bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Qualitative Brain MRI at Term and Cognitive Outcomes at 9 Years After Very Preterm Birth
Authors: Iwata Sachiko , Nakamura Tomohiko , Hizume Eriko , Kihara Hideki , Takashima Sachio , Matsuishi Toyojiro , Iwata Osuke 
Published: April 2012

OBJECTIVE:
A prospective study was performed to assess the relationship between the appearance of cerebral MRI at term and the cognitive functioning at 9 years old in very preterm born infants.

METHODS:
Seventy-six very preterm born infants (birth weight &lt;1500 g or gestational age ≤32 weeks) obtained cerebral MRI at term-equivalent period, which was assessed by using established composite scores for the white and gray matter; cognitive outcomes at 9 years old were assessed in 60 subjects by using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition.

RESULTS:
Mildly low scores on the different IQ indices (&lt;85) were observed in 23.3% (verbal IQ), 41.7% (performance IQ), and 30.0% (full-scale IQ) of the cohort, whereas moderately low scores (&lt;70) were noted in 3.3% (verbal IQ), 11.7% (performance IQ), and 11.7% (full-scale IQ); cerebral palsy was diagnosed in 10.0%, whereas special assistance at school was required in 56.7%. Abnormal white matter appearances predicted mildly low verbal, performance, and full-scale IQs; moderately low performance and full-scale IQs; cerebral palsy; and the requirement for special assistance at school. Abnormal white matter appearances predicted mild cognitive impairment even after the adjustment for known clinical risk factors. In contrast, abnormal gray matter appearances did not predict any of the outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS:
In a cohort of very preterm born infants, abnormal white matter appearance on term MRI showed consistent associations with cognitive impairments at 9 years old, further supporting the benefit of obtaining term MRI for very preterm born infants.
Decreasing Prevalence of Obesity Among Young Children in Massachusetts From 2004 to 2008
Authors: Wen Xiaozhong , Gillman Matthew W. , Rifas-Shiman Sheryl L. , Sherry Bettylou , Kleinman Ken , Taveras Elsie M. 
Published: April 2012

OBJECTIVE:
To examine whether the obesity prevalence is increasing, level, or decreasing among young US children (aged &lt;6 years) in the past decade; and to compare regional data to those of 2 national databases.

METHODS:
We analyzed data from 108 762 well-child visits (36 827 children) at a multisite pediatric practice in eastern Massachusetts during 1999–2008. By using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2000 gender-specific growth charts, we defined obesity as weight-for-length ≥95th percentile for children aged &lt;24 months and BMI ≥95th percentile for children aged 24 to &lt;72 months. By using multivariable logistic regression, we estimated gender-specific obesity trends in 2 separate periods, 1999–2003 and 2004–2008, adjusting for age group, race/ethnicity, health insurance, and practice site.

RESULTS:
From 1999 to 2003, the obesity prevalence was fairly stable among both boys and girls. From 2004 to 2008, the obesity prevalence substantially decreased among both boys and girls. The decline in obesity prevalence during 2004–2008 was more pronounced among children insured by non-Medicaid health plans than among those insured by Medicaid.

CONCLUSIONS:
Among children aged &lt;6 years at this multisite pediatric practice, obesity prevalence decreased during 2004–2008, which is in line with national data showing no increase in prevalence during this time period. The smaller decrease among Medicaid-insured children may portend widening of socioeconomic disparities in childhood obesity.
Parametric Analysis of Cemented Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Total Hip Acetabular Cups in a Quasi-Static Loading Model
Authors: Mittlmeier Thomas , Plitza W. , Schmotzer H. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTOwing to the interest in ever increasing lifetimes for total hip prostheses, possible failure due to aseptic loosening of the acetabular component is an issue that may require increased attention. Mechanical factors, especially the deformation behavior of the material and the stress distribution at the implant-cement and the bone-cement interfaces, presumably play an essential role in total hip failure. Therefore the experimental model of the present work makes use of rosette strain gauge techniques to evaluate the deformation behavior of cemented polyethylene cups under quasi-static loading. Standard tests in UHMWPE beam specimens confirmed that the present method is a reliable tool for strain measurements in the polymer that was tested. On the other hand, the apparent elastic modulus of UHMWPE can be shown to be markedly dependent on the testing method, the geometry, and, owing to the visco-elastic properties, dependent on the strain rate. Thus in the present work a correlation between the measured strain and the ultimate strength was not attempted. Instead a parametric analysis quantifying the influence of the cup thickness and the cement distribution on the strain pattern was performed.
An Analysis of the Medical Expense Deduction Post-O'Donnabhain
Authors: Smith Eric S. , Pace Ryan H. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
In 2010, the United States Tax Court upheld a taxpayer's deduction for medical expenses arising from gender reassignment surgery. This article discusses the facts of the O'Donnabhain case and the Tax Court's holding in light of relevant legislative history, and finds that a new layer of understanding now exists in the context of deductible plastic surgery: in a post-O'Donnabhain world, mental (not just physical) diseases may be treated through physical alterations to the body and give rise to deductible medical expenses. Based on the Tax Court's opinion, we posit an algorithm for application of what we consider to be a fourth case law-created exception to the disallowance of deductions for cosmetic surgery, which may have application in both LGBT- and non-LGBT-related instances.
Intraurban Near-Water Areas and Their Role in Distribution of Ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) in Megapolis the Example of Kyiv
Authors: Nebogatkin I. 
Published: April 2012

Intraurban Near-Water Areas and Their Role in Distribution of Ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) in Megapolis the Example of Kyiv
In 2002-2009, we studied 12 islands within the city of Kyiv, and found four indigenous species of ticks (Dermacentor reticulatus Fabricius, 1794; Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus, 1758; I. apronophorus Schulze, 1924; Rhipicephalus rossicus Jakimov et Kohl-Jakimova, 1911) and one invasive species (Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844). For A-E-gradient, established by man's impact degree, we revealed atypical distribution of species: their majority is noted in two pole areas - where the man impact is maximum and minimum. The investigated near-water areas are a kind of survival areas and sources of ixodides diversity in megalopolis.
Electric mine motor thermal models aiding design and setting thermal protections
Authors: Krok R. 
Published: April 2012

Electric mine motor thermal models aiding design and setting thermal protections
The paper presents original modified thermal networks for calculations of the temperature field in induction mine motors under steady and transient conditions aiding design and setting thermal protections. They can be used for location of the hottest places in motor elements in order to place in them sensors for temperature measurements. They can be also applied to determining the equivalent thermal constants of windings needed when setting microprocessor thermal protections.
Development Trends of Air Passenger Transport Services and Service Distribution Channels
Authors: Rebezova M. , Sulima N. , Surinov R. 
Published: April 2012

Development Trends of Air Passenger Transport Services and Service Distribution Channels

Alongside their core service, i.e., passenger transportation, air carriers are nowadays providing numerous extra services, which are not directly related to transport. On the one hand, airlines are enlarging the scope of paid services provided on board an aircraft by, among other ways, splitting the air ticket fee and singling out the costs of such services as catering on board, checked-in luggage, airport check-in, etc. On the other hand, airline companies tend to provide mass services to their sales partners - ground transportation, car rental, insurance, hotel booking, etc.
Provision of both the core and the extra services is closely connected with computerized reservation systems and the corresponding agent and customer access networks. These systems and networks form the basis of IT channels of service distribution.
The present paper analyses the indicators and development trends of air transport services in combination with the development of service distribution channels and the information technologies lying at the basis of such channels. The paper also describes the structure and IT support of distribution channels. The authors have paid attention to the potential qualitative changes in the structure and possibilities of distribution of air passenger transportation services in view of the Next Generation Network (NGN) concept whose implementation has been started in the world.
Traffic Flow Simulation on Discrete Rate Approach Base
Authors: Savrasovs Mihails 
Published: April 2012

Traffic Flow Simulation on Discrete Rate Approach Base

The classical scientific literature dedicated to transport modelling has emphasised three levels of detail on which traffic models could be created. These levels are: microlevel, mesolevel and macroscopic level. Microscopic and macroscopic modelling are well known and widely used. The term ‘mesoscopic modelling’ has been interpreted by different scientists in different ways. In general, mesoscopic traffic flow models are understood to be models where traffic flow is described with a high level of detail, but at the same time flow behaviour and flow interactions are presented with a low level of description. The previously proposed new simulation approach (called ‘mesoscopic simulation’) was applied to traffic flow simulation. All the described models were implemented using Microsoft Excel and VBA. However, the practical application concerns that to construct more sophisticated models Microsoft Excel and VBA could not be used, because of programming complexity.
The main goal of this paper is to present examples of the application of the discrete rate approach of ExtendSim simulation software for traffic flow simulation. A literature survey has shown that the discrete rate approach is mainly used in logistics, but not in the area of transport area. So the tasks of this paper are to present the main techniques of model implementation using a discrete rate approach and to apply this approach to traffic flow simulation.
Soil-line vegetation indices for corn nitrogen content prediction
Authors: Bagheri N. , Ahmadi H. , Alavipanah S. , Omid M. 
Published: April 2012

Soil-line vegetation indices for corn nitrogen content prediction
The soil-line vegetation indices for prediction of corn canopy nitrogen content were investigated. Results indicated that the vegetation indices applied were correlated with corn canopy nitrogen content and the wavelengths between 630-860 nm are suitable for nitrogen diagnosis. The second-order polynomial equation was the best model for nitrogen content prediction among different regression types. Analyses based on both predicted and measured data were carried out to compare the performance of existing vegetation indices.
Prediction of soil physical properties by optimized support vector machines
Authors: Besalatpour A. , Hajabbasi M. , Ayoubi S. , Gharipour A. , Jazi A. 
Published: April 2012

Prediction of soil physical properties by optimized support vector machinesThe potential use of optimized support vector machines with simulated annealing algorithm in developing prediction functions for estimating soil aggregate stability and soil shear strength was evaluated. The predictive capabilities of support vector machines in comparison with traditional regression prediction functions were also studied. In results, the support vector machines achieved greater accuracy in predicting both soil shear strength and soil aggregate stability properties comparing to traditional multiple-linear regression. The coefficient of correlation (R) between the measured and predicted soil shear strength values using the support vector machine model was 0.98 while it was 0.52 using the multiple-linear regression model. Furthermore, a lower mean square error value of 0.06 obtained using the support vector machine model in prediction of soil shear strength as compared to the multiple-linear regression model. The ERROR% value for soil aggregate stability prediction using the multiple-linear regression model was 14.59% while a lower ERROR% value of 4.29% was observed for the support vector machine model. The mean square error values for soil aggregate stability prediction using the multiple-linear regression and support vector machine models were 0.001 and 0.012, respectively. It appears that utilization of optimized support vector machine approach with simulated annealing algorithm in developing soil property prediction functions could be a suitable alternative to commonly used regression methods.
Energy biomass characteristics of chosen plants
Authors: Szyszlak-Bargłowicz J. , Zając G. , Piekarski W. 
Published: April 2012

Energy biomass characteristics of chosen plantsThe chosen energy plants species: willow, mallow andMiscanthusare presented. Result of analysis of combustion heat and heating value of these species biomass indicate on possibility of their utilization as fuel for combustion and energy and heat production.
Internationalization of soil physics from an American perspective
Authors: Kirkham M. 
Published: April 2012

Internationalization of soil physics from an American perspectiveUpon the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Soil Science Society of America in 2011, a session was held at its annual meeting to document how the field has changed over the years. I was asked to give the long-term perspective for soil physics. I surveyed soil-physics research published by the society over the past six years (2005-2011) and compared it with a review done in 1961 upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of the society. Of the 299 papers in my survey, 186 came from outside the USA (62% of the total). Twenty-nine countries were represented with the People's Republic of China having the most papers (27 papers). In the 1961 review, only five countries outside the USA were cited. My survey showed that 48 papers (16%) dealt with water, 35 (12%) with mechanical properties, 19 (6%) with aeration, 18 (6%) with solute transport, 14 (5%) with repellency, and 10 (3%) with temperature. Of the non-USA papers in the survey, 27% gave no source of funding and the other 73% usually cited funding by the government of the corresponding author. Of the USA papers, 47% cited no source of funding. The results showed that soil-physics research has become heavily international.
Quadriceps Activation Failure After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture Is Not Mediated by Knee Joint Effusion
Authors: Lynch Andrew D. , Logerstedt David S. , Axe Michael J. , Snyder-Mackler Lynn 
Published: April 2012

Study Design Descriptive prospective cohort study. Objectives To investigate the relationships between knee joint effusion, quadriceps activation, and quadriceps strength. These relationships may help clinicians better identify impaired quadriceps activation. Background After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the involved quadriceps may demonstrate weakness. Experimental data have shown that quadriceps activation and strength may be directly mediated by intracapsular joint pressure created by saline injection. An inverse relationship between quadriceps activation and the amount of saline injected has been reported. This association has not been demonstrated for traumatic effusion. We hypothesized that traumatic joint effusion due to ACL rupture and postinjury quadriceps strength would correlate well with quadriceps activation, allowing clinicians to use effusion and strength measurement as a surrogate for electrophysiological assessment of quadriceps activation. Methods Prospective data were collected on 188 patients within 100 days of ACL injury (average, 27 days) referred from a single surgeon. A complete clinical evaluation of the knee was performed, including ligamentous assessment and assessment of range of motion and effusion. Quadriceps function was electrophysiologically assessed using maximal volitional isometric contraction and burst superimposition techniques to quantify both strength and activation. Results Effusion grade did not correlate with quadriceps central activation ratio (CAR) (zero effusion: mean ± SD CAR, 93.5% ± 5.8%; trace effusion: CAR, 93.8% ± 9.5%; 1+ effusion: CAR, 94.0% ± 7.5%; 2+/3+ effusion: CAR, 90.6% ± 11.1%). These values are lower than normative data from healthy subjects (CAR, 98% ± 3%). Conclusion Joint effusion after ACL injury does not directly mediate quadriceps activation failure seen after injury. Therefore, it should not be used as a clinical substitute for electrophysiological assessment of quadriceps activation. Patients presenting to physical therapy after ACL injury should be treated with high-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation to help normalize this activation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(6):502–10, Epub 20 April 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.3793
Effect of Therapist-Based Versus Robot-Assisted Bilateral Arm Training on Motor Control, Functional Performance, and Quality of Life After Chronic Stroke: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Wu Ching-yi , Yang Chieh-ling , Chuang Li-ling , Lin Keh-chung , Chen Hsieh-ching , Chen Ming-de , Huang Wan-chien 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundAlthough bilateral arm training (BAT) has been widely studied, the comparative effects of therapist-based BAT (TBAT) versus robot-assisted BAT (RBAT) remains unknown.ObjectiveThis study compared the efficacy of TBAT, RBAT, and a control treatment (CT) on motor control, functional performance, and quality of life after chronic stroke.DesignA randomized, pretest-posttest, control group design was used.MethodsForty-two patients (mean age=54.49 years, SD=9.69; mean length of time since stroke onset=17.62 months, SD=10.50) were randomly assigned to TBAT, RBAT, and CT groups. Each group received treatment for 90 to 105 minutes per session, 5 sessions on weekdays, for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included kinematic analyses, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), the Motor Activity Log, and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS).ResultsLarge and significant effects were found in the kinematic variables, distal part of upper-limb motor impairment, and certain aspects of quality of life in favor of TBAT or RBAT. Specifically, the TBAT group demonstrated significantly better temporal efficiency and smoothness, straighter trunk motion, and less trunk compensation compared with the CT and RBAT groups. The RBAT group had increased shoulder flexion compared with the CT and TBAT groups. On the FMA, the TBAT group showed higher distal part scores than the CT group. On the SIS, the RBAT group had better strength subscale, physical function domain, and total scores than the CT group.LimitationsThis study recruited patients with mild spasticity and without cognitive impairment.ConclusionsCompared with CT, TBAT and RBAT exhibited differential effects on outcome measures. Therapist-based BAT may improve temporal efficiency, smoothness, trunk control, and motor impairment of the distal upper limb. Robot-assisted BAT may improve shoulder flexion and quality of life.
Conservative treatment for pediatric lumbar spondylolysis to achieve bone healing using a hard brace: what type and how long?
Authors: Sairyo Koichi , Sakai Toshinori , Yasui Natsuo , Dezawa Akira 
Published: April 2012

Object
Various kinds of trunk braces have been used to achieve bone healing in cases of pediatric lumbar spondylolysis. However, the optimal brace for achieving bone healing is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to determine in what types of spondylolysis bone healing can be achieved and how long it takes.

Methods
In this prospective study, 63 pars interarticularis defects (spondylolysis) among 37 patients who were younger than 18 years (mean 13.5 ± 2.7 years) were treated using a hard brace. The youngest patient was 8 years old. Based on the results of CT scanning, the lyses were classified into 3 categories: early, progressive, and terminal defects. Progressive defects were further divided into 2 types according to STIR MRI findings: those with high signal intensity at the adjacent pedicle and those with low signal intensity (that is, a normal appearance). A hard brace, such as a molded plastic thoracolumbosacral orthosis, was used to immobilize the trunk. Approximately every 3 months, CT scanning was performed to evaluate bone healing until approximately 6 months.

Results
The union rates were 94%, 64%, 27%, and 0% for the early, progressive with high signal intensity, progressive with low signal intensity, and terminal defects, respectively. It was noted that no terminal defect was healed using conservative treatment. The mean time to healing among the defects that showed bone healing was 3.2, 5.4, and 5.7 months for the early, progressive with high signal intensity, and progressive with low signal intensity groups, respectively.

Conclusions
Patients with early-stage defects are the best candidates for conservative treatment with a hard brace because more than 90% of such cases can be healed in 3 months.
Development of a large-animal model to measure dynamic cerebrospinal fluid pressure during spinal cord injury
Authors: Jones Claire F. , Lee Jae H. T. , Kwon Brian K. , Cripton Peter A. 
Published: April 2012

Object
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in considerable permanent neurological impairment, and unfortunately, the successful translation of effective treatments from laboratory models to human patients is lacking. This may be partially attributed to differences in anatomy, physiology, and scale between humans and rodent models. One potentially important difference between the rodent and human spinal cord is the presence of a significant CSF volume within the intrathecal space around the human cord. While the CSF may “cushion” the spinal cord, pressure waves within the CSF at the time of injury may contribute to the extent and severity of the primary injury. The objective of this study was to develop a model of contusion SCI in a miniature pig and establish the feasibility of measuring spinal CSF pressure during injury.

Methods
A custom weight-drop device was used to apply thoracic contusion SCI to 17 Yucatan miniature pigs. Impact load and velocity were measured. Using fiber optic pressure transducers implanted in the thecal sac, CSF pressures resulting from 2 injury severities (caused by 50-g and 100-g weights released from a 50-cm height) were measured.

Results
The median peak impact loads were 54 N and 132 N for the 50-g and 100-g injuries, respectively. At a nominal 100 mm from the injury epicenter, the authors observed a small negative pressure peak (median −4.6 mm Hg [cranial] and −5.8 mm Hg [caudal] for 50 g; −27.6 mm Hg [cranial] and −27.2 mm Hg [caudal] for 100 g) followed by a larger positive pressure peak (median 110.5 mm Hg [cranial] and 77.1 mm Hg [caudal] for 50 g; 88.4 mm Hg [cranial] and 67.2 mm Hg [caudal] for 100 g) relative to the preinjury pressure. There were no significant differences in peak pressure between the 2 injury severities or the caudal and cranial transducer locations.

Conclusions
A new model of contusion SCI was developed to measure spinal CSF pressures during the SCI event. The results suggest that the Yucatan miniature pig is an appropriate model for studying CSF, spinal cord, and dura interactions during injury. With further development and characterization it may be an appropriate in vivo largeanimal model of SCI to answer questions regarding pathological changes, therapeutic safety, or treatment efficacy, particularly where humanlike dimensions and physiology are important.