nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Assemblage composition of fungal wood-decay species has a major influence on how climate and wood quality modify decomposition.

The interactions among saprotrophic fungal species, as well as their interactions with environmental factors, may have a major influence on wood decay and carbon release in ecosystems. We studied the effect that decomposer diversity (species richness and assemblage composition) has on wood decomposition when the climatic variables and substrate quality vary simultaneously. We used two temperatures (16 and 21°C) and two humidity levels (70% and 90%) with two wood qualities (wood from managed and old-growth forests) of Pinus sylvestris. In a 9-month experiment, the effects of fungal diversity were tested using four wood-decaying fungi (Antrodia xantha, Dichomitus squalens, Fomitopsis pinicola and Gloeophyllum protractum) at assemblage levels of one, two and four species. Wood quality and assemblage composition affected the influence of climatic factors on decomposition rates. Fungal assemblage composition was found to be more important than fungal species richness, indicating that species-specific fungal traits are of paramount importance in driving decomposition. We conclude that models containing fungal wood-decay species (and wood-based carbon) need to take into account species-specific and assemblage composition-specific properties to improve predictive capacity in regard to decomposition-related carbon dynamics.

Field of study: Biology, Environmental science
Bokspring vir kaas : bedryf

Karen Serfontein het nooit gedink sy sou met melkbokke boer nie, maar toe sy Saanen-bokke tydens 'n vakansie in Modimolle sien, moes sy hulle eenvoudig he. Sy het vier Saanen-ooie in die winter van 2008 gekoop en met die aankoms van die lammers in die lente kon sy haar liefde vir die bokke nie meer beteuel nie. Die melkbokboerdery is Petite Chevre gedoop omdat Karen en haar man, Hendrik, voel die boerdery nog in sy babaskoene is. Die naam beteken jong melkbokooi.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Fundamental Spin Interactions Underlying the Magnetic Anisotropy in the Kitaev Ferromagnet CrI_{3}.

We lay the foundation for determining the microscopic spin interactions in two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnets by combining angle-dependent ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) experiments on high quality CrI_{3} single crystals with theoretical modeling based on symmetries. We discover that the Kitaev interaction is the strongest in this material with K∼-5.2  meV, 25 times larger than the Heisenberg exchange J∼-0.2  meV, and responsible for opening the ∼5  meV gap at the Dirac points in the spin-wave dispersion. Furthermore, we find that the symmetric off-diagonal anisotropy Γ∼-67.5  μeV, though small, is crucial for opening a ∼0.3  meV gap in the magnon spectrum at the zone center and stabilizing ferromagnetism in the 2D limit. The high resolution of the FMR data further reveals a μeV-scale quadrupolar contribution to the S=3/2 magnetism. Our identification of the underlying exchange anisotropies opens paths toward 2D ferromagnets with higher T_{C} as well as magnetically frustrated quantum spin liquids based on Kitaev physics.

Field of study: Physics
Influence of the diffraction size of the transmitting aperture and of the turbulence spectrum on the intensity fluctuations of laser radiation

The Huygens–Fresnel principle is used in an investigation of the influence of the diffraction size of the transmitting aperture and internal turbulence scale on the variance of the intensity fluctuations of laser radiation traveling in a turbulent atmosphere. The asymptotic formulas for the relative variance are derived for weak and strong fluctuations in a collimated beam whose transmitting aperture has the Fresnel number satisfying the condition Ω≥1; corresponding formulas are obtained also for a focused beam and a spherical wave. An analysis is made allowing for the deviation of the turbulence spectrum from the power law in the dissipation range. In the case of strong fluctuations the asymptotic behavior of the variance of a spatially confined beam differs fundamentally from the behavior in the case of unbounded (plane and spherical) waves if the coherence radius of the field is much less than the internal turbulence scale. In this case the relative variance reaches saturation at unity for plane and spherical waves, whereas for a confined beam the saturation level is higher and it is governed by internal turbulence scale as well as by the Fresnel number of the transmitting aperture.

Field of study: Engineering, Physics
Effects of Ca/Si Ratio, Aluminum and Magnesium on the Carbonation Behavior of Calcium Silicate Hydrate

The effects of Ca/Si ratio, aluminum and magnesium on the carbonation behavior of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) were investigated by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The results showed that the Ca/Si ratio, Al/Si ratio and Mg/Si ratio had a significant influence on the structure, carbonation products and carbonation resistance of C-(M)-(A)-S-H. The mean chain length of silicate chains in C-S-H increased as the Ca/Si ratio decreased. Aluminum uptake in C-S-H increased the content of bridging silicate tetrahedron (Q2). A cross-linked structure (Q3) appeared when magnesium uptake in C-S-H. The carbonation product of C-S-H was vaterite if the Ca/Si ratio was lower than 0.87. The carbonation products of C-S-H were vaterite and calcite if the Ca/Si ratio was higher than 1.02. C-M-S-H had more polymerized units, stronger bond strength and better carbonation resistance than C-S-H.

Field of study: Materials science
English Language Proficiency as a Predictor of Academic Performance in the College of Nursing, Kuwait

The English language proficiency of international students has gained considerable attention in the media, but more significantly in the academic realm. Proficiency in the English language is of prime importance and is regarded by numerous researchers as one of the determining factors of academic success. This study aimed to gain insight into the correlation of the English proficiency with the academic performance of all 50 students who have graduated from the College of Nursing, Kuwait in the Academic Year 2015 – 2016. Utilizing a retrospective and correlational research design, students’ records in levels one to five were reviewed. Data were collected through record review of graduate students. Data analysis utilized the Minitab version 14. Other tests used were the descriptive statistics, T-test, ANOVA and Pearson Product Moment Correlation, with p value set at less than 0.05. Results of the study revealed that there is a moderate correlation between the overall English language proficiency and the overall academic performance both in nursing courses, with p value of 0.001, and in non-nursing courses, with p value of 0.0. As the student’s period of stay in the college increases, there is a negative correlation with the following: English proficiency (- 48%; p =0.0); academic performance in nursing courses (-50.6%; p=0.0); and, academic performance in the overall courses (-53.6%; p=0.0). For both, English language proficiency and academic performance, there is no relationship with other variables such as age, sex, and nationality. Findings of this study may facilitate modifications both in the English Language Program and strategies to make them more responsive to students’ needs in nursing and non- nursing courses, thereby leading to an improved academic performance of the students and ultimate enhancement of their productivity.  English Language Proficiency. Academic Performance. Grade Point Average,

Field of study: Education
ID: 87: Anti-proliferative and cell death-inducing effects of interferon lambda-4 (IFNL4) may contribute differentially to HCV pathogenesis and cancer

IFN-λ4 is a novel type-III interferon with strong clinical significance in humans. Only individuals who carry the Δ G allele of a genetic variant rs368234815-TT/ Δ G are genetically able to produce IFN-λ4 protein. Carriers of the Δ G allele have impaired ability to clear hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (Prokunina-Olsson et al., 2013). At the same time, recent findings suggest that carriers of the Δ G allele are protected from mucinous type of ovarian cancer (Kelemen et al., 2015). We explored the function of IFN-λ4 in an inducible cell line HepG2- IFN-λ4 -GFP, which produces a partially secreted IFN-λ4. We observed two main phenotypes caused by IFN-λ4 expression: induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) both in the expressing and bystander cells, and increased cell death with reduced proliferation in the expressing cells. Both effects were inhibited by a blocking antibody for IFN-λ4, suggesting that they might be related and caused by secreted IFN-λ4. Our results suggest that chronic induction of IFN-λ4 in HCV-infected hepatocytes of individuals with rs368234815- Δ G allele could contribute to pre-activation of interferon signaling competing with effects of type-I interferons (IFN- α ) . IFN-λ4-induced death of hepatic cells may contribute to development of chronic hepatitis and eventual liver failure. At the same time, we suggest that the anti-proliferative effects of IFN-λ4 might be beneficial in other circumstances, and result in prevention of excessive proliferation and elimination of tumor cells. The pathogenic or beneficial effect of IFN-λ4 might depend on cell type specificity and triggers of its expression.

Field of study: Medicine
Component reliability under environmental stress

In this paper, the author has developed a mathematical model for the evaluation of components' reliability under the assumption that the component possesses a non-constant (variable) failure rate of the form (m/k)t m−1 , which means that the failure density function follows Weibull pattern (distribution). The stress, under which component operates, has been assumed to be Maxwellian. In the end, cases when Weibull distribution reduces to exponential and Rayleigh distributions, have also been discussed.

Field of study: Engineering
Toxicity of different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to the freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina.

Freshwater planarians have been gaining relevance as experimental animals for numerous research areas given their interesting features, such as high regeneration potential, shared features with the vertebrates' nervous system or the range of endpoints that can be easily evaluated in response to contaminants. Ecotoxicological research using these animals has been steadily increasing in the past decades, as planarians' potentialities for this research area are being recognized. In this work, we used polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as model contaminants and evaluated effects of exposure to phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in planarians. The freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina was chosen and mortality, cephalic regeneration (during and post-exposure), behavioral endpoints and presence of PAHs in tissues, were evaluated. Mortality was only observed in planarians exposed to phenanthrene, with an estimated LC50 of 830 μg L-1. Results indicate that planarian behavioral endpoints were very sensitive in response to sub-lethal concentrations of PAHs, showing a greater sensitivity towards B[a]P and pyrene. Briefly, post-exposure locomotion and post-exposure feeding were significantly impaired by sub-lethal concentrations of all compounds, whereas regeneration of photoreceptors was only significantly delayed in planarians exposed to pyrene. Moreover, levels of PAH-type compounds in planarian tissues followed a concentration-dependent increase, showing uptake of compounds from experimental solutions. The present results highlight the importance of studying alternative and complementary endpoints, such as behavior, not only because these may be able to detect effects at lower levels of contamination, but also due to their ecological relevance. The simplicity of evaluating a wide range of responses to contaminants further demonstrates the utility of freshwater planarians for ecotoxicological research.

Field of study: Environmental science
Beam attenuation coefficient retrieval by inversion of airborne lidar-induced chromophoric dissolved organic matter fluorescence. I. Theory.

It is shown that the oceanic beam attenuation coefficient can be retrieved from airborne laser-induced and depth-resolved chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorescence. The radiative transfer equation (RTE) retrieval methodology does not require a laser beam spread function model since two CDOM fluorescence bands are used in conjunction with a beam attenuation spectral model, is self-normalizing since the CDOM absorption coefficient and laser beam irradiance are common to both fluorescence observational channels, and is enabled by the known isotropic phase function for CDOM fluorescence. Although this RTE analytical inversion theory is exact, the retrieval uncertainty is reduced by configuring the proposed lidar in the multiple-field-of-view beam attenuation mode to significantly diminish observation of multiple scattering. The theory can be applied over wide regions of the ocean's continental margins, estuaries, lakes, and rivers that are known to have sufficient CDOM.

Field of study: Physics
Identification of important genes and drug repurposing based on clinical-centered analysis across human cancers

Identification of the functional impact of mutated and altered genes in cancer is critical for implementing precision oncology and drug repurposing. In recent years, the emergence of multiomics data from large, well-characterized patient cohorts has provided us with an unprecedented opportunity to address this problem. In this study, we investigated survival-associated genes across 26 cancer types and found that these genes tended to be hub genes and had higher K-core values in biological networks. Moreover, the genes associated with adverse outcomes were mainly enriched in pathways related to genetic information processing and cellular processes, while the genes with favorable outcomes were enriched in metabolism and immune regulation pathways. We proposed using the number of survival-related neighbors to assess the impact of mutations. In addition, by integrating other databases including the Human Protein Atlas and the DrugBank database, we predicted novel targets and anticancer drugs using the drug repurposing strategy. Our results illustrated the significance of multidimensional analysis of clinical data in important gene identification and drug development.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
On stability of reconstruction from Fourier transform modulus

The lower bound on the condition number of reconstruction of two classes of sequences from their Fourier transform magnitude (FTM) is derived. The lower bound for one class is shown to be 1, and for the other class to be 1/2 N/sup Q/2/, where Q is the dimensionality of the sequence and N is the number of nonzero elements in each dimension. Stability of reconstruction from the FTM and the space-domain phase is discussed. It is found that randomizing the space-domain phase improves reconstruction robustness. Experimental results are presented to verify theoretical predictions.

Field of study: Engineering
Distribution and characteristics of rock glaciers in the southern part of Jasper National Park, Alberta

One hundred and nineteen rock glaciers were identified in an aerial photograph inventory of 4632 km2 in Jasper National Park, Alberta. Morphological subdivision indicated 33 lobate, 76 tongue-shaped and 10 spatulate rock glaciers, whereas a 'genetic' classification identified 65 'glacial' (ice-cored) and 54 'non-glacial' (ice-cemented) rock glaciers. Head elevations of the glacial group (mean 2318 m) are significantly higher than the non-glacial group (mean 2256 m). The total elevation range of rock glaciers is 1710–2670 m.Optimal rock glacier sites are below north- or northeast-facing quartzite cliffs in cirques or on valley walls. These topographic and geologic controls produce a greater concentration of rock glaciers in the Main Ranges than the Front Ranges. Rock glacier head elevations rise eastwards and, to a lesser extent, southward across the area in response to regional climatic and latitudinal effects. Two phases of pre-'Little Ice Age' rock glacier activity are recognized on morphologic grounds ...

Field of study: Environmental science
A modern aspect of classical aromatic compounds

Host compounds which have classical aromatic rings were found to include a wide variety of guest compounds by surrounding these with the aromatic rings in crystal. Since the inclusion occurs selectively, it can be used for separation of isomers and optical resolution of racemic compounds. Reaction of guest in its inclusion compound with an appropriate host proceeds selectively. By utilizing this method, some regio- stereo-, and enantioselective syntheses were achieved efficiently.

Field of study: Chemistry
Dimensions of Cancer Locus of Control Scale as Predictors of Psychological Adjustment and Survival in Breast Cancer Patients

The Cancer Locus of Control Scale, to investigate specific beliefs of control in cancer patients, was validated previously with an English-speaking population. This study tested the construct and concurrent validity of a 17-item French version of the scale and explored its relations with psychological adjustment and with adaptation assessed two years later. In a sample of 157 women diagnosed with a first breast cancer, the French version was administered along with the Body Image Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Social Support Questionnaire, and the Ways of Coping Checklist. A factor analysis performed on scores identified the three original factors: internal causal attribution, control over the course of the illness, and religious control. Internal causal attribution was associated with high scores for state and trait anxiety, negative body image, emotion-focused coping, and problem-focused coping. Control over the course of the cancer was positively associated with scores on both problem- and emotion-focused coping. Religious control was negatively associated with perceived stress. Emotional adjustment and quality of life were assessed in 59 of the 157 breast cancer patients two years after diagnosis and original testing. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that internal causal attribution significantly predicted 38.1% of the variance in rated state anxiety. None of the dimensions of the Cancer Locus of Control Scale predicted the duration of survival measured two years later in 75 of the 157 patients.

Field of study: Psychology
Prevention of clinical and histological signs of proteolipid protein (PLP)‐induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice by the water‐soluble carbon monoxide‐releasing molecule (CORM)‐A1

We have evaluated the effects of the carbon monoxide‐releasing molecule CORM‐A1 [Na2(BH3CO2); ALF421] on the development of relapsing–remitting experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL mice, an established model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The data show that the prolonged prophylactic administration of CORM‐A1 improves the clinical and histopathological signs of EAE, as shown by a reduced cumulative score, shorter duration and a lower cumulative incidence of the disease as well as milder inflammatory infiltrations of the spinal cords. This study suggests that the use of CORM‐A1 might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Operants Were Never "Emitted," Feeling Is Doing, And Learning Takes Only One Trial: A Review Of B. F. Skinner's Recent Issues In The Analysis Of Behavior.

This final collection of Skinner’s papers was intended for the professional, although other readers will find much of interest. The first five chapters are devoted to what Skinner called ‘‘theoretical issues’’ and include clear presentations of his positions on ‘‘feelings’’ and on the ‘‘self’’ as an apparent agent of volition. Skinner skillfully discusses thinking, the origins of cognitive-mediational theories, and a favorite topic: the similarity of processes occurring in the histories of species and of individuals. The next four chapters cover what he called ‘‘professional issues,’’ including the oftenmisunderstood philosophy known as radical behaviorism as well as the operant aspects of behavior therapy and attempts to influence educational practices. He seemed disappointed in the lack of acceptance of programmed learning methods and pessimistic about the possibility of improving education practices. This pessimism was evident in the final section, ‘‘personal issues,’’ in which he expressed doubt that the powerful and self-serving forces of government, business, and religion will ever permit the changes that could be wrought by the application of behavior analysis to the great problems of society. Two other chapters in the last section will be useful to historians who are curious about the influence of logical positivism on Skinner’s thinking (apparently there was not much influence) and to sophisticated readers who are interested in Skinner’s retrospective consideration of his work.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Evidence of the contrasted fission-track clock behavior of the apatites from In Ouzzal carbonatites (northwest Hoggar): The low-temperature thermal history of an Archean basement

This fission-track study is performed on the apatites from the In Ouzzal (northwest Hoggar, Algeria) carbonatite complex and permits us to present a complete thermal history of this Archean core. Two types of apatites, the pink ones (early carbonatites) and the green ones (late carbonatites), have been dated. The temperature during the Pan-African orogeny would have reached 100-120 °C in the In Ouzzal core, as both types of apatites from the carbonatites have recorded this event (500-630 m.y.). A mild Permian thermal event reset only the fission-track clock of the green, late apatites. This Permian thermal event is of quite a large extent in the Hoggar shield; it has also been detected in the Pharusian belt and in central Hoggar. This event is related to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. The very high U-Th content of some of these apatites, and consequently, the amount of radiation damage in the mineral lattice, has been shown to possibly influence the fission-track clock behavior of these minerals. The F-Cl content of the apatites does not show any correlation with the degree of age reductions.

Field of study: Geology
Dual inhibitors of urease and carbonic anhydrase-II from Iris species

Twenty seven (1–27) known natural organic compounds were isolated for first time from two species of Iris, i.e. loczyi and Iris unguicularis. The structures of these compounds were deduced from the spectral data of NMR, IR, and mass spectrogram. These were evaluated against urease and carbonic anhydrase inhibition studies. For carbonic anhydrase-II inhibition studies, these compounds were evaluated by biochemical mechanism based in vitro bio-assay. Some compounds showed significant inhibition against CA-II enzyme. Compartively, compound (12) showed IC50 value of 17.60 ± 0.08 μM against urease enzyme, while compound (3) was found to be most active against carbonic anhydrase-II, having an IC50 value of 66.27 ± 0.89 μM. Izalpinin (3), 5,7-dihydroxy-2′,6-dimethoxyisoflavone (9), 4′,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavanone (16), 4′,5,7-trihydroxy-3′,8-dimethoxyflavanone (20), 8-methoxyeriodictyol (21), and mangiferin (26) were found to be dual inhibitors of both the enyzmes. The most active compounds were docked using Autodock Vina and i-GEMDOCK softwares. The docking and in-vitro results are in agreement which showed secondary interactions with the enzymes. The compounds can serve as therapeutic agents to treat urease and carbonic anhydrase associated disorders.

Field of study: Chemistry