bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat of the 21st Century: A Global Perspective
Authors: Ali Mir M. , Al-Kodmany Kheir
Published: October 2012

The tall building is the most dominating symbol of the cities and a human-made marvel that defies gravity by reaching to the clouds. It embodies unrelenting human aspirations to build even higher. It conjures a number of valid questions in our minds. The foremost and fundamental question that is often asked: Why tall buildings? This review paper seeks to answer the question by laying out arguments against and for tall buildings. Then, it provides a brief account of the historic and recent developments of tall buildings including their status during the current economic recession. The paper argues that as cities continue to expand horizontally, to safeguard against their reaching an eventual breaking point, the tall building as a building type is a possible solution by way of conquering vertical space through agglomeration and densification. Case studies of some recently built tall buildings are discussed to illustrate the nature of tall building development in their respective cities. The paper attempts to dispel any discernment about tall buildings as mere pieces of art and architecture by emphasizing their truly speculative, technological, sustainable, and evolving nature. It concludes by projecting a vision of tall buildings and their integration into the cities of the 21st century.
Towards a Ubiquitous User Model for Profile Sharing and Reuse
Authors: Martinez-Villaseñor Maria de Lourdes , Gonzalez-Mendoza Miguel , Hernandez-Gress Neil
Published: October 2012

People interact with systems and applications through several devices and are willing to share information about preferences, interests and characteristics. Social networking profiles, data from advanced sensors attached to personal gadgets, and semantic web technologies such as FOAF and microformats are valuable sources of personal information that could provide a fair understanding of the user, but profile information is scattered over different user models. Some researchers in the ubiquitous user modeling community envision the need to share user model’s information from heterogeneous sources. In this paper, we address the syntactic and semantic heterogeneity of user models in order to enable user modeling interoperability. We present a dynamic user profile structure based in Simple Knowledge Organization for the Web (SKOS) to provide knowledge representation for ubiquitous user model. We propose a two-tier matching strategy for concept schemas alignment to enable user modeling interoperability. Our proposal is proved in the application scenario of sharing and reusing data in order to deal with overweight and obesity.
Ion-Specific Nutrient Management in Closed Systems: The Necessity for Ion-Selective Sensors in Terrestrial and Space-Based Agriculture and Water Management Systems
Authors: Bamsey Matthew , Graham Thomas , Thompson Cody , Berinstain Alain , Scott Alan , Dixon Michael
Published: October 2012

The ability to monitor and control plant nutrient ions in fertigation solutions, on an ion-specific basis, is critical to the future of controlled environment agriculture crop production, be it in traditional terrestrial settings (e.g., greenhouse crop production) or as a component of bioregenerative life support systems for long duration space exploration. Several technologies are currently available that can provide the required measurement of ion-specific activities in solution. The greenhouse sector has invested in research examining the potential of a number of these technologies to meet the industry’s demanding requirements, and although no ideal solution yet exists for on-line measurement, growers do utilize technologies such as high-performance liquid chromatography to provide off-line measurements. An analogous situation exists on the International Space Station where, technological solutions are sought, but currently on-orbit water quality monitoring is considerably restricted. This paper examines the specific advantages that on-line ion-selective sensors could provide to plant production systems both terrestrially and when utilized in space-based biological life support systems and how similar technologies could be applied to nominal on-orbit water quality monitoring. A historical development and technical review of the various ion-selective monitoring technologies is provided.
Design and Implementation of Real-Time Software Radio for Anti-Interference GPS/WAAS Sensors
Authors: Chen Yu-Hsuan , Juang Jyh-Ching , Seo Jiwon , Lo Sherman , Akos Dennis M. , De Lorenzo David S. , Enge Per
Published: October 2012

Adaptive antenna array processing is widely known to provide significant anti-interference capabilities within a Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receiver. A main challenge in the quest for such receiver architecture has always been the computational/processing requirements. Even more demanding would be to try and incorporate the flexibility of the Software-Defined Radio (SDR) design philosophy in such an implementation. This paper documents a feasible approach to a real-time SDR implementation of a beam-steered GNSS receiver and validates its performance. This research implements a real-time software receiver on a widely-available x86-based multi-core microprocessor to process four-element antenna array data streams sampled with 16-bit resolution. The software receiver is capable of 12 channels all-in-view Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) array processing capable of rejecting multiple interferers. Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions assembly coding and multithreaded programming, the key to such an implementation to reduce computational complexity, are fully documented within the paper. In conventional antenna array systems, receivers use the geometry of antennas and cable lengths known in advance. The documented CRPA implementation is architected to operate without extensive set-up and pre-calibration and leverages Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) to provide adaptation in both the frequency and space domains. The validation component of the paper demonstrates that the developed software receiver operates in real time with live Global Positioning System (GPS) and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) L1 C/A code signal. Further, interference rejection capabilities of the implementation are also demonstrated using multiple synthetic interferers which are added to the live data stream.
ANALYTICAL ASSESSMENT AND COMPARISON OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR RESIDENTIAL ESTATES
Authors: Lai Joseph H. K.
Published: October 2012

Populous places are particularly in need of high-rise residential buildings, which are increasingly built as estates. The facilities in these estates entail proper management in order to serve the numerous residents there. Aimed at evaluating the facilities management (FM) services for three major kinds of residential estates (‘public’, ‘semi-public’ and ‘private’), a study was conducted based on a performance-importance-cost (PIC) evaluation model. The end-users’ perceived importance and performance levels and the cost data of the FM services for a public estate, a semi-public estate and a private estate were analyzed using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) procedure. The importance and performance levels of the services and their differences between the estates were revealed. The highest service performance and cost levels were found with the private estate, followed by the semi-public estate and the public estate, while the orders of their cost-effectiveness reversed. Rather than assessing merely the cost or performance of services, using the approach of this study to examine their cost-effectiveness can enable more holistic evaluations towards strategic property management.
A METHOD OF MULTI-ATTRIBUTE ASSESSMENT USING IDEAL ALTERNATIVE: CHOOSING AN APARTMENT WITH OPTIMAL INDOOR ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Kalibatas Darius , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras , Kalibatienė Diana
Published: October 2012

An indoor environment of each building depends on a number of criteria, like temperature, humidity, noise, etc. Therefore, multi-attribute decision making (MADM) methods are used to assess alternatives and to choice the rational one. In this paper we suggest to add a concept of ideal alternative into assessment using MADM, since it allows both to determine the optimal solution and the deviation of each alternative (an indoor environment of a building) from the optimal values, e.g. ideal alternative. Therefore, a method of multi-attribute assessment using ideal alternative (MAAIA) is formulated in this paper. It is applied for the MOORA method to assess an indoor environment of apartments in block houses situated in Naujoji Vilnia, Vilnius, Lithuania. Obtained results of the assessment show that the proposed method is useful for decision support and assessment of alternatives.
INTELLIGENT AGENTS AND RISK BASED MODEL FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Authors: Smeureanu Ion , Ruxanda Gheorghe , Diosteanu Andreea , Delcea Camelia , Cotfas Liviu Adrian
Published: October 2012

This paper presents a software agent based framework's architecture for boosting performance in supply chain management applications. The framework is based on agent interaction and semantic web service composition. The purpose of such a platform is to develop flexible business applications for SCM transactions modeling, in collaborative and distributed economic systems. The interaction between agents is limited by a cybernetic model that takes into account several constraints one of the main being bankruptcy risk potential of the peer partner company.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Pharmacodynamics of Canine and Feline Pathogenic E. coli in the United States
Authors: Boothe Dawn , Smaha Tim , Carpenter D. Mark , Shaheen Bashar , Hatchcock Terri
Published: October 2012

Percent resistance and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were described for canine (n = 301) and feline (n = 75) pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates solicited during May 2005 to Sep 2005 from the Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory at Auburn University (n = 165) or commercial diagnostic laboratories ([CDL]; n = 211) from four regions in the USA. Drugs tested were amoxicillin (AMX), amoxicillin trihydrate/clavulanate potassium (AMXC), cefpodoxime (CFP), doxycycline (DXY), enrofloxacin (ENR), gentamicin (GM) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS). Urinary isolates were most common (n = 174). Percent resistance was greatest for isolates from the respiratory tract, urine, and skin compared with the ear. Resistance was also greatest for samples sent from the south and central states compared with the western states (P ≤ 0.001). Percent resistance by drug was AMX (46 ± 2.6%) > AMXC (37 ± 2.5%) > CFP (21.8 ± 2%) = DXY (22 ± 2.1%) = ENR (20 ± 2.1%) = TMS (19 ± 2%) > GM (12 ± 1.7%). There was a significant difference in resistance between the different antibiotic drugs (P ≤ 0.001). Population MIC distributions were bimodal, and MICs were highest in samples from the southern states (P ≤ 0.001). E. coli resistance may limit its empirical treatment. For susceptible isolates, AMX and AMXC may be least effective and TMS most effective.
The Mean as Balance Point
Authors: O'Dell Robin S.
Published: October 2012

Using a rule as a seesaw helps students steady their understanding of the mean.
Predictive value of social skills in living together at primary school. Analysis in a cultural diversity context
Authors: Herrera Torres Lucía , Bravo Antonio Iván
Published: October 2012

Coexistence at school stands out as one of the main goals in today’s education (Carretero, 2008; Ortega, 2007). The aim of this study developed within a cultural diversity context is to identify the specific dimensions of social skills through which the different elements favouring or hindering coexistence at school can be predicted. A total of 546 students (52% of them males, and 48% females) from the first year in each Primary Education cycle (1st, 3rd and 5th year, respectively) of two public schools in Melilla took part in the research. The Behaviour Assessment System for Children (BASC) and an adapted version for Primary Education of the Coexistence at School Questionnaire for Students were the data-collection instruments used. According to the main results, while the clinical maladjustment dimension of BASC predicts negative coexistence situations, personal adjustment appears as the dimension which best predicts positive coexistence situations, conducting classroom behaviours (both anti-social and pro-social ones), as well as the implementation of conflict resolution strategies (both successful and failed ones). In this respect, self-esteem within the personal adjustment dimension plays an important role regarding coexistence at school. Both the need to develop preventive programmes at schools and the consideration of the different socio-familiar variables which may be mediating this process are discussed.
Strategies for media literacy: Audiovisual skills and the citizenship in Andalusia
Authors: Aguaded-Gómez Ignacio , Pérez-Rodríguez M. Amor
Published: October 2012

Media consumption is an undeniable fact in present-day society. The hours that members of all social segments spend in front of a screen take up a large part of their leisure time worldwide. Audiovisual communication becomes especially important within the context of today’s digital society (society-network), where information and communication technologies pervade all corners of everyday life. However, people do not own enough audiovisual media skills to cope with this mass media omnipresence. Neither the education system nor civic associations, or the media themselves, have promoted audiovisual skills to make people critically competent when viewing media. This study aims to provide an updated conceptualization of the “audiovisual skill” in this digital environment and transpose it onto a specific interventional environment, seeking to detect needs and shortcomings, plan global strategies to be adopted by governments and devise training programmes for the various sectors involved
What does ‘Playing Well’ mean to elite sports coaches?, implicit thinking of elite Spanish soccer coaches
Authors: González Víllora Sixto , Serra Olivares Jaime , González Martí Irene , Hernández Martínez Andrea
Published: October 2012

People construct knowledge through a set of highly diverse experiences. Despite being personal, this knowledge is strongly influenced by the specific context where it occurs. Such experience-based knowledge is referred to as ‘implicit theories’ because it does not fit in with a systematic and theoretical knowledge context like that of scientific knowledge. Coaches work with a number of implicit theories about aspects such as players, competition or training which determine their professional behaviour to a considerable extent. Thirty-nine Spanish First Division coaches were asked the question ‘What does playing soccer well mean?’ in this study. Their responses were later classified into eight different categories which show the diversity of opinions regarding this matter as well as the possible implicit theories that would guide coaches’ actions.
Oesophagus Including Oesophagogastric Junction
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

Carcinoma of the oesophagus has undergone a major modification between the 6th and 7th TNM editions: T1 and T4 are subdivided to provide greater detail for imaging and management; regional lymph nodes (N) are subdivided by number involved rather than by their location; distant metastasis (M) has been simplified to M1 rather than subdivided by location. Stage grouping has been divided into: 1) purely anatomical stages applicable to all types of carcinomas; and 2) prognostic groups that separate squamous from adenocarcinoma and add grade and tumour location to the T, N, and M elements. The first approach preserves the pure anatomic extent of disease concept and allows direct stage by stage comparisons of behaviour between tumours of different histological types and location; the second recognizes the prognostic influence of grade and tumour location. The use of the terms Stage grouping and Prognostic grouping distinguishes the two. The staging of carcinomas of the oesophagogastric/gastroesophageal junction has been addressed and the definition is noted in the oesophagus and stomach chapters.
Anal Canal
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Lung
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Soft Tissues
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Breast Tumours
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

Except for a finer definition of the N categories, there are no basic changes in the breast classification in TNM 7. The subject of isolated tumour cells in regional lymph nodes, which originally referred to single cells and small clusters, has now evolved to a proposal to include “a cluster of fewer than 200 cells in a single histological cross section.”
Cervix Uteri
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Testis
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Carcinoma of Conjunctiva
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Malignant Melanoma of Uvea
Authors: Sobin L. H. , Gospodarowicz M.K. , Wittekind Ch.
Published: September 2012

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
High‐Throughput Computational Screening of New Li‐Ion Battery Anode Materials
Authors: Kirklin Scott , Meredig Bryce , Wolverton Chris
Published: September 2012

We use density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with grand canonical linear programming (GCLP), a powerful automated tool for analyzing ground state thermodynamics, to exhaustively enumerate the 515 thermodynamically stable lithiation reactions of transition metal silicides, stannides and phosphides, and compute cell potential, volume expansion, and capacity for each. These reactions comprise an exhaustive list of all possible thermodynamically stable ternary conversion reactions for these transition metal compounds. The reactions are calculated based on a library DFT energies of 291 compounds, including all transition metal silicides, phosphides and stannides found in the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database (ICSD). We screen our computational database for the most appealing anode properties based on gravimetric capacity, volumetric capacity, cell potential, and volume expansion when compared with graphitic carbon anodes. This high‐throughput computational approach points towards several promising anode compositions with properties significantly superior to graphitic carbon, including CoSi2, TiP and NiSi2.
Dietary diversity score is a useful indicator of vitamin A status of adult women in Northern Kenya
Authors: Fujita Masako , Lo Yun‐jia , Baranski Janine R.
Published: September 2012

Objectives:

Diets consisting of diverse food items provide a wide range of nutrients that can enhance nutritional quality of the diet. Few studies have, however, assessed dietary diversity and its effects on micronutrient health in rural populations in field settings. This study assesses how well Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), an indicator of dietary diversity based on a simple count of food groups consumed, predicts the micronutrient status, focusing on serum vitamin A concentration.

Methods:

We used cross‐sectional data from women in food‐insecure northern Kenya where dietary diversity is likely critical for micronutrient health yet under‐studied. A linear regression model was applied to examine the relationships between DDS and serum retinol concentration. A logistic regression model was used to test DDS as a predictor of vitamin A insufficiency (serum retinol < 1.05 μmol/l).

Results:

DDS had a significant positive effect on serum retinol concentration (t = 2.01, P = 0.045) after adjusting for age, wealth, acute phase reaction, hemoglobin, vitamin A intake and vitamin A supplementation. A one unit increase in DDS by adding an extra food group in one's diet was significantly less likely to have vitamin A insufficiency (OR = 0.64, P = 0.026) after adjusting for the covariates.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that diversified diets enhance vitamin A status relative to narrower diets with equivalent vitamin A content. DDS shows a potential as a low‐cost, field‐friendly method for exploratory assessments of vitamin A status, and a potential as a research tool for human biologists and anthropologists interested in dietary quality and micronutrient health. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How well does the body adiposity index capture adiposity change in midlife women?: The SWAN fat patterning study
Authors: Appelhans Bradley M. , Kazlauskaite Rasa , Karavolos Kelly , Janssen Imke , Kravitz Howard M. , Dugan Sheila , Burns John W. , Shipp‐johnson Karla , Powell Lynda H.
Published: September 2012

Objectives:

The body adiposity index (BAI) is a proposed alternative to the body mass index (BMI) that has shown good cross‐sectional agreement with percent body fat (%BF) in validation studies. The objective of this study was to examine the ability of BAI to track adiposity change over time in a biracial sample of midlife women.

Methods:

African‐American (n = 159) and Caucasian (n = 206) women, aged 42–60 years, at the Chicago site of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation were followed from 2002 to 2008. BAI and BMI were calculated from measurements taken at annual assessments. %BF was quantified using whole‐body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Difference scores (BAIΔ, BMIΔ, and %BFΔ) quantified adiposity change over a mean of 1.6 (SD = 0.7) years. Lin's concordance correlation (ρc) and Bland–Altman limits‐of‐agreement assessed agreement between BAI and %BF.

Results:

In examining adiposity change, BAIΔ showed poor agreement with %BFΔ in the overall sample (ρc = 0.41), African‐American women (ρc = 0.36), and Caucasian women (ρc = 0.43). BAIΔ estimated %BFΔ with minimal bias (+0.4%) but low precision (±6.3%BF limits‐of‐agreement). %BFΔ had weaker correlations with BAIΔ (rs = 0.38–0.48) than with BMIΔ (rs = 0.48–0.59). BAI and BMI showed similar cross‐sectional associations with %BF in the overall sample and within each race (rs > 0.74).

Conclusions:

We conclude that BAI is less accurate than BMI in tracking adiposity change in midlife women, and would not be a suitable replacement for BMI in most research applications involving adiposity change. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuroenhancement of the aging brain: Restoring skill acquisition in old subjects
Authors: Zimerman Máximo , Nitsch Marie , Giraux Pascal , Gerloff Christian , Cohen Leonardo G. , Hummel Friedhelm C.
Published: September 2012

Objective:

Decline in cognitive functions, including impaired acquisition of novel skills, is a feature of older age that impacts activities of daily living, independence, and integration in modern societies.

Methods:

We tested whether the acquisition of a complex motor skill can be enhanced in old subjects by the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the motor cortex.

Results:

The main finding was that old participants experienced substantial improvements when training was applied concurrent with tDCS, with effects lasting for at least 24 hours.

Interpretation:

These results suggest noninvasive brain stimulation as a promising and safe tool to potentially assist functional independence of aged individuals in daily life. ANN NEUROL 2013
Recombinant ADAMTS13 reduces tissue plasminogen activator‐induced hemorrhage after stroke in mice
Authors: Wang Lixiang , Fan Wenying , Cai Ping , Fan Mengchen , Zhu Ximin , Dai Yiqin , Sun Chungang , Cheng Yannan , Zheng Ping , Zhao Bing‐Qiao
Published: September 2012

Objective

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is approved for treatment of acute ischemic stroke, but it increases the risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Accumulating evidence suggests that von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a pivotal role in thrombus formation and microcirculatory disturbances after ischemic stroke. By cleaving VWF, ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) protects mice from stroke. Therefore, we hypothesized that recombinant ADAMTS13 (rADAMTS13) could increase the safety of tPA thrombolysis in stroke.

Methods

We examined blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability after intraventricular injection of tPA, VWF, and rADAMTS13 in nonischemic mice. We investigated the role of rADAMTS13 on reducing tPA‐induced BBB dysfunction and cerebral hemorrhage in a mouse stroke model.

Results

Intraventricular injection of tPA or VWF under nonischemic conditions resulted in a significant increase in BBB permeability. In contrast, rADAMTS13 blocked both tPA‐ and VWF‐induced BBB opening. BBB disruption following stroke was exacerbated by intravenous administration of tPA, but this was attenuated by injection of rADAMTS13. Correspondingly, tPA‐associated hemorrhage after stroke was significantly reduced by rADAMTS13. The antihemorrhagic effect of rADAMTS13 was reversed by injection of recombinant VWF. We also showed that rADAMTS13 inhibited tPA‐mediated upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vascular endothelium after stroke. The upregulation of VEGF was suppressed by either an Akt inhibitor wortmannin or a Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil. Furthermore, rADAMTS13 downregulated tPA‐induced phosphorylation of Akt and activation of RhoA.

Interpretation

These findings demonstrate that the VWF‐cleaving protease rADAMTS13 reduced tPA‐induced hemorrhage by regulating BBB integrity, and suggest that this effect may occur through the Akt/RhoA‐mediated VEGF pathways. ANN NEUROL 2013;73:189–198
Identifying the perfusion deficit in acute stroke with resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Lv Yating , Margulies Daniel S. , Cameron Craddock R. , Long Xiangyu , Winter Benjamin , Gierhake Daniel , Endres Matthias , Villringer Kersten , Fiebach Jochen , Villringer Arno
Published: September 2012

Temporal delay in blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD) signals may be sensitive to perfusion deficits in acute stroke. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) was added to a standard stroke MRI protocol. We calculated the time delay between the BOLD signal at each voxel and the whole‐brain signal using time‐lagged correlation and compared the results to mean transit time derived using bolus tracking. In all 11 patients, areas exhibiting significant delay in BOLD signal corresponded to areas of hypoperfusion identified by contrast‐based perfusion MRI. Time delay analysis of rsfMRI provides information comparable to that of conventional perfusion MRI without the need for contrast agents. ANN NEUROL 2013.
Morphology and mechanical properties of heterophasic PP–EP/EVA/organoclay nanocomposites
Authors: Espinoza‐Martínez Adriana Berenice , Ramírez‐Vargas Eduardo , Sánchez‐Valdes Saúl , de Valle Luis Francisco Ramos , Medellín‐Rodríguez Francisco J. , Hsiao Benjamin S. , Rong Lixia , Zaragoza Mario Valera
Published: September 2012

The effect of vinyl acetat (VA) on the morphological, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of heterophasic polypropylene–(ethylene‐propylene) copolymer (PP–EP)/poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) (EVA)/organoclay nanocomposites was studied. Tailored organoclay C20A was selected to enhance the exfoliation of the clay platelets. Depending on the VA content, there were two morphological organoclay populations in the systems. Both populations were directly observed by scanning transmission electron microscopy and measured by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The content of VA in EVA originated spherical and elongated morphologies in the resultant nanocomposites. High‐VA content led to a better intercalation of the organoclay platelets. Measurement of thermal properties suggested that higher VA decreases thermal stability in samples both with and without organoclay, although nanocomposites had higher thermal stability than samples without clay. The storage modulus increased both with nanoclay and VA content. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Vinyl‐addition type norbornene copolymers containing flexible spacers and sulfonated pendant groups for proton exchange membranes
Authors: Yao Hongli , He Xiaohui , Chen Lu , Chen Yiwang , Chen Defu
Published: September 2012

Novel sulfonated poly(2‐butoxymethylenenorbornene‐co‐2‐(6‐phenoxy‐hexyloxymethylene)‐5‐norbornene [sP(BN/PhHN)] were prepared successfully through vinyl‐addition type polymerization and then sulfonated with concentrated sulfuric acid (98%) as sulfonating agent in a component solvent. The sP(BN/PhHN)‐40 with the maximal degree of sulfonation of 40% can be obtained by controlling the sulfonating reaction time from 8 to 20 h, and a proton conductivity of 3.35 × 10−3 S/cm was achieved at 70°C. The methanol permeabilities of these membranes were in the range from 0.26 to 6.58 × 10−7 cm2/s, which were remarkably lower than Nafion (2.36 × 10−6 cm2/s). TEM analysis revealed that these side‐chain type membranes have a microphase separated structure composed of hydrophilic side‐chain domains and hydrophobic polynorbornene main chain domains. Sulfonated polynorbornene containing soft spacers displayed better properties, such as lower water uptake, high thermal properties, mechanical properties, and low methanol permeability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Public perception of birth defects terminology
Authors: Mai Cara T. , Petersen Emily E. , Miller Assia
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND: ‘Birth defect’ is a common phrase, yet concerns have been expressed that the word ‘defect’ carries a negative connotation. Our objective was to examine public perceptions of terms used to refer to birth defects.METHODS: Four questions about terminology of birth defects were included in the U.S. nationally representative 2007HealthStylessurvey. Respondents answered questions about whether they or a family member were affected by birth defects (condition status), and which terms used to refer to birth defects they found preferable and which offensive. We further examined whether condition status, race/ethnicity, gender, income, geographical region, and education level impacted respondents' term selection. Chi‐square tests and multinomial logistic regression were performed using SAS 9.1.RESULTS: ‘Birth defects’ was most frequently selected as the first choice preferred term (35.4%), followed by 21.9% who selected ‘children with special needs. ’ For respondents who said they themselves or a family member were affected by birth defects (11.5%), their responses differed statistically (p≤ 0.0001) from nonaffected respondents, but the leading choices were still ‘birth defects’ (28.5%) and ‘children with special needs’ (27.2%). Condition status, race/ethnicity, gender, income, and education level were all significant predictors of the respondents' choice of a preferred term. When asked which phrases might be offensive, the top choices were ‘none of the phrases listed’ (37.0%), ‘adverse pregnancy outcomes’ (23.1%), and ‘birth defects’ (21.4%).CONCLUSIONS: ‘Birth defect’ was the preferred term; however, survey participants affected by birth defects responded less positively to the term. Continued dialogue about accepted and appropriate terminology is necessary.Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sulfate influx on band 3 protein of equine erythrocyte membrane (Equus caballus) using different experimental temperatures and buffer solutions
Authors: Casella S. , Piccione D. , Ielati S. , Bocchino E.G. , Piccione G.
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to assess the anion transport in equine erythrocytes through the measurement of the sulfate uptake operating from band 3 using different experimental temperatures and buffer solutions. Blood samples of six clinically healthy horses were collected via jugular vein puncture, and an emochrome‐citometric examination was performed. The blood was divided into four aliquots and by centrifugation and aspiration the plasma and buffy coat were carefully discarded. The red blood cells were washed with an isosmotic medium and centrifuged. The obtained cell suspensions were incubated with two different experimental buffer solutions (buffer A: 115 mM Na2SO4, 10 mM NaCl, 20 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 30 mM glucose; and buffer B: 115 mM Na2SO4, 10 mM NaCl, 20 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 30 mM MgCl2) in a water bath for 1 h at 25 °C and 37 °C. Normal erythrocytes, suspended at 3% hematocrit, were used to measure the influx by absorption spectrophotometry at 425 nm wavelength. Unpaired Student's t‐test showed a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.01) of rate constants in equine erythrocytes at 25 °C versus 37 °C using both experimental buffer solutions. Comparing the buffer A with buffer B unpaired Student's t‐test showed statistically lower values (P < 0.0001) for A solution versus B solution both at 25 °C and at 37 °C. The greater inhibition of SO4= influx measured in equine erythrocytes indicates the increased formation of the sulfydryl bonds in band 3 and the modulation of the sulfydryl groups, culminating in the conformational changes in band 3. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Balloon aortic valvuloplasty for severe aortic stenosis as a bridge to transcatheter/surgical aortic valve replacement
Authors: Ben‐Dor Itsik , Maluenda Gabriel , Dvir Danny , Barbash Israel M. , Okubagzi Petros , Torguson Rebecca , Lindsay Joseph , Satler Lowell F. , Pichard Augusto D. , Waksman Ron
Published: September 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to determine success‐ and complication rates after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and the outcome of BAV as a standalone therapy versus BAV as a bridge to transcatheter/surgical aortic valve replacement (T/SAVR). Background: The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has led to a revival in BAV as treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Methods: A cohort of 472 patients underwent 538 BAV procedures. The cohort was divided into two groups: BAV alone 387 (81.9%) and BAV as a bridge 85 (18.1%) to (n = 65, TAVR; n = 20, surgery). Clinical, hemodynamic, and follow‐up mortality data were collected. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in mean age (81.7 ± 8.3 vs. 83.2 ± 10.9 years, P = 0.18), society of thoracic surgeons score (13.1 ± 6.2 and 12.4 ± 6.4, P = 0.4), logistic EuroSCORE (45.4 ± 22.3 vs. 46.9 ± 21.8, P = 0.43), and other comorbidities. The mean increase in aortic valve area was 0.39 ± 0.25 in the BAV alone group and 0.42 ± 0.26 in the BAV as a bridge group, P = 0.33. The decrease in mean gradient was 24.1 ± 13.1 in the BAV alone group vs. 27.1 ± 13.8 in the BAV as a bridge group, P = 0.06. During a median follow up of 183 days [54–409], the mortality rate was 55.2% (n = 214) in the BAV alone group vs. 22.3% (n = 19) in the BAV as a bridge group during a median follow‐up of 378 days [177–690], P < 0.001. Conclusion: In high‐risk patients with aortic stenosis and temporary contraindications to SAVR/TAVR, BAV may be used as a bridge to intervention with good mid‐term outcomes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐Assembly Studies of a Chiral Bisurea‐Based Superhydrogelator
Authors: Rodríguez‐Llansola Francisco , Hermida‐Merino Daniel , Nieto‐Ortega Belén , Ramírez Francisco J. , Navarrete Juan T. López , Casado Juan , Hamley Ian W. , Escuder Beatriu , Hayes Wayne , Miravet Juan F.
Published: September 2012

A chiral bisurea‐based superhydrogelator that is capable of forming supramolecular hydrogels at concentrations as low as 0.2 mM is reported. This soft material has been characterized by thermal studies, rheology, X‐ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and by various spectroscopic techniques (electronic and vibrational circular dichroism and by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy). The expression of chirality on the molecular and supramolecular levels has been studied and a clear amplification of its chirality into the achiral analogue has been observed. Furthermore, thermal analysis showed that the hydrogelation of compound 1 has a high response to temperature, which corresponds to an enthalpy‐driven self‐assembly process. These particular thermal characteristics make these materials easy to handle for soft‐application technologies.
f‐Element–Metal Bonding and the Use of the Bond Polarity To Build Molecular Intermetalloids
Authors: Oelkers Benjamin , Butovskii Mikhail V. , Kempe Rhett
Published: September 2012

Metal–metal bonding in heterobimetallic complexes is of fundamental interest due to its implications to both bonding theory and new reactivities. In this Concept, structurally authenticated molecular compounds with direct bonds between rare‐earth metals or actinoids and transition or main group metals are summarized. Special attention is given to the use of bond polarity as a tool for designing molecular intermetalloids incorporating rare‐earth atoms and transition metals.
Theoretical Assessment of Binding and Mass‐Transport Effects in Electrochemical Affinity Biosensors That Utilize Nanoparticle Labels for Signal Amplification
Authors: Zhang Jie , Ting Boon Ping , Ying Jackie Y.
Published: September 2012

This paper presents a theoretical study of electrochemical affinity biosensors for the detection of DNA/protein that utilize nanoparticle labels for signal amplification. This study analyzes the effects of binding and mass transport of the analytes on biosensor performance by using numerical simulations. Four cases were considered: 1) nanoparticles used to increase the loading of an electroactive species, or used as catalysts under pseudo‐first‐order conditions; 2) nanoparticles used as ultramicroelectrode arrays for the electrolysis of large concentrations of substrate; 3) nanoparticles used as seeds to deposit electrochemically detectable species; and 4) nanoparticles used to mediate the deposition of electrocatalysts. By using nanoparticle labels, high sensitivity is possible under all conditions considered. However, theoretical findings suggested that nonspecific adsorption could be more problematic in cases 2–4 due to the mismatch between the chemistry of surface binding and the principle of signal amplification that originates from the effect of mass transport. Under these conditions, any given signal would plateau at a much lower analyte concentration, well before the analyte binding had actually reached a plateau. Views on possible solutions to the above limitations are also presented.
Direct CH Functionalization of Enamides and Enecarbamates by Using Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Jiang Heng , Huang Chengmei , Guo Jiajia , Zeng Chuanqi , Zhang Yan , Yu Shouyun
Published: September 2012

Direct CH functionalization of various enamides and enecarbamates was realized through visible‐light photoredox catalyzed reactions. Under the optimized conditions using [Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)PF6] as photocatalyst in combination with Na2HPO4, enamides such as N‐vinylpyrrolidinone could be easily functionalized by irradiation of the reaction mixture overnight in acetonitrile with visible light. The scope of the reaction with respect to enamide and enecarbamate substrates by using diethyl 2‐bromomalonate for the alkylation reaction was explored, followed by an investigation of the scope of alkylating reagents used to react with the enamides and enecarbamates. The results indicated that reaction takes place with quite broad substrate scope, however, tertiary enamides with an internal CC double bond in the E configuration could not be alkylated. Alkylation of N‐vinyl tertiary enamides and enecarbamates gave monoalkylated products exclusively in the E configuration. Alkylation of N‐vinyl secondary enamides gave doubly alkylated products. Double bond migration was observed in the reaction of electron‐deficient bromides such as 3‐bromoacetyl acetate with N‐vinylpyrrolidinone. A mechanism is proposed for the reaction that is different from reported reactions of SOMOphiles with a nonfunctionalized CC double bond. Further tests on the trifluoromethylation and arylation of enamides and enecarbamates under similar conditions showed that the reactions could serve as a mild, practical, and environmentally friendly approach to various functionalized enamides and enecarbamates.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitutions with Cyclometalated Phosphoramidite Complexes Bearing a Dibenzocyclooctatetraene Ligand: Preparation of (π‐Allyl)Ir Complexes and Computational and NMR Spectroscopic Studies
Authors: Raskatov Jevgenij A. , Jäkel Mascha , Straub Bernd F. , Rominger Frank , Helmchen Günter
Published: September 2012

(π‐Allyl)Ir complexes derived from dibenzocyclooctatetraene and phosphoramidites by cyclometalation are effective catalysts for allylic substitution reactions of linear monosubstituted allylic carbonates. These catalysts provide exceptionally high degrees of regioselectivity and allow the reactions to be run under aerobic conditions. A series of (π‐allyl)Ir complexes were prepared and characterized by X‐ray crystal structure analyses. An allylic amination with aniline displayed different resting states depending on the presence of a strong base. DFT calculations were carried out on the mechanistic aspects of these reactions. The results suggest that for the (π‐allyl)Ir complexes, the formation and reactions with nucleophiles proceed with comparable rates.
Linker‐Free, Silica‐Bound Olefin‐Metathesis Catalysts: Applications in Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Cabrera José , Padilla Robin , Bru Miriam , Lindner Ronald , Kageyama Takeharu , Wilckens Kristina , Balof Shawna L. , Schanz Hans‐Jörg , Dehn Richard , Teles J. Henrique , Deuerlein Stephan , Müller Kevin , Rominger Frank , Limbach Michael
Published: September 2012

A set of heterogenized olefin‐metathesis catalysts, which consisted of Ru complexes with the H2ITap ligand (1,3‐bis(2′,6′‐dimethyl‐4′dimethyl aminophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene) that had been adsorbed onto a silica support, has been prepared. These complexes showed strong binding to the solid support without the need for tethering groups on the complex or functionalized silica. The catalysts were tested in the ring‐opening–ring‐closing‐metathesis (RO‐RCM) of cyclooctene (COE) and the self‐metathesis of methyl oleate under continuous‐flow conditions. The best complexes showed a TON>4000, which surpasses the previously reported materials that were either based on the Grubbs–Hoveyda II complex on silica or on the classical heterogeneous Re2O7/B2O3 catalyst.