bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative solution on dosage of repair agent for healing of cracks in materials: short capsule model vs. two-dimensional crack pattern
Authors: Lv Zhong , Chen Huisu , Yuan Haifeng 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCracks are vitally detrimental to the load-bearing capacity of materials and further to the durability and service-life of various structures. Crack-repairing technology via embedded capsules with repair agent is becoming a promising approach to sustain the performance of structural materials. However, the appropriate dosage of capsulated repair agent for autonomic healing is not theoretically solved in the literature. In this study, taking cementitious materials as an example, the surface cracks in materials caused by various mechanisms are firstly simplified as linear cracks and zonal cracks in two-dimensional plane. Then, from the viewpoint of geometrical probability, the theoretical solutions on the exact dosage of capsules required are developed for different types of crack models via the knowledge of integral geometry and the concepts of probability distribution. Finally, reliability of these theoretical solutions is verified via computer modeling technology.
Serum calcium level is associated with metabolic syndrome in the general population: FIN-D2D study
Authors: Saltevo J , Niskanen Leo , Kautiainen Hannu , Teittinen Jorma , Oksa Heikki , Korpi-Hyövälti Eeva , Sundvall Jouko , Männistö Satu , Peltonen Markku , Mäntyselkä Pekka , Vanhala Mauno 
Published: June 2011

BackgroundThe aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between serum calcium and the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS).MethodsAs a part of the national prevention program of diabetes in Finland (FIN-D2D), a randomly selected study population of 4500 middle-aged men and women were recruited from three central hospital district areas. Anthropometric measurements were performed by a trained nurse. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed and serum calcium and lipids were measured. We assessed current medications, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, calcium intake, and vitamin D intake. The MetS was defined according to the criteria of the updated National Education Program. The study population consisted of 2896 individuals: 1396 men (62% of invited individuals) and 1500 women (66.7% of invited individuals).ResultsThe mean age was 60.3±8.3 years in men and 59.8±8.5 years in women. The prevalence of MetS was 50.7% in women and 55.8% in men. The prevalence of MetS and its components, except high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, increased linearly with increasing serum calcium (P<0.001), even after adjustment for age, physical activity, alcohol, vitamin D intake, calcium intake, and smoking. The threshold value for serum calcium for MetS was 2.50 mmol/l in this population. The association of MetS with total serum calcium was similar even after exclusion of patients treated with hypertensive drugs. The drug treatments for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes increased in a similar pattern.ConclusionsSerum calcium level is associated with MetS and its components, except HDL-cholesterol.
Instruments to Detect Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review
Authors: Newton Amanda S. , Gokiert Rebecca , Mabood Neelam , Ata Nicole , Dong Kathryn , Ali Samina , Vandermeer Ben , Tjosvold Lisa , Hartling Lisa , Wild T. Cameron 
Published: June 2011

CONTEXT:
Alcohol and other drug (AOD) misuse by youth is a significant public health concern. Unanticipated treatment for AOD-related morbidities is often sought in hospital emergency departments (EDs). Screening instruments that rapidly identify patients who require further diagnostic evaluation and/or brief intervention are critically important.

OBJECTIVE:
To summarize evidence on screening instruments that can assist emergency care clinicians in identifying AOD misuse in pediatric patients.

METHODS:
Fourteen electronic databases (including Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO) and reference screening were used. Psychometric and prospective diagnostic studies were selected if the instrument focused on detecting AOD misuse in patients aged 21 years or younger in the ED. Two reviewers independently assessed quality and extracted data. Validity and reliability data were collected for psychometric studies. Instrument performance was assessed by using sensitivity, specificity, and positive (LR+) and negative (LR−) likelihood ratios. Meta-analysis was not possible because of clinical and measurement heterogeneity.

RESULTS:
Of the 1545 references initially identified, 6 studies met inclusion criteria; these studies evaluated 11 instruments for universal or targeted screening of alcohol misuse. Instruments based on diagnostic criteria for AOD disorders were effective in detecting alcohol abuse and dependence (sensitivity: 0.88; specificity: 0.90; LR+: 8.80) and cannabis use disorder (sensitivity: 0.96; specificity: 0.86; LR+: 6.83).

CONCLUSIONS:
On the basis of the current evidence, we recommend that emergency care clinicians use a 2-question instrument for detecting youth alcohol misuse and a 1-question instrument for detecting cannabis misuse. Additional research is required to definitively answer whether these tools should be used as targeted or universal screening approaches in the ED.
Outcome Analysis of Invasive Aspergillosis in Hematologic Malignancy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients: The Role of Novel Antimold Azoles
Authors: Ramos Elizabeth R. , Jiang Ying , Hachem Ray , Kassis Christelle , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. , Raad Issam 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background.
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hematologic malignancy (HM) patients. We evaluated the prognostic factors for IA in HM patients.

Methods.
In this retrospective study, we included all HM patients diagnosed with proven or probable IA between June 1993 and June 2008.

Results.
A total of 449 HM patients were analyzed, the majority of which (75%) had underlying leukemia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that neutropenia for more than two weeks during IA, steroid use, and intensive care admission were independently associated with failure to respond to antifungal therapy, as well as increased IA-attributable mortality (all p-values &lt; .01). Antifungal therapy with an antimold azole-containing regimen (voriconazole or posaconazole) was also independently associated with improved response to treatment, as well as decreased IA-attributable mortality (all p-values &lt; .0001). Survival analysis showed that primary or salvage therapy with a regimen that contained antimold azoles was significantly associated with improved survival (p &lt; .001).

Conclusions.
In HM patients, persistent neutropenia and the need for intensive care are associated with failure to respond to antifungal therapy. Use of novel antimold azoles, either as primary or salvage therapy, improves the overall outcome and IA-attributable death of HM patients with IA.
Annealing study of two-dimensional patterned Ge nanostructures via nanosphere lithography
Authors: Ulmeanu Magdalena , Iordache Iuliana , Filipescu Mihaela , Craciun Valentin , Pinzaru Simona , Hörner Andreas 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Experimental studies on patterning hexagonal Ge nanostructures have been conducted on Si substrates through deposition of Ge with colloidal particles as a mask. The deposited Ge thin film possesses, according to the X-ray diffraction measurements, in plane texture, being epitaxial and aligned with the (111) Si substrate. The size distribution of the patterned Ge nanostructures is narrow, as indicated by the atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy measurements. We have obtained Ge nanostructures with lateral dimension of 490 nm (height 12 nm), 200 nm (height 6 nm) and 82 nm (height 6 nm) by using different sizes of polystyrene spheres. We have performed in depth studies of the Ge nanostructures’ behavior due to thermal and rapid thermal post-annealing processes. FT micro-Raman spectroscopy shows that there is no Si intermixing during the annealing process. In order to quantify the changes in the height and lateral dimension, we have performed atomic force microscopy and white light interferometry analysis. The changes in shape and the decrease in the area of a cross-section of Ge nanostructure will be discussed in respect to similar results shown in the literature for Ge thin films during the annealing process.
Confinement, chiral symmetry, and the lattice
Authors: Creutz Michael 
Published: June 2011

Confinement, chiral symmetry, and the latticeTwo crucial properties of QCD, confinement and chiral symmetry breaking, cannot be understood within the context of conventional Feynman perturbation theory. Non-perturbative phenomena enter the theory in a fundamental way at both the classical and quantum levels. Over the years a coherent qualitative picture of the interplay between chiral symmetry, quantum mechanical anomalies, and the lattice has emerged and is reviewed here.
Introduction to Integrable Many-Body systems III
Authors: Bajnok Zoltán , Šamaj Ladislav 
Published: June 2011

Introduction to Integrable Many-Body systems IIIThis is the third part of a three-volume introductory course about integrable systems of interacting bodies. The emphasis is put onto the method of Thermodynamic Bethe ansatz. Two kinds of integrable models are studied. Systems of itinerant electrons, forming a part of Condensed Matter Physics, involve the Hubbard lattice model of electrons with short-ranged one-site interactions (Sect. 20) and the s-d exchange Kondo model (Sect. 21), describing the scattering of conduction electrons on a spin-s impurity. Methods and basic concepts used in Quantum Field Theory are explained on the integrable (1 + 1)-dimensional sine-Gordon model. We start with the classical description of the model in Sect. 22, analyze its finite energy field configurations (soliton, anti-soliton and breathers) and show its classical integrability. The model is quantized by using two schemes: the conformal (Sect. 23) and Lagrangian (Sect. 24) quantizations. The scattering matrix of the sine-Gordon theory is derived at the full quantum level in the bootstrap scheme and is compared to its classical limit in Sect. 25. The parameters of the scattering matrix are related to those of the Lagrangian by calculating the ground-state energy in an applied magnetic field in two ways: Conformal perturbation theory and Thermodynamic Bethe ansatz (Sect. 26). The relation of the sine-Gordon theory to the XXZ Heisenberg model, which provides a complete solution of the sine-Gordon model in a finite volume, is pointed out in Sect. 27. The obtained results are applied in Sect. 28. to the derivation of the exact thermodynamics for the (symmetric) two-component Coulomb gas; this is the first classical two-dimensional fluid with exactly solvable thermodynamics.
The Influence of the Load on the Hardness
Authors: Petrík Jozef , Palfy Pavol 
Published: June 2011

The Influence of the Load on the HardnessThe objective of the submitted paper is to analyze the influence of the load on the calibration of micro-hardness and hardness testers. The results were validated by Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Z-score. The relationship between the load and micro-hardness in calibration of micro-hardness testers cannot be explained by Kick's Law (Meyer's index "n" is different from 2). The conditions of Kick's Law are satisfied at macro-hardness calibration, the values of "n" are close to 2, regardless of the applied load. The apparent micro-hardness increases with the increase of the load up to 30 g; the reverse indentation size effect (ISE) behavior is typical for this interval of the loads. The influence of the load on the measured micro-hardness is statistically significant for majority of calibrations.
An Idea of a Measurement System for Determining Thermal Parameters of Heat Insulation Materials
Authors: Chudzik Stanisław , Minkina Waldemar 
Published: June 2011

An Idea of a Measurement System for Determining Thermal Parameters of Heat Insulation MaterialsThe article presents the prototype of a measurement system with a hot probe, designed for testing thermal parameters of heat insulation materials. The idea is to determine parameters of thermal insulation materials using a hot probe with an auxiliary thermometer and a trained artificial neural network. The network is trained on data extracted from a nonstationary two-dimensional model of heat conduction inside a sample of material with the hot probe and the auxiliary thermometer. The significant heat capacity of the probe handle is taken into account in the model. The finite element method (FEM) is applied to solve the system of partial differential equations describing the model. An artificial neural network (ANN) is used to estimate coefficients of the inverse heat conduction problem for a solid. The network determines values of the effective thermal conductivity and effective thermal diffusivity on the basis of temperature responses of the hot probe and the auxiliary thermometer. All calculations, like FEM, training and testing processes, were conducted in the MATLAB environment. Experimental results are also presented. The proposed measurement system for parameter testing is suitable for temporary measurements in a building site or factory.
Heart Segmentation in Echo Images
Authors: Skalski Andrzej , Turcza Paweł 
Published: June 2011

Heart Segmentation in Echo ImagesCardiovascular system diseases are the major causes of mortality in the world. The most important and widely used tool for assessing the heart state is echocardiography (also abbreviated as ECHO). ECHO images are used e.g. for location of any damage of heart tissues, in calculation of cardiac tissue displacement at any arbitrary point and to derive useful heart parameters like size and shape, cardiac output, ejection fraction, pumping capacity. In this paper, a robust algorithm for heart shape estimation (segmentation) in ECHO images is proposed. It is based on the recently introduced variant of the level set method called level set without edges. This variant takes advantage of the intensity value of area information instead of module of gradient which is typically used. Such approach guarantees stability and correctness of algorithm working on the border between object and background with small absolute value of image gradient. To reassure meaningful results, the image segmentation is proceeded with automatic Region of Interest (ROI) calculation. The main idea of ROI calculations is to receive a triangle-like part of the acquired ECHO image, using linear Hough transform, thresholding and simple mathematics. Additionally, in order to improve the images quality, an anisotropic diffusion filter, before ROI calculation, was used. The proposed method has been tested on real echocardiographic image sequences. Derived results confirm the effectiveness of the presented method.
Highly Accurate Calibration System for Electronic Instrument Transformers
Authors: Tong Yue , Ye Guoxiong , Guo Keqin , Li Hongbin 
Published: June 2011

Highly Accurate Calibration System for Electronic Instrument Transformers
A high accurate electronic instrument transformer calibration system is introduced in this paper. The system uses the fourth-order convolution window algorithm for the error calculation method. Compared with Fast Fourier Transform, which is recommended by standard IEC-60044-8 (Electronic current transformers), it has higher accuracy. The relative measuring errors caused by asynchronous sampling could be reduced effectively without any special hardware technique adopted. The results show that the ratio error caused by asynchronous sampling can be reduced to 10-4, and the phase error can be reduced to 10-3 degrees when the deviation of frequency is within ±0.5 Hz. The present method of measurement processing is achieved by a high-accuracy USB multifunction data acquisition (DAQ) card and virtual measurement devices, with low cost, short exploitation period and high stability.
The Grain Yield and Weed Infestation Rate of Winter Wheat by the Different Share of Cereals in Crop Rotations
Authors: Babulicová Mária , Mendel Ľubomír 
Published: June 2011

The Grain Yield and Weed Infestation Rate of Winter Wheat by the Different Share of Cereals in Crop Rotations
The aim of the study was to compare the grain yield and weed infestation rate of winter wheat in crop rotations with 40, 60 and 80% share of cereals and in continuous cropping. The trial was situated in the area of continental climate. The trial had two parts. In the first part, there were crop rotations with 40, 60 and 80% share of the cereals. Two levels of fertilization were used: H1 mineral fertilization + organic manure Veget; H2 mineral fertilization only. In the second part, winter wheat and spring barley were grown in monoculture. Three variants of fertilization were used: 1 - mineral fertilization; 2 - mineral fertilization + straw of cereals were ploughed; 3 - mineral fertilization + straw of cereals + organic manure Veget were ploughed in the soil. In the years 2006-2009 the grain yield, thousand kernel weight and weed infestation rate of winter wheat in different crop rotations and by the continuous cropping were investigated. The statistically higher winter wheat grain yield (6.50 t ha-1) was recorded by 40% share of cereals in crop rotation than by 60% and 80% share of cereals (6.23 t ha-1). The grain yield of winter wheat by continuous cropping was lower by 2.24 t ha-1 (34.46%) than in crop rotation with 40% share of cereals. The weed infestation rate by 80% share of cereals in crop rotation was determined 2.4 times higher than by 40% share of cereals.
Hip Strengthening Prior to Functional Exercises Reduces Pain Sooner Than Quadriceps Strengthening in Females With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Dolak Kimberly L. , Silkman Carrie , McKeon Jennifer Medina , Hosey Robert G. , Lattermann Christian , Uhl Timothy L. 
Published: June 2011

Study Design Randomized clinical trial. Objectives To determine if females with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) who perform hip strengthening prior to functional exercises demonstrate greater improvements than females who perform quadriceps strengthening prior to the same functional exercises. Background Although PFPS has previously been attributed to quadriceps dysfunction, more recent research has linked this condition to impairment of the hip musculature. Lower extremity strengthening has been deemed an effective intervention. However, research has often examined weight-bearing exercises, making it unclear if increased strength in the hip, quadriceps, or both is beneficial. Methods Thirty-three females with PFPS performed either initial hip strengthening (hip group) or initial quadriceps strengthening (quad group) for 4 weeks, prior to 4 weeks of a similar program of functional weight-bearing exercises. Self-reported pain, function, and functional strength were measured. Isometric strength was assessed for hip abductors, external rotators, and knee extensors. A mixed-model analysis of variance was used to determine group differences over time. Results After 4 weeks, there was less mean ± SD pain in the hip group (2.4 ± 2.0) than in the quad group (4.1 ± 2.5) (P = .035). From baseline to 8 weeks, the hip group demonstrated a 21% increase (P<.001) in hip abductor strength, while that remained unchanged in the quad group. All participants demonstrated improved subjective function (P<.006), objective function (P<.001), and hip external rotator strength (P = .004) from baseline to testing at 8 weeks. Conclusion Both rehabilitation approaches improved function and reduced pain. For patients with PFPS, initial hip strengthening may allow an earlier dissipation of pain than exercises focused on the quadriceps. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 2b-. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(8):560–570. Epub 7 June 2011. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3499
Convexity meningiomas: study of recurrence factors with special emphasis on the cleavage plane in a series of 100 consecutive patients
Authors: Alvernia Jorge E. , Dang Nguyen D. , Sindou Marc P. 
Published: June 2011

Object
Convexity meningiomas are expected to have a low recurrence rate given their classically “easy resectability.” Nonetheless, recurrence can occur. Factors playing a role in their recurrence are analyzed here, including the extent of resection and tumor histological type, among others, with a special emphasis on the cleavage plane.

Methods
The authors reviewed 100 cases of convexity meningiomas surgically treated between 1987 and 2001 with a median follow-up of 86 months (range 2–16 years). Preoperative and postoperative functional status, Simpson resection grade, histological type, and intraoperative surgical plane with pial vessel invasion were studied and correlated with the recurrence rate.

Results
The average tumor size was 3.6 ± 0.4 cm. The pre- and postoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale scores were 92.6 ± 4.6 and 97.9 ± 2.2, respectively. Ninety-five lesions were benign (WHO Grade I) and 5 were atypical (WHO Grade II). Ninety-one and 9 tumors were subjected to Simpson Grade 1 and 3 resections (three Grade 3a and six Grade 3b), respectively. Surgical deaths did not occur. After a mean follow-up of 7.2 years, 4 meningiomas recurred; 2 (2.2%) after Simpson Grade 1 resections and 2 after Simpson Grade 3 (3a and 3b) resections (22.2%; p = 0.0034). When just the subgroup of Simpson Grade 1/WHO Grade I was studied, the recurrence rate decreased to 1.2% (1 of 86 cases). The recurrence of WHO Grade I tumors was higher in the subpial group than in the extrapial group (p = 0.025). No difference in recurrence according to the cleavage plane was seen in the WHO Grade II subgroup (p = 0.361). As for the subpial group, no difference in recurrence was noted between the WHO Grade I and II subgroups (p = 0.608). Importantly, however, the extrapial subgroup of WHO Grade II lesions had a higher recurrence rate compared with its counterpart in the WHO Grade I subgroup (p = 0.005).

Conclusions
Pial and vascular invasion affect the recurrence rate in convexity meningioma surgery. The recurrence rate of WHO Grade I tumors was higher among those with a subpial plane of dissection than among those with an extrapial one. Histological type did not determine the degree of pial invasion in WHO Grade I and II lesions.