nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Intermittent ethanol access increases sensitivity to social defeat stress.

Comorbidity between alcoholism and depression is extremely common. Recent evidence supports a relationship between alcohol exposure and stress sensitivity, an underlying factor in the development of depression. Our lab has recently shown that chronic alcohol gavage increases sensitivity to social defeat stress (SDS). However, the effects of voluntary alcohol consumption, resulting from protocols such as intermittent ethanol access (IEA), on defeat stress sensitivity have yet to be elucidated.



We first assessed the effects of 4 weeks of IEA to 20% alcohol on sensitivity to subthreshold SDS exposure. Next, to examine neuroinflammatory mechanisms, we analyzed gene expression of inhibitor of NFkB (IkB) following IEA or chronic alcohol exposure (10 days of 3.0g/kg alcohol via intragastric gavage). Then, we quantified NFkB activation via β-galactosidase immunohistochemistry following IEA or chronic alcohol gavage in NFkB-LacZ mice.



IEA-exposed mice displayed an increase in sensitivity to subthreshold SDS compared to water-drinking controls. We also found that IkB gene expression was decreased in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) and amygdala (AMY) following IEA but was not altered following chronic alcohol gavage. Finally, we observed increased NFkB activity in the central amygdala (CEA), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and medial amygdala (MEA) after IEA, and increased NFkB activity solely in the CEA following chronic alcohol gavage.



These findings further corroborate that prior alcohol exposure, in this case intermittent voluntary consumption, can impact development of depressive-like behavior by altering stress sensitivity. Furthermore, our results suggest the CEA as a potential mediator of alcohol's effects on stress sensitivity, as NFkB was activated in this region following both IEA and chronic alcohol gavage. Thus, this study provides novel insight on alterations in the NFkB pathway and identifies specific regions to target future in experiments assessing the functional role of NFkB in these processes.

Field of study: Medicine
An Improved Dynamic Compensation Algorithm for Rhodium Self-Powered Neutron Detectors

Rhodium self-powered neutron detectors are utilized in many pressurized water reactors to determine the neutronic behavior within the core. In order to compensate for the inherent time delay associated with the response of these detectors, a dynamic compensation algorithm is currently used in Combustion Engineering plants to reconstruct the dynamic flux signal which is being sensed by the rhodium detectors. This paper describes a new dynamic compensation algorithm, based on Kalman filtering, which improves on the noise gain and response time characteristics of the algorithm currently used, and offers the possibility of significantly expanding the capabilities of the present in-core detector system without a major hardware investment.

Field of study: Physics
Subcellullar localization, developmental expression and characterization of a liver triacylglycerol hydrolase.

The mechanism and enzymic activities responsible for the lipolysis of stored cytosolic triacylglycerol in liver and its re-esterification remain obscure. A candidate enzyme for lipolysis, a microsomal triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH), was recently purified to homogeneity from pig liver and its kinetic properties were determined [Lehner and Verger (1997) Biochemistry 36, 1861-1868]. We have characterized the enzyme with regard to its species distribution, subcellular localization, developmental expression and reaction with lipase inhibitors. The hydrolase co-sediments with endoplasmic reticulum elements and is associated with isolated liver fat droplets. Immunocytochemical studies localize TGH exclusively to liver cells surrounding capillaries. Both TGH mRNA and protein are expressed in rats during weaning. The enzyme covalently binds tetrahydrolipstatin, an inhibitor of lipases and of triacylglycerol hydrolysis. The enzyme is absent from liver-derived cell lines (HepG2 and McArdle RH7777) known to be impaired in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly and secretion. The localization and developmental expression of TGH are consistent with a proposed role in triacylglycerol hydrolysis and with the proposal that some of the resynthesized triacylglycerol is utilized for VLDL secretion.

Field of study: Biology, Computer science
Soft part preservation in hyolithids from the lower Cambrian (Stage 4) Guanshan Biota of South China and its implications

Hyoliths, known globally from the Cambrian to the Permian are generally recognized as early lophotrochozoan animals of uncertain phylogenetic position. The calcareous exoskeleton of hyolithids, one of the two subgroups of hyoliths, consist of four elements including a conical conch, an external operculum, and a pair of curved enigmatic helens, but their ecology and internal morphology have long been considered controversial. Here we present for the first time, remarkably preserved hyolithids with helens and interior soft tissues from the Guanshan Biota (Cambrian, Stage 4) of Shijiangjun section, Wuding County in eastern Yunnan Province of South China. Preserved soft tissues and organs encompass the digestive tract, muscle scars and connective tissues between the operculum and conch. Three modes of soft part preservation in hyolithids from the Guanshan Biota are described: (1) preservation through pyritization, (2) sediment-infilling of guts, and (3) bacterial biofilm pseudomorphs (expressed as large internal hollow cavities), resulting from endogenous bacterial decay of soft parts. Such differential preservation of hyolith guts indicates different taphonomic modes for the soft parts of Cambrian animals in the Guanshan Biota. The newly collected material yields the oldest preserved guts in hyolithids from Konservat-biotas, and reveals new evidence for reconstructing hyolithid anatomy, such as the articulation mechanism of the opercula and the internal structures in the conch. Comparisons with younger well-preserved hyolithid specimens indicate that the gut anatomy of hyolithids was evolutionarily conservative from the early Cambrian through to at least the Ordovician.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
Memory effect and triplet pairing generation in the superconducting exchange biased Co/CoOx/Cu41Ni59/Nb/Cu41Ni59 layered heterostructure

We fabricated a nanolayered hybrid superconductor-ferromagnet spin-valve structure, the resistive state of which depends on the preceding magnetic field polarity. The effect is based on a strong exchange bias (about −2 kOe) on a diluted ferromagnetic copper-nickel alloy and generation of a long range odd in frequency triplet pairing component. The difference of high and low resistance states at zero magnetic field is 90% of the normal state resistance for a transport current of 250 μA and still around 42% for 10 μA. Both logic states of the structure do not require biasing fields or currents in the idle mode.

Field of study: Physics
SIMULATION OF CRACKING PROCESSES OF ROCK MATERIALS BY LATTICE MODEL

In this paper, a lattice model is presented to simulate the cracking processes of heterogeneous brittle materials. It is assumed in the model that a continuum is represented at the meso-level by a connected lattice of elastic-brittle truss or beam elements. The heterogeneity of the materials is implemented through change of element parameters. Fracturing is simulated by performing a linear elastic analysis of the lattice under loading and removing an element from the lattice that exceeds a certain failure threshold. Once an element is removed, the analysis is repeated. With this model, uniaxial tension and the four-point-shear experiments of single-edge notched beam are simulated. It is shown that the simulated crack patterns appear quite realistic.

Field of study: Engineering
[Extracellular thermostable alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis B7].

A thermostable alpha-amylase producing bacterium has been isolated from soil and identified as Bacillus licheniformis B7. Cultural conditions of this strain for alpha-amylase production were studied. The optimum temperature and incubation period for enzyme production were 50 degrees C and 7 days respectively. Starch with a concentration of 2.5% was the best carbon source for enzyme production. Besides the above conditions, the addition of 0.05% FeCl3 X 6H2O, 0.6% yeast extract, 0.35% peptone, 0.2% Na-citrate and 0.008% CaCl2 X 2H2O to the growth medium produced maximum enzyme activity. The alpha-amylase produced by this strain showed maximal activity at 90 degrees C and pH 9.0.

Field of study: Biology
Maak kaas vir môre

Cono Kaasmakers is 'n melkkooperasie bestaande uit 475 klein familieboerderye en het al in 1901 met bedrywighede begin. Die fabriek en kantore is op die wereldbekende Beemsterpolder in Westbeemster, noord van Amsterdam, gelee en hul kaas word as van die beste ter wereld beskou. Hulle is ook bekend vir hul volhoubare boerdery en tradisionele kaasmaakmetodes.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
The meaning of severity - do citizenś views correspond to a severity framework based on ethical principles for priority setting?

The importance for governments of establishing ethical principles and criteria for priority setting in line with social values, has been emphasised. The risk of such criteria not being operationalised and instead replaced by de-contextualised priority-setting tools, has been noted. The aim of this article was to compare whether citizenś views are in line with how a criterion derived from parliamentary-decided ethical principles have been interpreted into a framework for evaluating severity levels, in resource allocation situations in Sweden. Interviews were conducted with 15 citizens and analysed by directed content analysis. The results showed that the multi-factorial aspects that participants considered as relevant for evaluating severity, were similar to those used by professionals in the Severity Framework, but added some refinements on what to consider when taking these aspects into account. Findings of similarities, such as in our study, could have the potential to strengthen the internal legitimacy among professionals, to use such a priority-setting tool, and enable politicians to communicate the justifiability of how severity is decided. The study also disclosed new aspects regarding severity, of which some are ethically disputed, implying that our results also reveal the need for ongoing ethical discussions in publicly-funded healthcare systems.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
Remote spectroscopic sensing of chemical adsorption using a single multimode optical fiber.

A remote chemical sensor using a single optical fiber has been developed for collecting evanescently excited spectral signals from liquid samples. The sensor is particularly useful for the study of species adsorbed from solution onto the sensor surface. Fluorescence spectra were taken from dye solutions and dye-labeled proteins to demonstrate the evanescent operation of the probe. Raman data from benzene were collected to indicate its sensitivity in the bulk mode.

Field of study: Physics
Raman scattering and anomalous current algebra in Mott insulators.

Recent experiments on inelastic light scattering in a number of insulating cuprates  revealed a new excitation appearing in the case of crossed polarizations just below the optical absorption threshold. This observation suggests that there exists a local exciton-like state with an odd parity with respect to a spatial reflection. We present the theory of high energy large shift Raman scattering in Mott insulators and interpret the experiment [1] as an evidence of a chiral bound state of a hole and a doubly occupied site with a topological magnetic excitation. A formation of these composites is a crucial feature of various topological mechanisms of superconductivity. We show that inelastic light scattering provides an instrument for direct measurements of a local chirality and anomalous terms in the electronic current algebra.

Field of study: Physics
Dielectric and electrical studies of Li-Ti mixed nanoferrites

The polycrystalline samples of the Li-Timixed nanoferrites, Li0.5+0.5xTixFe2.5- 1.5xO4, (0.02 = x = 0.1) were prepared by combustionmethod. The IR spectra in the range 400 Â 800 cm-1were recorded at roomtemperature. Thermoelectric power measurement shows n-type conductivity. Dielectric constant and loss values increase with increase in temperature and decreases with increase in frequency. Two relaxations were observed in the temperature dependence of tani¤. The activation energy required for the relaxation was calculated from the conductivity data. These relaxations were attributed to the electron hopping between Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions on octahedral sites and the creation of oxygen defects.

Field of study: Materials science
Linking Motives and Emotions: A Test of McClelland's Hypotheses

McClelland (1985) hypothesized that motives and emotions are linked in specific ways, with each primary emotion relevant to only one motive. Two studies were generally supportive of the specific links hypothesized by McClelland. In Study 1, participants visualized success at satisfying each of three motives (achievement, affiliation-intimacy, and power); after each visualization, they reported their emotional state. As predicted, levels of interest and surprise were high after the achievement visualization but levels of excitement and focus were also high. Happiness and love were high after the affiliation-intimacy visualization (as predicted) but happiness was also high after the achievement visualization. Levels of anger, disgust, and confusion were highest after the power visualization. In Study 2, participants recalled instances of happiness, sadness, anger, and feeling challenged. Anger stories were most likely to be about power, sadness stories about affiliation-intimacy, and challenge stories about achievement. The most frequent happiness stories were about either affiliation-intimacy or achievement.

Field of study: Psychology
An Algorithmic Framework for Computing Validation Performance Bounds by Using Suboptimal Models

Practical model building processes are often time-consuming because many different models must be trained and validated. In this paper, we introduce a novel algorithm that can be used for computing the lower and the upper bounds of model validation errors without actually training the model itself. A key idea behind our algorithm is using a side information available from a suboptimal model. If a reasonably good suboptimal model is available, our algorithm can compute lower and upper bounds of many useful quantities for making inferences on the unknown target model. We demonstrate the advantage of our algorithm in the context of model selection for regularized learning problems.

Field of study: Computer science
Hydrology of meteoric diagenesis: Residence time of meteoric ground water in island fresh-water lenses with application to aragonite-calcite stabilization rate in Bermuda

The average age of ground water that discharges at the shoreline from an island fresh-water lens is equal to the volume of ground water in the lens divided by the total recharge to the island. This island average residence time, τ 0 is easily calculated by Dupuit-Ghyben-Herzberg analysis (DGH). From estimates of the controlling variables (recharge, hydraulic conductivity, and porosity), it is estimated that τ 0 is usually on the order of 1 to a few tens of years in fresh-water lenses of small (width on the order of 100 to a few thousand meters), strip islands where calcarenite is undergoing early diagenesis. Lateral variation in interstitial velocity and distribution of ground-water age within the lens can be calculated from an approximate theory using DGH potentials and an assumption that discharge is uniformly distributed with depth. Results are within a few percent of those from rigorous flow-net construction. Velocities range laterally through two orders of magnitude. Contours of ground-water age are nearly horizontal over most of the lens; at a depth of about 40% of the depth to the interface, the ground-water age is τ 0 /2, and it equals τ 0 at about 60% of the depth to the interface. Flow-net construction shows that velocities are greatest at the water table and decrease rapidly downward to the value given by DGH. Representative velocities halfway between the ground-water flow divide and the shoreline are 10 to 100 m/yr in these islands. Application of these calculation procedures to Bermuda leads to a revised estimate of ground-water age for water samples that have been used to estimate the rate of aragonite-to-calcite transformation in the fresh-water lenses of that island. This rate is an order of magnitude less than that in lenses in Holocene oolitic cays of the Bahamas. The ratio of stabilization rate to amount of aragonite appears to be about the same in the two settings. The value of the ratio implies a half-life of 6,000-7,000 yr for aragonite-to-calcite transformation in these lenses.

Field of study: Geology
X Rays in Molecular Biophysics

X rays have had a profound impact in advancing the field of biology, and the pace of fundamental discovery is still accelerating. Through the awesome powers of recombinant DNA technology and synchrotron radiation, as combined in modern‐day x‐ray crystallography, ever‐more‐complicated molecules and assemblages are being worked out in atomic detail. The insights into biological processes derived from these studies are transforming cell and molecular biology.

Field of study: Physics
Experimental assessment of power and temperature penetration depth control with a dual frequency ultrasonic system.

A novel ultrasound applicator for superficial simultaneous thermoradiotherapy consisting of two parallel-opposed linear arrays and a double-sided scanning reflector was constructed and tested for penetration depth control. In this design the arrays operate at different frequencies (1 and 5 MHz, in this study) and the input power to each array element (five 2 X 2 cm2 elements per array) is computer adjustable. The ultrasonic beams from the arrays are aimed at the scanning reflector which in turn deflects them simultaneously and in parallel toward the treatment volume. Relative intensity distributions generated by the prototype were measured in a degassed water phantom using a thermal technique for a selected reflector position; these showed that the ultrasonic intensity distribution can be controlled in the lateral dimensions by varying the input power level to individual array elements. A fixed-perfused canine kidney phantom was employed to demonstrate experimentally that real time penetration depth control is possible by varying the excitation magnitude of one array (frequency) relative to that of the other. It is concluded that the dual-frequency scanned-reflected ultrasound applicator offers a degree of dynamic three-dimensional control of the power deposition pattern of clinical significance.

Field of study: Medicine, Physics
MiR-195/-16 Family Enhances Radiotherapy via T Cell Activation in the Tumor Microenvironment by Blocking the PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint

Radiotherapy is the standard treatment option for advanced prostate cancer. Unfortunately, despite significant advances in radiation delivery, prostate cancer radioresistance occurs in a large proportion of patients undergoing radiotherapy. As a way to enhance radiotherapy effectiveness, research advances into the mechanisms regulating the immune response have revived interest in combination radiation and immune-based therapies.  miR-195/-16 family and PD-L1 levels were analyzed in samples from a GSE21032 data set. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the difference in biochemical recurrence-free survival associated with miR-195 and miR-16 expression. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to evaluate the miR-195, miR-16 and PD-L1 expression. Then, we used bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay to predict and confirm the miR-195 and miR-16 target gene. Finally, we elucidate the miR-195 and miR-16 function on immune evasion in the DU145/T cell co-culture model and syngeneic mouse model treated with radiotion through qRT-PCR, western blot, Flow cytometry and ELISA.  High levels of miR-195 and miR-16 were positively correlated with the biochemical recurrence-free survival of prostate cancer patients. miR-195 and miR-16 were inversely correlated with PD-L1, PD-1, CD80 and CTLA-4 expression. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that miR-195 and miR-16 inhibited PD-L1 expression. Additionally, restoration of miR-195 and miR-16 expression enhanced radiotherapy via T cell activation in the tumor microenvironment by blocking PD-L1 expression. This synergistic effect of immunotherapy and radiotherapy was associated with the proliferation of functional cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and inhibition of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells.  Our data revealbiological and functional interactions between immunotherapy and radiotherapy through the miR-195/-16 family regulatory cascade.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Sedimentation in the Tethyan pelagic realm during the Cenomanian: Monotonous settling or active redistribution?

Sea bottom processes of the pelagic realm are still not completely understood and represent an intriguing subject. This paper focuses on the relationships between “normal” settling processes, redistribution of sediments and oceanographic parameters in a pelagic setting, during the Cenomanian. Five key Tethyian localities in the Cenomanian Umbria-Marche and Belluno Basins have been studied in order to understand the interplay among sea bottom processes that acted on the sea floor. The dataset consists of the mm-scale sedimentological description of the sections complemented by microfacies analysis on selected samples. Different sedimentological indications, such as presence of intraclasts, lined forams, pervasive plane-parallel lamination, suggest a continuous reworking under action of bottom-currents with varying intensity and direction. All the identified facies are here illustrated in detail and organized in a comprehensive schematic facies framework, the “facies matrix”, that leads to recognize two depositional facies suites: the “settling dominated” and the “traction current dominated”, under different oxygenation conditions. Our results suggest that settling of biogenic and inorganic particles represents the main source of pelagic sediments, but not the unique depositional process: under the action of sea-bottom currents of different intensity, sediments are continuously redistributed on the sea floor. All the collected evidences contribute to the proposal of a comprehensive depositional model for these reworked and redistributed fine-grained sediments, that represent true calcareous pelagic contourites. The model suggests that the identified traction-related facies can be used as a proxy for bottom current intensity and, indirectly, as an indicator of changing ventilation regimes at the sea floor through time.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography