nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
SU-F-T-504: Non-Divergent Planning Method for Craniospinal Irradiation.

Traditional Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) planning techniques require careful field placement to allow optimal divergence and field overlap at depth, and measurement of skin gap. The result of this is a necessary field overlap resulting in dose heterogeneity in the spinal canal. A novel, nondivergent field matching method has been developed to allow simple treatment planning and delivery without the need to measure skin gap.



The CSI patient was simulated in the prone, and a plan was developed. Bilateral cranial fields were designed with couch and collimator rotation to eliminate divergence with the upper spine field and minimize anterior divergence into the lenses. Spinal posterior-to-anterior fields were designed with the couch rotated to 90 degrees to allow gantry rotation to eliminate divergence at the match line, and the collimator rotated to 90 degrees to allow appropriate field blocking with the MLCs. A match line for the two spinal fields was placed and the gantry rotated to equal angles in opposite directions about the match line. Jaw positions were then defined to allow 1mm overlap at the match line to avoid cold spots. A traditional CSI plan was generated using diverging spinal fields, and a comparison between the two techniques was generated.



The non-divergent treatment plan was able to deliver a highly uniform dose to the spinal cord with a cold spot of only 95% and maximum point dose of 115.8%, as compared to traditional plan cold spots of 87% and hot spots of 132% of the prescription dose.



A non-divergent method for planning CSI patients has been developed and clinically implemented. Planning requires some geometric manipulation in order to achieve an adequate dose distribution, however, it can help to manage cold spots and simplify the shifts needed between spinal fields.

Field of study: Medicine, Physics
Time evolution of temperature fluctuation in a non-equilibrated system

The evolution equation for inhomogeneous and anisotropic temperature fluctuation inside a medium is derived within the ambit of Boltzmann Transport Equation (BTE) for a hot gas of massless particles. Also, specializing to a situation created after a heavy-ion collision (HIC), we analyze the Fourier space variation of temperature fluctuation of the medium using its temperature profile. The effect of viscosity on the variation of fluctuations in the latter case is investigated and possible implications for early universe cosmology, and its connection with HICs are also explored.

Field of study: Physics
Machine Logic Requirements of an Anthurium Harvester

MACHINE logic requirements of an anthurium harvester are presented. The hypothetical har-vester would traverse and scan a bed of flowers daily to obtain the location of every open flower. By com-paring these data with the previous day's data, the harvester would keep track of each flower's location and age. The harvester would harvest the flower after a specified number of days. An anthurium bed was studied to determine the movement and maturation characteristics of the an-thurium. Digital simulation was used to model the anthuri-um bed and the hypothetical harvester. It is con-cluded that machine logic is not a limiting factor in the construction of an anthurium harvesting machine using age as a maturity criterion.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Towards Practice and the Risk of Vocational Training:A Study of Sino-American Teacher Education Model Reform

The teacher education models in both America and China are facing the crisis with the establishment of university-centered system in which the teacher education is getting far from down-to-earth practice.In America,the way towards practice is by means of the cooperation between colleges and pre-college schools,the middle/primary school- based model, and the pre-vocational and post-vocational integrative education.However,in China,the same goal is reached by inserting practical courses into teacher education curriculum in universities. But over-emphasis on practice might possibly lead to pure vocational training,impeding the progress of teacher professionalization.Therefore,the teacher education in the future is still supposed to consolidate its discipline knowledge,and pay much attention on practice and internship at the same time.

Field of study: Education
Assessing the combined effects of resurgence and reinstatement in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Resurgence and reinstatement are laboratory models of relapse following treatments for problem behavior that arrange alternative sources of reinforcement, such as differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and noncontingent reinforcement. Resurgence models the elimination or reduction of reinforcers during treatment and reinstatement models the re-presentation of reinforcers previously maintaining problem behavior. The present study examined individual and combined effects of resurgence and reinstatement in a translational model of treatment relapse with three children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We first reinforced and then extinguished an arbitrary response while providing access to a preferred toy to model a version of noncontingent reinforcement with extinction. In the following phases, we examined resurgence by removing the toy, reinstatement by presenting the training reinforcer response-independently, and a combination of resurgence and reinstatement. Overall, relapse of target responding reliably exceeded functionally similar responses never reinforced in the experimental situation. Most importantly, relapse tended to be greater when combining resurgence and reinstatement than when assessing either alone. These findings support previous studies showing that combinations of operations can increase treatment relapse. This translational model arranging simulated problem behavior with arbitrary tasks provides a platform from which to thoroughly and systematically assess methods for understanding and improving behavioral treatments.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
MicroRNA-34a Attenuates Paclitaxel Resistance in Prostate Cancer Cells via Direct Suppression of JAG1/Notch1 Axis

Treatment options for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are limited and typically centered on paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether miR-34a attenuates chemoresistance to paclitaxel by regulating target genes associated with drug resistance.  We used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to compare miR-34a expression levels in prostate cancer (PC) tissues with normal prostate tissues. The effects of miR-34a inhibition and overexpression on PC proliferation were evaluated in vitro via Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, and cell-cycle assays. A luciferase reporter assay was employed to identify the interactions between miR-34a and specific target genes. To determine the effects of up-regulation of miR-34a on tumor growth and chemo-resistance in vivo, we injected PC cells overexpressing miR-34a into nude mice subcutaneously and evaluated the rate of tumor growth during paclitaxel treatment. We examined changes in the expression levels of miR-34a target genes JAG1 and Notch1 and their downstream genes via miR-34a transfection by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot assay.  miR-34a served as an independent predictor of reduced patient survival. MiR-34a was down-regulated in PC-3PR cells compared with PC-3 cells. The CCK-8 assay showed that miR-34a overexpression resulted in increased sensitivity to paclitaxel while miR-34a down-regulation resulted in chemoresistance to paclitaxel in vitro. A study of gain and loss in a series of functional assays revealed that PC cells expressing miR-34a were chemosensitive. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-34a increased the sensitivity of PC-3PR cells to chemotherapy in vivo. The luciferase reporter assay confirmed that JAG1 and Notch1 were directly targeted by miR-34a. Interestingly, western blot analysis and qRT-PCR confirmed that miR-34a inhibited the Notch1 signaling pathway. We found that miR-34a increased the chemosensitivity of PC-3PR cells by directly repressing the TCF1/ LEF1 axis.  Our results showed that miR-34a is involved in the development of chemosensitivity to paclitaxel. By regulating the JAG1/Notch1 axis, miR-34a or its target genes JAG1 or Notch1 might serve as potential predictive biomarkers of response to paclitaxel-based chemotherapy and/or therapeutic targets that will help to overcome chemoresistance at the mCRPC stage.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Dynamic Monte Carlo simulation of protein-membrane interaction and its implication on micro-filtration process

A two-dimensional lattice model that highlights the hydrophobic interaction between protein and micro-filtration(MF)membrane was presented for dynamic Monte Carlo simulation of the membrane fouling process.The effect of membrane pore size,protein concentration and structure on membrane fouling was examined.It was shown that the MF process could be divided into three stages according to the changes in the trans-membrane flux,i.e.,rapid declining,slow declining and quasi-steady-state.For the MF membrane with a small pore size,cake resistance became dominating while the pore resistance contributed less to the overall filtration resistance along with the filtration process,while the filtration using the membrane with a large pore size was dominated by the pore resistance.The increase of protein concentration accelerated the shift of the dominating role from pore resistance to cake resistance.The hydrophobic interaction between membrane and protein may lead to the unfolding of protein,the enhancement of the irreversible multi-layer adsorption onto membrane surface,and consequently,the reduction of trans-membrane flux.The enhancement of protein structure characterized by hydrophobic core may repress the adsorption and this could be accomplished by choosing an appropriate solution.The simulation results agreed well with both experimental investigation and theoretical models reported elsewhere.The molecular insight of the MF process provided by the above simulation is helpful for the optimization of the MF process and design of new MF membrane.

Field of study: Chemistry, Environmental science
Cores of graded algebras with triangular decomposition

We consider self-injective finite-dimensional graded algebras admitting a triangular decomposition. In a preceding paper, we have shown that the graded module category of such an algebra is a highest weight category and has tilting objects in the sense of Ringel. In this paper we focus on the degree zero part of the algebra, the core of the algebra. We show that the core captures essentially all relevant information about the graded representation theory. Using tilting theory, we show that the core is cellular. We then describe a canonical construction of a highest weight cover, in the sense of Rouquier, of this cellular algebra using a finite subquotient of the highest weight category. Thus, beginning with a self-injective graded algebra admitting a triangular decomposition, we canonically construct a quasi-hereditary algebra which encodes key information, such as graded multiplicities, of the original algebra. Our results are general and apply to a wide variety of examples, including restricted enveloping algebras, Lusztig's small quantum groups, hyperalgebras, finite quantum groups, and restricted rational Cherednik algebras. We expect that the cell modules and quasi-hereditary algebras introduced here will provide a new way of understanding these important examples.

Field of study: Mathematics
Cytokine modulation, oxidative stress and thymic dysfunctions: Role of age‐related changes in the experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection: Age‐related thymic dysfunctions and Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Aging is linked with a thymic oxidative damage and some infectious diseases such as Chagas’ disease may aggravate this process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of distinct cytokines as well as the antioxidant/oxidant status of the thymus and thymocytes populations during Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection. Young (5 weeks old) and aged (18 weeks old) male Wistar rats were inoculated with blood trypomastigotes forms of the Y strain of T. cruzi. On the 16th day after T. cruzi infection, increased concentrations of transforming growth factor &bgr; (TGF‐&bgr;), interleukin (IL)‐12, IL‐17 were detected in aged infected subjects as compared to young infected ones. Interestingly, a reduction in the production of tumor necrose factor (TNF)‐&agr; was observed in aged infected rats when compared to young infected subjects. Aged‐infected rats presented increased O2− levels, compared to young counterparts. Significant raise in the generation of O2− in aged infected animals, as compared to uninfected counterparts was observed. Up‐regulated expression of Nox2 in the thymus of young and aged infected animals was observed. An increased SOD2 expression was detected in the thymus of young animals infected with T. cruzi, when compared to uninfected young rats. Aged animals showed reduced thymus weight and the number of thymocytes. Decreased percentages of SPCD4+ and SPCD8+T cells were detected in aged and control groups when compared to young counterparts. In summary, this is the first data to directly examine the influence of aging on age‐related dysfunctions during the acute phase of experimental Chagas disease. Concerning to oxidative stress, it is clear from our analysis that aged infected rats suffer a more intense oxidative damage when compared to young and infected ones. Age and infection triggered a dynamic interplay of cytokines, oxidative stress and thymic dysfunctions which led to impaired response from aged and infected rats. Such findings may have significant functional relevance in therapeutic strategies in order to reestablish the thymic immunological function which occurs in aged and T. cruzi infected subjects.

Field of study: Medicine
Moral Agendas? Pro Bono Publico in Large Law Firms in the United Kingdom

The tension between the conception of professionalism as a device for maintaining control over the market for legal services' and as an ethical commitment2 is a theme pervading analysis of the legal profession. In recent years the integration of these strands of the professional ideal has been threatened by encroachment on professional privileges, such as monopoly and self regulation, and by the economic pressures unleashed by deregulation and competition in the market for legal services. It has been suggested that the relationship of the legal profession to society is undergoing a renegotiation,3 part of which inevitably concerns the profession's commitment to public service. This article analyses the results of a survey of the legal services provided pro bono publico by members of large firms of solicitors in England and Wales and through the data explores the relationship between the economic and the normative dimension of professionalism. We argue that some large firms are attempting to reinvigorate the ethos of professionalism in the practice of law and are exploring new ways in which their public service responsibility can be conceived and met. We have not addressed here the issue of whether or not the legal profession should provide voluntary legal services, nor do we consider which kinds of provision would be in the interests of the public, the profession or society generally.4 Our thesis in this

Field of study: Law
Graph Bayesian Optimization: Algorithms, Evaluations and Applications

Network structure optimization is a fundamental task in complex network analysis. However, almost all the research on Bayesian optimization is aimed at optimizing the objective functions with vectorial inputs. In this work, we first present a flexible framework, denoted graph Bayesian optimization, to handle arbitrary graphs in the Bayesian optimization community. By combining the proposed framework with graph kernels, it can take full advantage of implicit graph structural features to supplement explicit features guessed according to the experience, such as tags of nodes and any attributes of graphs. The proposed framework can identify which features are more important during the optimization process. We apply the framework to solve four problems including two evaluations and two applications to demonstrate its efficacy and potential applications.

Field of study: Computer science
Surgical management of World Health Organization Grade II gliomas in eloquent areas: the necessity of preserving a margin around functional structures.

OBJECT
Recent surgical studies have demonstrated that the extent of resection is significantly correlated with median survival in WHO Grade II gliomas. Consequently, thanks to advances in intraoperative functional mapping, the authors questioned whether it is actually necessary to leave a "security" margin around eloquent structures.



The authors first reviewed the classic literature, especially that based on epilepsy surgery and functional neuroimaging techniques, which led them to propose the rule of a security margin. Second, they detailed new developments in the field of intrasurgical electrical mapping, especially with regard to subcortical stimulation of the projection and long-distance association pathways. On the basis of these advances, the removal of gliomas according to functional boundaries has recently been suggested, with no margin around eloquent structures.



Comparative results showed that the rate of permanent deficit was similar with or without a security margin, that is, < 2%. However, a higher rate of transient neurological worsening in the immediate postsurgical period was associated with the absence of a margin, with recovery following adapted rehabilitation. On the other hand, the extent of resection was in essence improved with no margin.



This no-margin technique, based on the subpial dissection, and the repetition of both cortical and subcortical stimulation to preserve eloquent cortex as well as the white matter tracts (U-fibers, projection pathways, and long-distance connectivity) allow optimization of the extent of resection while preserving the quality of life (despite transitory impairment) thanks to mechanisms of brain plasticity.

Field of study: Medicine
Correlation of Heating Rates, Crystal Structures, and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Li2ZnTi3O8 Ceramics

The correlation of heating rates, crystal structures, and microwave dielectric properties of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics was thoroughly investigated. Ionic polarizability, atomic packing fractions, bond strengths, and octahedral distortion of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics were calculated on the basis of structure refinement data. The “black core” phenomenon resulting from reduction of Ti4+ ions was observed for Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramic sintered at 1°/min; reduction of Ti4+ ions could be limited by heating more rapidly. For heating rates from 1 to 7°/min, the dielectric constants (εr) of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics were mainly determined by ionic polarizability. The temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τf) of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics was determined by bond strengths. Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramic sintered at 1°/min had the lowest quality factor (Q × f); this was related to the high dielectric loss as a result of oxygen vacancies formed by reduction of Ti4+ ions. Q × f values of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics also decreased with increasing heating rate from 3 to 7°/min, owing to reduced packing fractions and average grain sizes. Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramic sintered at 3°/min had the optimum microwave dielectric properties of εr = 26.6, Q × f = 83,563 GHz, and τf = −12.4 ppm/°C.

Field of study: Materials science
Personalization and Offers of Results

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of personalization, an offer of survey results, gender, level taught, and location (state) on survey return rates. Six hundred surveys were mailed to public school teachers in Nebraska and Wyoming. The overall return rate was 70.5%. A significant main effect was found for personalization. Also, personalization increased responses to the initial mailing. No other effects were necessary to provide adequate model fit. Results suggest personalization as operationalized in this study to be effective in increasing returns.

Field of study: Education
Star formation histories of resolved galaxies

The colour-magnitude diagrams of resolved stellar populations are the best tool to study the star formation histories of the host galactic regions. In this review the method to derive star formation histories by means of synthetic colour-magnitude diagrams is briefly outlined, and the results of its application to resolved galaxies of various morphological types are summarized. It is shown that all the galaxies studied so far were already forming stars at the lookback time reached by the observational data, independently of morphological type and metallicity. Early-type galaxies have formed stars predominantly, but in several cases not exclusively, at the earliest epochs. All the other galaxies appear to have experienced rather continuous star formation activities throughout their lifetimes, although with significant rate variations and, sometimes, short quiescent phases.

Field of study: Physics
Results from the European Deep Ocean Margins Research Training Network

Ocean margins mark the transition zones between continents and oceans, where the bulk of sediments are deposited and 50% of marine productivity takes place. The coastal ocean has always been vital for humankind in terms of exploitation of resources, as well as commerce and communication. It has been mainly during the last decade when economic and political interest (e.g., for hydrocarbon search, fisheries and seafloor usage) has spread into deeper waters beyond the shelf break to the continental slope and rise—a zone we herein refer to as the ‘‘Deep Ocean Margin’’ (DOM). Ocean margins are also of great scientific value: scientists study them to understand global climate, sea-level changes, biogeochemical cycles and the flux of fluids from the lithosphere to the ocean and, eventually, to the atmosphere. The recognition of the widespread occurrence of submarine landslides and the discovery of cold-water corals and associated communities are just two examples that illustrate the dynamic nature of the DOM and the scientific and technical challenges they pose. Understanding the mechanisms, architecture, and consequences of submarine landslides is of great importance due to the increasing interest for natural resources in DOM areas, to the geological contribution that landslides make in shaping ocean margins, and to the potential of landslides to trigger large tsunamis that would impact coastal areas (Locat and Mienert 2003; Canals et al. 2004; Lykousis et al. 2007). Cold-water corals illustrate the variability and diversity of Earth’s ecosystems and also the limitations of our knowledge on DOMs. Cold-water corals are not only a unique ecosystem that has been seriously damaged in many areas because of trawling activities, but also a refuge and breeding place for many marine species, including some of commercial interest, and a potential source for biosubstances of pharmaceutical interest. While their distribution along the European margins is now rather well known, a sound comprehension of their occurrence is essential in order to understand biological activity and related geological processes, and to permit sustainable resource exploitation and effective preservation of these deep-water habitats (Roberts et al. 2006; Freiwald and Roberts 2005; UNEP 2007).

Field of study: Environmental science