nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Herpesvirus saimiri‐transformed T lymphocytes from common variable immunodeficiency patients

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a very frequent but heterogeneous syndrome of antibody formation. The primary defect remains unknown, but many reports describe peripheral blood T lymphocyte dysfunctions in a substantial proportion of CVID patients, which may impair T–B cell collaboration. In order to investigate whether such putative defects were intrinsic to T cells or, rather, secondary to quantitative differences in T cell subset distribution, or to other described disorders, we have used Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) for the targeted transformation of CVID CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and subsequent functional evaluation by flow cytometry of their capacity to generate cell surface (CD154, CD69) or soluble (IL‐2, TNF‐α, IFN‐γ) help after CD3 engagement. Unexpectedly, the results showed that 40 different CVID blood samples exposed to HVS gave rise with a significantly increased frequency to transformed CD4+ T cell lines, compared to 40 age‐matched controls (27%versus 3%, P≤ 0·00002) suggesting the existence of a CVID‐specific signalling difference which affects CD4+ cell transformation efficiency. The functional analysis of 10 CD4+ and 15 CD8+ pure transformed T cell lines from CVID patients did not reveal any statistically significant difference as compared to controls. However, half of the CD4+ transformed cell lines showed CD154 (but not CD69) induction (mean value of 46·8%) under the lower limit of the normal controls (mean value of 82·4%, P≤ 0·0001). Exactly the same five cell lines showed, in addition, a significantly low induction of IL‐2 (P≤ 0·04), but not of TNF‐α or IFN‐γ. None of these differences were observed in the remaining CD4+ cell lines or in any of the transformed CD8+ cell lines. We conclude that certain CVID patients show selective and intrinsic impairments for the generation of cell surface and soluble help by CD4+ T cells, which may be relevant for B lymphocyte function. The transformed T cell lines will be useful to establish the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the described impairments.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Functional coupling between substantia nigra and basal ganglia homologues in amphibians.

Neuroanatomical and pharmacological experiments support the existence of a homologue of the mammalian substantia nigra-basal ganglia circuit in the amphibian brain. Demarcation of borders between the striatum and pallidum in frogs, however, has been contentious, and direct evidence of functional coupling between the putative nigral and striatal homologues is lacking. To clarify basal ganglia function in anurans, the authors used expression of immediate-early gene egr-1 as a marker of neural activation in the basal ganglia of túngara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus). Regional variation in egr-1 mRNA levels distinguished striatal and pallidal portions of the basal ganglia and supported the grouping of the striatopallidal transition zone with the dorsal pallidum. As further evidence for a functional coupling between the dopaminergic cells in the posterior tuberculum (the putative substantia nigra homologue) and the basal ganglia, a positive relationship was demonstrated between the size of the dopaminergic cell population and the neural activation levels within the dorsal pallidum.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Mathematical modelling of competitive LDL/VLDL binding and uptake by hepatocytes

Elevated levels of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the plasma are a well-established risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease. Plasma LDL-C levels are in part determined by the rate at which LDL particles are removed from the bloodstream by hepatic uptake. The uptake of LDL by mammalian liver cells occurs mainly via receptor-mediated endocytosis, a process which entails the binding of these particles to specific receptors in specialised areas of the cell surface, the subsequent internalization of the receptor–lipoprotein complex, and ultimately the degradation and release of the ingested lipoproteins’ constituent parts. We formulate a mathematical model to study the binding and internalization (endocytosis) of LDL and VLDL particles by hepatocytes in culture. The system of ordinary differential equations, which includes a cholesterol-dependent pit production term representing feedback regulation of surface receptors in response to intracellular cholesterol levels, is analysed using numerical simulations and steady-state analysis. Our numerical results show good agreement with in vitro experimental data describing LDL uptake by cultured hepatocytes following delivery of a single bolus of lipoprotein. Our model is adapted in order to reflect the in vivo situation, in which lipoproteins are continuously delivered to the hepatocyte. In this case, our model suggests that the competition between the LDL and VLDL particles for binding to the pits on the cell surface affects the intracellular cholesterol concentration. In particular, we predict that when there is continuous delivery of low levels of lipoproteins to the cell surface, more VLDL than LDL occupies the pit, since VLDL are better competitors for receptor binding. VLDL have a cholesterol content comparable to LDL particles; however, due to the larger size of VLDL, one pit-bound VLDL particle blocks binding of several LDLs, and there is a resultant drop in the intracellular cholesterol level. When there is continuous delivery of lipoprotein at high levels to the hepatocytes, VLDL particles still out-compete LDL particles for receptor binding, and consequently more VLDL than LDL particles occupy the pit. Although the maximum intracellular cholesterol level is similar for high and low levels of lipoprotein delivery, the maximum is reached more rapidly when the lipoprotein delivery rates are high. The implications of these results for the design of in vitro experiments is discussed.

Field of study: Biology, Mathematics
Psychometry of the Teacher's Sense of Efficacy Scale in Spanish Teachers' Education

Our objective was to test the factorial validity of the different versions (TSES-24, TSES-12, and TSES-11) of the Teacher's Sense of Efficacy Scale in Spanish preservice teachers'. The participants were 358 preservice teachers. The confirmatory factor analysis showed inadequate fit indexes for both TSES-24 and TSES-12 but adequate fit indexes for TSES-11, which was invariant across gender. The reliability analysis showed appropriate values. The global factor for teachers' sense of efficacy and the three factors that constitute it positively predicted intrinsic motivation and life satisfaction. The global factor for sense of efficacy and the classroom management and student engagement factor negatively predicted amotivation. The results support the use of the TSES-11 three-factor model, rather than TSES-24 or TSES-12, for Spanish preservice teachers.

Field of study: Education
A Survey of Food Safety Risk Perceptions Research and Progress in Western Countries

Consumer behavior is decided by the perception rather than the food safety risk itself. There are three underlying factors affecting perception of risk---familiarity, dread, and exposure. Consumer risk perception of food safety is determined not so much by the hazard itself as is by the social and psychological characteristics of the food hazard. Perceived risk of food safety can be measured by category of loss, namely physical, performance, financial, time, social and psychological loss. Where consumers perceive risk, they often develop strategies to reduce risk.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Diffusion of the Curing Agent through two Epdm Rubber Sheets with Different% Peroxide during their Simultaneous Cure

When two sheets of EPDM with different percent peroxide as curing agent, 2% for the one and 10% for the other, are firmly pressed and cured together at a convenient temperature, a transfer of the curing agent has been proved to take place through the interface between these two sheets. The following two facts are observed. On the one hand, when this cured bi-layer system is immersed in toluene, a large swelling is observed but the two layers are not separated, in spite of the different rate and extent of swelling for each EPDM taken separately. On the other hand, the hardness does not vary discontinuously at the interface between the two sheets, but on the contrary it varies continuously through the thickness of the two layer system. This variation of the hardness through the thickness gives an idea of the gradient of peroxide concentration which has been developed during the stage of heating before the onset of cure. The kinetics of absorption of toluene is controlled by diffusion, and the two parameters, with the diffusivity and the capacity of absorption at equilibrium, are evaluated for the two-layer system by using the values measured on the two EPDM components with different percentages of peroxide taken separately. Modelling of the process of absorption and evaporation has been possible from these values for the bi-layer system, explaining the torsion of the bi-layer sheet during the stage of absorption and its stability. An application of this matter transfer during the cure process opens a way for re-treading a truck tyre with a new rubber band.

Field of study: Materials science
Endemic flora biodiversity in the south of the Iberian Peninsula: altitudinal distribution, life forms and dispersal modes

The south of the Iberian Peninsula, with an altitudinal range varying from sea level to 3482 m and annual average rainfall ranging from 206 to 2223 mm, has 516 vascular endemic species or subspecies, that is, an endemicity rate of 13%. This survey deals with parameters such as species richness, originality, life forms and dispersal modes of these plants, in relation to altitudinal and rainfall gradients. Although most of the endemic plants occur between 600 and 1400 m a.s.l. and in the range of 600–1000 mm annual average rainfall, floristic originality (rate of endemic taxa per area unit) increases exponentially with altitude. The biological spectrum of this endemic flora does not follow the usual patterns observed either in local floras in the south of the Iberian Peninsula or in other regions of the Mediterranean Basin. Chamaephytes (46.08%) and hemicryptophytes (31.37%) are very abundant, whereas therophytes (11.96%) and phanerophytes (0.98%) are comparatively rare. There is a statistically significant correlation between life form and both altitudinal and rainfall gradients. Chamaephytes reach their highest density rates within 1400–2000 m a.s.l., but these records tend to decrease as rainfall rates increase. Abundance of hemicryptophytes is directly dependent on rainfall rates and inversely dependent on temperature. The altitudinal distribution pattern of therophytes is opposite to that of hemicryptophytes, but there is no clear correlation as far as rainfall gradient is concerned. Considering both the endemic plants as a whole and each of the life form groups, the relationships between the dispersal modes used and the altitudinal and rainfall gradients are analysed. Up to 44.51% of the endemic plants do not present evident adaptations to promote the dispersion of their diaspores. However, only in the group of therophytes, whose occurrence is positively related to areas of minor altitude, does this difficulty of dispersion play a significant role in the maintenance of stenochory.

Field of study: Environmental science
Predicted antiferromagnetic-vortex dynamics driven by spin polarized current in thin discs

We investigate vortex configuration in antiferromagnetic thin discs. It is shown that the vortex acquires oscillatory dynamics with well-defined amplitude and frequency which may be controlled on demand by an alternating spin polarized current. These findings may be useful for the emerging field of antiferromagnetic topological spintronics, once vortex dynamics may be controlled by purely electric means.

Field of study: Physics
The effects of sport participation on gender relations: Case studies of female footballers in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa has progressive political policies concerning women with a high percentage of women in political positions, while simultaneously having some of the worst indicators of gender relations internationally, including high rates of rape and domestic violence. This article examines how participation in football can challenge hegemonic masculinity in South African society and sport through comprehensive case studies of women's football in the townships of Johannesburg and Cape Town. Internationally, sport has demonstrated a positive effect on improving gender relations. This includes opportunities for women to gain self-esteem and confidence, have constructive interactions with men, and challenge unequal gender norms. However, sport can contribute to the ostracisation of women and further entrench male hegemony. A mixed methods approach was used to collect case studies of 21 female footballers involving 81 interviews of players, household members, coaches, and administrators in addition to 33 focus groups with players and peers. Gender relations are discussed on three levels: macro – access to national positions of authority and financial resources; meso – access to community facilities and school opportunities as well as changed perceptions and team acceptance of alternative sexualities; and micro – effects on interpersonal relationships, individual educational opportunities, and division of household labour. Past research provides an overview of these three levels relating to hegemonic masculinity within the general South African society and how sport can address these issues. More longitudinal research is needed to determine whether these changes are significant enough to make long-term differences and have an effect on gender relations in the larger South African society.

Field of study: Sociology
Reworking processes and deposits in coral reefs during (very) high-energy events: Example from a Pleistocene coral formation (125 ka), La Desirade Island, Lesser Antilles

Abundant literature has documented the ecological impact of very high-energy (hurricane-type) events and high-energy (storm-type) events on modern coral reefs and sediment transport. In previous studies, sedimentary processes are often deduced from geophysical image analysis and scuba diving observations. Few field-based studies have been devoted to the impact of (very) high-energy disturbance on the structure and ecology of Holocene and Pleistocene coral reefs, and very few to the sedimentary processes acting around these reefs. This research examines the structure of the late Pleistocene (end of MIS5e stage) reefs of La Desirade Island, Guadeloupe Archipelago, Lesser Antilles, and focuses on the poorly known reworking processes and related coral-breccia sedimentation surrounding these reefs. Fieldwork was performed to document two coral-fragment-rich breccia interbedded with coral patches. The breccia predominantly show the same petrography but differ in their internal structure, showing a “massive breccia” type and a “stratified breccia” type. This work infers that these breccia are the result of gravity-induced high-density mass flows triggered by high to very-high energy events such as storms and hurricanes. Damage and reworking vary according to the type of (very) high-energy event. Prior to transport, storms are thought to have broken the heads of branching and columnar coral colonies, and broken and overturn isolated lamellar and massive colonies. Hurricanes (particularly their eye walls) may have reworked much more sediment than storms, and may have also destabilised entire several metre-sized columnar colonies from the flank of coral patch reefs. We propose the name “coral debrite” for these coral breccia deposits caused by gravity-induced debris flows. The reworked deposits are interbedded between two coral reef levels, of which the main coral-species vertical succession should record the end of Marine Isotope Stage 5e sea-level rise. Thus, reworking is believed to occur during the transitional stage between a glacial and an interglacial period.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
A 2-basic set of the alternating group

In this note, we construct a 2-basic set of the alternating group $${\mathfrak{A}_n}$$. To do this, we construct a 2-basic set of the symmetric group $${\mathfrak{S}_n}$$ with an additional property, such that its restriction to $${\mathfrak{A}_n}$$ is a 2-basic set. We adapt here a method developed by Brunat and Gramain () for the case when the characteristic is odd. One of the main tools is the generalized perfect isometries defined by Külshammer et al. ( (2003)).

Field of study: Mathematics
Information and strategic behavior

Does encouraging trader participation enhance market competitiveness? This paper shows that, when trader preferences are interdependent, trader market power does not necessarily decrease with greater participation, and traders need not become price takers in large markets. Thus, larger markets can be less liquid and associated with lower ex ante welfare. In the linear-normal model, the necessary and sufficient condition on the information structure is provided under which price impact is monotone in market size. A condition is given when the rational expectations equilibrium, which is typically not fully revealing within the considered class of preference interdependencies, is obtained in large markets.

Field of study: Economics
Zur Definition von Relaxationszeit und Korrelationszeit in magnetischen Resonanzexperimenten

Kubo's general definition of relaxation and correlation times in magnetic spin systems, applicable to non-exponential processes, is evaluated for several non-exponential relaxation and correlation functions known from nmr experiments. The new definition eliminates the arbitrary factors usually encountered in the time constants of nonexponential irreversible processes. For the correlation time of the well-known “translational two-spin model”, three different values are used in the literature; our definition leads toτt=1/5 d2/D (d=distance of closest approach between the two spins,D=diffusion coefficient of the related molecules), which is an intermediate value to the conventional abbreviationsτt=1/5d2/D andτt=1/6d2/D.

Field of study: Physics
Training Emotionally Disturbed Children in Role-Taking: A Structured Technique

A structured model is presented for brief training and evaluation of role-taking skills in young children. Using a within-subjects design, 16 emotionally disturbed boys (M = 6–7 yr.) received brief training in role-taking and discussion with one story in the first condition and discussion only of another story in a second condition. No differences between conditions were found in subjects' recall, number of affective words used, and amount of eye movement. The use of this model in a control-group design, with separate groups of children receiving role-taking and discussion conditions, is suggested, and the importance of using a structured Technique in role-taking training is emphasized.

Field of study: Psychology
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND CABLE BROKEN OF LEVY CABLE DOME

The cable dome with diameter of six meters was tested under a vertical symmetry loading,an asymmetrical loading,and the cable broken test was also made.The mechanical performance of the cable dome was analyzed based on the experimental study in the moment of cable broken.The mathematical model based on the nonlinear finite element numerical method was employed to analyze the main mechanical properties which were compared with the test results.The test results show that: the node displacement is larger than that of the numerical calculation results,and the inner forces of the cable have a general good agreement with the numeric ones;the vertical load-displacement has good relationship under vertical symmetry loading,and the load and the displacement has nonlinear relationship under asymmetric loading,thusly the stiffness under asymmetrical loading is the key of design;cable dome has vibration in the moment of cable broken,and the cable failure at different locations makes the different influence to the structure.

Field of study: Engineering
A longitudinal examination of the relationships among stress, coping strategies, and problems associated with alcohol use.

This study examined the longitudinal relationships among family history of alcoholism (FH+), stress levels, utilization of coping methods, and alcohol-related problems. Data used in this study were obtained from a nonclinical sample of subjects who were originally interviewed when they were 12, 15, or 18 years of age and followed-up twice more at 3-year intervals for a longitudinal sample size of 1270. Although a greater percentage of females in this sample reported a FH+ background as well as higher levels of stress, they tended to utilize positive coping strategies more often and reported fewer numbers of alcohol problems than males. In general, younger subjects who reported high levels of stress experienced more alcohol-related problems regardless of coping method chosen. In older subjects, the effect of stress on problems appeared to be buffered when coupled with the use of support seeking. Subjects whose stress preceded problems exhibited no significant difference from subjects whose problems preceded stress and symptom-free and "stressed-only" subjects were not significantly different from each other in number of problems at time 3, suggesting that a direct effect of stress alone on alcohol-related problems is questionable.

Field of study: Medicine
Der Einfluß der Nullpunktschwingungen der Kernoberfläche auf die Formfaktoren der inelastischen Elektronenstreuung

The transition densities from the ground state to exited states of atomic nuclei are calculated from the drop model, taking the zero-point oscillations of the nuclear surface into account. The calculation yields transition densities smeared out over a distance of 2–3 fm near the nuclear surface. In the case ofn-surfon transitions the radial dependence of these densities is proportional to then-th derivative of the ground-state density.The numerical evaluation yields inelastic form factors quite similar to those ofCrannell et al. Compared with the form factors ofWalecka, the higher maxima are less distinct.

Field of study: Physics
Identification of the crystal structures of two superconducting phases for potassium-doped picene

By the first principles calculations and X-ray diffraction simulations, we perform a systematic study of multiple superconducting phases of potassium-doped picene [ 2010]. The combination of optimized lattice parameters, formation energy, and simulated X-ray diffraction spectra indicates that the superconducting phase with transition temperature (T$_c$) of 7 K corresponds to a charge doped K$_2$picene, which is semiconducting with a 0.1 eV energy gap, while the superconducting phase with T$_c$=18 K corresponds to a metallic K$_3$picene. The distinct crystal and electronic structures of K$_2$picene and K$_3$picene provide a reasonable explanation of two superconducting phases in potassium-doped picene.

Field of study: Physics
Getting to solutions.

A story is told of a farmer and his cow that were walking down a country road and were hit by a car. The farmer sued the driver, and eventually the case wound up in court. The defense attorney asked the farmer “Did you or did you not tell my client that you were just fine right after the accident?” The farmer replied “Well, my cow and I were walking down the road…” The defense attorney interrupted and asked the judge to direct the farmer to give a simple yes or no answer.

Field of study: Education, Medicine