bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sevoflurane‐induced changes in infants' quantifiable electroencephalogram parameters
Authors: McKeever Stephen , Johnston Linda , Davidson Andrew J. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBackgroundElectroencephalogram (EEG) based depth of anesthesia algorithms developed in the adult population have not demonstrated the same reliability when applied to infants. This may be due to frequency changes occurring in the EEG during development. Amplitude‐integrated EEG (aEEG) is based primarily in the time domain and hence may have greater utility in infants.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between age adjusted Minimal Alveolar Concentration (MAC) multiples and aEEG in children under 2 years of age.MethodsThe aEEG, Spectral Edge Frequency 90% (SEF90) and Bispectral Index™ (BIS) were investigated in a prospective study of children <2 years of age. After anesthetic induction, and caudal block administration, EEG data were collected simultaneously with BrainZ BRM2™ and BIS™ monitors. Using a randomized crossover design, children received up to three age adjusted concentrations of sevoflurane: 0.75, 1 and 1.25 MAC. After 15 min of stable anesthetic delivery EEG readings were obtained. Prediction Probability (Pk) and correlation coefficients were calculated for each EEG parameter.ResultsFrom 51 children 102 stable anesthetics concentrations were obtained. For all age groups Pk of aEEG to multiple of age adjusted MAC was <0.72 indicating a poor predictive power for aEEG. In contrast for the SEF90 and BIS there was evidence for better predictive properties in children aged between 6 months and 2 years, with a Pk >0.81.ConclusionThe aEEG is unlikely to be a useful measure of anesthesia depth in young children.
Dexamethasone, ondansetron, and their combination and postoperative nausea and vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Shen Yun‐Dun , Chen Chien‐Yu , Wu Chih‐Hsiung , Cherng Yih‐Giun , Tam Ka‐Wai 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBackgroundPostoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication after pediatric strabismus surgery. Steroids and ondansetron (a 5‐HT3 antagonist) can effectively reduce nausea, vomiting, and pain and thus might be useful agents for the prevention of PONV in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the prophylactic effects of dexamethasone and ondansetron on PONV after strabismus surgery in pediatric patients.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify RCTs that investigated the efficacy and safety of intravenous dexamethasone or ondansetron on PONV in pediatric strabismus surgical patients. The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV during the initial 24 postoperative hours. The secondary outcomes were number of patients requiring a rescue antiemetic and complications.ResultsWe included 13 RCTs that evaluated 2006 patients. In the two studies that compared dexamethasone and placebo treatments, POV occurred in 34.3% (23/67) of the patients in the dexamethasone group and in 68.2% (45/66) of the patients in the placebo group. The difference between the two groups was significant (RR 0.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34–0.72). Similarly, seven studies that compared ondansetron and a placebo identified a relatively lower incidence of PONV in the ondansetron group (103/277, 37.2%) than in the placebo group (177/270, 65.6%). The difference between the two groups was also significant (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.43–0.79). The combination of dexamethasone and ondansetron was significantly more effective at reducing the incidence of POV than dexamethasone or ondansetron alone. In all included RCTs, experimental drug‐related complications, such as facial flushing and headache, were limited.ConclusionsSurgeons and anesthesiologists are recommended to administer the combination of dexamethasone and ondansetron to pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery.
Nevus of Striated Muscle: A New Clinicopathologic Entity
Authors: Ormaechea Nerea , Hernández‐Martín Angela , Happle Rudolf , Colmenero Isabel , Torrelo Antonio 
Published: March 2014

AbstractA 3‐month‐old boy presented with a congenital atrophic plaque on his right palm. On histopathologic examination, bundles of mature striated muscle were noted replacing the subcutis and extending into the dermis, without any other mesenchymal component seen. We have not been able to find a similar previously reported case. We propose the name nevus of striated muscle for this congenital, well‐circumscribed cutaneous lesion composed exclusively of mature skeletal muscle.
Efficacy of deferasirox in children with β‐thalassemia: Single‐center 3 year experience
Authors: Aycicek Ali , Koc Ahmet , Abuhandan Mahmut 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundIron chelation therapy is an important component in the management of patients with β‐thalassemia.MethodsThe study included 87 children with transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia aged 2–17 years (mean, 8.2 ± 4.1 years), 49 (56%) of whom were male. The patients received deferasirox 9–40 mg/kg per day as a single dose for 36 months. They were clinically and laboratory monitored.ResultsThe treatment was generally well tolerated. Drug‐related adverse events, including abdominal pain (14.9%) and nausea (5.8%), high alanine aminotransferase more than double the upper limit of normal (5.8%), and non‐progressive rise in serum creatinine (2.3%), were generally mild to moderate, transient, and reduced in frequency over time. Two patients discontinued treatment due to severe abdominal pain and nausea. Mean deferasirox dose was calculated as 21.2 ± 8.6, 23.7 ± 8.1, 30.7 ± 8.2 and 32.4 ± 7.6 mg/kg per day at 0, 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. Mean (median) serum ferritin level was found to increase progressively during the first 22 months of treatment, from 3.161 ± 1.683 ng/mL (2.760 ng/mL) to 3.679 ± 1.997 ng/mL (3.071 ng/mL; P < 0.001) and then decreased gradually to 2.907 ± 1.436 ng/mL (2.670 ng/mL; P = 0.023) at 36 months.ConclusionDeferasirox is safe and well tolerated; doses 21–24 mg/kg per day were not able to maintain stable iron balance, but ≥30 mg/kg per day was able to reduce iron in regularly transfused pediatric patients.
Antenatal screening for Toxoplasma gondii, Cytomegalovirus, rubella and Treponema pallidum infections in northern Benin
Authors: De Paschale Massimo , Ceriani Cristina , Cerulli Teresa , Cagnin Debora , Cavallari Serena , Cianflone Annalisa , Diombo Kouma , Ndayaké Joseph , Aouanou Guy , Zaongo Dieudonné , Priuli Gianbattista , Viganò Paolo , Clerici Pierangelo 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectivesToxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and rubella virus infections are among the most serious of those contracted during pregnancy in terms of foetal consequences. Toxoplasma, HCMV and rubella antibody screening is unusual in Africa, and there are few published data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these markers among pregnant women in northern Benin on the occasion of routine syphilis screening.MethodsToxoplasma, HCMV and rubella IgG and IgM antibodies were determined in the serum of 283 women attending Saint Jean de Dieu de Tanguiéta hospital, using an enzyme immunoassay, and IgM were confirmed using an enzyme‐linked fluorescent assay (ELFA). In the case of IgM positivity, the avidity of anti‐HCMV and anti‐Toxoplasma IgG was measured. Total anti‐Treponema pallidum antibodies were determined using an enzyme immunoassay and confirmed by immunoblotting. In the case of positivity, the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test was used.ResultsThe prevalence of anti‐Toxoplasma, anti‐HCMV, anti‐rubella IgG and total anti‐Treponema antibodies was, respectively, 30.0%, 100%, 94% and 2.5%. The VDRL test was positive in 62.5% of the anti‐Treponema‐positive samples. The prevalence of anti‐Toxoplasma, anti‐HCMV and anti‐rubella IgM was, respectively, 0.4%, 1.4% and 0%. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of age class or trimester of pregnancy. Anti‐Toxoplasma and anti‐HCMV IgG avidity was always high.ConclusionsThe prevalence of HCMV and rubella antibodies is high in northern Benin, whereas that of Toxoplasma antibodies is lower. As nearly two‐thirds of the pregnant women were anti‐Toxoplasma seronegative, antibody screening should be introduced.
Sec16 Determines the Size and Functioning of the Golgi in the Protist Parasite, Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Sealey‐Cardona Marco , Schmidt Katy , Demmel Lars , Hirschmugl Tatjana , Gesell Tanja , Dong Gang , Warren Graham 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe Sec16 homologue in Trypanosoma brucei has been identified and characterized. TbSec16 colocalizes with COPII components at the single endoplasmic reticulum exit site (ERES), which is next to the single Golgi stack in the insect (procyclic) form of this organism. Depletion of TbSec16 reduces the size of the ERES and the Golgi, and slows growth and transport of a secretory marker to the cell surface; conversely, overexpression of TbSec16 increases the size of the ERES and Golgi but has no effect on growth or secretion. Together these data suggest that TbSec16 regulates the size of the ERES and Golgi and this size is set for optimal growth of the organism.
The Nurse as Bricoleur in Falls Prevention: Learning from a Case Study of the Implementation of Fall Prevention Best Practices
Authors: Kirkpatrick Helen , Boblin Sheryl , Ireland Sandra , Robertson Kim 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundFalls prevention in “real‐life” clinical practice is a complex undertaking. Nurses play an active and essential role in falls prevention.AimThis discussion paper presents a picture of the nurse as a bricoleur in falls prevention, requiring knowledge in many areas and the ability to perform multiple diverse tasks.MethodsBuilding on a qualitative case study with nurses at various levels in three acute care facilities, this paper posits that the concept of nurse as bricoleur has the potential to broaden our understanding of the complexity of falls prevention.FindingsThe nurse as bricoleur within the Promoting Action Research in Health Services framework as the provider of person‐ or patient‐centered evidence‐based care is conceptualized. Within this framework, the nurse uses his or her professional knowledge or clinical experience while considering research, local data, and information, and the patient's experience and preferences to provide this care, the bricolage. Each of these areas is discussed as well as the impact on the nurse when a fall does occur.Linking Evidence to ActionRecognizing this complexity of the nurses' world has important implications for both service delivery and education, including preparation of students, and the implementation of new organizational initiatives and supports for nurses when falls do occur despite the best efforts of all involved.
Thin monodromy in Sp(4)
Authors: Brav Christopher , Thomas Hugh 
Published: March 2014

AbstractWe show that some hypergeometric monodromy groups in ${\rm Sp}(4,\mathbf{Z})$ split as free or amalgamated products and hence by cohomological considerations give examples of Zariski dense, non-arithmetic monodromy groups of real rank $2$. In particular, we show that the monodromy group of the natural quotient of the Dwork family of quintic threefolds in $\mathbf{P}^{4}$ splits as $\mathbf{Z}\ast \mathbf{Z}/5\mathbf{Z}$. As a consequence, for a smooth quintic threefold $X$ we show that the group of autoequivalences $D^{b}(X)$ generated by the spherical twist along ${\mathcal{O}}_{X}$ and by tensoring with ${\mathcal{O}}_{X}(1)$ is an Artin group of dihedral type.
Orbital apex syndrome secondary to herpes zoster virus infection
Authors: Merino-Iglesias Alexia , Montero Javier Antonio , Calabuig-Goena Maria , Giraldo-Agudelo Luisa Fernanda 
Published: March 2014

A male patient with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) presented with left exophthalmos, external and internal ophthalmoplegia and decreased visual acuity. A CT scan revealed myositis without significant compression of the optic nerve. Intravenous acyclovir and oral steroids were started with improvement of the symptoms and eventual complete recovery.Orbital apex syndrome is a rare complication of HZO. Multiple pathogenic mechanisms are involved, including a direct cytopathic effect of the virus as in the present case. Early diagnosis and therapy may lead to complete recovery of visual function.
Association of Sex Hormones, Aging, and Atrial Fibrillation in Men
Authors: Magnani Jared W. , Moser Carlee B. , Murabito Joanne M. , Sullivan Lisa M. , Wang Na , Ellinor Patrick T. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Coviello Andrea D. 
Published: March 2014

Background—
Endogenous sex hormones have been related to cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. We hypothesized that sex hormones are related to atrial fibrillation (AF) in a community-based cohort of middle-aged to older men.

Methods and Results—
We examined testosterone, estradiol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in relation to incident AF in men participating in the Framingham Heart Study. We assessed the 10-year risk of AF in multivariable-adjusted hazard models. The cohort consisted of 1251 men (age, 68.0±8.2 years), of whom 275 developed incident AF. We identified a significant interaction between age and testosterone and, therefore, stratified men into age 55 to 69 years (n=786), 70 to 79 years (n=351), and ≥80 years (n=114). In men aged 55 to 69 years, each 1 SD decrease in testosterone was associated with hazard ratio (HR) 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.59) for incident AF. The association between testosterone and 10-year incident AF in men 70 to 79 years did not reach statistical significance. In men ≥80 years, a 1 SD decrease in testosterone was associated with HR 3.53 (95% CI, 1.96–6.37) for AF risk. Estradiol was associated with incident AF (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01–1.26). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate had a borderline association with risk of AF that was not statistically significant (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.99–1.28).

Conclusions—
Testosterone and estradiol are associated with incident AF in a cohort of older men. Testosterone deficiency in men ≥80 years is strongly associated with AF risk. The clinical and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the associations between sex hormones and AF in older men merit continued investigation.
Entropic Balance Theory and Variational Field Lagrangian Formalism: Tornadogenesis
Authors: Sasaki Yoshi K. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The entropic balance theory has been applied with outstanding results to explain many important aspects of tornadic phenomena. The theory was originally developed in variational (probabilistic) field Lagrangian formalism, or in short, variational formalism, with Lagrangian density and action appropriate for supercell-storm and tornadic phenomena. The variational formalism is broadly used in in modern physics, not only in classical mechanics, with Lagrangian density and action designed for each physical problem properly. The Clebsch transformation (equation) was derived in the classical variational formalism but has not been used because of the unobservable and nonmeteorological Lagrange multiplier. The entropic balance condition is thus developed from the Clebsch transformation, changing the unobservable nonmeteorological Lagrange multiplier to observable meteorological rotational flow velocity with entropy and making it applicable to tornadic phenomena. Theoretical details of the entropic balance are presented such as the entropic right-hand rule, entropic dipole, source and sink, overshooting mechanism of hydrometeors against westerlies and the existence of single and multiple vortices and their relation to tornadogenesis. These results are in reasonable agreement with the many observations and data analysis publications. The Clebsch transformation and entropic balance are the new balance conditions, different from the known other balance conditions such as hydrostatic, (quasi-)geostrophic, cyclostrophic, Boussinesq, and anelastic balance.
The variations in calculus of variations and in the classical variational formalism are hypothetical. However, this article suggests that the hypothetical variations could be physical, relating to quantum variations and their interaction with the classical systems.
A process engineering approach to the ALSTOM gasifier problem
Authors: Asmar B N , Jones W E , Wilson J A 
Published: March 2014

The approach made here to designing a coal gasifier control system has its roots in process engineering. The favoured solution is largely based around conventional single-input single-output loops which control gas calorific value with air flow, gas pressure with steam flow, gas temperature with char flow, and bed mass with coal flow. Evolution towards this solution is discussed in relation to three intermediate schemes (in some cases involving non-linear control elements) that were found viable but less effective in terms of the defined performance criteria. The favoured solution fully meets the required performance in both the 100 and the 50 per cent load cases but at 0 per cent load, while responses are all stable, there are constraint violations which are transient following the pressure step disturbance but sustained for the sinusoidal disturbance. An important operational issue to be addressed in relation to the proposed scheme is the management of automatic-manual transfers for some loops to avoid possible system instability. During the study a number of issues, including equipment design and measurement precision, were identified as important. Their influence on controllability of the gasifier, and on the robustness of the proposed control scheme, is discussed.
Fuzzy model-based condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of a diesel engine cooling system
Authors: Twiddle J A , Jones N B 
Published: March 2014

This paper describes a fuzzy model-based diagnostic system and its application to the cooling system of a diesel engine. The aim is to develop generic cost-effective knowledge-based techniques for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of engine systems. A number of fuzzy systems have been developed to model the cooling system components. Residuals are generated on line by comparison of measured data with model outputs. The residuals are then analysed on line and classified into a number of fuzzy classes symptomatic of potential system conditions. A fuzzy rule-based system is designed to infer a number of typical fault conditions from the estimated state of the valve and patterns in the residual classes. The ability to diagnose certain faults in the system depends on the state of the thermostatic valve. The diagnostic systems have been tested with data obtained by experimental simulation of a number of target fault conditions on a diesel generator set test bed. In five test cases for separate cooling system operating conditions, the diagnostic system's successful diagnosis rate ranged between 73 and 97.7 per cent of the test data.
Control of gas turbine power plants by means of the weighted one-step-ahead adaptive technique
Authors: Dambrosio L , Camporeale S M , Fortunato B 
Published: March 2014

The one-step-ahead controllers represent a branch of minimum prediction error adaptive controllers. They combine the parameter estimation of the controlled system model with the control scheme; therefore, they are especially suitable for non-linear and time-varying systems. Since the estimated parameters are updated at each time step (by using the sampled data), these methods can be adopted for non-linear applications. Consequently, the one-step-ahead controllers do not require knowledge of the dynamic characteristics of the controlled system (e.g. state-space systems or transfer functions). Sometimes, in the gas turbine field, the control system could produce an excessive control effort, due to sudden variations of the electric load. In order to reduce this control action, the weighted one-step-ahead adaptive (WOSAA) control algorithm considers a penalty associated with the control effort using an appropriate cost function. In this way, the control variable does not assume values that are too large, even when the gas turbine undergoes sudden changes in the external load. As a consequence, the robustness and stability features of the WOSAA control system are increased. The results show that the WOSAA control technique, applied to both the double-shaft aero-derivative gas turbine and the single-shaft heavy-duty gas turbine, effectively counteracts the load reduction with limited overshoot in the controlled variables with reduced control effort.
Design of a robust force control system for an automatic live-line maintenance robot using a force disturbance observer
Authors: Ahn K K , Yokota S 
Published: March 2014

Uninterrupted power supply has become indispensable during the maintenance task of high-voltage live lines as a result of today's highly information-oriented society and increasing demand of electric utilities. This maintenance task has the risk of electric shock and needs skilled workers. Therefore it is necessary to realize an autonomous robot system using an electrohydraulic manipulator because hydraulic manipulators have the advantage of electric insulation and high power/mass density. Meanwhile an electrohydraulic manipulator using hydraulic actuators has many non-linear elements, and its parameter fluctuations are greater than those of an electrically driven manipulator. Therefore it is relatively difficult to realize not only stable contact work but also accurate force control for the autonomous assembly tasks using hydraulic manipulators. In this paper, the robust force control of an automatic live-line maintenance robot used in the real maintenance task of an active electric line is examined in detail. A nominal model for the system is obtained from experimental frequency responses of the system, and the deviation of the manipulator system from the nominal model is derived by a multiplicative uncertainty. Robust force disturbance observer is designed using this information in an H∞ framework and implemented on two different set-ups. Experimental results show that highly robust force tracking by the automatic live-line maintenance robot could be achieved even if the stiffness of environment and the shape of wall change.
How to improve your PubMed/MEDLINE searches: 3. advanced searching, MeSH and My NCBI
Authors: Fatehi Farhad , Gray Leonard C , Wootton Richard 
Published: March 2014

Summary Although the basic PubMed search is often helpful, the results may sometimes be non-specific. For more control over the search process you can use the Advanced Search Builder interface. This allows a targeted search in specific fields, with the convenience of being able to select the intended search field from a list. It also provides a history of your previous searches. The search history is useful to develop a complex search query by combining several previous searches using Boolean operators. For indexing the articles in MEDLINE, the NLM uses a controlled vocabulary system called MeSH. This standardised vocabulary solves the problem of authors, researchers and librarians who may use different terms for the same concept. To be efficient in a PubMed search, you should start by identifying the most appropriate MeSH terms and use them in your search where possible. My NCBI is a personal workspace facility available through PubMed and makes it possible to customise the PubMed interface. It provides various capabilities that can enhance your search performance.