nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Vertical coordination for optimization of the vegetable supply chain.

This study is based on the concept of the vertically coordinated supply chain to produce value for the stake holders in the vegetables supply chain. The primary aim of this study is to measure the impact of vertical coordination concerning to vegetable supply chain industry. The research is descriptive in nature and Delphi technique has been applied to measure the impact of vertical coordinated supply chain on vegetable industry, demand-supply gap and price gap for vegetables, has been obtained through expert opinion. Neural Network Model is used for the prediction of the importance of different variables. The conclusion is based on the 16-614 structure study on independent variables-hidden factor of process-dependent variables or the predictors respectively. The outcome of this research is for the consumer in terms of price and beneficial for the farmers engaged in vegetable cultivation. Largely it can support all the intermediary participants of vegetable supply chain.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Special Issue: Disordered Solids

Millions of years separated the formation of the first sedimentary rocks on our Earth from the emergence of the central nervous system. Some aspects of these very disparate systems have recently yielded to the language and methods of physics: The porous structure of sedimentary rocks can be modeled as a fractal, and neural networks, which provide models for understanding some simple aspects of the nervous system, may be regarded as dynamical systems. By collecting in a special issue of PHYSICS TODAY articles on sedimentary rocks and neural systems, which traditionally have been regarded as too complex for physicists, with ones on topics such as random magnets and disordered electronic systems, we hope to show that a common thread runs through these diverse subjects. That thread is the physics of disorder.

Field of study: Physics
Comparison of the Influence of 45S5 and Cu-Containing 45S5 Bioactive Glass (BG) on the Biological Properties of Novel Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)/BG Composites

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), due to their biodegradable and biocompatible nature and their ability to be formed in complex structures, are excellent candidates for fabricating scaffolds used in tissue engineering. By introducing inorganic compounds, such as bioactive glasses (BGs), the bioactive properties of PHAs can be further improved. In addition to their outstanding bioactivity, BGs can be additionally doped with biological ions, which in turn extend the functionality of the BG-PHA composite. Here, different PHAs were combined with 45S5 BG, which was additionally doped with copper in order to introduce antibacterial and angiogenic properties. The resulting composite was used to produce scaffolds by the salt leaching technique. By performing indirect cell biology tests using stromal cells, a dose-depending effect of the dissolution products released from the BG-PHA scaffolds could be found. In low concentrations, no toxic effect was found. Moreover, in higher concentrations, a minor reduction of cell viability combined with a major increase in VEGF release was measured. This result indicates that the fabricated composite scaffolds are suitable candidates for applications in soft and hard tissue engineering. However, more in-depth studies are necessary to fully understand the release kinetics and the resulting long-term effects of the BG-PHA composites.

Field of study: Materials science
Excess Argon in Submarine Basalt Pillows

Four deep-sea basalt pillows from near the axis of the East Pacific Rise were investigated for the presence of excess radiogenic argon. Excess argon in the rocks is verified by the presence of an argon gradient. The highest concentrations of radiogenic argon occur in the pillow margins, and at depths of 5 to 8 cm within the pillows, no radiogenic argon can be measured. The complete degassing of the insides of deep-sea pillow basalts suggests that K-Ar ages of deep-sea rocks may be valid if large samples are used.

Field of study: Geology
Submillennium-scale migrations of the rainforest-savanna boundary in Colombia: 14C wiggle-matching and pollen analysis of core Las Margaritas

We present the 11 150-cal-yr-long pollen record Laguna Las Margaritas (3°23′N, 73°26′W; 290 m altitude), located at a site sensitive to climatic change near the transition from the Amazonian rainforest to the savanna of the Llanos Orientales in Colombia. In the 10-m-long core nine AMS 14 C bulk samples show ages from 9760±60 to 854±36 BP and provide initial time control. Thirty-one additional AMS 14 C samples of selected macrofossils provide time control from 6250 to 4050 cal BP; for this interval precise time control was obtained by 14 C wiggle-match dating. From 11 150 to 9100 cal BP, grass savanna dominated the landscape while gallery forest along the drainage system was poorly developed. Water availability was lower than today and the length of the dry season longer. From 9100 to 7330 cal BP gallery forest expanded pointing to wetter conditions. From 7330 to 5430 cal BP savanna was increasingly replaced by forest, but with alternating abundance of both vegetation types. From 5430 to 2500 cal BP forest and wooded savanna dominated the western Llanos Orientales suggesting high precipitation rates. Expansion of Mauritia palm forest at 2500 cal BP reflects increasing water availability and stagnant water environments. Increasing savanna between 2500 and 1000 cal BP may represent a combined natural and anthropogenic signal. Development from open savanna to forest during the Middle Holocene is synchronous with a decreasing caloric seasonality, and a southward migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, suggesting that the large-scale climatic and vegetational change in the Colombian savannas is precession-forced. High-frequent migration of the savanna–rainforest boundary started around 6000 cal BP and continued at least to 3000 cal BP. Precipitation regimes in northwest and northeast South America seem opposite: dry conditions in the Colombian savanna area seem to reflect a La Nina setting of the climate system; wet conditions reflect an El Nino setting. Δ 14 C fluctuations reflect changes of solar activity and we tested the hypothesis that Δ 14 C fluctuations correspond to climatic and vegetational change. For the interval 6250 to 4050 cal BP, we applied 14 C wiggle-match dating (WMD), i.e. matching a series of radiocarbon ages in 14 C BP from the sediment, with the dendrochronology-based calibration curve, and we also wiggle-matched the pollen record vs. the Δ 14 C record. In this first attempt in a neotropical ecosystem, we could not find unambiguous support that changes in solar activity did trigger climatic and vegetational change in the savannas of the Llanos Orientales.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
NONLINEAR AND FIBER OPTICS: Transverse traveling pulses in bistable interferometers with competing nonlinearities

A detailed qualitative description is given of the formation and propagation of leading edges of transverse traveling pulses in a bistable semiconductor interferometer with competing concentration and thermal mechanisms of nonlinear refraction. It is shown that, depending on the laser pumping rate and the heat transfer conditions, two types of traveling pulses may exist with elevated and reduced transmission. Each of these may be initiated by a local change in the input intensity of any sign. When the interferometer is pumped by a spatially inhomogeneous, (for example, Gaussian) beam, periodic spontaneous initiation of both types of traveling pulses may take place at the periphery or in the center of a beam. Traveling pulses are modeled numerically under various interferometer pumping conditions.

Field of study: Engineering, Physics
[Study on inhibition of coxsackievirus B3 infection in HeLa cell by short interfering RNA targeting 2B protein].

To study the inhibitory effect and function characteristics of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on cosxackievirus B3(CVB3) infection by RNA interference technique, siRNA-2B against the viral 2B region was synthesized and transfected into HeLa cell, which was then infected with CVB3. The efficiency of siRNA transfection was examined by FCM, the cell toxicity of siRNA-2B by MTT, and the antiviral ability of siRNA-2B by cytopathic effect (CPE), plaque reduction assay and RT-PCR. The results showed that siRNA-2B could be transfected efficiently into HeLa cell and lasted at least 48h. High concentration of siRNA-2B didn't show any sign of toxicity to cells. siRNA-2B exhibited a significant protective effect on cell viability by specific inhibition of viral replication. It showed a close relationship between the concentrations of siRNA-2B and the antiviral effects. siRNA-2B led to dramatical reduction of viral titers in supernatant of cell culture and weakened the reinfection ability of the virus. These data proposed that siRNA-2B, targeting 2B protein, can effectively inhibit CVB3 infection in HeLa cell and exhibits its transfection efficiency, viral inhibition specificity and adose-dependant manner, suggesting its potential role in prevention and treatement of CVB3 infection.

Field of study: Biology
[Effects of 3,6-dimethamidodibenzopyriodonium citrate (I-65) on contractions of rat aortic strips and cat papillary muscles].

I-65 is a new compound synthesized in China in 1984. The contractions induced by KCk, CaCl2, NE, AT11, or pituitrin in rat aortic strips were inhibited by Ⅰ-65 1 μmol/L. Their concentration-response curves were in the same manner of noncompetitive antagonism and the pD’2 values were practically the same. Ⅰ-65 inhibited the slow Ca0 dependent component (slow phase) of contraction evoked by NE in rat aortic strips and had weaker effect on the fast non-sustained component (fast phase). This kind of action was similar to that of verapamil. The inhibition of contraction of rat aortic strips was more pronounced when Ⅰ-65 was added into the bath before the experiment of depolarization by KCl than after it. This result indicated that Ca0 influx was the main step blocked by Ⅰ-65 which showed a potentiated inhibition in combination with verapamil. Ⅰ-65 caused an excitation-contraction uncoupling in cat papillary muscles. Ⅰ-65 was believed to be a calcium channel blocker.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
Antitumor effect of alpha isomer of anordrin in vitro and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase.

Alpha isomer of anordrin (2 alpha, 17 alpha-diethyl-A-norandrostane-2 beta, 17 beta-diol dipropionate, alpha-Ano) inhibited mouse hepatoma (Hep A) and P388 cell growth in vitro. alpha-Ano (20 micrograms.ml-1) inhibited the incorporation of [3H]uridine and [3H]thymidine into RNA and DNA within 3 h, but the inhibition of L-[3H]lysine incorporating into protein was not obvious. alpha-Ano had no effect on the DNA-dependent RNA synthesis with purified nuclei of Hep A cells. It is suggested that the inhibition of RNA and DNA syntheses is the major cause of the cytostatic effect. alpha-Ano blocked the P388 cells at G1/G0 phase, and the delay in G1/G0 to S phase transition plays an important role in the inhibition of P388 cell growth.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
Birth Order and Mate Selection

While studies of personality and behavioral correlates of birth order have increased, the possibility that this variable may affect mate selection has not been considered. The present study employed a brief on-the-street interview to examine the relationship between Ss' birth order and the birth order of their spouses. Ss were 100 male and 100 female pedestrians who passed the principal business corner of a large city in the Pacific Northwest. Prospective Ss were approached by a well-dressed 25-yr.-old white male who asked if they would answer a few questions for a survey. Refusals to participate were fewer than 8% and a small number of unmarried Ss were also excluded. Among other information, married Ss reported their ordinal birth position and that of their spouses. Respondents and spouses were classified as first and/or only born or later born in a 2 X 2 contingency table. For 200 respondents the relationship between S's birch position and birth position of the spouse was not significant (x2 = .644). Separate analyses of the reports of male and female Ss were also nonsignificant. Although the present sample is noc large, first and only born Ss accounted for 36% of the respondents, suggesting a fairly representative sampling of the larger population. Given this assumption and finding that previous studies have not reported birth order as a determinant of mate selection, it appears unlikely that further snldy will identify a direct relationship between the two variables. However, birth order may indirectly affect mate selection if suitable moderator variables are selected. A recent study by Touhey ( 1971 ), for example, showed that firstborn male and female undergraduates reported more premarital sexual behavior than later born college students. More comprehensive findings reported by Schachter (1959) and Douvan and Adelson (1966) have also identified a number of behavioral and personality correlates of birth order. To the extent, then, that established birth-order correlates, such as premarital sexual activity and need for affiliation, are determinants of mate selection, they might be profitably employed as moderator variables to study birth order and mate selection.

Field of study: Psychology
Isotopic effects in the establishment of thermal equilibrium of stationary H2- and D2-glow plasmas

In stationary glow plasmas, thermal equilibrium of the electron gas with the neutral gas is established, if, with increasing gas pressure, the diffusion lifetime of plasma electrons becomes high enough. In D2-plasmas, thermal equilibrium sets in at higher pressures than in H2. Equal electron temperatures are measured in H2- and D2-glows, if the corresponding gas pressures are in the ratiopd2/Ph2=1.22. This isotopic effect of electron temperature and of thermal equilibrium is compared with calculations of the Boltzmann equation, taking into account the influence of ambipolar diffusion on the electron velocity distribution. There is a good agreement between measurement and theory.

Field of study: Physics
Tin(IV) oxide containing mordenite; Syntheses and ionic conductivity measurements

Mordenites containing tin(IV) oxide were prepared by heating the mordenites with tin(IV) sulfate or tin(II) chloride dihydrate. The conductivities were measured in atmospheres with different water partial pressures. The conductivities of the tin(IV) oxide containing mordenites were higher than the conductivity of the pure mordenite. The highest conductivity was 2.5×10 −2 (Ω cm) −1 measured at 100°C and in an atmosphere with a relative humidity of 100%.

Field of study: Materials science
Process and rate of dedolomitization: Mass transfer and 14C dating in a regional carbonate aquifer

Regional dedolomitization is the major process that controls the chemical character of water in the Mississippian Pahasapa Limestone (Madison equivalent) surrounding the Black Hills, South Dakota and Wyoming. The process of dedolomitization consists of dolomite dissolution and concurrent precipitation of calcite; it is driven by dissolution of gypsum.

Deuterium and oxygen isotopic data from the ground water, coupled with regional potentiometric maps, show that recharge occurs on the western slope of the Black Hills and that the water flows northward and westward toward the Powder River Basin. A significant part flows around the southern end of the Black Hills to replenish the aquifer to the east of the Hills. Depth of flow was inferred from interpretation of the silica geothermometer based on the temperature-dependent solubilities of quartz and chalcedony in water. Chemical effects of warm water in the Pahasapa Limestone include changes in the solubility products of minerals, conversion of gypsum to anhydrite, solution and precipitation of minerals, and increases in the tendency for outgassing of carbon dioxide. Where sulfate reduction is not important, sulfur isotope data show that (1) in the Mississippian aquifer, most of the sulfate is from dissolution of gypsum and (2) some wells and springs have a hydrologic connection with overlying Permian and Pennsylvanian evaporites. Sulfate ion concentration, a progress variable, shows a strong correlation with pH as a result of the combined effects of the dedolomitization reactions.

Mass-balance and mass-transfer calculations were used to adjust 14C values to determine a range of ground-water flow velocities between 2 and 20 m/yr. These velocities are characteristic of carbonate aquifers. The average rates of dolomite and gypsum dissolution are 1.7 × 10−4 and 3.4 × 10−4 mmol/kg of H2O/yr, respectively. The precipitation of calcite is occurring at the rate of 3.4 × 10−4 mmol/kg of H2O/yr. The close agreement among the model results demonstrates that dedolomitization is controlling water-rock interactions in this regional carbonate aquifer system.

Field of study: Geology
Berberine Suppresses Cell Motility Through Downregulation of TGF-β1 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Transforming growth factor-beta proteins (TGF-βs) are multifunctional growth factors and powerful modulators of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of cancer types including breast and lung cancer cells. Here, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of berberine (BBR) on tumor growth and metastasis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells via suppression of TGF-β1 expression.  The levels of mRNA expression were analyzed by real-time PCR. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TGF-β1 protein expression were analyzed by zymography and confocal microscopy, respectively. Cell migration was analyzed by wound healing assay. Tumorigenicity of TNBC cells such as tumor growth and metastasis was analyzed using xenograft models.  In a clinical data set, aberrant TGF-β1 expression was associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. Our in vitro results using TNBC cells showed that the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and the capacity for cell migration were increased by TGF-β1 treatment. In contrast, basal levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were suppressed by a specific TGF-β receptor I inhibitor, SB431542. In addition, TGF-β1–induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and cell migration were decreased by SB431542. Interestingly, we showed for the first time that BBR decreased the level of TGF-β1, but not TGF-β2, in TNBC cells. Furthermore, BBR significantly decreased the level of MMP-2 expression as well as the capacity for cell migration in TNBC cells. Finally, we examined the effect of BBR on in vivo tumor growth and lung metastasis in MDA-MB231 and 4T1 breast cancer xenograft models and showed that both were significantly decreased following BBR treatment.  BBR suppresses tumorigenicity of TNBC cells through inhibition of TGF-β1 expression. Therefore, we demonstrate that BBR could be a promising drug for treatment of TNBC.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Personal health records, global policy and regulation review.

Personal health records (PHR) have been endorsed as a promising tool for the self-management of an individual's medical information, affording benefits to both the individual patient and the healthcare system as a whole. Nevertheless, adoption rates have been relatively slow and widespread acceptance has yet to be achieved. A significant obstacle often cited as delaying the implementation of these systems has been concern regarding the ability to properly ensure the security and privacy of this sensitive information. This article reviews the current legislative landscape in various countries, examining the degree to which they address these issues and support the implementation of PHR's. This review compares in particular a number of prominent components of health data security and privacy across five different legislative jurisdictions in order to allow for a closer examination of regulatory approaches and measures. Of the legislation reviewed the EU's GDPR stands out as seemingly providing the most comprehensive and stringent protection measures, yet nonetheless appears to leave significant room for interpretation and a degree of ambiguity in key areas. The results of this comparison, demonstrate considerable variances with regards to legal terminology and the degree of compliance required from entities offering PHR services across various jurisdictions. The paper ends with a discussion of specific policy implications and recommendations stemming from the current legislative state of affairs.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
Comparative analysis of enzymatic activity of tannase in non-conventional yeasts to produce ellagic acid

Ellagic acid is a polyphenolic compound obtained by the degradation of ellagitannins present in various fruits and plants, which has a lot of applications in various areas such as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry (Vázquez-Flores et al., 2012). A large amount of research has been carried out to produce ellagic acid where three main factors have been considered, degrading enzymes of ellagitannins such as tannase (EC 3.1.1.20) and β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21), filamentous fungi of the genus Aspergillus that are the principal producing organisms of these enzymes, and different vegetal sources rich in ellagitannins. The use of fungi entails an increase in the amount of substrate required for their growth and a longer time for fermentation, which in turn has an impact on the energy costs. For these disadvantages, the investigation is developing alternatives to improve said process, using non-conventional yeasts as microorganisms that produce the enzymes of interest, reducing fermentation time, costs of maintenance and adaptation of microorganisms.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Galactic and Magellanic Evolution with the SKA

As we strive to understand how galaxies evolve it is crucial that we resolve physical processes and 
test emerging theories in nearby systems that we can observe in great detail. Our own Galaxy, 
the Milky Way, and the nearby Magellanic Clouds provide unique windows into the evolution 
of galaxies, each with its own metallicity and star formation rate. These laboratories allow us 
to study with more detail than anywhere else in the Universe how galaxies acquire fresh gas to 
fuel their continuing star formation, how they exchange gas with the surrounding intergalactic 
medium, and turn warm, diffuse gas into molecular clouds and ultimately stars. The λ21-cm line 
of atomic hydrogen (H ɪ) is an excellent tracer of these physical processes. With the SKA we will 
finally have the combination of surface brightness sensitivity, point source sensitivity and angular 
resolution to transform our understanding of the evolution of gas in the Milky Way, all the way 
from the halo down to the formation of individual molecular clouds.

Field of study: Physics