nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Modification of ABC Algorithm for Adaptation to Time-Varying Functions

Although ABC (artificial bee colony) algorithm is effective tool for finding solutions to static optimization problems, application to the dynamical problem which includes the time-varying element has been not assumed. A modification of ABC algorithm for adaptation to time-varying functions is proposed. To adjust to the change in the function, the procedure for reevaluating the bee at each time is introduced. It is shown that the proposed modification does not influence the search performance of the conventional algorithm. The efficiency of the modified ABC algorithm is demonstrated and verified by numerical simulations.

Field of study: Computer science
On educational ecology and the ecological trend of university education

Based on the complete,systematic and balanced viewpoints of the ecological system,educational ecology re-analyzes and constructs educational theoretical framwork.This approach has become a brand new conception in the sustainable development of higher education institutes in the 21st century.The components of unveristy education ecolgoical trend include internal and external educational environments and educational objectives,approaches.To realize this trend,we must stick to the complete,systematic and controllable principles.

Field of study: Education
Selective incorporation of Si along step edges during delta-doping on MOVPE-grown GaAs (001) vicinal surfaces

We investigated the delta-doping (δ-doping) of Si using SiH4 on MOVPE-grown GaAs (001) vicinal surfaces to explore the possibility of selective incorporation of Si along atomic steps, and to demonstrate doping quantum wires by the combination of multiatomic steps and wire-like doping. It was found that the doping density on vicinal surfaces was enhanced as the misorientation angle was increased, which suggested the enhanced decomposition of SiH4 and the selective incorporation of Si at step edges. It was also found that this selective incorporation could be enhanced by annealing the surface prior to the δ-doping, which resulted from the reduced incorporation of Si at the terrace regions. Anisotropic electron transport properties which are expected from the wire-like incorporation along step edges are also discussed.

Field of study: Materials science
Refractory periods of neurons mediating stimulation-elicited eating and brain stimulation reward: interval scale measurement and tests of a model of neural integration.

Paired-pulse stimulation methods have been used in many studies to measure the excitability properties of the directly stimulated neurons mediating stimulation-elicited behaviors. In this article those methods are evaluated quantitatively. The most frequently used method, in which rate of behavior is measured as a function of conditioning-test (C-T) interval, is shown to be inadequate since the results obtained depend on the frequency of stimulation. In order to account for this dependence, a physical model of brain stimulation which implies that the effects of frequency and C-T interval should be multiplicative is proposed. In separate experiments, conjoint and functional measurement methods were used to test this model and to measure the refractory periods of neurons mediating stimulation-elicited eating and brain stimulation reward. The results of both experiments strongly supported the multiplicative model for C-T intervals in the refractory period range (.4-2.0 msec) and indicated that the frequency threshold method (Yeomans, 1975, and the present Experiment 2) provides interval scale measurement of refractory period effects. The refractory period curves obtained for neurons mediating stimulation-elicited eating and brain stimulation reward were very similar, rising steeply at C-T intervals from .4 to 1.2 msec and more gradually at intervals from 1.2 msec to 2.0 msec. These curves were also similar to one previously obtained for bar-pressing self-stimulation (Yeomans, 1975). The implications of these similarities are discussed.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Serological investigations on Indian kala-azar.

Detailed serological investigations were carried out in forty-nine active kala-azar (KA) cases in North Bihar, India. Various classes of immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and third component of complement (C3) levels were determined in these sera and results were compared with those obtained in normal controls. Antibody titres were determined by the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) method using soluble Leishmania antigen. Immunoglobulin G and M class-specific antibody titres were also determined separately by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia with marked increase in serum IgG (and to a lesser extent in IgM) level was a rather common feature in the majority of these sera. Much of this immunoglobulin increase, however, appeared to be non-specific in nature and no absolute correlation could be noted between serum IgG or IgM levels and corresponding IgG or IgM antibody titres. Significant decrease in serum C3 level was observed in KA and this decrease was found to be independent of immunoglobulin levels or specific antibody titres. A fairly good correlation between aldehyde test and serum IgG level was evident from this study. Aldehyde-positive KA sera usually gave higher antibody titres than aldehyde-negative ones. Anti-leishmanial antibodies belonged mostly to IgG class although some IgM antibodies were also demonstrable. The latter class of antibodies probably appeared early in KA infection although their serological specificity was poorer to IgG antibodies. Out of forty-nine KA sera examined in this study thirty-six (73.5%) gave positive IHA titres while forty-six (93.9%) were positive by IgG-ELISA which appeared to be a highly specific and sensitive serodiagnostic method particularly for the early detection of KA cases.

Field of study: Biology, Medicine
Design and Implementation of the Pre-Selling Real Estate System

Of the numerous fields of the real estate information network,pre-selling management of the housing property is one of the important link.Mainly discusses the issues relating how to raise the service level of the pre-selling file management system by effectively using the sophisticated technology like the databank and Java.In this way,it increases the flexibility and expandability of the system and makes the software of the architecture level re-useable,which results in providing a more efficient management means for the various level of property management and developers.

Field of study: Computer science
Comparison of formation of disinfection by-products by chlorination and ozonation of wastewater effluents and their toxicity to Daphnia magna.

This study compared the two most frequently used disinfectants (i.e., chlorine and ozone) to understand their efficiency in wastewater effluents and the ecotoxicity of disinfection by-products created during chlorination and ozonation. Four trihalomethanes (THMs) and nine haloacetic acids (HAAs) were measured from a chlorine-disinfected sample and two aldehydes (i.e., formaldehydes and acetaldehydes) were analyzed after ozonation. Chlorination was effective for total coliform removal with Ct value in the range of 30-60 mg-min/L. Over 1.6 mg/L of ozone dose and 0.5 min of the contact time presented sufficient disinfection efficiency. The concentration of THMs increased with longer contact time (24 h), but that of HAAs showed little change with contact time. The measured concentration of formaldehyde at the ozone dose of 1.6 mg/L and the contact time of 9 min showed the greatest value in this study, approximately 330 μg L(-1), from which the corresponding ecotoxicity was determined using an indicator species, Daphnia magna. The ecotoxicity results were consistent with the toxicological features judged by occurrence, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. Both the disinfection efficiency as well as the DBP formation potential should therefore be considered to avoid harmful impacts on aquatic environments when a disinfection method is used for wastewater effluents.

Field of study: Environmental science
X-ray diagnostics of laser indirect-driven implosion pellet

In this paper,the electron temperature,electron density and areal density of imploded fuel pellet driven by SGⅡ laser were diagnosed through X-ray method.The electron temperature deduced from intensity ratio of Ly-beta line and He-beta line of Ar tracer doped in DD fuel was determined to be(950±100) eV.The electron density which was deduced from Stark broadening of He-beta line was determined to be(0.9±0.2)×10~(24)cm~(-3).And the fuel areal density,which was deduced from X-ray monochromatic imaging of compressed fuel,was determined to be(3.2±0.5) mg/cm~2.

Field of study: Physics
Private Borrowing during the Financial Revolution: Hoare's Bank and its Customers, 1702-24

The financial revolution improved the British government's ability to borrow, and thus its ability to wage war. North and Weingast argued that it also permitted private parties to borrow more cheaply and widely. We test these inferences with evidence from a London bank. We confirm that private bank credit was cheap in the early eighteenth century, but we argue that it was not available widely. Importantly, the government reduced the usury rate in 1714, sharply reducing the circle of private clients that could be served profitably.

Field of study: Economics, History
External right-angle measurement using a two-autocollimator system.

We report on a non-contact method for external right-angle measurement using two autocollimators. A precise mathematical model is deduced to evaluate and deduct the measuring error. The values measured with our method are very coincident compared with the results measured by a ZYGO interferometer. The measuring accuracy is superior to 0.1 arcsec for the right-angle errors within 3.0 arcsec and becomes 0.4 arcsec for the extended right-angle errors within 8.0 arcsec. This method can be widely used in situations for external right-angle measurement, such as angle measurement for the body of torsion balance and test mass in spaceborne laser interferometry.

Field of study: Physics
FIBER AND INTEGRATED OPTICS: Detection of the optical anisotropy in KTP:Rb waveguides

The optical characteristics of channel waveguides made of rubidium-activated potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP:Rb) were determined. The refractive index increment of such waveguides was found to exhibit a considerable anisotropy: Δnx / Δnz ≈ 2. A deviation of the distribution of the refractive index in a channel waveguide from the model distribution was observed for ion-exchange times in excess of 1 h.

Field of study: Engineering, Physics
Photovoltaic infrared sensor arrays in monolithic lead chalcogenides on silicon

MBE growth of epitaxial IV-VI lead salt layers on Si (111) substrates and fabrication of photovoltaic infrared devices in the layers is reviewed. IV-VI on Si IR sensors have potential as a low-cost technique of fabrication of large IR focal plane arrays for both the 3-5 mu m and 8-12 mu m ranges because of the easy fabrication procedure and because uniformity problems are much less severe in IV-VIs due to the weaker composition dependence of the bandgap compared with Cd1-xHgxTe. Sensor arrays are fabricated in 2-4 mu m thick PbTe, PbS1-xSex and Pb1-xEuxSe for 3-5 mu m and in Pb1-xSnxSe for 8-12 mu m cut-off. An intermediate epitaxial stacked 0.2 mu m thick CaF2-BaF2 bilayer serves for compatibility and helps to overcome the large lattice and thermal expansion mismatch between the Si substrate and the IV-VI layer. Perfectly smooth surfaces with surface defect concentrations down to 103 cm-2, and X-ray rocking-curve linewidth of approximately=150 arcsec are obtained. Sensor arrays with 66 and 256 elements are described, the latter having been grown on standard Si chips with Al metallization.

Field of study: Materials science
Synthesis and anti-diabetic activity of (RS)-2-ethoxy-3-{4-[2-(4-trifluoro-8methanesulfonyloxy-phenyl)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-propionic acid

To synthesize and study the anti-diabetic activity of (RS)-2-ethoxy-3-{4-[2-(4-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-phenyl)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-propionic acid (compound I).Methods:Compound I was prepared in 6 steps, using 4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-phenol as the starting material. The in vitro selectivity and potency of target compound I, rosiglitazone and WY-14643 on human PPARα and PPARγ were determined in reporter gene assays. In vivo, rosiglitazone and compound I were administered orally to KKAy mice for 14 d. Insulin tolerance tests and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed on the 10th and 14th day of treatment, respectively. At the end of the treatment, sera were collected for biochemical analysis.In vitro, compound I significantly activated both PPARα and PPARγ. In vivo, compound I corrected the impaired insulin and glucose tolerance of KKAy mice, and produced a significant reduction in plasma triglyceride levels after 14 d of treatment. The effect produced was significant compared with the control group.Both in vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic activity studies for compound I were conducted and the data suggest that this compound is a potentially effective anti-diabetic agent.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
What matters in school choice tie-breaking? How competition guides design

Many school districts apply the student-proposing deferred acceptance algorithm after ties among students are resolved exogenously. This paper compares two common tie-breaking rules: one in which all schools use a common lottery, and one in which each school uses a separate independent lottery. We identify the balance between supply and demand as the determining factor in this comparison. We analyze a two-sided assignment model with random preferences in over-demanded and under-demanded markets. In a market with a surplus of seats, a common lottery is less equitable, and there are efficiency tradeoffs between the two tie-breaking rules. However, a common lottery is always preferable when there is a shortage of seats in the sense of stochastic dominance of the rank distribution. The theory suggests that popular schools should use a common lottery to resolve ties. We run numerical experiments with New York City school choice data after partitioning the market into popular and non-popular schools. The experiments support our findings.

Field of study: Economics
Structure effects on fission yields

The structure effects of the fission fragments on their yields are studied within the statical theory with the inputs, like, excitation energies and level density parameters for the fission fragments at a given temperature calculated using the temperature dependent relativistic mean field formalism (TRMF). For the comparison, the results are also obtained using the finite range droplet model. At temperatures $T =1-2$ MeV, the structural effects of the fission fragments influence their yields. It is also seen that at $T = $ 3 MeV, the fragments become spherical and the fragments distribution peaks at a close shell or near close shell nucleus.

Field of study: Physics
Use of Natalizumab in Patients with Active Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Kuwait

To evaluate the outcomes of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were treated with natalizumab in Kuwait.  A retrospective study using the MS registry to identify patients who were treated with natalizumab was conducted. Patients' demographics, clinical characteristics and treatment parameters were collected at baseline and last follow-up visit. Primary outcome was the proportion of relapse-free patients at the last follow-up while secondary outcomes were the change in the mean annual relapse rate, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the proportion of patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity at the last follow-up visit. Forty-four patients were included in the study.  Of the 44 patients, 27 (61.4%) were females and the remaining 17 (38.6%) males. Mean age of patients and mean disease duration were 29.05 ± 7.25 and 5.71 ± 3.37 years, respectively. The mean number of natalizumab infusions was 18.14. The proportion of relapse-free patients significantly increased from 11.36 to 90.91% (p < 0.0001). The EDSS significantly improved from 4.76 to 3.15 (p < 0.0001) over the observational period. There was no significant difference between patients with EDSS <3 compared to those with EDSS ≥3 (p < 0.67). The proportion of patients with MRI activity was significantly reduced from 95.5 to 18.2% (p < 0.0001) at their last visit. Six patients discontinued the drug, 5 due to positive JC virus and 1 due to pregnancy.  Natalizumab induced a suppression of disease activity and was responsible for a significant improvement in disability status in highly active MS patients.

Field of study: Medicine
Raman signals and phonon sidebands under resonant excitation of donor - acceptor-pair states: spectroscopy with enhanced sensitivity to local vibrational excitations

We have investigated the Raman signals of vibrational modes and the phonon sidebands of resonantly excited donor - acceptor-pair recombination in p-doped CdTe and ZnSe. Under resonant excitation of donor - acceptor-pair states we observe an enhanced sensitivity of the optical spectroscopy to the spectrum of local vibrational excitations. The measured signals are interpreted as local vibrational modes of the dopants or as phonons with wavevectors at distinguished points of the Brillouin zone others than the centre point . These latter signals correspond either to the maxima of the phonon density of states of the host crystal or to longitudinal optical phonons with finite but discrete wavevectors defined by the donor - acceptor-pair separations. The results can contribute to the characterization of the materials as well as to the investigation of the processes of the acceptor compensation.

Field of study: Materials science
Perceptions Of Local Businesses On The Newly Proposed National Minimum Wage In South Africa

As a country faced with many socio-economic challenges government intervention prompting protests are not unique to South Africa. In light of these confining circumstances, requests from various economic agents, especially labour unions have been directed towards the implementation of a national minimum wage (NMW). Although theory advocates negative effects from minimum wages, international evidence regarding these labour market interventions shows conflicting outcomes. The main aim of the study was to analyse business owners’ perceptions regarding the impact of the implementation of a NMW. A qualitative research approach was adopted to collect data with a total of 10 in-depth interviews conducted with business owners in the Vaal Triangle region, Gauteng. The results of the study showed that participants acknowledged the advantage of implementing a NMW, perceiving the intervention as a much needed step towards greater equality. Other perceived advantages involved the security a NMW provides job-seekers and the possible impact on improved demand for goods and services as higher wages stimulate the economy. Concerns however were raised regarding small firms’ ability to cover these wages and the capability of the legislation to account for inherent skill differences in various sectors. The findings of the study provide valuable insights especially in the South African context and even more so from a demand side perspective regarding the possible impact of these labour market interventions.

Field of study: Business
Effects of salinity and the extent of water on supercritical CO2-induced phlogopite dissolution and secondary mineral formation.

To ensure the viability of geologic CO2 sequestration (GCS), we need a holistic understanding of reactions at supercritical CO2 (scCO2)-saline water-rock interfaces and the environmental factors affecting these interactions. This research investigated the effects of salinity and the extent of water on the dissolution and surface morphological changes of phlogopite [KMg2.87Si3.07Al1.23O10(F,OH)2], a model clay mineral in potential GCS sites. Salinity enhanced the dissolution of phlogopite and affected the location, shape, size, and phase of secondary minerals. In low salinity solutions, nanoscale particles of secondary minerals formed much faster, and there were more nanoparticles than in high salinity solutions. The effect of water extent was investigated by comparing scCO2-H2O(g)-phlogopite and scCO2-H2O(l)-phlogopite interactions. Experimental results suggested that the presence of a thin water film adsorbed on the phlogopite surface caused the formation of dissolution pits and a surface coating of secondary mineral phases that could change the physical properties of rocks. These results provide new information for understanding reactions at scCO2-saline water-rock interfaces in deep saline aquifers and will help design secure and environmentally sustainable CO2 sequestration projects.

Field of study: Environmental science
Parental Effects on Epigenetic Programming in Gametes and Embryos of Dairy Cows

The bovine represents an important agriculture species and dairy breeds have experienced intense genetic selection over the last decades. The selection of breeders focused initially on milk production, but now includes feed efficiency, health, and fertility, although these traits show lower heritability. The non-genetic paternal and maternal effects on the next generation represent a new research topic that is part of epigenetics. The evidence for embryo programming from both parents is increasing. Both oocytes and spermatozoa carry methylation marks, histones modifications, small RNAs, and chromatin state variations. These epigenetic modifications may remain active in the early zygote and influence the embryonic period and beyond. In this paper, we review parental non-genetic effects retained in gametes on early embryo development of dairy cows, with emphasis on parental age (around puberty), the metabolism of the mother at the time of conception and in vitro culture (IVC) conditions. In our recent findings, transcriptomic signatures and DNA methylation patterns of blastocysts and gametes originating from various parental and IVC conditions revealed surprisingly similar results. Embryos from all these experiments displayed a metabolic signature that could be described as an “economy” mode where protein synthesis is reduced, mitochondria are considered less functional. In the absence of any significant phenotype, these results indicated a possible similar adaptation of the embryo to younger parental age, post-partum metabolic status and IVC conditions mediated by epigenetic factors.

Field of study: Biology
Psychoanalysis of Social Studies Teachers’ Assessment Competence in Secondary Schools in Nasarawa State Nigeria

The affective domain is the main focus of social studies as a subject. This should be reflected in the teaching and assessment of social studies. It would appear that, there is a cognitive orientation to the teaching and evaluation of the subject among social studies teachers in Junior Secondary Schools in Nasarawa State. This paper sets out to find, if social studies teachers generally assess the affective domain to an acceptable level and the proportion of teachers who meet the acceptable level of evaluation as specified by the study.  Assessment, Social studies, Competence, Secondary school.

Field of study: Education