nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Characterizing arsenic in preserved hair for assessing exposure potential and discriminating poisoning.

Advanced analytical techniques have been used to characterize arsenic in taxidermy specimens. Arsenic was examined to aid in discriminating its use as a preservative from that incorporated by ingestion and hence indicate poisoning (in the case of historical figures). The results are relevant to museum curators, occupational and environmental exposure concerns, toxicological and anthropological investigations. Hair samples were obtained from six taxidermy specimens preserved with arsenic in the late 1800s and early 1900s to investigate the arsenic incorporation. The presence of arsenic poses a potential hazard in museum and private collections. For one sample, arsenic was confirmed to be present on the hair with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and then measured with neutron activation analysis to comprise 176 microg g(-1). The hair cross section was analysed with synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence to investigate the transverse distribution of topically applied arsenic. It was found that the arsenic had significantly penetrated all hair samples. Association with melanin clusters and the medulla was observed. Lead and mercury were also identified in one sample. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy of the As K-edge indicated that an arsenate species predominantly existed in all samples; however, analysis was hindered by very rapid photoreduction of the arsenic. It would be difficult to discriminate arsenic consumption from topically applied arsenic based on the physical transverse distribution. Longitudinal distributions and chemical speciation may still allow differentiation.

Field of study: Physics
Breard, Our Dualist Constitution, and the Internationalist Conception

In its decision last Term in Breard v. Greene, the Supreme Court refused to stay the execution of Angel Breard, an inmate in Virginia, even though Virginia had violated a treaty on consular relations and the International Court of Justice had ordered the United States to "take all measures at its disposal" to stay the execution. The international law academy has been heavily critical of the Supreme Court's decision and other aspects of the United States' handling of the Breard case. In this article, Professor Curtis Bradley argues that the criticisms by the academy reflect an "internationalist conception" of the relationship between international law and U.S. domestic law. This conception presumes that international law must be incorporated into domestic law, that international law should supersede domestic law when the two conflict, and that 'foreign affairs exceptionalism" should provide the federal government with expansive ability to enter into and implement international obligations. Using Breard as a case study, Professor Bradley argues that the internationalist conception is inconsistent with this country's traditionally "dualist" approach to international law and that it is unlikely to be accepted by US. government actors.

Field of study: Law
Traffic Models for Telecommunication Services with Advance Capacity Reservation

Certain new telecommunications services such as videoconferencing are based on the advance reservation of transmission channels. The corresponding traffic process is quite different to that of traditional telecommunications services and usual teletraffic models seem inadequate for system performance evaluation and network dimensioning. We discuss implied teletraffic issues and attempt to describe the reservation process by mathematical models. In particular we derive formulae useful for dimensioning a videoconference network to a low blocking probability grade of service standard.

Field of study: Computer science
Relationship between Low Back Pain and Types of Office, Home and Car Seats in Sultan Qaboos University Staff

The aim of this investigation was to study the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and its relationship to chair designs and sitting postures in Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).  A cross-sectional survey using a standardized questionnaire with established reliability and validity. The questionnaire sought information on social and demographic characteristics, history of LBP, its duration, number of hours spent sitting in office, car and at home, job type, severity of LBP, factors predisposing to LBP and types of treatment used. All participants of study were consented using a signed and attended consent form.  Three hundred subjects, 174 males and 126 females aged 20 - 60 years participated in the study. The prevalence of LBP among SQU staff was 44.7% of whom 68% had LBP for ≥ 1 year and 66% had LBP for < 1year. Those who had LBP for ≥ 1 year were mostly bellow 50 years of age.  It was found that the prevalence of LBP in SQU was higher among doctors (50.0%), technicians (48.1%) and administrators (46.9%) than in teachers (42.9%) and manual workers (22.2%). The study also showed a significant relationship between the duration of sitting in home chairs and LBP.

Field of study: Medicine
Potential core species and satellite species in the bacterial community within the rabbit caecum

A bacteria library was constructed from the caecum of a rabbit maintained under standard conditions. The complete gene 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. The 228 clones obtained were distributed in 70 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The large majority of the OTUs were composed of one or two clones and seven OTUs contained half of the sequences. Fourteen sequences had high similarity to the sequence already registered in databases (threshold of 97%). Only one of these sequences has been identified as Variovorax sp. (99% identity). Units were distributed mainly (94%) in the Firmicutes phylum. Three sequences were related to Bacteroidetes. Nine clusters were defined in the phylogenic tree. A great diversity of caecal bacteria of the rabbit was shown. Half of the sequences generated in this library were distributed in the phylogenetic tree near the sequences characterized previously in rabbit caecum (potential core species), and the other half of the sequences were well separated (satellite species).

Field of study: Biology, Environmental science
A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Children Experiencing Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (Ptns) For Overactive Bladder (Oab) Refractory To Behaviour And Pharmacological Treatments

To report the impact and tolerability of PTNS and the effect on the child's reported quality of life.  Prospective data from 8 children (M:F 1:7; mean age 12 years 3 months) with OAB demonstrated on urodynamics. PTNS was performed weekly for 30 minutes over 12 weeks. Symptoms (voiding diary, dry pie chart) objective measures (uriflow, post void residual (PVR), needle pain score, urge score, PinQ score) and child's thoughts about the experience were recorded.  The number of days per week of incontinence ranged from 2-7 (mean 4 days) two had nocturnal enuresis (NE), one sporadic NE, none had faecal incontinence. Seven had urge/frequency and 2 had a history of symptomatic UTI within last 6 months. Four of the eight children with incontinence became dry, 1 significantly improved. Three children had no improvement 2/3 had recurrent UTI. Noninvasive uriflow and PVR were not statistically significant before and after treatment. Pre-treatment patient age, sex and frequency of wetting were not predictive of outcome. PinQ score changed demonstrating an improvement in QoL. Pain scores were low or absent in all children. Qualitative themes included improved confidence and positive fun experiences. There were no reported side effects or adverse events.  PTNS for children that have failed previous standard treatments is safe and well tolerated. It is not reported as painful and improvement in continence was reflected in QoL score for most children. Weekly treatments impact on family life and some families had difficulties meeting this commitment. Long term outcome data collection is in progress.

Field of study: Medicine
Aging: The Fading Signal of Natural Selection

The surprising discovery that age-specific mortality rates (and fecundity rates) plateau in late life, in contrast to the traditional Gompertz prediction of the acceleration of age-specific mortality rates, has motivated Rose and his collaborators to seek explanations grounded in evolutionary theory, such as the decline of natural selection with age predicted by Hamilton in 1966 (Mueller et al., 2011). From this approach has emerged Rose’s stated idea that aging is the deterioration or detuning of adaptation with age. To push the musical metaphor, as the forces of natural selection attenuate, the coherent tuned signal of adapted allele frequencies fades until lost in the static noise of random genetic drift. The long-lived fly experiments in the Rose laboratory which indicate that adjusting the timing of the antagonistic pleiotropy between reproduction and survival in turn adjusts the timing of the late life plateaus comprise a most striking confirmation of the evolutionary approach. 
 
Despite these predictive successes, aging continues to be almost reflexively thought of by many as the inexorable accumulation of cellular and physiological damage and wear with age. Even researchers who know of the decline of Hamilton’s forces have often assumed, as Rose points out, that this decline fits with the inexorable damage accumulation thesis. This old thinking casts a shadow not only on much aging research but its application in traditional pharmaceutical approaches to the “diseases of aging” and in clinical gerontology. 
 
Now in the age of genomics, we can test aspects of the model with rich new data sets. In comparing the genomes of long-lived flies with flies of ordinary life span, it would be fascinating to search for altered expression levels (via microarray studies as J. L. G. suggests in his commentary on “What is Aging?”) in genes at succeeding stages in life history. Another potentially illuminating suite of tests would entail the use of varied phylogenetic methods (Suzuki, 2010) to detect differences between lineages in the strength of selection versus nearly neutral genetic drift in those genes with altered expression and across regions of the genomes of long-lived and ordinary flies. 
 
If the age of genomics has taught us anything, it is that genomic adaptations are likely to be slight and additive across numerous genes and their regulatory regions.

Field of study: Biology
The Gerola Valley site (Orobic Basin, Northern Italy): A key for understanding late Early Permian tetrapod ichnofaunas

A taxonomic study has been carried out on the historical Gerola Valley locality (Pizzo del Diavolo formation, late Cisuralian), which represents one of the best tetrapod ichnosites of the whole Southern Alps (North Italy). With respect to previous studies, the ichnoassociation is now enlarged and lists the following taxa: Amphisauropus, Dromopus, Erpetopus, Hyloidichnus, Limnopus, Varanopus. The optimal preservation of the material, which in some cases shows even traces of the skin, allowed the recognition of a new morphotype of Varanopus. The invertebrate ichnoassociation is newly described and is representative of impoverished Scoyenia and Mermia ichnofacies. A detailed facies analysis of the uppermost arenitic–pelitic lithofacies of the Pizzo del Diavolo formation, which revealed the most abundant fossil content (Locality 1) and of two new localities (pelitic facies, Localities 2, 3) shows a transition from shallow lacustrine to floodplain and alluvial fan environments under a generally dry climate. Besides the taxonomic revision of vertebrate tracks, the final aims of our study are: i) the depositional, palaeoenvironmental and climatic reconstruction of this sector of the Orobic Basin through an integration of palaeontological data and facies analysis; and ii) the regional correlation of this key stratigraphic succession with other coeval ichnofaunas in Pangaea.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
Determining all $(2, 3)$-torus structures of a symmetric plane curve

In this paper, we describe all (2, 3)-torus structures of a highly symmetric 39-cuspidal degree 12 curve. A direct computer-aided determination of these torus structures seems to be out of reach. We use various quotients by automorphisms to find torus structures. We use a height pairing argument to show that there are no further structures.

Field of study: Mathematics
A sextupole magnet as a variable velocity selector for paramagnetic atomic beams in the thermal range

A sextupole magnet can be used as a velocity selector for paramagnetic atoms by suppressing the higher harmonic trajectories by a thin diaphragmstripe in the center of the magnet. Beams with a relative half-width of the velocity distribution of 4% and an intensity of 5 · 1012 particles/sec through an opening with a diameter of 0.5 mm can be produced.

Field of study: Physics
Positive Psychological Predictors of Psychological Health in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is associated with depression, anxiety, and stress; however, minimal research has examined positive psychological variables in this population. The present study investigated the relationship between positive psychological variables and psychological health in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. The sample included 140 adults with Parkinson’s Disease who completed online surveys on self-compassion, optimism, posttraumatic growth, and psychological health outcomes. Participants reported moderate levels of self-compassion, optimism, and posttraumatic growth. Approximately 50% of participants reported depression and anxiety. Higher self-compassion was a significant predictor of lower depression, anxiety, and stress. Higher optimism was a significant predictor of lower depression and higher life satisfaction. Posttraumatic growth was not a predictor of psychological health. This research suggests that the psychological health of individuals with Parkinson’s Disease can be improved, and self-compassion appears to be an important area of focus.

Field of study: Psychology
Machine learning-driven service function chain placement and scaling in MEC-enabled 5G networks

G mobile network technology promises to deliver unprecedented ultra-low latency and high data rates, paving the way for many novel applications and services. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) are two of the technologies that are expected to play a pivotal role in 5G to achieve ambitious Quality of Service requirements of such applications. While NFV provides flexibility by enabling network functions to be dynamically deployed and inter-connected to realize Service Function Chains (SFC), MEC brings the computing capability to the edges of the mobile network thus reducing latency and alleviating the transport network load. However, adequate mechanisms are needed to meet the dynamically changing network service demands, to optimally utilize the network resources while, at the same time, making sure that the end-to-end latency requirement of services is always satisfied. In this work, we first propose machine learning models, in particular neural-networks, that can perform auto-scaling by predicting the required number of virtual network function instances based on the traffic demand, using the traffic traces collected over a real-operator commercial network. We then employ Integer Linear Programming (ILP) techniques to formulate and solve a joint user association and SFC placement problem, where each SFC represents a service requested by a user with end-to-end latency and data rate requirements. Finally, we propose a heuristic to address the scalability concern of the ILP model.

Field of study: Computer science
New decree promotes fish invasion in Amazon and Pantanal

Legalization of non-native species for aquaculture is accelerating in Brazil (Tófoli et al. 2016), directly contradicting federal laws Nos. 5197/67 and 9605/98, as well as international conservation agreements (e.g., Convention on Biological Diversity; Lima-Junior et al. 2018). A recent decree in the state of Mato Grosso (No. 1.190/2017) allows and encourages the rearing of non-native fish species in rivers and reservoirs of the state (such as in net cages in reservoirs). State law No. 10.669, approved in January 2018, subsequently dispensed of environmental licensing requirements for producers with less than 10,000 cubic meters of water in net cages and less than 5 hectares surface area of aquaculture ponds. Combined, these legislative actions seek to help the state become the national leader in aquaculture, primarily through production of tilapia. One sustainable alternative would be to invest in partnerships with aquaculture producers to develop new technologies for production of native species, of which Brazil is not lacking in options (Saint-Paul 2017). Non-native species should ideally only be used while these technologies are in development and preferably only in closed recirculating aquaculture systems (Martins et al. 2010) that minimize ecological impact and the risk of escapes.

Field of study: Environmental science
Research Progress of Preparation Technology for Medical Porous Magnesium Alloys

The advantages of medical porous magnesium alloys were introduced,and the progress in preparation of porous magnesium was summarized.The problems in preparation of medical porous magnesium alloys by powder metallurgic method were formulated.Increasing the intensity of the alloy's skeleton could obviously improve the mechanical properties of the alloys.In order to prepare high quality porous magnesium alloys materials,massive pores must exist in the alloys,the crystal grains of the alloy's skeleton should be refined as well.

Field of study: Materials science
Local density inhomogeneities detected by Raman scattering in supercritical hexafluorobenzene

The influence of the local density inhomogeneities in supercritical hexafluorobenzene C6F6 has been assessed using Raman spectroscopy. The polarized and depolarized profiles associated with the "breathing" mode of the molecule has been analyzed for the fluid in a wide density range, namely under isothermal conditions. The evolution upon the density of the band center position of the isotropic profile along the near-critical isotherm showed an anomalous behavior, characterized by a plateau in the density range (0.6 < ρ* = ρ/ρC < 1.3), which is not observed along the isotherm T* ~ 1.11. It has been interpreted as due to the existence of local-density inhomogeneities and the density enhancement factor has been evaluated. The rotational dynamics of the main symmetry axis of the molecule is governed by a diffusional process. The rotational correlation time τ2R exhibits an anomalous behavior (plateau regime) for both isotherms. These findings put in evidence the existence of local density inhomogeneities in a pure fluid and show that Raman spectroscopy is well adapted to investigate these phenomena.

Field of study: Chemistry
Structure determination of the head-tail connector of bacteriophage phi29.

The head-tail connector of bacteriophage phi29 is composed of 12 36 kDa subunits with 12-fold symmetry. It is the central component of a rotary motor that packages the genomic dsDNA into preformed proheads. This motor consists of the head-tail connector, surrounded by a phi29-encoded, 174-base, RNA and a viral ATPase protein, both of which have fivefold symmetry in three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions. DNA is translocated into the prohead through a 36 A diameter pore in the center of the connector, where the DNA takes the role of a motor spindle. The helical nature of the DNA allows the rotational action of the connector to be transformed into a linear translation of the DNA. The crystal structure determination of connector crystals in space group C2 was initiated by molecular replacement, using an approximately 20 A resolution model derived from cryo-electron microscopy. The model phases were extended to 3.5 A resolution using 12-fold non-crystallographic symmetry averaging and solvent flattening. Although this electron density was not interpretable, the phases were adequate to locate the position of 24 mercury sites of a thimerosal heavy-atom derivative. The resultant 3.2 A single isomorphous replacement phases were improved using density modification, producing an interpretable electron-density map. The crystallographically refined structure was used as a molecular-replacement model to solve the structures of two other crystal forms of the connector molecule. One of these was in the same space group and almost isomorphous, whereas the other was in space group P2(1)2(1)2. The structural differences between the oligomeric connector molecules in the three crystal forms and between different monomers within each crystal show that the structure is relatively flexible, particularly in the protruding domain at the wide end of the connector. This domain probably acts as a bearing, allowing the connector to rotate within the pentagonal portal of the prohead during DNA packaging.

Field of study: Chemistry
An Investigation of Solid State Preamplifier-Detection Design for the BNL 200 MeV Linac Radiation System

The system being implemented consists essentially of icnization chambers, containing argon methane gas, which are located along the Linac tunnel. These ionization chambers will serve as the transducers for the analog/digital processor. The analog/digital processor will serve to monitor the small losses encountered during normal operation yet still possesses the dynamic range to detect high rapid losses for eventual shutdown.

Field of study: Physics
A Study on Differential Aptitude and Teaching Competency of Student Teachers in Kancheepuram District

The  investigator studied the differential aptitude and teaching competency of student teachers in kancheepuram district .  The sample consisted of 300 student teachers drawn by questionnaire through quota sampling  technique  from SRM School of Teacher Education and Research and Muthukumaran College of Education.  It was found that  student teachers having  higher level  of differential aptitude   possessed greater  teaching  competency.

Field of study: Education
Crustal velocity structure in the eastern Insular and southernmost Coast belts, Canadian Cordillera

Seismic refraction data recorded along a 330 km cross-strike profile through the eastern Insular and southernmost Coast belts of the Canadian Cordillera are interpreted using an iterative combination of traveltime inversion and amplitude forward modelling. The resultant model is characterized by large lateral variations in velocity. The most significant of these variations is a decrease in upper and middle crustal velocities to the east of the surface trace of the Harrison fault, which likely represents the transition from crust of the Insular superterrane to that of the Intermontane superterrane. This interpretation is consistent with some present geological models that place the possible (probable) location of the suture between the two superterranes less than 20 km east of the Harrison fault. Velocities at the base of the upper crust average 6.4 and 6.2 km/s west and east of the fault, respectively. Mid-crustal velocities average 6.6–6.9 km/s to the west and 6.35–6.45 km/s to the east of the fault. Low...

Field of study: Environmental science