bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vagus Nerve Stimulation During Rehabilitative Training Improves Functional Recovery After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Hays Seth A. , Khodaparast Navid , Hulsey Daniel R. , Ruiz Andrea , Sloan Andrew M. , Rennaker Robert L. , Kilgard Michael P. 
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose—
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) delivered during rehabilitative training enhances neuroplasticity and improves recovery in models of cortical ischemic stroke. However, VNS therapy has not been applied in a model of subcortical intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We hypothesized that VNS paired with rehabilitative training after ICH would enhance recovery of forelimb motor function beyond rehabilitative training alone.

Methods—
Rats were trained to perform an automated, quantitative measure of forelimb function. Once proficient, rats received an intrastriatal injection of bacterial collagenase to induce ICH. Rats then underwent VNS paired with rehabilitative training (VNS+Rehab; n=14) or rehabilitative training without VNS (Rehab; n=12). Rehabilitative training began ≥9 days after ICH and continued for 6 weeks.

Results—
VNS paired with rehabilitative training significantly improved recovery of forelimb function when compared with rehabilitative training without VNS. The VNS+Rehab group displayed a 77% recovery of function, whereas the Rehab group only exhibited 29% recovery. Recovery was sustained after cessation of stimulation. Both groups performed similar amounts of trials during rehabilitative, and lesion size was not different between groups.

Conclusions—
VNS paired with rehabilitative training confers significantly improved forelimb recovery after ICH compared to rehabilitative training without VNS.
Inhomogeneous Background Error Modeling for WRF-Var Using the NMC Method
Authors: Wang Hongli , Huang Xiang-Yu , Sun Juanzhen , Xu Dongmei , Zhang Man , Fan Shuiyong , Zhong Jiqin 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackground error modeling plays a key role in a variational data assimilation system. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) method has been widely used in variational data assimilation systems to generate a forecast error ensemble from which the climatological background error covariance can be modeled. In this paper, the characteristics of the background error modeling via the NMC method are investigated for the variational data assimilation system of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-Var) Model. The background error statistics are extracted from short-term 3-km-resolution forecasts in June, July, and August 2012 over a limited-area domain. It is found 1) that background error variances vary from month to month and also have a feature of diurnal variations in the low-level atmosphere and 2) that u- and υ-wind variances are underestimated and their autocorrelation length scales are overestimated when the default control variable option in WRF-Var is used. A new approach of control variable transform (CVT) is proposed to model the background error statistics based on the NMC method. The new approach is capable of extracting inhomogeneous and anisotropic climatological information from the forecast error ensemble obtained via the NMC method. Single observation assimilation experiments show that the proposed method not only has the merit of incorporating geographically dependent covariance information, but also is able to produce a multivariate analysis. The results from the data assimilaton and forecast study of a real convective case show that the use of the new CVT improves synoptic weather system and precipitation forecasts for up to 12 h.
A Case Study of Mid-Atlantic Nocturnal Boundary Layer Events during WAVES 2006
Authors: Rabenhorst S. , Whiteman D. N. , Zhang D.-L. , Demoz B. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe Water Vapor Variability-Satellite/Sondes (WAVES) 2006 field campaign provided a contiguous 5-day period of concentrated high-resolution measurements to examine finescale boundary layer phenomena under the influence of a summertime subtropical high over the mid-Atlantic region that is characterized by complex geography. A holistic analytical approach to low-level wind observations was adopted to identify the low-level flow structures and patterns of evolution on the basis of airmass properties and origination. An analysis of the measurements and the other available observations is consistent with the classic depiction of the daytime boundary layer development but revealed a pronounced diurnal cycle that was categorized into three stages: (i) daytime growth of the convective boundary layer, (ii) flow intensification into a low-level jet regime after dusk, and (iii) interruption by a downslope wind regime after midnight. The use of the field campaign data allows for the differentiation of the latter two flow regimes by their directions with respect to the orientation of the Appalachian Mountains and their airmass origins. Previous studies that have investigated mountain flows and low-level jet circulations have focused on regions with overt geographic prominence, stark gradients, or frequent reoccurrences, whereby such meteorological phenomena exhibit a clear signature and can be easily isolated and diagnosed. The results of this study provide evidence that similar circulation patterns operate in nonclassic locations with milder topography and atmospheric gradients, such as the mid-Atlantic region. The new results have important implications for the understanding of the mountain-forced flows and some air quality problems during the nocturnal period.
New Reconstruction of Antarctic Near-Surface Temperatures: Multidecadal Trends and Reliability of Global Reanalyses*,+
Authors: Nicolas Julien P. , Bromwich David H. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
A reconstruction of Antarctic monthly mean near-surface temperatures spanning 1958–2012 is presented. Its primary goal is to take advantage of a recently revised key temperature record from West Antarctica (Byrd) to shed further light on multidecadal temperature changes in this region. The spatial interpolation relies on a kriging technique aided by spatiotemporal temperature covariances derived from three global reanalyses [the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim), Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA), and Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR)]. For 1958–2012, the reconstruction yields statistically significant annual warming in the Antarctic Peninsula and virtually all of West Antarctica, but no significant temperature change in East Antarctica. Importantly, the warming is of comparable magnitude both in central West Antarctica and in most of the peninsula, rather than concentrated either in one or the other region as previous reconstructions have suggested. The Transantarctic Mountains act for the temperature trends, as a clear dividing line between East and West Antarctica, reflecting the topographic constraint on warm air advection from the Amundsen Sea basin. The reconstruction also serves to highlight spurious changes in the 1979–2009 time series of the three reanalyses that reduces the reliability of their trends, illustrating a long-standing issue in high southern latitudes. The study concludes with an examination of the influence of the southern annular mode (SAM) on Antarctic temperature trends. The results herein suggest that the trend of the SAM toward its positive phase in austral summer and fall since the 1950s has had a statistically significant cooling effect not only in East Antarctica (as already well documented) and but also (only in fall) in West Antarctica.
Underwater Glider Reliability and Implications for Survey Design
Authors: Brito Mario , Smeed David , Griffiths Gwyn 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIt has been 20 years since the concept of the Autonomous Ocean Sampling Network (AOSN) was first introduced. This vision has been brought closer to reality with the introduction of underwater gliders. While in terms of functionality the underwater glider has shown to be capable of meeting the AOSN vision, in terms of reliability there is no communitywide hard evidence on whether persistent presence is currently being achieved. This paper studies the reliability of underwater gliders in order to assess the feasibility of using these platforms for future AOSN. The data used are taken from nonunderwater glider developers, which consisted of 205 glider deployments by 12 European laboratories between 2008 and 2012. Risk profiles were calculated for two makes of deep underwater gliders; there is no statistically significant difference between them. Regardless of the make, the probability of a deep underwater glider surviving a 90-day mission without a premature mission end is approximately 0.5. The probability of a shallow underwater glider surviving a 30-day mission without a premature mission end is 0.59. This implies that to date factors other than the energy available are preventing underwater gliders from achieving their maximum capability. This reliability information was used to quantify the likelihood of two reported underwater glider surveys meeting the observation needs for a period of 6 months and to quantify the level of redundancy needed in order to increase the likelihood of meeting the observation needs.
Errors of Mean Dynamic Topography and Geostrophic Current Estimates in China’s Marginal Seas from GOCE and Satellite Altimetry
Authors: Jin Shuanggen , Feng Guiping , Andersen Ole 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) and satellite altimetry can provide very detailed and accurate estimates of the mean dynamic topography (MDT) and geostrophic currents in China’s marginal seas, such as, the newest high-resolution GOCE gravity field model GO-CONS-GCF-2-TIM-R4 and the new Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales mean sea surface model MSS_CNES_CLS_11 from satellite altimetry. However, errors and uncertainties of MDT and geostrophic current estimates from satellite observations are not generally quantified. In this paper, errors and uncertainties of MDT and geostrophic current estimates from satellite gravimetry and altimetry are investigated and evaluated in China’s marginal seas. The cumulative error in MDT from GOCE is reduced from 22.75 to 9.89 cm when compared to the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) gravity field model ITG-Grace2010 results in the region. The errors of the geostrophic currents from GRACE are smaller than from GOCE with the truncation degrees 90 and 120. However, when the truncation degree is higher than 150, the GRACE mean errors increase rapidly and become significantly larger than the GOCE results. The geostrophic velocities based on GOCE-TIM4 have higher accuracy and spatial resolution, and the mean error is about 12.6 cm s−1, which is more consistent with the in situ drifter’s results than using GRACE data.
A Multisatellite Investigation of the Convective Properties of Developing and Nondeveloping Tropical Disturbances
Authors: Zawislak Jonathan , Zipser Edward J. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
A comprehensive passive microwave satellite dataset is analyzed to quantify and compare the time evolution of convective properties of the pregenesis stage of developing disturbances (12 cases) and nondeveloping disturbances (3 cases), to determine whether the properties within the day prior to formation are unique, and to determine whether there is a credible connection between convection and the organization of the incipient circulation. Cases examined were the focus of recent (since 2005) field programs, and include those investigated during the triagency field programs in the Atlantic during 2010 [NASA’s Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) project, the National Science Foundation (NSF)/NCAR Pre-Depression Investigation of Cloud-Systems in the Tropics (PREDICT) program, and NOAA’s Intensity Forecasting Experiment (IFEX)]. Among the properties examined (raining area, intensity, areal coverage of “strong” and “intense” convection, frequency, and proximity to the disturbance center), the results indicate that the area and frequency of rainfall within 3° are distinguishably greater in developing disturbances. Except for the fact it occurs in a more organized disturbance, there does not appear to be anything special about strong [polarization corrected temperature (PCT) ≤ 210 K] or intense (PCT ≤ 160 K) convection occurring in the day before genesis. Strong and intense convection events are observed throughout the pregenesis stage, do not necessarily increase (in intensity and area) as genesis nears, and are not necessarily very close (within 1°) to the center within a day of genesis. Likewise, while the areal coverage of strong and intense convection during the pregenesis stage is typically greater in developing disturbances, the overall intensity of convection in nondeveloping disturbances is comparable to the developing cases examined.
Flaws in Evaluations of Social Programs
Authors: Greenberg David , Barnow Burt S. 
Published: August 2014

Background: This article describes eight flaws that occur in impact evaluations. Method: The eight flaws are grouped into four categories on how they affect impact estimates: statistical imprecision; biases; failure of impact estimates to measure effects of the planned treatment; and flaws that result from weakening an evaluation design. Each flaw is illustrated with examples from social experiments. Although these illustrations are from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), they can occur in any type of evaluation; we use RCTs to illustrate because people sometimes assume that RCTs might be immune to such problems. A summary table lists the flaws, indicates circumstances under which they occur, notes their potential seriousness, and suggests approaches for minimizing them. Results: Some of the flaws result in minor hurdles, while others cause evaluations to fail—that is, the evaluation is unable to provide a valid test of the hypothesis of interest. The flaws that appear to occur most frequently are response bias resulting from attrition, failure to adequately implement the treatment as designed, and too small a sample to detect impacts. The third of these can result from insufficient marketing, too small an initial target group, disinterest on the part of the target group in participating (if the treatment is voluntary), or attrition. Conclusion To a considerable degree, the flaws we discuss can be minimized. For instance, implementation failures and too small a sample can usually be avoided with sufficient planning, and response bias can often be mitigated—for example, through increased follow-up efforts in conducting surveys.
Can FESS Combined with Submucosal Resection (SMR)/Septoplasty Reduce Revision Rate?
Authors: Chang Chan‐Chi , Tai Chih‐Jaan , Ng Teik‐Ying , Tsou Yung‐An , Tsai Ming‐Hsui 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesOur study was designed to ascertain the outcomes of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) combined with submucosal resection (SMR)/septoplasty in reducing FESS revision rates.Study DesignRetrospective population‐based study.SettingAcademic tertiary medical center.Subjects and MethodsBy using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, we obtained the patients who underwent FESS for chronic rhinosinusitis. These patients were divided into 2 groups: the control group (FESS alone) and the study group (FESS combined with SMR). The primary outcome was the revision operative rate.ResultsIn total, 4484 patients who had undergone FESS were recruited into this study. The number of patients who underwent revision FESS was 528 (11.78%). In our sample, 80.45% of patients received FESS alone, whereas 19.54% of the patients underwent concurrent SMR/septoplasty during FESS. There are more female patients and older patients in the control group than in the study group. The revision rates of these 2 groups were significantly different (12.36% vs 9.36%, respectively; P =. 016). Moreover, logistic regression analysis came out that patients in the control group had a higher revision rates than those in the study group. Male patients and younger patients were found to have higher revision rates. In addition, patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis had higher revision rates compared with those patients without these 2 comorbidities.ConclusionsThis study showed an association between FESS combined with concurrent SMR/septoplasty and less incidence of revision rate of FESS. Patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis have an increased risk of requiring more revision surgeries after FESS.
A randomized, single-blind cross-over design evaluating the effectiveness of an individually defined, targeted physical therapy approach in treatment of children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Franki Inge , Van den Broeck Christine , De Cat Josse , Tijhuis Wieke , Molenaers Guy , Vanderstraeten Guy , Desloovere Kaat 
Published: August 2014

Objective: A pilot study to compare the effectiveness of an individual therapy program with the effects of a general physical therapy program. Design: A randomized, single-blind cross-over design. Participants: Ten ambulant children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, age four to nine years. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned into a ten-week individually defined, targeted or a general program, followed by a cross-over. Main outcome measures: Evaluation was performed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 and three-dimensional gait analysis. General outcome parameters were Gross Motor Function Measure-88 scores, time and distance parameters, gait profile score and movement analysis profiles. Individual goal achievement was evaluated using z-scores for gait parameters and Goal Attainment Scale for gross motor function. Results: No significant changes were observed regarding gross motor function. Only after individualized therapy, step- and stride-length increased significantly ( p = 0.022; p = 0.017). Change in step-length was higher after the individualized program ( p = 0.045). Within-group effects were found for the pelvis in transversal plane after the individualized program ( p = 0.047) and in coronal plane after the general program ( p = 0.047). Between-program differences were found for changes in the knee in sagittal plane, in the advantage of the individual program ( p = 0.047). A median difference in z-score of 0.279 and 0.419 was measured after the general and individualized program, respectively. Functional goal attainment was higher after the individual therapy program compared with the general program (48 to 43.5). Conclusion: The results indicate slightly favorable effects towards the individualized program. To detect clinically significant changes, future studies require a minimal sample size of 72 to 90 participants.
Relationship of childhood headaches with preferences in leisure time activities, depression, anxiety and eating habits: A population-based, cross-sectional study
Authors: Bektaş Ömer , Uğur Cağatay , Gençtürk Zeynep Bıyıklı , Aysev Ayla , Sireli Özlem , Deda Gülhis 
Published: August 2014

Objectives The objective of this article is to determine the relationship between headache frequency and socio-demographic data, personal characteristics, habits, daily activities, daily loss of ability, depression and anxiety in the headache subtypes in the pediatric population. Patients and methods Our sample group was composed of approximately 5355 children aged between 9 and 18 years. An eight-stage questionnaire was administered to the children. In the second stage of the study, headache subtypes were created according to the ICHD-II criteria. The resulting data were compared according to the results of the headache subtypes. Results In school-age children, the prevalence of recurrent headaches was 39.4%, and the prevalence of migraine was 10.3%. The subjects with migraine mostly preferred sedentary activities in their leisure time, and preferred less exercise than the subjects with the other headache types. The PedMIDAS score of the children who preferred to play sports was significantly lower than those who did not prefer to play sports. In the group that preferred reading books, an opposite relationship was found. In overweight and obese migraine sufferers, other types of headache were found to be significantly higher. Conclusions In the management of treating childhood headaches, the association of psychiatric comorbidities should be considered. To minimize disability, children should be directed to more useful physical activities.
Levels of Soluble TREM-Like Transcript 1 in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Chest Pain
Authors: Esponda Omar L. , Hunter Robert , Río José R. Rivera Del , Washington A. Valance 
Published: August 2014

Objective: Recent studies suggest that the soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-like transcript 1 (sTLT-1) facilitate atherothrombosis. Therefore, we evaluated sTLT-1 as a functional measure of atherothrombosis in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Levels of sTLT-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on plasma from patients with potential ACS and compared with an age-matched control group with similar risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Results: Of 53 patients enrolled, 19 patients were undergoing ACS (15 unstable angina, 2 non–ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction, and 2 ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction), 5 patients were found with noncardiac chest pain, and 29 were in the control group. The mean plasma sTLT-1 values in the ACS group were 4.644 ng/mL ± 1.277 standard error of the mean (SEM), in the noncardiac chest pain group were 0.708 ng/mL ± 0.427 SEM, and in the control group were 1.007 ng/mL ± 0.098 SEM. Conclusion: A statistically significant difference exists between patients experiencing cardiogenic chest pain versus controls ( P < .05), suggesting sTLT-1 as a potential tool for understanding atherothrombosis in ACS.
Regional patterns of grey matter atrophy and magnetisation transfer ratio abnormalities in multiple sclerosis clinical subgroups: A voxel-based analysis study
Authors: Mallik Shahrukh , Muhlert Nils , Samson Rebecca S , Sethi Varun , Wheeler-Kingshott Claudia AM , Miller David H , Chard Declan T 
Published: August 2014

Background: In multiple sclerosis (MS), demyelination and neuro-axonal loss occur in the brain grey matter (GM). We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of GM magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) and volume to assess the regional localisation of reduced MTR (reflecting demyelination) and atrophy (reflecting neuro-axonal loss) in relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). Methods: A total of 98 people with MS (51 RRMS, 28 SPMS, 19 PPMS) and 29 controls had T1-weighted volumetric and magnetisation transfer scans. SPM8 was used to undertake voxel-based analysis (VBA) of GM tissue volumes and MTR. MS subgroups were compared with controls, adjusting for age and gender. A voxel-by-voxel basis correlation analysis between MTR and volume within each subject group was performed, using biological parametric mapping. Results: MTR reduction was more extensive than atrophy. RRMS and SPMS patients showed proportionately more atrophy in the deep GM. SPMS and PPMS patients showed proportionately greater cortical MTR reduction. RRMS patients demonstrated the most correlation of MTR reduction and atrophy in deep GM. In SPMS and PPMS patients, there was less extensive correlation. Conclusions: These results suggest that in the deep GM of RRMS patients, demyelination and neuro-axonal loss may be linked, while in SPMS and PPMS patients, neuro-axonal loss and demyelination may occur mostly independently.