nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Placental Growth Factor Promotes Metastases of Ovarian Cancer Through MiR-543-Regulated MMP7

Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian cancer (OC) cell invasion and migration may provide important evidence for developing efficient therapy. Recently, Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) has been shown to be regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor family members, especially placental growth factor (PLGF), as a potential mechanism underlying cancer invasion. Here, we studied the molecular relationship between PLGF and MMP7 in the OC.  We examined the levels of PLGF and MMP7 in the resected OC specimens and compared to paired adjacent non-tumor ovarian tissue. We also examined the correlation between PLGF and MMP7. We modified PLGF levels in a human OC cell line, OVCAR3, and analyzed the effects on MMP7. Prediction of microRNA (miRNA) binding to 3'-UTR of MMP7 mRNA was performed by bioinformatics analyses and confirmed by a dual luciferase reporter assay using miR-543-modifed OC cells. The levels of miR-543 were examined in the OC specimens, and the correlation between miR-543 and PLGF or MMP7 was performed.  PLGF and MMP7 both significantly increased in the OC specimens, compared to paired adjacent non-tumor ovarian tissue. PLGF significantly increased MMP7 in the OC cells at protein level, but not at mRNA level. In OC cells, PLGF significantly decreased the levels of miR-543, which suppressed the translation of MMP7 mRNA via 3'-UTR binding. In OC specimen, miR-543 significantly decreased, compared to paired adjacent non-tumor ovarian tissue. An inverse correlation was detected between the levels of miR-543 and PLGF or MMP7 in the OC specimens.  MiR-543 inhibits translation of MMP7 through binding to the 3'-UTR of MMP7 mRNA in OC. PLGF suppresses miR-543, which activates MMP7-mediated cancer invasion.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Joint Tx-Rx beamforming design for multicarrier MIMO channels: a unified framework for convex optimization

This paper addresses the joint design of transmit and receive beamforming or linear processing (commonly termed linear precoding at the transmitter and equalization at the receiver) for multicarrier multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels under a variety of design criteria. Instead of considering each design criterion in a separate way, we generalize the existing results by developing a unified framework based on considering two families of objective functions that embrace most reasonable criteria to design a communication system: Schur-concave and Schur-convex functions. Once the optimal structure of the transmit-receive processing is known, the design problem simplifies and can be formulated within the powerful framework of convex optimization theory, in which a great number of interesting design criteria can be easily accommodated and efficiently solved, even though closed-form expressions may not exist. From this perspective, we analyze a variety of design criteria, and in particular, we derive optimal beamvectors in the sense of having minimum average bit error rate (BER). Additional constraints on the peak-to-average ratio (PAR) or on the signal dynamic range are easily included in the design. We propose two multilevel water-filling practical solutions that perform very close to the optimal in terms of average BER with a low implementation complexity. If cooperation among the processing operating at different carriers is allowed, the performance improves significantly. Interestingly, with carrier cooperation, it turns out that the exact optimal solution in terms of average BER can be obtained in closed form.

Field of study: Engineering
Personal Preference Analysis for Emotional Behavior Response of Autonomous Robot in Interactive Emotion Communication

Robots must understand human intention flexibly before the two can live together, for example. Interaction Emotion Communication (IEC), bidirectional communication based on emotional behavior between human beings and robots, raises the personal affinity a robot has for human beings. IEC consists of three processes – (1) recognizing human emotion, (2) generating robot emotion, and (3) expressing robot emotion. We focus here on generating robot emotion. Emotional behavior patterns desirable in a robot vary with the person, so we also conducted individual preference analysis of emotional behavior.

Field of study: Computer science
A summary of the reform of academic degrees in German institutions of higher education

The reform of academic degrees in German universities and academies,which began at the end of the 1990s,has reached the last phase of the Bologna process with the collision of traditional systems and requirements of the times.With the support of cultural and educational departments of the government and the business community,the reform has made marked success.So the new system of academic degrees has found more and more acceptance all over Germany.However,this emergence must overcome many difficulties before it is nationally and internationally thoroughly accepted.

Field of study: Education
High-order, direct sensitivity analysis of multidimensional air quality models.

A direct sensitivity analysis technique is extended to calculate higher-order sensitivity coefficients in three-dimensional air quality models. The time evolution of sensitivity coefficients of different order is followed alongside that of the concentrations. Calculation of higher-order sensitivity coefficients requires few modifications to the original (first-order) sensitivity modules and is carried out efficiently and with minimal computational overhead. The modeling results (first-, second-, and third-order sensitivity coefficients) for an ozone episode in central California are shown and discussed. Second-order sensitivity coefficients of ozone concentration with respect to domain-wide NO emissions show reasonable agreement with brute-force results and exhibit less noisy behavior. By using second-order sensitivity coefficients the nonlinear responses are better captured and described. For a Taylor series projection from the base case, including the second-order term improves the accuracy. In general, higher-order sensitivity analysis shows a noticeable improvement in terms of accuracy over the conventional first-order analysis. Of particular interest, second-order sensitivity analysis is better equipped to address the nonlinear behavior around the peak ozone in NO(x)-rich plumes.

Field of study: Environmental science
Chronic ethanol exposure impairs neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat intestine.

Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized by neuronal (nNOS), endothelial (eNOS), and inducible (iNOS) nitric oxide synthases, plays an essential role in the physiological functions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Chronic ethanol intake has been shown to interfere with several of these physiological functions, leading to the pathological alterations observed in alcoholic individuals. Our aim therefore was to investigate the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on NOS isoforms in different GI segments.



Rats received either 20% aqueous ethanol solution or water for 8 weeks. Tissue samples of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon of the rats were used for measurement of the NOS activity, protein content, and nNOS immunohistochemistry. Anti-HuC/D immunohistochemistry was used to determine the total number of neurons.



Measurement of the physiological constitutive NOS (cNOS) activity revealed a 20 times higher activity in the colon than in the small intestine and after chronic ethanol treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in the jejunum, ileum, and colon, while in the duodenum it remained unchanged compared with the control group. The physiological iNOS activity was higher in the ileum and colon than in the duodenum and jejunum, and these levels were not significantly affected by ethanol. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunohistochemistry revealed a significant decrease in the numbers of immunostained cells in all investigated intestinal segments, while the total number of myenteric neurons remained constant. The nNOS protein content measured by Western blotting indicated a significant decrease in the colon after ethanol consumption, while in other intestinal segments change was not detectable.



This study has demonstrated for the first time that chronic ethanol consumption has a differential effect on NOS activity, NOS protein content, and the number of nitrergic neurons in different intestinal segments, suggesting that chronic ethanol administration affects the NO pathways in the enteric nervous system.

Field of study: Medicine
RESEARCH ON BEHAVIOR OF TUNNEL LINING STRENGTHENED BY TEXTILE-REINFORCED CONCRETE

Textile reinforced concrete(TRC) is a new type of high-performance fiber-reinforced cement-based composites which can overcome the shortcomings of binding FRP. The theoretical analysis method for the bearing behavior of tunnel lining normal sections strengthened by TRC is proposed and verified by experiment. the influences of lining section eccentricity, textile ratio, load history, and the strength of steel and concrete on the lining bearing behavior are studied on the basis of the theoretical analysis method. Furthermore, the failure modes of lining strengthened by TRC are analyzed and the reasonable interval of textile ratio is developed. The investigation results show that, the greater of lining eccentricity, textile ratio and concrete strength, the smaller of preloading history and steel strength, the more significant of strength effect.

Field of study: Engineering
Managed care in the United States: promises, evidence to date and future directions.

In the United States, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs) have proliferated during the past decade. To a great extent, their growth has been based on the perceived promise of these organizations to reduce health care costs without compromising quality of care and introduce a level of competition into the health care market that would result in a more efficient and effective health care system. This paper examines the promise of managed care as delivered through HMOs and PPOs, the evidence to date on the extent to which their promise has been met, and recent developments in the organization of managed care systems.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
Histological remodeling in an ovine heart failure model resembles human ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Staged coronary embolization, causing myocardial microinfarctions, has been shown in dogs and sheep to cause chronic ischemic heart failure (HF) that resembles the hemodynamics of the human condition. However, its histopathological basis remains unclear. We examined the hypothesis that the ventricular remodeling seen in such sheep resembles the histopathology of human ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Understanding the pathophysiology of this model will determine its place in the development of treatment strategies for HF. Global left ventricular (LV) damage resulting in HF was induced by staged coronary embolization in 11 sheep. Six others served as controls (normal control, NC). In HF sheep, the heart was harvested 6 months after LV ejection fraction (EF) had stabilized at <35%. Histopathological profiles were compared in biventricular transverse sections at midpapillary level using computed image analysis. LV end-diastolic volume increased in the HF group from 84.9+/-29 to 122.4+/-30.3 ml (n=11, P<.05), but myocytes across the LV wall in noninfarcted zones decreased ( 297.8+/-48.4/unit area HF; n=11, P<.0001) as did myocyte nuclear density (990.5+/-51.5 NC; 677.5+/-121.1/mm(2) HF, n=11, P<.0001). In contrast, LV replacement and interstitial fibrosis increased as did myocyte diameter in noninfarcted zones: 0.1+/-0.1 to 6.2+/-4.5% (P=.0049); 2.0+/-1.0 to 7.6+/-4.9% (P=.0149); and 10.0+/-0.5 to 15.9+/-2.2 microm (P<.0001), respectively. Although LV myocyte nuclear length increased (10.2+/-1.0 NC; 12.2+/-0.9 microm HF, n=11, P=.0006), right ventricular (RV) myocyte nuclear density and length did not alter. In this ovine chronic HF model, LV dilation and interstitial and myocyte remodeling resemble human ICM.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Macroscopic test of the Aharonov-Bohm effect.

The Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect is a purely quantum mechanical effect. The original (classified as type-I) AB-phase shift exists in experimental conditions where the electromagnetic fields and forces are zero. It is the absence of forces that makes the AB effect entirely quantum mechanical. Although the AB-phase shift has been demonstrated unambiguously, the absence of forces in type-I AB effects has never been shown. Here, we report the observation of the absence of time delays associated with forces of the magnitude needed to explain the AB-phase shift for a macroscopic system.

Field of study: Physics
Numerical Simulation of Casting Process for Crusher Hammerhead

Crusher hammerhead is exerted force of alternate change in working.Fatigue loads can lead to damage and eventually to failures of hammer.Based on the finite element stress analysis,the site of easy damage was identified.Through the choice of proper material,the design of rational casting process and simulation of casting process for hammerhead,the quality of castings was ensured to extend the hammerhead life and to improve design efficiency.

Field of study: Materials science
An unbiased and computationally efficient LS estimation method for identifying parameters of 2D noncausal SAR models

An unbiased and computationally efficient modified least squares (LS) estimation method for identifying parameters of two-dimensional noncausal simultaneous autoregressive models is presented. Some intuitive and mathematical proof of the unbiasedness of the method are given, and a recursive in-order fast algorithm to implement it is introduced. Computer simulation results are given to sustain the theoretical analysis. Both the theoretical analysis and the computer simulation show that the method possesses much higher estimation accuracy and lower computational complexity than the conventional LS estimation method. Compared to the approximate maximum-likelihood method of Kashyap and Chellappa (1983), the scheme is much faster, has the same estimation accuracy, and is parallelizable.

Field of study: Engineering
Effect of Escape versus Non-Escape Responses from the Goal Box during Extinction

Animals were trained in a runway under conditions of food reward and extinguished under conditions which either allowed escape into a second runway or resulted in confinement in the empty goal box (Non-escape group). The hypothesis derived from Hullian theory stated that an Escape group which was forced to perform twice the work of a Non-escape group for an equal number of non-reinforced trials would extinguish faster. The alternative hypothesis derived from elicitation theory predicted the reverse because the Escape group is allowed a compatible escape response from the frustrating situation while the Non-escape group can only make incompatible responses in the nonreinforced goal box which will interfere with the original learned response. The Hullian hypothesis was supported only on the first day of extinction. The following days the Escape group increased their running speed and data supported the elicitation theory. The Non-escape group also failed to extinguish which is hard to explain in terms of either theoretical system. It was suggested that a frustration drive theory might better account for the data.

Field of study: Psychology
Cryptanalysis of ultralightweight RFID authentication protocol

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is one of the most emerging technologies in the field of pervasive systems, which provides the automatic identification of the object with non-line of sight capability. RFID is much better than its contending identification scheme (Bar code) in terms of efficiency and functional haste. Although it offers many advantages over other identification schemes but there are also allied security apprehensions, so to make the system secure in a cost effective manner we use ultralightweight authentication protocols. In this letter, a desynchornization attack has been presented on recently published ultralightweight authentication protocol RAPP (RFID authentication protocol with permutation). Then an advanced version of RAPP has also been proposed to combat against the desynchronization attack.

Field of study: Computer science, Mathematics
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS: Automatic control of a tunable dye laser with an electrodynamic drive for rotation of a diffraction grating

An automated system was constructed for absolute calibration and setting of the wavelength of radiation emitted by a tunable dye laser. An electrodynamic drive was used to rotate a diffraction grating. The system included a microcomputer and a Camac interface. The system is used in the currently available laser spectrometers.

Field of study: Engineering, Physics
Industrialization and Economic Growth: Problems of Methodology

The appearance at long last of Volume VI of The Cambridge Economic History, the first of three volumes dealing with the period since the Industrial Revolution, raises once again the long-mooted question of proper methodology in economic history. The issue has been sharpened rather recently by the emergence of a cadre of self-styled "new" economic historians who believe that meaningful economic history must not only emphasize quantitative measurements' but must be basically theoretical, employing either hypotheses or figments or both.2 This group of scholars, whose work will be mentioned later, deal mainly with economic processes and tend to neglect or de-emphasize institutions. What they hope to do is to concentrate on the "purely economic problems of economic history."3 "Traditional" methodology has often been quantitative, but numbers have generally been ancillary to historical description; moreover, the "traditional" account of historical events has, more frequently than not, included a great deal of non-economic material. Another characteristic should be noted: ever since the writings of Marx, there has been a great deal of emphasis placed on institutions by both Marxists and anti-Marxists; and this, in turn, has led to the infusion of sociological elements into the fabric of economic history. It is well to recognize these basic distinctions between "new" and "traditional" historiography when we try to appraise the methodology of Volume VI of The Cambridge Economic History. What are the authors trying to do? How do they proceed? What guidance or directions have they received from the editors? Although the title of this long-awaited book clearly states that this is an "economic history of Europe," the Preface explains that the economic history of the Western world after the Industrial Revolution will be covered. Consequently the text includes not only long sections on Australia and New Zealand but whole chapters dealing with industrialization in the United

Field of study: Economics
Venetian State Papers and English Civic Pageantry, 1558-1642

ATTEMPTIN G to recover what has been a largely ignored and vastjL ly overlooked subject in theater history, Professor Glynne Wickham has demonstrated the importance of the study of civic pageantry as a natural part of the evolution of English drama.1 Wickham makes a most persuasive case for the significance of these dramatic entertainments as they contribute both technically and thematically to the regular stage of the English Renaissance, and he shows clearly that the whole subject is in need of further exploration in order to counter the neglect it has received at the hands of many scholars. Civic pageantry, as Wickham defines it and as I use the term, refers of course to planned dramatic entertainments, notjust color or spectacle, designed to honor the sovereign or magistrate on special occasions. Generally, there are three kinds of pageants: royal entries of the sovereign, the sovereign's provincial progresses, and the annual Lord Mayor's Show in London. For these events some of the leading dramatists of the time were engaged to prepare entertainment, frequently in the form of allegorical tableaux vivants. Especially in the Stuart era it became the habit of the dramatist to prepare a written account of the entertainment and have it printed. These pamphlets along with a few from the Elizabethan period constitute the major source of information regarding the civic pageants. Supplementing these texts are the records of the livery companies which illustrate how the arrangements were made.2 Other historical sources including diaries offer information and reaction to the pageants. One frequently neglected source is the Calendar of State Papers Venetian which contains the official dispatches from the Venetian Ambassador residing in London. With the records which reflect on the civic entertainments this paper is concerned. Something of the importance of these civic shows is suggested in the mere recording of the events in the official correspondence of the Vene-

Field of study: History
Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma Reduces Oxidative Stress Caused by Hyperuricemia via Upregulation of Catalase

Reports have suggested that the traditional Chinese medicine Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma attenuates hyperuricemia, but its mechanism is unclear. Our previous study demonstrated that uric acid could induce the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS), which subsequently cause endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, we focused on the oxidative stress process. In this study, we would use LC-MS and bioinformatic analysis to investigate the underlying mechanism.  We utilized LC-MS to reveal the differential protein expression in the kidneys of rats in the hyperuricemia group and the Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma treatment group and then subjected the differentially expressed proteins to bioinformatic analysis. We also determined the serum ROS level of the two groups. According the above results, we built our hypothesis and performed in vitro experiments to validate this hypothesis.  We found that catalase was upregulated in the group treated with Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma, and the level of reactive oxygen species was higher in the hyperuricemia group. Thus, we speculated that Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma could alleviate oxidative stress by upregulating catalase. In vitro experiments, we found that high concentrations of uric acid reduced catalase expression in endothelial cells, which was alleviated by Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma and resulted in a reduction of reactive oxygen species. Knockdown of catalase led to an increase in reactive oxygen species.  We demonstrated that Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma could alleviate the oxidative stress caused by hyperuricemia by upregulating catalase expression. This finding could represent a new application for Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma in the treatment of hyperuricemia.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
A chemical residue survey in relation to the 1980 spruce budworm spray program in New Brunswick, Canada.

This paper describes the results from a pesticide residue survey conducted in relation to the 1980 spraying of insecticides in New Brunswick (Canada) to preserve the coniferous forest from an on-going spruce budworm infestation. A total of 465 water and air samples were collected from 12 sites throughout the Province. In water, fenitrothion was usually detected at about the same time that spraying occurred in the immediate area of the sites. The maximum that was ever detected was 20.0 ppb and persistence was usually limited to a few days except in a small pond where fenitrothion was detected for a total of 18 consecutive days. Aminofenitrothion was also detected at a maximum of 8.0 ppb. Fenitrothion was only detected occasionally in air samples the maximum being 1.2 ng/dm3. However, amino-fenitrothion was present in several air samples at a maximum of 12.0 ng/dm3.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences