nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Obliterative disease of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries with intermittent claudication.

BENJAMIN BRODIE (1846) described obliteration of the iliac artery in two illustrative cases of senile gangrene, and Charcot (1858) based his original description of intermittent claudication on a patient in whom he had found at necropsy an aneurysm and obstruction of the common iliac artery. Obliterative arterial disease affecting vessels proximal to the inguinal ligament has been recognized since then as a possible cause of this symptom, but references in the literature to obstruction of the iliac arteries are few. Chabanier and Porin (1932) reported a patient with gangrene of the extremities and absence of pulsations in the legs on oscillography, who at post-mortem proved to have thrombotic obliteration of both common iliac vessels. Linton (1943) described a case of sudden thrombosis of the left external iliac artery. This event followed an operation for the removal of an ovarian tumour, when the left internal iliac artery was tied. The patient made a good recovery, and two and a half years later complained only of some fatigue of the left leg after walking one mile.  discussed cases of iliac arterial obstruction, and Leriche, Kunlin, and Boely (1950), in a paper on aortography, showed several examples of the condition, without giving clinical details.  stated that occlusion of the iliac arteries might be a cause of intermittent claudication, but did not record its incidence or give details of their cases. Lindbom (1950), in a careful radiological study, found it in 8 per cent, of 76 patients with intermittent claudication. Boyd, Ratcliffe, Jepson, and James (1949) and Boyd (1950), in a series of 1,000 cases of intermittent claudication, did not report obstruction of the iliac arteries. Thrombosis of the external iliac artery following lower abdominal injury in young men has recently been described by Boyd and Jepson (1950). In their cases recovery was rapid and the outlook was good, presumably because, in the absence of chronic arterial disease, an excellent collateral circulation developed. References in the literature to obliterative disease of the abdominal aorta have been more numerous. Graham, in a communication to the MedicoChirurgical Society of London in 1814, referred to a pathological specimen belonging to Allan Burns which showed the aorta and iliac vessels plugged with laminated clot; no clinical details of the case were given. Welch, in 1909, collected from the literature 59 examples of obstruction of the lower abdominal 1 Received June 20, 1951.

Field of study: Medicine
Spatial distribution of lead contamination in soil and equipment dust at children's playgrounds in Beijing, China.

Lead contamination is widespread across China, posing a serious public health concern. In quantifying child lead exposure, established health risk assessment (HRA) approaches often take into account residential soil lead levels. However, this may not constitute a significant exposure source for children in urban mainland China, where the population mainly dwell in high-rise buildings without back or front yards. In this setting, children's playgrounds may represent a more probable exposure source. The present study analyzed lead levels in settled dust on playground equipment and in surficial soils at 71 playgrounds in Beijing, China. Our results reveal that the average playground dust lead concentration was 80.5 mg/kg, more than twice the average soil lead concentration of 36.2 mg/kg. It was found that there are differences in statistical and spatial distributions for lead in playground dust and soils. Lead levels in equipment dust were largely consistent across Beijing, with elevated levels detected at locations in the main city area, the newly developed Tongzhou District, and the rural counties. Whereas average soil lead concentrations were higher at playgrounds in the main city area than other areas of Beijing. Statistical analysis suggests that the lead content in dust and soil may derive from different natural and anthropogenic sources. Equipment dust lead may be associated with long-distance atmospheric transportation and deposition. Whereas lead in soil is more likely to be associated with local traffic. This study also found that, in certain areas of Beijing, the risk of blood lead levels (BLLs) exceeding safe levels was up to 6 times higher when based on dust exposure than when based on playground soil exposure. The results of this study suggests that HRA undertaken for children in urban mainland China should pay closer attention to children's playgrounds as a lead exposure source, and, in particular, playground equipment dust.

Field of study: Environmental science
Study on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Erosive Wear Behavior of HVOF Sprayed Al2O3-15 wt.%TiO2 Coating with NiAl Interlayer on Al-Si Cast Alloy

Alumina oxide coatings are widely used in many industrial applications to improve corrosion protection, wear and erosion resistances, and thermal insulation of metallic surfaces. The paper presents study of the microstructure, mechanical, and wear properties of HVOF (high velocity oxy-fuel process) sprayed of Al2O3-15 wt.% TiO2 coating with the NiAl interlayer on the surface of Al-Si alloy castings. The microstructure of Al2O3-15 wt.% TiO2/NiAl coating was characterized by light microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The analysis of the microstructure showed the formation of coating with low porosity, compact structure, good adhesion to the substrate with typical lamellar structure composed of a solid phase consisting of compounds included in the coating material and their phase variations. For analysis of the adhesion of coatings to the substrate, the scratch test was applied. An assessment of the erosive wear resistance of coatings was also carried out, confirming the significant impact of the interlayer as well as the microstructure and phase composition of the oxide coating on the wear resistance of the tested coating system. Moreover, the results were discussed in relation to the bending strength test, including cracks and delamination in the system of the Al2O3-15 wt.% TiO2/NiAl/Al-Si alloy as microhardness and erosion resistance of the coating. It was found that the introduction of the NiAl metallic interlayer significantly increased resistance to cracking and wear behavior in the studied system.

Field of study: Materials science
AGE AND MASS FOR 920 LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD CLUSTERS DERIVED FROM 100 MILLION MONTE CARLO SIMULATIONS

We present new age and mass estimates for 920 stellar clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) based on previously published broadband photometry and the stellar cluster analysis package, MASSCLEANage. Expressed in the generic fitting formula, d 2 N/dMdtM α t β, the distribution of observed clusters is described by α = –1.5 to –1.6 and β = –2.1 to –2.2. For 288 of these clusters, ages have recently been determined based on stellar photometric color-magnitude diagrams, allowing us to gauge the confidence of our ages. The results look very promising, opening up the possibility that this sample of 920 clusters, with reliable and consistent age, mass, and photometric measures, might be used to constrain important characteristics about the stellar cluster population in the LMC. We also investigate a traditional age determination method that uses a χ2 minimization routine to fit observed cluster colors to standard infinite-mass limit simple stellar population models. This reveals serious defects in the derived cluster age distribution using this method. The traditional χ2 minimization method, due to the variation of U, B, V, R colors, will always produce an overdensity of younger and older clusters, with an underdensity of clusters in the log (age/yr) = [7.0, 7.5] range. Finally, we present a unique simulation aimed at illustrating and constraining the fading limit in observed cluster distributions that includes the complex effects of stochastic variations in the observed properties of stellar clusters.

Field of study: Physics
Investigating the Effect of Galaxy Interactions on AGN Enhancement at $0.5

Galaxy interactions and mergers are thought to play an important role in the evolution of galaxies. Studies in the nearby universe show a higher AGN fraction in interacting and merging galaxies than their isolated counterparts, indicating that such interactions are important contributors to black hole growth. To investigate the evolution of this role at higher redshifts, we have compiled the largest known sample of major spectroscopic galaxy pairs (2381 with $\Delta V <5000$ km s$^{-1}$) at $0.5<z<3.0$ from observations in the COSMOS and CANDELS surveys. We identify X-ray and IR AGN among this kinematic pair sample, a visually identified sample of mergers and interactions, and a mass-, redshift-, and environment-matched control sample for each in order to calculate AGN fractions and the level of AGN enhancement as a function of relative velocity, redshift, and X-ray luminosity. While we see a slight increase in AGN fraction with decreasing projected separation, overall, we find no significant enhancement relative to the control sample at any separation. In the closest projected separation bin ($<25$ kpc, $\Delta V <1000$ km s$^{-1}$), we find enhancements of a factor of 0.94$^{+0.21}_{-0.16}$ and 1.00$^{+0.58}_{-0.31}$ for X-ray and IR-selected AGN, respectively. While we conclude that galaxy interactions do not significantly enhance AGN activity on average over $0.5<z<3.0$ at these separations, given the errors and the small sample size at the closest projected separations, our results would be consistent with the presence of low-level AGN enhancement.

Field of study: Physics
Protease Omi cleaving Hax-1 protein contributes to OGD/R-induced mitochondrial damage in neuroblastoma N2a cells and cerebral injury in MCAO mice

In the penumbra after focal cerebral ischemia, an increase of protease Omi is linked to a decrease of Hs1-associated protein X-1 (Hax-1), a protein belonging to the Bcl-2 family. In this study we investigated the mechanisms underlying the regulation of Hax-1 by protease Omi in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.Mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R); cell viability was assessed with MTT assay. Mice underwent 2-h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion, and the infarct volume was determined with TTC staining. The expression of Omi and Hax-1 was detected using immunoblot and immunofluorescence assays. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using TMRM staining.In the brains of MCAO mice, the protein level of Omi was significantly increased, while the protein level of Hax-1 was decreased. Similar changes were observed in OGD/R-treated N2a cells, but the mRNA level of Hax-1 was not changed. Furthermore, in OGD/R-treated N2a cells, knockdown of Omi significantly increased Hax-1 protein level. Immunofluorescence assay showed that Omi and Hax-1 were co-localized in mitochondria of N2a cells. OGD/R caused marked mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in N2a cells, while inhibition of Omi protease activity with UCF-101 (10 μmol/L) or overexpression of Hax-1 could restore the mitochondrial membrane potential and attenuate cell apoptosis. Moreover, pretreatment of MCAO mice with UCF-101 (7.15 mg/kg, ip) could restore Hax-1 expression, inhibit caspase activation, and significantly reduce the infarct volume.Protease Omi impairs mitochondrial function by cleaving Hax-1, which induces apoptosis in OGD/R-treated N2a cells and causes I/R injury in MCAO mice.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
Apparatus and method for testing coplanarity of semiconductor components

A method and apparatus for measuring the alignment of leads along the perimeter of an integrated circuit surface mount device (SMD). The device is placed so that a first lead is within the path of a beam of light emitted from a light source. The light source is moved around the perimeter of the device so that the beam of light contacts all of the leads of the device. The angle of reflection of the beam of light off of each of the leads is detected. From this angle, the alignment of the leads is determined by first calculating a seating plane and then calculating the variation of each lead from the seating plane.

Field of study: Engineering
SEPT5_v2 is a parkin-binding protein.

Mutations in parkin are associated with various inherited forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Parkin is a ubiquitin ligase enzyme that catalyzes the covalent attachment of ubiquitin moieties onto substrate proteins destined for proteasomal degradation. The substrates of parkin-mediated ubiquitination have yet to be completely identified. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we isolated the septin, human SEPT5_v2 (also known as cell division control-related protein 2), as a putative parkin-binding protein. SEPT5_v2 is highly homologous to another septin, SEPT5, which was recently identified as a target for parkin-mediated ubiquitination. SEPT5_v2 binds to parkin at the amino terminus and in the ring finger domains. Several lines of evidence have validated the putative link between parkin and SEPT5_v2. Parkin co-precipitates with SEPT5_v2 from human substantia nigra lysates. Parkin ubiquitinates SEPT5_v2 in vitro, and both SEPT5_v1 and SEPT5_v2 accumulate in brains of patients with ARJP, suggesting that parkin is essential for the normal metabolism of these proteins. These findings suggest that an important relationship exists between parkin and septins.

Field of study: Biology
An in situ hybridization study on interleukin-1 beta mRNA induced by transient forebrain ischemia in the rat brain.

Expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) mRNA in the rat brain after transient forebrain ischemia was investigated by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Thirty min after the start of recirculation, IL-1 beta mRNA was induced in the several brain regions, including the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and thalamus where neuronal degeneration was reported to be observed after transient forebrain ischemia. The hybridization signals were observed both on the glial cells and around the vascular walls.

Field of study: Biology
Further efforts to protect biodiversity in coastal waters of South Australia

Marine sanctuary zones (MSZs) in South Australia were established under a regime of opposition from commercial and recreational fishers with some assistance from fisheries scientists. Fish exploitation was not the only threat discussed by the Scientific Working Group for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) but it was considered as a major threat. There was some argument over the interpretation of the “Precautionary Principle” but one of the reasons for establishing a marine sanctuary zone is to conserve marine biological diversity not to manage fisheries. The genetic effects of overfishing fish and invertebrates can have a lasting effect on populations and the food web around them. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting are considered essential to management of MSZs' long-term strategy in terms of evaluating the efficacy of zoning arrangements and conservation outcomes. It is not certain that South Australia's system of MSZs will deliver their required outcome due to the compromises to science that had to be made.

Field of study: Environmental science
The Influence of Taoism on Love Stories of Human and Ghost in Wei,Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties

The novels recording strange and supernatural events of Wei,Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties occupied an important status of literature of that time. In these novels,human-and-ghost stories held a quite great proportion. Taoism had an important influence on the human-and-ghost love stories in the novels recording strange and supernatural events. The formation of these love stories,the richly colorful contents and the ideas of the strange plot,which were influenced by Taoism,expanded the theme domain of the human-and-ghost love stories,and,therefore,had very high thought value and artistic value.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Structural Optimum Design of a Railcar Coupler Energy Absorbing Device

In this paper, we carried out a structural optimization of an railcar coupler energy absorbing device. we established a finite element (FE) model and validated it by experimental results. We used a central composite design (CCD) and Hammersley design of experiments (DOE) to take samples for the variables. Based on these samples, we built an approximation model with the moving least squares method (MLAM). The maximum error percentage of the model was 2.30%. The main effect analysis indicated that the thickness T had the more significant effect on the average mean force (Favg) and the specific energy absorption (SEA). Considering the average mean force, fracture and buckling of the structure as constraints, we carried out parameter optimization using the global response surface method (GRSM) to gain a higher SEA. Finally, we obtained the optimum parameters (T = 7.72 mm, ɑ = 29.34 o ) with the SEA value of 35.28 kJ/kg. The value of SEA increased by 56.18%.

Field of study: Engineering
The Investigation of Pre-service Science Teachers’ Opinions on Some of the Biology and Biotechnology Concepts

Today, it is seen rapid progress in some areas such as biotechnology. Since determination of the DNA structure, advances in biology, biotechnology and genetic engineering have emerged very fast and on such a great scale that teachers should be able to adapt to new developments. Teacher education has an important task to prepare students for their coming professions. The objective of this study was to find out pre-service science teachers’ conceptions on biology, biotechnology, genetically modified (GM) food and their ideas on teaching and assessment strategies to help their students’ understanding of these technologies. The participants were 150 pre-service science teacher in Turkey. A questionnaire contains eight closed-ended and four open-ended items were used to determine pre-service science teachers’ perceptions of biology and biotechnology issues. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used to analyze data. As a result of this research, it was observed that pre-service science teachers does not have sufficient knowledge or their information that is contradictory.  10.5901/jesr.2016.v6n1p9

Field of study: Education, Sociology
C-Met-Activated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Rescue Ischemic Damage via Interaction with Cellular Prion Protein

Stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy, but the exact mechanisms by which stem cells exposed to hypoxic conditions increase the survival rate and rescue ischemic injury at the graft site are not well known. In this study, we aimed to determine if c-Met-activated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) pre-exposed to hypoxia promote therapeutic efficacy when transplanted to ischemic models, and whether c-Met interacts with cellular prion protein (PrPC) present in the ischemic tissue.  Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of PrPC, C-caspase-3, and C-PARP-1, as well as the phosphorylation of Akt, p38, JNK, and BAX. A co-immunoprecipitation assay was performed to show that PrPC binds with c-Met in vitro. An adhesion assay was performed to explore the alterations in MSCs attached to myoblasts (in vitro), and an invasion assay was performed to determine the effect on MSC invasion capacity upon interaction with myoblast-induced c-Met and PrPC. CD31-positive capillaries and αSMA-positive arterioles in in vivo hindlimb ischemic tissue were quantified by immunofluorescence staining. The level of apoptosis in the tissue of each group was assessed by quantifying the number of C-caspase-3-positive cells. Finally, laser Doppler technology was utilized to detect the enhanced angiogenic effects in vivo.  We showed that hypoxic conditions increased PrPC levels in vivo (hindlimb ischemic tissue) and in vitro (myoblasts) and increased c-Met levels in MSCs. To identify the relationship between c-Met from MSCs and PrPC from myoblasts, we used a co-culturing system with myoblasts and MSCs pre-exposed to hypoxia. Hypoxia increased the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Transplantation of hypoxia-pre-exposed MSCs to the ischemic site increased anti-apoptosis and enhanced the survival and proliferation of transplanted MSCs in a murine hindlimb model, resulting in improved functional recovery of the ischemic tissue. All the aforementioned effects were inhibited by the pretreatment of MSCs with the c-Met-neutralizing antibody  c-Met-activated MSCs pre-exposed to hypoxia interact with PrPC at the site of ischemic injury to increase the efficiency of MSC transplantation. Hence, our study demonstrated that c-Met is a potential target for MSC-based therapies.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Understanding Utah winter storms: The Intermountain precipitation experiment

Winter storms and their prediction are of increasing importance throughout the region of the United States with the fastest growing population, the Intermountain West. Such storms can produce heavy orographic snowfall, lake-effect snowbands, and even lightning. Unfortunately, precipitation forecast skill is lower over the Intermountain West thanother regions of the country because of the complex topography, the lack or limited utility of upstream and in situ data, and insufficient understanding of storm and precipitation processes. The Intermountain Precipitation Experiment (IPEX) is a research program designed to improve the understanding, analysis, and prediction of precipitation over the complex topography of the Intermountain West. The field phase of this research program was held in northern Utah in February 2000. During this time, seven storms were observed, including the heaviest snowfall to strike the Wasatch Mountains in two years, a tornadic bow echo associated with a strong cold front,...

Field of study: Environmental science
Mobile Work Continuance of Knowledge Workers: An Empirical Study

Mobile work has been found to offer the benefits of flexibility and empowerment to employees as well as improved savings, productivity, and employee retention to organizations. Nevertheless, challenges and risks associated with mobile work can erode acceptance and continuance of mobile work. Drawing upon the theoretical work on information system (IS) continuance and using data collected from 238 knowledge mobile workers, this study develops and validates a model of mobile work continuance. Our findings suggest: (1) the expectation-confirmation framework provides strong theoretical support for explaining mobile work continuance, and (2) outcome construct and experiential constructs affect knowledge workers’ mobile work continuance intention.

Field of study: Computer science
Carbon dioxide detection and catalase active detection method of monitoring mould in maize

This research is to study CO2 detection and catalase active detection method of monitoring mould in maize. First of all, the influence factors of the two methods are analyzed in this test. Then there is a storage experiment of maize for 60 d. The results carried out that both of the methods can be used in monitoring mould in maize. The CO2 detection method is easy to operate and only need short period. It can be used to warning the mould in grain piles. However, the catalase active detection method is more accurate. It is more suitable for those detection which need exact result.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences