bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laboratory-based dried blood spot testing for hepatitis C: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Carty Paul G. , McCarthy Michael , O’Neill Sinead , Harrington Patricia , O’Neill Michelle , Teljeur Conor , Smith Susan M. , Ryan Máirín 
Published: October 2020

Background: Diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection typically involves collection of venous blood samples prior to serological investigation of an antibody response followed by a confirmatory viral load or antigen test to verify active HCV infection. This conventional pathway poses logistical challenges for the implementation of reflex testing, whereby the confirmatory test is performed on the same sample used for serological investigation. Dried blood spot (DBS) testing, in which capillary blood is deposited on filter paper, is a less invasive alternative that can enable reflex testing without the need for venepuncture, centrifugation and freezing of samples. Methods: This systematic review aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of DBS compared with venous blood samples for diagnosis of chronic HCV infection. Observational studies which compare diagnostic tests using DBS with those using serum, plasma or whole blood in patients with chronic or resolved HCV infection will be included. Electronic searches will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs and the Cochrane library. Citation screening, data extraction and quality appraisal of included studies will be performed in duplicate using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. A meta-analysis will be conducted to derive pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression will also be performed. Quality of the evidence will be evaluated using the GRADE criteria. Discussion: Identifying and linking people with currently undiagnosed chronic HCV infection to care is pivotal to attaining global viral hepatitis elimination targets. The use of DBS could simplify diagnostic testing strategies by integrating reflex testing into the care pathway and reducing drop-off along the cascade of care. Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42020205204. Registered 19th September 2020.
Pain scores in torus fractures
Authors: Widnall James , Capstick Thomas , Wijesekera Maheshi , Messahel Shrouk , Perry Daniel C. 
Published: October 2020

Aims This study sought to estimate the clinical outcomes and describe the nationwide variation in practice, as part of the feasibility workup for a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended randomized clinical trial to determine the optimal treatment of torus fractures of the distal radius in children. Methods Prospective data collection on torus fractures presenting to our emergency department. Patient consent and study information, including a copy of the Wong-Baker Faces pain score, was issued at the first patient contact. An automated text message service recorded pain scores at days 0, 3, 7, 21, and 42 postinjury. A cross-sectional survey of current accident and emergency practice in the UK was also undertaken to gauge current practice following the publication of NICE guidance. Results In all, 30 patients with a mean age of 8.9 years were enrolled over a six-week period. Of the 150 potential data points, data was captured in 146, making the data 97.3% complete. Pain scores were recorded at day 0 (mean 6.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.7 to 7.3)), day 3 (4.4 (95% CI 3.5 to 5.2)), day 7 (3.0 (95% CI 2.3 to 3.6)), day 21 (1.2 (95% CI 0.7 to 1.7)) and day 42 (0.4 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.7)). Of the 100 units who participated in the nationwide survey, 38% were unaware of any local or national protocols regarding torus fractures, 41% treated torus fractures with cast immobilization, and over 60% of patients had follow-up arranged, both contradictory to national guidelines. Conclusion We have demonstrated the severity, recovery trajectory, and variation in pain scores among children with torus fractures. We demonstrate excellent follow-up of patient outcomes using text messages. Despite national guidelines, there is significant variation in practice. This data directly informed the development of an ongoing nationwide randomized clinical trial – the FORearm Fracture Recovery in Children Evaluation (FORCE) study.
Revision total knee arthroplasty versus primary total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Stirling Paul , Middleton Scott D. , Brenkel Ivan J. , Walmsley Phil J. 
Published: October 2020

Introduction The primary aim of this study was to describe a baseline comparison of early knee-specific functional outcomes following revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using metaphyseal sleeves with a matched cohort of patients undergoing primary TKA. The secondary aim was to compare incidence of complications and length of stay (LOS) between the two groups. Methods Patients undergoing revision TKA for all diagnoses between 2009 and 2016 had patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) collected prospectively. PROMs consisted of the American Knee Society Score (AKSS) and Short-Form 12 (SF-12). The study cohort was identified retrospectively and demographics were collected. The cohort was matched to a control group of patients undergoing primary TKA. Results Overall, 72 patients underwent revision TKA and were matched with 72 primary TKAs with a mean follow-up of 57 months (standard deviation (SD) 20 months). The only significant difference in postoperative PROMs was a worse AKSS pain score in the revision group (36 vs 44, p = 0.002); however, these patients still produced an improvement in the pain score. There was no significant difference in improvement of AKSS or SF-12 between the two groups. LOS (9.3 days vs 4.6 days) and operation time (1 hour 56 minutes vs 1 hour 7 minutes) were significantly higher in the revision group (p < 0.001). Patients undergoing revision were significantly more likely to require intraoperative lateral release and postoperative urinary catheterisation (p < 0.001). Conclusion This matched-cohort study provides results of revision TKA using modern techniques and implants and outlines what results patients can expect to achieve using primary TKA as a control. This should be useful to clinicians counselling patients for revision TKA.
Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing the modified Dunn procedure for slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Authors: Passaplan Caroline , Gautier Lucienne , Gautier Emanuel 
Published: October 2020

Aims Our retrospective analysis reports the outcome of patients operated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis using the modified Dunn procedure. Results, complications, and the need for revision surgery are compared with the recent literature. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 17 patients (18 hips) who underwent the modified Dunn procedure for the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Outcome measurement included standardized scores. Clinical assessment included ambulation, leg length discrepancy, and hip mobility. Radiographically, the quality of epiphyseal reduction was evaluated using the Southwick and Alpha-angles. Avascular necrosis, heterotopic ossifications, and osteoarthritis were documented at follow-up. Results At a mean follow-up of more than nine years, the mean modified Harris Hip score was 88.7 points, the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) 87.4 , the Merle d’Aubigné Score 16.5 points, and the UCLA Activity Score 8.4. One patient developed a partial avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and one patient already had an avascular necrosis at the time of delayed diagnosis. Two hips developed osteoarthritic signs at 14 and 16 years after the index operation. Six patients needed a total of nine revision surgeries. One operation was needed for postoperative hip subluxation, one for secondary displacement and implant failure, two for late femoroacetabular impingement, one for femoroacetabular impingement of the opposite hip, and four for implant removal. Conclusion Our series shows good results and is comparable to previous published studies. The modified Dunn procedure allows the anatomic repositioning of the slipped epiphysis. Long-term results with subjective and objective hip function are superior, avascular necrosis and development of osteoarthritis inferior to other reported treatment modalities. Nevertheless, the procedure is technically demanding and revision surgery for secondary femoroacetabular impingement and implant removal are frequent. Cite this article: 2020;1-4:80–87.
Restoration of the Root–Filled Tooth
Authors: Taha Nessrin A , Messer Harold H 
Published: October 2020

Root-filled teeth are weakened by loss of strategic tooth structure through restorative procedures and caries, rather than by the endodontic procedures. Therefore, prompt restoration is required to minimise coronal leakage and the risk of tooth fracture. However, restorability should be confirmed before root canal treatment begins, by removing caries and existing restoration to evaluate the residual tooth structure. Based on the remaining tooth structure, the restoration is planned to maximise the longevity of root-filled teeth as a functional unit. This review considers risk factors for survival of root-filled teeth and principles of restoration, rather than detailed techniques, including direct and indirect restorations. Ssummary and conclusions Restorability and the type of definitive restoration should be determined, at least provisionally, before root canal treatment is begun. The restoration is crucial for the long-term survival and function of the root-filled tooth. The choice and design of the restoration should be based on the principles of conservation and protection of remaining tooth structure, which requires some form of cuspal protection for most posterior teeth.
An Overview of the Peer Assessment Rating (Par) Index for Primary Dental Care Practitioners
Authors: Green James Ij 
Published: October 2020

The Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index is a valid and reliable measure of orthodontic treatment outcome and is the most widely accepted such index. Assessing outcomes with the PAR index requires the examination of pre-treatment and post-treatment orthodontic study models. Beginning with the pre-treatment models, a score is given to each feature that deviates from an ideal occlusion (all anatomical contact points adjacent, good interdigitation between posterior teeth and non-excessive overjet/overbite), the scores are then added together to give a total that represents the severity of the malocclusion. The process is then repeated with the post-treatment models. The difference between the pre-treatment and the post-treatment scores reflects the improvement that has taken place during treatment. A score of zero represents an ideal occlusion and in general the higher the score, the more extensive the malocclusion. It is currently a condition of the NHS orthodontic contract for providers to monitor a proportion of their cases using the PAR index. This paper aims to provide primary dental care practitioners with an overview of the PAR index and should provide a useful guide for those wishing to seek calibration in the use of the index.
The Role of Mouthguards in Preventing and Reducing Sports-Related Trauma
Authors: Green James Ij 
Published: October 2020

A mouthguard, also known as a gumshield, mouth protector or sports guard is an appliance that covers the teeth and surrounding mucosa with the aim of preventing or reducing trauma to the teeth, gingival tissue, lips and jaws. The device is usually worn on the maxillary arch and works by separating the maxillary and mandibular dentition, protecting the teeth from the surrounding soft tissue, absorbing or redistributing shock and/or stabilising the mandible during traumatic jaw closure. They may also play a role in preventing and reducing concussion by absorbing impact forces that would otherwise be transmitted through the base of the skull to the brain, although the evidence for this is less conclusive. A mouthguard will usually fall into one of three categories: stock mouthguards (which are made ready to use and are believed to give the least protection), the mouth-formed or 'boil and bite’ type (which are heated in hot water, placed in the mouth and moulded to the teeth) and custom-made mouthguards (which are usually made on a stone model of the maxillary teeth and surrounding tissue and are thought to give the most protection). These devices can be made from various materials but ethylene-vinyl acetate is by far the most popular material, probably because of the ease with which it can be used for the production of custom-made mouthguards. This paper gives a review of the role of mouthguards in preventing and reducing sports-related trauma and examines the materials that are used to fabricate them.
Assessment and Management of Lumps on the Face: A Guide for the General Dental Practitioner
Authors: Cobb Richard , Dungarwalla Mohammed , Stenhouse Philip 
Published: October 2020

There are a number of conditions that can present as a lump on the face. The general dental practitioner is uniquely trained in head and neck anatomy and pathology and should be able to identify these important conditions and consider appropriate investigations. Understanding what requires urgent specialist assessment and what can be referred routinely can be difficult, but is crucial to high quality patient outcomes. This article aims to simplify common conditions that may present as a lump on the face or be an incidental finding within the primary dental care setting. It is by no means an exhaustive description of all the pathology that may be encountered within this anatomical region, however it should form a useful and practical framework for common presentations.
Complex Dentistry in General Practice – What would you Do?
Authors: Eliyas Shiyana , Chana Pavneet , Briggs Peter 
Published: October 2020

In 2019, in a world of instant gratification, what are the expectations of patients and dentists? Is training sufficient to meet these expectations? Decisionmaking in dentistry impacts the treatment choices patients are given, and may influence the outcomes of such treatment. It is therefore important to ensure as much standardisation as possible. In order to achieve this, it is important to know the current standard and the views of dentist as this will influence dental treatment planning. Clinical Relevance This paper captures the treatment planning dilemmas of dentists, specifically of those in their Foundation Training year, in order to aid targeting of training and development. Objective Statement To understand treatment decisions of general dental practitioners and specialists.
An Update on the Links Beween Periodontal Health and General Health
Authors: Sharma Praveen 
Published: October 2020

It should come as no surprise to the reader that the oral cavity, including the periodontal tissues, are not somehow disjointed from the rest of the body. In this paper, we will explore the links between the periodontal and general health of our patients in both directions. That is to say we will explore how someone's general or systemic health conditions/habits are likely to affect their periodontal health, and how someone's periodontal health is likely to affect their systemic health. Before exploring these links, we will discuss the distinction between an association and a causal relationship, which is a subtle but vital distinction to make. We will then discuss the role of systemic conditions/habits such as diabetes, smoking, diet and stress on the periodontal health of individuals. Following from this, we will discuss the potential influence of the periodontal health of our patients on their systemic health, focussing on the more established links with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases as well as exploring the mechanisms by which these links may exist. We will conclude with some tips on the holistic care of our patients, incorporating changes that will benefit their oral and systemic health.
Ghost secondary light source for LED collimated illumination
Authors: Ohno Hiroshi 
Published: October 2020

Collimated illumination using a light-emitting diode (LED) is widely
used in the residential, commercial, and optical inspection fields. A
typical collimator, namely, one that is a parabolic reflector, has a
focal point on which a light source should be placed. The light source
approximates a point source, which enables light rays reflected by the
reflector to form a collimated beam with a narrow light distribution
angle. However, it is difficult to place an LED at the focal point of
the reflector because a heat dissipator attached thermally to the LED
prevents the reflected light rays from emitting out. A curved light
guide that can generate a secondary light source at a focal point of
the reflector without disturbing reflected light, like a ghost, is
proposed here. A spotlight consisting of the curved light guide and a
parabolic reflector is fabricated and shows that a collimated beam
with a half-intensity angle of less than 4.3 deg can be realized with
the reflector opening diameter of 90.0 mm.
Polarization gradient cooling and trapping of charged and neutral microspheres
Authors: He Ziqiang , Dong Guangjiong 
Published: October 2020

Laser cooling of macroscopic matters could pave the way for studying quantum-classic crossover and macroscopic quantum mechanics with potential application in quantum technologies. In this paper, we propose polarization gradient cooling and trapping of the microsphere in free space by exciting the degenerate whispering gallery modes using two counterpropagating optical fields with different polarizations. Cooling temperature is related to the internal temperature fluctuation and collision with residual air molecules as well as laser shot noise. Cooling and trapping of the microsphere are controlled by optical polarization of the optical waves. Orthogonal polarization cooling, compared with nonorthogonal polarization cooling, has higher cooling efficiency and is free from thermo-refractive and -elastic noises and thus has lower temperature. Simultaneous cooling and optical trapping of the microsphere could be achieved with the two nonorthogonally polarized optical fields. Our numerical simulation shows that a cooling temperature of less than 1 mK in a high vacuum environment could be achieved. Finally, influence of the electric affinity of a charged microsphere on optical forces has been investigated. The current scheme is for 1D cooling and trapping, but it could be extended to the 3D case.
Suppression of self-induced thermal lensing in stimulated Raman scattering of liquids
Authors: Hazan Zion , Ganot Yuval , Bar Ilana 
Published: October 2020

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), due to the interaction of intense laser beams with Raman active media, provides an effective operational mode for frequency conversion, downgraded (primarily in liquids) by self-induced thermal lensing (TL). Here, a unique setup, including a pump laser beam [green (532 nm), 10 Hz, 5 ns] passing through a rotating cell, filled with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium nitrate (

N
a
N

O

3

) was tested, for conversion to a yellow (564 nm) beam. This distinct geometry allowed each pump pulse to pass through a “fresh” solution, practically eliminating TL. A sharp enhancement in SRS generation (

∼

20

%

) and observation of unexpanded beams’ cross sections at the cell exit verified TL removal. The results and the obtained physical insight from the

N
a
N

O

3

model system point to the promise of this approach for suppression of impeding TL in frequency conversion by SRS in liquids.
Dark-line laser
Authors: To Bao-Dong , Wu Ming-Hsiung , Huang Yen-Chieh 
Published: October 2020

A laser is meant to emit coherent radiation at a particular wavelength. Here, we demonstrate a laser that is prohibited to emit at a particular wavelength, called a dark line in the emission background of its gain spectrum. Specifically, we installed a 150 µm thick etalon mirror on an ytterbium-doped fiber laser. The laser suffers from 100% loss at the resonance of the etalon and generates a dark line in its emission spectrum. The interplay among the etalon resonance, homogenous gain broadening, and gain competition allows wavelength tuning and multiple-color emission from the laser.
Mid-infrared quantum cascade laser frequency combs based on multi-section waveguides
Authors: Wang Ruijun , Täschler Philipp , Kapsalidis Filippos , Shahmohammadi Mehran , Beck Mattias , Faist Jérôme 
Published: October 2020

We present quantum cascade laser (QCL) frequency comb devices with engineered waveguides for managing the dispersion. The QCL waveguide consists of multiple sections with different waveguide widths. The narrow and wide sections of the waveguide are designed in a way to compensate the group velocity dispersion (GVD) of each other and thereby produce a flat and slightly negative GVD for the QCL. The QCL exhibits continuous comb operation over a large part of the dynamic range of the laser. Strong and narrow-linewidth intermode beatnotes are achieved in a more than 300 mA wide operation current range. The comb device also features considerably high output power (

>

380

m
W

) and wide optical bandwidth (

>

55

c
m

−
1

).
Voilà mon cœur, das vielas ao cais:
Authors: Santos Gleison Guilherme dos 
Published: October 2020

Resumo

Com esta pesquisa proponho uma reflexão sobre os resultados de uma exploração criativa cênica, a partir de um espetáculo de estética híbrida e experimental, vislumbrando utilizar a semiótica peirciana e o conceito de transcriação (tradução poética), de Haroldo de Campos, como procedimentos na criação em teatro. Uso como principal referência para o contexto dramatúrgico, a personagem Geni, da peça Ópera do Malandro, de Chico Buarque.
Palavras-chave: Geni e o zepelim, Leonilson, procedimentos de criação cênica, semiótica

Résumé

Dans cette recherche, je propose une réflexion sur les résultats d'une exploration créative scénique, à partir d'un spectacle d'esthétique hybride et expérimentale,en envisageant utiliser la sémiotique peircienne et le concept de transcréation (traduction poétique) de Haroldo de Campos, comme procédure de création en théâtre. J'utilise comme référence principale pour le contexte dramaturgique, le personnage Geni de la pièce de théâtre “Opéra do Malandro” de Chico Buarque.
Mots-clés: Geni et le zeppelin, Leonilson, procédures d’élevage scénique, sémiotique