nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Introducing the HOPE (Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation)-score: a validation study of an objective scoring system for evaluating cosmetic appearance in hypospadias patients.

To determine the reliability and internal validity of the Hypospadias  Penile Evaluation (HOPE)-score, a newly developed scoring system assessing the cosmetic outcome in hypospadias.



The HOPE scoring system incorporates all surgically-correctable items: position of meatus, shape of meatus, shape of glans, shape of penile skin and penile axis. Objectivity was established with standardized photographs, anonymously coded patients, independent assessment by a panel, standards for a "normal" penile appearance, reference pictures and assessment of the degree of abnormality. A panel of 13 pediatric urologists completed 2 questionnaires, each consisting of 45 series of photographs, at an interval of at least 1 week. The inter-observer reliability, intra-observer reliability and internal validity were analyzed.



The correlation coefficients for the HOPE-score were as follows: intra-observer reliability 0.817, inter-observer reliability 0.790, "non-parametric" internal validity 0.849 and "parametric" internal validity 0.842. These values reflect good reproducibility, sufficient agreement among observers and a valid measurement of differences and similarities in cosmetic appearance.



The HOPE-score is the first scoring system that fulfills the criteria of a valid measurement tool: objectivity, reliability and validity. These favorable properties support its use as an objective outcome measure of the cosmetic result after hypospadias surgery.

Field of study: Medicine
A Simpler Rate-Optimal CPIR Protocol

In PETS 2015, Kiayias, Leonardos, Lipmaa, Pavlyk, and Tang proposed the first (n,  protocol with rate \(1 - o (1)\). They use advanced techniques from multivariable calculus (like the Newton-Puiseux algorithm) to establish optimal rate among a large family of different CPIR protocols. It is only natural to ask whether one can achieve similar rate but with a much simpler analysis. We propose parameters to the earlier (n, ISC 2005), obtaining a CPIR protocol that is asymptotically almost as communication-efficient as the protocol of Kiayias et al. However, for many relevant parameter choices, it is slightly more communication-efficient, due to the cumulative rounding errors present in the protocol of Kiayias et al. Moreover, the new CPIR protocol is simpler to understand, implement, and analyze. The new CPIR protocol can be used to implement (computationally inefficient) FHE with rate \(1 - o (1)\).

Field of study: Computer science, Mathematics
Sewage exfiltration as a source of storm drain contamination during dry weather in urban watersheds.

Separating storm drains and sanitary sewers is expected to control sewage pollution, for example, from combined sewer overflows, and to reduce excessive stormwater flow to wastewater treatment plants. However, sewage contamination has been found in such separated storm drain systems in urban areas during dry-weather flow. To determine whether transmission of sewage is occurring from leaking sanitary sewers directly to leaking separated storm drains, field experiments were performed in three watersheds in Santa Barbara, CA. Areas with high and low risks for sewage exfiltration into storm drains were identified, and rhodamine WT (RWT) dye pulses were added to the sanitary sewers. RWT was monitored in nearby storm drain manholes using optical probes set up for unattended continuous monitoring. Above-background RWT peaks were detected in storm drains in high-risk areas, and multiple locations of sewage contamination were found. Sewage contamination during the field studies was confirmed using the human-specific Bacteroidales HF183 and Methanobrevibacter smithii nifH DNA markers. This study is the first to provide direct evidence that leaking sanitary sewers can directly contaminate nearby leaking storm drains with untreated sewage during dry weather and suggests that chronic sanitary sewer leakage contributes to downstream fecal contamination of coastal beaches.

Field of study: Environmental science
Synthesis of Hg-Re-Ba-Ca-Cu-O superconductors by a two-step method

A new two-step method has been developed to synthesize (Hg,Re)Ba/sub 2/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub y/ with lower annealing temperatures as compared to conventional methods using a precursor which contains the (Hg,Re)Ba/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub y/ phase. In the first step, high phase purity (Hg,Re)Ba/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub y/ superconductors are prepared from commercially available Ba/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub y/ precursors, HgO, and Re/sub 2/O/sub 7/. In the second step, the finely ground (Hg,Re)Ba/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub y/ is mixed with Ca-Cu-O and HgO. This precursor mix is encapsulated in evacuated quartz tubes and annealed for 8 to 48 h between 750/spl deg/C and 850/spl deg/C. The resulting samples have (Hg,Re)Ba/sub 2/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub y/ as a majority phase and exhibit a critical temperature of 133 K as prepared. The superconducting grains are platelike and randomly oriented. The grain sizes depend on the annealing time and temperature and reaches up to 30 /spl mu/m diameter and 5 /spl mu/m thickness. Second phases are mainly unreacted Ba/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub y/ and Ca-Hg-O.

Field of study: Physics
Monte Carlo simulations of field and carrier density dependent hole transport in an InGaAs/GaAs strained layer quantum well

The authors have carried out Monte Carlo simulations of hole transport in a range of InGaAs/GaAs strained quantum well structures. The simulations include phonon, impurity and alloy scattering, with rates obtained using k.p band structure. The simulations give good agreement with the experimentally determined magnitude and carrier density dependence of the low field hole mobility, for samples with carrier densities ps<or=4.0*1011 cm-2. The results suggest that alloy scattering is primarily responsible for the low mobilities observed in these structures. At ps=4.0*1011 cm-2 strong coupling of optical phonon and plasmon modes leads to enhanced scattering and consequent reduction of the hole drift velocity, but in the current model this effect still does not fully account for the strong saturation of the drift velocity observed experimentally.

Field of study: Materials science
Clean energy deployment: addressing financing cost

New methods are needed to accelerate clean energy policy adoption. To that end, this study proposes an innovative financing scheme for renewable and energy efficiency deployment. Financing barriers represent a notable obstacle for energy improvements and this is particularly the case for low income households. Implementing a policy such as PACE—property assessed clean energy—allows for the provision of upfront funds for residential property owners to install electric and thermal solar systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings. This paper will inform the design of better policies tailored to the creation of the appropriate conditions for such investments to occur, especially in those countries where most of the population belongs to the low–middle income range facing financial constraints.

Field of study: Environmental science
Development of a Superconducting Solenoid for Hyperfine Structure Measurement of Muonium at the J-PARC

A superconducting solenoid for a new Muonium HyperFine Structure, MuHFS, measurement at J-PARC is being developed. High homogeneity of magnetic field below 1 ppm is required for this experiment. Superconducting main coils were designed and error fields caused by the main coil misalignment were evaluated for designing superconducting shim coils. The coil deformation by the coil winding, thermal contraction and hoop stress due to the magnetic force was also estimated. Quench protection study was performed to determine the parameters of superconducting strand.

Field of study: Physics
Methodologies for Improving HDR Efficiency

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is a precise genome manipulating technology that can be programmed to induce double-strand break (DSB) in the genome wherever needed. After nuclease cleavage, DSBs can be repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR) pathway. For producing targeted gene knock-in or other specific mutations, DSBs should be repaired by the HDR pathway. While NHEJ can cause various length insertions/deletion mutations (indels), which can lead the targeted gene to lose its function by shifting the open reading frame (ORF). Furthermore, HDR has low efficiency compared with the NHEJ pathway. In order to modify the gene precisely, numerous methods arose by inhibiting NHEJ or enhancing HDR, such as chemical modulation, synchronized expression, and overlapping homology arm. Here we focus on the efficiency and other considerations of these methodologies.

Field of study: Biology
Wavelength decomposition approach for computing blocking probabilities in WDM optical networks without wavelength conversions

We present an approximate analytical method to evaluate the blocking probabilities in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) networks without wavelength converters. Our approach assumes fixed routing with Random or First-Fit wavelength assignment. The new approach views the WDM network as a set of different layers (colors) in which, blocked traffic in one layer is overflowed to another layer. Analyzing blocking probabilities in each layer of the network is derived from an exact approach. A moment matching method is then used to characterize the overflow traffic from one layer to another. The results indicate that our approach is more accurate than previous works.

Field of study: Computer science
Nuclear Symmetry Energy Extracted from Laboratory Experiments

The Equation of State (EOS) of uniform neutron-rich nucleonic matter of isospin asymmetry δ = (ρn — ρp)/ρ and density ρ can be expressed in terms of the energy per nucleon E (ρ, δ) within the parabolic approximation as (1) where Esym (ρ) = 1/2(∂2E(ρ, δ)/∂δ2)δ=0 ≈ E(ρ, 1) — E(ρ, 0) is the symmetry energy of asymmetric nuclear matter (ANM). It is approximately the energy cost of converting symmetric nuclear matter (SNM, with equal numbers of protons and neutrons) into pure neutron matter (PNM). Many interesting questions including the dynamics of supernova explosions, heavy-ion collisions, structures of neutron stars and rare isotopes, frequencies, and strain amplitudes of gravitational waves from both isolated pulsars and collisions involving neutron stars all depend critically on the EOS of neutron-rich nucleonic matter.

Field of study: Physics
Locus of Control and Reactions to Strangers

The behavior of male subjects with an internal or external locus of control orientation was studied in an unstructured dyadic situation. When confronted with one another as unfamiliar persons, externals talked more than internals, and looked at one another more. These results were interpreted to mean that externals were more socially dependent than internals, and that their behavior represented an attempt to clarify an ambiguous social situation. The responses of dyad members were highly correlated, with the result that effects for the personality dimension were generally evident at the level of the dyad, rather than at the subjects-withindyad level.

Field of study: Psychology
Structure and distribution of nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation bacteria vary with water tables in Zoige peatlands.

The recently discovered nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-damo) is an important methane sink in natural ecosystems performed by NC10 phylum bacteria. However, the effect of water table gradient due to global change on n-damo bacterial communities is not well studied in peatlands. Here, we analyzed the vertical distribution (0-100 cm) of n-damo bacterial communities at three sites with different water tables (WT), Zoige peatlands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Using n-damo bacterial specific 16S rRNA gene clone library, we obtained 25 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which could be divided into Group A, B, C, D and E (dominated by A and B). The dominant group was Group B at the high WT site (OTU14 and OTU20) and intermediate WT site (OTU7 and OTU8) and was Group A at the low WT site (OTU6 and OTU5). Using high-throughput sequencing, we observed that n-damo bacteria mainly distributed in subsurface soils (50-60 and 20-30 cm), and their relative abundances were higher at the low WT site than the other two sites. In addition, we found that pH and nitrate were positively correlated to Group A, while total organic carbon, total nitrogen and ammonia were positively associated with Group B. Our study provides new insights into our understanding the response of n-damo bacteria to WT gradient in peatlands with important implications for global change.

Field of study: Biology, Environmental science
Solubility of the water—lithium-bromide—zinc-bromide combination

A major limitation of the lithium-bromide-water system in chilling systems is its low salt solubility, which prevents the strong solution from the generator from being cooled to nearer the absorber temperature without salt crystallization. Such salt crystallization could cause blockages in the solution circuits and result in loss of efficiency. Zinc bromide was tested with acqueous solutions of lithium bromide within a solution temperature range of 25–80°C. Zinc bromide was found to improvel significantly the solubility of lithium bromide in water.

Field of study: Engineering
The Realization of Multi-layer B/S Structure of Equipment Operation Management System

This article mainly introduces the general picture of the Operation Management System for Equipment. In this paper, the physical structure is presented which takes the form of multi-layer B/S. As an example, how to realize the network program for this multi-layer is shown which is based on the web technology by the combination with ASP.NET. Thus, a new development approach is provided for the team-work.

Field of study: Computer science
Commissioned article: management of exotic snakebites.

Exotic (foreign or non-native) snakes, including venomous species, are becoming increasingly popular pets in Western countries. Some of them are kept illegally (as defined by the UK Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976). There is a large international market for such animals, with contraventions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In the UK, several other European countries and the USA the reported numbers of bites by venomous exotic snakes, although small, are increasing but still underestimate the occurrence of these occasionally fatal events because of the victims' reluctance to seek medical care. Victims are predominantly young men who have been drinking alcohol. Bites may be intentionally provoked. In Europe, the species most often involved are cobras, green mambas, American pit vipers particularly rattlesnakes, African adders, vipers and Asian green pit vipers. To illustrate the special problems involved, case histories are presented of bites by exotic species in the UK and of bites abroad, where patients were repatriated for treatment. In view of the relative rarity and diversity of these cases, expert advice must usually be sought. These requests should include information about the species thought to have been responsible and the history and timing of the evolution of envenoming. Sources of advice and antivenom are discussed together with recommendations for appropriate first aid and emergency treatment while this is being awaited. Respiratory and cardiovascular resuscitation may be required and when systemic or severe local envenoming develops, specific (equine or ovine) antivenom is indicated.

Field of study: Medicine
Analysis of clinical characteristics and antibiotics resistance of community-acquired MRSA

目的 研究社区获得性甲氧西林耐药金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)感染的临床特征及分离菌的耐药情况,指导临床合理用药.方法以同期分离的引起医院获得性感染的MRSA菌株作为对照,分析杭州地区两所医院近年来临床各类标本中分离的引起社区获得性感染的MRSA菌株的临床特征和对非β-内酰胺类抗生素耐药状况.结果社区获得性MRSA感染患者的平均年龄为30.89±13.3岁,较院内感染患者的平均年龄(56.0±11.8岁)为轻(P＜0.01),且绝大多数没有基础疾病.体外药敏示:两组细菌对万古霉素的体外敏感率为100%;对利福平、磷霉素和甲氧苄啶-磺胺甲噁唑,社区感染菌株的体外敏感率分别为86.8%、81.6%和52.6%,院内感染菌株的体外敏感率分别为88.1%、82.9%和61.9%,各组间差异均无显著性(P＞0.05);但社区感染菌株对奈替米星、克林霉素、红霉素和四环素的敏感率分别为73.7%、60.5%、28.9%和81.6%,院内感染菌株的体外敏感率分别为50.5%、45.7%、11.4%和58.6%,社区感染菌株敏感率高于院内感染菌株(P＜0.01;P＜0.05;P＜0.01;P＜0.01);社区感染分离株中多重耐药株的发生率较院内感染低(31.6%vs 81.0%,P＜0.01).讨论社区获得性MRSA是一组不同于医院获得性MRSA的细菌,在临床用药时应区别对待。

Field of study: Biology
Reconstruction of false spring occurrences over the southeastern United States, 1901-2007: an increasing risk of spring freeze damage?

Near-record warmth over much of the United States during March 2007 promoted early growth of crops and vegetation. A widespread arctic air outbreak followed in early April, resulting in extensive agricultural losses over much of the south-central and southeastern US. This 'false spring' event also resulted in widespread damage to newly grown tissues of native deciduous forest species, shown by previous researchers to have had measurable effects on the terrestrial carbon cycle. The current study reconstructed the historical occurrence of false springs over most of the southeastern quarter of the conterminous US (32–39°N; 75–98°W) from 1901 to 2007 using daily maximum and minimum temperature records from 176 stations in the Global Historical Climatology Network database, and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite observations. A false spring index was derived that examined the timing of the start of the growing season (SGS), or leaf emergence, relative to the timing of a potentially damaging last hard freeze (minimum temperature ≤ − 2.2 °C). SGS was modeled for the domain by combining EVI data with ground-based temperature 'degree day' calculations reflecting the rate of springtime warming. No significant area-wide, long-term SGS trend was found; however, over much of a contiguous region stretching from Mississippi eastward to the Carolinas, the timing of the last hard freeze was found to occur significantly later, this change occurring along with increased frequency of false springs. Earlier last hard freeze dates and decreased frequency of false springs were found over much of the northwestern part of the study region, including Arkansas and southern Missouri.

Field of study: Environmental science
Eminence in Social Psychology: A Comparison of Textbook Citation, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Research Productivity Rankings

Individual eminence in social psychology was examined through a textbook citation analysis conducted on eight current (1987-1990) social psychology textbooks. These data were subsequently compared with data collected from an assessment of individual research productivity in psychology for the decade of the 1980s based on publications listed in the PsycINFO database and citation counts from the 1987-1989 volumes of the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Comparisons were made between the textbook citation results and findings from three previous related studies. The results revealed significant relationships between the different citation measures and between the research productivity and SSCI citation measure but not between the textbook citation and research productivity measures. The relative validity of each of the measures used in the study as an index of scientific eminence is discussed.

Field of study: Psychology
A new approach to the tradeoff between quality and accessibility of health care.

Quality of care is associated with patient volume. Regionalization of care is therefore one of the approaches that is suited to improve quality of care. A disadvantage of regionalization is that the accessibility of the facilities can decrease. By investigating the tradeoff between quality and accessibility it is possible to determine the optimal amount of treatment locations in a health care system. In this article we present a new model to quantitatively 'solve' this tradeoff. We use the condition breast cancer in the Netherlands as an example.



We calculated the expected quality gains in Quality Adjusted Lifetime Years (QALY's) due to stepwise regionalization using 'volume-outcome' literature for breast cancer. Decreased accessibility was operationalized as increased (travel) costs due to regionalization by using demographic data, drive-time information, and the national median income. The total sum of the quality and accessibility function determines the optimum range of treatment locations for this particular condition, given the 'volume-quality' relationship and Dutch demographics and geography.



Currently, 94 locations offer breast cancer treatment in the Netherlands. Our model estimates that the optimum range of treatment locations for this particular condition in the Netherlands varies from 15 locations to 44 locations.



Our study shows that the Dutch society would benefit from regionalization of breast cancer care as possible quality gains outweigh heightened travel costs. In addition, this model can be used for other medical conditions and in other countries.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
A Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Different Fixation Techniques Using Gracilis and Semitendinosus Autograft

Hamstring tendons are widely used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Improvements in fixation materials have increased the success of the reconstruction procedures using this type of graft. The main advantage of the hamstring tendon autograft is the lower donor site morbidity associated with its harvesting. On the other hand, tunnel widening is reported more frequently with the use of hamstring tendon autograft compared to patellar or quadriceps tendons. The objective of the present study was to evaluate three different fixation techniques at a minimum of 2 years after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction using gracilis and semitendinosus autograft.

Field of study: Medicine
Stepwise refinement revisited

In this paper, rigorous application of stepwise refinement is explored. The steps of definition, decomposition, and completion are described, where completion is a newly introduced step. This combination of steps extends the use of stepwise refinement to larger systems. The notions of range, active objects, and backlog interface are introduced. Verification of incomplete programs via interactive testing is described. The paradigm is demonstrated in an example. The relationship between the paradigm and the current programming languages is considered. It is argued that the WHILE-DO loop is a harmful construct from this point of view.

Field of study: Computer science, Engineering