bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The performance of ultrasound in determining the cause of biliary dilation
Authors: Jones Matthew , Necas Martin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionTransabdominal ultrasound (US) is the modality of choice for the initial investigation of patients with suspected biliary disease. There are multiple factors that can affect the quality of an US examination including – operator experience, patient habitus and bowel gas. This study investigated the performance of US in determining the cause of biliary dilation and correlated US findings with definitive diagnoses from other modalities and procedures.MethodsOne hundred patients were retrospectively identified with an US‐reported common bile duct diameter of 8 mm or greater. Patient records were used to correlate US findings with ‘gold standard’ diagnostic tests – other imaging modalities with conclusive findings and/or endoscopic procedures or surgery with histology. The performance of US was calculated for the most common pathologies encountered.ResultsA definitive cause for dilation was identified in 38 patients (n = 38). The US diagnosis was correct in 19 of these patients (50% of cases where a cause was identified). Choledocholithiasis was the most common pathology, with 23 instances identified by US (61% of the cases where an aetiology was found). Malignancy formed the next largest group (four cases).ConclusionsFor most patients with a US‐reported common bile duct 8 mm or greater, a cause for biliary dilation was not established. Further study and methodological refinements are required to understand the clinical context of the cases with no recorded follow up. Performance of US is concordant with published literature. Distal choledocholithiasis remains a challenging area for US.
Material Design Concept of Lithium‐Excess Electrode Materials with Rocksalt‐Related Structures for Rechargeable Non‐Aqueous Batteries
Authors: Yabuuchi Naoaki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDependence on lithium‐ion batteries for automobile applications is rapidly increasing, and further improvement, especially for positive electrode materials, is indispensable to increase energy density of lithium‐ion batteries. In the past several years, many new lithium‐excess high‐capacity electrode materials with rocksalt‐related structures have been reported. These materials deliver high reversible capacity with cationic/anionic redox and percolative lithium migration in the oxide/oxyfluoride framework structures, and recent research progresses on these electrode materials are reviewed. Material design strategies for these lithium‐excess electrode materials are also described. Future possibility of high‐energy non‐aqueous batteries with advanced positive electrode materials is discussed for more details.
Measuring the triple Higgs self-couplings in two Higgs doublet model
Authors: Sonmez Nasuf 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

The determination of the Higgs self-coupling in the Standard Model is one of the primary motivations among all the future lepton colliders. Extending the scalar sector of the Standard Model by a new Higgs doublet with a quadratic Higgs potential gives many new features to the model, and most importantly additional Higgs self-couplings emerge. Measuring these couplings is the only way to reconstruct the shape of the scalar potential. In this study, the numerical analysis of several scattering processes is carried out for the two-Higgs-doublet model to determine Higgs self-couplings. These processes are selected among various possible combinations of additional Higgs states. The computation is carried out in the exact alignment limit (s

βα
= 1). The distribution of the cross sections is presented regarding the polarization of the incoming beams and up to

$$ \sqrt{s}=3 $$

s

=
3

TeV. A strategy for extracting the Higgs self-couplings is considered in 2HDM and at the future lepton colliders. Possible final states that could be used for each of the processes are investigated using the decays of the final state particles.
Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Intramedullary Nails Perform Poorly in Long-Bone Surgery
Authors: Fragomen Austin T. , Teplensky Jason , Robert Rozbruch S. 
Published: October 2018

Background Carbon-fiber-reinforced (CFR) polymer has produced great excitement in the orthopedic community as a material that will reduce bone healing times and provide improved image quality. Osteotomy stabilized with an intramedullary (IM) nail has become a common technique to address post-traumatic malalignment of the lower extremity. Purposes/Questions The following questions were asked: (1) Did CFR polymer nails provide a rapid healing time after long bone osteotomy, shortening, or fracture? (2) Did the CFR polymer nails produce unexpected complications? Methods A retrospective review was conducted in patients who received CFR polymer IM nails for various indications, from April 2016 to January 2017 in a deformity and trauma practice, ﻿using patient charts and radiographs. The primary outcomes were time to union and incidence of complications including nonunion, hardware failure, neurovascular injury, venous thromboembolism, and infection. Results Twelve patients who received CFR polymer IM nails in 16 limbs for various indications were included in our analysis. Patients were followed for an average of 16.9 months. Eleven limbs underwent realignment and were corrected an average of 23° through a diaphyseal osteotomy. Three limbs underwent limb-shortening surgery, an average of 25 mm, through an open, excisional osteotomy of the femoral diaphysis. Two diaphyseal, closed tibia fractures underwent routine IM nailing. The average time to union was 107.6 days, which included all limbs that united (11/16, 69%). Nonunion occurred in 5/16 (31%) of limbs. Complications recorded included nonunion and hardware failure, most of which resulted in unplanned surgery. Conclusions The use of the CFR polymer IM nail was associated with loss of fixation and nonunion after surgeries that have traditionally healed uneventfully. The increased elasticity of the CFR polymer allows for more motion at the osteotomy/fracture interface than the stiffer titanium counterparts, exposing long-bone osteotomies to delayed union and nonunion, a finding seen with CFR polymer plates. The overwhelmingly poor early results of this device applied to a long-bone deformity practice have led these authors to abandon the use of this implant.
Lime Dissolution in Foaming BOF Slag
Authors: Martinsson Johan , Glaser Björn , Sichen Du 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The paper describes the dissolution mechanisms of lime into liquid and foaming slags relevant to the BOF process. Two different master slags are employed, representing two different periods of the converter process: an early stage where the FeO content is fixed to 45 wt pct, and a later stage where the FeO content is fixed to 25 wt pct. For these master slags, the ratio between CaO/SiO2 is varied to examine the effect of basicity on lime dissolution. Calcium silicates are formed and peeled off, or partially peeled off, from the interface between the lime cube and the slag in all cases. The main difference for the dissolutions in pure liquid slag and foaming slag is the controlling step for dissolution. In liquid slag, the controlling mechanism is the removal of the calcium silicate layers, while in foaming slag, the controlling mechanism is the contact area between the lime and the liquid slag phase of the foam. The strong convection in the foam enhance the dissolution process, in some cases, the lime even dissociates into small pieces.
Group‐based trajectories of parent‐child communication and parental knowledge between sexual minority and heterosexual girls and their associations with substance use
Authors: Montano Gerald T. , Marshal Michael P. , McCauley Heather L. , Miller Elizabeth , Chung Tammy , Hipwell Alison E. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTIntroductionSexual minority girls (SMGs) may be at high risk for substance use partially due to anti‐gay discrimination. Low levels of parent‐child communication and parental knowledge may contribute to this risk. This study seeks to identify parent‐child communication and parental knowledge trajectories, determine the likelihood of SMGs following these trajectories, and describe the relationships between these trajectories, sexual orientation, and substance use.MethodsThis is a secondary data analysis of the Pittsburgh Girls Study (N = 2450), a longitudinal study on the changes in behaviors among girls throughout childhood. We generated group trajectory models of parentchild communication and parental knowledge starting from age 12 to age 17 years. We then tested the likelihood of SMGs belonging to these group trajectories and the association between group trajectory membership and substance use at age 18 years.ResultsSMGs were more likely than were heterosexual girls to follow the infrequent decreasing parent‐child communication trajectory and the slowly decreasing parental knowledge trajectory and were more likely than were heterosexual girls to engage in substance use at age 18 years. Parent‐child communication and parental knowledge trajectories were statistically significant mediators between sexual orientation and substance use.ConclusionFrequency of parent‐child communication and levels of parental knowledge may be determinants of substance use among SMGs. These results have implications for developing substance use prevention programs among sexual minority youth targeting parent‐child relationships.
Training by Using an Adaptive Foot Switch and Video Games to Improve Balance and Mobility Following Stroke: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Hsieh Hsieh-Chun 
Published: October 2018

In this study, an altered switch for rehabilitation was invented to make home training accessible for the stroke patients, by modifying a computer mouse into a foot switch. This study examined the effects of training with an adaptive foot switch and video games (VG) on walking performance and balance abilities (Centre of Pressure (CoP) sway) in people after stroke.The intervention was evaluated through a randomised controlled trial. The intervention group received 10 weeks of VG rehabilitation, for approximately 3.5 hours/week, using a pressure-activated electronic foot switch, in addition to standard rehabilitation. The control group received regular rehabilitation only. The experiment included a force platform (measuring CoP sway kinematics) and a 10-Metre Test of Walking (10MWT) to measure the standing balance and walking performance of 56 stroke patients.There were no differences between the two groups (intervention and control) at baseline in terms of the demographic or dependent variables. Multivariate tests indicated a significant interaction between the Patient Group and the Time-type variables. Subsequent analysis of the main effects revealed significant between-group differences over time in all dependent variables (10MWT, sway area, CoP sway in anterior–posterior direction (AP sway) and CoP sway in medial–lateral direction (ML sway)). Patients in the intervention group demonstrated better performance than those in the control group after the VG rehabilitation according to the post-test.This study suggests that ankle muscle training using an adaptive foot switch and VG may improve exercise compliance and enhance recovery of balance and mobility following stroke.
Artificial chemotaxis of phoretic swimmers: instantaneous and long-time behaviour
Authors: Tătulea-Codrean Maria , Lauga Eric 
Published: October 2018

Phoretic swimmers are a class of artificial active particles that has received significant attention in recent years. By making use of self-generated gradients (e.g. in temperature, electric potential or some chemical product) phoretic swimmers are capable of self-propulsion without the complications of mobile body parts or a controlled external field. Focusing on diffusiophoresis, we quantify in this paper the mechanisms through which phoretic particles may achieve chemotaxis, both at the individual and the non-interacting population level. We first derive a fully analytical law for the instantaneous propulsion and orientation of a phoretic swimmer with general axisymmetric surface properties, in the limit of zero Péclet number and small Damköhler number. We then apply our results to the case of a Janus sphere, one of the most common designs of phoretic swimmers used in experimental studies. We next put forward a novel application of generalised Taylor dispersion theory in order to characterise the long-time behaviour of a population of non-interacting phoretic swimmers. We compare our theoretical results with numerical simulations for the mean drift and anisotropic diffusion of phoretic swimmers in chemical gradients. Our results will help inform the design of phoretic swimmers in future experimental applications.
Preferential orientation of spheroidal particles in wavy flow
Authors: DiBenedetto Michelle H. , Ouellette Nicholas T. 
Published: October 2018

We report a theoretical study of the angular dynamics of small, non-inertial spheroidal particles in a linear wave field. We recover the observation recently reported by DiBenedetto et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 837, 2018, pp. 320–340) that the orientation of these spheroids tends to a stable limit cycle consisting of a preferred value with a superimposed oscillation. We show that this behaviour is a consequence of finite wave amplitude and is the angular analogue of Stokes drift. We derive expressions for both the preferred orientation of the particles, which depends only on particle shape, and the amplitude of the oscillation about this preferred value, which additionally depends on the wave parameters and the depth of the particle in the water column.
Exponential density transition-based enhanced second harmonic generation in plasma
Authors: Thakur Vishal , Kant Niti 
Published: October 2018

AbstractEnhanced harmonic generation of second order based on exponential density ramp in plasma has been noticed. It is well known that self-focusing of pump laser induces a transverse intensity gradient, which gives rise to the plasma wave at the pump frequency. Highly intense Gaussian laser with exponential density ramp profile generates a second harmonic pulse in plasma. It is noticed that the amplitude of second-harmonic pulse varies periodically with the distance and reaches its peak value in the focal region. Further, it is found that exponential plasma density ramp is useful for stronger self-focusing, which lead to rise second harmonic generation (SHG). Wiggler magnetic field provides the additional angular momentum required for second harmonic photon and aids in growing of resonant process. One may clearly see that exponential plasma density ramp imparts a major role in enhancing the SHG in plasma. Further, the combined effect of exponential density ramp and wiggler magnetic field boosts the SHG in plasma.
Rational discrete first degree cohomology for totally disconnected locally compact groups
Authors: CASTELLANO ILARIA 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIt is well known that the existence of more than two ends in the sense of J.R. Stallings for a finitely generated discrete group G can be detected on the cohomology group H1(G,R[G]), where R is either a finite field, the ring of integers or the field of rational numbers. It will be shown (cf. Theorem A*) that for a compactly generated totally disconnected locally compact group G the same information about the number of ends of G in the sense of H. Abels can be provided by dH1(G, Bi(G)), where Bi(G) is the rational discrete standard bimodule of G, and dH•(G, _) denotes rational discrete cohomology as introduced in [6].As a consequence one has that the class of fundamental groups of a finite graph of profinite groups coincides with the class of compactly presented totally disconnected locally compact groups of rational discrete cohomological dimension at most 1 (cf. Theorem B).
Single-centre experience in stenting arterial shunts for adult CHD patients with single-ventricle physiology and pulmonary blood flow dependent on arterial shunts
Authors: Kasem Mohamed , Bentham James , Thomson John 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to describe the approach to stenting arterial shunts in adult congenital patients with single-ventricle physiology and to assess the medium-term clinical and haemodynamic outcomes following stent insertion.BackgroundAdult patients with single-ventricle physiology and pulmonary blood flow dependent on a surgically placed arterial shunt who did not progress to venous palliation are extremely challenging to manage. Progressive cyanosis secondary to narrowing of the shunt has a marked impact on exercise tolerance and results in intolerable well-being for these patients. Stenting arterial shunts in adult patients is one method that can help improve pulmonary blood flow. There is very limited information in the literature about this patient.MethodsThis is a retrospective study for arterial shunts stenting conducted between 2008 and 2016. The peripheral oxygen saturations, the NYHA status, the haemoglobin, and the degree of atrio-ventricular valve regurgitation as assessed on transthoracic echo were compared before and 6–12 months after procedures.ResultsThere was a short-term improvement in oxygen saturations; the pre-procedure mean was 75.8 (SD 2.55)% (range 70–85%) and post-procedure mean was 83 (SD 2.52)% (range 78–87%), with a p value of 0.04. Haemoglobin level decreased from a pre-procedure mean of 22.06–20.28 g/L 6 months post procedure (range 18.1–24.4 to 13–23.3 g/L), with a p value of 0.44. NYHA class decreased from a mean of 3.2–2.2 post procedure. Left atrial volume for four of the cases did not change (22.6–76.6 ml [mean 48.4 ml] to 29.6–72.9 ml [mean 52 ml], p value: 0.83).ConclusionsStenting stenotic arterial shunts is a useful method to gain a medium-term improvement on the oxygen saturation and clinical symptoms, and may act as a useful intermediate step for further management plans.
Safety of outpatient cardiac catheterisation in infants with single-ventricle or shunt-dependent biventricular congenital heart disease
Authors: Colombo Jamie N. , Spaeder Michael C. , Hainstock Michael R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the incidence and causes of readmission of infants with single-ventricle and shunt-dependent biventricular CHD following routine, outpatient cardiac catheterisation.BackgroundCardiac catheterisation is commonly performed in patients with single-ventricle and shunt-dependent biventricular CHD for haemodynamic assessment and surgical planning. Best practices for post-procedural care in this population are unknown, and substantial variation exists between centres. Outpatient catheterisation reduces parental anxiety and decreases cost. Our institutional strategy is to discharge patients following a 4- to 6-hour post-procedure observation period.MethodsRetrospective cohort study using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database identified patients <1 year of age with pre-stage II single-ventricle CHD or shunt-dependent biventricular CHD who underwent cardiac catheterisation between 2007 and 2015. Readmission was defined as admission to the hospital within 48 hours after discharge after catheterisation.ResultsA total of 92 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 62 patients (67%) were discharged after a 4- to 6-hour observation period with only 3% readmission, 18 patients (20%) stayed for a 23-hour observation period, and 12 patients (13%) were admitted for >23 hours. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between discharged and admitted patients. Patients who underwent intervention were more likely to be admitted. Patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome did not have major adverse events or readmissions. No intra- or peri-procedural deaths occurred.ConclusionsOutpatient cardiac catheterisation may be a safe option for infants with single-ventricle and shunt-dependent biventricular CHD, with low readmission rates and minimal morbidity.
Predicted Chance That Global Warming Will Temporarily Exceed 1.5 °C
Authors: Smith D. M. , Scaife A. A. , Hawkins E. , Bilbao R. , Boer G. J. , Caian M. , Caron L.‐P. , Danabasoglu G. , Delworth T. , Doblas‐Reyes F. J. , Doescher R. , Dunstone N. J. , Eade R. , Hermanson L. , Ishii M. , Kharin V. , Kimoto M. , Koenigk T. , Kushnir Y. , Matei D. , Meehl G. A. , Menegoz M. , Merryfield W. J. , Mochizuki T. , Müller W. A. , Pohlmann H. , Power S. , Rixen M. , Sospedra‐Alfonso R. , Tuma M. , Wyser K. , Yang X. , Yeager S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe Paris Agreement calls for efforts to limit anthropogenic global warming to less than 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels. However, natural internal variability may exacerbate anthropogenic warming to produce temporary excursions above 1.5 °C. Such excursions would not necessarily exceed the Paris Agreement, but would provide a warning that the threshold is being approached. Here we develop a new capability to predict the probability that global temperature will exceed 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels in the coming 5 years. For the period 2017 to 2021 we predict a 38% and 10% chance, respectively, of monthly or yearly temperatures exceeding 1.5 °C, with virtually no chance of the 5‐year mean being above the threshold. Our forecasts will be updated annually to provide policy makers with advanced warning of the evolving probability and duration of future warming events.
Solving Controversies on the Iron Phase Diagram Under High Pressure
Authors: Morard Guillaume , Boccato Silvia , Rosa Angelika D. , Anzellini Simone , Miozzi Francesca , Henry Laura , Garbarino Gaston , Mezouar Mohamed , Harmand Marion , Guyot François , Boulard Eglantine , Kantor Innokenty , Irifune Tetsuo , Torchio Raffaella 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAs the main constituent of planetary cores, pure iron phase diagram under high pressure and temperature is of fundamental importance in geophysics and planetary science. However, previously reported iron‐melting curves show large discrepancies (up to 1000 K at the Earth's core–mantle boundary, 136 GPa), resulting in persisting high uncertainties on the solid‐liquid phase boundary. Here we unambiguously show that the observed differences commonly attributed to the nature of the used melting diagnostic are due to a carbon contamination of the sample as well as pressure overestimation at high temperature. The high melting temperature of pure iron under core‐mantle boundary (4250 ± 250 K), here determined by X‐ray absorption experiments at the Fe K‐edge, indicates that volatile light elements such as sulfur, carbon, or hydrogen are required to lower the crystallization temperature of the Earth's liquid outer core in order to prevent extended melting of the surrounding silicate mantle.
Diagnosis of ULF Wave‐Particle Interactions With Megaelectron Volt Electrons: The Importance of Ultrahigh‐Resolution Energy Channels
Authors: Hartinger M. D. , Claudepierre S. G. , Turner D. L. , Reeves G. D. , Breneman A. , Mann I. R. , Peek T. , Chang E. , Blake J. B. , Fennell J. F. , O'Brien T. P. , Looper M. D. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractElectron flux measurements are an important diagnostic for interactions between ultralow‐frequency (ULF) waves and relativistic (∼1 MeV) electrons. Since measurements are collected by particle detectors with finite energy channel width, they are affected by a phase mixing process that can obscure these interactions. We demonstrate that ultrahigh‐resolution electron measurements from the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer on the Van Allen Probes mission—obtained using a data product that improves the energy resolution by roughly an order of magnitude—are crucial for understanding ULF wave‐particle interactions. In particular, the ultrahigh‐resolution measurements reveal a range of complex dynamics that cannot be resolved by standard measurements. Furthermore, the standard measurements provide estimates for the ULF flux modulation amplitude, period, and phase that may not be representative of true flux modulations, potentially leading to ambiguous conclusions concerning electron dynamics.