nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Cancer pain and opioid use--a global issue.

Living with inadequately controlled cancer pain is a sad and avoidable daily reality for many patients across the globe. Despite all of the accumulated knowledge and experience, cancer pain remains undertreated with 70–80% of patients with advanced disease experiencing uncontrolled pain of moderate-to-severe intensity.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every year 5.5 million terminal cancer patients still suffer moderate-to-severe  It is an appalling indictment of health care professionals, regulatory agencies and governments that this unacceptable situation is allowed to continue. We have a plethora of policy documents, declarations and guidelines but the stark reality is that far too many patients continue to suffer unnecessarily. For a variety of reasons, there is an evident and consistent failure to address this major public health issue.

The various statistics reliably quoted throughout the literature fail to adequately portray the level of individual human misery and suffering associated with chronic uncontrolled cancer pain. In addition to having a high pain and symptom burden profile, these patients are also coping with the ravages of progressive disease, treatment-related toxicities, major disruptions to their personal and professional lives, multiple losses across a variety of domains and for some, the loss of life itself. The human cost to these patients and to those close to them is incalculable.

The scale of this obscenity is brought into sharp focus by the fact that cancer pain can be adequately controlled in the vast majority of cases by the rational application of well-established guidelines.3 It is acknowledged that we lack robust scientific evidence to support aspects of current clinical practice.4 Nevertheless, what we lack in terms of ‘evidence-based practice’, we compensate for in abundance by ‘practice-based evidence’. Inspired by the pioneering work of Dame Cicely Saunders and greatly assisted …

Field of study: Medicine
Existence of competitive equilibrium in a general overlapping-generations model

In the companion paper , Balasko and Shell establish existence of competitive equilibrium for a pure-distribution, overlapping-generations economy without money (see, especially, Propositions (3.10) and (3.11) in Section 3). That argument is remarkably simple, but depends critically on some strong hypotheses concerning individual tastes and endowments. In particular, it is assumed that, in any given period, every living consumer has a utility function which is strictly increasing in every available commodity, as well as an endowment which is strictly positive in every available commodity. These two assumptions are especially difficult to rationalize in an intergenerational context. How many teen-agers do you know who are eager viewers of Lawrence Welk? How many “middle-agers” who are likely users of Clearasil? So much for increasing (much less strictly increasing) utility functions! Regarding strictly positive endowments, we invite the reader to dream up his/her own counterexamples.  In the present paper, we do away with such unrealistically severe hypotheses. And we do more. Following the Arrow-Debreu tradition, we postulate fairly mild conditions on individual tastes and endowments. Of course, in line with the same tradition, we must then impose some further conditions on the potential economic interrelationships among consumers. This additional structure is an application to the overlapping-generations model of McKenzie’s basic concept of irreducibility.

Field of study: Economics
Numerical methods for three-dimensional models of the urine concentrating mechanism

We recently formulated and solved a successful model of the renal concentrating mechanism, a problem of long-standing interest in mathematical biology [33, 34]. The model is a 39th-order nonlinear two-point boundary-value problem with separated linear boundary conditions. Although quasilinearization and superposition with Gram-Schmidt orthonormalization successfully solved the equations, these methods will probably not be sufficient to solve more detailed models of the urine concentrating mechanism. In this paper we review the current literature on solving two-point boundary-value problems and find a number of promising alternatives and improvements to our current methods. In addition we derive a new numerical method for calculating the parameter sensitivity of the solution to a nonlinear two-point boundary-value problem coupled to a system of algebraic relations. This new method is faster and more accurate than the method previously employed.

Field of study: Mathematics
Autologous myoblast transplantation in an animal model applicable as a potential bulking agent at the ureterovesical junction

Myoblast transplantation has been shown to augment damaged tissue. Moreover it could be used as an autologous bulking agent in refluxing vesicoureteral junctions in order to restore the damaged muscular integrity. But graft viability and the behaviour of the donor myoblasts at the ureterovesical junction have not been demonstrated yet.  Muscle biopsies from the back muscles of 5 pigs were obtained. Quality of the cells was evaluated by electrophysiological and immunohistochemical tests. Additionally they were labelled with a PKH fluorescent membrane dye to provide fluorescent marking of live cells. 5 weeks after muscle biopsies all animals underwent cell transplantation with 300 × 106 cells suspended in transplantation medium loaded into five 1-cc tuberculin syringes and injected into the ureterovesical junction. Animals were sacrificed 8 weeks later, the donor cells were identified using PKH26 labelling and fluorescence-activated cell-sorter analysis. Moreover histopathology and evaluation concerning tissue reaction at the donor site was also carried out. 3 intact autologous skeletal myoblast–derived skeletal muscle cells/visual field were found in all injected animals. However, immunohistochemistry demonstrated viability of transplanted myoblasts only at the borders of the bulking area wheras central widespread necrosis with red fluorescent cell detritus could be observed. We did not observe marked signs of an inflammatory response, even though a fibrotic scar was found at the site of injection.  These results highlight the inability of the vast majority of transplanted myoblasts to survive. Only a small portion of the cells survive when transplanted into a well vascularized area which is in favour of the assumption of an indirect impairment such as paracrine effects. Failure of myoblast transplantation in this animal study does not prove that the procedure itself is ineffective, but these results do caution against the application of in vivo myoblasts as a bulking agent.

Field of study: Medicine
A RESOLVED MAP of the INFRARED EXCESS in A LYMAN BREAK GALAXY at z = 3

We have observed the dust continuum of 10 z = 3.1 Lyman break galaxies with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array at similar to 450 mas resolution in Band 7. We detect and resolve the 870 mu m emission in one of the targets with a flux density of S-870 = 192 +/- 57 mu Jy, and measure a stacked 3 sigma signal of S-870 = 67 +/- 23 mu Jy for the remaining nine. The total infrared luminosities are L8-1000 = (8.4 +/- 2.3) x 10(10) L-circle dot for the detection and L8-1000 = (2.9 +/- 0.9) x 10(10) L-circle dot for the stack. With Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys I-band imaging we map the rest-frame UV emission on the same scale as the dust, effectively resolving the "infrared excess" (IRX = L-FIR/L-UV) in a normal galaxy at z = 3. Integrated over the galaxy we measure IRX = 0.56 +/- 0.15, and the galaxy-averaged UV slope is beta = -1.25 +/- 0.03. This puts the galaxy a factor of similar to 10 below the IRX-beta relation for local starburst nuclei of Meurer et al. However, IRX varies by more than a factor of 3 across the galaxy, and we conclude that the complex relative morphology of the dust relative to UV emission is largely responsible for the scatter in the IRX-beta relation at high-z. A naive application of a Meurer-like dust correction based on the UV slope would dramatically overestimate the total star formation rate, and our results support growing evidence that when integrated over the galaxy, the typical conditions in high-z star-forming galaxies are not analogous to those in the local starburst nuclei used to establish the Meurer relation.

Field of study: Physics
The Policy Cycle: A Model of Post‐Machiavellian Policy Making?

A number of theorists have recently proposed versions of the ‘policy cycle’ as a framework for understanding contemporary public policy processes. This has provoked critical responses from writers who dismiss the policy cycle as an inaccurate general description of public policy and an impractical normative model for decision making. In this article, I use an historical and interpretative method to explore the senses in which a policy cycle coheres with the experiences and values of policy analysts working in contemporary bureaucratic contexts. Drawing on Radin's notion of post-Machiavellian policy analysis, I suggest that the policy cycle has the potential to capture some of the fundamental features of current policy formulation, including the existence of numerous decision makers, the high degree of competition and contestability among sources of policy advice, and the substantial impact of previous policies on new efforts. Through interviews with senior Australian public servants, I argue that the model should not be interpreted as a rigorous, formulistic guide to the policy process. I also suggest that writers must be careful to distinguish between normative and descriptive uses of the policy cycle, and that more needs to be done to clarify how the policy cycle can improve policy making in contexts where political representatives do not give bureaucrats room to undertake good analytical work.

Field of study: Political science
Generation and application of monoclonal antibody to human pancreatic carcinoma.

An IgG1 mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) YPC3 against human pancreatic carcinoma was generated by a hybridoma technique. When human tissue sections were examined with immunohistochemical staining, YPC3 MAb reacted with 28 of 32 (87.5%) cases of pancreatic carcinoma tissue; it failed to react with all 11 cases of normal pancreas examined. When 99mTC-radiolabeled YPC3 MAb was administrated intravenously to the nude mice bearing xenograft of pancreatic carcinoma, clear scintigraphic visualization of tumor xenograft was found with SPECT 24 h after injection. Administration of either YPC3 MAb or LAK cells combined with YPC3 MAb could inhibit the growth of the xenografts in nude mice. These results suggest that YPC3 MAb might be an ideal carrier for radioimmunolocalization and immunotherapy of human pancreatic carcinoma.

Field of study: Biology
Arginine-Vasopressin Modulates Intracellular pH via V1 and V2 Receptors in Renal Collecting Duct Cells

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) has been proposed to be involved in the modulation of acid-base transporters; however, the nature of the mechanisms underlying AVP direct action on intracellular pH (pHi) in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) is not yet clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to elucidate which are the proteins implicated in AVP modulation of pHi, as well as the receptors involved in these responses using a CCD cell line (RCCD1); pHi was monitored with the fluorescent dye BCECF in basal conditions and after stimulation with basolateral 10-8 M AVP. Specific V1- or V2-receptor antagonists were also used. RT-PCR studies demonstrated that RCCD1 cells express V1a and V2 receptors. Functional studies showed that while V2-receptor activation induced a biphasic response (alkalinization-acidification), V1-receptor activation resulted in an intracellular acidification. The V2-mediated alkalinization phase involves the activation of basolateral NHE-1 isoform of the Na+/H+ exchanger while in the acidification phase CFTR is probably implicated. On the other hand, V1-mediated acidification was due to activation of a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. We conclude that in RCCD1 cells AVP selectively activates, via a complex of V1 and V2 receptor-mediated actions, different ion transporters linked to pHi regulation which might have physiological implications.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
A playful shift: Field-based experimental games offer insight into capacity reduction in small-scale fisheries

Understanding how to effectively and efficiently reduce fishing effort is a marine conservation imperative, given falling catches, degrading coastal systems and burgeoning human populations. Globally, studies into understanding who may leave a fishery, and why, have tended to be survey based, offering important but limited insights into exit behavior. At the same time attempts to introduce alternative livelihoods to fishing communities in developing countries often fail, and fishers are hostile to efforts to implement regulatory restrictions on their fishing activities. This paper argues exploring shifting behaviors through quasi-experimental field games offers inroads to this dilemma. Firstly, such games can triangulate with both observational and survey-based data to deepen understanding of how and why fishers may exit the fishery. Secondly, face-to-face interaction and stakeholder participation are important for improving natural resource management, and are facilitated by games. I illustrate these points using the example of ReefGame, played in multi-stakeholder workshops with small-scale fishers across the Philippines. Characterizing players as ‘shifters’, ‘intermittent shifters’ and ‘non-shifters’ highlights how non-economic considerations, meso-economic contexts and desires for the next generation to have ‘a better life’ can inform more responsive and effective fisheries management. At the same time, the game offers structured opportunities for scientists, managers and fishers to interact, building trust and understanding between them.

Field of study: Environmental science
GLAaS: an absolute dose calibration algorithm for an amorphous silicon portal imager. Applications to IMRT verifications.

A new calibration algorithm (GLAaS) to derive absolute dose maps from images acquired with the Varian PV-aS500 electronic portal imager (based on amorphous silicon detectors) has been developed incorporating the dependence of detector response on primary and transmitted radiation and on field size. Detector calibration and algorithm validation were performed at different depths (10.0, 3.8, 1.5, and 0.8 cm) in solid water to investigate various application possibilities. Calibration data were obtained against ion chamber measurements. Validation experiments were performed on intensity-modulated fields and comparison was carried out against calculated dose maps as well as against film measurements. Split fields were acquired independently and PV-aS500 images were summed offline with the new algorithm allowing complex fields to be verified in conditions most closely resembling clinical conditions. Excellent results were obtained for the 3.8, 1.5, and 0.8 depths on a set of 34 modulated fields including both split and nonsplit fields. Applying the gamma index analysis (with distance to agreement and dose thresholds set to 3 mm and 4%, respectively), only 2.3% of the field area showed gamma > 1 at 1.5 cm depth (8.1%, 3.1%, 2.7% at 10.0, 3.8, and 0.8 and 2.5% with films at 10 cm depth). Tests were also performed to verify GLAaS at gantry angles different from 0 degrees. No statistical differences were obtained for the comparison between split and nonsplit fields and between different gantry angles. Highly significant statistical differences were obtained when comparing independent samples of 240 fields verified either with GLAaS or with film. Fields verified with GLAaS presented a mean area with gamma > 1 of 2.1 +/-1.3% while for film this value was 3.9 +/- 3.4% (p<0.001). Absolute dosimetry proved to be reliable with the PV-aS500 detector with the GLAaS algorithm. The minimal settings at depths of 1.5 or 3.8 cm would allow the use of the detector at any gantry angle without the need for any special fixation tool.

Field of study: Medicine, Physics
Design of rough microgeometries for numerical simulation of material appearance.

Microfacet-based material appearance models are commonly considered as a physical plausible representation of matter-light interaction. With such models, the microgeometry of a surface element is defined by a statistical distribution of microfacets. The mathematical formulation ensures physical plausibility, such as energy conservation and reciprocity. Many authors have addressed microfacet bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF) representations, with various normal distribution functions (NDFs) and their relationship with shadowing and masking, or the effects due to multiple light scattering on the microgeometry. However, an extensive study on how an actual microgeometry drives material appearance still is missing. This question is a key issue for inverse design and manufacturing. This paper contributes to filling this gap by proposing a complete pipeline composed of a microgeometry generation process and numerical lighting simulation. From any input NDF, our method generates a controlled and structured microgeometry, integrated within numerical light scattering simulation. Reflected light is gathered using a virtual goniophotometer. From a given set of parameters, we use our pipeline to study the impact of microgeometry structures on material light scattering in the case of rough surfaces. The obtained results are discussed and compared with already existing approaches when they exist in the pipeline.

Field of study: Physics
Life cycle energy and greenhouse gas analysis of a large-scale vertically integrated organic dairy in the United States.

In order to manage strategies to curb climate change, systemic benchmarking at a variety of production scales and methods is needed. This study is the first life cycle assessment (LCA) of a large-scale, vertically integrated organic dairy in the United States. Data collected at Aurora Organic Dairy farms and processing facilities were used to build a LCA model for benchmarking the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption across the entire milk production system, from organic feed production to post-consumer waste disposal. Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for the entire system (averaged over two years of analysis) were 18.3 MJ per liter of packaged fluid milk and 2.3 kg CO(2 )equiv per liter of packaged fluid milk, respectively. Methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management account for 27% of total system GHG emissions. Transportation represents 29% of the total system energy use and 15% of the total GHG emissions. Utilization of renewable energy at the farms, processing plant, and major transport legs could lead to a 16% reduction in system energy use and 6.4% less GHG emissions. Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis reveal that alternative meat coproduct allocation methods can lead to a 2.2% and 7.5% increase in overall system energy and GHG, respectively. Feed inventory data source can influence system energy use by -1% to +10% and GHG emission by -4.6% to +9.2%, and uncertainties in diffuse emission factors contribute -13% to +25% to GHG emission.

Field of study: Environmental science
An ensemble of crystallographic models enables the description of novel bromate-oxoanion species trapped within a protein crystal.

Only a few protein-oxoanion crystal complexes have been described to date. Here, the structure of a protein soaked in a bromate solution has been determined to a resolution of 1.25 A and refined to final overall R/R(free) values of 18.04/21.3 (isotropic) and 11.25/14.67 (anisotropic). In contrast to the single-model approach, refinement of an ensemble of ten models enabled us to determine variances and statistically evaluate bond-length distances and angles in the oxoanions. In total, nine bromate positions, including two BrO(3)(-) x HBrO(3) dimer species, have been identified on the basis of the anomalous signal of the Br atoms. For all bromate ions, the main-chain amide atoms of the protein were identified as the dominant binding positions, a useful property in any experimental phase-determination experiment.

Field of study: Chemistry
On the Training Mode of Business Talents in Application-oriented Undergraduate Universities

Application-oriented universities should take the training of "professional managers" as their goals in cultivating business talents.In the talents training process,it will give such characteristics as professionalism,practicality and sociality into full play.Besides,universities could take the project of "starting a company" as the starting point to construct interactions respectively between universities and society,theory and practice,and teachers and students.It will allow students to develop under the training model of simultaneous learning and practicing,so as to meet the social needs of business talents continuously.

Field of study: Education
Losses and dissipation of penconazole in vineyard soil as affected by mid-row management system

A field experiment was performed with the aim to assess the amount of penconazole losses during field application and the spatial variability of penconazole concentration in a vineyard soil, under two different management techniques (tilled and grass covered). The field dissipation of penconazole under the two techniques was also followed for 114 days, highlighting the effects of spatial variability of the initial concentration and of the grass covering in terms of the different soil metabolic activity. Data found show that a high percentage of penconazole, from 42.5 % to 67.43 %, can reach the soil during the treatments, despite the fact that penconazole is applied to the foliage. The high values of the coefficient of variation for data within rows show considerable variability in all applications, ranging from 30 to 65 in the first application, from 35 to 79 in the second and from 36 to 75 in the third. Since the applications of penconazole occurred under almost same climatic conditions in terms of wind speed and direction, the high variability of concentration of penconazole found within mid-rows was attributed to the uneven slope of the vineyard causing an irregular speed of the sprayer equipment. However, least significant differences of the mean values did not end in a significant difference of penconazole concentration among mid-rows for all applications, indicating that the variability between rows does not contribute to the overall variability. The calculated half-life values for penconazole in tilled soil were 62.4 days for tilled and 33.0 for grassed soil, highlighting the tendency of penconazole to faster dissipate in grassed than in tilled soil. Grassed soil was characterised by a higher metabolic activity in terms of microbial biomass carbon content, basal respiration and total hydrolytic activity, than tilled soil. A significant correlation between penconazole dissipation and total hydrolytic activity, was found. The faster dissipation of penconazole in grassed soil was attributed to the higher amount of the total hydrolytic activity which, in grassed soil, was 1.5 fold-higher than in tilled soil.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences