bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treating pediatric post‐tonsillectomy pain and nausea with complementary and alternative medicine
Authors: Keefe Katherine R. , Byrne Kevin J. , Levi Jessica R. 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesAlthough tonsillectomy is a common and largely safe procedure, pain management in children remains a controversial topic. In addition to the challenge of choosing appropriate analgesia, there is often low parent and child adherence. This article presents a review, and evaluates the potential role, of a range of complementary and alternative therapies that may be sought out by parents.MethodsA literature review of complementary and alternative interventions performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE, supplemented by searches from Google and hand searches of cross‐references of selected articles, yielded 32 studies for qualitative analysis.ResultsThe studies included for analysis investigated a wide variety of alternative treatment modalities: acupuncture and related therapies, aromatherapy, homeopathy, honey, intravenous fluid, speech therapy, hyaluronic acid, behavioral therapies, ice/cold, hydrogen peroxide rinse, and chewing gum.ConclusionAt this time, stronger conclusions cannot be made about the therapies investigated because there are many methodology limitations of the studies analyzed. However, our results suggest merit for these treatments as adjuvant therapies that can enhance analgesia and decrease requirements of controversial medications. Honey and acupuncture have the greatest amount of evidence for postoperative pain and nausea; however, all interventions examined were cost‐effective and safe. We recommend against hydrogen peroxide rinses and chewing gum. Laryngoscope, 2625–2634, 2018
Improving resolution of MR images with an adversarial network incorporating images with different contrast
Authors: Kim Ki Hwan , Do Won‐Joon , Park Sung‐Hong 
Published: May 2018

PurposeThe routine MRI scan protocol consists of multiple pulse sequences that acquire images of varying contrast. Since high frequency contents such as edges are not significantly affected by image contrast, down‐sampled images in one contrast may be improved by high resolution (HR) images acquired in another contrast, reducing the total scan time. In this study, we propose a new deep learning framework that uses HR MR images in one contrast to generate HR MR images from highly down‐sampled MR images in another contrast.Materials and MethodsThe proposed convolutional neural network (CNN) framework consists of two CNNs: (a) a reconstruction CNN for generating HR images from the down‐sampled images using HR images acquired with a different MRI sequence and (b) a discriminator CNN for improving the perceptual quality of the generated HR images. The proposed method was evaluated using a public brain tumor database and in vivo datasets. The performance of the proposed method was assessed in tumor and no‐tumor cases separately, with perceptual image quality being judged by a radiologist. To overcome the challenge of training the network with a small number of available in vivo datasets, the network was pretrained using the public database and then fine‐tuned using the small number of in vivo datasets. The performance of the proposed method was also compared to that of several compressed sensing (CS) algorithms.ResultsIncorporating HR images of another contrast improved the quantitative assessments of the generated HR image in reference to ground truth. Also, incorporating a discriminator CNN yielded perceptually higher image quality. These results were verified in regions of normal tissue as well as tumors for various MRI sequences from pseudo k‐space data generated from the public database. The combination of pretraining with the public database and fine‐tuning with the small number of real k‐space datasets enhanced the performance of CNNs in in vivo application compared to training CNNs from scratch. The proposed method outperformed the compressed sensing methods.ConclusionsThe proposed method can be a good strategy for accelerating routine MRI scanning.
Advanced Collapsed cone Engine dose calculations in tissue media for COMS eye plaques loaded with I‐125 seeds
Authors: Morrison Hali , Menon Geetha , Larocque Matthew P. , van Veelen Bob , Niatsetski Yury , Weis Ezekiel , Sloboda Ron S. 
Published: May 2018

PurposeTo investigate the dose calculation accuracy of the Advanced Collapsed cone Engine (ACE) algorithm for ocular brachytherapy using a COMS plaque loaded with I‐125 seeds for two heterogeneous patient tissue scenarios.MethodsThe Oncura model 6711 I‐125 seed and 16 mm COMS plaque were added to a research version (v4.6) of the Oncentra® Brachy (OcB) treatment planning system (TPS) for dose calculations using ACE. Treatment plans were created for two heterogeneous cases: (a) a voxelized eye phantom comprising realistic eye materials and densities and (b) a patient CT dataset with variable densities throughout the dataset. ACE dose calculations were performed using a high accuracy mode, high‐resolution calculation grid matching the imported CT datasets (0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 mm3), and a user‐defined CT calibration curve. The accuracy of ACE was evaluated by replicating the plan geometries and comparing to Monte Carlo (MC) calculated doses obtained using MCNP6. The effects of the heterogeneous patient tissues on the dose distributions were also evaluated by performing the ACE and MCNP6 calculations for the same scenarios but setting all tissues and air to water.ResultsAverage local percent dose differences between ACE and MC within contoured structures and at points of interest for both scenarios ranged from 1.2% to 20.9%, and along the plaque central axis (CAX) from 0.7% to 7.8%. The largest differences occurred in the plaque penumbra (up to 17%), and at contoured structure interfaces (up to 20%). Other regions in the eye agreed more closely, within the uncertainties of ACE dose calculations (~5%). Compared to that, dose differences between water‐based and fully heterogeneous tissue simulations were up to 27%.ConclusionsOverall, ACE dosimetry agreed well with MC in the tumor volume and along the plaque CAX for the two heterogeneous tissue scenarios, indicating that ACE could potentially be used for clinical ocular brachytherapy dosimetry. In general, ACE data matched the fully heterogeneous MC data more closely than water‐based data, even in regions where the ACE accuracy was relatively low. However, depending on the plaque position, doses to critical structures near the plaque penumbra or at tissue interfaces were less accurate, indicating that improvements may be necessary. More extensive knowledge of eye tissue compositions is still required.
Determination of tebuconazole and penconazole fungicides in rat and human hair by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Polledri Elisa , Mercadante Rosa , Fustinoni Silvia 
Published: May 2018

RationaleTebuconazole (TEB) and penconazole (PEN) are widely applied fungicides and environmental contaminants; their toxicological properties include possible effects to the unborn child, therefore, the evaluation of human exposure is relevant to risk assessment. Hair is a non‐invasive specimen that incorporates pollutants allowing an extended exposure window to be surveyed. The aim of this work was to develop and validate an assay for the determination of TEB and PEN in human hair.MethodsUnder optimised conditions, analytes were extracted by soaking hair in acetonitrile, in the presence of deuterated analogues, under heating and agitation. Chemical separation was achieved using a C18 reversed‐phase chromatographic column and detection and quantification were performed, after positive electrospray ionization, by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry operating in selected reaction monitoring mode.ResultsThe assay validation showed a linear dynamic range up to 5 μg/L or 200 pg/mg hair, inter‐ and intra‐run precisions <6%, and accuracies within 5% of spiked concentrations. Limits of quantification were 0.001 μg/L or 1 pg/mg hair for both TEB and PEN. Matrix effect experiments showed that the isotope dilution approach allowed for the control of bias sources. TEB and PEN were determined in hair of rats exposed to a low dose of TEB and in hair of agricultural workers exposed to TEB and/or PEN during the application season, indicating that both chemicals are incorporated into the hair upon exposure.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that the developed assay is useful to evaluate the exposure to TEB and PEN in humans.
Effects of solvent parameters on the electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry response of glucose
Authors: Thacker Jonathan B. , Schug Kevin A. 
Published: May 2018

RationaleThe importance of saccharides, the most abundant biomolecules on Earth, extends beyond their biological roles and to consumer products and industrial processes. Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS) is an attractive tool for the analysis of underivatized saccharides (US), but they tend to have relatively low sensitivities due to their low surface activities and lack of easily protonable or deprotonable chemical groups. An understanding of the influences that solvent parameters have on their signal intensities would enhance the usefulness of ESI‐MS/MS for their analysis.MethodsSolutions of glucose, a model analyte for US, in various combinations of solvent, additive, additive concentration, and pH were analyzed by flow injection analysis ESI‐MS/MS in both the positive and negative ionization mode. The blank‐corrected signal intensities of the solvent parameter combinations were then compared.ResultsThe addition of acetonitrile led to severe ionization suppression in the positive ionization mode through its competition with glucose for cation adduction. High signal intensity was achieved under wide pH and concentration ranges for methanol: water solutions containing ammonium trifluoroacetate in the positive ionization mode. The highest signal intensities for acetonitrile: water solutions were those containing ammonium formate or lithium fluoride in the negative ionization mode.ConclusionsAn understanding of the influence of solvent parameters on the signal intensity of a given analyte is useful for guiding the selection process of mobile phases/flow solvents that lead to low limits of detection or the minimization of matrix effects by allowing its detection at high dilution factors.
Rapid analysis of carboxylic acids and esters with a direct analysis in real time ion source
Authors: Wang Sheng‐Kang , Wei Xian‐Yong , Li Sheng , Liu Fang‐Jing , Wang Yu‐Gao , Li Zhan‐Ku , Shi Chong , Yang Zheng , Zong Zhi‐Min 
Published: May 2018

RationaleCoal oxidation produces carboxylic acids (CAs), including aliphatic acids, benzoic acids, and benzenepolycarboxylic acids, which are important fine chemicals which could be used to understand the structural features of coals. However, detecting CAs usually presents great challenges due to extremely troublesome pretreatments. Therefore, it is essential to develop an analytical method for the rapid detection of CAs from coal oxidation.MethodsA series of model compounds (MCs) of oxidation products and two practical samples were investigated by direct analysis in real time time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (DART‐TOFMS) under three different analytical conditions (ionizing gas temperature, organic solvent, and MC concentration).ResultsIonizing methyl benzoate, dimethyl phthalate, and dimethyl adipate produces typical ions of methyl esters, including [M − OCH3]+, [M + H]+, and [M + NH4]+. In contrast, the characteristic ions generated from CAs are polymer ions, such as [2 M + NH4]+, [3 M + NH4]+, [4 M + NH4]+, and [5 M + NH4]+, indicating the strong intermolecular hydrogen‐bond interaction among CAs.ConclusionsResults suggest that DART‐TOFMS could rapidly analyze CAs or esters in coal oxidation products according to their typical ions to further gain deep insights into the coal structure.
Are the effects of methylphenidate uncertain?
Authors: Cortese S. 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesA recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of methylphenidate (MPH) in children and adolescents by a Cochrane group, led by Storebø, raised concern around the level of evidence supporting the use of this medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. This led to several critical responses from a number of ADHD experts.MethodsThis paper reviews the conclusions reached from the Storebø meta-analysis by a critical analysis of methodologies used along with drawing on extant literature.ResultsThe controversy raised by the Cochrane meta-analysis should lead to a balanced reflection on the research priorities and needs for the field.ConclusionsIt is hoped the controversy will ultimately lead to improve the quality of the research on the efficacy, effectiveness and tolerability of MPH for ADHD.
A survey on stereo vision-based autonomous navigation for multi-rotor MUAVs
Authors: Sanchez-Rodriguez Jose-Pablo , Aceves-Lopez Alejandro 
Published: May 2018

SUMMARYThis paper presents an overview of the most recent vision-based multi-rotor micro unmanned aerial vehicles (MUAVs) intended for autonomous navigation using a stereoscopic camera. Drone operation is difficult because pilots need the expertise to fly the drones. Pilots have a limited field of view, and unfortunate situations, such as loss of line of sight or collision with objects such as wires and branches, can happen. Autonomous navigation is an even more difficult challenge than remote control navigation because the drones must make decisions on their own in real time and simultaneously build maps of their surroundings if none is available. Moreover, MUAVs are limited in terms of useful payload capability and energy consumption. Therefore, a drone must be equipped with small sensors, and it must carry low weight. In addition, a drone requires a sufficiently powerful onboard computer so that it can understand its surroundings and navigate accordingly to achieve its goal safely. A stereoscopic camera is considered a suitable sensor because of its three-dimensional (3D) capabilities. Hence, a drone can perform vision-based navigation through object recognition and self-localise inside a map if one is available; otherwise, its autonomous navigation creates a simultaneous localisation and mapping problem.
Probable transmission routes of the influenza virus in a nosocomial outbreak
Authors: Xiao S. , Tang J. W. , Hui D. S. , Lei H. , Yu H. , Li Y. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractInfluenza is a long-standing public health concern, but its transmission remains poorly understood. To have a better knowledge of influenza transmission, we carried out a detailed modelling investigation in a nosocomial influenza outbreak in Hong Kong. We identified three hypothesised transmission modes between index patient and other inpatients based on the long-range airborne and fomite routes. We considered three kinds of healthcare workers’ routine round pathways in 1140 scenarios with various values of important parameters. In each scenario, we used a multi-agent modelling framework to estimate the infection risk for each hypothesis and conducted least-squares fitting to evaluate the hypotheses by comparing the distribution of the infection risk with that of the attack rates. Amongst the hypotheses tested in the 1140 scenarios, the prediction of modes involving the long-range airborne route fit better with the attack rates, and that of the two-route transmission mode had the best fit, with the long-range airborne route contributing about 94% and the fomite route contributing 6% to the infections. Under the assumed conditions, the influenza virus was likely to have spread via a combined long-range airborne and fomite routes, with the former predominant and the latter negligible.
From Microscale (400 μl) to Macroscale (425 L): Experimental Investigations of the CO2/N2‐CH4 Exchange in Gas Hydrates Simulating the Iġnik Sikumi Field Trial
Authors: Schicks J. M. , Strauch B. , Heeschen K. U. , Spangenberg E. , Luzi‐Helbing M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn 2012 the production of CH4 from hydrate‐bearing sediments via CO2 injection was conducted in the framework of the Iġnik Sikumi Field Trial in Alaska, USA. In order to preserve the injectivity by avoiding a formation of CO2 hydrate in the near‐well region, a mixture containing 77 mol% N2 and 23 mol% CO2 was chosen. The interpretation of the complex test results was difficult, and the nature of the interaction between the N2‐CO2 mixture and the initial CH4 hydrate could not be clarified. In this study we present the results of our experimental investigations simulating the Iġnik Sikumi Field Trial at different scales. We conducted (1) in situ Raman spectroscopic investigations to study the exchange process of the guest molecules in the hydrate phase on a molecular level in a flow‐through pressure cell with a volume of 0.393 ml, (2) batch experiments with pure hydrates and hydrate‐bearing sediments in pressure cells with volumes of 420 ml, and (3) the injection of a CO2‐N2 mixture into a hydrate‐bearing sediment in a large‐scale reservoir simulator with a total volume of 425 L. The results indicate a dissociation of the initial CH4 hydrate rather than an exchange reaction. The formation of a secondary mixed hydrate phase may occur, but this process strongly depends on the local composition of the gas phase and the pressure at given temperature.
Mineralogical Controls on Frictional Strength, Stability, and Shear Permeability Evolution of Fractures
Authors: Fang Yi , Elsworth Derek , Wang Chaoyi , Jia Yunzhong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMassive fluid injection into the subsurface can induce microearthquakes by reactivating preexisting faults or fractures as seismic or aseismic slip. Such seismic or aseismic shear deformations may result in different modes of permeability evolution. Previous experimental studies have explored frictional stability‐permeability relationships of carbonate‐rich and phyllosilicate‐rich samples under shear, suggesting that friction‐permeability relationship may be primarily controlled by fracture minerals. We examine this relationship and identify the role of mineralogy (i.e., tectosilicate, carbonate, and phyllosilicate content) using direct‐shear experiments on smooth saw‐cut fractures of natural rocks and sintered fractures with distinct mineralogical compositions. These results indicate that the friction‐permeability relationship is controlled by mineralogy. Frictional strength and permeability change upon reactivation decrease with phyllosilicate content but increase with tectosilicate content. In contrast, the reverse trend is observed for frictional stability (a‐b). However, the permeability change decreases with carbonate content while both frictional strength and stability increase. The permeability change always decreases with an increase in frictional stability. This relationship implies a new mechanical‐hydro‐chemical coupling loop via a linkage of frictional properties, mineralogy, and permeability.
Stress Influence on Fracture Aperture and Permeability of Fragmented Rocks
Authors: Agheshlui Hossein , Sedaghat Mohammad H. , Matthai Stephan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe influence of far‐field stresses on fracture apertures in a fragmented rock layer is investigated using finite element analysis of a three‐dimensional mechanical model. The model implements realistic boundary conditions, interactions between the fragmented layer and neighboring plastic rock layers, and frictional interfaces between the rock blocks. Stress‐strain analysis is conducted to obtain stress variations within the fragmented rock layer and the block displacements and rotations. The fracture apertures are calculated using the local stress states instead of the far‐field stresses simply being projected on the fractures. It is observed that fracture apertures can vary for the fracture segments over the individual blocks. Ensemble permeability is calculated by running a single‐phase flow analysis considering the obtained fracture apertures for fracture segments. The influence of the rock block displacements, rotations and deformations, difference between the mechanical properties of the rock layers, and the orientation of the horizontal stresses is investigated on the ensemble permeability. It is demonstrated that the compressibility of the neighboring layers and block rotations and deformations have significant influence on the permeability of the fragmented rock layer. These effects, which may be ignored in simpler aperture calculation models, can result in considerable inaccuracies in the estimation of fracture apertures and ensemble permeability. Hence, such methods may only be used as indicative tools.
What Drives the Lateral Versus Vertical Propagation of Dikes? Insights From Analogue Models
Authors: Urbani S. , Acocella V. , Rivalta E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractVolcanic eruptions are usually fed by dikes. Understanding how crustal inhomogeneities and topographic loads control the direction (lateral/vertical) and extent (propagation/arrest) of dikes is crucial to forecast the opening of a vent. Many factors, including buoyancy, crustal layering, and topography, may control the vertical or lateral propagation of a dike. To define a hierarchy between these factors, we have conducted analogue models, injecting water (magma analogue) within gelatin (crust analogue). We investigate the effect of crustal layering (both rigidity and density layering), topography, magma inflow rate, and the density ratio between host rock and magma. Based on the experimental observations and scaling considerations, we suggest that rigidity layering (a stiffer layer overlying a weaker one) and topographic gradient favor predominantly lateral dike propagation; inflow rate, density layering, and density ratio play a subordinate role. Conversely, a softer layer overlying a stiffer one favors vertical propagation. Our results highlight the higher efficiency of a stiff layer in driving lateral dike propagation and/or inhibiting vertical propagation with respect to the Level of Neutral Buoyancy proposed by previous studies.
A Terrestrial Gamma‐Ray Flash inside the Eyewall of Hurricane Patricia
Authors: Bowers G. S. , Smith D. M. , Kelley N. A. , Martinez‐McKinney G. F. , Cummer S. A. , Dwyer J. R. , Heckman S. , Holzworth R. H. , Marks F. , Reasor P. , Gamache J. , Dunion J. , Richards T. , Rassoul H. K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOn 23 October 2015 at ~1732 UTC, the Airborne Detector for Energetic Lightning Emissions (ADELE) flew through the eyewall of Hurricane Patricia aboard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Hunter WP‐3D Orion, observing the first terrestrial gamma‐ray flash (TGF) ever seen in that context, and the first ever viewed from behind the forward direction of the main TGF gamma‐ray burst. ADELE measured 184 counts of ionizing radiation within 150 μs, coincident with the detection of a nearby lightning flash. Lightning characteristics inferred from the associated radio signal and comparison of the gamma‐ray energy spectrum to simulations suggests that this is the first observation of a reverse beam of positrons predicted by the leading TGF production model, relativistic runaway electron avalanches. This paper presents the first experimental evidence of a previously predicted second component of gamma‐ray emission from TGFs. The brightest emission, commonly observed from orbit, is from the relativistic runaway electron avalanche bremsstrahlung; the second, fainter component reported here is from the bremsstrahlung of positrons propagating in the reverse direction. This reverse gamma‐ray beam penetrates to low enough altitudes to allow ground‐based detection of typical upward TGFs from mountain observatories.