bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated With High Resource Utilization in Pediatric Skin and Soft Tissue Infection Hospitalizations
Authors: Lopez Michelle A. , Cruz Andrea T. , Kowalkowski Marc A. , Raphael Jean L. 
Published: October 2013

Objective:
To describe factors associated with prolonged lengths of stay (LOS) and increased charges for pediatric skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) hospitalizations.

Methods:
This study was a cross-sectional analysis of pediatric SSTI hospital discharges in 2009 within the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database. Outcomes were prolonged LOS (&gt;75th percentile) and increased hospital charges (&gt;75th percentile). Multivariate logistic regression controlling for patient and hospital level factors was conducted for 2009 data to assess associations among variables.

Results:
The 75th percentile for LOS was 3 days. Infants had higher odds of prolonged LOS than other age groups (&lt;1 year: 1; 1–4 years: 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64–0.76]; 5–12 years: 0.69 [95% CI: 0.63–0.76]; 13–18 years: 1.01 [95% CI: 0.91–1.10]), as did all minority groups compared with white subjects (black subjects: 1.23 [95% CI: 1.09–1.38]; Hispanic subjects: 1.33 [95% CI: 1.20–1.47]; and other races: 1.30 [95% CI: 1.12–1.50]). Public payers compared with private payers (odds ratio: 1.17 [95% CI: 1.10–1.26]) also had increased odds of prolonged LOS. The 75th percentile for charges was $14 317. The adolescent-aged category had higher odds of charges &gt;75th percentile compared with the age category &lt;1 year (odds ratio: 1.54 [95% CI: 1.36–1.74]). All racial/ethnic minorities had higher odds of charges &gt;75th percentile compared with white subjects (black subjects: 1.38 [95% CI: 1.17–1.62]; Hispanic subjects: 1.90 [95% CI: 1.59–2.26]; and other races: 1.26 [95% CI: 1.06–1.50]).

Conclusions:
Vulnerable populations, including infants, racial/ethnic minorities, and publicly insured children, had higher odds of increased resource utilization during hospitalizations for SSTIs. The findings of this study provide potential targets for future preventive and public health interventions.
Connecting At-Risk Inpatient Asthmatics to a Community-Based Program to Reduce Home Environmental Risks: Care System Redesign Using Quality Improvement Methods
Authors: Beck Andrew F. , Simmons Jeffrey M. , Sauers Hadley S. , Sharkey Kenneth , Alam Mohammad , Jones Camille , Kahn Robert S. 
Published: October 2013

Introduction:
Connecting patients admitted with asthma to community-based services could improve care and more efficiently allocate resources. We sought to develop and evaluate an intervention to mitigate in-home environmental hazards (eg, pests, mold) for such children.

Methods:
This was a controlled, quality improvement study on the inpatient units of an urban, academic children’s hospital. Clinicians and public health officials co-developed processes to identify children with in-home risks and refer them for assessment and remediation. Processes assessed were the rate at which those identified as eligible were offered referrals, those referred received inspections, and primary care physicians (PCPs) were notified of risks and referrals. Consecutively occurring and seasonally matched intervention (n = 30) and historical control (n = 38) subcohorts were compared with respect to postdischarge mitigating actions (eg, discussions with landlords, PCPs), remaining risks, and morbidity (symptom-free days in previous 2 weeks and Child Asthma Control Test scores).

Results:
In the first year, the percentage of eligible children offered referrals increased to a sustained rate of ∼90%; ∼65% of referrals led to in-home inspections (n = 50); and hazards were abated in 30 homes. PCP notification increased from 50% to ∼80%. After discharge, referred parents were more likely to discuss concerns with landlords, the health department, attorneys, and PCPs than patients admitted preimplementation (all P &lt; .05). Referred households were more likely to report reduced presence of ≥2 exposures (P &lt; .05). No differences in asthma morbidity were observed.

Conclusions:
We integrated environmental hazard mitigation into inpatient care. Community-engaged care delivery that reduces risks for poor asthma outcomes can be initiated within the hospital.
ED Utilization Trends in Sports-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hanson Holly R. , Pomerantz Wendy J. , Gittelman Mike 
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND:
Emergency department (ED) visits for sports-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have risen. This study evaluated how the number and severity of admissions have changed as ED visits for sports-related TBIs have increased.

METHODS:
A retrospective study of children aged 0 to 19 years at a level 1 trauma center was performed. Patients from 2002 to 2011 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of TBI were identified from the hospital’s inpatient and outpatient trauma registries. Frequencies were used to characterize the population, χ2 analysis was performed to determine differences between groups, and regression analysis looked at relationship between year and injury severity score or length of stay.

RESULTS:
Sport was responsible for injury in 3878 (15.4%) cases during the study period; 3506 (90.4%) were discharged from the hospital, and 372 (9.6%) were admitted. Seventy-three percent were male patients and 78% Caucasian; mean age was 13 ± 3.5 years. ED visits for sports-related TBIs increased 92% over the study period, yet there was no significant change (χ2 = 9.8, df = 9, P = .37) in the percentage of children admitted. Mean injury severity score for those admitted decreased from 7.8 to 4.8 (β = –0.46; P = .006); length of stay trended downward (β = –0.05; P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS:
The percentage of children being admitted from the ED with sports-related TBI has not changed over the past 10 years. The severity of admitted sports-related TBI is decreasing. Additional research is needed to correlate these trends with other TBI mechanisms.
Closed-Loop Feedback Control for Production Optimization of Intelligent Wells Under Uncertainty
Authors: Dilib F.A.. A. , Jackson M.D.. D. 
Published: October 2013

Summary
A key component of intelligent-well systems is the decision framework used to identify control actions for production optimization. Most published algorithms use model-based control, yet model-based techniques are effective only if the model or ensemble of models used in the optimization captures all possible reservoir behaviors at the individual-well and -completion level. This is rarely the case. Moreover, reservoir models are rarely predictive at the spatial and temporal scales required to identify control actions. We show that simple, closed-loop feedback control, triggered by monitoring at the surface or downhole, can increase the net present value (NPV) and mitigate reservoir uncertainty. We do not neglect reservoir-model predictions entirely; rather, we use a model-based approach to optimize adjustable parameters in feedback-control strategies.
We compare open-loop control, by use of fixed control devices (FCDs), with closed-loop feedback control, by use of "on/off" inflow-control valves (ICVs), operated in response to monitoring at the wellhead, and "variable" ICVs operated in response to monitoring downhole. We also use a gradient-based optimization algorithm to find the dynamic optimal inflow-control behavior. This strategy assumes perfect reservoir knowledge and is implemented only for benchmarking of the feedback-control strategies.
Our result suggests that closed-loop control, on the basis of direct feedback between reservoir monitoring and inflow-valve settings, can yield close-to-optimal gains in NPV compared with uncontrolled production, even if the reservoir behavior lies outside the range predicted by reservoir models. Moreover, similar gains are observed by use of surface monitoring and simple on/off ICVs, and downhole monitoring and variable ICVs. In contrast, open-loop control yields significantly lower NPV gains, and is also a riskier strategy because unpredicted reservoir behavior can yield suboptimal sizing of the FCDs and negative returns.
Myocardial Perfusion SPECT Utility in Predicting Cardiovascular Events Among Indonesian Diabetic Patients
Authors: Kasim Manoefris , Currie Geoffrey M. , Tjahjono Markus , Siswanto Bambang B. , Harimurti Ganesja M. , Kiat Hosen 
Published: October 2013

Background:
Indonesia has the fourth largest number of diabetes patients after India, China and the USA. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of death in diabetic patients. Early detection and risk stratification is important for optimal management. Abnormal myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is an early manifestation in the ischemic cascade. Previous studies have demonstrated the use of MPI to accurately diagnose obstructive CAD and predict adverse cardiac events. This study evaluated whether MPI predicts adverse cardiac event in an Indonesian diabetic population.

Method:
The study was undertaken in a consecutive cohort of patients with suspected or known CAD fulfilling entry criteria. All had adenosine stress MPI. The end point was a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) defined as cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI).

Results:
Inclusion and exclusion criteria were satisfied by 300 patients with a mean follow-up of 26.7 ± 8.8 months. The incidence of MACEs was 18.3% among diabetic patients, versus 9% in the non-diabetic population (p < 0.001). A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model demonstratedin dependent predictors for a MACE as abnormal MPI [HR: 9.30 (3.01 – 28.72), p < 0.001], post stress left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤30% [HR:2.72 (1.21 – 6.15), p = 0.016] and the patients diabetic status [HR:2.28 (1.04 – 5.01), p = 0.04]. The Kaplan Meier event free survival curve constructed for the different subgroups based on the patients’ diabetic status and MPI findings demonstrated that diabetic patients with an abnormal MPI had the worst event free survival (log rank p value < 0.001).

Conclusions:
In an Indonesian population with suspected or known CAD abnormal adenosine stress MPI is an independent and potent predictor for adverse cardiovascular events and provides incremental prognostic value in cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with diabetes.
Interval Versions of Central-Difference Method for Solving the Poisson Equation in Proper and Directed Interval Arithmetic
Authors: Hoffmann Tomasz , Marciniak Andrzej , Szyszka Barbara 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
To study the Poisson equation, the central-difference method is often used. This method has the local truncation error of order O(h2 +k2), where h and k are mesh constants. Using this method in conventional floating-point arithmetic, we get solutions including the method, representation and rounding errors. Therefore, we propose interval versions of the central-difference method in proper and directed interval arithmetic. Applying such methods in floating-point interval arithmetic allows one to obtain solutions including all possible numerical errors. We present numerical examples from which it follows that the presented interval method in directed interval arithmetic is a little bit better than the one in proper interval arithmetic, i.e. the intervals of solutions are smaller. It appears that applying both proper and directed interval arithmetic the exact solutions belong to the interval solutions obtained.
Addressing Disclosure Concerns and Analysis Demands in a Real-Time Online Analytic System
Authors: Krenzke Tom , Gentleman Jane F. , Li Jianzhu , Moriarity Chris 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
This article focuses on methods for enhancing access to survey data produced by government agencies. In particular, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) is developing methods that could be used in an interactive, integrated, real-time online analytic system (OAS) to facilitate analysis by the public of both restricted and public use survey data. Data from NCHS’ National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) are being used to investigate, develop, and evaluate such methods. We assume the existence of public use microdata files, as is the case for the NHIS, so disclosure avoidance methods for such an OAS must account for that critical constraint. Of special interest is the analysis of state-level data because health care is largely administered at the state level in the U.S., and state identifiers are not on the NHIS public use files. This article describes our investigations of various possible choices of methods for statistical disclosure control and the challenges of providing such protection in a real-time OAS that uses restricted data. Full details about the specific disclosure control methods used by a working OAS could never be publicly released for confidentiality reasons. NCHS is still evaluating whether to implement an OAS that uses NHIS restricted data, and this article provides a snapshot of a research and developmental project in progress.
Lung scintigraphy in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: current methods and interpretation criteria in clinical practice
Authors: Skarlovnik Ajda , Hrastnik Damjana , Fettich Jure , Grmek Marko 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Background. In current clinical practice lung scintigraphy is mainly used to exclude pulmonary embolism (PE). Modified diagnostic criteria for planar lung scintigraphy are considered, as newer scitigraphic methods, especially single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are becoming more popular.
Patients and methods. Data of 98 outpatients who underwent planar ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy and 49 outpatients who underwent V/Q SPECT from the emergency department (ED) were retrospectively collected. Planar V/Q images were interpreted according to 0.5 segment mismatch criteria and revised PIOPED II criteria and perfusion scans according to PISA-PED criteria. V/Q SPECT images were interpreted according to the criteria suggested in EANM guidelines. Final diagnosis of PE was based on the clinical decision of an attending physician and evaluation of a 12 months follow-up period.
Results. Using 0.5 segment mismatch criteria and revised PIOPED II, planar V/Q scans were diagnostic in 93% and 84% of cases, respectively. Among the diagnostic planar scans readings specificity for 0.5 segment mismatch criteria was 98%, and 99% for revised PIOPED II criteria. V/Q SPECT showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98%, without any non-diagnostic cases. In patients with low pretest probability for PE, planar V/Q scans assessed by 0.5 segment mismatch criteria were diagnostic in 92%, and in 85% using revised PIOPED II criteria, while perfusion scintigraphy without ventilation scans was diagnostic in 80%.
Conclusions. Lung scintigraphy yielded diagnostically definitive results and is reliable in ruling out PE in patients from ED. V/Q SPECT has excellent specificity and sensitivity without any non-diagnostic results. Percentage of nondiagnostic results in planar lung scintigraphy is considerably smaller when 0.5 segment mismatch criteria instead of revised PIOPED II criteria are used. Diagnostic value of perfusion scintigraphy according to PISA-PED criteria is inferior to combined V/Q scintigraphy; the difference is evident especially in patients with low pretest probability for PE.
Primary Care Reform in Montenegro
Authors: Cvejanov Kezunović Ljiljana , Drecun Mara , Švab Igor 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Background: Montenegro is a newly independent state. As with many countries of that region, the country was faced with the need to reform its health care system. The overall aims of the reform were to improve the quality of services. This paper describes the process of implementation of the reform and its first achievements in patient satisfaction and quality of services since it has been introduced.
Methods: The ministry of health introduced a series of steps that included changes to legislation, financing and manpower structure. Investments in primary care have been made and informatics support was developed. Educational interventions at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels were also introduced.
Results: The initial results show that the changes have improved the quality of care provided: the composition of professionals in primary care has improved; preventive activities have remained high. Primary care is more accessible and organization of services is better, which can be seen in reduced waiting times for consultation in primary care and improved satisfaction with health care.
Conclusions: The initial results show some progress since the reform was put into place. New measures aimed at raising the level of health care to reach European Union standards are still to be introduced.
Pollutants present in different components of the Svalbard archipelago environment / Zanieczyszczenia obecne w różnych komponentach środowiska archipelagu Svalbard
Authors: Ruman Marek , Kozak Katarzyna , Lehmann Sara , Kozioł Krystyna , Polkowska Żaneta 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
During last years an interest in the processes of transport and fate of pollutants to the polar regions located distantly from industrial centers, has significantly increased. The current analytical techniques enabling conducting studies prove that the Arctic regions (in the past considered as a pollution free area) have become an area of highly intensive anthropopresion. Svalbard archipelago stands out from the other polar regions due to its specific environmental conditions and geographic location, which results in becoming a reservoir of contamination in this area. Systematic environmental monitoring of arctic regions is extremely important due to an unique opportunity of observing a direct impact of pollution on the ongoing processes in the area of interest. In this way measurement data obtained are a valuable source of information, not only on changes occurring in the Arctic ecosystem, but also on estimated global impact of certain xenobiotics present in the environment. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative studies on particular chemicals deposited in different regions of the Arctic ecosystem may constitute the basis for undertaking actions aimed at preventing negative effects caused by these pollutants.
On the Spatio-Temporal Approaches Towards Conservation of Extensively Managed Rural Landscapes in Central-Eastern Europe
Authors: Öllerer Kinga 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Land-use change is one of the major drivers of global biodiversity loss, its study experiencing continuous development and increasing recognition, influencing main research directions within ecology. Many studies target the negative aspect; however, the modification of the natural environment over centuries and millennia led to the biodiversity, in its broadest sense, we are trying to conserve nowadays within cultural landscapes. This theoretical paper deals with the issue of spatial and temporal variations in extensively managed rural landscapes from Central-Eastern Europe. The constraints of the state of the art and arising challenges for biodiversity management in complex, farmed landscapes of high nature conservation value are discussed, through the example of Transylvania (Romania). The paper argues for the necessity of considering historical perspectives and traditional knowledge in an attempt to understand the current on-site conditions and developing realistic adaptive management strategies with special emphasis on the (traditional) rural communities, representing a key resource for biodiversity conservation
Isolated Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Glenesk Kathleen , Fogarty Brian T. , Westrick Richard B. 
Published: October 2013

The patient was a 19-year-old male cadet at a military academy who was evaluated by a physical therapist in a direct-access capacity for a chief complaint of right knee pain and giving way after falling onto his right knee while snow sledding at a high rate of speed 2 weeks earlier. Knee radiographs were ordered by the physical therapist, which demonstrated a large suprapatellar joint effusion. Due to concern for a posterior cruciate ligament injury and to assess for concomitant injury, magnetic resonance imaging was ordered, which revealed disruption of the posterior cruciate ligament without injury to surrounding tissues. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(10):759. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.0418
October 2013 Book Reviews
Authors: Neumann Donald 
Published: October 2013

JOSPT offers invited reviews of current titles. The October 2013 column includes 7 reviews of the following books: Clinical Epidemiology of Orthopedic Trauma; Core Concepts in Athletic Training and Therapy, With Web Resource; Physical Therapy of the Shoulder: Fifth Edition; Foot and Ankle Sports Medicine; Treat Your Own Knee; Why Do I Hurt? A Patient Book About the Neuroscience of Pain; and Your Fibromyalgia Workbook: A Neuroscience Approach to the Understanding and Treatment of Fibromyalgia. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(10):760–765. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.43.10.760
Dorsal stabilization of atlantoaxial subluxation using non-absorbable sutures in toy breed dogs
Authors: Luján-Feliu-Pascual A. , Font C. , Mascort J. , Sánchez-Masian D. 
Published: October 2013

Summary
Objectives: To describe a novel dorsal technique for stabilization of atlantoaxial sub-luxation in toy breed dogs using 3-metric nylon suture.
Study: Retrospective study.
Animals: Fifteen toy breed dogs with a body weight of 2 kg or less with atlantoaxial subluxation.
Materials and methods: The atlantoaxial joint of each dog was surgically stabilized through a dorsal approach by placing a double strand of non-absorbable, 3-metric, nylon suture material between the dorsal muscles of the atlanto-occipital and the atlantoaxial joint muscles. Pre- and postoperative neurological status, diagnostic imaging, and complications were reviewed. Clinical follow-up examination was performed at six months. For long-term assessment, a telephone follow-up was performed.
Results: No intra-operative complications were observed. Functional improvement occurred in 12 dogs. One dog did not improve and four dogs required revision surgery. In two of those four cases, suture material breakage was proven and it was suspected in the other two. Two cases underwent a second dorsal approach with the same suture material and two cases underwent a ventral approach (transarticular fixation and multiple implants embedded with polymethylmethacrylate).
Conclusions: Dorsal stabilization using 3-metric nylon may be adequate as a safe, effective, and simple alternative technique for atlantoaxial stabilization in toy breed dogs of ≤1.5 kg of weight, in which the use of ventral screws and pins is challenging.
An efficient technique for primer development and application that integrates fluorescent labeling and multiplex PCR
Authors: Culley Theresa M. , Stamper Trevor I. , Stokes Richard L. , Brzyski Jessica R. , Hardiman Nicole A. , Klooster Matthew R. , Merritt Benjamin J. 
Published: October 2013

• Premise of the study: Development of genetic markers can be costly and time‐consuming, especially when multiple primer pairs are fluorescently labeled. This step was streamlined by combining two techniques in the same PCR reaction: (1) custom‐labeling of primers by the investigator and (2) multiplexing multiple primers together in the same reaction.• Methods and Results: This technique was successfully used to develop microsatellite markers in several plant species. Microsatellites amplified with this multiplexing process were identical to those generated from PCR using individual primer pairs and with traditional methods using a priori labeled fluorescent primers. Tests of PCR cycling programs revealed that conditions recommended for the commercial kit generated stronger fragment peaks than the previously recommended cycling protocol.• Conclusions: This technique is an efficient and economical way to fluorescently label multiple microsatellite primers in the same reaction. It is also applicable to other markers used in PCR amplification of genetic material.