2 samples indicates that the initial O3 structure is maintained down to a lithium content (1 −  x ) ≈ 0.3. For (1 −  x )  y  = 0 sample, an O1 type phase is formed for the y  = 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 samples. Monitoring the average oxidation state of the transition metal ions with lithium contents (1 −  x ) reveals that the system is chemically more stable down to a lower lithium content (1 −  x ) ≈ 0.3 compared to the Li 1− x CoO 2 system. The improved structural and chemical stabilities appear to lead to better cyclability to higher cutoff charge voltages compared to that found before with the LiCoO 2 system.

Field of study: Materials science
Valproate pretreatment protects dopaminergic neurons from LPS-induced neurotoxicity in rat primary midbrain cultures: role of microglia.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra. Accumulating evidence supports the notion that neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Valproate (VPA) has long been used for the treatment of seizures and bipolar mood disorder. In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that VPA has neuroprotective and neurotrophic actions. In this study, using primary neuron-glia cultures from rat midbrain, we demonstrated that VPA is a potent neuroprotective agent against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neurotoxicity. Results showed that pretreatment with 0.6 mM VPA for 48 h robustly attenuated LPS-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons as determined by [(3)H] dopamine uptake and counting of the number of TH-ir neurons. The neuroprotective effect of VPA was concentration-dependent and was mediated, at least in part, through a decrease in levels of pro-inflammatory factors released from activated microglia. Specifically, LPS-induced increase in the release of TNFa, NO, and intracellular reactive oxygen species was markedly reduced in cultures pretreated with VPA. These anti-inflammatory effects of VPA were time and concentration-dependent correlated with a decrease in the number of microglia. Thus, our results demonstrate that protracted VPA pretreatment protects dopaminergic neurons from LPS-induced neurotoxicity through a reduction in levels of released pro-inflammatory factors, and further suggest that these anti-inflammatory effects may be contributed by VPA-induced reduction of microglia cell number. Taken together, our study reinforces the view that VPA may have utility in treating Parkinson's disease.

Field of study: Biology