bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health Status and Health Care Expenditures in a Nationally Representative Sample: How Do Overweight and Healthy-Weight Children Compare?
Authors: Skinner Asheley Cockrell , Mayer Michelle L. , Flower Kori , Weinberger Morris 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE. Childhood overweight is epidemic in the United States. Although limited, previous studies suggest that overweight children have chronic health problems. A more complete understanding of the effect of overweight on children's health requires a nationally representative, population-based sample. Our objective was to examine whether overweight children have (1) more chronic conditions, (2) poorer health, and (3) greater health care expenditures than healthy-weight children.PATIENTS AND METHODS. This was a cross-sectional study of children aged 6 to 17 years participating in 1 of 2 nationally representative surveys of civilian, noninstitutionalized Americans, the 2001–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and 2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The main outcome measures were prevalence of dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension; self-reported health status; and health care expenditures.RESULTS. Overweight children, compared with healthy-weight children, have significantly increased risk for high total cholesterol levels (15.7% vs 7.2%), high low-density lipoprotein (11.4% vs 7.7%) or borderline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (20.2% vs 12.5%), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (15.5% vs 3.0%), high triglyceride levels (6.7% vs 2.1%), high fasting glucose levels (2.9% vs 0.0%), high glycohemoglobin levels (3.7% vs 0.5%), and high systolic blood pressure (9.0% vs 1.6%). Overweight children, compared with healthy-weight children, demonstrate significantly lower prevalence of excellent health (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 36.5% vs 53.3%; Medical Expenditure Panel Survey: 42.8% vs 55.6%). These differences persist in multiple regression models that control for potential confounders. In adjusted analyses, expenditures were comparable between overweight and healthy-weight children.CONCLUSIONS. Our data demonstrate that overweight children have more chronic conditions and poorer health but have health care expenditures that are no greater than those for healthy-weight children. Addressing the health care needs of overweight children may prevent the development of chronic conditions and improve health status. These findings demonstrate the need to more thoroughly consider whether (1) overweight children have appropriate access to care, (2) physicians fully recognize the impact of overweight, and (3) physicians have resources to address overweight.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Medical and Dental Health, Access to Care, and Use of Services in US Children
Authors: Flores Glenn , Tomany-Korman Sandra C. 
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND. Not enough is known about the national prevalence of racial/ethnic disparities in children's medical and dental care.OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to examine racial/ethnic disparities in medical and oral health, access to care, and use of services in a national sample.METHODS. The National Survey of Children's Health was a telephone survey in 2003–2004 of a national random sample of parents and guardians of 102353 children 0 to 17 years old. Disparities in selected medical and oral health and health care measures were examined for white, African American, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and multiracial children. Multivariate analyses were performed to adjust for primary language at home, age, insurance coverage, income, parental education and employment, and number of children and adults in the household. Forty measures of medical and oral health status, access to care, and use of services were analyzed.RESULTS. Many significant disparities were noted; for example, uninsurance rates were 6% for whites, 21% for Latinos, 15% for Native Americans, 7% for African Americans, and 4% for Asians or Pacific Islanders, and the proportions with a usual source of care were as follows: whites, 90%; Native Americans, 61%; Latinos, 68%; African Americans, 77%; and Asians or Pacific Islanders, 87%. Many disparities persisted for ≥1 minority group in multivariate analyses, including increased odds of suboptimal health status, overweight, asthma, activity limitations, behavioral and speech problems, emotional difficulties, uninsurance, suboptimal dental health, no usual source of care, unmet medical and dental needs, transportation barriers to care, problems getting specialty care, no medical or dental visit in the past year, emergency department visits, not receiving mental health care, and not receiving prescription medications. Certain disparities were particularly marked for specific racial/ethnic groups: for Latinos, suboptimal health status and teeth condition, uninsurance, and problems getting specialty care; for African Americans, asthma, behavior problems, skin allergies, speech problems, and unmet prescription needs; for Native Americans, hearing or vision problems, no usual source of care, emergency department visits, and unmet medical and dental needs; and for Asians or Pacific Islanders, problems getting specialty care and not seeing a doctor in the past year. Multiracial children also experienced many disparities.CONCLUSIONS. Minority children experience multiple disparities in medical and oral health, access to care, and use of services. Certain disparities are particularly marked for specific racial/ethnic groups, and multiracial children experience many disparities.
Prospective environmental restoration/restoration up front: A concept for an incentive-based program to increase restoration planning and implementation in the United States
Authors: Stahl Ralph G , Gouguet Ron , DeSantis Amanda , Liu Jenny , Ammann Michael 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
This article describes a concept variously termed prospective environmental restoration, restoration up front, or restoration banking. Briefly, the concept centers on the ability of an entity, public or private, to gain durable credits for undertaking proactive restoration activities. Once obtained, these credits can be applied to an existing liability, held in the event of a future liability, or traded or sold to others that might have need for the credits. In the case of a natural resource damage claim or response action, possessing or applying the credits does not negate the need for responsible entities to clean up spills or releases of hazardous substances or oil or to address their clean-up requirements under applicable federal and state statutes. Concepts similar to prospective environmental restoration/restoration up front include wetlands mitigation banking, conservation habitat banking, and emissions trading. Much of the concept and details provided herein stem from the practice of natural resource damage assessment, although that is not the sole driver for the concept. The concept could also apply where the credits could be used to offset other environmental liabilities, for example, to provide habitat mitigation where development is being planned. The authors believe that the concept, if widely applied, could reduce the time and costs associated with restoration and perhaps lead to an increase in voluntary restoration and conservation nationally. Currently, there are no state or federal regulations or policies that directly provide for this approach.
Risk assessment of pesticides for soils of the central amazon, Brazil: Comparing outcomes with temperate and tropical data
Authors: Römbke Jörg , Waichman Andrea V , Garcia Marcos VB 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
The risk of 11 pesticides to the soil environment was assessed in a 3-tiered approach at 4 sites located in Central Amazon, near Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas State in Brazil. Toxicity-exposure ratios (TERs), as routinely used for the registration of pesticides in the European Union, were calculated. First, the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) values in soil on the basis of real application rates and soil properties but temperate DT50 (degradation time of 50%) values were compared with temperate effect values (earthworm LC50s; median lethal concentrations), both gained from literature. Second, the risk assessment was refined by the use of DT50 values from tropical soils (measured for 7 compounds and estimated for 4) but still with temperate effect values because only a few results from tests performed under tropical conditions are available. Third, the outcome of this exercise was evaluated in a plausibility check with the use of the few results of effect tests, which were performed under tropical conditions. However, the lack of such data allowed this check only for 6 of 11 pesticides. The results are discussed in light of pesticide use in the Amazon in general, as well as compared with the registration status of these pesticides in other countries. Finally, suggestions are given for which kinds of studies are needed to improve the environmental risk assessment of pesticides in tropical regions.
Abandonment of Seabed Deposition of Drill Cuttings During Offshore Drilling
Authors: Paulsen J. E. , Dysvik Å. , Nilsen D. , Rørhuus T. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
A new concept, which combines existing fieldproven technology with new innovative features, has been evaluated as an attractive technique for collection and retrieval of top-hole drill cuttings, excavated during offshore drilling. Simplified, the presented technique is based on using a collar that is thread on the drill string prior to the spudding in commences. The collar is fitted with a connecting hose and a pump that help suck the fluid and the excavated drill cuttings into settling and filtration bags. After collection of solids the bags are easily displaced. By its simplicity and efficiency the technology appears as an attractive solution for drilling wells in sensitive areas where a zero discharge regime of drill cuttings prevail.
Tumors affecting the spinal cord of cats: 85 cases (1980–2005)
Authors: Marioni-Henry Katia , Van Winkle Thomas J. , Smith Sionagh H. , Vite Charles H. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Objective—To determine the prevalence of lymphosarcoma and other tumors affecting the spinal cord of cats and to relate specific types of tumors with signalment, history, and clinical findings.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—85 cats with tumors affecting the spinal cord.
Procedures—Medical records of cats with histologically confirmed primary or metastatic tumors of the spinal cord or tumors causing spinal cord disease by local extension from adjacent tissues examined between 1980 and 2005 were reviewed. Data on signalment; clinical history; results of neurologic examination, diagnostic imaging, and clinical pathologic evaluation; and location of tumor within the spinal cord were obtained from medical records and analyzed by use of logistic regression models.
Results—Lymphosarcoma was the most common tumor and affected the spinal cord in 33 (38.8%) cats, followed by osteosarcoma in 14 (16.5%) cats. Cats with lymphosarcoma were typically younger at initial examination, had a shorter duration of clinical signs, and had lesions in more regions of the CNS than did cats with other types of tumors. In 22 of 26 (84.6%) cats with lymphosarcoma, the tumor was also found in extraneural sites.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Data for spinal cord tumors in this population of cats were analyzed by logistic regression analysis, which effectively distinguished cats with lymphosarcoma from cats with other types of tumors. Additional clinical information reported here will help to increase the index of suspicion or definitive antemortem diagnosis of spinal cord tumors of cats.
Evaluation of freshwater submersion in small animals: 28 cases (1996–2006)
Authors: Heffner Geoff G. , Rozanski Elizabeth A. , Beal Matthew W. , Boysen Søren , Powell Lisa , Adamantos Sophie 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Objective—To determine clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcome in dogs and cats evaluated after submersion in freshwater.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—25 dogs and 3 cats.
Procedures—Medical records were reviewed for signalment; causes, location, and month of submersion; physical examination findings at admission; results of blood gas analysis; treatments administered; duration of hospitalization; and outcome, including evidence of organ failure or compromise.
Results—All submersions involved bodies of freshwater. Fourteen animals were submerged in man-made water sources, 13 were submerged in natural water sources, and the body of water was not recorded in 1 case. Twenty (71%) submersions occurred from May through September. Cause was identified in 16 animals and included extraordinary circumstances (n = 6), falling into water (5), breaking through ice (3), and intentional submersion (2). Twelve animals were found submerged in water with unclear surrounding circumstances. Treatment included administration of supplemental oxygen, antimicrobials, furosemide, corticosteroids, and aminophylline and assisted ventilation. Respiratory dysfunction was detected in 21 animals. Neurologic dysfunction was detected in 12 animals, hepatocellular compromise was detected in 6 animals, and cardiovascular dysfunction was detected in 4 animals. Three dogs had hematologic dysfunction, and 2 dogs had acute renal dysfunction. Eighteen (64%) animals survived to hospital discharge, but all of the cats died. In 9 of 10 nonsurvivors, respiratory tract failure was the cause of death or reason for euthanasia.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that submersion is an uncommon reason for veterinary evaluation but is associated with a good prognosis in dogs in the absence of respiratory tract failure.
Biocontainment, biosecurity, and security practices in beef feedyards
Authors: Brandt Aric W. , Sanderson Michael W. , DeGroot Brad D. , Thomson Dan U. , Hollis Larry C. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Objective—To determine the biocontainment, biosecurity, and security practices at beef feedyards in the Central Plains of the United States.
Design—Survey.
Sample Population—Managers of feedyards in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas that feed beef cattle for finish before slaughter; feedyards had to have an active concentrated animal feeding operation permit with a 1-time capacity of ≥ 1,000 cattle.
Procedures—A voluntary survey of feedyard personnel was conducted. Identified feedyard personnel were interviewed and responses regarding facility design, security, employees, disease preparedness, feedstuffs, hospital or treatment systems, sanitation, cattle sources, handling of sick cattle, and disposal of carcasses were collected in a database questionnaire.
Results—The survey was conducted for 106 feedyards with a 1-time capacity that ranged from 1,300 to 125,000 cattle. Feedyards in general did not have high implementation of biocontainment, biosecurity, or security practices. Smaller feedyards were, in general, less likely to use good practices than were larger feedyards.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of the survey provided standard practices for biocontainment, biosecurity, and security in feedyards located in Central Plains states. Information gained from the survey results can be used by consulting veterinarians and feedyard managers as a basis for discussion and to target training efforts.
hnRNP-R regulates the PMA-induced c-fos expression in retinal cells
Authors: Huang Jia , Li Shu-Jing , Chen Xian-Hua , Han Yu , Xu Ping 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis study focused on the function of hnRNP-R in the regulation of c-fos expression. We demonstrated that hnRNP-R accelerated the rise and decline phases of c-fos mRNAs and Fos proteins, allowing PMA to induce an augmented pulse response of c-fos expression. Then, we examined the role of the c-fos-derived AU-rich element (ARE) in hnRNP-R-regulated mRNA degradation. Studies with the ARE-GFP reporter gene showed that hnRNP-R significantly reduced the expression of GFP with an inserted ARE. Moreover, immunoprecipitation-RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that in R28 cells and rat retinal tissues, the c-fos mRNA was co-immunoprecipitated with hnRNP-R. These findings indicate that hnRNP-R regulates the c-fos expression in retinal cells, and that the ARE of c-fos mRNAs contributes to this regulation.
Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Wang Lan 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAlthough the Internet has penetrated virtually every aspect of our lives, many scenarios exist where an existing network infrastructure is not available. For example, a hurricane may destroy buildings where the critical networking equipment is housed or may cut the power supply to the equipment. In such scenarios, it is extremely important for people living in the disaster area, as well as relief workers, to communicate with each other using whatever networking devices they have, without relying on any existing infrastructure. Such an infrastructureless network is called anad hoc network, more specifically, “a network that is setup, literally, for a specific purpose, to meet a quickly appearing communication need” (1). In addition to supporting human communication, an ad hoc network may be used for other purposes, such as monitoring the physical environment and detecting events (as we will explain later).An ad hoc network can be wired or wireless, but more research effort has been focused onwireless ad hoc networksas they are easier to establish and do not restrict the mobility of users.Major research issues in wireless ad hoc networks include, but are not limited to, how to ensure connectivity among nodes in the face of unplanned deployment, controlled or uncontrolled mobility, and nodes leaving/joining the network (potentially as a result of failures/repairs); how to access efficiently the shared wireless medium in a distributed fashion; how to route packets to their destinations in the presence of topology dynamics (because of mobility and failures) and sometimes intermittent connectivity; and how to meet the quality of service (QoS) requirements with distributed resource management. These issues are made even more challenging by the limited resource availability that is typical of a wireless ad hoc network.
Capability Maturity Models (CMM)
Authors: Combelles Annie 
Published: January 2008

AbstractOver the past five years, the progress of the wave of process improvement initiatives is very visible. Why have software organizations embarked on the CMM for more than a decade? Several answers to this question exist. Certainly it is all about competition and leverage advantage. The trend in the industry as a whole is growing toward higher maturity levels. Companies have started to realize that momentum is critical, the business climate and the software marketplace have changed, companies need to fight for new business and market shares, and customers expect excellence, operational performance, and professionalism. Outstanding companies certainly do not embark on Process Improvement because they collect “medals.”The road to maturity has also demonstrated that a focus on software components is not sufficient. First, the environment within which engineering is performed has become increasingly complex. Efforts are larger, involve more people, cross corporation boundaries, are distributed far and wide, and must adhere to continually compressing implementation schedules to meet customer needs and heightened expectations.Second, the way in which engineering work is performed has evolved. Cross‐discipline teams, concurrent engineering, highly automated processes, and multinational standards have all affected engineering practice. These changes in turn have caused modifications to the role of the engineering manager.Third, the success of the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI's) Capability Maturity Model for Software has led to a proliferation of models, each of which addresses process improvement from the aspect of a particular discipline. Organizations have adopted multiple improvement models to address their critical processes. All of these changes highlight the need to integrate process improvement efforts. This need is at the root of CMMI constellation.
Data Compression Codes, Lossy
Authors: Kari Jarkko 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis article summarizes the theory and main techniques used in lossy data compression. Topics covered include lossy information theory rate‐distortion theory, scalar and vector quantization, predictior‐based coding and linear transformations, including KLT, DCT, and subband transformations. Also the JPEG image compression standard is discussed briefly.
Distributed Databases
Authors: Liu Chengfei , Zhang Yanchun 
Published: January 2008

AbstractIn this article, we provide first a definition of a distributed database and then we classify different types of distributed database management systems (DDBMSs). Then, three fundamental tasks of a DDBMS, distributed database design, distributed query processing, and distributed transaction management, are introduced, respectively. After that, we address the problems in a federated database system. Finally, we discuss distributed database‐related research topics on the Web and XML.
Fault‐Tolerant Computing
Authors: Joshi Bharat , Pradhan Dhiraj , Stiffler Jack 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis chapter provides an overview of fault‐tolerant computing. Fault‐tolerant computing can be defined as the process by which a computing system continues to perform its specified tasks correctly in the presence of faults with the goal of improving the dependability of the system. Principles of fault‐tolerant computing as well as various fault‐tolerant architectures are discussed. The article concludes by observing trends in the fault‐tolerant computing.
Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Gen Mitsuo , Lin Lin 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMany optimization problems from computer science and engineering are very complex in nature and hard to solve by conventional optimization techniques. Since the 1960s, there has been an increasing interest in imitating living beings to solve such kinds of hard optimization problems. Simulating a natural evolutionary process of human beings results in stochastic optimization techniques called evolutionary algorithms (EAs) that can often outperform conventional optimization methods when applied to difficult‐real world problems. Among them, genetic algorithms (GAs) are perhaps the most widely known types of EAs today.
Hopfield Neural Networks
Authors: Fausett Laurene V. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractHopfield neural networks comprise a rich and varied realm of the overall field of artificial neural networks. Applications can be found in many areas of engineering. Continuing investigation into the theoretical and practical considerations governing the convergence properties of the networks provides a firm foundation for the use of Hopfield models and their extension to more generalized settings. Work continues on differences in performance that may occur when the networks are implemented with fully parallel (asynchronous) updating of the activations.
Machine Learning
Authors: Lai Chih‐Chin , Doong Shing‐Hwang , Wu Chih‐Hung 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMachine learning is about programming a computer to improve a performance measure through experience in performing certain tasks. For this purpose, a computer program is used that adapts to its environment by gaining knowledge through experience. In this article, we try to discuss the machine larning from the following firections: definition and state, the learning process, learning methods, and other considerations.