nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Astronomically forced climate cooling across the Eocene–Oligocene transition in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea

During the late Eocene–early Oligocene, major changes in the global climate and environment occurred, including decreases in global temperature and the appearance of Antarctic glaciation. These changes marked the transition from early Cenozoic greenhouse conditions to icehouse conditions. Research on this cooling trend in the Atlantic and high-latitude regions has increased, but few reports have studied low-latitude regions (e.g., the northern South China Sea), and it remains unclear whether sediment records in these areas preserve signals related to this global cooling event. In this study, we studied records from a lacustrine well in the Wenchang Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB), northern South China Sea. We conducted palynological and cyclostratigraphic analyses to reconstruct the depositional environment and assess the influence of orbital forcing. The cyclostratigraphic analysis showed that depositional cycles (including fining-upwards and coarsening-upwards sequences) were controlled mainly by long eccentricity, forcing the expansion and contraction of the lake system at ~1.2 Myr time intervals. In addition, changes in the pollen-spore assemblage before and after the Eocene–Oligocene (E-O) transition show a dramatic shift from a moderately deep lake to a shallow lake with delta facies, as recorded by the Wenchang to Enping Formations in the Wenchang Sag, PRMB. These findings suggest that the climate deteriorated in response to global cooling. The amplification of obliquity forcing and the coevolution between obliquity power and global pCO2 during the E-O transition suggest that the low-latitude sedimentary records from China contain a high-latitude signal. Furthermore, the low amplitudes of the precession, obliquity, and eccentricity cycles are coupled with the initial decreases in the global sea-level and pCO2 and a positive bias in the carbon‑oxygen isotopic compositions at ~34.3 Ma. These results suggest that orbital forcing played a role in elevating pCO2 across a critical threshold during the E-O transition (~33.9 Ma).

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
Integrita: Protecting View-Consistency in Online Social Network with Federated Servers

Current designs of Online Social Networks (OSN) deploy a centralized architecture where a central OSN provider handles all the users’ read and write requests over the shared data (e.g., Facebook wall or a group page). The historical incidents demonstrate that such centralization is leveraged for censorship and violating view-consistency; a corrupted provider deliberately displays different views of the shared data to different users. Integrita provides a data-sharing mechanism that protects view-consistency by replacing the centralized architecture with the federated-server model consisting of N providers, N − 1 of which can be fully malicious and colluding. The state of the shared data is modeled by an append-only data structure, stored at the server-side, which contains the history of all the operations performed by the users. The consistency of the users’ views towards the shared data depends on their accessibility to the intact log of operations. Integrita guarantees that the servers cannot manipulate the log without being detected by the users. Unlike the state-of-the-art, Integrita accomplishes this neither by using storage-inefficient data replication nor by requiring users to exchange their views. Every user, without relying on the presence of other users, can verify whether his operation has been added to the log and is visible to the rest of the users. We introduce and achieve a new level of view-consistency, named q-detectable consistency, where any inconsistency between users’ views cannot remain undetected for more than q operations, where q is a function of the number of the servers. This level of consistency is stronger than what centralized counterparts offer. Also, our proposal reduces the storage overhead imposed by replication-based solutions by the multiplicative factor of 1 N . Furthermore, the application of Integrita is not limited to OSNs and can be integrated into any log-based systems, e.g., version control systems.

Field of study: Computer science, Mathematics
Composition of Woody Species in a Dynamicforest–woodland–savannah Mosaic in Uganda: Implications for Conservation and Management

Forest–woodland–savannah mosaics are a common feature in the East African landscape. For the conservation of the woody species that occur in such landscapes, the species patterns and the factors that maintain it need to be understood. We studied the woody species distribution in a forest–woodland–savannah mosaic in Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda. The existing vegetation gradients were analyzed using data from a total of 591 plots of 400 or 500 m2 each. Remotely sensed data was used to explore current vegetation cover and the gradients there in for the whole area. A clear species gradient exists in the study area ranging from forest, where there is least disturbance, to wooded grassland, where frequent fire disturbance occurs. Most species are not limited to a specific part of the gradient although many show a maximum abundance at some point along the gradient. Fire and accessibility to the protected area were closely related to variation in species composition along the ordination axis with species like Cynometra alexandri and Uvariopsis congensis occurring at one end of the gradient and Combretum guenzi and Lonchocarpus laxiflorus at the other. The vegetation cover classes identified in the area differed in diversity, density and, especially, basal area. All vegetation cover classes, except open woodland, had indicator species. Diospyros abyssinica, Uvariopsis congensis, Holoptelea grandis and all Celtis species were the indicator species for the forest class, Terminalia velutina and Albizia grandbracteata for closed woodland, Grewia mollis and Combretum mole for very open woodland and Lonchocarpus laxiflorus, Grewia bicolor and Combretum guenzi for the wooded grassland class. Eleven of the species occurred in all cover classes and most of the species that occurred in more than one vegetation cover class showed peak abundance in a specific cover class. Species composition in the study area changes gradually from forest to savannah. Along the gradient, the cover classes are distinguishable in terms of species composition and vegetation structure. These classes are, however, interrelated in species composition. For conservation of the full range of the species within this East African landscape, the mosaic has to be managed as an integrated whole. Burning should be varied over the area with the forest not being burnt at all and the wooded grassland burnt regularly. The different vegetation types that occur between these two extremes should be maintained using a varied fire regime.

Field of study: Environmental science
Search at SLAC Finds No Millicharged Particles

The quantization of electric charge is very well tested: The proton and electron charges ±e are equal and opposite to better than a part in 1021, and the neutrality of the neutron, photon and neutrino have been experimentally affirmed with comparable precision. And all attempts to find naked fractionally charged quarks have failed thus far, as the theory of quark confinement tells us they must.

Field of study: Physics
Au naturel : processing

Industrialisation has caused the food industry to change the techniques used to produce products such as cheese and yoghurt. For the Jewish community, whose members want to stay as close to nature as possible, this poses a unique challenge. Although industrialisation presents great opportunities, the complexity of foodstuffs and ingredients also present significant challenges for the kosher certification process, especially when it comes to delivering super-kosher products of a high standard.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Bioceramics: from bone substitutes to nanoparticles for drug delivery

Since the second half of the 20th century, bioceramics are used for bone repair and regeneration. Inspired by bones and teeth, and aimed at mimicking their structure and composition, several artificial bioceramics were developed for biomedical applications. And nowadays, in the 21st century, with the increasing prominence of nanoscience and nanotechnology, certain bioceramics are being used to build smart drug delivery systems, among other applications. This minireview will mainly describe both tendencies through the research work carried out by the research team of María Vallet-Regí.

Field of study: Chemistry
Is the worst of the epidemic over? Back calculation of HIV seroprevalence in The Netherlands.

This article calculates back the HIV seroprevalence in the Netherlands from AIDS cases notified 1982-1990 and rates of progression from HIV to AIDS adopted from American studies. It discusses a number of problems, such as changing AIDS definitions and the possible impact of AZT treatment. We estimate that the Netherlands had approximately 6762 HIV seropositives by the end of 1988, which is considerably lower than earlier expectations. When a hypothetical decrease of 10% in the manifestation of AIDS cases due to AZT treatment was incorporated, the estimate for the end of 1988 becomes 7549. After deduction of the AIDS patients who had died by the beginning of 1989 from this estimate, the HIV seroprevalence by the end of 1988 is approximately 7000. The distribution of seroincidence over time suggests that the HIV epidemic in our country has passed its summit and that the HIV incidence is falling quickly. The question arises as to how far this fortunate development may be considered a success of the Dutch AIDS policy, a policy characterised by more openness than in many other countries. The material studied here, however, allows no definite answer to this intriguing question.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
Generation of anti-proteinase 3 monoclonal antibodies and development of immunological methods to detect endogenous proteinase 3.

Proteinase 3 (PR3), a neutrophil granule serine protease, is the major autoantigen for autoantibodies in the systemic vasculitic disease, Wegener's granulomatosis. It is also found to be involved in various inflammatory diseases including Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and gingivitis. However, there is no high quality antibody available to detect endogenous PR3 in biological samples such as plasma and tissue. Several commercial anti-PR3 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were obtained by using HMC-1/PR3 cell granule extracts as the antigen, but the resulting antibodies could not be applied for immunoblotting or other immunological methods. Therefore, we produced human recombinant PR3 in Escherichia coli and developed several MAbs that are highly sensitive and can be used for immunoblotting, FACS analysis, and immunofluorescent staining. The PR3 MAbs recognized both rhPR3 and human plasma-derived neutrophil PR3 in reducing and non-reducing conditions at low nanogram levels. In addition, new MAbs detect endogenous PR3 from normal human plasma and urine with high specificity. The new anti-PR3 MAbs will be an essential tool for investigating the role of PR3 in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Field of study: Biology
Structural study of a semiductile strike-slip system in the Central Iberian Zone (Variscan Fold Belt, Spain): structural controls on gold deposits

The Villalcampo shear system is a regional dextral strike-slip fault zone that affects Late Variscan granites and their metamorphic country rocks over an area of about 150 km2. The detailed geometry of this subvertical north-west—south-east shear zone is outlined. The system forms an extensional fan to the northwest and extends to the south-east as a broad extensional duplex. Particular attention is focused on the distribution of fault rocks and associated veins in its north-west splay. A structural study of the shear bands (encompassing both geometric and kinematic criteria) and a microscopic study of the fault rocks has led to the interpretation of the system as a brittle—ductile shear zone. Calculations give a shear strain value of γ = 1.5 and a minimum displacement of s = 3700 m. The localization of gold mineralization in mylonite-filled subvertical extensional veins is a product of the formation of the Villalcampo shear system. The subvertical faults and veins underwent a process of cyclical sealing and reopening. As such they acted as valves controlled by fluid pressure regulating fluid—rock interactions and gold deposition. Conditions favouring these processes occur near the base of the seismogenic zone in the vicinity of the frictional—quasi-plastic transition at mid-greenschist metamorphic conditions (T = 350°C and 10–15 km depth).

Field of study: Environmental science
Protective effects of apocynin on "two-hit" injury induced by hemorrhagic shock and lipopolysaccharide.

To evaluate the protective effects of apocynin on "two-hit" injury in rats.



"Two-hit" injury model of rat was induced by hemorrhagic shock (40 mmHg for 45 min) followed by iv administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 150 microg/kg). Rats were randomized into seven groups: Sham, LPS, hemorrhage, hemorrhage/LPS, and hemorrhage/LPS+apocynin (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg). Apocynin was dissolved in the resuscitation fluid (normal saline, NS) and administered iv for 2 h. After LPS or NS administration, the survival rates at 8 h, 16 h, 24 h, and 48 h were monitored. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in lung at 3 h and 6 h after iv LPS and in serum before hemorrhage, after hemorrhage, and at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after iv LPS. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung and liver was examined at 3 h and 6 h after iv LPS/NS.



After "two-hit" injury, the survival rates of rats at 8 h, 16 h, 24 h, and 48 h were 64.3 %, 35.7 %, 28.6 %, and 14.3 % respectively, there were significant differences as compared to sham group (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively), the MDA level in lung and serum were significantly enhanced (P<0.01) as compared to sham group, and MPO activity in lung and liver after "two-hit" injury was also significantly increased (P<0.01). Apocynin treatment enhanced the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of hemorrhagic shock rats dose-dependently (P<0.05), increased the survival rate of "two-hit" injury rats, decreased the serum and lung MDA content, and downregulated MPO activity in lung and liver.



Apocynin could preventively ameliorate "two-hit" injury in rats induced by hemorrhagic shock and LPS insult.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
Experimental verification and simulation of negative index of refraction using Snell's law.

We report the results of a Snell's law experiment on a negative index of refraction material in free space from 12.6 to 13.2 GHz. Numerical simulations using Maxwell's equations solvers show good agreement with the experimental results, confirming the existence of negative index of refraction materials. The index of refraction is a function of frequency. At 12.6 GHz we measure and compute the real part of the index of refraction to be -1.05. The measurements and simulations of the electromagnetic field profiles were performed at distances of 14lambda and 28lambda from the sample; the fields were also computed at 100lambda.

Field of study: Physics
LI+ INSERTION INTO MN SPINEL PHASES

Partly substituted and unsubstituted Mn spinels have been synthesized at temperatures of 350–450°C. The inclusion of Cr ions in the cubic spinel structure is particularly effective in catalyzing its formation at low temperature. A spinel of composition LiMn 2− x Cr x O 4.35 ( x ∼0.2–0.4), prepared at 350–370°C, has a defective structure of low-crystallinity and a high surface area. It can be cycled at 1 mA cm 2 (∼ C 3 ) with a stabilized capacity of 0.13 Ah/g. Analogous spinels prepared at 450°C, with or without Cr, have inferior performances. The Li + diffusion coefficient in the Cr-containing spinel is higher than that of the unsubstituted material.

Field of study: Materials science
Risky Shifts and Gambling: What's At Stake?

the CDQ has led to a waning interest in and criticism of the-topic of group influences on risk taking. It is our position that the understanding of the social psychology of risk taking including group influence on risk taking is valuable and should not be abandoned, and that new, more adequate paradigms in the laboratory and in the field can further understanding in that regard. Although a full discussion of the concept of risk is impossible here, it is possible to describe briefly what the authors consider the conceptual criteria for risk taking to be. First, there must be subjective recognition on the part of the risk taker that something is or will be at stake. This necessarily includes awareness on the part of the individual that he is or will be engaging in risk taking behavior. Second, the individual must take action which by its nature makes the stake irreversible and which in its normal course will lead to outcomes.

Field of study: Psychology
Diffusion and use of health technology assessment in policy making: what lessons for decentralised healthcare systems?

The Italian National Healthcare System (NHS) is one of the most decentralised systems since the devolution reform approved in 2001. HTA is spreading as an important tool for decision-making processes both at central and local levels. The aims of this study were to review the state of the health technology assessment (HTA) programmes in Italy - with a focus on regional and central initiatives - and to discuss consequences of a multi-level structure of HTA agencies in highly regionalised healthcare systems.



Our method combined documentary review with interviews. We reviewed scientific literature about HTA's activities in decentralised systems, legislative and administrative documents from national as well as regional authorities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 key individuals associated with HTA both at the national and regional levels. Data on HTA programmes implemented or under development in nine regions were collected and analysed according to key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessments for resource allocation decisions.



HTA is in the early stage of development in Italy, although with great heterogeneity across regions. The National Agency for Health Services has certainly contributed to HTA diffusion through supporting and training activities. However, the multi-level structure of HTA in Italy has not yet provided full coordination and harmonisation of practices and outcomes across the country, with a consequent exacerbate inequality of access to services and technologies.



There is probably need to rethink the multi-layer organizational framework of HTA in Italy by leveraging on current knowledge and efficient redistribution of activities across regions. We would advise for different jurisdictions playing different roles while achieving similar health outcomes for their patients, rather than jurisdictions aiming at doing exactly the same things resulting in unequal access to healthcare service provision.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
Thermo-economic optimization of an ORC driven heat pump based on small scale turbomachinery and comparison with absorption heat pumps

The current paper presents the thermo-economic optimization and comparison, through a multi-objective algorithm, between HP-ORC and the competing single effect absorption heat pump (SEAHP), with the aim to find the best trade-off between investment cost and exergetic efficiency. Heat exchanger (HX) cost, which is the dominant cost driver, is predicted on catalogue-based correlations as a function of heat exchanger areas. The dominating HP-ORC working fluid is R-245fa for all operating conditions, except for hot source temperatures of 180 °C, where R-600a is a better candidate. The resulting Pareto frontiers suggest that, for hot source temperatures up to 120 °C the SEAHP and HP-ORC are highly competitive by yielding similar thermo-economic tradeoffs. For higher hot source temperatures, however, the HP-ORC outperforms the SEAHP both in terms of performance and cost while providing a significantly wider performance range (0.3 < ηexe < 0.55) with respect to the SEAHP (0.4 < ηexe < 0.49).

Field of study: Engineering
The reliability of wire bonding using Ag and Al

The combination of aluminum (Al) and silver (Ag) for wire bonding is long established: aluminum (Al) heavy wire bonding on silver (Ag) metallization, such as pastes consisting of Ag as main component or comprising Ag alloys, was first established in the 1970s and was widely discussed (particularly in terms of reliability under high temperature and relative humidity) until the 1990s. Recently, discussion of the Ag/Al material system has reemerged in the literature, albeit within the context of a new bonding approach – thermosonic (TS) ball/wedge (B/W) bonding with Ag or Ag alloy wires, instead of gold (Au) or copper (Cu) wires, on Al-metallized chips. Several forms of Ag wire are currently being evaluated, including pure Ag, Ag alloys and a preliminary version of a palladium (Pd) -coated Ag. The present paper bridges the gap in the literature between the two bonding approaches by reviewing reliability studies for both Ag-on-Al and Al-on-Ag bonding.

Field of study: Engineering
Qualidade na Educação/Educação física escolar Latino-americana: encontro de vozes nada dissonantes

Este estudo problematiza o entendimento de qualidade na educacao/educacao fisica escolar a partir da interlocucao com pesquisadores ligados a universidades publicas em paises da America Latina. Para tanto, foram realizadas incursoes pela literatura acerca do tema, bem como coleta de dados via questionario online, respondido por sete pesquisadores de Instituicoes de Ensino Superior na Argentina,  que trazem a qualidade na forma de testes, competicao e supremacia de uns em relacao aos outros.

Field of study: Education
Reliability and Validity of the Chapin Social Insight Test: Some Cautionary Data

On the basis of Chapin Social Insight Test scores from two samples of male and female undergraduates representing a university population in consecutive years, estimates of split-half (ns = 66, 128), and test-retest (ns = 44, 99) reliability were obtained. In addition, for 63 students in the second sample, correlations between test scores and course grades were calculated. Test-retest reliabilities were .69 and .66, split-half reliabilities were even lower (.20 to .50), and validity coefficients between Chapin scores and grades in behavioral science (.09) and nonbehavioral science course (.06) were statistically nonsignificant. In addition, although they were not restricted in range, the mean scores for both sexes fell about one standard deviation below the relevant norms. These data provide further evidence for the separation of social and academic intelligence, but they also suggest that the Chapin test should be used with caution.

Field of study: Psychology
Analysis by GC-MS for Curcuma oil from SFE-CO_2 under different temperature

Curcuma oil by supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction,change the extraction's temperature,select 40 ℃,45 ℃,50 ℃,other extraction conditions being equal.Analysis these samples by GC-MS,whose components are consistent.The major components(Content greater than 2%) of three kinds of Curcuma oil are Turmerone(including arturmerone),Curlone,β-sesquiphellandrene,α-Zingiberene α-Curcumene,etc.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences