nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Linear Ion Trap Mass Analyzer with Triangular Electrodes by Simulation

As a novel linear ion trap, the triangular-electrode linear ion trap (TeLIT) has simple structure and good analysis capacity. To enhance the analysis capacity of TeLIT, the relationship between its geometry and performance was investigated, and the ion trajectories and mass peaks of TeLIT with different ratio of field radius (rx/ry) was analyzed using simulation software SIMION and AXSIM. The results showed that the analytical performance of the TeLIT could be enhanced by optimizing rx/ry to improve the internal electric fields distribution. As a result, the optimum mass resolution of the ion with m/z 1892 Th could reach 8387 when rx/ry = 5.75/5 and scan rate was 1500 Th s−1. Meanwhile, the resolution of the mass spectrum was in excess of 23000 when the scan rate was decreased to about 300 Th s−1.

Field of study: Chemistry
Investigation of patterned and non-patterned poly(2,6-dimethyl 1,4-phenylene) oxide based anion exchange membranes for enhanced desalination and power generation in a microbial desalination cell

Quaternary ammonium poly(2,6-dimethyl 1,4-phenylene oxide) (QAPPO) anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with topographically patterned surfaces were assessed in a microbial desalination cell (MDC) system. The MDC results with these QAPPO AEMs were benchmarked against a commercially available AEM. The MDC with the non-patterned QAPPO AEM (Q1) displayed the best desalination rate (a reduction of salinity by 53 ± 2.7%) and power generation (189 ± 5 mW m− 2) when compared against the commercially available AEM and the patterned AEMs. The enhanced performance with the Q1 AEM was attributed to its higher ionic conductivity and smaller thickness leading to a reduced area specific resistance. It is important to note that Real Pacific Ocean seawater and activated sludge were used into the desalination chamber and anode chamber respectively for the MDC – which mimicked realistic conditions. Although the non-patterned QAPPO AEM displayed better performance over the patterned QAPPO AEMs, it was observed that the anodic overpotential was smaller when the MDCs featured QAPPO AEMs with larger lateral feature sizes. The results from this study have important implications for the continuous improvements necessary for developing cheaper and better performing membranes in order to optimize the MDC.

Field of study: Materials science
Forward and Backward Private Dynamic Searchable Symmetric Encryption for Conjunctive Queries

Recent research in Dynamic Searchable Symmetric Encryption (DSSE) focuses on efficient search over encrypted data while allowing updates. Unfortunately, as demonstrated by many attacks, updates can be a source of information leakage that can compromise DSSE privacy. To mitigate these attacks, forward and backward privacy of DSSE schemes have been introduced. A concerted effort of the research community has resulted in the publication of many DSSE schemes. To the best of our knowledge, however, there is no DSSE scheme supporting conjunctive queries, which achieves both forward and backward privacy. We give two DSSE schemes with forward and backward privacy, which support conjunctive queries, and they are suitable for different applications. In particular, we first introduce a new data structure termed the extended bitmap index. Then we describe our forward and backward private DSSE schemes, which support conjunctive queries. Our security analysis proves the claimed privacy characteristics, and experiments show that our schemes are practical. Compared to the state-of-the-art DSSE VBTree supporting conjunctive queries (but not backward privacy), our schemes offer search time that is a few orders of magnitude faster. Besides, our schemes claim better security (called Type-C backward privacy).  Cong Zuo, Shi-Feng Sun, Joseph K. Liu, Jun Shao, Josef Pieprzyk, and Guiyi Wei. Forward and Backward Private Dynamic Searchable Symmetric Encryption for Conjunctive Queries. PVLDB, 14(1): XXX-XXX, 2021.

Field of study: Computer science, Mathematics
The Cultural Dilemma and Its Outlet of Sinicized Educational Theory

There existed two different culture attitudes in the process of sinicized educational theory.The one was an aggressive attitude which made learning advanced ideas as the value orientation,while the other was a developing attitude which paid much attention to inherit the tradition.These two different culture attitudes caused kinds of cultural dilemma on sinicized educational theory.The former caused a split between the Chinese educationalists' academic life and daily life,a blind worship of foreign educational theory,a lack of original spirit and original ability on Chinese educational study.The latter faced a challenge on how to destroy the old and establish the new,and how to inherit effectively.In order to get out of the predicament,it need to strengthen the learning and research of the traditional culture,to change the two opposite ideas between the advanced and the traditional,to construct a new perspective rooted in tradition.

Field of study: Education
High Oradient Superconducting Cavities for Storage Rings

Superconducting (SC) cavities for use in electron storage rings have advanced to the point where several laboratories are making definite plans to use them on a large scale. Laboratory tests of multi-cell SC cavities, including input and higher-order-mode (HOM) couplers, have yielded accelerating fields up to 15.3 MeV/m (CW). Reasons for the improved performance are discussed. Since the 1983 International Accelerator Conference in August, 1983, four SC cavities have been tested in storage rings. The cavities have yielded accelerating gradients up to 6.5 MeV/m, in excess of the frequently-quoted objective of 5 MeV/m. In addition, the average gradient obtained in these four tests was 4 MeV/m, almost twice the average obtained in the four cavities tested in storage rings during 1982 - 1983.

Field of study: Physics
Austerity Versus Green Growth for Puerto Rico

Well before Hurricane Maria wrought devastation on Puerto Rico, the island’s economy was in crisis. Puerto Rico’s economic output had already fallen sharply from its 2005 level. Even after what is hoped to be a successful recovery from the hurricane’s damage—no small task—proposals to reform the Puerto Rican economy being discussed by the government would make matters worse. The authors discuss how Puerto Rico descended into its prehurricane distress and offer a bold set of counterproposals based on green investments, a carbon tax, and debt forgiveness by Puerto Rico’s creditors.

Field of study: Economics
The entorhinal cortex-nucleus accumbens pathway and latent inhibition: a behavioral and neurochemical study in rats.

Latent inhibition (LI) refers to the decrease in conditioned response produced by the repeated nonrein-forced preexposure to the to-be-conditioned stimulus. Experiment I investigated the effects of electrolytic lesions of the entorhinal cortex on LI in a conditioned emotional response procedure. Entorhinal cortex lesions attenuated LI. Experiments 2 and 3 investigated whether this attenuation of LI could result from a modification in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) dopamine (DA) release. Rats with entorhinal cortex lesions displayed normal spontaneous and amphetamine-induced locomotor activity, as well as normal basal and amphetamine-induced release of DA within the NAcc (assessed by microdialysis). Taken together, these results show that entorhinal cortex lesions disrupt LI in a way that is unlikely to be due to an alteration of DA release within the NAcc.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Über Phostamsäuren, II

Es wird die Synthese weiterer Alkanphosphonsaure-diamide (I–XIII) und einiger -monoamide (XIV, XV) beschrieben. Aus Alkanphosphonsaure-dichloriden werden dimere Imide (XVI–XX) gewonnen, die wahrscheinlich einen Ring aus zwei Phosphor- und zwei Stickstoff-Atomen enthalten. Ferner werden neue Butanphostam-(1.4)-saureamide (XXI–XXIV) hergestellt.

Field of study: Chemistry
Etch pit characterization of CdTe and CdZnTe substrates for use in mercury cadmium telluride epitaxy

A new etch system is described which produces pits on the technologically important B face of (111) and (211) CdTe and CdZnTe which are commonly used in mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) epitaxy. A ratio of approximately 10 wide: 1 deep is achieved with this etch allowing its use without removing excessive material. Examples of the use of this etch are given and a comparison is made with the Nakagawa, A face etch system which is in common use to characterize this family of materials. A screening protocol is discussed which integrates the use of etch pitting into the manufacture of substrates for use in epitaxial MCT applications. Comparisons are made between CdZnTe substrates grown using the horizontal and vertical Bridgman techniques.

Field of study: Materials science
Evaluation of reliability and metallurgical integrity of wire bonds and lead free solder joints on flexible printed circuit board sample modules

This paper presents a study of the optimization of the gold plating thickness for the use of both wire bonding and soldered interconnects on a flexible printed circuit board sample module. Wire bondability is typically better, when the gold plating thickness is greater than 30 μin.; however, the risk of problems with solder joint embrittlement becomes a concern with thick gold plating. In order to better understand the effect of the gold plating thickness on wire bondability and solder joint embrittlement, an evaluation was performed on samples with three ranges of gold plating thicknesses (10–20 μin., 20–30 μin., and 30–45 μin.), on flexible printed circuit board (PCB), substrates. Mechanical shear testing and metallurgical analyses were conducted on chip component solder joints in this three thickness gold study. Thermal shock and drop testing were conducted to evaluate the reliability of the sample modules. Drop testing is especially critical for determining the reliability of the sample modules, which are used in portable consumer electronics products. Reliability testing and metallurgical analyses have been performed to characterize the effect of gold embrittlement on the mechanical integrity of the solder joints with a gold content ranging from 1 to 4 wt.%.

Field of study: Engineering
Northward motion of the Whitehorse Trough: paleomagnetic evidence from the Upper Cretaceous Carmacks Group: Reply

The Upper Cretaceous Carmacks Group (70.4 ± 2.4 Ma) comprises gently dipping basaltic and andesitic lava flows overlying volcaniclastic deposits of the Intermontane Belt in the Whitehorse Trough. The sampling area is in southern Yukon and northern British Columbia; it lies west of the Tintina – Northern Rocky Mountain Trench fault and Teslin Suture Zone and east of the Denali – Shakwak fault. Volcanic sections were sampled in three regions spread over 300 km, providing the first paleomagnetic data from pre-Tertiary volcanic rocks in the northern Canadian Cordillera. Alternating-field and thermal demagnetization revealed stable magnetization for 18 of the 27 sites collected. The overall mean direction (D = 166.7°, I = −71.4°, k = 53, α95 = 4.8°, N = 18 sites) is pre-folding and is most probably primary (latest Cretaceous). This gives a paleopole at 109.4°E, 82.1°N, K = 21, A95 = 7.8°. A critical evaluation of North American cratonic data yields a reference paleopole for the latest Cretaceous at 185.8°E, 77...

Field of study: Environmental science
Measuring rural welfare in colonial Africa: did Uganda's smallholders thrive?

Recent scholarship on historical welfare development in Sub-Saharan Africa has uncovered long-term trends in standards of living. How the majority of rural dwellers fared, however, remains largely elusive. This study develops a new approach to reconstruct rural living standards in a historical context. It builds upon a well-established real wage literature, but moves beyond it to capture rural realities, employing sub-national rural survey, census, and price data. The approach is applied to a case study of colonial and early post-colonial Uganda (1915-70). The case study yields a number of findings. While the expanding smallholder-based cash crop sector established itself as the backbone of Uganda's colonial economy, farm characteristics remained largely stagnant after the initial adoption of cash crops. Smallholders maintained living standards well above subsistence level, and while the profitability of cash crops was low, their cultivation provided a reliable source of cash income. Around the time of decolonization, unskilled wages rose rapidly while farm incomes lagged behind. As a result, an urban-rural income reversal took place. The study also reveals considerable differences within Uganda. Smallholders in Uganda's banana regions required fewer labour inputs to maintain a farm income than their grain-farming counterparts, creating opportunities for additional income generation and livelihood diversification.

Field of study: Economics, History
Elemental composition of Juncus bulbosus in an acidified freshwater reservoir.

Concentrations of the major nutrients (N, P, Mg, K, Na and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn) were determined in tissues of the submerged aquatic plant Juncus bulbosus L. collected from the acidified Freshwater Reservoir of Uusikaupunki in SW Finland. The heavy metals showed markedly elevated concentrations, mainly due to the enhanced solubility and availability of metals in the reservoir receiving acidic, sulphate-rich discharges from the catchment area. Tissue analyses of J. bulbosus could be used to reveal specific transport patterns in the reservoir. Multivariate principal components ordination of the data of the elemental analyses demonstrated local differences in the availability of metals.

Field of study: Environmental science
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS: Collisionless dissociation of molecules due to their interaction with infrared radiation

A theoretical analysis is made of collisionless dissociation of molecules in an infrared laser radiation field. A study is made of the passage through lower discrete levels and attainment of continuum, followed by the excitation of molecules right up to the dissociation limit. A study is made of the dependence of the rate of dissociation on the field intensity and radiation frequencies; the results are shown to be in agreement with the experimental data.

Field of study: Engineering, Physics
Calcitriol stimulates prolactin expression in non-activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: breaking paradigms.

Calcitriol, the hormonal form of vitamin D(3), exerts immunomodulatory effects through the vitamin D(3) receptor (VDR) and increases prolactin (PRL) expression in the pituitary and decidua. Nevertheless, the effects of calcitriol upon lymphocyte PRL have not been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated calcitriol effects upon PRL in resting and phytohemagglutinin-activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) and Jurkat T lymphoma cells. Immunoblots showed constitutive expression of the 50-kDa VDR species in activated PBMNC and Jurkat cells, while a 75-kDa species was recognized in both resting and activated-PBMNC. Only in resting PBMNC calcitriol significantly stimulated PRL expression in a dose-dependent manner. The positive control CYP24A1, a highly VDR-responsive gene, was stimulated by calcitriol, effect that was stronger in resting than in activated-PBMNC (P<0.05), and without effect in Jurkat cells. Calcitriol upregulation of PRL and CYP24A1 was significantly inhibited by the VDR antagonist TEI-9647. EMSA showed that resting PBMNC contain a protein that binds to DR3-type VDRE. Cell activation reduced basal CYP24A1 while induced CYP27B1, VDR and pregnane X receptor (PXR) expression. In summary, calcitriol stimulated PRL and CYP24A1 gene expression in quiescent lymphocytes through a VDR-mediated mechanism. Our results suggest that the 75-kDa VDR species could be participating in calcitriol-mediated effects, and that activation induces factors such as PXR that restrain VDR transcriptional processes. This study supports the presence of a functional VDR in quiescent lymphocytes, providing evidence to reevaluate the VDR paradigm that assumes that lymphocytes respond to calcitriol only after activation. Altogether, our results offer new insights into the mechanisms whereby PRL is regulated in immune cells.

Field of study: Medicine
Immobilizing Antibody with Electropolymerized Staphylococcal Protein A in Micro Amperometric Immunosensor for Detecting Salmonella Typhimurium

A new method based on co-electropolymerizing staphylococcal protein A(SPA) and polypyrrole(PPy) to modify the sensing surface was developed and applied for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium(S.typhi) in a micro amperometric immunosensor,which was an electrochemical system composed of two-electrode system and fabricated based on micro-electro-mechanical systems(MEMS) technology. In the research,the factors influencing the performance of the resulting immunosensor were studied in detail. With visual verification by SEM images,the experiment results demonstrate that this method as a controllable and convenient manipulation can effectively immobilized SPA on the surface of the working electrode for further orientation-controlled immobilization of capture antibodies more rapidly(in 10 min) with less consumption of reagent(10 μL),and enhance the property of the sensor. These all prove the feasibility of the method which was proper to sensing surface modification of the micro immunosensor. The studied immunosensor can detect S.typhi with the concentration of 102 cfu/ml with acceptable specificity and reproducibility. This work is potential to develop a portable,cost-effective and accurate biosensor for real-time sensing of pathogens in food products.

Field of study: Chemistry
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: In situ I-V study of swift (~100 MeV) O6+ ion-irradiated Pd/n-Si devices

An in situ I–V study of Pd/n-Si devices irradiated to swift (~100 MeV) O6+ ions for a fluence of 1011–1013 cm−2 has been carried out. The devices have been irradiated at room and LN2 temperatures. The irradiated devices have been hydrogenated in ex situ condition by molecular hydrogen. It has been observed that resistivity increases after the irradiation and there is a progressive increase with the increase of irradiation fluence. On hydrogenation, the devices irradiated at LN2 temperature show that the irradiation-induced increased resistivity decreases back to the pre-irradiated condition, whereas the devices irradiated at room temperature do not show any change. The results have been understood in the realm of irradiation-induced defects.

Field of study: Materials science
Early Life Stress and the Development of the Infant Gut Microbiota: Implications for Mental Health and Neurocognitive Development

We review the state of the literature examining associations between early life stress (ELS), gut microbiota, and neurocognitive development and mental health in animals and humans. We identify gaps in current models and areas for future research. ELS is associated with changes in gut microbiota, which correspond to changes in affective and cognitive functioning in both animals and humans. Some of these ELS-induced psychological changes can be remedied by supplementation with probiotics in early life, suggesting a potential area for intervention for ELS-exposed children. Prenatal stress exposure is rarely studied in humans in relation to gut microbiota, but animal work has suggested important associations between prenatal stress and fetal programming that should be tested in humans. The gut microbiota plays an important role in the association between ELS, neurocognitive development, and mental health. More work is needed to fully understand these associations in humans.

Field of study: Medicine, Psychology
Comparative Analysis of Microsoft Package (MSP) Competence among Teacher Trainee Students in Botswana and Nigeria: Implications for Curriculum Practices.

Most school curriculum is thwarted at the implementation level as a result of poor utilization of innovative Microsoft packages (MSP) for learning. The purpose of this study therefore is to determine the extent of utilization of innovative MSP for learning between teacher trainee students (TTSs) from Botswana and Nigeria, as well as their hindrances towards usage of these skills. Data was collected from 373 Higher education students’ from two institutions in Botswana (193) and Nigeria (180). Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results indicate a significant competency difference between Botswana and Nigerian TTSs in various MSP skills, with Botswana being more competent than Nigeria in two MSP skills (MS-excel & PPT). It also showed that TTSs’ from both countries were faced with many challenges ranging from lack of ICT knowledge, technical staff, computers, training, interest, time,  and constant power outage among others. Implications for global best practices towards professional growth and development were discussed and recommendations made based on findings.  Botswana, Competence, Microsoft package skill, Nigeria.

Field of study: Education
Elektronendichten und Elektronentemperaturen bei Verdichtungsstößen

Electromagnetically driven shock-waves of about Mach 50 in Helium have been spectroscopically analysed. Shape and relative intensities of the HeII-3203 and HeI-5876 lines and continuum have been measured during the first microsecond following the luminous front. From 0.15 μsec up to 0.85 μsec after luminous onset electron density decreases from 2.5·1017cm−3 to 1017cm−3. The electron temperature drops from 4.5 eV to 4.0 eV. Values as calculated byRankine-Hugoniot coincide with experimental results within 10%. From HeI-5876 and HeI-3889 precursor radiation and no corresponding radiation from HeII-lines it is to be concluded that the signals are due to secondary emission.

Field of study: Physics
Environmental Interpretation of Sand Grain Surface Textures by Electron Microscopy

More than 4000 quartz sand grain surfaces have been examined by electron micro scopy, and it has been established that specific differences exist depending on the environment of transportation and deposition. Littoral, aeolian, glacial, diagenetic, and combinations of these four environments can be distinguished; river transport and turbidity current movement do not impress characteristic surface textures on quartz sand grains.

Field of study: Geology
The New Wind Chill Equivalent Temperature Chart.

The formula used in the U.S. and Canada to express the combined effect of wind and low temperature on how cold it feels was changed in November 2001. Many had felt that the old formula for equivalent temperature, derived in the 1960s from Siple and Passel's flawed but quite useful Wind Chill Index, unnecessarily exaggerated the severity of the weather. The new formula is based on a mathematical model of heat flow from the upwind side of a head-sized cylinder moving at walking speed into the wind. The paper details the assumptions that were made in generating the new wind chill charts. It also points out weaknesses in the concept of wind chill equivalent temperature, including its steady-state character and a seemingly paradoxical effect of the internal thermal resistance of the cylinder on comfort and equivalent temperature. Some improvements and alternatives are suggested.

Field of study: Environmental science