nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Bank Supervision: The Real Hurdle to European Monetary Union

The turbulence in the European foreign exchange markets since the summer, culminating with the realignment of the Italian lira and then the withdrawal of the lira and sterling from participation in the exchange rate mechanism of the European Monetary System (EMS), has shifted attention from the ability of individual countries to meet the economic convergence conditions stipulated in the protocols to the Maastricht Treaty to the difficulties involved in transforming a system of rigidly fixed rates into a full European Monetary Union with a single European currency. Yet, there are other reasons, which have nothing to do with the behavior of the foreign exchange markets, nor the economic performance of national economies, that are likely to cause even greater difficulties to the process of monetary unification. One of the most important involves the mundane subject of bank supervision. While the EMS is a first step on the road to EMU, and economic convergence is a second step, as the Bundesbank has repeatedly pointed out, neither is necessarily a step on the road to a single European currency. The EMS, coupled with successful convergence, could lead to irrevocably fixed exchange rates and

Field of study: Economics
Non-invasive biomonitoring of organic pollutants using feather samples in feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica).

A large portion of organic pollutants (OPs) represent a potential hazard to humans and living beings due to their toxic properties. For several years, birds have been used as biomonitor species of environmental pollution. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pyrethroids (PYRs) were assessed in body feather samples of 71 feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) collected from Asturias and Galicia (NW Spain). The percentage of detection for all chemical groups were above 90% in studied birds. The general pattern was dominated by PAHs (mean value ± standard deviation (SD) 32 ± 15 ng/g) followed by OCPs (3.8 ± 1.1 ng/g), PYRs (3.4 ± 3.8 ng/g), PCBs (1.6 ± 1.0 ng/g), OPPs (1.3 ± 0.70 ng/g) and PBDEs (0.80 ± 0.30 ng/g). Significant differences were observed between age, location and gender suggesting different sources of exposure and accumulation pathways.

Field of study: Environmental science
Optimal Stopping with Random Horizon with Application to the Full-Information Best-Choice Problem with Random Freeze

A general theorem is given showing that an optimal stopping problem with independent random horizon is essentially equivalent to a “discounted” fixed horizon optimal stopping problem derived from it. The result is used to treat the “full information” secretary problem, where a known number of applicants for a job are potentially available. Applicants are interviewed sequentially with no recall, and their X i -values are observed, where the X i are iid random variables from a known continuous distribution. The goal is to pick the applicant with the highest X i value. The “payoff” for this applicant is 1, and for any other applicant is zero. A random “freeze-time” variable M, with known distribution independent of the X i 's makes it impossible to pick an applicant after time M. The optimal rule is described and necessary and sufficient conditions for it to have a “monotone structure” are given. Uniform and geometric freeze variables are discussed, and some asymptotic results are given.

Field of study: Mathematics
Temperature-dependence of negative differential resistance in GaN/AlGaN resonant tunneling structures

We report a systematical study of the temperature-dependence of negative deferential resistance (NDR) from double-barrier Al0.35Ga0.65N/GaN resonant tunneling diodes grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy on free-standing GaN substrates. The current‐voltage (I‐V) characterization was done in the 6‐300 K temperature range. A clear NDR signature was observed for mesa sizes of 4 × 4 μm 2 at temperatures below 130 K. This suggests that the resonant tunneling is the dominant charge transport mechanism in our devices. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)

Field of study: Materials science
Triptolide suppresses CD80 and CD86 expressions and IL-12 production in THP-1 cells

To investigate the effects of triptolide, a diterpenoid triepoxide from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF), on the co-stimulatory molecule expression and interleukin-12 (IL-12) production from THP-1 cells.THP-1 cells were differentiated into macrophage-like cells by Me2SO, and then cultured with IFN-γ (500 kU/L) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 mg/L) with or without triptolide. The surface molecule expressions were analyzed on a FACScan flow cytometer. IL-12p40, IL-12p70 were assayed by ELISA.Results:Tripolide suppressed CD80 and CD86 expressions on IFN-γ (500 kU/L) and LPS (1 mg/L) activated THP-1 cells at nontoxic dosages of 2.5–0.625 μg/L. Furthermore, the production of IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 were also significantly reduced in THP-1 cells exposed to triptolide.Triptolide impairs the antigen-presenting function by inhibiting CD80 and CD86 expressions and decreased IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 (bioactive form) productions from the activated THP-1 cells.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
NORMS, STATES AND NUMERICAL RANGES ON DIRECT SUMS

NORMS, STATES AND NUMERICAL RANGES ON DIRECT SUMS Abhay K. Gaur*) Zdislav V. Kováfik Received : A u g u s t 3 0 , 1990 ; r e v i s e d : M a y 2 8 , 1991 Abstract. In CQ type and type direct sums of Banach algebras, we study the behavior of regular (also called operator) norms and of state preserving operators, and how numerical ranges are built from those of the components. We also discuss the importance of regular norms in unitization of algebras. Finally, numerical ranges in εΘ(Χ) are described.

Field of study: Philosophy
To Study of the Effect of Melatoninon Noradrenaline Mediated Behavioural Responses after Electroconvulsive Shock (ECS) Administration

To look for possible data regarding the effects of melatonin on noradrenaline mediated behavioral responses after Electroconvulsive Shock (ECS) administration in rats.  Forty rats were divided in four groups with ten rats in each group and treatment duration was kept for ten days in all the groups. 1. Control group- distilled water (2ml daily). 2. ECS pretreated group- Single ECS daily. 3. Melatonin group- melatonin suspension (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) daily. 4. Test group- Single ECS daily + melatonin suspension one hour after ECS (10mg/kg/day, p.o). Clonidine induced sedation was used as a model to assess noradrenaline mediated behavioral changes. Clonidine induced sedation score was assessed 30 min after giving intraperitoneal injection of clonidine hydrochloride (100 μg/kg) in each group on day 11.Data was analysed by Mann-Whitney U test.  Findings show that administration of single ECS daily for consecutive 10 days results in enhancement of clonidine induced sedation. Melatonin administration decreases clonidine induced sedation which may be due to modulation at noradrenergic neurotransmission. Also, melatonin significantly retarded the ECS-induced enhancement of clonidine induced sedation.  ECS administration leads to enhancement in clonidine induced sedation. Melatonin administration could prevent enhancement in clonidine induced sedation which may be due to modulation at the level of noradrenergic transmission. This modulation in noradrenergic transmission might be of some value in attenuation of disruption of memory following ECS administration. As ECT in humans is known to produce memory disruption, a possible potential therapeutic utility of melatonin to prevent memory disruption in such patient is worth considering.

Field of study: Medicine
Quantitative Fault Analysis of Bearings Based on ADAMS

Bearings have high transfer efficiency, versatility, good starting performance advantages make it become one of the most critical parts in rotating machinery, its main function is to support the mechanical rotator. Rolling bearing’s quality related to the operating status of machinery and equipment directly. In order to solve the problem of quantitative bearing fault diagnosis, a dynamic model of rolling bearings is established with ADAMS. Three kinds of fault vibration signal response of different sizes of the bearing outer ring were obtained. According to the time interval of bearing failure bearing double fault response can achieve quantitative analysis of bearing fault.

Field of study: Engineering
The Study of Nature, Philosophy, and the Royal Library of San Lorenzo of the Escorial*

Interpretations of the iconography of the Royal Library of the Escorial have fostered many assessments of the intellectual panorama of late sixteenth-century Spain. This study advances the thesis that once the Royal Library was established in its permanent premises attempts were made to define its intellectual agenda, and in particular to redirect the study of nature undertaken there in a rather distinct and novel direction. To identify this agenda, this study shuns iconographic interpretation to focus instead on Friar José de Sigüenza's description of the library's frescoes. Once this discourse by the librarian of the Escorial is read independently of meanings that might have been inscribed in the library's iconography and is complemented with insights gleaned from other works by its author and his mentor, Benito Arias Montano, the librarian's description reveals itself to be a manifesto of how the friar thought the study of nature should be undertaken at the Escorial. It entailed a reorientation away from Aristotelian and empiricist approaches and toward the elaboration of a radically new biblist metaphysics.

Field of study: History
On the Molding of the Consciousness of the Proof of Civil Case

Molding the consciousness of the proof of civil case in court is the inevitable request of curing country by law. Lacking consciousness of procedure, traditional mode of cognizance and destitute knowledge about proof are the main reasons for lack of the consciousness of the proof of civil case in court. Enhancing litigation consciousness of the proof in predominance, clarifying the consciousness of main body of quoting and strengthening the consciousness of validity of proof is an important link to mold the citizen's proof consciousness of civil case in court.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
A simple histological technique for localizing electrode tracks and lesions within the brain.

Histological procedures are necessary in brain stimulation or lesion work to determine the neural area which has been stimulated or damaged. Preparation of brain tissue often involves embedding and staining techniques that require specialized training, and the expense of a technician and a large assortment of special apparatus and supplies. In addition, the results of such techniques are unavailable for at least several days. A photographic method, which requires little special skill and a minimal amount of apparatus, is described here. Results can be available within minutes after the subject is sacrificed. This method has been shown to be adequate for the gross determination of lesion boundaries and electrode or cannula tip loci in brains of rats, cats, and squirrel monkeys.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Teaching and Assessing Deductive Reasoning Skills

The author examined the effectiveness of training in symbolic logic for improving students' deductive reasoning. A total of 116 undergraduate students (approximately equal numbers of men and women) enrolled in 1st-year university philosophy courses in symbolic logic participated in 2 studies. In both studies, students completed booklets of categorical and conditional syllogisms at the beginning of the course and again at the end of the course. In Study 2, students also specified their reasoning strategies. Results indicated that students' strategies changed with training (students increased their use of mental models and mental rules with categorical and conditional syllogisms, respectively), but their reasoning performance improved only moderately. The educational implications of these results are explored.

Field of study: Education
Accessing nanomechanical resonators via a fast microwave circuit

We demonstrate how to fully electrically detect the vibrations of conductive nanomechanical resonators up to the microwave regime. We use the electrically actuated vibrations to modulate an LC tank circuit, which blocks the stray capacitance and detect the created sideband voltage by a microwave analyzer. We prove the technique up to mechanical frequencies of 200 MHz. Finally, we estimate how one could approach the quantum limit of mechanical systems.

Field of study: Physics
Optimizing the molarity of a EDTA washing solution for saturated-soil remediation of trace metal contaminated soils.

Three experiments were conducted to optimize the use of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for reclaiming urban soils contaminated with trace metals. As compared to Na(2)EDTA, (NH(4))(2)EDTA extracted 60% more Zn and equivalent amounts of Cd, Cu and Pb from a sandy loam. When successively saturating and draining loamy sand columns during a washing cycle, which submerged it once with a (NH(4))(2)EDTA wash and four times with deionised water, the post-wash rinses largely contributed to the total cumulative extraction of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Both the washing solution and the deionised water rinses were added in a 2:5 liquid to soil (L:S) weight ratio. For equal amounts of EDTA, concentrating the washing solution and applying it and the ensuing rinses in a smaller 1:5 L:S weight ratio, instead of a 2:5 L:S weight ratio, increased the extraction of targeted Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn.

Field of study: Environmental science
Orogenic pulses in the Alberta Rocky Mountains: Radiometric dating of major faults and comparison with the regional tectono-stratigraphic record

Radiometric ages from regionally distributed thrust-fault gouge show that the eastward propagation of the southern Rocky Mountain fold-and-thrust belt in Canada occurred in four orogenic pulses that correlate with tectonic events of the Cordilleran interior and with depositional patterns in the adjacent foreland. In the Main Ranges, the Pyramid (163.0 Ma), Simpson Pass (161.7 Ma), and Johnson Creek (145.7 Ma) thrusts were related to the initiation of thin-skinned deformation from Jurassic terrane accretion and were partly contemporaneous with development of the first clastic wedge in the foreland basin. In the Front Ranges, the emplacement of the Greenock thrust (103.1 Ma) and Broadview–Snake Indian thrust (99.2 Ma) was contemporaneous with development of Cenomanian deltaic deposits in the immediate foreland. Three thrusts in the Front Ranges, Rocky Pass (74.8 Ma), Sulfur Mountain (75.6 Ma), and Clearwater (74.2 Ma) thrusts, define a Campanian phase of tectonic loading that led to the last major transgression in the southern portion of the Alberta foreland. Along the eastern margin of the Front Ranges, the McConnell thrust (54.0 Ma), together with the Muskeg (52.4 Ma), Brule (53.9 Ma), and Nikanassin (52.1 Ma) thrusts in the Foothills, recorded the last phase of regional contraction. The Late Jurassic, mid-Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous, and early Eocene deformation pulses are separated by relatively long periods (>40 m.y., >20 m.y., and >10 m.y.) of tectonic quiescence. These spatially and temporally restricted fault motion pulses contrast with gradual, forward fault propagation, while regional eastward progression of deformation is preserved.

Field of study: Geology
Solubility of refrigerant trifluoromethane in N,N-dimethyl formamide in the temperature range from 283.15 K to 363.15 K

The absorption refrigeration cycle is important for energy saving which can be driven by low-grade energy. We consider the Trifluoromethane (R23) + N, N-Dimethyl Formamide (DMF) binary mixture as a promising new working fluid or part of new working fluid for the absorption cycle. Vapor-liquid equilibrium data of the mixture R23 + DMF have been measured in the temperature range from (283.15–363.15) K by an equilibrium apparatus in which vapor phase is continuously recirculated. The experimental data are correlated with an Antoine-type equation. The average relative deviation (ARD) between the experimental data and calculated results is 1.8%. The results show a good agreement with the experimental data.

Field of study: Engineering
The correlation-based law of effect.

It is commonly understood that the interactions between an organism and its environment constitute a feedback system. This implies that instrumental behavior should be viewed as a continuous exchange between the organism and the environment. It follows that orderly relations between behavior and environment should emerge at the level of aggregate flow in time, rather than momentary events. These notions require a simple, but fundamental, change in the law of effect: from a law based on contiguity of events to a law based on correlation between events. Much recent research and argument favors such a change. If the correlation-based law of effect is accepted, it favors measures and units of analysis that transcend momentary events, extending through time. One can measure all consequences on a common scale, called value. One can define a unit of analysis called the behavioral situation, which circumscribes a set of values. These concepts allow redefinition of reinforcement and punishment, and clarification of their relation to discriminative stimuli.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Worldwide cadmium accumulation in soybean grains and feasibility of food production on contaminated calcareous soils.

Elevated toxins in soybeans extensively threaten Asian residents and over one billion vegetarians worldwide. An integrated dataset of toxic trace metal(loid)s especially cadmium (Cd) analysis in soybean grain samples (n = 5217) from 12 countries/regions of origin was compiled for risk analysis. Worldwide grain Cd averaged 0.093 mg kg-1, but mean values varied 16-fold between regions, with South China (0.32 mg kg-1) > Argentina (0.15 mg kg-1) = German (0.13 mg kg-1) > Japan (0.11 mg kg-1) > the United States (0.064 mg kg-1) > Central-North China (0.020-0.60 mg kg-1) ≥ Iran (0.042 mg kg-1) = Brazil (0.023 mg kg-1) = South Korea (0.020 mg kg-1). Regression analysis suggested widespread contamination and acidic soil features significantly contributed the elevated food Cd contamination worldwide. Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are also of concern because excessive levels were often observed in grains. Given that soil Cd bioavailability is generally low in alkaline pH ranges, the feasibility of producing safe food from contaminated land was investigated by greenhouse experiments with one low-Cd soybean cultivar grown on 20 contaminated calcareous soils. Equilibrium-based approaches i.e., 0.01 M CaCl2 and in-situ porewater extractions, and diffusion-based diffusive gradients in thin-films technique were used to determine the plant-available fractions of soil metal(loid)s to explain the bioaccumulation variation. The results suggested that soybean grains bioaccumulated mean 0.76 mg Cd kg-1, ranging from 0.16 to 2.1 mg kg-1, whereas As and Pb bioaccumulation was low. Cadmium accumulation was closely correlated with plant-available Cd fractions especially the 0.01 M CaCl2-extractable Cd, but negatively correlated with soil pH. Even in the alkaline pH range, a slight decrease of soil pH would increase grain Cd significantly. Study region and those arable lands that have similar soil conditions are not recommended for growing soybean unless novel remediation strategies are developed.

Field of study: Environmental science
Kinetic independence of the subunits of cytosolic glutathione transferase from the rat.

The steady-state kinetics of the dimeric glutathione transferases deviate from Michaelis-Menten kinetics, but have hyperbolic binding isotherms for substrates and products of the enzymic reaction. The possibility of subunit interactions during catalysis as an explanation for the rate behaviour was investigated by use of rat isoenzymes composed of subunits 1, 2, 3 and 4, which have distinct substrate specificities. The kinetic parameter kcat./Km was determined with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 4-hydroxyalk-2-enals, ethacrynic acid and trans-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one as electrophilic substrates for six isoenzymes: rat glutathione transferases 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, 3-3, 3-4 and 4-4. It was found that the kcat./Km values for the heterodimeric transferases 1-2 and 3-4 could be predicted from the kcat./Km values of the corresponding homodimers. Likewise, the initial velocities determined with transferases 3-3, 3-4 and 4-4 at different degrees of saturation with glutathione and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene demonstrated that the kinetic properties of the subunits are additive. These results show that the subunits of glutathione transferase are kinetically independent.

Field of study: Biology, Computer science
The analysis of MX/M/1 queue with two-stage vacations policy

In this article, we consider a batch arrival MX/M/1 queue with two-stage vacations policy that comprises of single working vacation and multiple vacations, denoted by MX/M/1/SWV + MV. Using the matrix analytic method, we derive the probability generating function (PGF) of the stationary system size and investigate the stochastic decomposition structure of stationary system size. Further, we obtain the Laplace–Stieltjes transform (LST) of stationary sojourn time of a customer by the first passage time analysis. At last, we illustrate the effects of various parameters on the performance measures numerically and graphically by some numerical examples.

Field of study: Mathematics
VALIDATION OF AMSR-E ICE CONCENTRATION & THICKNESS IN THE OKHOTSK SEA

The data from aircraft and ship campaigns in February 2003 in conjunction with high resolution satellite images for validating sea ice concentrations and thickness derived from AMSR-E brightness temperatures are presented. Patrol Vessel "SOYA" conducted time series observations of sea ice parameters such as ice type, floe size, snow thickness, density, grain size on sea ice and ice surface temperature, and salinity. Surface data by ship were used to interpret aircraft microwave (PSR) and visible channel data obtained by the high resolution Landsat-7 and MODIS images. The latter data were utilized to interpret the ice concentration derived from AMSR-E. The co-registered images of aircraft PSR, Landsat-7 and MODIS data exhibit good coherence in signatures. In highly consolidated ice cover, the ice concentrations were in good agreement within 5 to 10% in ice concentration. However, in highly divergent areas, the derived ice concentration has a negative bias due to the dominant presence of new ice. The new ice has relatively lower emmissivity than first year ice which is snow cover and is affected with waves and wetness by flooding. The relationship between the thickness and brightness temperature of sea ice was obtained in detail

Field of study: Biology, Environmental science
Preserved learning and memory in amnesia: intact adaptation-level effects and learning of stereoscopic depth.

Amnesic patients and control Ss performed similarly on 2 memory tests. In Experiments 1A and 1B, amnesic patients exhibited intact adaptation-level effects: An experience lifting and judging a group of weights influenced their judgments of a 2nd group of weights 20-25 min later. The effect did not depend on peripheral accommodation, because Ss used 1 hand during their 1st encounter with the weights and the opposite hand during their 2nd encounter. In Experiment 2, amnesic patients acquired at a normal rate the ability to perceive binocular depth using random-dot stereograms. In both experiments, amnesic patients benefited from recent experience, despite the fact that they could not remember their prior experience accurately. The preserved memory abilities demonstrated here appear to be examples of implicit, or nondeclarative, memory.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology