bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A global Fine‐Root Ecology Database to address below‐ground challenges in plant ecology
Authors: Iversen Colleen M. , McCormack M. Luke , Powell A. Shafer , Blackwood Christopher B. , Freschet Grégoire T. , Kattge Jens , Roumet Catherine , Stover Daniel B. , Soudzilovskaia Nadejda A. , Valverde‐Barrantes Oscar J. , van Bodegom Peter M. , Violle Cyrille 
Published: February 2017

SummaryVariation and tradeoffs within and among plant traits are increasingly being harnessed by empiricists and modelers to understand and predict ecosystem processes under changing environmental conditions. While fine roots play an important role in ecosystem functioning, fine‐root traits are underrepresented in global trait databases. This has hindered efforts to analyze fine‐root trait variation and link it with plant function and environmental conditions at a global scale. This Viewpoint addresses the need for a centralized fine‐root trait database, and introduces the Fine‐Root Ecology Database (FRED, http://roots.ornl.gov) which so far includes > 70 000 observations encompassing a broad range of root traits and also includes associated environmental data. FRED represents a critical step toward improving our understanding of below‐ground plant ecology. For example, FRED facilitates the quantification of variation in fine‐root traits across root orders, species, biomes, and environmental gradients while also providing a platform for assessments of covariation among root, leaf, and wood traits, the role of fine roots in ecosystem functioning, and the representation of fine roots in terrestrial biosphere models. Continued input of observations into FRED to fill gaps in trait coverage will improve our understanding of changes in fine‐root traits across space and time.
Surface ECG and Fluoroscopy are Not Predictive of Right Ventricular Septal Lead Position Compared to Cardiac CT
Authors: ROWE MATTHEW K. , MOORE PETER , PRATAP JIT , COUCHER JOHN , GOULD PAUL A. , KAYE GERALD C. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundControversy exists regarding the optimal lead position for chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing. Placing a lead at the RV septum relies upon fluoroscopy assisted by a surface 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG). We compared the postimplant lead position determined by ECG‐gated multidetector contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (MDCT) with the position derived from the surface 12‐lead ECG.MethodsEighteen patients with permanent RV leads were prospectively enrolled. Leads were placed in the RV septum (RVS) in 10 and the RV apex (RVA) in eight using fluoroscopy with anteroposterior and left anterior oblique 30° views. All patients underwent MDCT imaging and paced ECG analysis. ECG criteria were: QRS duration; QRS axis; positive or negative net QRS amplitude in leads I, aVL, V1, and V6; presence of notching in the inferior leads; and transition point in precordial leads at or after V4.ResultsOf the 10 leads implanted in the RVS, computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed seven to be at the anterior RV wall, two at the anteroseptal junction, and one in the true septum. For the eight RVA leads, four were anterior, two septal, and two anteroseptal. All leads implanted in the RVS met at least one ECG criteria (median 3, range 1–6). However, no criteria were specific for septal position as judged by MDCT. Mean QRS duration was 160 ± 24 ms in the RVS group compared with 168 ± 14 ms for RVA pacing (P = 0.38).ConclusionsWe conclude that the surface ECG is not sufficiently accurate to determine RV septal lead tip position compared to cardiac CT.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Patients with Situational Syncope Compared to Patients with Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: WENZKE KEVIN E. , WALSH KATHLEEN E. , KALSCHEUR MATTHEW , WASMUND STEPHEN L. , PAGE RICHARD L. , BRIGNOLE MICHELE , HAMDAN MOHAMED H. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundsThe purpose of the study was to assess the clinical outcome of patients with situational syncope (SS) compared to patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS).MethodsWe assessed the prevalence, patients’ characteristics, and outcome of consecutive patients with SS and VVS who presented to the Faint and Fall Clinic (University of Wisconsin) between January 2013 and December 2015.ResultsSS was found in 55/1,401 (4.0%) syncope patients with follow‐up data available in 47 patients: defecation (n = 16), micturition (n = 15), cough (n = 10), swallow (n = 3), laughter (n = 1), sneeze (n = 1), and cough plus laughter (n = 1). Over the same time period, 252/1,401 patients (18%) were diagnosed with VVS with follow‐up data available in 171 patients. Compared with VVS patients, SS patients were older, more likely to be male, had a higher prevalence of hypertension, had an absence of prodromes, and experienced more injuries at the time of syncope (P = 0.01 for all). During a mean follow‐up duration of 15.4 ± 9.1 months, syncope recurred in 5/47 (10.6%) patients with SS and 16/171 (9.4%) patients with VVS. The recurrence rates at 1 year and 2 years were 20% (95% SE ± 13) and 40% (95% SE ± 20) for the SS group, and 23% (95% SE ± 13) and 43% (95% SE ± 20) for the VVS group (P = 0.6). No patient died.ConclusionsWe have shown in a large cohort of consecutive patients with syncope that SS is a relatively infrequent form of reflex syncope with different clinical characteristics but similar recurrence rate to VVS.
Magnesium sulfate in pediatric anesthesia: the Super Adjuvant
Authors: Eizaga Rebollar Ramón , García Palacios María V. , Morales Guerrero Javier , Torres Luis M. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryMagnesium is an essential chemical element in all organisms, intervening in most cellular enzymatic reactions; thus, its importance in homeostasis and as a therapeutic tool in highly challenging patients such as pediatrics. The primary purpose of this paper was to review the role of magnesium sulfate as an adjuvant drug in pediatric anesthesia. This compound already has the scientific backing in certain aspects such as analgesia or muscle relaxation, but only theoretical or empirical backing in others such as organ protection or inflammation, where it seems to be promising. The multitude of potential applications in pediatric anesthesia, its high safety, and low cost make magnesium sulfate could be considered a Super Adjuvant.
Perioperative considerations for the food‐allergic pediatric patient
Authors: Fernandez Patrick G. , Mikhael Marco 
Published: February 2017

SummaryPatients with a history of food allergy and food intolerance are common in the pediatric population and are encountered frequently in the perioperative setting by pediatric anesthesiologists. Perioperatively, food allergy can present on a spectrum ranging from minor acute urticaria to more severe hypovolemia and anaphylactic shock. Allergy to foods including fruits, fish, egg, soy, and peanut are most concerning for their potential to cross‐react with perioperative medications. There is little in the anesthesia literature that focuses on the perioperative management of children with food allergies. This educational review will provide a brief overview of classic immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated food allergies, less common non‐IgE food allergies, and present perioperative considerations for these patients. An audio summary of this topic is included as Supplementary Audio S1.
Anxiety and depression in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): Examining the incidence of health anxiety in CFS/ME
Authors: Daniels Jo , Brigden Amberly , Kacorova Adela 
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesThere is a lack of research examining the incidence of health anxiety in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), despite this being an important research area with potentially significant clinical implications. This preliminary study aimed to determine the incidence of anxiety and depression, more specifically health anxiety, in a sample of CFS/ME patients over a 3‐month period.DesignThe research was a cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study, using a consecutive sample of patients who were assessed in a CFS/ME service.MethodData were taken from the Short Health Anxiety Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to identify incidence of anxiety, depression, and health anxiety.ResultsData were collected from 45 CFS/ME patients over the sampling period. Thirty‐one patients (68.9%) scored above the normal range but within the subclinical range of health anxiety, and 19 patients (42.2%) scored within the clinically significant health anxiety range. Anxiety and depression were common, with prevalence rates of 42.2% and 33.3% respectively, which is comparable to data found in a recent large‐scale trial.ConclusionsHealth anxiety in CFS/ME patients is likely to be common and warrants further investigation to provide a better insight into how this may influence treatment and symptom management.Practitioner points

Anxiety and depression were common in a sample of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) patients, with a high proportion meeting criteria for severe health anxiety.

While CFS/ME and health anxiety are distinct and separate conditions, it is unsurprising that patients with CFS/ME, who commonly report feeling ‘delegitimized’, may experience high levels of anxiety relating to their physical symptoms.

Clinicians should consider screening for health anxiety due to the possible clinical implications for treatment; mutual maintenance may negatively influence treatment success in a complex condition such as CFS/ME.

Health anxiety has been found to be common across other chronic medical conditions but has been shown to be effectively treated with appropriately tailored interventions.
Finely Resolved On‐Road PM2.5 and Estimated Premature Mortality in Central North Carolina
Authors: Chang Shih Ying , Vizuete William , Serre Marc , Vennam Lakshmi Pradeepa , Omary Mohammad , Isakov Vlad , Breen Michael , Arunachalam Saravanan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTo quantify the on‐road PM2.5‐related premature mortality at a national scale, previous approaches to estimate concentrations at a 12‐km × 12‐km or larger grid cell resolution may not fully characterize concentration hotspots that occur near roadways and thus the areas of highest risk. Spatially resolved concentration estimates from on‐road emissions to capture these hotspots may improve characterization of the associated risk, but are rarely used for estimating premature mortality. In this study, we compared the on‐road PM2.5‐related premature mortality in central North Carolina with two different concentration estimation approaches—(i) using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to model concentration at a coarser resolution of a 36‐km × 36‐km grid resolution, and (ii) using a hybrid of a Gaussian dispersion model, CMAQ, and a space–time interpolation technique to provide annual average PM2.5 concentrations at a Census‐block level (∼105,000 Census blocks). The hybrid modeling approach estimated 24% more on‐road PM2.5‐related premature mortality than CMAQ. The major difference is from the primary on‐road PM2.5 where the hybrid approach estimated 2.5 times more primary on‐road PM2.5‐related premature mortality than CMAQ due to predicted exposure hotspots near roadways that coincide with high population areas. The results show that 72% of primary on‐road PM2.5 premature mortality occurs within 1,000 m from roadways where 50% of the total population resides, highlighting the importance to characterize near‐road primary PM2.5 and suggesting that previous studies may have underestimated premature mortality due to PM2.5 from traffic‐related emissions.
Stability, Steady‐State Bifurcations, and Turing Patterns in a Predator–Prey Model with Herd Behavior and Prey‐taxis
Authors: Song Yongli , Tang Xiaosong 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we consider a predator–prey model with herd behavior and prey‐taxis subject to the homogeneous Neumann boundary condition. First, by analyzing the characteristic equation, the local stability of the positive equilibrium is discussed. Then, choosing prey‐tactic sensitivity coefficient as the bifurcation parameter, we obtain a branch of nonconstant solutions bifurcating from the positive equilibrium by an abstract bifurcation theory, and find the stable bifurcating solutions near the bifurcation point under suitable conditions. We have shown that prey‐taxis can destabilize the uniform equilibrium and yields the occurrence of spatial patterns. Furthermore, some numerical simulations to illustrate the theoretical analysis are also carried out, Turing patterns such as spots pattern, spots–strip pattern, strip pattern, stable nonconstant steady‐state solutions, and spatially inhomogeneous periodic solutions are obtained, which also expand our theoretical results.
Clinical experience with two frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (fSRS) systems using optical surface imaging for motion monitoring
Authors: Li Guang , Ballangrud Ase , Chan Maria , Ma Ruimei , Beal Kathryn , Yamada Yoshiya , Chan Timothy , Lee James , Parhar Preeti , Mechalakos James , Hunt Margie 
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare two clinical immobilization systems for intracranial frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (fSRS) under the same clinical procedure using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) for setup and video‐based optical surface imaging (OSI) for initial head alignment and intrafractional motion monitoring. A previously established fSRS procedure was applied using two intracranial immobilization systems: PinPoint system (head mold and mouthpiece) and Freedom system (head mold and open face mask). The CBCT was used for patient setup with four degrees of freedom (4DOF), while OSI was used for 6DOF alignment prior to CBCT, post‐CBCT setup verification at all treatment couch angles (zero and nonzero), and intrafractional motion monitoring. Quantitative comparison of the two systems includes residual head rotation, head restriction capacity, and patient setup time in 25 patients (29 lesions) using PinPoint and 8 patients (29 fractions) using Freedom. The maximum possible motion was assessed in nine volunteers with deliberate, forced movement in Freedom system. A consensus‐based comparison of patient comfort level and clinical ease of use is reported. Using OSI‐guided corrections, the maximum residual rotations in all directions were for PinPoint and for Freedom. The time spent performing rotation corrections was min by moving the patient with PinPoint and min by adjusting Freedom couch extension. After CBCT, the OSI–CBCT discrepancy due to different anatomic landmarks for alignment was using PinPoint and using Freedom. Similar results were obtained for setup verification at couch angles () and for motion restriction: in PinPoint and in Freedom. The maximum range of forced head motion was using Freedom. Both intracranial fSRS immobilization systems can restrict head motion within 1.5 mm during treatment as monitored by OSI. Setting a motion threshold for beam‐hold ensures that head motion is constrained within the treatment margin during beam‐on periods. The capability of 6D setup is useful to improve treatment accuracy. Patient comfort and clinical workflow should play a substantial role in system selection, and Freedom system outperforms PinPoint system in these two aspects.PACS number: 87.53.Ly, 87.55.D‐, 87.57.Q‐, 87.6s.L‐, 87.85.gi
Investigation of the clinical performance of a novel solid‐state diagnostic dosimeter
Authors: Tse Jason , McLean Donald 
Published: February 2017

This study investigated the clinical performance of a novel solid‐state diagnostic dosimeter, the RaySafe Xi transparent detector, by comparing its performance to a reference‐class ionization chamber. Firstly a comparison of dosimeter response “free‐in‐air” with standard beam qualities was made, followed by an investigation into its relative transparency in an X‐ray field and angular sensitivity dependence. The second part of the study looked at the overall performance of the transparent detector under scatter conditions with a number of beam qualities, including standard beam and those hardened by copper (Cu) filtration of thickness up to 0.9 mm, as would be encountered in the equipment testing of fluoroscopy systems. Overall, the transparent detector has demonstrated equivalent measurement properties to the ionization chamber under standard conditions and provided similar X‐ray attenuation as reflected by the nearly identical radiographic parameters selected for both dosimeters by the automatic dose rate control (ADRC) system. Yet, it also possessed an asymmetric angular response which respectively under‐ and overestimated the dose contribution from the rear and lateral directions by the same amount of 50%. The transparent detector provided comparable dose reading of to the ionization chamber with standard beam qualities and backscatter radiation present. These results were in good agreement with those of free‐in‐air measurement, indicating that the angular under‐ and overresponse might potentially compensate one another for accurate measurement. However, for identical Cu filtered beam qualities and setups, the transparent detector on average overresponded by 5.4% across the useful tube voltage range. In conclusion, the transparent detector, with its novel design, is essentially equivalent, within a 5% tolerance, to an ionization chamber, except in situations where beams hardened with Cu filtration are used with backscatter radiation present requiring larger uncertainty error estimations.PACS numbers: 87.57 uq, 87.59.C‐, 87.59.Dj
Practical considerations in the selection of seed strength for prostate implants
Authors: Elliott Sarah L , Beaufort Catherine L. , Millar Jeremy L. 
Published: February 2017

There are advantages in using lower numbers of higher activity seeds for prostate seed implants. This work investigated the use of higher strength seeds for our manually optimized prostate implants. Following a planning study using a range of seeds strengths between 0.4 U and 0.7 U, a series of patients were implanted using seeds of strength . Twenty consecutive patients were selected for this study; ten patients were implanted with 0.4 U seeds and the next ten patients implanted with 0.7 U seeds. Postimplant dosimetry for the target volume, urethra, and rectal wall was compared between the two groups. Our data showed a small and insignificant decrease in the total theatre time when implanting seeds of higher strength. The mean number of seeds required per implant decreased by over 30% for the 0.7 U implants, and the mean number of needles decreased by eight needles. The mean D90 (%) was marginally lower for the 0.7 U group, and spread over a wider range of values. Doses to the rectal wall were slightly higher for the 0.7 U group. At six years postimplant, the symptom scores for urinary and rectal toxicity and erectile function were similar to those reported before brachytherapy, with little differences between the 0.4 U and 0.7 U groups. Our experiences and practical advice in the selection of seed strength for prostate implants are reported in this paper.PACS number: 87.53.Jw
Automated population‐based planning for whole brain radiation therapy
Authors: Schreibmann Eduard , Fox Tim , Curran Walter , Shu Hui‐Kuo , Crocker Ian 
Published: February 2017

Treatment planning for whole‐brain radiation treatment is technically a simple process, but in practice it takes valuable clinical time of repetitive and tedious tasks. This report presents a method that automatically segments the relevant target and normal tissues, and creates a treatment plan in only a few minutes after patient simulation. Segmentation of target and critical structures is performed automatically through morphological operations on the soft tissue and was validated by comparing with manual clinical segmentation using the Dice coefficient and Hausdorff distance. The treatment plan is generated by searching a database of previous cases for patients with similar anatomy. In this search, each database case is ranked in terms of similarity using a customized metric designed for sensitivity by including only geometrical changes that affect the dose distribution. The database case with the best match is automatically modified to replace relevant patient info and isocenter position while maintaining original beam and MLC settings. Fifteen patients with marginally acceptable treatment plans were used to validate the method. In each of these cases the anatomy was accurately segmented, but the beams and MLC settings led to a suboptimal treatment plan by either underdosing the brain or excessively irradiating critical normal tissues. For each case, the anatomy was automatically segmented with the proposed method, and the automated and manual segmentations were then compared. The mean Dice coefficient was 0.97, with a standard deviation of 0.008 for the brain, for the eyes, and for the lens. The mean Euclidian distance was for the brain, for the eye, and for the lens. Each case was then subsequently matched against a database of 70 validated treatment plans and the best matching plan (termed autoplanned), was compared retrospectively with the clinical plans in terms of brain coverage and maximum doses to critical structures. Maximum doses were reduced by a maximum of 8.37 Gy for the left eye (mean 2.08), 11.67 for the right eye (1.90) and, respectively, 25.44 (5.59) for the left lens and 24.40 (4.85) for the right lens. Time to generate the autoplan, including the segmentation, was . Automated database‐ based matching is an alternative to classical treatment planning that improves quality while providing a cost‐effective solution to planning through modifying previous validated plans to match a current patient's anatomy.PACS number: 87.55.D, 87.55.tg, 87.57.nm
Computed tomography dosimetry with high‐resolution detectors commonly used in radiotherapy — an energy dependence study
Authors: Liebmann Mario , Poppe Bjoern , von Boetticher Heiner 
Published: February 2017

New methods of dosimetry in computed tomography (CT) X‐ray fields require the use of high‐resolution detectors instead of pencil‐type ionization chambers typically used for CT dose index (CTDI) measurements. This paper presents a study on the suitability of a wide range of ionization chambers, diodes, and a two‐dimensional detector array, used primarily in radiation therapy, for CT and cone‐beam CT dosimetry. Specifically, the energy dependence of these detectors from 50 kVp up to 125 kVp is reported. All measurements were performed in reference to a calibrated diode for use in this energy region. The radiation quality correction factors provided by the manufacturer were used, depending on the measured half‐value layer (HVL) for the particular X‐ray beam. Our study demonstrated the general usability of thimble ionization chambers. These thimble ionization chambers showed a maximum variation in energy response of 5%. Ionization chambers with even smaller sensitive volume, and which exhibit similar variation in energy dependence, can be used if higher spatial resolution is required. Furthermore, the investigated detectors are better suited for dosimetry at CT and CBCT units than conventional large volume or flat detectors, due to their rotational symmetry. Nevertheless, a flat detector can be used for certain measurement tasks, such as the acquisition of percent depth‐dose curves or beam profiles for nonrotating beams, which are important for beam characterization.PACS numbers: 87.57.uq, 87.56.Da, 87.57.Q‐