bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magneto-optical surface plasmon resonances on perpendicular magnetic thin films consisting of CoPt/ZnO/Ag stacked nanolayers
Authors: Yamane Haruki
Published: February 2021

Magneto-plasmonic phenomena on CoPt/ZnO/Ag stacked nanolayers were investigated in polar Kerr excitation geometry. The nanolayer displays an ideal square-shaped out-of-plane magnetic hysteresis loop with a large polar Kerr activity. The surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) induce drastic magneto-optical (MO) responses with a narrow linewidth and a sharp reversal of the Kerr polarity. The CoPt/ZnO/Ag nanolayer is a candidate for high-performance chemical sensor elements. For example, an MO‒SPR sensor with a Pd surface layer was applied for hydrogen detection. The Pd layer acts as a transducer for both hydrogen detection and plasmon response. Substantial MO responses to the exposure of hydrogen gas can be observed. The results show that the polarized sensing signal is not affected by the intensity of the incident light. The use of the new type of MO‒SPR element with polar Kerr activity leads to a stable chemical sensing system with a simple measurement configuration.
Analysis of degradation mechanisms in GaN-based light-emitting diodes under reverse-bias stress: effects of defects and junction-temperature increase
Authors: Zheng Dong-Guang , Shim Jong-In , Shin Dong-Soo
Published: February 2021

Degradation phenomena of GaN-based blue LEDs are investigated from comprehensive electrical, optical, and thermal analyses. After constant reverse-bias stress, the LED sample under investigation shows permanent degradations indicated by increases both in the tunneling/sidewall leakage current in the low-current region and the nonradiative current in the high-current region. A subsequent decrease in series resistance and increase in junction temperature are also observed. The degradation at high currents is analyzed in terms of the radiative recombination current utilizing the information of the internal quantum efficiency (IQE), which has been rarely attempted. All of the observed degradations can be attributed to the increase in defect density in the active layer of the LED chip under reverse-bias stress. This work emphasizes that many important reliability-related features of LEDs are functions of defects and the junction temperature and that the IQE can provide crucial information in the analysis. The increased junction temperature would have further detrimental effects on the device performance and eventually lead to device failure. The analyses presented in this work shed more light on understanding the degradation phenomena in the GaN-based LEDs under reverse-bias stress.
Pulsed azimuthally polarized beam from passively Q-switched rotating Nd:YAG disk laser
Authors: Chen San-Bin , Li Jian-Lang , Ueda Ken-Ichi
Published: February 2021

A azimuthally polarized laser pulse was produced from a passively Q-switched rotating Nd:YAG disk laser with a Cr4+:YAG crystal as the saturable absorber and a uniaxial YVO4 crystal as the polarization selection. The averaged laser power reached 5.04 W with a slope efficiency of 40%. The laser pulse had a maximum peak power of 4.3 kW, minimum pulse duration of 31.07 ns, and a 37.3 kHz repetition rate at absorbed pump power 15.93 W. The polarization degree of the azimuthally polarized beam was measured to be about 97.3%. Such an azimuthally polarized laser pulse is important to numerous applications.
A Phishing URL Classification Technique using Machine Learning Approach
Authors:   Computer Science from Gargi Institute of Science & Technology, Bhopal, (Madhya Pradesh), India., Tiwari Manish , Arjariya Dr. Tripti ,   Professor, Department of Computer Science Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Technical University, Bhopal, (Madhya Pradesh), India.
Published: February 2021

The phishing attack is one of the very common attacks deployed using the social engineering techniques. The attack tries to capture the victim’s personal and sensitive information to trick and can results in terms of financial and social reputation loss. In this presented work the main focus is to investigate the phishing techniques and their detection approaches. In this context first a review on recently contributed URL based phishing attack detection and prevision techniques is prepared. Further based on the suitable techniques a new data mining based model is proposed for implementation. The proposed model first take training on phish tank database URLs and then identify the similar pattern based URLs in two classes legitimate and phishing. First the dataset is preprocessed and the features are computed. The computed features are then transformed in terms of transactional database and association rules are prepared. To generate the association rules the apriori algorithm and FP-Tree algorithm is employed. Based on conducted experiments, the performance the FP-Tree based classification technique much efficient and accurate as compared to apriori algorithm, because the apriori algorithm is much time expensive then the FP-Tree. Finally the future extension of the work is also suggested.
An Islanded Microgrid Droop Control using Henry Gas Solubility Optimization
Authors:   Department of  Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha University, Cairo, Egypt., Ebrahim Mohamed A. , Fattah Reham M. Abdel ,   Department of  Power Electronics and Energy Conversion, Electronics Research Institute, Cairo Egypt., Saied Ebtisam M. ,   Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha University, Cairo, Egypt and Electrical Engineering Department-High Technological Institute (HTI)10th of Ramadan City-Egypt., Maksoud Samir M. Abdel ,   Department of  Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha University, Cairo, Egypt., Khashab Hisham El ,   Department of  Power Electronics and Energy Conversion Electronics Research Institute, Cairo Egypt.
Published: February 2021

Coordination of various distributed generation (DG) units is required to meet the growing demand for electricity. Several control strategies have been developed to operate parallel-connected inverters for microgrid load sharing. Among these techniques, due to the lack of essential communication links between parallel-connected inverters to coordinate the DG units within a microgrid, the droop control method has been generally accepted in the scientific community. This paper discusses the microgrid droop controller during islanding using the Henry Gas Solubility Optimization (HGSO). The most important goals of droop control in the islanded mode of operation are the frequency and voltage control of microgrid and proper power sharing between distributed generations. The droop controller has been designed using HGSO to optimally choose PI gains and droop control coefficients in order to obtain a better microgrid output response during islanding. Simulation results indicate that the droop controller using HGSO improves the efficiency of micro-grid power by ensuring that variance in microgrid frequency and voltage regulation and effective power sharing occurs whenever micro-grid island mode or when variation in load occurs.
High Accurate and a Variant of k-fold Cross Validation Technique for Predicting the Decision Tree Classifier Accuracy
Authors:   Department of Computer Science, Dravidian University, Kuppam, India., Mabuni Dr. D. , Babu Dr. S. Aquter ,   Department of Computer Science, Dravidian University, Kuppam, India.
Published: February 2021

In machine learning data usage is the most important criterion than the logic of the program. With very big and moderate sized datasets it is possible to obtain robust and high classification accuracies but not with small and very small sized datasets. In particular only large training datasets are potential datasets for producing robust decision tree classification results. The classification results obtained by using only one training and one testing dataset pair are not reliable. Cross validation technique uses many random folds of the same dataset for training and validation. In order to obtain reliable and statistically correct classification results there is a need to apply the same algorithm on different pairs of training and validation datasets. To overcome the problem of the usage of only a single training dataset and a single testing dataset the existing k-fold cross validation technique uses cross validation plan for obtaining increased decision tree classification accuracy results. In this paper a new cross validation technique called prime fold is proposed and it is experimentally tested thoroughly and then verified correctly using many bench mark UCI machine learning datasets. It is observed that the prime fold based decision tree classification accuracy results obtained after experimentation are far better than the existing techniques of finding decision tree classification accuracies.
A generation of a Multi Layered Application by Applying the MDA Approach for Online Learning Platforms
Authors:   is a Research Doctor at LASTIMI Laboratory, Superior School of Technologies of Sale, Mohammadia School of Engineering, Mohamed V University City of Rabat, Morocco., Srai Aziz , Guerouate Fatima ,   is a Research Professor at LASTIMI Laboratory, Superior School of Technologies of Sale, Mohammadia School of Engineering, Mohamed V University City of Rabat, Morocco., Lahsini Hilal Drissi ,   is a Research Professor at LASTIMI Laboratory, Superior School of Technologies of Sale, Mohammadia School of Engineering, Mohamed V University City of Rabat, Morocco.
Published: February 2021

The e-learning study reflects a trend in the integration of information and communication technologies in universities. This trend evokes a new form of teaching and learning and a new form of relationship between students and teachers. In fact, information and communication technologies, such as e-learning, call into question the ways of thinking and the ways of acting of individuals in the representation of learning. This paradigm shift requires introspection and the renewal of skills. In the face of these changes, higher education institutes must develop and make essential the courses that allow students to adapt to the new demands of the labor market. on the other hand, information and communication technologies and computer networks, These objects from daily life, are part of the immediate environment that is both professional, educational and personal of each one. With the massive arrival of personal and accessible digital tools (computers, nomadic equipment such as mobile phones and digital tablets, etc…), multiple online spaces are emerging on the Internet (discussion forums, e-learning platforms, blogs, messaging, chats, social networks like Facebook, online information sharing sites, etc…). E-learning offers features that differentiate it from others media objects such as books or television. e-learning offers quick, even instant, access to a multitude of information sources. They make it possible to store them and facilitate the possibilities of networking between individuals and groups of individuals whatever the time and place. Access to the Internet information network is “universal”. You only need to connect to a computer on the network to access almost this entire network. Access is also “simultaneous” because each Internet user exists on the network in the form of information by “his digital presence”, by the data that he moves or deposits and the interactions caused. We can also say that access is independent of time and distance since it is a space permanently open to human activity. Developing an e-learning application for each technology requires a lot of human resources and technical knowledge. To solve this problem we propose a development of an e-learning application according to a model-driven architecture approach. This paper is a development of our work in paper [Srai,2020].
El problema de investigación y el establecimiento de objetivos e hipótesis en un TFM
Authors:   Uned, García Vidal Marcos , Vírseda Sanz Eloy ,   Universidad de Salamanca, Pérez Viejo Jesús Manuel ,   UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III
Published: February 2021

El interés por dar respuestas a lo que no sabemos es el motor para poder iniciar una investigación. En la actualidad, la investigación de la realidad social se enmarca en el ámbito científico, y se concibe como una actividad sistemática y planificada, cuyo propósito consiste en proporcionar información que facilite la toma de decisiones que permitan mejorar o transformar la realidad. En definitiva, surge una vez el investigador pone el foco en una situación que ha de resolver. Esto plantea una serie de preguntas de investigación que se materializan en una serie de hipótesis y objetivos. El presente capítulo pretende ser una aproximación a los diferentes planteamientos existentes sobre las variables de estudio, que los investigadores pueden elegir para observar, medir y manipular dichas variables. El desarrollo de un TFM implica enfrentarse a estos problemas y resolverlos. Para ello, es necesario definir y acotar bien esos problemas y encontrarles explicaciones o soluciones, en función de lo que pretenda la investigación. Por ello, determinar las preguntas de investigación adecuadamente, formular hipótesis de manera correcta y definir unos objetivos claros y coherentes, es especialmente relevante en el desarrollo de un trabajo fin de máster.
Diseño de un proyecto socioeducativo para la realización de un TFM desde un enfoque de investigación evaluativa
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Martinez Mediano Catalina
Published: February 2021

En los entornos educativos y sociales, continuamente surgen necesidades que hay que valorar para elaborar propuestas de intervención, concretadas en programas fundamentados en análisis de experiencias e investigaciones previas e innovadoras, aplicarlas y valorar sus resultados, para, tras el análisis de la intervención y sus resultados, aportar nuevas propuestas de mejora. El programa será de calidad si la totalidad de sus características son adecuadas para atender las necesidades especificadas. Y los criterios para su valoración serán los objetivos, las metas, concretados en resultados para lograr solucionar esas necesidades. La elaboración de indicadores representativos de todo el proceso de intervención, desde el análisis de necesidades hasta el impacto conseguido, nos aportará la información necesaria para la descripción y la valoración de la intervención, con la finalidad de orientar la toma de decisiones de mejora de lo evaluado, el programa. Cuando se está implicado en el diseño de una intervención socioeducativa para solucionar un problema, la investigación evaluativa aporta fundamentos y procedimientos para valorar la utilidad, viabilidad, adecuación, precisión y responsabilidad del proceso de intervención, en su contexto, que concluye en un informe completo, con valoraciones sobre la intervención y sus resultados, y con propuestas útiles y realistas de mejora de la intervención.
Conclusiones, limitaciones y propuestas de mejora en los TFM
Authors:   Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Díaz Santiago María José , Álvaro Roldán Milko ,   Uned, García Castilla Francisco Javier ,   UNED
Published: February 2021

Este trabajo presenta ideas orientativas para planificar y definir los hallazgos más significativos de una investigación o trabajo de fin de título que den forma a las principales conclusiones. Para el propósito investigador, el inicio del proceso de estudio puede darse con la realización de preguntas sobre una determinada realidad social, o bien desde el planteamiento de una o varias hipótesis correctamente formuladas que se pretenden demostrar con explicaciones plausibles. Ambos caminos buscan respuestas y explicaciones que acoten y definan unas conclusiones inequívocas en su trabajo académico o profesional. Sin embargo, la realización de estos trabajos de fin de título no está exenta de limitaciones. Estas pueden perturbar el desarrollo del trabajo y se traducen en determinadas variables. Entre otras, están la falta de adquisición de una serie de competencias y habilidades en el alumnado, tanto para el redactado y el estilo como para la capacidad investigadora; la ausencia de los recursos y herramientas necesarios; el desvío en cuanto al rigor en el desarrollo de los apartados anteriores, que contaminen los resultados sin que ello sea suficientemente percibido; o el abordaje desde una perspectiva de género que no cuente con bibliografía académica realizada por mujeres. Por último, el establecimiento de unas conclusiones, donde es esencial que, a la vista del conocimiento demostrado sobre una realidad analizada en un trabajo fin de máster, quien maneje toda esa información ayude en futuras investigaciones o intervenciones con una serie de propuestas o estrategias didácticas o ejecutivas a los lectores que puedan consultar su trabajo. Estos lectores bien podrían ser responsables de entidades sociales o instituciones públicas, a los cuales se les facilitaría la toma de decisiones a partir de unas conclusiones demostradas.
Elección de técnicas e instrumentos para la recogida de información
Authors:   Uned, Román González Marcos
Published: February 2021

Este capítulo pretende orientar y guiar al estudiante de trabajo fin de máster para que realice una elección adecuada de las técnicas e instrumentos de recogida de información que podrá utilizar en el marco de sus proyectos de intervención socioeducativa. Para ello, a lo largo del capítulo se establecen y se exponen los tres criterios generales para que el alumno haga dicha elección, a saber: a) según el tipo principal de fuente de información requerida para dar respuesta a las preguntas u objetivos de investigación; b) según el tipo de variables involucradas en las preguntas u objetivos de investigación; y c) según el enfoque metodológico que late detrás de las preguntas u objetivos de investigación. Una vez establecidos los criterios, se acompaña al estudiante a través del vasto mapa de posibilidades que surge y que queda cartografiado a la luz de dichos tres ejes, y se lo guía en consecuencia para que realice una elección fundamentada de las técnicas e instrumentos óptimos para abordar sus preguntas de investigación, dentro del amplio abanico existente. En última instancia, este capítulo pretende que los proyectos de intervención socioeducativa que conforman los trabajos fin de máster de nuestro alumnado sean fundamentados, desarrollados y evaluados a partir de un conjunto apropiado de evidencias y datos empíricos, lo cual exige que estos hayan sido recogidos a través de técnicas e instrumentos adecuados a la naturaleza de dichos proyectos.
Presentación de resultados en los TFM
Authors:   Universidad Europea de Madrid, Páez Gallego Javier , Tejera Martín Íñigo ,   Uned, De Juanas Oliva Ángel ,   uned
Published: February 2021

En este manuscrito se presentan claves sobre la presentación de los resultados en los trabajos fin de máster con el propósito de facilitar la reflexión y la toma de decisiones para elaborar este apartado, presente en la mayoría de los trabajos académicos. La manera en la que los resultados se presentan y los elementos básicos que los conforman contribuyen a determinar la calidad de un trabajo fin de máster. A lo largo del texto, se muestran indicaciones para presentar los resultados en el apartado del resumen; también, recomendaciones para organizar los resultados en tablas y figuras, como pueden ser esquemas, redes y mapas conceptuales. Finalmente, se presentan recomendaciones para realizar el contenido textual y la redacción de los resultados de modo que cualquier lector consiga acceder e interpretar la información del mejor modo posible. Se concluye presentando recomendaciones generales y un buen número de ejemplos que servirán de modelo que seguir a cualquier estudiante de máster interesado en la elaboración de los trabajos fin de título en general y en la realización del apartado de resultados en particular.
Cómo elaborar la discusión de un TFM
Authors:   Universidad de Granada, Poza-Vilches María de Fátima , Reglero Rada Mercedes ,   UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE de Madrid, Rodríguez Bravo Ana Eva ,   Uned
Published: February 2021

Este capítulo aporta orientaciones concretas para la realización del apartado de discusión de un trabajo fin de máster, la fase final de este proceso formativo que requiere la puesta en práctica de algunas de las competencias concretas adquiridas durante la realización del máster. Estas orientaciones se presentan estructuradas en tres apartados. En el primero se clarifica el propósito y alcance del apartado de discusión de un trabajo fin de máster, identificando con precisión el tipo de información que debe incorporar un apartado de estas características y la que no se ajusta a su finalidad. En el segundo, se abordan pautas metodológicas concretas que se han de tener en cuenta y que son guiadas por tres preguntas clave: ¿qué he logrado?, ¿qué he conseguido con mi trabajo? y ¿qué aporta mi trabajo a la comunidad científica respecto a lo que ya hay? A continuación, en el tercer apartado se revisan las competencias que los estudiantes han de poner en juego durante la elaboración de esta parte del trabajo fin de máster, tomando como referencia las orientaciones emitidas por la Unesco (2017) y la CRUE (2005). A modo de conclusión, el capítulo se cierra con una exposición sucinta de las principales ideas expuestas.
Ética para la investigación educativa
Authors:   Uned, García Gutierrez Juan
Published: February 2021

Este capítulo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre el carácter ético de la investigación educativa, sus características e implicaciones tanto personales –‌para la persona del investigador y su formación– como institucionales. Para ello, se acudirá a la doctrina pedagógica sobre el tema y a las declaraciones, códigos y buenas prácticas sobre ética de la investigación educativa. En la reflexión ética sobre la investigación educativa contemplamos las acciones del agente en cuanto que investigador y en un ámbito y un contexto determinado como es el educativo. Por tanto, trataremos de ver cómo debemos conducir una investigación educativa para, también aquí, actuar éticamente; esto es, debemos preguntarnos no solo: ¿qué debemos hacer?, sino también: ¿con qué idea de bien hemos de comprometernos cuando investigamos en educación? Dicho de otro modo, que la acción de investigar se desarrolle de acuerdo con una idea de bien determinada, que sea posible diferenciar entre una «buena» y una «mala» investigación o praxis investigadora en el ámbito educativo.
La perspectiva de género en el ámbito educativo: un derecho humano fundamental
Authors:   uned, Ortega Sánchez Isabel
Published: February 2021

En este capítulo desarrollamos qué es la perspectiva de género y su importancia educativa y social, así como su impacto en el desarrollo integral de las personas, su inserción laboral y social y la educación. Es relevante su inserción en la educación si queremos transformar las formas de relacionarnos, eliminando prejuicios y estereotipos sociales que fomentan relaciones violentas y desiguales. En el mundo educativo, la perspectiva de género tiene que incluirse como factor obligatorio en cualquier actividad educativa e investigadora, si queremos incidir en el desarrollo integral y adecuado de las personas. Diseñamos un trabajo fin de máster con perspectiva de género, su importancia e influencia, así como la descripción de algunos de los elementos curriculares indispensables y aspectos relevantes que se deben tener en cuenta y desarrollar con perspectiva de género: contenidos, lenguaje, metodología, sesgo de género, concienciación y competencia en perspectiva de género. Es necesario el desarrollo de una competencia en perspectiva de género para que, a través de su inclusión, se muestren los problemas que se establecen a partir del género y se puedan desarrollar estrategias de prevención e intervención para eliminar las discriminaciones establecidas, impulsando el desarrollo y el respeto de todas las personas. A través de la perspectiva de género, se educa para la igualdad y la no violencia, se visibiliza la violación de los derechos humanos sobre la base del género al que se pertenece y es el primer paso para desarrollar una sociedad más justa, igualitaria e inclusiva.
Efficacy of Cannabis-Based Medicines for Pain
Management: A Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Aviram Joshua
Published: February 2021

Background: The management of chronic pain is a complex challenge worldwide. Cannabisbased medicines (CBMs) have proven to be efficient in reducing chronic pain, although the topic
remains highly controversial in this field.
Objectives: This study’s aim is to conduct a conclusive review and meta-analysis, which
incorporates all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in order to update clinicians’ and researchers’
knowledge regarding the efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of CBMs for chronic and postoperative
pain treatment.
Study Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods: An electronic search was conducted using Medline/Pubmed and Google Scholar with
the use of Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms on all literature published up to July 2015. A
follow-up manual search was conducted and included a complete cross-check of the relevant
studies. The included studies were RCTs which compared the analgesic effects of CBMs to placebo.
Hedges’s g scores were calculated for each of the studies. A study quality assessment was performed
utilizing the Jadad scale. A meta-analysis was performed utilizing random-effects models and
heterogeneity between studies was statistically computed using I2
statistic and tau2
test.
Results: The results of 43 RCTs (a total of 2,437 patients) were included in this review, of which
24 RCTs (a total of 1,334 patients) were eligible for meta-analysis. This analysis showed limited
evidence showing more pain reduction in chronic pain -0.61 (-0.78 to -0.43, P < 0.0001), especially
by inhalation -0.93 (-1.51 to -0.35, P = 0.001) compared to placebo. Moreover, even though this
review consisted of some RCTs that showed a clinically significant improvement with a decrease of
pain scores of 2 points or more, 30% or 50% or more, the majority of the studies did not show
an effect. Consequently, although the primary analysis showed that the results were favorable to
CBMs over placebo, the clinical significance of these findings is uncertain. The most prominent AEs
were related to the central nervous and the gastrointestinal (GI) systems.
Limitations: Publication limitation could have been present due to the inclusion of Englishonly published studies. Additionally, the included studies were extremely heterogeneous. Only
7 studies reported on the patients’ history of prior consumption of CBMs. Furthermore, since
cannabinoids are surrounded by considerable controversy in the media and society, cannabinoids
have marked effects, so that inadequate blinding of the placebo could constitute an important
source of limitation in these types of studies.
Conclusions: The current systematic review suggests that CBMs might be effective for chronic
pain treatment, based on limited evidence, primarily for neuropathic pain (NP) patients. Additionally,
GI AEs occurred more frequently when CBMs were administered via oral/oromucosal routes than
by inhalation
Factors Associated with Successful Responses
to Transforaminal Balloon Adhesiolysis for
Chronic Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis:
A Retrospective Study
Authors: Choi Seong-Soo
Published: February 2021

Background: Recently, transforaminal balloon adhesiolysis was introduced to manage
patients with chronic radicular pain occurring with or without low back pain. However, the
factors associated with successful responses to transforaminal balloon adhesiolysis are not
known.
Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with successful responses to transforaminal
balloon adhesiolysis for chronic lumbar spinal stenosis.
Study Design: This is a retrospective observational study.
Setting: A single pain clinic of tertiary medical center in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Methods: From January 2013 to December 2014, a retrospective review of 199 patients
with chronic lumbar foraminal stenosis, who were scheduled for transforaminal balloon
adhesiolysis, was performed. Patients were considered successful responders if they showed
either of the following: 1) a decrease of more than 50% on the numerical rating scale or
2) a decrease of more than 30% on the numerical rating scale and improved functional
status 3 months after transforaminal balloon adhesiolysis. Logistic regression analysis was
performed to determine the factors associated with successful responses to this surgical
procedure.
Results: Three months after the transforaminal balloon adhesiolysis, 49.4% of patients
were considered successful responders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed
that factors other than degenerative disc herniation were independently associated with
successful responses 3 months after this surgical procedure (odds ratio = 0.327; 95%
confidence interval = 0.129 – 0.827; P = 0.018).
Limitations: The definition of successful response used in this study differed from the
ones used in previous studies; a different definition may have led to different results.
Further, the effects of other factors (ballooning, drugs, and saline washes) could not be
excluded from our study. In addition, the correct method of assessing functional status, the
Oswestry Disability Index, could not be used in this study; hence, the final results may have
been affected.
Conclusion: These results suggest that transforaminal balloon adhesiolysis can
successfully lead to improvement of symptoms in patients with chronic lumbar foraminal
stenosis caused primarily by degenerative disc herniation.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval number: 2016-0228
A Practical Guide for Treatment of Pain in
Patients with Systemic Mast Cell Activation
Disease
Authors: Molderings Gerhard J.
Published: February 2021

Systemic mast cell activation disease (MCAD, a subclass of mastocytosis), which has
a prevalence of around 17% (at least in the German population), is characterized by
accumulation of genetically altered dysfunctional mast cells with abnormal release
of these cells’ mediators. Since mast cells affect functions in potentially every organ
system, often without causing abnormalities in routine laboratory or radiologic
testing, this disease has to be considered routinely in the differential diagnosis of
patients with chronic multisystem polymorbidity of a generally inflammatory and
allergic theme. Pain in its different manifestations is a common symptom in MCAD
found in more than three-quarters of the MCAD patients. Because of the specific
mast cell-related causes of pain in MCAD it should be treated specifically, if possible,
deduced from their putative mast cell mediator-related causes. As yet, there is no
official guideline for treatment of MCAD at all. The present review focuses on mast
cell mediator-induced acute and chronic pain and the current state of analgesic drug
therapy options in MCAD. Due to the high prevalence of MCAD, many physicians
are often faced with the issue of pain management in MCAD patients. Hence, our
practical guide should contribute to the improvement of patient care.
Comparison of 7 Surgical Interventions for
Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Network
Meta-analysis
Authors: Cai Lin
Published: February 2021

Background: The number of interventions on intervertebral discs rapidly increased and the
treatment options for lumbar disc surgery quickly evolved. It is important that the safety and
efficacy of all new innovative procedures be compared with currently accepted forms of treatment;
however, the previous pairwise meta-analyses could not develop the hierarchy of these treatments.
Objectives: The purpose of the study is to perform a network meta-analysis to evaluate the
clinical results of 7 surgical interventions for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.
Study Design: Network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for multiple
treatment comparisons of lumbar disc herniation.
Methods: We performed a Bayesian-framework network meta-analysis of RCTs to compare 7
surgical interventions for people with lumbar disc herniation. The eligible RCTs were identified
by searching Embase, Pubmed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL),
and Google scholar. Data from 3 outcomes (success, complications, and reoperation rate) were
independently extracted by 2 authors.
Results: A total of 29 RCTs including 3,146 participants were finally included into this article.
Our meta-analysis provides hierarchies of these 7 interventions. For the success rate the rank
probability (from best to worst): percutaneous endoscopic lumber discectomy (PELD) > standard
open discectomy (SOD) > standard open microsurgical discectomy (SOMD) > chemonucleolysis
(CN) > microendoscopic discectomy (MED) > percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) >
automated percutaneous lumber discectomy (APLD). For the complication rate the rank probability
(from best to worst): PELD > SOMD > SOD > MED > PLDD > CN > APLD. For the reoperation rate
the rank probability (from best to worst): SOMD > SOD > MED > PLDD > PELD > CN > APLD.
Limitations: The limitations of this network meta-analysis include the range of study populations
and inconformity of the follow-up times and outcome measurements.
Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides evidence that PELD might be the best choice to
increase the success rate and decrease the complication rate, moreover SOMD might be the best
option to drop the reoperation rate. APLD might lead to the lowest success rate and the highest
complication and reoperation rate. Higher quality RCTs and direct head to head trials are needed
to confirm these results.
Effects of Pulsed Versus Conventional Versus
Combined Radiofrequency for the Treatment of
Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Prospective Study
Authors: Ghaydaa A. Ghaydaa A.
Published: February 2021

Background: During radiofrequency bursts of energy are applied to nervous tissue. The clinical
advantages of this treatment remain unclear.
Objectives: We compared the effectiveness and pain relief for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia
(TN) after continuous radiofrequency (CRF), pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), and combined continuous
and pulsed radiofrequency (CCPRF) treatment of the Gasserian ganglion (GG).
Study Design: We conducted a randomized prospective study. Forty-three patients were
included. Eleven patients were treated with PRF at 42°C for 10 minutes (PRF group), 12 patients
received CRF for 270 seconds at 75 °C (CRF group), and 20 patients received PRF for 10 minutes
at 42°C followed by CRF for at 60°C for 270 seconds (CCPRF group).
Setting: Assuit University Hospital, Pain and Neurology outpatient clinics.
Methods: Patients were assessed for pain, satisfaction, and consumption of analgesics at
baseline and 7 days, one month, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after the procedure. The
incidence of complications, anesthesia dolorosa, weakness of muscles of mastication, numbness,
and technical complications, was evaluated after the procedure.
Results: Excellent pain relief was achieved after 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively in 95%, 85%,
and 70% of patients with CCPRF; 75%, 75%, and reduced to 50% among patients with CRF; and
82%, reduced to 9.1%, and 0% of patients with PRF. No complications were recorded in 75%
of patients in the CCPRF and PRF groups. There was one case of anesthesia dolorosa, 4 cases of
masseter muscle weakness, and 5 cases of severe numbness recorded in the CRF group.
Limitation: There was a small number of patients in each group.
Conclusion: The best results were observed in the CCPRF group, followed by the CRF group,
and then the PRF group.
Comparison of Intraarticular Pulsed
Radiofrequency and Intraarticular
Corticosteroid Injection for Management of
Cervical Facet Joint Pain
Authors: Chang Min Cheol
Published: February 2021

Background: Disorders of the facet joints are some of the most common sources of chronic
spinal pain. Facet joint pain is responsible for approximately 50% of patients with chronic neck
pain. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) stimulation, after placing needle electrodes into the joint space,
has been recently reported for the management of joint pain.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraarticular (IA) PRF for the
management of cervical facet joint (CFJ) pain. In addition, we compared the effect of IA PRF to IA
corticosteroid injection.
Study Design: Prospective observational study.
Setting: University hospital.
Methods: Forty patients with CFJ pain were included in the study and randomly assigned to one
of 2 groups: the IA PRF group and the IA corticosteroid (ICI) group. There were 20 patients in each
group. Pain intensity was evaluated using a numeric rating scale (NRS) at pre-treatment, and one,
3, and 6 months after treatment.
Results: When compared to the pretreatment NRS scores, patients in both groups showed a
significant decrease in NRS scores at one, 3, and 6 months after treatment (P = 0.000). Changes
in the NRS scores over time were not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.227). Six
months after treatment, 10 patients (50.0%) in the PRF group and 12 patients (60.0%) in the ICI
group reported successful pain relief (pain relief of ≥ 50%).
Limitations: A small number of participants.
Conclusion: IA PRF stimulation is as effective as IA corticosteroid injection in attenuating CFJ
pain. The use of PRF could decrease CFJ pain, while avoiding the adverse effects of steroids.
The Dose-Dependent Effects of Ketoprofen on
Dynamic Pain after Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Dualé Christian
Published: February 2021

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce postoperative pain, in
both static (i.e., at rest) and dynamic contexts (e.g., during coughing or mobilization), and reduced
doses could improve their efficacy/tolerance balance.
Objectives: To test this hypothesis of efficacy after open heart surgery, in which NSAIDs are
poorly used, particularly for safety concerns.
Study Design: Randomized, double-blind trial.
Setting: Single-center, French university hospital.
Methods: Patients. One hundred patients at low risk of postoperative complications undergoing
scheduled open heart surgery (97 analyzed). Intervention. We tested intravenous ketoprofen, at a
dose of 0.5 mg/kg-1 every 6 hours during the 48 hours following the end of sedation, after surgery.
This standard protocol was compared to a similar one in which half doses were administered, to one
with quarter doses, as well as to a placebo group. Analgesia was supplemented by acetaminophen
plus self- and nurse-administered intravenous morphine. Measurement. The primary outcome was
the intensity of dynamic pain, assessed over 48 hours on an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS).
Results: Only the full-dose ketoprofen group showed reduced dynamic and static postoperative
pain vs. placebo (P < 0.00001 for both). The evolution of dynamic pain suggested a delayed
and therefore non-significant effect with the low doses. Ketoprofen did not affect either the
postoperative morphine consumption or the tolerance outcomes, such as the volumes of chest
tube drainage and the renal function.
Limitations: This pilot trial was undersized to test major tolerance outcomes.
Conclusions: Although we failed to demonstrate any analgesic effects with low doses of
ketoprofen, we confirmed the good efficacy/tolerance balance with this propionic NSAID of
intermediate COX2
-selectivity. Lower doses of NSAIDs, potentiated by a loading dose, should be
tested in the future.
IRB approval: CPP Sud-Est VI (Clermont-Ferrand, France), on 12/23/2013.
Clinical trial registry: EudraCT (2013-003878-27); ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02180087)
The Effect of Early Use of Supplemental
Therapy on Preventing Postherpetic Neuralgia:
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Min
Published: February 2021

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common and refractory complication
of herpes zoster (HZ). Aggressive treatment of acute pain in HZ has the potential to prevent the
development of PHN, but the preventive efficacy of supplemental therapy commonly used in
clinical practice is controversial.
Objectives: Our aim is to examine the efficacy of supplemental therapy in preventing PHN.
Study Design: A meta-analysis.
Setting: All of the selected studies are randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Methods: A systematic and comprehensive database search was performed in CENTRAL (1976
to March 2016), MEDLINE (1977 to January 2016), and EMBASE (May 1980 to December 2016).
According to the selection criteria, data of the included studies were extracted by 2 independent
reviewers. RevMan 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre for The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen,
Denmark) was used to perform this meta-analysis.
Results: Nine trials, with a total of 1,757 participants (888 in the treatment group and 867 in
the control group), were included in the final analysis. Of the 9 trials, 3 compared systemic adjunct
therapies with the control, and 6 trials compared interventional procedures with the control. The
early use of supplemental therapy was associated with a significantly less incidence of PHN in
3 months after acute rash presence (RR 0.53, 95%CI 0.34 to 0.81, P = 0.004). The systemic
adjunct treatments subgroup was not found with any benefit (RR 0.76, 95%CI 0.46 to 1.26, P =
0.29). A significant decrease in visual analog scale (VAS) score was reported in all of the 9 trials
when compared with baseline, but the decrease slopes of the pain scores between the treatment
group and the control group were similar in 5 trials. The most common adverse events in systemic
adjunct treatments group were dizziness, nausea, dyspepsia, and dry mouth. The interventional
procedures group was associated with procedure-related complications such as mild hypotension,
voice change, dysphagia, drowsiness, and headache.
Limitations: There were only a few RCTs and most of them lacked adequate allocation
concealment and blinding. Further, the English-only approach might have omitted trials published
in non-English journals. Finally, some of the secondary outcomes of data were insufficient for
meta-analysis, and future studies are warranted.
Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the early use of supplemental therapy
can significantly reduce the incidence of PHN. The subgroup analysis shows that supplemental
interventional procedures have a beneficial effect on preventing PHN, while supplemental systemic
adjunct treatments do not. The early use of interventional procedures for acute pain may be a
preferred choice for patients without contraindication, but evidence is moderate. More data from
high-quality RCTs will be needed to confirm these results.
Key words: Postherpetic neuralgia, systemic treatment, local anesthesia, analgesia, meta-analysis
Intradiscal Pulsed Radiofrequency Application
Duration Effect on Lumbar Discogenic Low Back
Pain
Authors: Park Chan Hong
Published: February 2021

Background: Discogenic pain is recognized as the most important and most common cause of
low back pain (LBP). Intradiscal pulsed radiofrequency (ID-PRF) is used for the treatment of chronic
discogenic pain.
Objectives: We investigated the effects of the duration of percutaneous monopolar ID-PRF
application on chronic discogenic LBP.
Study Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Neurosurgery at Wooridul Spine
Hospital.
Methods: Forty-five patients were included in this retrospective study. The patients were assigned
into 2 groups according to the duration of the PRF procedure they underwent (7-minute group
= 17 patients vs. 15-minute group = 28 patients). The main outcome measures tested were pain
score, as determined by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI),
at baseline, at 2-week, and 6-month follow-up visits. Success was defined as a reduction in NRS11 of 50% or more or an ODI reduction of 40% or more.
Results: The mean posttreatment pain scores at 2 weeks and 6 months were significantly lower
(P < 0.05) in both groups, but the differences between the groups were not significant. ODI scores
were also significantly lower compared with the baseline, but the differences between the groups
were not significant. At the 6-month follow-up, 12 patients (70.6%) in the 7-minute group and
20 patients (71.4%) in the 15-minute group reported more than 50% reduction in the pain score
(P = 0.16), and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the number of patients
with more than 40% reduction in ODI score (P = 0.23).
Limitations: This study was performed with a small sample size and there was no control
group. Additional well-designed and well-controlled studies that include parameters such as the
stimulation duration, mode, and intensity of PRF are needed to fully assess the efficiency of ID-PRF.
Conclusions: ID-PRF was shown to be effective for the treatment of discogenic LBP regardless of
duration of ID-PRF application (7 vs. 15 minutes).
Key words: Discogenic pain, pulsed, radio frequency, duration, pain, reduction
Genotypic Analysis of SCN9A for Prediction
of Postoperative Pain in Female Patients
Undergoing Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Zhang Xianwei
Published: February 2021

Background: The SCN9A gene product is a critical component in human pain perception. Recent
studies found that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this gene contributed to the risk and
severity of common pain phenotypes.
Objectives: In this study, we aimed to assess the use of SCN9A SNP screening for predicting
postoperative pain.
Study Design: A retrospective assessment of patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic
surgery.
Setting: Department of anesthesiology, a teaching hospital, in a medical college, major metropolitan
city, China.
Methods: Twenty-nine candidate and tag SCN9A SNPs were analyzed in this study. Four hundred
twenty-one patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery and refused postoperative
patient controlled analgesia (PCA) were recruited and completed the study protocol. An additional
578 patients who voluntarily received PCA treatment were included for verification. Postoperative
pain intensity was evaluated in all patients using numerical rating scale (NRS), and for patients
receiving PCA analgesic requirements were also recorded.
Outcomes Assessment: The outcome was assessment of postoperative pain NRS and PCA
analgesic requirements.
Results: Ten different SCN9A SNPs exhibited significant associations with postoperative pain
intensity, the incidence of severe postoperative pain, and postoperative PCA requirement. Of the
candidate SCN9A SNPs, there was a statistically significant correlation between SNP rs6746030 and
higher maximum NRS scores during the postoperative follow-up of non-PCA patients (P < 0.05).
Furthermore, there was a significant association between the tag SNP rs4286289 and both increased
postoperative maximum NRS scores (P < 0.05) and higher incidences of severe postoperative pain
(P < 0.05) in non-PCA patients. Meanwhile, in PCA patients, rs4286289 exhibited the strongest
association (P = 0.001) with increased requirements for postoperative analgesics, which indirectly
strengthened the significant association between this SNP and higher postoperative pain.
Limitations: The limitations of this study include that it is an assessment of only Chinese women
scheduled for gynecological laparoscopic surgery.
Conclusion: The current study provides evidence that postoperative pain was affected by SCN9A
variability in gynecological patients. Notably, our results provide the first indication that SCN9A SNP
rs4286289 can be used as a predictor for hypersensitivity to postoperative pain.
Key words: SCN9A, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, genotypic analysis, postoperative pain,
female patients, gynecological laparoscopic surgery, genetic markers for pain, predictors of
postoperative pain