bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy, microendoscopic discectomy, and microdiscectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation: minimum 2-year follow-up results
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Yuan Suomao , Tian Yonghao , Wang Lianlei , Gong Liangtai , Zheng Yanping , Li Jianmin 
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD), microendoscopic discectomy (MED), and microdiscectomy (MD) for treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH).METHODSOne hundred ninety-two patients with symptomatic LDH at L3–4 and L4–5 were included in this study. The mean (± SD) age of patients was 34.2 ± 2.6 years (range 18–62 years). The patients were divided into groups as follows: group A was treated with PETD and included 60 patients (31 men and 29 women) with a mean age of 36.2 years; group B was treated with MED and included 63 patients (32 men and 31 women) with a mean age of 33.1 years; and group C was treated with MD and included 69 patients (36 men and 33 women) with a mean age of 34.0 years. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale for low-back pain (LBP), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), creatine phosphokinase activity 3 days after surgery, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for LBP and leg pain were used for evaluation of clinical results.RESULTSThere were no significant differences in mean preoperative JOA score, ODI score, and VAS scores for LBP and leg pain among groups A, B, and C. Incision length, duration of the operation, blood loss, creatine phosphokinase, length of hospital stay, and postoperative incision pain according to the VAS were best in the PETD group (p < 0.05). The number of seconds of intraoperative fluoroscopy was highest in the PETD group (p < 0.05), whereas there was no difference between the MED and MD groups. Three cases from the MED group and 2 cases from the MD group had an intraoperative durotomy. No CSF leakage was observed after surgery. One case from the MED group and 3 cases from the MD group had incision infections. There were no neurological deficits related to the surgeries in any of the groups. Fifty-five (91.6%), 59 (93.7%), and 62 patients (89.9%) had at least 2 years of follow-up in groups A, B, and C, respectively. At the last follow-up, JOA scores, VAS scores of LBP and leg pain, and ODI scores were significantly better than preoperative correlates in all groups. There were no differences among the 3 groups in JOA scores, JOA recovery rate, ODI scores, and VAS scores for leg pain. The VAS score for LBP was best in the PETD group (p < 0.05). No lumbar instability was observed in any group. Three cases (5.5%) in the PETD group had recurrent LDH, and 2 recurrent cases (3.4%) were confirmed in the MED group.CONCLUSIONSPETD, MED, and MD were all reliable techniques for the treatment of symptomatic LDH. With a restricted indication, PETD can result in rapid recovery and better clinical results after at least 2 years of follow-up.
Response under low-energy electron irradiation of a thin film of a potential copper precursor for focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID)
Authors: Sala Leo , Szymańska Iwona B , Dablemont Céline , Lafosse Anne , Amiaud Lionel 
Published: January 2018

Background: Focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) allows for the deposition of free standing material within nanometre sizes. The improvement of the technique needs a combination of new precursors and optimized irradiation strategies to achieve a controlled fragmentation of the precursor for leaving deposited material of desired composition. Here a new class of copper precursors is studied following an approach that probes some surface processes involved in the fragmentation of precursors. We use complexes of copper(II) with amines and perfluorinated carboxylate ligands that are solid and stable under ambient conditions. They are directly deposited on the surface for studying the fragmentation with surface science tools.Results: Infrared spectroscopy and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) are combined to show that the precursor is able to spontaneously lose amine ligands under vacuum. This loss can be enhanced by mild heating. The combination of mass spectrometry and low-energy electron irradiation (0–15 eV) shows that full amine ligands can be released upon irradiation, and that fragmentation of the perfluorinated ligands is induced by electrons of energy as low as 1.5 eV. Finally, the cross section for this process is estimated from the temporal evolution in the experiments on electron-stimulated desorption (ESD).Conclusion: The release of full ligands under high vacuum and by electron irradiation, and the cross section measured here for ligands fragmentation allow one to envisage the use of the two precursors for FEBID studies.
High-energy Emission from Nonrelativistic Radiative Shocks: Application to Gamma-Ray Novae
Authors: Vurm Indrek , Metzger Brian D. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The observation of GeV gamma-rays from novae by Fermi/LAT demonstrates that the nonrelativistic radiative shocks in these systems can accelerate particles to energies of at least ∼10 GeV. The low-energy extension of the same nonthermal particle distribution inevitably gives rise to emission in the hard X-ray band. Above

, this radiation can escape the system without significant absorption/attenuation, and can potentially be detected by NuSTAR. We present theoretical models for hard X-ray and gamma-ray emission from radiative shocks in both leptonic and hadronic scenarios, accounting for the rapid evolution of the downstream properties due to the fast cooling of thermal plasma. We find that due to strong Coulomb losses, only a fraction of

of the gamma-ray luminosity is radiated in the NuSTAR band; nevertheless, this emission could be detectable simultaneously with the LAT emission in bright gamma-ray novae with a ∼50 ks exposure. The spectral slope in hard X-rays is

for typical nova parameters, thus serving as a testable prediction of the model. Our work demonstrates how combined hard X-ray and gamma-ray observations can be used to constrain properties of the nova outflow (velocity, density, and mass outflow rate) and particle acceleration at the shock. A very low X-ray to gamma-ray luminosity ratio (

) would disfavor leptonic models for the gamma-ray emission. Our model can also be applied to other astrophysical environments with radiative shocks, including SNe IIn and colliding winds in massive star binaries.
Disentangling the Galactic Halo with APOGEE. II. Chemical and Star Formation Histories for the Two Distinct Populations
Authors: Fernández-Alvar Emma , Carigi Leticia , Schuster William J. , Hayes Christian R. , Ávila-Vergara Nancy , Majewski Steve R. , Allende Prieto Carlos , Beers Timothy C. , Sánchez Sebastián F. , Zamora Olga , García-Hernández Domingo Aníbal , Tang Baitian , Fernández-Trincado José G. , Tissera Patricia , Geisler Douglas , Villanova Sandro 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The formation processes that led to the current Galactic stellar halo are still under debate. Previous studies have provided evidence for different stellar populations in terms of elemental abundances and kinematics, pointing to different chemical and star formation histories (SFHs). In the present work, we explore, over a broader range in metallicity (

), the two stellar populations detected in the first paper of this series from metal-poor stars in DR13 of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE). We aim to infer signatures of the initial mass function (IMF) and the SFH from the two α-to-iron versus iron abundance chemical trends for the most APOGEE-reliable α-elements (O, Mg, Si, and Ca). Using simple chemical-evolution models, we infer the upper mass limit (M
up) for the IMF and the star formation rate, and its duration for each population. Compared with the low-α population, we obtain a more intense and longer-lived SFH, and a top-heavier IMF for the high-α population.
Parameterizations of Chromospheric Condensations in dG and dMe Model Flare Atmospheres
Authors: Kowalski Adam F. , Allred Joel C. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The origin of the near-ultraviolet and optical continuum radiation in flares is critical for understanding particle acceleration and impulsive heating in stellar atmospheres. Radiative-hydrodynamic (RHD) simulations in 1D have shown that high energy deposition rates from electron beams produce two flaring layers at T ∼ 104 K that develop in the chromosphere: a cooling condensation (downflowing compression) and heated non-moving (stationary) flare layers just below the condensation. These atmospheres reproduce several observed phenomena in flare spectra, such as the red-wing asymmetry of the emission lines in solar flares and a small Balmer jump ratio in M dwarf flares. The high beam flux simulations are computationally expensive in 1D, and the (human) timescales for completing NLTE models with adaptive grids in 3D will likely be unwieldy for some time to come. We have developed a prescription for predicting the approximate evolved states, continuum optical depth, and emergent continuum flux spectra of RHD model flare atmospheres. These approximate prescriptions are based on an important atmospheric parameter: the column mass (

) at which hydrogen becomes nearly completely ionized at the depths that are approximately in steady state with the electron beam heating. Using this new modeling approach, we find that high energy flux density (>F11) electron beams are needed to reproduce the brightest observed continuum intensity in IRIS data of the 2014 March 29 X1 solar flare, and that variation in

from 0.001 to 0.02 g cm−2 reproduces most of the observed range of the optical continuum flux ratios at the peak of M dwarf flares.
Star–Disk Interactions in Multiband Photometric Monitoring of the Classical T Tauri Star GI Tau
Authors: Guo Zhen , Herczeg Gregory J. , Jose Jessy , Fu Jianning , Chiang Po-Shih , Grankin Konstantin , Michel Raúl , Yadav Ram Kesh , Liu Jinzhong , Chen Wen-ping , Li Gang , Xue Huifang , Niu Hubiao , Subramaniam Annapurni , Sharma Saurabh , Prasert Nikom , Flores-Fajardo Nahiely , Castro Angel , Altamirano Liliana 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The variability of young stellar objects is mostly driven by star–disk interactions. In long-term photometric monitoring of the accreting T Tauri star GI Tau, we detect extinction events with typical depths of

mag that last for days to months and often appear to occur stochastically. In 2014–2015, extinctions that repeated with a quasi-period of 21 days over several months are the first empirical evidence of slow warps predicted by magnetohydrodynamic simulations to form at a few stellar radii away from the central star. The reddening is consistent with

and, along with an absence of diffuse interstellar bands, indicates that some dust processing has occurred in the disk. The 2015–2016 multiband light curve includes variations in spot coverage, extinction, and accretion, each of which results in different traces in color–magnitude diagrams. This light curve is initially dominated by a month-long extinction event and a return to the unocculted brightness. The subsequent light curve then features spot modulation with a 7.03 day period, punctuated by brief, randomly spaced extinction events. The accretion rate measured from U-band photometry ranges from

to

M
⊙ yr−1 (excluding the highest and lowest 5% of high- and low- accretion rate outliers), with an average of

M
⊙ yr−1. A total of 50% of the mass is accreted during bursts of

M
⊙ yr

, which indicates limitations on analyses of disk evolution using single-epoch accretion rates.
A Radio Continuum and Polarization Study of SNR G57.2+0.8 Associated with Magnetar SGR 1935+2154
Authors: Kothes R. , Sun X. , Gaensler B. , Reich W. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
We present a radio continuum and linear polarization study of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G57.2+0.8, which may host the recently discovered magnetar SGR 1935+2154. The radio SNR shows the typical radio continuum spectrum of a mature supernova remnant with a spectral index of

and moderate polarized intensity. Magnetic field vectors indicate a tangential magnetic field, expected for an evolved SNR, in one part of the SNR, and a radial magnetic field in the other. The latter can be explained by an overlapping arc-like feature, perhaps a pulsar wind nebula, emanating from the magnetar. The presence of a pulsar wind nebula is supported by the low average braking index of 1.2, which we extrapolated for the magnetar, and the detection of diffuse X-ray emission around it. We found a distance of 12.5 kpc for the SNR, which identifies G57.2+0.8 as a resident of the Outer spiral arm of the Milky Way. The SNR has a radius of about 20 pc and could be as old as 41,000 yr. The SNR has already entered the radiative or pressure-driven snowplow phase of its evolution. We compare independently determined characteristics like age and distance for both the SNR and the soft gamma repeater SGR 1935+2154, and conclude that they are physically related.
An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Clinically Unilateral Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Zengin Mehmet Ozgur , Karti Omer , Karahan Eyyup , Kusbeci Tuncay 
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the relationship between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and clinically unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS).PATIENTS AND METHODS:Seventy-six patients (152 eyes) with bilateral AMD and clinically unilateral XFS were included. Eyes with AMD were divided into three stages (early, intermediate, and late), based on the Beckman Initiative for Macular Research Classification Committee of fundus findings. The distribution of AMD lesions was assessed in both groups, and the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).RESULTS:There were significantly more early and intermediate-stage AMD cases in eyes with XFS than in non-XFS fellow eyes (P< .05). In contrast, there were significantly fewer wet AMD cases in XFS eyes than in non-XFS fellow eyes (P< .05). SFCT in all AMD stages was significantly lower in eyes with XFS (P< .05).CONCLUSION:XFS was associated with a lower prevalence of wet AMD. Further studies are required to elucidate this association.[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:12–19.]
Propranolol for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Hendrick Andrew M. , Lavine Jeremy , Domalpally Amitha , Kulkarni Amol D. , Ip Michael S. 
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To determine the effect of propranolol on retinal neovascularization due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
For this prospective pilot, interventional, case series, patients with diabetes with PDR (n = 10 subjects; 12 eyes) were recruited at the ophthalmology clinic of the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Subjects were administered oral propranolol for 12 weeks and retinopathy and area of retinal neovascularization were monitored with fundus photography and fluorescein angiography (FA). The study's main outcome measures were photographic area of retinal neovascularization and degree of leakage on FA.

RESULTS:
All eyes demonstrated stable degrees of retinal neovascularization by the end of 12 weeks.

CONCLUSION:
This dose of oral propranolol during a period of 12 weeks did not demonstrate significant effect on retinal neovascularization due to PDR.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:35–40.]
Segmental Analysis of Macular Layers in Patients With Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Treated With Perfluoropropane or Silicon Oil
Authors: Goker Yasin Sakir , Yuksel Kemal , Turan Miray Faiz , Sonmez Kenan , Tekin Kemal , Yilmazbas Pelin 
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To determine possible changes in thickness profiles of retinal layers in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with perfluoropropane (C3F8) or silicon oil (SiO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Seventy-two eyes of 36 patients were enrolled in this retrospective comparative study. Patients were divided into two groups according to intraocular tamponade: C3F8 or SiO. All study eyes were compared with fellow eyes via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography segment analysis at 6 months postoperatively. Macular layer thicknesses including retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), and retinal pigment epithelium were analyzed.

RESULTS:

There was a statistically significant difference between eyes in terms of INL thickness (
P
= .044) in C3F8 group. Otherwise there was a statistically significant difference between eyes in terms of INL, OPL, and ONL thicknesses (
P
= .006,
P
= .048, and
P
= .004, respectively) in the SiO group.

CONCLUSION:
The findings of the present study show that the tamponade used in RRD surgery can affect the retinal layers differently.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:41–47.]
Modalités de sélection des sites d’enfouissement technique en Algérie et leur prise en charge par les instruments d’aménagement du territoire et d’urbanisme
Authors: Aliouche Sihem , Kehila Youcef , Benkahoul Leila 
Published: January 2018

Landfilling has always been the most common form of treatment in Algeria.The technical nature of this activity has increased considerably since the promulgation of law 01-19-2001 on waste management. Thus, we have passed from the uncontrolled discharge, which is practiced for a long time, to controlled discharge and then to the technical landfill (TL). This latter must allow the final disposal of solid waste in a safe manner, minimizing environmental and public health impacts.The search for suitable sites must not only meet the technical and environmental criteria (waterproofing of the soil and treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents), but also, territorial and urban planning orientations. As a result, territorial and urban planning instruments must provide for a land portfolio for future landfill centers.The aim is to limit the proliferation of uncontrolled dumps and other wild dumps.This work aims first to understand the scope of these instruments and their objectives through a critical reading. Second, to evaluate the management of technical landfill center by these instruments in the case of Algiers agglomeration.
La mise en décharge des déchets a toujours constitué en Algérie, le mode d’élimination le plus dominant. La technicité de cette activité a fortement progressé depuis la promulgation de la loi 01-19-2001 relative à la gestion des déchets. Ainsi, on est passé de la décharge sauvage pratiquée depuis longtemps à la décharge contrôlée et puis, au centre d’enfouissement technique (CET). Ce dernier doit permettre la disposition finale des déchets solides de façon sécuritaire en minimisant les impacts sur l’environnement et la santé publique.La recherche de sites appropriés doit ainsi, non seulement répondre aux critères techniques et environnementaux (imperméabilisation du sol et traitement des effluents liquides et gazeux), mais aussi, aux orientations de l’aménagement du territoire et de l’urbanisme. De ce fait, les instruments d’aménagement du territoire et d’urbanisme doivent prévoir un portefeuille foncier pour les futurs centres d’enfouissement technique. Le but est de limiter la prolifération de dépotoirs anarchiques et autres décharges sauvages.Ce travail consiste, en premier lieu, à comprendre la portée de ces instruments et les objectifs qui leurs sont attribués à travers une lecture critique. En deuxième lieu, il vise à évaluer la prise en charge des CET par ces instruments dans le cas de l’agglomération Algéroise.
myTIPreport and Training for Independent Practice: A Tool for Real-Time Workplace Feedback for Milestones and Procedural Skills
Authors: Connolly AnnaMarie , Goepfert Alice , Blanchard Anita , Buys Elizabeth , Donnellan Nicole , Amundsen Cindy L. , Galvin Shelley L. , Kenton Kimberly 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Background
Few tools currently exist for effective, accessible delivery of real-time, workplace feedback in the clinical setting.

Objective
We developed and implemented a real-time, web-based tool for performance-based feedback in the clinical environment.

Methods
The tool (myTIPreport) was designed for performance-based feedback to learners on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Milestones and procedural skills. “TIP” stands for “Training for Independent Practice.” We implemented myTIPreport in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) programs between November 2014 and May 2015. Residents, fellows, teachers, and program directors completed preimplementation and postimplementation surveys on their perceptions of feedback.

Results
Preimplementation surveys were completed by 656 participants of a total of 980 learners and teachers in 19 programs (12 Ob-Gyn and 7 FPMRS). This represented 72% (273 of 378) of learners and 64% (383 of 602) of teachers. Seventy percent of participants (381 of 546) reported having their own individual processes for real-time feedback; the majority (79%, 340 of 430) described these processes as informal discussions. Over 6 months, one-third of teachers and two-thirds of learners used the myTIPreport tool a total of 4311 times. Milestone feedback was recorded 944 times, and procedural feedback was recorded 3367 times. Feedback addressed all ACGME Milestones and procedures programmed into myTIPreport. Most program directors reported that tool implementation was successful.

Conclusions
The majority of learners successfully received workplace feedback using myTIPreport. This web-based tool, incorporating procedures and ACGME Milestones, may be an important transition from other feedback formats.
A Qualitative Analysis of Attending Physicians' Use of Shared Decision-Making: Implications for Resident Education
Authors: Schoenfeld Elizabeth M. , Goff Sarah L. , Elia Tala R. , Khordipour Errel R. , Poronsky Kye E. , Nault Kelly A. , Lindenauer Peter K. , Mazor Kathleen M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Background
Physicians need to rapidly and effectively facilitate patient-centered, shared decision-making (SDM) conversations, but little is known about how residents or attending physicians acquire this skill.

Objective
We explored emergency medicine (EM) attending physicians' use of SDM in the context of their experience as former residents and current educators and assessed the implications of these findings on learning opportunities for residents.

Methods
We used semistructured interviews with a purposeful sample of EM physicians. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and 3 research team members performed iterative, open coding of transcripts, building a provisional codebook as work progressed. We analyzed the data with a focus on participants' acquisition and use of skills required for SDM and their use of SDM in the context of resident education.

Results
Fifteen EM physicians from academic and community practices were interviewed. All reported using SDM techniques to some degree. Multiple themes noted had negative implications for resident acquisition of this skill: (1) the complex relationships among patients, residents, and attending physicians; (2) residents' skill levels; (3) the setting of busy emergency departments; and (4) individual attending factors. One theme was noted to facilitate resident education: the changing culture—with a cultural shift toward patient-centered care.

Conclusions
A constellation of factors may diminish opportunities for residents to acquire and practice SDM skills. Further research should explore residents' perspectives, address the modifiable obstacles identified, and examine whether these issues generalize to other specialties.