nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
The many facets of the locomotor response to a novel environment test: theoretical comment on Mitchell, Cunningham, and Mark (2005).

Several animal studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between locomotor activity in response to a novel environment and acquisition of drug self-administration behavior. This finding led to the assumption that animals with heightened reactivity to novel environments are more sensitive to the rewarding effects of drugs compared with animals with reduced reactivity. But are these individuals really more responsive to drugs, or could they have enhanced sensitivity to rewards in general or even simply be better learners? In the previous issue of this journal, J. M. Mitchell, C. L. Cunningham, and G. P. Mark (2005), investigated these important matters. They reported that the locomotor response to a novel environment does not predict responding for cocaine but reflects overall differences in the ability to learn operant tasks. ((c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved).

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Activation analysis of ores and minerals

This review deals with applications of activation analysis to geological samples : ores, minerals and rocks. The various activation sources suitable for this purpose are discussed. Applications using isotopic neutron sources are reviewed in some detail, those using neutron generators are discussed on a more general basis. Present trends in instrumental neutron-activation techniques are briefly indicated, in particular Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectrometry, coincidence counting, delayed neutron counting, prompt gamma counting and observation of nuclear tracks. The application of photon and charged particle activation to geological samples is also considered.

Field of study: Chemistry
Assessing Collaborative, Project-Based Learning Models in Introductory Science Courses.

Collaborative, project-based learning models have been shown to benefit student learning and engagement in the STEM disciplines. This case study evaluates the use of highly collaborative projectand problem-based learning models in introductory courses in the geosciences and biology. In the geosciences, we developed project-based modules with a strong local focus. Student teams worked on three project-based laboratories dealing with the local geology/geomorphology, water quality of a local stream, and local flooding issues. These replaced traditionally taught laboratories on topographic maps and rivers and streams. Student teams presented project results in lieu of taking a traditional laboratory practical. In biology, we designed a collaborative learning model that incorporated three problem-based learning modules into a first-semester introductory biology course. Students were assigned topics in evolution, cell biology and genetics to research independently during the course of the semester, with each module culminating in a brief presentation on the topic. Modules were designed to mirror concepts being covered in the lecture. Preliminary results suggest that student performance and attitudes towards course material benefitted from this learning model. The authors consider outcomes, benefits, and challenges to students and instructors.

Field of study: Education
Paleogeographic conditions in the western Pelagonian margin in Greece during the initial rifting of the continental area

The uppermost Paleozoic metaclastic sequences of the Pelagonian zone in northern Greece are connected to the western margin of the zone. They represent paleogeographic conditions of a deltaic environment and continental slope, which are related to the separation of the Paleozoic continent and the initial rifting in the western ophiolite belt in Greece. The metaclastic sequences define the western (external) boundary of the Pelagonian zone, and are used to find the continuation of this boundary in the Sporades and Oinouses islands in the Aegean Sea, in order to help answer the question of the connection between the Hellenides and the Taurides in Turkey.

Field of study: Environmental science
Hydrogenation of Natural Rubber Latex under Normal Pressure and Properties of Saturated Rubber

Hydrogenaton of natural rubber (HNR) was made by using N2H4·H2O/H2O2/CuSO4 system under normal pressure to hydrogenate NR latex. The reaction temperature as well as concentrations of sodium stearate, copper sulfate pentahydrate and hydrazine hydrate were found to have a pronounced effect on saturation of HNR. Hydrogenation of HNR of upto 64.6 % was achieved in the absence of sodium stearate but with molar ratios of copper ion versus double bond of NR molecular chain at 1:10 000, molar ratios of hydrazine hydrate versus double bond of NR molecular chain at 1.4:1 and at the reaction temperature of 45 °C. Compared with NR, the mechanical properties of HNR vulcanizate were improved and the aging resistance increased distinctly.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
The new BELUGA setup for collocated turbulence and radiation measurements using a tethered balloon: first applications in the cloudy Arctic boundary layer

The new BELUGA (Balloon-bornE moduLar Utility for profilinG the lower Atmosphere) tethered balloon system is introduced. It combines a set of instruments to measure turbulent and radiative parameters and energy fluxes. BELUGA enables collocated measurements either at a constant altitude or as vertical profiles up to 1.5  km in height. In particular, the instrument payload of BELUGA comprises three modular instrument packages for high-resolution meteorological, wind vector and broadband radiation measurements. Collocated data acquisition allows for estimates of the driving parameters in the energy balance at various heights. Heating rates and net irradiances can be related to turbulent fluxes and local turbulence parameters such as dissipation rates. In this paper the technical setup, the instrument performance, and the measurement strategy of BELUGA are explained. Furthermore, the high vertical resolution due to the slow ascent speed is highlighted as a major advantage of tethered balloon-borne observations. Three illustrative case studies of the first application of BELUGA in the Arctic atmospheric boundary layer are presented. As a first example, measurements of a single-layer stratocumulus are discussed. They show a pronounced cloud top radiative cooling of up to 6  K h−1 . To put this into context, a second case elaborates respective measurements with BELUGA in a cloudless situation. In a third example, a multilayer stratocumulus was probed, revealing reduced turbulence and negligible cloud top radiative cooling for the lower cloud layer. In all three cases the net radiative fluxes are much higher than turbulent fluxes. Altogether, BELUGA has proven its robust performance in cloudy conditions of the Arctic atmospheric boundary layer.

Field of study: Environmental science
Low temperature MQ NMR dynamics in dipolar ordered state.

We investigate analytically and numerically the Multiple Quantum (MQ) NMR dynamics in dipolar ordered spin systems of nuclear spins 1/2 at low temperatures. We consider two different methods of MQ NMR. One of them is based on the measurement of the dipolar energy. The other method uses an additional resonance (π/4)y-pulse after the preparation period of the standard MQ NMR experiment in solids and allows one to measure the Zeeman energy. Both considered methods are sensitive to the contribution of remote spins in the interaction and to the spin system structure. The QS method is sensitive to the spin number in the molecule while the PS method gives very similar time dependencies of the intensities of MQ coherences for different spin numbers. It is shown that the use of the dipolar ordered initial state has the advantage of exciting the highest order MQ coherences in clusters of 4m identical spins, where m=1,2,3,…, that is impossible to do with the standard MQ method. MQ NMR methods based on the dipolar ordered initial states at low temperatures complement the standard NMR spectroscopy for better studying structures and dynamic processes in solids.

Field of study: Physics
A theory of multiclass boosting

Boosting combines weak classifiers to form highly accurate predictors. Although the case of binary classification is well understood, in the multiclass setting, the "correct" requirements on the weak classifier, or the notion of the most efficient boosting algorithms are missing. In this paper, we create a broad and general framework, within which we make precise and identify the optimal requirements on the weak-classifier, as well as design the most effective, in a certain sense, boosting algorithms that assume such requirements.

Field of study: Computer science
Synthesis of Macrocycles Comprising 2,7-Disubstituted Naphthalene and Polyamine Moieties via Pd-catalyzed Amination

The Pd-catalyzed reaction of equimolar amounts of 2,7-dibromonaphthalene and various polyamines led to the formation of the macrocycles comprising one naphthalene and one polyamine moieties. The sa...

Field of study: Chemistry
Evaluation of the immunogenicity of a rBCG expressing GM-CSF and LMP2A

To identify the expression of a fusion gene GCA formed from GM-CSF gene and LMP2A gene of Epstein-Barr virus （EBV） in a recombinant BCG （rBCG） and to study its immunoge-nicity. The rBCG was constructed to express the fusion gene GCA and the expressed products were detected by Western blot assay .ELISA was performed to measure specific antibody titers in serum sam-ples from mice immunized with rBCG .Lactate dehydrogenase assay was used to analyze the cellular immuni-ty of mice.A mouse model of EBV-positive gastric carcinoma was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of rBCG.Results The target proteins of GM-CSF and LMP2A were successfully expressed in rBCG . The specific antibodies were detected in rBCG immunized mice as indicated by ELISA .The maximum anti-body titer reached 1 ∶27 900 [（326.5±7.8） pg/ml] as injection with rBCG 5×10^8/mouse.The rBCG in-duced cytotoxicity of cytotoxic lymphocytes （CTLs） to EBV-positive gastric carcinoma cells （GT39） （with a killing rate of 89.6%±6.8%） was significantly higher than that of control group （P〈0.05） The sizes of tumor in PBS control group [（1964.0±548.7） mm3] and BCG group [（1268.65±72.4） mm3] were bigger than those in rBCG group [（168.64±78.80） mm3].Conclusion The rBCG expressing GM-CSF and LMP2A fusion gene was successfully constructed .The rBCG could induce humoral and cellular immune re-sponses in mice and inhibit the growth of tumor . 
 
 
GM-CSF; LMP2A; rBCG; Cytotoxic lymphocyte; Mice

Field of study: Biology
Improving building fabric energy efficiency in hot-humid climates using dynamic insulation

New effective technologies and materials that have the potential to reduce energy demand with excellent energy efficiency and low environmental impact are urgently required in the Gulf Region. Dynamic insulation, which functions by recycling fabric heat loss back to the building, has been established theoretically and proven in pilot projects. It sets the green, low carbon benchmark for thermal insulation in buildings. This paper presents details of the Eco-Villa, its construction, how the performance of the villa was monitored, and the findings from the initial monitoring phase and the dynamic simulation model (DSM). The villa was tested in two modes, bypass (static) and dynamic. The static U value of the external envelop wall was estimated at 0.24 W/(m2·K) in bypass mode. The theoretical dynamic U value changed from 0.24 to 0.05 W/(m2·K) when the ventilation airflow was varied from 0 to 0.001 m3/(s·m2) (0 to 1 L/(s·m2)), with a further small reduction occurring when the flow rate increased beyond 0.001 m3/(s·m2) (1 L/(s·m2)). The design ventilation rate for the Eco-Villa was 0.0008 m3/(s·m2) (0.8 L/(s·m2)), which yielded a theoretical dynamic U value of 0.063 W/(m2·K) compared to a measured U value of 0.125 W/(m2·K). The reduction in the fabric conduction gain was found to be 41% whereas the estimate from the DSM was 38%. The results demonstrate the fabric energy efficiency improvements that can be achieved through the use of dynamic insulation.

Field of study: Engineering
On the Use of a Log-Rate Model for Survey-Weighted Categorical Data

For the analysis of survey-weighted categorical data, one recommended method of analysis is a log-rate model. For each cell in a contingency table, the survey weights are averaged across subjects and incorporated into an offset for a loglinear model. Supposedly, one can then proceed with the analysis of unweighted observed cell counts. We provide theoretical and simulation-based evidence to show that the log-rate analysis is not an effective statistical analysis method and should not be used in general. The root of the problem is in its failure to properly account for variability in the individual weights within cells of a contingency table. This results in goodness-of-fit tests that have higher-than-nominal error rates and confidence intervals for odds ratios that have lower-than-nominal coverage.

Field of study: Mathematics
Periodic flows with global sections

Let G={ht | t∈R} be a continuous flow on a connected n-manifold M . The flow G is said to be strongly reversible by an involution τ if =τhtτ for all t∈R, and it is said to be periodic if hs = identity for some s∈R∗. A closed subset K of M is called a global section for G if every orbit G(x) intersects K in exactly one point. In this paper, we study how the two properties “strongly reversible” and “has a global section” are related. In particular, we show that if G is periodic and strongly reversible by a reflection, then G has a global section.

Field of study: Mathematics
MISTRAL: a transmission soft X-ray microscopy beamline for cryo nano-tomography of biological samples and magnetic domains imaging.

The performance of MISTRAL is reported, the soft X-ray transmission microscopy beamline at the ALBA light source (Barcelona, Spain) which is primarily dedicated to cryo soft X-ray tomography (cryo-SXT) for three-dimensional visualization of whole unstained cells at spatial resolutions down to 30 nm (half pitch). Short acquisition times allowing for high-throughput and correlative microscopy studies have promoted cryo-SXT as an emerging cellular imaging tool for structural cell biologists bridging the gap between optical and electron microscopy. In addition, the beamline offers the possibility of imaging magnetic domains in thin magnetic films that are illustrated here with an example.

Field of study: Physics
125Te NMR Evidence for the Existence of Trinuclear Tellurate Ion in Aqueous Solution

Deprotonation equilibria of telluric acid in aqueous solution were studied by the 125Te NMR technique, and the presence of the tellurate ion that contains three Te nuclei was clearly shown by the coupling pattern of the NMR spectra of both natural and 125Te-enriched telluric acids.

Field of study: Chemistry
An ATP-binding cassette transporter related to yeast vacuolar ScYCF1 is important for Cd sequestration in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

We generated a Cd-sensitive insertional mutant, Cds18, in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and elucidated the deletion of a 10 kb fragment containing the promoter and a portion of the coding region for CrMRP2 gene that silenced the transcription of CrMRP2 in mutant Cds18. The association between CrMRP2 and Cd sensitivity was confirmed by complementing mutant Cds18 with a cloned genomic DNA fragment containing the promoter and complete coding sequence for CrMRP2. The genomic region and the full-length cDNA for CrMRP2 were cloned and sequenced. Computer searches detected the significant resemblance of CrMRP2 with HsMRP1, AtMRP3 and ScYCF1, in Homo sapiens, Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively. All are members of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP)/cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) subfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. When the cDNA of CrMRP2 was cloned into the yeast expression vector pEGKT and transformed into the yeast mutant strain DTY168 lacking ScYCF1, it restored the function of ScYCF1, a yeast vacuolar glutathione (GSH)-conjugate ABC transporter. A putative vacuolar-targeting motif (T/I/K)LP(L/K/I) was detected in the N-terminal part of CrMRP2. In wild-type C. reinhardtii, CrMRP2 transcription was significantly up-regulated upon Cd treatment. Comparing with mutant Cds18, the wild-type algal cells accumulated and sequestered more Cd in the stable high molecular weight (HMW) phytochelatin (PC)-Cd complex; the labile low molecular weight (LMW) PC-Cd complex was detected in mutant Cds18 at an earlier stage of Cd treatment. This study demonstrated the expression of CrMRP2 in C. reinhardtii and implicated its function in the formation/accumulation of stable HMW PC-Cd complex.

Field of study: Environmental science
STUDY ON PERFORMANCE OF EXPOSED H-SECTION STEEL COLUMN IN FIRE

To study the performance of an exposed H-section steel column,we developed a fire test furnace.Six specimens were studied,considering the differences of axial compression ratios and restrictions.The temperatures of furnace gas and steel columns,lateral and axial deformations of steel columns,and the additional axial force for limited axial deformation were measured.The results show that: the same section's temperature is almost the same when the exposed steel columns encircled by fire;the axial deformation of steel columns with the same height is almost the same,restrictions are enhanced,and the axial deformations are slightly smaller;the axial compression ratio increases when axial deformations are restricted and the additional axial force decreases,but the sum is not necessarily small.Throughout the course of experiment,the behavior of steel columns in fire is clearly divided into two stages of expansion and compression,expansion is main and compression phase is very short.Although the temperature of steel columns is very high,the steel columns can withstand the axial pressure steady and produced very small lateral deformations.

Field of study: Engineering
Evaluation of factors influencing the performance of Kenyan Secondary School Students in English Grammar: A Case of Nyamaiya Division, Nyamira County, Kenya.

This study assessed the factors influencing the performance of secondary school students in English Grammar in Nyamaiya Division, Nyamira County. The study employed 31 public Secondary schools of which seventeen are day and fourteen are boarding schools. Sex was not a factor in the study. There were 150 respondents (31 head teachers, 31 deputies, 30 students and 58 teachers of English). Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting the sample for the study. Five point likert type scale questionnaires were used to obtain data for the study. 150 questionnaires were administered to 150 respondents which covered the following areas: influence of mother tongue, problem areas in English grammar, academic and professional qualifications and experience of these teachers. The objectives were: to investigate the attitude secondary school students have towards English grammar, to find out how mother tongue impacts on learning English grammar in secondary schools, to establish the areas in English grammar that are problematic to students in secondary schools and to find out the academic and professional qualifications of teachers teaching English grammar to students in secondary schools. Teacher’s responses on attitude indicated that most of the students did not like English grammar. Regarding influence of mother tongue on performance in English grammar, the study showed that most of the students were influenced by mother tongue while others were not. On problem areas in English majority of the students experienced problems in the use of phrasal verbs and the use of auxiliaries. Other problems experienced are the use of punctuation marks, poor handwriting of the students and lack of practice in English. Majority of these teachers had degrees and some had KCSE certificates and very few had a master’s degree. Most of the sampled schools had not taught the subject for more than five years and some had taught the subject for more than 20 years. The data collected was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and the chi – square test using the SPSS package. Recommendations based on the findings were made to guide policy makers to find appropriate ways to improve on performance in English grammar.  evaluation, English Grammar, Nyamaiya Division, Nyamira County

Field of study: Education
Evaluating the effect of delay spacing on delay discounting: carry-over effects on steepness and the form of the discounting function.

Most delay discounting studies use tasks that arrange delay progressions in which the spacing between consecutive delays becomes progressively larger. To date, little research has examined delay discounting using other progressions. The present study assessed whether the form or steepness of discounting varied across different delay progressions. Human participants completed three discounting tasks with delay progressions that varied in the time between consecutive delays: a standard (increasing duration between delays), linear (equal duration between delays), and an inverse progression (decreasing duration between delays). Steepness of discounting was generally reduced, and remained so, following experience with the inverse progression. Effects of the delay progression on the best fitting equation were order-dependent. Overall the hyperbola model provided better fits, but the exponential model performed better with data from the inverse progression. Regardless, differences in which model fit best were often small. The finding that the best fitting model was dependent, in some cases, on the delay progression suggests that a single quantitative model of discounting may not be applicable to describe discounting across all procedural contexts. Ultimately, changes in steepness of discounting following experience with the inverse progression appeared similar to anchoring effects, whose mechanism will require further study to delineate.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol and Acute Stress Similarly Modulate BNST CRF Neuron Activity via Noradrenergic Signaling.

Relapse is a critical barrier to effective long-term treatment of alcoholism, and stress is often cited as a key trigger to relapse. Numerous studies suggest that stress-induced reinstatement to drug-seeking behaviors is mediated by norepinephrine (NE) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling interactions in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a brain region critical to many behavioral and physiologic responses to stressors. Here, we sought to directly examine the effects of NE on BNST CRF neuron activity and determine whether these effects may be modulated by chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) exposure or a single restraint stress.



Adult male CRF-tomato reporter mice were treatment-naïve, or either exposed to CIE for 2 weeks or to a single 1-hour restraint stress. Effects of application of exogenous NE on BNST CRF neuron activity were assessed via whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques.



We found that NE depolarized BNST CRF neurons in naïve mice in a β-adrenergic receptor (AR)-dependent mechanism. CRF neurons from CIE- or stress-exposed mice had significantly elevated basal resting membrane potential compared to naïve mice. Furthermore, CIE and stress individually disrupted the ability of NE to depolarize CRF neurons, suggesting that both stress and CIE utilize β-AR signaling to modulate BNST CRF neurons. Neither stress nor CIE altered the ability of exogenous NE to inhibit evoked glutamatergic transmission onto BNST CRF neurons as shown in naïve mice, a mechanism previously shown to be α-AR-dependent.



Altogether, these findings suggest that stress and CIE interact with β-AR signaling to modulate BNST CRF neuron activity, potentially disrupting the α/β-AR balance of BNST CRF neuronal excitability. Restoration of α/β-AR balance may lead to novel therapies for the alleviation of many stress-related disorders.

Field of study: Medicine