bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inverse transport modeling of volcanic sulfur dioxide emissions using large-scale simulations
Authors: Heng Yi , Hoffmann Lars , Griessbach Sabine , Rößler Thomas , Stein Olaf 
Published: May 2016

Abstract. An inverse transport modeling approach based on the concepts of sequential importance resampling and parallel computing is presented to reconstruct altitude-resolved time series of volcanic emissions, which often cannot be obtained directly with current measurement techniques. A new inverse modeling and simulation system, which implements the inversion approach with the Lagrangian transport model Massive-Parallel Trajectory Calculations (MPTRAC) is developed to provide reliable transport simulations of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2). In the inverse modeling system MPTRAC is used to perform two types of simulations, i.e., unit simulations for the reconstruction of volcanic emissions and final forward simulations. Both types of transport simulations are based on wind fields of the ERA-Interim meteorological reanalysis of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts. The reconstruction of altitude-dependent SO2 emission time series is also based on Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) satellite observations. A case study for the eruption of the Nabro volcano, Eritrea, in June 2011, with complex emission patterns, is considered for method validation. Meteosat Visible and InfraRed Imager (MVIRI) near-real-time imagery data are used to validate the temporal development of the reconstructed emissions. Furthermore, the altitude distributions of the emission time series are compared with top and bottom altitude measurements of aerosol layers obtained by the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) and the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) satellite instruments. The final forward simulations provide detailed spatial and temporal information on the SO2 distributions of the Nabro eruption. By using the critical success index (CSI), the simulation results are evaluated with the AIRS observations. Compared to the results with an assumption of a constant flux of SO2 emissions, our inversion approach leads to an improvement of the mean CSI value from 8.1 to 21.4 % and the maximum CSI value from 32.3 to 52.4 %. The simulation results are also compared with those reported in other studies and good agreement is observed. Our new inverse modeling and simulation system is expected to become a useful tool to also study other volcanic eruption events.
Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy as a Presenting Symptom of Cushing Syndrome
Authors: van Dijk Elon H.C. , Dijkman Greet , Biermasz Nienke R. , van Haalen Femke M. , Pereira Alberto M. , Boon Camiel J.F. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose To describe 4 patients who were diagnosed with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC), which appeared to be the presenting symptom of Cushing syndrome (CS). Methods In this retrospective review of charts, all patients received extensive ophthalmologic examination and endocrinologic analyses. Results A 56-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman were treated because of bilaterally active, therapy-resistant cCSC. The clinical sign indicative for CS leading to referral to the endocrinologist was muscle weakness in the man and plethora in the woman. In a 37-year-old woman with known diabetes mellitus and central obesity, bilateral cCSC was diagnosed before CS screening. Another 49-year-old woman was treated for unilateral cCSC for 4 years. Complaints of fatigue, muscle weakness, central adiposity, and skin atrophy led to referral and a CS diagnosis due to bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. In all patients, CS surgery resulted in complete resolution of subretinal fluid. During postsurgical follow-up, no reactivation of cCSC was observed. Conclusions Chronic CSC can be the principal manifestation of relatively mildly symptomatic and unrecognized CS. In patients with cCSC, ophthalmologists should have a high index of suspicion for clinical signs of CS that warrant endocrinologic analysis. Cushing syndrome surgery can stop active subretinal fluid leakage in cCSC.
Comparison of Eyedrop Instillation Technique with and without a Delivery Device in Inexperienced Patients
Authors: Gomes Beatriz F. , Lordello Marília , Celli Luiz F. , Santhiago Marcony R. , Moraes Haroldo V. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose To compare the instillation of eyedrops with and without Xal-Ease® delivery device in inexperienced patients based on patient observation and answers to a questionnaire. Methods This prospective study included consecutive patients considered inexperienced in instilling eyedrops. After a short explanation about the methods, drop instillation technique was evaluated with and without the device. Subjects also completed a survey regarding drop administration and satisfaction. Successful instillation was defined as instilling a single drop in the eye without touching the eye with the bottle tip on the first attempt. Results The overall rate of successful instillation (43%) was the same for both techniques (with or without the device). Without the device, the bottle tip touched the eye or periocular tissues in 8 eyes (35%) compared with 0 (0%) with the Xal-Ease® (p<0.01). The number of eyedrops dispensed was significantly higher with Xal-Ease® (1.4 ± 0.5 without the device versus 2.0 ± 1.1 with Xal-Ease®; p = 0.03). Using the Xal-Ease® device, 13 (57%) of the patients needed to make more than one attempt, versus 6 (26%) patients without the device (p = 0.04). Overall, 9 (39%) preferred traditional instillation and 14 (61%) preferred to use the device. Conclusions Xal-Ease® successfully decreased mechanical contact of the tip of the bottle. However, Xal-Ease® failed to help inexperienced subjects dispense fewer drops, or improve accuracy, suggesting that more training might be needed to achieve a good eyedrop administration technique with the device.
Single-Component Revisions are Associated with Dislocation after Revision Total HIP Arthroplasty at Intermediate-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Stedman Roman C. , Lim Daniel , Husain Adeel , Courtney Paul M. , Nelson Charles L. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose Dislocation is the most frequent complication following revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Although several risk factors for dislocation in revision THA have been described, many cannot be modified at the time of surgery. Identifying modifiable risk factors for subsequent dislocation after revision THA provides opportunity for orthopedic surgeons to decrease instability. Methods A retrospective analysis of 203 consecutive revision THA procedures performed by a single surgeon with a minimum 2-year follow-up between May 2003 and June 2012 was performed. 2 (1.0%) died and 14 (6.9%) were lost to follow-up leaving 187 (92%) revision procedures in 123 men and 64 women. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for dislocation. Results 9 (4.8%) of all patients reviewed experienced a dislocation episode. Of those, 8 (89%) had a single component revised, 6 (67%) were women, and 4 (44%) had a history of recurrent dislocation. 2 of 14 (14%) patients with a constrained liner dislocated. Univariate analysis demonstrated that single-component revisions were at higher risk for dislocation after the surgery (p value = 0.033). Conclusions Identifying modifiable risk factors for dislocation after revision THA provide opportunity to decrease rates of instability. Based on our data, single-component revision THA is a risk factor for subsequent dislocation.
Leg Length Discrepancy in Computer Navigated Total Hip Arthroplasty – How Accurate are We?
Authors: Ellapparadja Pregash , Mahajan Vivek , Atiya Sami , Sankar Biju , Deep Kamal 
Published: May 2016

Introduction The success of total hip arthroplasty (THA) depends on the restoration of 2 important parameters - hip offset and leg length. Leg length discrepancy (LLD) after THA is associated with back pain, gait disorder, general patient dissatisfaction and aseptic loosening. Hence it is of utmost importance to minimise LLD. Methods This is a retrospective study where we compared the reproduction of leg lengths between navigated THA group (152 patients) and nonnavigated THA group (57 patients). The leg lengths were measured radiologically using Ranawat technique on AP pelvic radiograph. Results In the navigated group, the leg lengths of the reconstructed hips were restored to within 6 mm of the opposite leg in 146 patients (96.05%) while 6 patients (3.94%) had LLD of more than 6 mm. In the nonnavigated group, 29 patients (51%) had their leg lengths restored within 6 mm of the opposite leg while the remaining 28 patients (49%) had their LLD greater than 6 mm. Statistical analysis of the 2 pairs of LLD measurements (navigated hip and nonnavigated group) using Mann-Whitney U-test revealed significant difference between these two groups (p<0.001). Conclusions Based on our results we conclude that computer navigation is an excellent tool to facilitate the successful reproduction of leg length in THA.
A Double-Layer Patch Design for Local and Controlled Drug Delivery as an Intraoperative Custom-Made Implant-Coating Technology
Authors: Trajkovski Branko , Petersen Ansgar , Perka Carsten , Scharnagl Nico , Mathew Simi , Wischke Christian , Lendlein Andreas , Duda Georg N. 
Published: May 2016

Background The specific biological need of patients frequently becomes obvious just in the intraoperative setting. We hypothesized that a double-layer patch approach that allowed rapid attachment to an implant surface would represent a potential solution for technically challenging intraoperative personalized local drug delivery. Methods Dexamethasone-loaded poly[( rac-lactide)- co-glycolide] (PLGA) microparticles were embedded within a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) patch that was attached to metal implant surfaces by in situ polymerization of alkyl-2-cyanoacrylates (CAs). Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles were also embedded in the PVA patch. Results Very rapid dexamethasone-release profiles were observed from the PLGA microparticles / PVA patches. The incorporation of HA nanoparticles into the PVA enabled control of CA penetration within the patch, and improved significantly its attachment, while no interference with the drug release was observed. Conclusions Double-layered patches with 1 layer for drug delivery and 1 as gluing interface could represent a solution for safe and controlled local drug delivery from implant surfaces or other, even biological, materials. The technology platform presented here opens the opportunity for personalized medicine by allowing local administration of drugs with customized release based on an intraoperative application.
Malignant Giant Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura Metastatic to the Thyroid Gland
Authors: Ricciuti Biagio , Metro Giulio , Leonardi Giulia Costanza , del Sordo Rachele , Colella Renato , Puma Francesco , Ceccarelli Silvia , Potenza Rossella , Rebonato Alberto , Maiettini Daniele , Crinò Lucio , Chiari Rita 
Published: May 2016

Purpose Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the pleura is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm arising from mesenchymal cells in the areolar tissue subjacent to the mesothelial-lined pleura and accounting for less than 5% of primary pleural tumors. SFTs are generally benign and asymptomatic, with 10-year survival rates of up to 98%. Unfortunately, approximately 10% have malignant potential, leading to local recurrence after radical surgery and/or metastatic spread. Of note, giant pleural SFT, which consists of a tumor occupying at least 40% of the affected hemithorax, is even less common with only anecdotal cases reported in the medical literature. Methods We describe a unique case of giant SFT of the pleura that metastasized to the thyroid gland 1 year after complete resection, focusing on its clinical and pathological features of presentation. Results En bloc resection remains the mainstay of therapy with curative intent. Patients with large tumors may undergo preoperative angiography with percutaneous embolization of the tumor, which allows to reduce perioperative bleeding. In case of local recurrence, surgery still remains the best treatment option. However, surgery can also be considered in patients with isolated metastatic spread. Conclusions Every suspected and proven SFT of the pleura should undergo surgical resection, as clinical and radiological criteria cannot accurately distinguish benign from malignant forms. Moreover, the peculiar histological features of SFT should not be neglected when planning clinicoradiological follow-up. Additionally, suspicious clinical findings during follow-up should always be thoroughly investigated in order to exclude or confirm the diagnosis of recurrent disease.
Improving Students’ Understanding and Explanation Skills Through the Use of a Knowledge Building Forum
Authors: Hamel Christine , Turcotte Sandrine , Laferrière Thérèse , Bisson Nicolas 
Published: May 2016

Education research has shown the importance of helping students develop comprenehsion skills. Explanation-seeking rather than fact-seeking pedagogies have been shown to warrant deeper student understanding. This study investigates the use of Knowledge Forum (KF) in K-6 classrooms (n = 251) to develop students’ explanation skills. To this end, we conducted pre- and post- activity interviews with students who used KF to investigate various topics. Their online collaborative discourse was also analyzed. Our results show that: 1) students’ explanations improved significantly between pre- and post-activity interviews, 2) active KF users scored higher than less active users on the post-activity interviews, and 3) students who had the best written explanations on KF scored much higher on the post-activity interviews even when they had scored much lower than less active students in the pre-activity interviews.
L’article 48 de la Charte québécoise et le Code civil du Québec pour
contrer l’exploitation de la personne âgée : pour une lecture harmonieuse
Authors: Morin Christine , Levesque Frédéric , Turgeon-Dorion Louis 
Published: May 2016

L’article 48 de la Charte des droits et libertés de la personne protège
toute personne âgée ou toute personne handicapée contre l’exploitation. Après avoir été
ignoré pendant un certain temps, le texte de loi fait maintenant couler beaucoup d’encre,
particulièrement sur sa relation avec le Code civil du Québec. Plusieurs auteurs,
dont certains se consacrent principalement à l’étude des droits et libertés de la personne
alors que d’autres concentrent leurs recherches en droit civil, se sont interrogés sur les
interactions entre ces deux lois. Il existe une division entre les approches de ces auteurs,
dont les causes sont parfois, selon les auteurs du présent article, davantage symboliques
que juridiques. Nous souhaitons donc exposer notre compréhension de l’harmonie qui existe
entre la Charte québécoise et le Code civil en matière de protection
juridique des personnes aînées. Il s’agit là d’une conception renouvelée à la lumière de la
jurisprudence des 30 dernières années, d’un retour sur l’historique de l’adoption de la
Charte des droits et libertés de la personne, d’une étude décloisonnée de
mécanismes de protection prévus par le Code civil et d’une incursion en droit
comparé.
La prévention des abus résultant des donations avant le placement des personnes âgées en centre d’hébergement
Authors: Boudreault Marie-Pascale 
Published: May 2016

Avec le vieillissement de la population, il appert que les situations d’exploitation financière des personnes âgées sont de plus en plus fréquentes. Afin de profiter d’une exonération de paiement pour les frais d’hébergement, des personnes âgées sont amenées à se départir, avant leur placement, de leurs biens sans juste considération. Malgré l’adoption de l’article 516 de la Loi sur les services de santé et services sociaux en 1991 pour freiner cette pratique, ces situations s’avèrent une pratique toujours actuelle. L’auteure analyse les diverses dispositions législatives visant la prévention de l’exploitation envers les personnes âgées afin de déterminer si elles peuvent contribuer à mettre fin à cette pratique.
Biomarkers and biometric measures of adherence to use of ARV‐based vaginal rings
Authors: Stalter Randy M , Moench Thomas R , MacQueen Kathleen M , Tolley Elizabeth E , Owen Derek H ,   for the Consortium for Ring Adherence
Published: May 2016

IntroductionPoor adherence to product use has been observed in recent trials of antiretroviral (ARV)‐based oral and vaginal gel HIV prevention products, resulting in an inability to determine product efficacy. The delivery of microbicides through vaginal rings is widely perceived as a way to achieve better adherence but vaginal rings do not eliminate the adherence challenges exhibited in clinical trials. Improved objective measures of adherence are needed as new ARV‐based vaginal ring products enter the clinical trial stage.MethodsTo identify technologies that have potential future application for vaginal ring adherence measurement, a comprehensive literature search was conducted that covered a number of biomedical and public health databases, including PubMed, Embase, POPLINE and the Web of Science. Published patents and patent applications were also searched. Technical experts were also consulted to gather more information and help evaluate identified technologies. Approaches were evaluated as to feasibility of development and clinical trial implementation, cost and technical strength.ResultsNumerous approaches were identified through our landscape analysis and classified as either point measures or cumulative measures of vaginal ring adherence. Point measurements are those that give a measure of adherence at a particular point in time. Cumulative measures attempt to measure ring adherence over a period of time.DiscussionApproaches that require modifications to an existing ring product are at a significant disadvantage, as this will likely introduce additional regulatory barriers to the development process and increase manufacturing costs. From the point of view of clinical trial implementation, desirable attributes would be high acceptance by trial participants, and little or no additional time or training requirements on the part of participants or clinic staff. We have identified four promising approaches as being high priority for further development based on the following measurements: intracellular drug levels, drug levels in hair, the accumulation of a vaginal analyte that diffuses into the ring, and the depletion of an intrinsic ring constituent.ConclusionsWhile some approaches show significant promise over others, it is recommended that a strategy of using complementary biometric and behavioural approaches be adopted to best understand participants’ adherence to ARV‐based ring products in clinical trials.
Assessment of scintillation and Cherenkov imaging as beam shape verification method in CyberKnife® radiotherapy
Authors: Cui Fengwei , Jin Tao , Li Mingzhu , Zhu Lei , Di Xing , Zhu Huaguang 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPurposeThe goal of this study is to assess the utility of Cherenkov imaging (CI) and scintillation imaging (SI) as high‐resolution techniques to measure CyberKnife® beam shape quantitatively at the irradiation surface in quality assurance (QA).MethodsThe EMCCD camera captured scintillation and Cherenkov photons arising from 6 MV x‐ray dose deposition produced by the CyberKnife® VSI System. Two imaging methods were done at source to surface distance of 800 cm with the same field size, ranging from 10 to 60 mm using fixed cones and iris collimators. The output sensitivity and constancy were measured using the SI and CI, and benchmarked against an ionization chamber. Line profiles of each beam measured by optical imaging were compared with film measurement. Position shifts were introduced to test the sensitivity of SI and CI to small beam position deviations. To assess reproducibility, the beam measurements were tested three times on 5 consecutive days.ResultsBoth systems exhibited comparable sensitivity to the ionization chamber in response to fluctuations in CyberKnife® output. The beam profiles in SI matched well with the measured film image, with accuracy in the range of ± 0.20 and ± 0.26 mm standard deviation for the circle and iris field, respectively. The corresponding accuracy measured by CI is in the range of ± 0.25 and ± 0.33 mm, respectively. These are all within the tolerance recommended by the guidelines of CyberKnife® QA. The accuracy measured by SI and CI for 1 mm beam position shift within 0.21 and 0.45 mm tolerance, respectively. Repeatability measurements of the beam have shown a standard deviation within 0.94 mm.ConclusionsSI and CI techniques are tested to provide a valid way to measure CyberKnife® beam shape in this study. Meanwhile, the systematic comparison of SI and CI also provides evidence for the measurement methods selection appropriately.
The effect of calibration training on the calibration of intelligence analysts' judgments
Authors: Kelly Megan O. , Mandel David R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractExperts are expected to make well‐calibrated judgments within their field, yet a voluminous literature demonstrates miscalibration in human judgment. Calibration training aimed at improving subsequent calibration performance offers a potential solution. We tested the effect of commercial calibration training on a group of 70 intelligence analysts by comparing the miscalibration and bias of their judgments before and after a commercial training course meant to improve calibration across interval estimation and binary choice tasks. Training significantly improved calibration and bias overall, but this effect was contingent on the task. For interval estimation, analysts were overconfident before training and became better calibrated after training. For the binary choice task, however, analysts were initially underconfident and bias increased in this same direction post‐training. Improvement on the two tasks was also uncorrelated. Taken together, results indicate that the training shifted analyst bias toward less confidence rather than having improved metacognitive monitoring ability.
Magnesium and Calcium Bisguanidinates: Catalytic Activity in the Hydroboration of Unsaturated Molecules
Authors: Ginés Carlos , Parra‐Cadenas Blanca , Fernández‐Galán Rafael , García‐Vivó Daniel , Elorriaga David , Ramos Alberto , Carrillo‐Hermosilla Fernando 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe role of ligands in catalytically active metal complexes can be crucial. Herein, we present a study on the synthesis and catalytic behavior of alkaline earth bisguanidinato complexes. The reactivity of trisubstituted guanidines, specifically (iPrHN)2CNR (R=Ph, 2‐Ph2PC6H4, 2‐MeSC6H4), towards magnesium and calcium alkyls or amides was explored. All the compounds were found to be very active in the hydroboration of acetophenone with pinacolborane. Notably, a calcium‐based complex was especially effective in the hydroboration of carbonyl compounds, demonstrating significant chemoselectivity against other reactive functional groups. This complex was also particularly effective in the double hydroboration of nitriles and moderately active in the hydroborative dearomatization of pyridine. Our experimental and DFT studies allow us to propose a mechanism in which the participation of the guanidinato ligands, along with the metal, is key to the activation of both the unsaturated species and borane.