nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Health-Care Counter-Reform

The debate preceding passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, of 2010, was divisive amongst United States Catholics. Supporters of this flawed legislation dissented from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Threats to human dignity persist for the most vulnerable, including the unborn, elderly, immigrants, and poor. Third parties will increase intrusion upon the doctor-patient relationship. Unsustainable spending trends portend healthcare rationing. Catholic social teaching offers clear, and universal, principles for citizens of good will to guide amelioration of these fundamental health-care policy concerns.

Field of study: Medicine, Philosophy
Navier-Stokes solutions for laminar incompressible flows in forward-facing step geometries

Two-dimensional laminar flow of an incompressible fluid through channels with symmetrical and asymmetrical sudden constrictions formed by a semi-infinite step change in width, and flow through a cascade formed by an infinite stack of finite-thickness flat plates, is investigated using a finite-difference method. The NavierStokes equations in conservation form and body-fitted coordinates are solved up to a critical Reynolds number beyond which the flow may become unsteady. The numerical scheme is related to a second-order-accurate, artificial diffusion-free scheme previously developed by the present authors. Results are obtained that resolve the separated flowfield upstream and downstream of the step.

Field of study: Physics
Quaternary soils and dust deposition in southern Nevada and California

Eoliandustconstitutesmuchofthepedogenic material in late Pleistocene and Holocene soils of many arid regions of the world.Comparisonofthecompositionsand influx rates of modern dust with the eolian component of dated soils at 24 sites in southern Nevada and California yields informationon(1)thecompositionandinflux rate of dust in late Pleistocene and Holocene soils, (2) paleoclimate and its effects on the genesis of aridic soils, especially with regard to dustfall events, (3) the timing and relative contribution of dust from playa sources versus alluvial sources, and (4) the effects of accumulation of dust in soil horizons. The<2mmfractionsofAandBhorizons of soils formed on gravelly alluvial-fan deposits in the study area are similar to moderndustingrainsize,contentofCaCO3and salt,majoroxides,andclaymineralogy;thus, they are interpreted to consist largely of dust. The major-oxide compositions of the shallow soil horizons are nearly identical to that of the modern dust, but the compositions of progressively deeper horizons approachthatoftheparentmaterial.Theclay mineralogyofmoderndustatagivensiteis similar to that of the Av horizons of nearby Holocene soils but is commonly different from the mineralogies of deeper soil horizonsandoftheAvhorizonsofnearbyPleistocenesoils.Theseresultsareinterpretedto indicate that dust both accumulates and is transformed in Av horizons with time. Changes in soil-accumulation rates provide insights into the interplay of paleoclimate,dustsupply,andsoil-formingprocesses. Modern dust-deposition rates are more than large enough to account for middle and late Holocene soil-accumulation rates at nearly all sites. However, the early Holocene soil-accumulation rates in areas near late Pleistocene pluvial lakes are much higher than modern rates and clearly indicate a dust-deflation and -deposition event that caused rapid formation offine-grained shallow soil horizons on uppermost Pleistocene and lower Holocene deposits. We interpret late Pleistocene soil-accumulation rates to indicate that dust-deposition rates were low during this period but that increased effective moisture during the late Wisconsinan favored translocation of clay andCaCO3fromnearthesurfacetodeeper inthesoilprofile.Pre‐latePleistocenerates are very low in most areas, mainly due to a pedogenic threshold that was crossed when accumulations of silt, clay, and CaCO3 began to inhibit the downward transport of eolian material, but in part due to erosion.

Field of study: Geology
Alcohol Intake and Reduced Mortality in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury.

The purpose of our study was to determine whether alcohol intake influences short-term mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), using a comprehensive trauma database.



We collected data from 7 emergency departments (EDs) between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2010, using the same data form. Cases were included if they met the following criteria: (i) older than 15 and (ii) injuries including TBI. Demographics and outcomes were compared between patients with and without alcohol intake. We present the risk of mortality using hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals.



A total of 76,596 trauma patients visited the EDs during the study period; 12,980 patients were older than 15 and had TBI. There were 4,009 (30.9%) patients in the alcohol-intake group, of whom 3,306 (82.5%) patients were male, 1,450 (36.2%) patients were moved by ambulance, and 1,218 (30.4%) patients' injuries were intentional. The most frequent injury mechanism was falling down with alcohol intake and blunt injury without alcohol intake. Mortality rate was 1.0% with alcohol intake and 2.0% without alcohol intake. After adjusting for all factors related to mortality, the hazard ratio of mortality was 0.72 in the alcohol-intake group.



Mortality rate due to TBI in the alcohol-intake group appears to be lower compared to that in the no-alcohol-intake group after adjusting for main confounding variables.

Field of study: Medicine
Normalizations of Eisenstein integrals for reductive symmetric spaces

We construct minimal Eisenstein integrals for a reductive symmetric space G / H as matrix coefficients of the minimal principal series of G. The Eisenstein integrals thus obtained include those from the σ-minimal principal series. In addition, we obtain related Eisenstein integrals, but with different normalizations. Specialized to the case of the group, this wider class includes Harish-Chandra's minimal Eisenstein integrals.

Field of study: Mathematics
Imbalances in interaction for transboundary marine spatial planning: Insights from the Baltic Sea Region

has evolved over many years and since its early beginnings there has been a growing urgency to develop transboundary planning. This is because the borders of marine ecosystems and the dynamics of some maritime activities, such as navigation, are not restricted to or bound by specific political and administrative borders. Cooperation across borders has been promoted by higher political levels for decades, and the implementation of cross-border consultation procedures is regulated by law. However, literature suggests that transboundary interaction is not an obvious step in the process of MSP and that today's practices have various weaknesses. This paper examines current practices and procedures of transboundary MSP interactions in the Baltic Sea Region to date. It brings together results from MSP process observations and interviews with marine planners in two recent research projects (Baltic SCOPE and BONUS BALTSPACE). Our results confirm the need for transboundary interaction and integration. The research also shows that there are differences in how MSP agencies interact with domestic and foreign stakeholders. Furthermore, formal transboundary consultations often seem to be limited to topics of the environment and health, and to the stakeholders responsible in these realms. The results include a variety of ways to overcome these challenges.

Field of study: Environmental science
Teacher Verbal and Nonverbal Behaviors and their Relationship to Personality

The purpose of the investigation was to develop a reliable category system for first-hand systematic observation of teacher behaviors and to determine relationships between observed behaviors and measures of personality.A category system was developed in an inductive manner. Teacher behaviors were encoded from video tape recordings onto a data record using 10-second time intervals. Video tape recordings of eight biology teachers were analyzed. The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey was administered. The behavioral and personality data were correlated using nonparametric statistics. The instrument met the stated definition of a reliable category system. Significant positive correlations were found between the behavioral and personality data, but there were less than one would expect to find by chance alone.

Field of study: Education
SU‐FF‐T‐314: Initial Monte Carlo Analysis of the Dosimetric Effects of Gold Nanoparticle Radiosensitizers

Monte Carlo simulations have been undertaken to quantify the dosimetry of tumors that have absorbed nanoparticlegold as radiosensitizers and irradiated with various radiotherapy modalities.  EGSnrcMP and BEAMnrcMP, well known and documented Monte CarloPhotonTransport simulation codes are used for therapy simulations. Previous measurements of uptake ratio's provide a basis for generating new radiation interaction cross sections for use in radiation transport simulations. Cross sections generated by the simulation software are checked against cross sections generated using the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Standard Reference Database 8 (XGAM) and found to agree to within about 0.5%. 250 kVp, and 6 MV and Ir‐192 HDR spectra provided with the EGS package where used as sources. Tumors containing 0.5% to 5% Au by weight (the balance made up by water) and sized from 0.5 to 3 cm were simulated at various depths and compared to pure water. The effects of normal tissue absorption of gold in media surrounding the tumor were also investigated.  As expected, 250 kVp orthovoltage units showed the largest benefit from nanoparticles. A 50% absorption increase in tumors absorbing 1.5% Au by weight. Ir‐192 therapy beams available from High Dose Rate Brachytherapy units treating 1.5% and 5% nanoparticlegold by weight showed a 13% and 38% increase in dose absorption rate for tumors 1cm from the source. 6MV photon beams treating a 3cm tumor at 10cm depth showed a modest 5% improvement. Surrounding media absorption of goldnanoparticles shifts both target and surrounding tissue absorption rates higher, but does not significantly change their relative absorption rates.  These simulations suggest goldnanoparticles in some modalities are worth investigating as radiosensitizers. Initial research should focus on HDR modalities first.

Field of study: Medicine, Physics
Displacement damage extremes in silicon depletion regions

Measurements of proton-induced dark current increases in a Si CID (charge injection device) imager have been made following displacement damage by 12- and 63-MeV protons. Populations of 61504 pixels optimize statistics and make possible the first detailed study of rare events. To this end, extreme value statistics allow a quantitative treatment and lead to characterization of a rare device-dependent mechanism. Data comparing the response of two similar CID structures suggest that electric-field-enhanced emission is responsible for the largest dark current increases in the CID structure with the higher electric fields. Comparisons between observations and estimates based on new calculations of the recoil spectrum parameters demonstrate that the largest dark current increases can be predicted in the absence of high fields. In this case the inelastic recoil component of the recoil spectrum plays a dominant role in determining the large dark current increases.

Field of study: Physics
Spatial evolution of cooperative Raman scattering

A semiclassical system of equations is derived in the two-wave approximation describing the dynamics of evolution of cooperative Raman scattering (CRS). Relaxation and parametric processes, inhomogeneous broadening effects, and propagation processes are taken into account. An investigation is made of the influence of parametric processes and progagation effects on the CRS process. Strong amplitude and phase modulation of the scattered field pulses is predicted. A continuous transition from CRS to quasisteady-state stimulated Raman scattering is described.

Field of study: Engineering, Physics
Architectural Responses of Casuarina equisetifolia L Seedlings to Different Population Density

The branch characteristics of one-year old Casuarina equisetifolia L seedlings were surveyed and analyzed by the Strahler method in Dahe State-owned Forestry Centre, Changle County, Fujian Province. The results showed that C. equisetifolia with the density of 5-10 numbers per square meter had the highest ratio of branch diameter, whose crown showed a trend to uplift and expand with a better comprehensive living condition than the density of5 and 10-20 numbers per square meter. Therefore, the upper part of C. equisetifolia showed a trend to uplift and the lower part to expand, as the middle part between the above tow parts. It suggested that the adaption of branch characteristics of C. equisetifolia L is to make full use of environment and resource.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Theoretical and experimental freezing times of strawberries

Strawberries were frozen at different air velocities in an air blast freezer at −30°C. The freezing time was taken as the time required to lower the temperature at the geometric centre of the samples to −10°C. The freezing times measured in the experiments were compared with the values calculated using Plank's equation. The freezing times calculated by Plank's equation were fround to be higher than those found experimentally at any given air velocity. Freezing time decreased with increasing air velocity. This is attributed to the increase in heat transfer coefficient at increased air velocities.

Field of study: Engineering
Rate-lifetime tradeoff for reliable communication in wireless sensor networks

The network lifetime and application performance are two fundamental, yet conflicting, design objectives in wireless sensor networks. There is an intrinsic tradeoff between network lifetime maximization and application performance maximization, the latter being often correlated to the rate at which the application can send its data reliably in sensor networks. In this paper we study this tradeoff by investigating the interactions between the network lifetime maximization problem and the rate allocation problem with a reliable data delivery requirement. Severe bias on the allocated rates of some sensor nodes may exist if only the total throughput of the sensor network is maximized, hence we enforce fairness on source rates of sensor nodes by invoking the network utility maximization (NUM) framework. To guarantee reliable communication, we adopt the hop-by-hop retransmission scheme. We formulate the network lifetime maximization and fair rate allocation both as constrained maximization problems. We characterize the tradeoff between them, give the optimality condition, and derive a partially distributed algorithm to solve the problem. Furthermore, we propose an approximation of the tradeoff problem using NUM framework, and derive a fully distributed algorithm to solve the problem.

Field of study: Computer science
Measurement of dissolved organic matter fluorescence in aquatic environments: an interlaboratory comparison.

The fluorescent properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) are often studied in order to infer DOM characteristics in aquatic environments, including source, quantity, composition, and behavior. While a potentially powerful technique, a single widely implemented standard method for correcting and presenting fluorescence measurements is lacking, leading to difficulties when comparing data collected by different research groups. This paper reports on a large-scale interlaboratory comparison in which natural samples and well-characterized fluorophores were analyzed in 20 laboratories in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Shortcomings were evident in several areas, including data quality-assurance, the accuracy of spectral correction factors used to correct EEMs, and the treatment of optically dense samples. Data corrected by participants according to individual laboratory procedures were more variable than when corrected under a standard protocol. Wavelength dependency in measurement precision and accuracy were observed within and between instruments, even in corrected data. In an effort to reduce future occurrences of similar problems, algorithms for correcting and calibrating EEMs are described in detail, and MATLAB scripts for implementing the study's protocol are provided. Combined with the recent expansion of spectral fluorescence standards, this approach will serve to increase the intercomparability of DOM fluorescence studies.

Field of study: Environmental science
Rapid and widespread response of the Lower Mississippi River to eustatic forcing during the last glacial-interglacial cycle

The Lower Mississippi Valley provides an exceptional fi eld example for studying the response of a continental-scale alluvial system to upstream and downstream forcing associated with the large, orbitally controlled glacialinter glacial cycles of the late Quaternary. However, the lack of a numerical chronology for the widespread Pleistocene strata assemblage known as the Prairie Complex, which borders the Holocene fl oodplain of the Lower Mississippi River, has so far precluded such an analysis. Here, we apply optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, mainly on silt-sized quartz from Prairie Complex strata. In total, 27 OSL ages indicate that the Prairie Complex consists of multiple allostratigraphic units that formed mainly during marine isotope stages 7, 5e, and 5a. Thus, the aggradation of the Prairie Complex is strongly correlated with the sea-level highstands of the last two glacialinterglacial cycles. Fluvial incision during the sea-level fall associated with the MIS 5a–MIS 4 transition extended as far inland as ~600 km from the present-day shoreline, testifying to the dominant downstream control of fl stratigraphic architecture in the Lower Mississippi Valley. In addition, the short reaction time of the Lower Mississippi River suggests that large fl uvial systems can respond much more rapidly to allogenic forcing than is commonly believed.

Field of study: Geology
Robustness of spin coherence of the exciton bound to neutral donor states in multilayer system.

We address the temperature influence on the precessional motion of electron spins under transverse magnetic field, studied in a GaAs/AlGaAs triple quantum well, using pump-probe Kerr rotation. In the presence of an applied in-plane magnetic field the TRKR measurements show the robustness of carrier's spin precession against temperature which can be easily traced in an extended range up to 250 K. Long-lasting spin coherence with dephasing time T2* > 14 ns was observed when the pump-probe wavelength was tuned to the exciton bound to a neutral donor transition. Furthermore, we observed that the increase of sample temperature from 5 K to 250 K, leads to a strong T2* reduction by almost 98%/97% for the excitation wavelengths of 823/821 nm. We show that the temperature increase not only causes the reduction of spin lifetime but can also lead to the variation of electron g-factor. Additionally, the spin dynamics was studied through the dependencies on the applied magnetic field and optical pump power.

Field of study: Physics
The Religious Commitment Inventory--10: Development, Refinement, and Validation of a Brief Scale for Research and Counseling.

The authors report the development of the Religious Commitment Inventory-10 (RCI-10), used in 6 studies. Sample sizes were 155, 132, and 150 college students; 240 Christian church-attending married adults; 468 undergraduates including (among others) Buddhists (n = 52), Muslims (n = 12), Hindus (n = 10), and nonreligious (n = 117); and 217 clients and 52 counselors in a secular or 1 of 6 religious counseling agencies. Scores on the RCI-10 had strong estimated internal consistency, 3-week and 5-month test-retest reliability, construct validity, and discriminant validity. Exploratory (Study 1) and confirmatory (Studies 4 and 6) factor analyses identified 2 highly correlated factors, suggesting a 1-factor structure as most parsimonious. Religious commitment predicted response to an imagined robbery (Study 2), marriage (Study 4), and counseling (Study 6).

Field of study: Psychology
[Cardioprotection of 2-[p-(dimethylamino)styryl]pyridine methiodide against ischemic damage and myocardial lipid peroxidation].

Mice were injected ip DSPM 1 or 3 mg.kg-1 3 h prior to a subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (Iso) 20 mg.kg-1 once daily for 2 d. Iso induced reductions of Se-glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and an increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardium. DSPM 1 or 3 mg.kg-1 significantly abated reduction of Se-GSH-PX activity and decreased MDA production and DSPM 3 mg.kg-1 also abated reduction of SOD activity in the hearts from Iso-treated mice. The changes of above indices were in accordance with those of myocardial ultrastructure and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) concentration in serum. The results indicate that DSPM has a protective effect on myocardial ischemic injury probably by inhibiting oxygen free radicals and subsequent lipid peroxidation.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
Fiji's Great Astrolabe Lagoon: baseline study and management issues for a pristine marine environment

The Great Astrolabe Lagoon ( 18°45′ S , 178°32′ E ), located some 70 km south of Suva, the capital of Fiji, is a marine environment in relatively pristine condition, impacted only by low human populations on small islands. The Great Astrolabe Reef which encloses the Lagoon is a barrier reef composed of oceanic ribbon reefs. A baseline study of the Lagoon was carried out in 1989–92 which consisted of two components: (1) biological monitoring of permanent reef transects, and (2) water and sediment quality monitoring. Twelve study sites encompassing different habitats were visited regularly during the study period. Substrate cover, hard coral cover, plant cover and counts of selected motile invertebrates were taken. Fish counts were also conducted. The water quality studies included temperature, dissolved oxygen and nutrients, trace metal analyses and microbiological examination of edible bivalves. Sediment samples were also analysed for a range of macro- and micro-elements. The reefs that were relatively inaccessible to the local villagers were found to be in a healthier state than those in close proximity to the islands. There were several problems encountered in the reef monitoring studies which exemplify the constraints of conducting research in a relatively isolated location. Water analyses indicated that the Lagoon is relatively free from pollution with pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and salinity data close to open ocean values. Apart from nitrate, all nutrient values were below detection limits. Nitrate values averaged 0.74 μmol/L, but varied from 0.2 to 1.9 μmol/L. Data for trace metals in water were consistent with no contamination. Shellfish samples showed no contamination by trace metals and minimal faecal coliform contamination. Sediments showed no contamination by trace metals and were dominated by high magnesium calcite and aragonite, with minor amounts of low magnesium calcite. There are increasing pressures on this area, both from local residents who wish to move to a more cash oriented economy through increased fishing and tourism, and from external tourism interests. The Lagoon has also been suggested as a marine national park. Some of the management issues associated with these alternatives are discussed.

Field of study: Environmental science