nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with high-power holmium YAG laser in pediatric patients with staghorn and complex calculi.

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is the treatment of choice for most cases of renal lithiasis in children. Some cases, however, are refractory to SWL and may be associated with anatomic and metabolic changes or a large stone burden. In these circumstances, mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) is an option.



The aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of high-power holmium YAG (Ho:YAG) laser in mini-PCNL for staghorn calculi.



The clinical records relating to 35 mini-PCNLs (Table) performed between January 2008 and December 2012 in 33 patients (27 boys and 6 girls; mean age 7 years, range 2-18 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two (66.7%) of the patients had undergone a previous SWL (28.6% three sessions). The mini-PCNL puncture technique used involved fluoroscopic guidance with the C arm at 0-90° in the supine position. An 18F tract was used. Stone fragmentation was performed with a high-power Ho:YAG laser (Lumenis 100 W).



Ten of the mini-PCNLs (28.6%) were right sided, and 25 were left sided (71.4%). Stones were located in the lower calyceal group in 64% of patients and in the renal pelvis in 50%. The mean stone size was 4.46 cm(2) (range 3-13.20 cm(2)). The number of stones varied between one and 20, and 83.3% were radiopaque. The laser was set at 70 W (range 50-100 W) (3.5 J/pulse with a frequency of 20 pulses/s). The mean surgical time was 150 min. In 78% of patients, complete stone clearance was achieved, and the overall stone-free rate rose to 85% when residual stones were treated with either SWL or retrograde intrarenal surgery. No perioperative complications were seen.



There are few reports in the literature concerning the use of a high-power laser for treatment of complex stones and the few that do exist relate to adults have similar results, showing it to be highly effective and safe, with low morbidity. Some limitations of the present study must be acknowledged. It was retrospective and a relatively small number of patients were included. However, randomized prospective studies are required to confirm our findings and conclusions.



In the pediatric population, mini-PCNL with high-power Ho:YAG laser is feasible and safe and represents the technique of choice for complex renal stones.

Field of study: Medicine
Standardizing the Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes for Democratic Life: A Content Analysis of Virginia Standards of Learning and Social Studies Textbooks

This content analysis explored how Civics and Government textbooks and the Virginia Standards of Learning for Civics and Government courses reflect citizenship outcomes, specifically deconstructing the unique needs of marginalized students. The coding frame was constructed by using themes and categories from previous literature, specifically highlighting Kahne and Westheimer's (2003) three Cs (Commitment, Connection, Capacity) framework. The findings support previous literature, which suggest that civics textbooks and state standards emphasize individual rights and a philosophy of liberalism, but deemphasize civic ideals of collectivism and a classical republicanism philosophy based on deliberation and community action. Furthermore, the findings illuminate the lack of content that provides authentic examples for marginalized students in the narrative of American democracy.

Field of study: Sociology
Schedule-induced drinking as a function of percentage reinforcement.

Drinking was recorded in rats while lever pressing was maintained on a series of percentage reinforcement schedules in which the per cent of 1-min fixed intervals terminating with food was 100, 90, 30, 70, 10, 50, and 100%. Intervals in which a pellet was omitted were terminated by brief light flash and click stimuli that were also correlated with food presentations. Drinking failed to develop in five of six subjects following intervals in which the brief stimuli were presented regardless of percentage reinforcement. Postpellet drinking, which followed intervals terminated with pellet delivery, however, increased in both duration and amount ingested per interval as percentage reinforcement was systematically decreased. The increase in postpellet drinking above that produced by 100% reinforcement was interpreted as an analogue of the positive-contrast effect observed with food-reinforced operants.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Theoretical Study of High-Current Beams in Storage Rings

In storage rings with high current of heavy ions, as considered for drivers in inertial fusion, control of the resistive microwave instability and bunch compression against strong space charge have been identified as key questions. It is shown here that onset of the longitudinal microwave instability can be suppressed or at least delayed by Landau damping, if some fraction of the total beam intensity is used to form a stabilizing tail of the distribution function. The linearized theory dispersion relation is analyzed and computer simulation examples are given to demonstrate the nonlinear features. As an alternative method the stabilizing effect of finite bunch length is investigated numerically and a stability criterion is proposed on the basis of a broad-band resonator model centered at the cut-off frequency. Finally, it is shown by means of computer simulation that 30-fold bunch compression in a storage ring is possible practically without losses using only two RF harmonics.

Field of study: Physics
Molecular vibrational spectra in the solid state

The site and factor group methods of interpreting solid state vibrational spectra are compared. As examples. K2TiF6 (which has one molecular unit in a unit cell) and K2ZrF5 (which has eight in a non-primitive unit cell) are considered. Benzenetricarbonylchromium enables a distinction between site and factor group methods. The modification of the latter needed to account for the spectra of Cr(CO)6. dienMo(CO)3 and (C6H5)3SnFe(C5H5)(CO)2 are discussed and the concept of a vibrational unit cell introduced. In this paper I shall discuss some features of vibrational spectroscopy which are of importance in the understanding of the infra-red and Raman spectra of crystalline solids. The simplest way of looking at a crystal, be it ionic or molecular, is to regard it as a giant molecule. This viewpoint correctly indicates the complexity of the vibrational problem—there are an enormous number of modes associated with each crystal. For, for example, the understanding of specific heat phenomena, it is necessary to have a fairly detailed knowledge of the energy distribution of these modes. However, if one is only interested in the interpretation of the infra-red and Raman spectra of solids a considerable simplification results. This arises as a consequence of the fact that, in either form of spectroscopy, the wavelength of the incident radiation is very much greater than the distances between molecules (or ions, but we confine our discussion to the molecular case). Consider two molecules in adjacent primitive unit cells, interrelated by a simple translation operation. The effect of the electric vector associated with the incident radiation in either infra-red or Raman spectroscopy will be essentially identical for both of the molecules. That is, to a very good level of approximation, only those vibrations in which all translationally-related mOlecules move in phase will be observed. Evidently, this generalization cannot be extended to molecules interrelated by other than a pure translation because such molecules will usually be oriented differently in space. This means that a phase difference between the vibrations of two such molecules is to be expected. In a perfect crystal any two molecules are symmetry-related (ignoring the discontinuities imposed by the finite dimensions of the crystal) and so the number of operations of a space group is very large indeed. Fortunately. the fact that we are interested only in vibrations which are invariant with respect to the translational operations introduces a simplification. This is that we

Field of study: Chemistry
Optimal allocation of cost to detectors in a two-unit series system

A two-unit series system, in which each unit is equipped with a separate detector to detect failure, is considered. The probability that a detector operates successfully at the time of need (i.e. when system fails) is a function of cost spent on the detector. The problem is that of allocation of total resources (cost) to the two detectors such that the overall expected profit is maximized. The optimization problem has been formulated. Two examples are included to show the uses of results.

Field of study: Engineering
Economic Rationality under Cognitive Load

Economic analysis assumes that consumer behavior can be rationalized by a utility function. Previous research has shown that some consistency of choices with economic rationality can be captured by permanent cognitive ability but has not examined how a temporary load in subjects’ working memory can affect economic rationality. In a controlled laboratory experiment, we exogenously vary cognitive load by asking subjects to memorize a number while they undertake an induced budget allocation task (Choi et al., 2007a,b). Using a number of manipulation checks, we verify that cognitive load has adverse effects on subjects’ performance in reasoning tasks. However, we find no effect in any of the goodness-of-fit measures that measure consistency of subjects’ choices with the Generalized Axiom of Revealed Preference (GARP), despite having a sample size large enough to detect even small differences between treatments with 80% power. We also find no effect on first-order stochastic dominance and risk preferences. Our finding suggests that economic rationality can be attained even when subjects are placed under temporary working memory load and despite the fact that the load has adverse effects in reasoning tasks.

Field of study: Economics
Accurate temperature measurement of a spectral beam combination grating based on VO2 film.

In a spectral beam combination system, temperature increase of the multilayer dielectric grating (MDG) worsens the far-field beam quality of the output laser. To accurately monitor the surface temperature of the MDG, this study deposits VO2 phase-change film on the lowest layer of multilayer dielectric films in the MDG and tests the transmittance with a probe laser. Based on this measurement, the surface temperature of the MDG can be calculated. Additionally, the study analyzes the influence of VO2 film on the surface electric field and the -1 diffraction efficiency of the MDG and presents a specific example of using VO2 film to test high reflector temperature. The study concludes that VO2 film is a feasible method of measuring temperature and better than an infrared thermal imager.

Field of study: Physics
Pharmacokinetics in geriatric psychiatry

Safe, effective drug therapy in older adults requires an understanding of drug disposition and response in this population. Evidence suggests that physiologic changes during aging, including hepatic or renal function changes, contribute to pharmacokinetic differences. A major issue surrounding the study of older adults relates to the ability to study a large number of people in a minimally invasive way. Population pharmacokinetics provides a potential means of addressing this issue and a tool to evaluate drug exposure’s magnitude and consistency. This article highlights examples of pharmacokinetic studies in psychiatry, in particular those conducted in older adults. It also reviews new drugs approved for treatment in psychiatry or neurology, many of which were developed as novel formulations (eg, extended-release transdermal film) with improved pharmacokinetic profiles or developed with regard to the actions of a specific enantiomer or metabolite.

Field of study: Medicine, Psychology
Low proportion of different concentrations of bupivacaine cesarean section on maternal circulation and neonatal

目的 观察不同浓度低比重的布比卡因对产妇血流动力学及新生儿Apgar评分的影响.方法 择期行剖宫产产妇80例,随机均分成H组(0.3755%布比卡因7.5 mg)和L组(0.25%布比卡因7.5 mg).记录各组麻醉前、麻醉后5-、10-min、胎儿娩出即可的SpO2、HR、SBP、DBP及新生儿1-、5-min的Apgar评分.结果 麻醉后5-min,H组SBP、DBP与麻醉前比较明显降低(...

Field of study: Medicine
Epigenetic DNA Methylation Profiling with MSRE: A Quantitative NGS Approach Using a Parkinson's Disease Test Case

Epigenetics is a rapidly developing field focused on deciphering chemical fingerprints that accumulate on human genomes over time. As the nascent idea of precision medicine expands to encompass epigenetic signatures of diagnostic and prognostic relevance, there is a need for methodologies that provide high-throughput DNA methylation profiling measurements. Here we report a novel quantification methodology for computationally reconstructing site-specific CpG methylation status from next generation sequencing (NGS) data using methyl-sensitive restriction endonucleases (MSRE). An integrated pipeline efficiently incorporates raw NGS metrics into a statistical discrimination platform to identify functional linkages between shifts in epigenetic DNA methylation and disease phenotypes in samples being analyzed. In this pilot proof-of-concept study we quantify and compare DNA methylation in blood serum of individuals with Parkinson's Disease relative to matched healthy blood profiles. Even with a small study of only six samples, a high degree of statistical discrimination was achieved based on CpG methylation profiles between groups, with 1008 statistically different CpG sites (p < 0.0025, after false discovery rate correction). A methylation load calculation was used to assess higher order impacts of methylation shifts on genes and pathways and most notably identified FGF3, FGF8, HTT, KMTA5, MIR8073, and YWHAG as differentially methylated genes with high relevance to Parkinson's Disease and neurodegeneration (based on PubMed literature citations). Of these, KMTA5 is a histone methyl-transferase gene and HTT is Huntington Disease Protein or Huntingtin, for which there are well established neurodegenerative impacts. The future need for precision diagnostics now requires more tools for exploring epigenetic processes that may be linked to cellular dysfunction and subsequent disease progression.

Field of study: Biology
COUPLING VIBRATION OF WIND-VEHICLE-BRIDGE SYSTEM FOR LONG-SPAN ROAD-RAIL SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND RESISTANT-WIND CRITERION OF RUNNING TRAIN

Wind,vehicle and bridge can be regarded as a coupled vibration system.Based on the novel three-dimensional dynamic model of the wind-vehicle-bridge system,the dynamic responses of vehicles and bridge of a long-span road-rail suspension bridge under wind action were analyzed to demonstrate the effects of wind speed,vehicle speed and the layout of track system using the self-developed software,BANSYS(Bridge Analysis System).Based on the reasonable assessment index,the train running safety and passenger riding comfort across the bridge were studied and the resistant-wind criterion of running train was obtained: the trains can safely pass the bridge with the design speed(80 km/h) when the wind speed is lower than 20 m/s;or no more than 60 km/h when the wind speed is 20~25 m/s;the rail traffic must be closed when the wind speed is above 25 m/s.

Field of study: Engineering
Superconducting RF-Cavities for a 30-GeV PETRA Storage Ring

The installation of superconducting rf-cavities offer the possibility to increase the beam energy of the PETRA storage ring to 30 GeV. To investigate the large scale use of superconducting rf technology a prototype cryogenic module compatible with space requirements in the PETRA tunnel is developed. The cryostat has a length of 4.2 m and contains two 9 cell 1 GHz structures of elliptical shape. Rectangular and capacitive loaded circular waveguides are explored for high power input and higher mode output couplers.

Field of study: Physics
Synthesis of Ferrocenyl-Substituted Heterocycles: The Beneficial Effect of the Microwave Irradiation

The synthesis of ferrocenyl-substituted thiophenes, furans, pyrroles, pyrimidine and pyrazole has been studied. 2-Ferrocenylpyrroles were prepared from ferrocenyl ketoximes and acetylene in DMSO - KOH mixture whereas 3-chloro-3-ferrocenylacrylaldehydes and thioglycolic or glycolic acids were the starting materials for the synthesis of the thiophene and furan derivatives. The yields were significantly enhanced when the reactions were carried out in a microwave oven. The lower stability of 2-ferrocenylfuran in comparison with 2-ferrocenylthiophene is discussed on the basis of semiempirical quantum chemistry calculations.

Field of study: Chemistry
24 Hour urine metabolic differences between solitary and multiple stone formers: Results of the Collaboration on Urolithiasis in Pediatrics (CUP) working group.

Specific factors associated with the risk of developing pediatric urinary stone disease remain unclear, especially those that may be associated with recurrent stone disease.



We compared the results of 24-h urine collections in children with a solitary stone episode to those with multiple stone episodes to determine if there is a difference that may be associated with multiple stone formation in children.



A multi-institutional retrospective analysis was completed to assess 24-h urinary metabolic profiles in children with urolithiasis aged 2-18 years old. Differences in mean urine collections between the two groups were assessed using chi-square tests to test the associations among gender, stone type, and multiple stone status, as well as multivariate analyses using general linear models.



We analyzed 142 solitary stone patients and 136 multiple stone patients from four centers were included. Multiple stone patients were older than solitary stone patients (mean 13.4 ± 3.6 years vs. 12 ± 3.9 years, p = 0.002). Females were more likely to have multiple stones (58% vs. 39%, p = 0.002). BMI was not associated with multiple stones (p = 0.8467). Multiple stone formers had lower urine volumes, although this did not reach statistical significance when compared with solitary stone formation (20.4 mL/kg/day ± 11.5 vs. 22.9 ± 13.0, p = 0.0880). Higher values for super-saturation of calcium oxalate were associated with multiple stone disease in univariate (p = 0.0485) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.0469) . Centers located in the Southeast of the United States saw a higher proportion of children with multiple stones (Tennessee 62.7%, Virginia 44.4%, Oregon 31.6%, Michigan 27.3%, p < 0.0001).



In a large multi-institutional retrospective analysis we found that multiple stone disease was associated with higher super-saturations of calcium oxalate. Many urinary parameters changed with patient age, highlighting that the values should be interpreted with respect to patient age. The inability to comment on follow-up because of the nature of our dataset is a limitation of this study.



Multiple stone disease in children is associated with higher super-saturation calcium oxalate, while lower urinary volume may also be associated with multiple stones; however, further study is required. Early metabolic evaluation may help risk stratify children likely to form multiple stones.

Field of study: Medicine
Synthesis of novel organic-inorganic hybrid cages via cobalt-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of dimethylethynylsilyl groups on a silsesquioxane

Novel organic-inorganic hybrid cages composed of a half-caged silsesquioxane skeleton and a benzene ring have been synthesized by cobalt-catalyzed intramolecular cyclotrimerization of a silsesquioxane bearing three dimethylethynylsilyl groups.

Field of study: Chemistry
Kinetic characteristics and predictive models of methylmercury production in paddy soils.

Understanding the mercury (Hg) methylation process is important for the management of paddy soils contaminated by Hg. In this work, samples of eighteen paddy soils with varying soil properties were spiked with inorganic Hg and subjected to a 90 d flooding period. Soil pH and redox potential (Eh) were measured in situ at intervals, and soils were sampled for the analysis of methylmercury (MeHg). The Hg methylation efficiency increased with flooding time and reached a relatively steady state at 30 d of incubation, ranging from 0.08% to 2.52%, and was significantly correlated with the in situ soil pH and Eh. The Elovich equation could adequately describe the kinetic production of MeHg. MeHg production was well predicted by the in situ soil pH and Eh of flooded soils, in addition to the organic matter content of air-dried soil samples and flooding time. The two predictive models explained 78% and 68% of the variability of the Hg methylation efficiency. The results suggested that the methylation of inorganic Hg in paddy soils after flooding can be predicted as a function of routinely measured soil properties and flooding time, a correlation that can be utilized to improve understanding of the extent of Hg methylation and the management of Hg-contaminated paddy soils.

Field of study: Environmental science
How does litter quality affect the community of soil protists (testate amoebae) of tropical montane rainforests?

Litter quality and diversity are major factors structuring decomposer communities. However, little is known on the relationship between litter quality and the community structure of soil protists in tropical forests. We analyzed the diversity, density, and community structure of a major group of soil protists of tropical montane rainforests, that is, testate amoebae. Litterbags containing pure and mixed litter of two abundant tree species at the study sites (Graffenrieda emarginata and Purdiaea nutans) differing in nitrogen concentrations were exposed in the field for 12 months. The density and diversity of testate amoebae were higher in the nitrogen-rich Graffenrieda litter suggesting that nitrogen functions as an important driving factor for soil protist communities. No additive effects of litter mixing were found, rather density of testate amoebae was reduced in litter mixtures as compared to litterbags with Graffenrieda litter only. However, adding of high-quality litter to low-quality litter markedly improved habitat quality, as evaluated by the increase in diversity and density of testate amoebae. The results suggest that local factors, such as litter quality, function as major forces shaping the structure and density of decomposer microfauna that likely feed back to decomposition processes.

Field of study: Biology, Environmental science
A Comparison between Cure Systems for EPDM/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Two kinds of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM)/organic montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites were prepared with two kinds of cure systems: sulfur and peroxide. The experimental results from X-ray diffraction and transmission electron miscroscopy showed that EPDM intercalated the MMT galleries and the MMT was exfoliated and dispersed uniformly in the EPDM composites cured with sulfur. But the MMT was stacked with several layers and existed in an intercalated structure in the EPDM composites cured with peroxide. The EPDM composites cured with sulfur were opaque and had better mechanical properties, while the EPDM composites cured with the peroxide were semi-transparent. Vulcametric curves showed that the MMT retarded the vulcanization reaction of the EPDM composites cured with the sulfur cure system, and furthermore, gave rise to a marked decrease in maximum torque, indicating a lower crosslink density. This was confirmed by swelling measurements. But the corresponding values of the composites cured with the peroxide cure system were virtually unchanged by addition of the OMMT.

Field of study: Materials science