Accurate inference of crowdsourcing properties when using efficient allocation strategies.

Allocation strategies improve the efficiency of crowdsourcing by decreasing the work needed to complete individual tasks accurately. However, these algorithms introduce bias by preferentially allocating workers onto easy tasks, leading to sets of completed tasks that are no longer representative of all tasks. This bias challenges inference of problem-wide properties such as typical task difficulty or crowd properties such as worker completion times, important information that goes beyond the crowd responses themselves.

Efficient crowdsourcing of crowd-generated microtasks.

Allowing members of the crowd to propose novel microtasks for one another is an effective way to combine the efficiencies of traditional microtask work with the inventiveness and hypothesis generation potential of human workers. However, microtask proposal leads to a growing set of tasks that may overwhelm limited crowdsourcer resources. Crowdsourcers can employ methods to utilize their resources efficiently, but algorithmic approaches to efficient crowdsourcing generally require a fixed task set of known size.

Neurological Complications of Acute and Chronic Otitis Media.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this study is to discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and management of the neurologic complications of acute and chronic otitis media.

Recent Findings: Antibiotic therapy has greatly reduced the frequency of complications of otitis media. However, it is of vital importance to remain aware of the possible development of neurologic complications.

Practice Patterns and Projections for the US Pediatric Otolaryngology Workforce.

Importance: This study represents up-to-date information on the current status of and future projections for the pediatric otolaryngology workforce.

Objective: To provide an update on the practice patterns of and projections for the US pediatric otolaryngology workforce.

Design, Setting, And Participants: An online survey was sent to all 172 members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and fielded from May 29, 2014, to September 17, 2014.

Otologic complications of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

This case report demonstrates the otologic complications of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN). A five year-old male was admitted to the burn unit with the diagnosis of SJS/TEN believed secondary to acetaminophen use. After resolution of the acute phase, the patient was left with a severe auricular deformity with scarring and complete occlusion of the right external auditory canal (EAC).

The role of tonsillectomy in pediatric IgA nephropathy.

Objectives: To review pediatric cases of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in 6 patients who underwent tonsillectomy and had marked improvement of their renal symptoms and to review the appropriate indications for tonsillectomy for this disease.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Drooling.

Purpose Of Review: Drooling is the involuntary spillage of saliva from the mouth. It is a major morbidity associated with cerebral palsy and other neurodegenerative disorders. The consequences of drooling are not restricted to medical issues but can cause major social handicaps.

The Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT) procedure used for airway control in a newborn with cervical fetus in fetu: a rare case.

Fetus in fetu is a condition in which there is a monozygotic diamniotic fetus encased within the body of its larger more developed twin. We report a case of airway obstruction in a full-term fetus caused by fetus in fetu. Prenatal ultrasound revealed a large cervical mass compressing the neonate's trachea and esophagus.

Analysis of possible cross-contamination with the Venturi system atomizer.

Background: The physics behind the Venturi atomizers suggest a possibility of bacterial colonization and the potential for patient cross-contamination. A protocol for use of the atomizer and clinically appropriate demonstration of cross contamination has not been established.

Methods: Three sterilized atomizers filled with a solution of 2% Pontocaine and 1% ephedrine (two test and one control) were used during a 5-day study period.

Effect of perioperative administration of ropivacaine with epinephrine on postoperative pediatric adenotonsillectomy recovery.

Objectives: To determine whether perioperative administration of ropivacaine hydrochloride with epinephrine decreases postoperative pain following adenotonsillectomy and to determine the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine following injection.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Setting: University pediatric ambulatory center.

Postoperative analgesia in children undergoing myringotomy and placement equalization tubes in ambulatory surgery.

Unlabelled: We enrolled 120 children undergoing bilateral myringotomy and tube placement in this prospective, randomized, observer-blinded study. Patients were randomized into one of four groups: Group 1 (control) was plain acetaminophen 10 mg/kg orally, Group 2 was acetaminophen 10 mg/kg with 1 mg/kg of codeine orally, Group 3 was transnasal butorphanol 25 micro g/kg given immediately after the induction of anesthesia, and Group 4 was ketorolac 1 mg/kg given IM immediately after the induction of anesthesia. All children received oral midazolam (0.

Ondansetron and dolasetron provide equivalent postoperative vomiting control after ambulatory tonsillectomy in dexamethasone-pretreated children.

Unlabelled: In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we compared the incidence of emesis and 48-h recovery profiles after a single dose of preoperative ondansetron versus dolasetron in dexamethasone-pretreated children undergoing ambulatory tonsillectomy. One-hundred-forty-nine children, 2-12 yr old, ASA physical status I and II, completed the study. All children received standardized perioperative care, including premedication, surgical and anesthetic techniques, IV fluids, analgesics, and rescue antiemetic medications.

Clinical course of pediatric congenital inner ear malformations.

Objective: To determine any factors that could improve the early detection and management of congenital inner ear malformations.

Study Design: A retrospective review was performed of all patients with a diagnosis of inner ear malformation at Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC) and the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) between 1987 and 1995. Clinical records and audiometric data were accumulated.

Cystic mass at the suprasternal notch of a newborn: congenital suprasternal dermoid cyst.

We report a case of a newborn female with an unusual suprasternal simple cystic mass found to be a dermoid cyst. Dermoid cysts of the head and neck are rare lesions, but a midline location is characteristic for these congenital masses. A dermoid cyst should be high on the list of differential diagnoses given a unilocular midline cyst in a neonate even if no fat elements are demonstrated on imaging studies.

The effect of preoperative dexamethasone on the immediate and delayed postoperative morbidity in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Unlabelled: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we examined the effect of preoperative dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and 24-h recovery in children undergoing tonsillectomy. One hundred thirty children, 2-12 yr of age, ASA physical status I or II, completed the study. All children received oral midazolam 0.

A protocol for otolaryngology-head and neck resident training in pneumatic otoscopy.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the most frequent pediatric diagnoses and is also one of the most common indications for medical or surgical intervention in this age group. Pneumatic otoscopy is the standard for physical diagnosis of a middle ear effusion. We report on our experience with a validation program for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents in the use of pneumatic otoscopy to diagnose OME.

Patterns of Kawasaki syndrome presentation.

Kawasaki syndrome (KS) is a systemic disorder of unknown etiology that can lead to coronary artery aneurysm and thrombosis in a significant number of children. It is defined by a number of clinical guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (Rauch, A.M.

Congenital tracheal cartilaginous sleeve.

The congenital tracheal cartilaginous sleeve (TCS) results from a vertical fusion of the tracheal cartilages. This rare malformation is usually associated with one of the craniosynostosis syndromes, such as Crouzon's disease, Pfeiffer's syndrome, or Goldenhar's syndrome. Three new cases of TCS are reported, two with autopsy findings including the histopathology of horizontal tracheal sections.

Pediatric tracheotomy discharge teaching: a comprehensive checklist format.

Discharge planning for a child undergoing a tracheotomy is a complex process. In 1989, a multidisciplinary team at Children's Hospital of Michigan developed specific discharge criteria in a checklist format to address all facets of home care for these patients. We present and discuss the checklist.

Trade-off between airway resistance and optical resolution in pediatric rigid bronchoscopy.

Contemporary pediatric rigid bronchoscopy reflects the culmination of years of work by prominent endoscopists aided by technical developments in optical physics and refinements in optical lens manufacturing. Improved neonatal and pediatric care has allowed survival of premature infants, many with bronchopulmonary diseases. Rigid bronchoscopy in these infants is demanding and has necessitated the development of miniaturized telescopic bronchoscopes.

A case of intractable sneezing: 'a pleasure sent from God?'.

Sneezing or sternutation is usually the physiologic response to nasal irritation. The reflex follows a very complicated pathway requiring coordinated communication between the trigeminal and nervous terminalis afferent impulses as well as from glottic and inspiratory muscles in the efferent limb. When the reflex pathway is unbalanced, sneezing can increase in frequency and severity to the extent that some patients become disabled.