nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Biochore classification and nomenclature in paleobiogeography: an attempt at order

Paleobiogeographic terminology has increased dramatically in recent decades, but the absence of ‘rules’ or even a guide has resulted in confusion and misunderstanding. The Friends of Paleobiogeography are attempting to solve problems related to classification, definition and nomenclature of the biogeographic units (biochores), in conjunction with neobiogeographers. Historic and current developments are discussed. Biochores are highly dynamic units that not only expand and shrink in range, but also change in rank (tier) through time. They should be based on as many higher taxa as possible representing the biota, but from a single major biome, e.g. pelagic versus benthic; different biomes may need distinct sets of biochores. The following tentative ‘rules’ are proposed for a prospective guide for the distinction, ranking and naming of biochores, with emphasis on stability.  a biochore is defined by the overall endemism of its biota (not particular taxa) within a geographic envelope around a core area, whereas biochore boundaries are defined by the temporary range limits of their constituent endemic taxa. (2) Ranks (tiers): the biochores ranks are, with ‘bold’ for obligatory use and an additional tentative rank for exceptional conditions in brackets: [Superrealm], Realm, Subrealm, Province, Subprovince; ‘region’ is for informal use. Ranks scale with the degree of endemism as well as duration and biota distribution (range). (3) A typical region or chorotype and a typical stage (age) or chronotype are designated for each biochore. (4) Nomenclature: biochore names are geographic and related terms, not taxa-based. Nomenclatural priority begins with Uhlig [ (1911) 229–448]. ‘Rules of Homology’ and ‘Synonymy’ apply in guide form only, e.g. long-term disuse of name or poor definition of biota invalidates synonym or homonym even if senior.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
Semistochastic projector Monte Carlo method.

We introduce a semistochastic implementation of the power method to compute, for very large matrices, the dominant eigenvalue and expectation values involving the corresponding eigenvector. The method is semistochastic in that the matrix multiplication is partially implemented numerically exactly and partially stochastically with respect to expectation values only. Compared to a fully stochastic method, the semistochastic approach significantly reduces the computational time required to obtain the eigenvalue to a specified statistical uncertainty. This is demonstrated by the application of the semistochastic quantum Monte Carlo method to systems with a sign problem: the fermion Hubbard model and the carbon dimer.

Field of study: Physics
Developing New Literacies Using Commercial Videogames as Educational Tools.

The general aim of this paper is to examine how videogames, supported by conversations and theatrical performances in the classroom, can contribute to the development of narrative thought as present in written compositions in various contexts. Given that one of the primary ecological influences on children is the mass media, we discuss how media messages create an environment that can teach people about the rules, attitudes, values and norms of society [Bakhtin, 1999; Gee, 2003 , Gee, 2004 ; Jenkins, Purushotma, Ciinton, Weigel, & Robison, 2006]. From a methodological point of view we adopt a sociolinguistic, ethnographic and action research perspective. Our data come from a workshop in which the research team, acting as participant observers, collaborated with the teacher and the students of a primary school classroom with 10 boys and 11 girls from eight to nine years of age. We worked with the class during seven meetings, of approximately 2 h each. All the sessions were video-recorded and we also gathered all the children's written productions. Finally, each of the participant investigators produced daily summaries of the sessions, thus enabling multiple interpretations of the same activities. An inductive approach to the data has been taken, with the aim of defining the analytical categories that consider participants’ activities in specific contexts. Our main results show that children's reconstructions of videogames stories are dependent on specific contexts; for example, whether they are re-elaborating the content of the game while they are playing it, writing a script some days later, or developing a web page.

Field of study: Education, Linguistics
The incidence of isolated penile torsion in North India: A study of 5,018 male neonates.

Congenital penile torsion is a three-dimensional deformity with helical rotation of the distal corporal bodies with the penile crurae remaining fixed to the pubic rami. The first case of congenital penile torsion (hypospadias) was described in 1857. Isolated penile torsion is an under-reported anomaly. The reported incidence of isolated penile torsion is 1.7-27% and severe torsion is 0.7%. There are no studies available from Indian subcontinent on the incidence of isolated penile torque. The objective of this study was to determine the overall incidence of isolated penile torque in a north Indian population.



A prospective study of deliveries of male children was conducted at our institute between April 2014 and June 2015. Penile torsion was measured using a small protractor either by the deviation of the median raphae or the direction of the meatus. Data were collected on the incidence of congenital isolated penile torsion, including the degree and direction (left or right) of torsion. Torsion was classified as mild (<450), moderate (450-900), and severe (>900). Statistical analysis was done using the chi-square test with variables of age and parity of the mother and weight of the child.



There were 99 cases of isolated penile torque among 5018 male neonates assessed for penile torque. The incidence of isolated penile torque was 19.7 per 1000 births. The degree of torsion varied from 30 to 110° (average 51.46°). Seventy-nine percent (79%) of them had left side and 21% had right side torque (4:1). The degree of torsion was mild in 30%, with 20% having left side torque and 10% having right side torque (2:1). A moderate degree of torsion was seen in 69%: 84% of them had left torque and only 16% had right sided torque (5:1). Only one patient had severe left torque. The incidence of isolated congenital penile torsion was highest in the maternal age group of >30 years followed by the 26-30-year age group, and was lowest in 21-25 year age group. In multiparous women, the incidence of isolated congenital penile torsion was highest (2.54%), and it was lowest in primiparous women (1.36%).



The incidence of isolated penile torsion was 1.97% and the left-to-right ratio was 3:1, but for moderate torque it was 5:1. There was a strong association between incidence of penile torque with the age of the mother (p = 0.012) and parity (p = 0.008) but not with the weight of the baby (p = 0.415).

Field of study: Medicine
Corporate Universities’ Configuration in the Italian Context: An Exploratory Study

The popularity of Corporate Universities (CUs) has grown considerably over the last decades, gaining both scholars and practitioners’ interest. This exploratory study contributes to the CU-related research field adding empirical evidence to the scant literature that examines how the CU configuration is operationalized in the Italian context. Our findings reveal that different features exist with varied prominence among the selected CUs, revealing a great heterogeneity that cannot be explained uniquely by their stage of life cycle. Nevertheless, it is worth noting some common features across the selected cases. First of all, these CUs devote most of their activities exclusively or prominently to their internal audiences. Moreover, although they have relationships with universities and business schools, the level of involvement of external partners is still modest. Together these two aspects denote a low level of openness of these entities that may be explained by institutional and cultural factors characterizing the Italian context.

Field of study: Business
STRENGTH AND DEFORMATION PROPERTIES OF LYTAG CONCRETE UNDER LATERAL STRESS AFTER FREEZE-THAW CYCLE

The compressive strength and deformation tests for Lytag concrete specimens are carried out under 4 kinds of lateral stress levels and 4 stages of freeze-thaw cycle in a concrete static and dynamic tri-axial test system.The failure modes and superficial cracking characteristics of specimens are reported.The ultimate compressive strength and strain in the two loading directions under 4 different lateral stress levels,0,0.25 f c,0.50 f c,and 0.75 f c after 0,25,50,and 75 freeze-thaw cycles are measured.Based on the test data,the biaxial compressive strength and deformation properties of Lytag concrete varying with freeze-thaw cycles and lateral stress levels are systematically studied.Additionally,the biaxial compressive strength criterion for Lytag concrete in principal stress space is developed considering the effects of freeze-thaw cycle and lateral stress,which establishes the experimental and theoretical foundations for strength analysis of Lytag concrete structures subject to biaxial compressive load in cold marine environment.

Field of study: Engineering
Going with the flow: Structural determinants of vascular tissue transport efficiency and safety.

The woody tissue of flowering plants contains many vessels, which interconnect to form a vascular network responsible for the bulk transport of water through the plant. The structure of individual vessels, combined with network traits, such as the connections between vessels and the distribution of vessels of differing structural properties, determines the hydraulic efficiency and safety of the xylem tissue. In this issue, Mrad, Domec, Huang, Frederic, and Katul (2018) present a new model of xylem tissue function developed by combining information across multiple structural scales, including intervessel pit membrane and pore structure, vessel structure, and vessel network traits. This model was able to predict xylem hydraulic function in Acer and provides a new framework in which to evaluate the impact of vessel structural and network trait variation on hydraulic function and resistance to dehydration induced water transport failure (embolism). Declines in xylem conductivity during water deficit are often plotted as “vulnerability curves,” which depict hydraulic transport losses due to embolism formation in response to negative pressures in the xylem. The role of individual vessel structural traits, such as vessel diameter, on xylem tissue vulnerability to cavitation has been the focus of many studies, but few studies have combined traits across multiple scales (i.e., pits, vessels, and networks; . In particular, understanding the role of network properties on hydraulic function has been rarely examined. The combination of modeling with plant anatomical and functional studies has potential to greatly advance understanding of these complex multiscale networks (Venturas et al., 2016). Mrad et al. discussed the implications of their results in the context of vessel connectivity and the scaling between pit and vessel structures. They identify the scaling between vessel and pit traits and how these determine the likelihood of embolism propagation

Field of study: Environmental science
Supersaturation Total Temperature, Pitot Pressure, and Rayleigh Scattering Measurements at Mach 10

A fundamental research study of the supersaturation region is presented. This region is mapped in the NASA Langley 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Wind Tunnel freestream flow using physical probes (total temperature and pitot) and a nonintrusive offbody diagnostic (laser Rayleigh scattering). Data from all three methods are acquired simultaneously. Facility stagnation pressures spanned 1.0–10.0 MPa (150–1450 psi), and stagnation temperatures spanned 357–1000 K (184–1350°F). Each instrument has its own unique supersaturation region over which quantitative measurements can be obtained. The extent of each supersaturation region is a unique function of the sensitivity of the instrument selected to flowfield clustering. Laser-Rayleigh-scattering-measured density results agree to better than 15% with the freestream density computed using the GASPROPS code over a significant fraction of the supersaturation region. Evidence is presented showing that the “frozen” vibrational nonequilibrium Boltzmann population of O2 and N2 mo...

Field of study: Physics
Isolation and characterization of NADP+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase of germinating pea seeds (Pisum sativum).

NADP+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.42) has been purified to homogeneity from germinating pea seeds. The enzyme is a tetrameric protein (mol wt, about 146,000) made up of apparently identical monomers (subunit mol wt, about 36,000). Thermal inactivation of purified enzyme at 45 degrees and 50 degrees C shows simple first order kinetics. The enzyme shows optimum activity at pH range 7.5-8. Effect of substrate [S] on enzyme activity at different pH (6.5-8) suggests that the proton behaves formally as an "uncompetitive inhibitor". A basic group of the enzyme (site) is protonated in this pH range in the presence of substrate only, with a pKa equal to 6.78. On successive dialysis against EDTA and phosphate buffer, pH 7.8 at 0 degrees C, yields an enzymatically inactive protein showing kinetics of thermal inactivation identical to the untreated (native) enzyme. Maximum enzyme activity is observed in presence of Mn2+ and Mg2+ ions (3.75 mM). Addition of Zn2+, Cd2+, Co2+ and Ca2+ ions brings about partial recovery. Other metal ions Fe2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ are ineffective.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Isopentylamine is a novel defense compound induced by insect feeding in rice.

Plants produce a broad variety of defensive metabolites to protect themselves against herbivorous insects. Although polyamines have been implicated in various responses to abiotic and biotic stress, there have been no studies focused on amines in response to insect herbivory. By screening for bioactive amines, we identified isopentylamine as a novel type of herbivory-induced compound in rice leaves, which was derived from the amino acid leucine in stable isotope labeling experiments. Accumulation of isopentylamine increased during herbivory by the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, BPH) and the rice-feeding armyworm (Mythimna loreyi), as well as in response to treatment with the plant hormone, jasmonic acid. Likewise, isopentylamine accumulation was compromised in rice jasmonate biosynthesis mutants, hebiba and Osjar1. In bioassays, BPH insects feeding on rice seedlings submerged in 50 mg/L isopentylamine solution had a higher mortality compared to BPH feeding on seedlings submerged in water. Notably, the rice leaves submerged in 50 mg/L solution showed the endogenous concentrations of isopentylamine similar to that induced by BPHs. These results suggest that isopentylamine functions as a new type of plant defense metabolite that is rapidly induced by herbivore attack and deters insect herbivores in rice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Field of study: Environmental science
Development of Integrated Terahertz Broadband Detectors Utilizing Superconducting Hot-Electron Bolometers

We report on the development of terahertz broadband detectors utilizing superconducting hot-electron bolometers and planar sinuous antennas. In this work, sinuous antennas designed to cover the frequency range of 50 GHz to nearly 900 GHz have been fabricated on semi-insulating silicon substrates. To maintain a self-complementary structure, four antenna arms are used, leading to a frequency-independent input impedance of 74 Omega. Two squares of superconducting niobium HEBs are required at the feed point of the antennas as the sheet resistance of a 10 nm thick niobium thin film is 35 Omega/square. Two sizes of HEBs (120 nm times 240 nm, and 2 mum times 4 mum) have been fabricated using e-beam lithography (EBL), and standard photolithography processes, respectively. A quasi-optical mount with high-resistivity silicon lens has been employed for coupling input power to the sinuous antenna. With a close-cycled cryocooler, the detector performance is studied and evaluated. Detector responsivity at 585 GHz has been presented and compared to waveguide Schottky diode detectors. Noise equivalent power (NEP) measurement is discussed and will be soon performed to the detectors developed in this paper.

Field of study: Physics
A Rare Periosteal Diaphyseal Lesion of the Ulna

Periosteal lesions of the ulna diaphysis are rare, include a wide spectrum of tumors, and may cause considerable diagnostic problems. Surgical treatment may vary widely, based on an accurate diagnosis. We present the case of a periosteal, extraskeletal low grade myxoid chondrosarcoma of the ulna diaphysis. The surgical therapy included an en-bloc resection with allograft reconstruction. The patient showed a favorable outcome. Careful preoperative evaluation and planning are imperative to obtain a satisfactory oncological and functional outcome, especially with uncommon tumor presentations at rare locations.

Field of study: Medicine
Network Security Events Analyze Method Based on Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithm

In view of the threat of network and information system, a network security events analyze method based on neural network and genetic algorithm is proposed in this paper. The neural network model is used to classify amounts of security events generated by various attack scenarios. And the rule items are extracted from the classification results. According to these items, the correlation rules are generated automatically by using genetic algorithm. Experiment results show that this method can classify events and generate association rules in the absence of manual intervention. And this automatic and self-adaptive method improves the efficiency of system.

Field of study: Engineering
A bayesian predictive approach to the selection of variables in multiple regression

The squared error loss function applied to Bayesian predictive distributions is investigated as a variable selection criterion in linear regression equations. It is illustrated that “cost-free” variables may be eliminated if they are poor predictors. Regression models where the predictors are fixed and where they are stochastic are both considered. An empirical examination of the criterion and a comparison with other techniques are presented.

Field of study: Mathematics
Cholesterol Depletion Facilitates Recovery from Hypotonic Cell Swelling in CHO Cells

The maintenance of cell volume homeostasis is critical for preventing pathological cell swelling that may lead to severe cellular dysfunction or cell death. Our earlier studies have shown that volume-regulated anion channels that play a major role in the regulation of cell volume are facilitated by a decrease in cellular cholesterol suggesting that cholesterol depletion should also facilitate regulatory volume decrease (RVD), the ability of cells to recover from hypotonic swelling. In this study, we test this hypothesis using a novel methodology developed to measure changes in cell volume using a microfluidics chamber. Our data show that cholesterol depletion of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) significantly facilitates the recovery process, as is apparent from a faster onset of the RVD (162±10 s. vs. 114±5 s. in control and cholesterol depleted cells respectively) and a higher degree of volume recovery after 10 min of the hypotonic challenge (41%±6% vs. 65%±6% in control and cholesterol depleted cells respectively). In contrast, enriching cells with cholesterol had no effect on the RVD process. We also show here that similarly to our previous observations in endothelial cells, cholesterol depletion significantly increases the stiffness of CHO cells suggesting that facilitation of RVD may be associated with cell stiffening. Furthermore, we also show that increasing cell stiffness by stabilizing F-actin with jasplakinolide also facilitates RVD development. We propose that cell stiffening enhances cell mechano-sensitivity, which in turn facilitates the RVD process.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
Effect of blanching treatments on antioxidant activity of frozen green capsicum (Capsicum annuum L. var bell pepper) using radical scavenging activity (DPPH) assay

Blanching treatments are needed to deactivate enzymes in frozen vegetables. Antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging activity assay were evaluated in steaming, boiling water, and microwave blanching at different temperature, time and microwave power level on frozen green capsicum. Green capsicum was chosen for frozen treatment compared to other capsicum with different maturity index because of the firm texture. The objective of this study was to compare the antioxidant activity of frozen green capsicum between conventional and Oxi Count Kit® assay for DPPH radical scavenging activity. Results showed frozen green capsicum blanched using microwave at high level/90 seconds (sample J) contained higher level of DPPH in both conventional method and Oxi Count Kit® compared to other treatments. However, there were no significant differences between sample J and fresh sample (sample A). Overall, the sequences from highest to lowest in blanching treatments for both DPPH conventional method, and DPPH Oxi C...

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
DESIGN OF ALL-STEEL BUCKLING RESTRAINED BRACE WITH A FLAT PLATE CORE

A design method for all-steel Buckling restrained braces(BRBs) with a flat plate core is proposed based on its failure modes.First,the maximum bending moment of the outer tube for this kind of BRBs is analyzed,and the formula to ensure the overall stability of the BRB is obtained.Second,based on the interaction force between the core and the outer tube,the local buckling of the BRB is studied.In order to avoid local buckling,the ratio of the width to the thickness of the core plate should be less than a critical value.The results indicate the critical value decreases with increasing ratio of the gap(between the core and the outer tube) to the width of the core plate.A ratio of the width to the thickness less than 8 is required to ensure the local stability of the core.

Field of study: Engineering
Overrelaxation Applied to Lower-Upper Symmetric Gauss-Seidel Method for Hypersonic Flow

An implicit time-marching method for acceleration of the convergence of solution for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations is presented. This is based on the lower-upper symmetric-Gauss-Seidel (LU-SGS) method proposed by Yoon and Jameson. A very simple overrelaxation is additionally executed in the LU-SGS method coupled with diagonal flux splitting. Then, an overrelaxation parameter w, a parameter similar to that in the well-known successive-overrelaxation method is introduced. The calculated results for a hypersonic viscous flows around a cylinder and through a compression corner indicate that the convergence is accelerated by a proper value of ω(1 < ω < 2). This method is also applied to a hypersonic thermochemical nonequilibrium flow around a sphere

Field of study: Physics