nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous restoration of epiphytic lichen biota in managed forests planted on habitats typical for temperate deciduous forest

The study examines the changes of epiphytic lichen diversity in differently aged stands developing after clear cutting and pine planting on fertile habitats typical for deciduous forests. The study was conducted within one large complex consisting of pine, mixed pine-hornbeam and typical old oak-linden-hornbeam forests in northern Poland. Epiphytic lichens were recorded in 50 study plots randomly selected within 5 forest stand classes of a different structure and age, ranging from 80 to over 220 years. Altogether 143 lichen species were recorded, of which only 41 were entirely nonspecific, and were occurring in all the studied forest stand classes. Significant differences in lichen species richness between stand classes were found and the number of species increases with the forest age. Lichen species composition also differs and its changes progress towards restoration of lichen biota typical for deciduous forest consistent with the habitat. The age of the forest has the most significant effect on the biodiversity of lichen biota. Microhabitat space provided by oaks is highly desirable since it greatly enriches lichen biota in forests. Phorophyte specificity of particular lichens were assessed. Hornbeam and oak have the greatest number of species mostly confined to them and constitute a main refuge for lichens with a high conservation value. The changes of lichen biota are basically parallel with the changes of the forest stand structure. The selection of some parts within managed pine forests that should not be assigned for cutting in the future can be a simple procedure which helps to restore and preserve forest biodiversity.

Field of study: Environmental science
On periodicity in bounded projective resolutions

Let A be a self-injective algebra over an algebraically closed field k. We show that if an A-module M of complexity one has an open orbit in the variety of d-dimensional A-modules, then M is periodic. As a corollary we see that any simple A-module of complexity one must be periodic. In the course of the proof, we also show that modules with open orbits are preserved by stable equivalences of Morita type between self-injective algebras.

Field of study: Mathematics
Constructing Identities in a Music Manuscript: The Medici Codex as a Gift*

The motet manuscript known as the Medici Codex is associated by modern scholarship with the 1518 marriage of Lorenzo II de' Medici and Madeleine de la Tour d'Auvergne. It was once thought that the manuscript was made in France and given to Lorenzo by Francis I, but now it is almost unanimously agreed that it was made in Rome under the patronage of Pope Leo X. Since this revision, no one has put forward a detailed view of how the manuscript relates to the circumstances under which it was given and to the individuals involved, or how it functions as a gift. This study places the manuscript in the context of other gifts associated with the marriage to arrive at such a view.

Field of study: History
Resource sharing and resource sparing, understanding the role of production intensity and farm practices in resource use in shrimp aquaculture

Aquaculture production is an important part of the global food supply and has equaled or surpassed fisheries production as the main source of aquatic foods. Aquaculture is a resource intensive practice that can use large amounts of land, water, energy, and cause pollution and degradation to the local environment. Intensive production practices have been criticized in the past for causing environmental harm; however recent studies have suggested that resource use may decrease with increasing production intensities at the farm level. Here we used a conceptual farm to access the impact of a few key production parameters on land, water, and energy use. A series of calculations were conducted at various production intensities with modifications made to the type of feed used and water exchange rate. The resulting relationships were then modeled with production intensity. Additionally, the effect of various feedstuffs on embodied resource coefficients was examined through varying protein and carbohydrate feedstuffs. Land and water use were found to have an asymptotic relationship with production intensity, with the most important factor in land use being production intensity and the most important factor in water use being the water exchange rate. Energy use was found to be higher with a diet that has fish meal as a protein source and at higher water exchange rates. The most land intensive diets used for shrimp contained high fish meal with rice as carbohydrate feedstuffs (0.550 ha/tonne). The most water intensive diet was no fish meal with corn as a carbohydrate (1863 m3/tonne), and the most energy intensive diet was high fish meal with corn as a carbohydrate (11.73 GJ/tonne). The results herein suggest that intensifying shrimp aquaculture could save resources based on per tonne of production basis.

Field of study: Environmental science
Exome Sequencing Analysis Identifies Rare Variants in ATM and RPL8 That Are Associated With Shorter Telomere Length

Telomeres are important for maintaining genomic stability. Telomere length has been associated with aging, disease, and mortality and is highly heritable (∼82%). In this study, we aimed to identify rare genetic variants associated with telomere length using whole-exome sequence data. We studied 1,303 participants of the Erasmus Rucphen Family (ERF) study, 1,259 of the Rotterdam Study (RS), and 674 of the British Heart Foundation Family Heart Study (BHF-FHS). We conducted two analyses, first we analyzed the family-based ERF study and used the RS and BHF-FHS for replication. Second, we combined the summary data of the three studies in a meta-analysis. Telomere length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in blood. We identified nine rare variants significantly associated with telomere length (p-value < 1.42 × 10–7, minor allele frequency of 0.2–0.5%) in the ERF study. Eight of these variants (in C11orf65, ACAT1, NPAT, ATM, KDELC2, and EXPH5) were located on chromosome 11q22.3 that contains ATM, a gene involved in telomere maintenance. Although we were unable to replicate the variants in the RS and BHF-FHS (p-value ≥ 0.21), segregation analysis showed that all variants segregate with shorter telomere length in a family. In the meta-analysis of all studies, a nominally significant association with LTL was observed with a rare variant in RPL8 (p-value = 1.48 × 10−6), which has previously been associated with age. Additionally, a novel rare variant in the known RTEL1 locus showed suggestive evidence for association (p-value = 1.18 × 10–4) with LTL. To conclude, we identified novel rare variants associated with telomere length. Larger samples size are needed to confirm these findings and to identify additional variants.

Field of study: Biology
Sedimentology and paleohydrology of glacial-lake outburst deposits in southeastern Saskatchewan and northwestern North Dakota

Glacial-lake outbursts occurred in the northern Great Plains as ice-marginal lakes suddenly drained, forming an interconnected system of glacial-lake spillways. The outbursts were highly erosive, and consequently, deposits from such discharges are rare in the spillways. Glacial-lake–outburst deposits in the Souris,  Lacs, and Moose Mountain spillways, Saskatchewan and North Dakota, have distinct bar shapes and, internally, are more massive and homogeneous than those of outwash systems. In this paper, the outburst deposits are described, and the sedimentologic and hydrodynamic characteristics of the outburst discharges are interpreted. Coarse-grained sediment eroded from till formed large-scale bars in the spillways, as much as 2 km long and 30 m thick, both as pendant bars and bars in alcoves next to contemporaneous landslides. Internally, the bars consist of homogeneous masses of massive, matrix-supported, very poorly sorted, pebbly cobble gravel, containing boulders as much as 3 m in diameter. The maximum particle sizes in individual bars decrease downstream and toward spillway sides. The lithology of the bars resembles the local glacial drift; material from the Tertiary bedrock, in which the spillways are partially incised, is not concentrated in the bars. Paleohydraulic calculations based on data of maximum particle size and on the Shields9 entrainment function yield unreasonably large values. Supplementary calculations based on depth limits established from field observations yield realistic values; this method indicates that velocities of 2.9 to 11.7 ms −1 and discharges of 5.8 × 10 4 to 8.2 × 10 5 m 3 s −1 were achieved by the outburst. Sediment-water concentrations during the outburst, estimated by dividing the volume of sediment eroded by the source-lake volume, averaged ∼20% by weight. Because of this estimate, the abundant amount of fine-grained material that was eroded, and structure of the outburst deposits, we infer that outburst flows were hyperconcentrated, with sediment-water concentrations being as much as ∼40% by weight in some areas. We further infer that sediment transport was extremely efficient and that most particles, including coarse gravel, were transported in suspension. This interpretation is consistent with the sedimentology of the deposits and other conjectural evidence. Expanding sections caused coarser sediment to be deposited, indiscriminate of clast size, as poorly sorted, massive gravel bars. Finer grained sediment, sand to clay size, was transported through the spillway system into downstream glacial lakes.

Field of study: Geology
One-Dimensional Potential Model for Image States on Free-Standing Graphene

In the framework of the non-local dielectric theory the static non-local self-energy of an electron near an ultra-thin polarizable layer has been calculated and applied to study image-states near free-standing graphene. The corresponding series of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions have been obtained by solving numerically the one-dimensional Schr{\"o}dinger equation. We compare with the Rydgberg's series for a perfect metal and with experimental values measured on graphene layers grown on Ir and Ru surfaces. For free standing films, the appearance of states with binding energies in between the classical series is discussed.

Field of study: Physics
Choice, Aversive Consequences, and the “Truth-Telling” Potential of the Situation as Integrating Concepts in Forced Compliance

Observer-Ss read descriptions of a number of prior forced-compliance experiments in which financial inducement was manipulated. Observer-Ss then rated these cover story-experimental manipulations along such dimensions as whether S's behavior was consistent with his own beliefs, the probability that S's act would deceive someone, the extent to which the observer-S would have experienced guilt as a result of his counter-attitudinal act, the extent to which the situation provided choice, the extent to which the situation tended to evoke truth, responsibility and sincerity, and whether or not the counter-attitudinal act was likely to produce any harm. Although the results are not completely consistent, there is some suggestion that the ratings for harm tracked the attitude-change data previously reported.

Field of study: Psychology
Proposed graphene nanospaser

Researchers in the USA have proposed a nanoscale device that could be capable of creating a localized, intense mid-infrared field. Vadym Apalkov and Mark Stockman from Georgia State University say that their ‘nanospaser’ would be useful for applications such as nanospectroscopy, nanolithography and nanoscopy. Their design consists of a nanopatch of graphene that supports plasmons atop a gain-providing stack of semiconductor quantum wells. The system of quantum wells is similar to that found at the heart of a quantum cascade laser. When driven electrically, the nanospaser should generate concentrated, coherent optical fields that localize near the surface of the graphene. Although optically excited spasers have already been reported, this device, if experimentally realized, would be the world’s first electrically pumped spaser.

Field of study: Physics
Enhanced Erythrocyte Apoptosis in Sickle Cell Anemia, Thalassemia and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Erythrocyte diseases such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency decrease the erythrocyte life span, an effect contributing to anemia. Most recently, erythro-cytes have been shown to undergo apoptosis upon increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity. The present study has been performed to explore whether sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency enhance the sensitivity of erythrocytes to osmotic shock, oxidative stress or energy depletion, all maneuvers known to increase cytosolic Ca2+ activity. To this end, annexin binding as an indicator of apoptosis has been determined by FACS analysis. Erythrocytes from healthy individuals, from patients with sickle cell anemia, thalassemia or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency all responded to osmotic shock (up to 950 mOsm by addition of sucrose for 24 hours), to oxidative stress (up to 1.0 mM tetra-butyl-hydroxyperoxide tBOOH) and to energy depletion (up to 48 hours glucose deprivation) with enhanced annexin binding. However, the sensitivity of sickle cells and of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient cells to osmotic shock and of sickle cells, thalassemic cells and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient cells to oxidative stress and to glucose depletion was significantly higher than that of control cells. Annexin binding was further stimulated by Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin with significantly higher sensitivity of sickle cells and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient cells as compared to intact cells. In conclusion, sickle cells, thalassemic cells and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient erythrocytes are more sensitive to osmotic shock, oxidative stress and/or energy depletion, thus leading to enhanced apoptosis of those cells. The accelerated apoptosis then contributes to the shortened life span of the defective erythrocytes.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
An assessment of the causes of the errors in the 2015 UK general election opinion polls

The opinion polls that were undertaken before the 2015 UK general election underestimated the Conservative lead over Labour by an average of 7 percentage points. This collective failure led politicians and commentators to question the validity and utility of political polling and raised concerns regarding a broader public loss of confidence in survey research. We assess the likely causes of the 2015 polling errors. We begin by setting out a formal account of the statistical methodology and assumptions that are required for valid estimation of party vote shares by using quota sampling. We then describe the current approach of polling organizations for estimating sampling variability and suggest a new method based on bootstrap resampling. Next, we use poll microdata to assess the plausibility of different explanations of the polling errors. Our conclusion is that the primary cause of the polling errors in 2015 was unrepresentative sampling.

Field of study: Mathematics
Epitaxial MgB2 thin films on ZrB2 buffer layers: structural characterization by synchrotron radiation

Structural and superconducting properties of magnesium diboride thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition on zirconium diboride buffer layers were studied. We demonstrate that the ZrB2 layer is compatible with the MgB2 two step deposition process. Synchrotron radiation measurements, in particular anomalous diffraction measurements, allowed us to separate MgB2 peaks from ZrB2 ones and revealed that both layers have a single in plane orientation with a sharp interface between them. Moreover, the buffer layer avoids oxygen contamination from the sapphire substrate. The critical temperature of this film is near 37.6 K and the upper critical field measured at the Grenoble High Magnetic Field Laboratory up to 20.3 T is comparable with the highest ones reported in literature.

Field of study: Physics
Effects of aprotinin in platelet aggregation and cytosolic free calcium in swine platelets.

Aprotinin inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin (0.25 U.ml-1) with IC50 200 kIU.ml-1, and inhibited the rise of cytosolic free calcium concentration in platelets stimulated by thrombin (0.1 U.ml-1) in the absence and in the presence of Ca2+ 0.5 mmol.L-1 (IC50 117 and 50 kIU.ml-1, respectively), but had no effect on the amounts of actin and myosin heavy chain associated with cytoskeletons. These suggest that aprotinin is an anti-platelet agent and may exert its action through inhibiting the Ca2+ flux.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
The Heidelberg Heavy Ion Postaccelerator

The Heidelberg Heavy Ion Postaccelerator, a linear accelerator booster for the upgraded MP-Tandem is operational in its extended version since end of 1979. Yielding 9.7 MV in CW and 18.5 MV in pulsed mode (duty factor 0.25) it has considerably increased the mass and energy range of heavy ions for Nuclear Physics experiments at Heidelberg. The high flexibility of the booster is guaranteed by using 32 independently phased spiral resonators allowing operation of the machine in the mass range of A=10 to A=100 with almost constant accelerating voltage; although even ions as heavy as 197Au have been successfully postaccelerated. Typical examples of postaccele-rated beams are: 164 MeV 12C, 332 MeV 32S, 476 MeV 79Br, 511 MeV 127J and 640 MeV 197Au. Longitudinal and transversal beam quality are tandem like with ¿r < 2¿ mm mrad and ¿l < 3.2¿ MeV .deg., the debunched energy resolution being well below 10-3. The overall availability of the postaccelerator together with the MP-Tandem was 83% of the scheduled user beam time in 1980.

Field of study: Physics
Analysis of the current state of high performance college sports teams in Beijing

The authors studied the current state of development of high performance college sports teams in Beijing,revealed that a series of problems,such as not clearly specified team objectives and goals as well as fund shortage,existed in high performance college sports teams in Beijing,and worked out some ideas for development,such as getting on the track of development in a learning and training well coordinated way,cultivating coaches and man-aging college brand contests via multiple channels,and developing high performance college sports teams.

Field of study: Education
13C-assisted Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Method for Precise Determination of Intracellular Metabolites in Pichia pastoris

The yeast Pichia pastoris is an effective host for recombinant protein production and the recombinant protein production level is tightly related to the concentrations of intracellular metabolites. The intracellular metabolites have the features of wide range of types, distinct variation in physical and chemical properties, rapid turning-over and low concentration, so it is difficult to quantify their concentrations precisely. In this study, we tried to make it possible by combining ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method and 13 C isotope labeling techniques. 64 metabolites including organic acids, sugar phosphate, nucleoside substance, amino acid were successfully separated by UPLC with three kinds of chromatographic column. The appropriate and unique ion pairs and collision voltages were found after the mass spectrometry condition optimization. By using the U 13 C metabolites as internal standards collected from the cells growing on U 13 C-glucose as sole carbon source, the standard curves of 53 metabolites was established. The results showed that this method had a high accuracy. The correlation coefficients were above 0.99. The method also had a good reproducibility, and the influence of experimental and equipment operating condition was very small. Reliable and accurate determination of the concentrations of intracellular metabolites in Pichia pastoris was obtained. The works lays the foundation for comprehensive regulation mechanism research and efficient recombinant protein production in Pichia pastoris .

Field of study: Chemistry
Status of Nutrition Education in Canadian Family Practice Residency Programs: Educating the family physician about nutritional standards.

A questionnaire was mailed to all 62 unit and program directors of Canadian family practice residency programs to elicit details about the status of nutrition education. Although most respondents indicated that the registered dietitian was the primary person responsible for teaching nutrition, this responsibility comprised only 10% of the dietitian's time in most programs. Lack of funding and curriculum time were the most common reasons cited for the limited scheduling that the dietitian was able to devote to nutrition education.

Field of study: Medicine
Project scheduling problem with stochastic activity duration times

Project scheduling problem is to determine the schedule of allocating resources so as to balance the total cost and the completion time. This paper considers project scheduling problem with stochastic activity duration times, which has the objective of minimizing the total cost under some completion time limits. Three types of stochastic models will be built to solve the problem according to different management requirements. Moreover, stochastic simulation and genetic algorithm will be integrated to design a hybrid intelligent algorithm to solve the above models. Finally, some numerical examples are illustrated to show the effectiveness of the algorithm.

Field of study: Mathematics
Pre-Cambrian and associated rocks near Twenty-Nine Palms, California

Since 1924 the writer has been engaged in a study of the pre-Cretaceous crystalline rocks of southern California. As part of this program, certain areas have been selected for rather detailed geologic mapping and study of the kinds, ages, structures, origins, and modes of emplacement of the rocks. One of these “key” regions, containing an unusual assemblage of crystalline rocks, forms the subject of this paper. The work has involved the making of a geologic map of about 145 square miles, the collection and study of numerous specimens, and the examination of 115 thin sections. The study throws light upon several important problems in petrogenesis, such as remarkable variations in texture, structure, and composition of both gabbro-diorite and granite bodies, the effects of the granite intrusion upon the gabbro-diorite, the origin of an exceptional porphyry filled with large euhedral crystals of potash feldspar, the clear-cut mode of emplacement of . . .

Field of study: Geology