bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Basilar Artery Dissection: Series of 12 Consecutive Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ruecker M. , Furtner M. , Knoflach M. , Werner P. , Gotwald T. , Chemelli A. , Zangerle A. , Prantl B. , Matošević B. , Schmidauer C. , Schmutzhard E. , Willeit J. , Kiechl S.
Published: July 2010

Background: Current knowledge on primary or isolated basilar artery dissection (IBAD) is limited to case vignettes and small patient series. Objective: To delineate the frequency and clinical presentations of IBAD along with short-term outcome, specific prognosis and targeted management. Methods: Data were derived from a series of 12 consecutive patients and a review of 88 cases reported in the literature. In all the cases, the dissection was confined to the basilar artery. Results: Disease incidence was estimated at 0.25 per 100,000 person-years. IBAD accounted for roughly 1.0% of all subarachnoid hemorrhage events and for no less than 10.5 and 4.5% of posterior circulation and brain-supplying artery dissections, respectively. The main clinical presentations were subarachnoid hemorrhage (46%) and posterior circulation brain ischemia (42%). Subarachnoid hemorrhage typically manifested at a higher age than brain ischemia (mean age, 48.9 vs. 41.4 years) and was more prevalent among women. Rebleedings related to pseudoaneurysm formation in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and recurrent ischemia in stroke patients were common in the acute phase (26.1 and 33.3%, respectively) but were rare in the long term. The outcome was generally favorable in stroke patients but variable in subarachnoid hemorrhage (case fatality rate, 21.7%). The mainstay of therapy for subarachnoid hemorrhage related to IBAD was endovascular occlusion of the aneurysm pouch whereas stroke patients were usually put on anticoagulants. Conclusions: IBAD is probably an underrecognized disease with heterogeneous clinical presentation and prognosis. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis in peritruncal subarachnoid hemorrhage, classic subarachnoid hemorrhage and posterior circulation stroke, especially in young individuals. Case management is challenging and has to be tailored to each patient.
RANTES in Exhaled Breath Condensate of Patients with Severe Persistent Allergic Asthma during Omalizumab Therapy
Authors: Zietkowski Ziemowit , Skiepko Roman , Tomasiak-Lozowska Maria M. , Lenczewska Danuta , Bodzenta-Lukaszyk Anna
Published: July 2010

Background: Omalizumab is a humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody developed for the treatment of IgE-mediated diseases, including asthma. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of omalizumab treatment on changes in RANTES in exhaled breath condensate and other inflammatory markers in patients with persistent severe asthma. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 19 patients with severe persistent allergic asthma treated with conventional therapy (according to GINA 2006) and with or without omalizumab (9 vs. 10 patients). Changes in inflammatory parameters [RANTES in exhaled breath condensate, exhaled nitric oxide, blood eosinophil count and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)] were measured before and after 16 weeks of therapy. Results: Omalizumab-treated patients showed a statistically significant decrease in the concentrations of RANTES in exhaled breath condensate, exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), serum ECP, and blood eosinophil count compared with patients with conventional therapy after 16 weeks of treatment. In this group of patients, statistically significant correlations were revealed between the decrease in RANTES and a decrease in FENO and between the decrease in FENO and a decrease in ECP or blood eosinophil count after omalizumab therapy. Conclusions: Our results confirmed that during anti-immunoglobulin E therapy with omalizumab in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma, RANTES expression is decreased. This process in turn could lead to a limitation of airway inflammation and could be essential for the beneficial effect of anti-IgE therapy with omalizumab.
Affinity Purification of Egg-White Allergens for Improved Component-Resolved Diagnostics
Authors: Everberg Henrik , Brostedt Peter , Öman Hans , Bohman Svante , Movérare Robert
Published: July 2010

Background: Egg is a common cause of food-allergic reactions, especially among young children. Some egg-allergic patients do, however, tolerate heated egg products and component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) may facilitate prediction of different disease manifestations. Commercially available preparations of the egg-white allergens, ovomucoid, ovalbumin, conalbumin and lysozyme, have been reported to contain impurities which interfere with accurate CRD. Methods: Commercial preparations of the 4 egg-white allergens were characterized using allergen-specific monoclonal chimeric human/mouse IgE antibodies in experimental ImmunoCAP® tests. Further purification of commercial ovomucoid, ovalbumin and conalbumin preparations was performed by chromatography based on affinity to monoclonal antibodies. Purity was monitored by size exclusion chromatography, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and experimental ImmunoCAP tests using allergen-specific chimeric IgE antibodies. IgE reactivity to the highly purified egg components was analyzed in 83 samples from egg white-sensitized individuals. Results: Preparations of commercially available ovomucoid, ovalbumin and conalbumin were found to contain other egg allergens which were removed by chromatographic purification. No impurities were detected in the commercial lysozyme preparation. Previously unknown complexes between the target allergens and contaminating allergens were detected and removed by affinity chromatography. IgE reactivity to ovalbumin was most common in the analyzed samples (87%), followed by ovomucoid (72%), conalbumin (69%) and lysozyme (58%). Conclusions: In this study we demonstrate the advantage of using monoclonal antibodies for purification, and monoclonal chimeric IgE antibodies for characterization, of egg allergens intended for CRD. Our study also established that ovalbumin, ovomucoid, conalbumin and lysozyme are all major allergens.
Three-Dimensional Contrast-Enhanced Multidetector CT for Anatomic, Dynamic, and Perfusion Characterization of Abnormal Myocardium To Guide Ventricular Tachycardia Ablations
Authors: Tian Jing , Jeudy Jean , Smith Mark F. , Jimenez Alejandro , Yin Xianghua , Bruce Patricia A. , Lei Peng , Turgeman Aharon , Abbo Aharon , Shekhar Raj , Saba Magdi , Shorofsky Stephen , Dickfeld Timm
Published: July 2010

Background—

Advances in contrast-enhanced multidetector CT enable detailed characterization of the left ventricular myocardium. Myocardial scar and border zone (BZ), as the target of ventricular tachycardia ablations, displays abnormal anatomic, dynamic, and perfusion characteristics during first-pass CT. This study assessed how contrast-enhanced CT can predict voltage-defined scar and BZ and integrate its scar reconstructions into clinical mapping systems to guide ventricular tachycardia ablations.

Methods and Results—

Eleven patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy underwent contrast-enhanced CT before ventricular tachycardia ablation. Segmental anatomic (end-systolic and end-diastolic wall thickness), dynamic (wall thickening, wall motion), and perfusion (hypoenhancement) characteristics were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curves assessed the ability of CT to determine voltage-defined scar and BZ segments. Three-dimensional epi- and endocardial surfaces and scar borders were reconstructed, coregistered, and compared to voltages using a 17-segment model. Abnormal anatomic, dynamic, and perfusion data correlated well with abnormal (<1.5 mV) endocardial voltages (
r
=0.77). Three-dimensional reconstruction integrated into the clinical mapping system (registration accuracy, 3.31±0.52 mm) allowed prediction of homogenous abnormal voltage (<1.5 mV) in 81.7% of analyzed segments and correctly displayed transmural extent and intramural scar location. CT hypoperfusion correlated best with scar and BZ areas and encompassed curative ablations in 82% cases.

Conclusions—

Anatomic, dynamic, and perfusion imaging using contrast-enhanced CT allows characterization of left ventricular anatomy and 3D scar and BZ substrate. Integration of reconstructed 3D data sets into clinical mapping systems supplements information of voltage mapping and may enable new image approaches for substrate-guided ventricular tachycardia ablation.
Early Repolarization Associated With Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Chronic Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Patel Ravi B. , Ng Jason , Reddy Vikram , Chokshi Moulin , Parikh Kishan , Subacius Haris , Alsheikh-Ali Alawi A. , Nguyen Tuan , Link Mark S. , Goldberger Jeffrey J. , Ilkhanoff Leonard , Kadish Alan H.
Published: July 2010

Background—

Early repolarization, indicated on the standard 12-lead ECG, has recently been associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in patients without structural heart disease. It is unknown whether there is an association between early repolarization and ventricular arrhythmias in the coronary artery disease (CAD) population.

Methods and Results—

Patients with CAD with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the healed phase of myocardial infarction were analyzed. In a case-control design, 60 patients who had ventricular arrhythmic events were matched for age and sex with 60 control subjects. ECGs were analyzed for early repolarization, defined as notching or slurring morphology of the terminal QRS complex or J-point elevation ≥0.1 mV above baseline in at least 2 lateral or inferior leads. Results were adjusted for left ventricular ejection fraction. Overall, early repolarization in 2 or more leads was more common in cases than control subjects (32% versus 8%,
P
=0.005). Early repolarization was noted more commonly in inferior leads (23% versus 8%,
P
=0.03), and a trend was noted in leads V
4
through V
6
(12% versus 3%,
P
=0.11). Early repolarization was uncommon in leads I and aVL in cases and control subjects (3% versus 0%). Notching was more common in cases than control subjects (28% versus 7%,
P
=0.008). Slurring and J-point elevation were not associated with ventricular arrhythmias.

Conclusions—

Early repolarization and, in particular, notching in the inferior leads is associated with increased risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in patients with CAD, even after adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction. Our findings suggest early repolarization, and a notching morphology should be considered in a risk prediction model for arrhythmias in patients with CAD.
Beyond Judaisms: Metatron and the Divine Polymorphy of Ancient Judaism
Authors: Boyarin Daniel
Published: July 2010

My specific project in this paper is to combine several related and notorious questions in the history of Judaism into one: What is the nexus among the semi-divine (or high angel) figure known in the Talmud as Metatron, the figure of the exalted Enoch in the Enoch books (1-3 Enoch!), "The One Like a Son of Man" of Daniel, Jesus, the Son of Man, and the rabbinically named heresy of "Two Powers/Sovereignties in Heaven?" I believe that in order to move towards some kind of an answer to this question, we need to develop a somewhat different approach to the study of ancient Judaism, as I hope to show here. I claim that late-ancient rabbinic literature when read in the context of all contemporary and earlier texts of Judaism—those defined as rabbinic as well as those defined as non-, para-, or even anti-rabbinic—affords us a fair amount of evidence for and information about a belief in (and perhaps cult of) a second divine person within, or very close to, so-called "orthodox" rabbinic circles long after the advent of Christianity. Part of the evidence for this very cult will come from efforts at its suppression on the part of rabbinic texts. I believe, moreover, that a reasonable chain of inference links this late cult figure back through the late-antique Book of 3 Enoch to the Enoch of the first-century Parables of Enoch—also known in the scholarly literature as the Similitudes of Enoch—and thus to the Son of Man of that text and further back to the One Like a Son of Man of Daniel 7.
Struggles Over Legitimacy in Global Organizational Restructuring: A Rhetorical Perspective on Legitimation Strategies and Dynamics in a Shutdown Case
Authors: Erkama Niina , Vaara Eero
Published: July 2010

Critical organization scholars have focused increasing attention on industrial and organizational restructurings such as shutdown decisions. However, little is known about the rhetorical strategies used to legitimate or resist plant closures in organizational negotiations. In this article, we draw from New Rhetoric to analyze rhetorical struggles, strategies and dynamics in unfolding organizational negotiations. We focus on the shutdown of the bus body unit of the Sweden-based Volvo Bus Corporation in Finland. We distinguish five types of rhetorical legitimation strategies and dynamics. These include the three classical dynamics of logos (rational arguments), pathos (emotional moral arguments), and ethos (authority-based arguments), but also autopoiesis (autopoietic narratives), and cosmos (cosmological constructions). Our analysis contributes to previous studies on organizational restructuring by providing a more nuanced understanding of how contemporary industrial closures are legitimated and resisted in organizational negotiations. This study also increases theoretical understanding of the role of rhetoric in legitimation more generally.
Work Group Effort and Rewards: The Roles of Organizational and Social Power as Context
Authors: Hodson Randy
Published: July 2010

Self-managing teams have a history of mixed effects for the employees involved. Organizational contexts reflecting different constellations of power may be useful for understanding these different outcomes. We theorize two different organizational mandates (management-initiated versus craft) and three social contexts (union presence, abusive management, and minority concentration) that may be consequential for work group outcomes. Content analysis of the population of workplace ethnographies (N = 204) provides data with a combination of organizational variability and rich in-depth descriptions of work group outcomes useful for evaluating these expectations. Union environments are found to be essential for the most positive team outcomes. Minority concentrated work groups benefit especially from the craft organization of work. And management abuse dramatically undercuts any positive consequences of management-initiated teams for employees. We conclude with a discussion of the centrality of power for understanding work group outcomes, an insight useful for resolving ongoing debates in the field about the conditions that underwrite success or failure of team arrangements.
Comparing Organizational Routines as Recurrent Patterns of Action
Authors: Pentland Brian T. , Hærem Thorvald , Hillison Derek
Published: July 2010

This paper demonstrates that patterns of action are a fruitful basis for an empirical science of organizational routines by analyzing data from the invoice processing routines in four Norwegian organizations. Invoice processing is a highly institutionalized activity, governed by accounting rules and subject to audit. These four organizations use the same technology for the same task, yet the patterns of action generated by the routines are significantly different. We analyze the patterns in terms of individual events, pairs of events, and whole sequences of events, and at two different levels of abstraction. We discuss the implications of this approach for theories of routines as genes, and for an empirical science of organizational routines.
Unpacking the Postpolitics of Golf Course Provision in Singapore
Authors: Neo Harvey
Published: July 2010

The number of golf courses in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore has grown dramatically in the last few decades. The 1990s was particularly significant both in terms of the number of new courses that was built and the intensity of public opposition against these courses. This article outlines the politics between the opponents and proponents of golf courses based on two contrasting case studies. It highlights the predominant representations of golf courses promulgated by golf proponents and contrary images held by activists and the general public. Through analyzing newspaper reports and interviews with planners, golf course managers and activists, this article shows how the politics of golf course has become more consensual than confrontational since the 2000s. The reasons for this subtle shift are also explored. The article considers the extent to which such “consensual politics” is a conscious tactic used by planners and golf proponents to circumvent and manage dissent toward the construction of new golf courses.
An Approach to the History of Golf: Business, Symbolic Capital, and Technologies of the Self
Authors: Ceron-Anaya Hugo
Published: July 2010

The connection between golf, businesspeople, and notions of class is common-place in the mass media, but a topic not yet explored in the social sciences. This article seeks to historically and sociologically trace back the association between business and golf by looking at the history of this sport in three nations: Scotland, England, and the United States. I explore the creation of rules of etiquette, the introduction of the handicap, and the socioeconomic composition of golf clubs throughout the nineteenth and early-20th century. In theoretical terms, the article advances Pierre Bourdieu’s notion of symbolic capital and Michel Foucault’s idea of technologies of the self.
Sharing Space: Inclusion, Exclusion, and Accommodation at the British Golf Club Before 1914
Authors: Vamplew Wray
Published: July 2010

The pre-1914 British golf club exhibited bonding social capital formation rather than bridging, seeking to exclude rather than include. Generally the course, but especially the clubhouse, were sites for males of similar social background to meet in a homosocial environment, one protected by cost and membership policies. Segmentation of clubs within the same geographical area allowed for further social differentiation between men from different occupational groups. Numerous golfing societies also brought men together with a common business interest. However, female and working-class players were accommodated without breaking down the male, middle-class dominance, by parent-club development of separate “ladies” sections and artisan clubs. Nevertheless, restrictions on when and where they could play served to segregate them from the full-fee paying male club members.
Introduction
Authors: Ferrari Michel
Published: July 2010

The history of the science of consciousness is difficult to trace because it involves an ongoing debate over the aims involved in the study of consciousness that historically engaged people working in a variety of different, often overlapping, philosophical projects. At least three main aims of these different projects can be identified: (1) providing an ultimate foundation for natural science; (2) providing an empirical study of experience; and (3) promoting human well-being by relieving suffering and encouraging human flourishing. Each of these aims has its own problems and its own methods for solving them that endorse different epistemic virtues characteristic of science in different historical periods through a variety of ‘styles of science’.
Engagement in Reading and Hobbies and Risk of Incident Dementia: The MoVIES Project
Authors: Hughes Tiffany F. , Chang Chung-Chou H. , Vander Bilt Joni , Ganguli Mary
Published: July 2010

Objective: To examine whether there is an association between engagement in reading and hobbies and dementia risk in late life. Methods: A total of 942 members of a population-based, prospective cohort study were followed biennially to identify incident dementia cases. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of dementia in relation to baseline total number of activities and time commitment to reading and hobbies. Results: A lower risk for dementia was found for a greater number of activities and for a high (about 1 hour each day) compared with low (less than 30 minutes each day) weekly time commitment to hobbies, independent of covariates. Only the protective effect of hobbies remained after methods were used to minimize bias due to potential preclinical dementia. Conclusion: Engaging in hobbies for 1 or more hours every day might be protective against dementia in late life.
Promoting Patient-Centered Preventive Care Using a Wellness Portal
Authors: Chou Ann F. , Nagykaldi Zsolt , Aspy Cheryl B. , Mold James W.
Published: July 2010

Optimal delivery of preventive services requires appropriate information processing and patient involvement. However, information is limited in preventive service delivery that integrates health information technology (HIT). This study aimed to develop and pilot test an Internet-based wellness portal to facilitate patient-centered care. Guiding portal development, an advisory panel systematically identified portal elements/features and engaged in the Delphi technique to achieve consensus on portal structure. To pilot test the portal, 30 patients were randomly recruited from 2 practices to complete a questionnaire. Frequency statistics were compiled for structured questions, and content analyses were conducted to examine qualitative responses on portal utility. Participant age ranged from 23 to 83 years (mean, 41 years). About 78% were female, 22% were ethnic minorities, and 80% had some college education. The portal provides a personalized wellness plan for preventive services based on patient demographics, medical history, risk factors, medications, laboratory tests, and functions like symptoms tracking, access to education materials, and secure patient-practice communication. Patients rated the portal in ease of use, importance, and utility/value. Over 90% found the portal easy to use in terms of navigation, finding information, comprehension, and instructions. Patients regarded the portal as an important tool in achieving wellness, improving patient-practice interactions, and a valuable resource. Contents analyses showed that patients found the portal helpful, particularly its reminder and tracking functions. Patients with basic computer literacy may use a simple, consumer-oriented Web site to manage their preventive care. The portal exemplifies how HIT may encourage active patient participation in their care and potentially improve health outcomes.
Teaching Primary Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Clevenger Carolyn K. , Cantey Shileah , Quinn Mary Ellen
Published: July 2010

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most feared illnesses among older adults. Although no cure exists, an emerging body of literature has outlined potentially risk-reducing behaviors. As evidence has become available on risk reduction, community organizations and advocacy groups have developed health education courses on the topic. This study examines the impact of one educational program on the audience’s efficacy expectations and outcome expectations for behavior change. Participants included 53 older adults residing in a continuing care retirement community. The study used a pretest-posttest design with an experimental group (n = 33) and a control group (n = 20). Topics on weekly classes included the relationship between cardiovascular factors and AD, dietary factors implicated in AD, and mental stimulation to reduce AD risk. Class sessions consisted of lecture, discussion, and demonstration. Between-group differences were found for both efficacy ( P = .016) and outcome expectations ( P = .000). Within-group differences were only significant for increased outcome expectations related to literature-derived behaviors ( P = .000). Future work should focus on action and prevention and on replication of the educational program’s evaluation in a more diverse population.
Challenges in Developing Community and Clinician Partnerships for Prevention
Authors: Kemper Alex R. , Sloane Philip D. , Trinité Tricia L. , Patterson Beth J. , Dolor Rowena J.
Published: July 2010

Developing links between primary care practices and community organizations to help manage patients with unhealthy behaviors has been proposed as a strategy to improve health care delivery. The objective of this study was to evaluate easily reproducible interventions to improve referral rates between primary care practices and community organizations to help manage tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity. A 6-month, 3-group clinical trial involving 9 adult primary care practices was conducted beginning in February 2008. The 3 groups included usual care, a passive intervention in which practices received referral material, and an active intervention group in which practices also nominated a “champion” to support the project and had access to a Web site to assist in the development of links with community organizations. Charts were abstracted at baseline, at the midpoint of the project (3 months), and at the completion of the project (6 months). Field notes were collected from the project members during the intervention period. Over the course of the project, regardless of group, the rate of detection of the 3 unhealthy behaviors was lower than expected. Few of those identified with an unhealthy behavior were referred to a community organization. Barriers included concerns among the health care providers about costs to their patients, lack of time to facilitate referral, and staff turnover at the community organizations that precluded the development of partnerships. Thus, the interventions evaluated to develop links between primary care practices and community organizations were not successful.
Why Do Homeless People Use a Mobile Health Unit in a Country With Universal Health Care?
Authors: Whelan Ciara , Chambers Catharine , Chan Michael , Thomas Sunu , Ramos Gabrielle , Hwang Stephen W.
Published: July 2010

Mobile health units (MHUs) are an important source of health care for the uninsured; however, it is unclear what role these units play in Canada, where a universal health insurance system exists. The purpose of this study was to understand why individuals who live in a country with universal health insurance seek care at an MHU and to determine whether MHUs are used in addition to or in place of the client’s usual source of care. This study investigated the use of the Rotary Club of Toronto Health Bus among 150 homeless and marginally housed adults in Toronto, Ontario, over a 3-month period. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, current and lifetime homelessness, health care use, and reasons for using the Health Bus. The majority of participants (94.6%) had a regular health care source, primarily doctor’s offices (41.6%) and community health centers (16.1%); 18 (12.1%) stated that the Health Bus was their usual source of care. Participants were frequent users of the Health Bus, reporting a median of 7.0 visits (interquartile range, 3.5-12.0 visits) in the past 3 months. Most clients (86.0%) reported using the Health Bus to obtain basic supplies (eg, vitamins, socks); health problems were cited as reasons for using the Health Bus for 55 (36.7%) participants. The findings suggest that in a country with universal health insurance, MHUs supplement other sources of health care, providing essential supplies and offering important outreach services to a high-needs population.
Collaborative Care Management for Depression
Authors: Angstman Kurt B. , DeJesus Ramona S. , Williams Mark D.
Published: July 2010

The collaborative care management (CCM) model has been demonstrated to be significantly more effective compared to usual care (UC) in depression management although an initial increase in cost measures was seen. In this paper, cost measures as well as clinical response were analyzed on patients with available follow-up data at six months. Records of 219 patients with follow-up data in CCM group and 119 in UC group were reviewed. At six months, there was a statistically significant clinical response rate among patients in CCM compared to UC group ( P < 0.0001). Likewise, 65% in CCM group was “symptom-free” at 6 months vs. 31.9% in UC group ( P < 0.0001). Among the responders in both groups, there was no statistical difference in cost measures. However, cost measures were significantly higher among non-responders compared to responders within CCM. Between the two models, the non-responders in UC had lower cost measures than the non-responders under CCM.
Epidemiological Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Health Literacy Concerning Mental Illness in a National Community Sample
Authors: Ghuloum Suhaila , Bener Abdulbari , Burgut F. Tuna
Published: July 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning mental illness among Qatari and other Arab expatriates. Method: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted from October 2008 to March 2009. A questionnaire was designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding mental illness. Results: Of 2254 subjects surveyed, 49.6% were Qataris, 50.4% other Arab expatriates, 54.8% males, and 45.2% females. A majority of the respondents thought that substance abuse like alcohol or drugs could result in mental illness (84.7%). Fewer than half of the subjects believed that mentally ill people are mentally retarded (40.6%). 48.3% believed that mental illness could result from punishment from God. The most common information source on mental illness was media (64.2%). Recognition of common mental disorders in the studied population was poor (72.5%). Conclusion: Knowledge of mental illness among the Arabic-speaking population of Qatar was quite poor.
Identification of material model of TiN using numerical simulation of nanoindentation test
Authors: Kopernik M. , Milenin A. , Major R. , Lackner J. M.
Published: July 2010

The development of the model of the multistep nanoindentation test with Berkovich indenter, accounting for the residual stress distribution, is one of the aims of the present paper. The specimen is unloaded in the intervals between the deformation steps. Substrate, which is composed of a ferritic steel and biocompatible pulsed laser deposition TiN coating, is considered. The selection of the TiN was inspired by its perspective application as the coating for a constructional element of the heart prosthesis (blood chamber and aortic valves). Sensitivity analysis of the model predictions with respect to its parameters is presented in the present paper. The theory of elastic-plastic deformations is used in the finite element model, which simulates both loading and unloading phases, accounting for the real geometry of the indent. The main goal of the present paper was to inversely analyse the tests for coating/substrate system. Square root error between measured and predicted forces is the objective function in the analysis. Results of the inverse calculations, which are presented in the present paper, may be helpful in simulations of the behaviour of TiN deposited on substrate in various applications as bionanomaterials.
Möbius Aromatic Palladium(II) Complexes of a β-Tetraphenyl meso-Hexakis(pentafluorophenyl) Substituted Hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1)
Authors: Koide Taro , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: July 2010

Two isomeric PdII complexes, 4 and 5, of a β-tetraphenyl meso-hexakis(pentafluorophenyl) substituted [28]hexaphyrin were isolated, both of which exhibited distinct diatropic ring currents and electronic absorption spectra characteristic of aromatic porphyrinoids. These complexes have been designated Möbius aromatic species on the basis of their twisted conformations and 28π-electronic networks.
Peculiar Wettability Based on Orientational Change of Self-assembled Hemispherical PAMAM Dendrimer Layer
Authors: Fukuda Tomohiro , Matsumoto Erino , Yui Nobuhiko , Miura Yoshiko
Published: July 2010

Self-assembled monolayers of hemispherical poly(amidoamine) dendrimer were prepared on a gold substrate via Au–S bond. The dendrimer layer with succinic acid showed strong wettability resulting from the densely packed hydrophilic group and 3-D structure. In this report, we suggest that dendrimer is an attractive tool for the design of surface properties and has the possibility to control the surface not only chemically but also physicochemically.
Redox Catalysis of Halide Ion for Formal Cross-dehydrogenative Coupling: Bromide Ion-catalyzed Direct Oxidative α-Acetoxylation of Ketones
Authors: Nagano Takashi , Jia Zhenhua , Li Xingshu , Yan Ming , Lu Gui , Chan Albert S C , Hayashi Tamio
Published: July 2010

A novel catalytic approach for formal cross-dehydrogenative coupling using the redox property of bromide ion is reported. Simple bromide salts MBr can work as catalyst for direct oxidative α-acetoxylation of ketones.
Fabrication of 3D Co3O4 Homoarchitectures via a Novel Template-assisted Coprecipitation Process
Authors: Pan Chao , Wang Yonggang , Qiu Jieshan , Qu Bing , Wang Jing
Published: July 2010

Three-dimensional hierarchical Co3O4 structures with high densities of secondary Co3O4 nanowires grown on primary Co3O4 fibers have been fabricated employing a coprecipitation growth on an electrospinning PVA/cobalt acetate nanofiber template followed by annealing in air. The structural analyses showed that as-prepared amorphous CoC2O4 nanowires converted into crystalline spinel Co3O4 after annealing. The morphology of the hierarchical Co3O4 structures could be further controlled by adjusting the mixing ratio of H2C2O4 to CH3CH2OH.
Doppler ultrasound assessment of the ductus venosus in the normal fetus between 20 and 40 weeks gestation in the Pakistani population
Authors: Gilani Syed Amir , Javaid Amber , Bala Alsafi Abdella
Published: July 2010

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the ductus venosus (DV) in normal fetuses of pregnant women in Pakistan for comparison with previous international studies. Our study was performed at the Afro-Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected between 15 June 2007 and 15 June 2008. The purpose of the study was to determine the role of Doppler evaluation of the DV in normal pregnant women of 20–40 weeks gestation, in a Pakistani population. The equipment included a Toshiba Xario (Toshiba Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) and GE-Logiq-5P (GE Healthcare, Wisconsin, USA) scanner. Out of 106 patients, 100 were successfully scanned. Peak systolic velocity, pulsatility index and S/A (peak velocity S wave/peak velocity A wave) ratio were calculated. Our study showed that peak systolic velocities in the DV increased as pregnancy progressed. There was a slight decrease in S/A ratio with advancing pregnancy. This indicates that the fetal heart has a patent aortic valve, therefore reducing the chances of aortic regurgitation.
The Influence of Racism-Related Stress on the Academic Motivation of Black and Latino/a Students
Authors: Reynolds Amy L. , Sneva Jacob N. , Beehler Gregory P.
Published: July 2010

This study examined the effects of racism-related stress on the academic and psychological factors affecting the success of 151 Black and Latino/a college students enrolled at several predominantly White universities in the northeastern United States. Institutional racism-related stress was negatively correlated with extrinsic motivation but positively correlated with intrinsic motivation. Findings also indicated that some racial differences were found between the level of amotivation that Black and Latino/a college students who report high levels of institutional racism-related stress experience. Implications of these results for research and practice within student affairs are explored.
Degradability Enabled Routing for Network-on-Chip Switches
Authors: Schley Gert , Radetzki Martin , Kohler Adán
Published: July 2010

Network-on-Chip topologies provide inherent redundancy of communication paths between sources and sinks. By disabling faulty parts and choosing alternative routes, this redundancy can be exploited for preventing packets from being corrupted. In this article we present a formalized and generalized description of adaptive routing algorithms that allow utilizing the remaining functionality of partly defective switches. An example shows that, compared to taking such defective switches offline, a more graceful degradation of communication performance is achieved.
Algorithmen-basierte Fehlertoleranz für Many-Core-Architekturen
Authors: Braun Claus , Wunderlich Hans-Joachim
Published: July 2010

Moderne Many-Core-Architekturen bieten ein sehr hohes Potenzial an Rechenleistung. Dies macht sie besonders für Anwendungen aus dem Bereich des wissenschaftlichen Hochleistungsrechnens und der Simulationstechnik attraktiv. Die Architekturen folgen dabei einem Ausführungsparadigma, das sich am besten durch den Begriff “Many-Threading” beschreiben lässt. Wie alle nanoelektronischen Halbleiterschaltungen leiden auch Many-Core-Prozessoren potentiell unter störenden Einflüssen von transienten Fehlern (soft errors) und diversen Arten von Variationen. Diese Faktoren können die Zuverlässigkeit von Systemen negativ beeinflussen und erfordern Fehlertoleranz auf allen Ebenen, von der Hardware bis zur Software. Auf der Softwareseite stellt die Algorithmen-basierte Fehlertoleranz (ABFT) eine ausgereifte Technik zur Verbesserung der Zuverlässigkeit dar. Der Aufwand für die Anpassung dieser Technik an moderne Many-Threading-Architekturen darf jedoch keinesfalls unterschätzt werden. In diesem Beitrag wird eine effiziente und fehlertolerante Abbildung der Matrixmultiplikation auf eine moderne Many-Core-Architektur präsentiert. Die Fehlertoleranz ist dabei integraler Bestandteil der Abbildung und wird durch ein ABFT-Schema realisiert, das die Leistung nur unwesentlich beeinträchtigt.
Modellierung und Verifikation medizinischer Leitlinien
Authors: Schmitt Jonathan
Published: July 2010

Medizinische Leitlinien sind ein Instrument zur Steigerung der Effizienz und Qualität medizinischer Behandlungen. Um dies zu erreichen, bündeln Leitlinien alles verfügbare Wissen zur Behandlung einer bestimmten Krankheit in einem kompakten Dokument, nach dem dann tausende von Patienten behandelt werden. Dies eröffnet die Frage, wie die Qualität der Leitlinien selbst sichergestellt werden kann. Der hier vorgestellte Ansatz überträgt Methoden der strukturierten Softwareentwicklung auf medizinische Leitlinien. Dadurch ist es erstmals möglich, Garantien bezüglich der Korrektheit von medizinischen Leitlinien zu geben.
Chrysanthemum and Christianity: Education and Religion in Occupied Japan, 1945–1952
Authors: Masafumi Okazaki
Published: July 2010

American occupying forces had an unprecedented opportunity to establish Christianity in post-World War II Japan, but their efforts failed. This article argues that Gen. Douglas MacArthur's efforts at Christianization failed because of a fundamental contradiction within the goals of the Occupation. On the one hand, MacArthur saw Christianity and American-style democratic institutions as inextricably linked and serving similar purposes, including fending off communism. On the other, the American ideal of the separation of church and state, which explicitly criticized the influence of State Shinto in pre-war Japan and was embodied in the Occupation's Shinto Directive, ran counter to the promotion of Christianity to replace Shinto. This internal conflict eliminated one of the Occupation's more promising avenues for Christianization—public education.
Dictyostelium Finds New Roles to Model
Authors: Williams Jeffrey G
Published: July 2010

Any established or aspiring model organism must justify itself using two criteria: does the model organism offer experimental advantages not offered by competing systems? And will any discoveries made using the model be of wider relevance? This review addresses these issues for the social amoeba Dictyostelium and highlights some of the organisms more recent applications. These cover a remarkably wide gamut, ranging from sociobiological to medical research with much else in between.
Substituted phosphonium cation based electrolytes for nonaqueous electrical double-layer capacitors
Authors: Kurig H. , Jänes A. , Lust E.
Published: July 2010

Tetrakis(diethylamino)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate (TDENPBF4), tetrakis(diethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (TDENPPF6), and tetrakis(dimethylamino)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate (TDMNPBF4) in acetonitrile (AN) have been studied as electrical double-layer capacitor electrolytes in a two-electrode test cell using titanium carbide derived carbon, C(TiC), as an electrode material. Electrochemical characteristics for C(TiC)|1 M TDENPBF4 + AN, C(TiC)|1 M TDENPPF6 + AN, and C(TiC)|1 M TDMNPBF4 + AN interfaces have been obtained by cyclic voltammetry, constant current charging/discharging, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. High-capacitance (85 °F/g) and gravimetric power (269 kW/kg) have been achieved at cell voltage 3.2 V. Data obtained have been compared with results published previously.
A comparative study of chemical treatment by FeCl3, MgCl2, and ZnCl2 on microstructure, surface chemistry, and double-layercapacitance of carbons from waste biomass
Authors: Rufford Thomas E. , Hulicova-Jurcakova Denisa , Zhu Zhonghua , Lu Gao Qing
Published: July 2010

The effect of chemical treatment on the capacitance of carbon electrodes prepared from waste coffee grounds was investigated. Coffee grounds were impregnated with FeCl3 and MgCl2 and then treated at 900 °C. The resultant carbons were compared with activated coffee ground carbons prepared by ZnCl2 treatment. The carbon treatment processes of FeCl3 and MgCl2 were studied using thermal gravimetric analysis. Raman spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and N2 and CO2 adsorption were used to characterize the activated carbons. Activation with ZnCl2 and FeCl3 produced carbons with higher surface areas (977 and 846 m2/g, respectively) than treatment with MgCl2 (123 m2/g). Electrochemical double-layer capacitances of the carbons were evaluated in 1 M H2SO4 using two-electrode cells. The system with FeCl3-treated carbon electrodes provided a specific cell capacitance of 57 F/g.
Combustion synthesis of nanoparticulate LiMgxMn1−xPO4 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2) carbon composites
Authors: Doeff Marca M. , Chen Jiajun , Conry Thomas E. , Wang Ruigang , Wilcox James , Aumentado Albert
Published: July 2010

A combustion synthesis technique was used to prepare nanoparticulate LiMgxMn1−xPO4 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2)/carbon composites. Powders consisted of carbon-coated particles about 30 nm in diameter, which were partly agglomerated into larger secondary particles. The utilization of the active materials in lithium cells depended most strongly on the post-treatment and the Mg content and was not influenced by the amount of carbon. Best results were achieved with a hydrothermally treated LiMg0.2Mn0.8PO4/C composite, which exhibited close to 50% utilization of the theoretical capacity at a C/2 discharge rate.
In situ transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy studies of interfaces in Li ion batteries: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Wang C.M. , Xu W. , Liu J. , Choi D.W. , Arey B. , Saraf L.V. , Zhang J.G. , Yang Z.G. , Thevuthasan S. , Baer D.R. , Salmon N.
Published: July 2010

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spectroscopy have been evolved to a stage such that they can be routinely used to probe the structure and composition of the materials with the resolution of a single atomic column. However, a direct in situ TEM observation of structural evolution of the materials in a lithium ion battery during dynamic operation of the battery has never been reported. In this paper, we report the results of exploring the in situ TEM techniques for observation of interfaces in the lithium ion battery during the operation of the battery. A miniature battery was fabricated using a single nanowire and an ionic liquid electrolyte. The structure and composition of the interface across the anode and the electrolyte was studied using TEM imaging, electron diffraction, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. In addition, we also explored the possibilities of carrying out in situ TEM studies of lithium ion batteries with a solid state electrolyte.
Porous SnO2/CNT composite anodes: Influence of composition and deposition temperature on the electrochemical performance
Authors: Dhanabalan Abirami , Yu Yan , Li Xifei , Chen Wei , Bechtold Kevin , Gu Lin , Wang Chunlei
Published: July 2010

Porous SnO2/multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) thin film composites as anode material for Li-ion batteries were prepared using the electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique. The morphologies of the samples were found to be affected mainly by deposition temperatures. Electrochemical test cells were assembled using the as-prepared samples without any conductive additive or binder. The influence of deposition temperature and CNT content on the electrochemical performance of the anodes was investigated. Compared to pure tin oxide and pure CNT, the composite anode materials showed better discharge capacity and cyclability. Among the composites, the sample deposited at 250 °C with 30 wt% CNT content was found to show better energy capacity. This can be ascribed to the porous nature of the anodes and the improvement in the conductivity by the addition of CNTs.
Microstructure and electrochemical properties of the HT-LiCoO2/La2/3–xLi3xTiO3 solid electrolyte interfaces
Authors: Kishida Kyosuke , Wada Naoyuki , Yamaguchi Yuji , Inui Haruyuki , Demura Masahiko , Iriyama Yasutoshi , Ogumi Zempachi
Published: July 2010

Three different types of HT-LiCoO2/lithium lanthanum titanate (LLT) assemblies were produced by depositing an HT-LiCoO2 cathode on polycrystalline LLT with various surface finishes, to investigate the effects of the HT-LiCoO2/LLT interface structure on the electrochemical properties of the assemblies. An amorphous layer is confirmed to be introduced by Ar ion irradiation to crystalline LLT. The HT-LiCoO2/LLT assembly composed of the ion-irradiated LLT exhibits good cycle stability and relatively low apparent interface resistivity. These results indicate that the introduction of an amorphous LLT layer by surface modification of crystalline LLT is very effective in improving the structural stability and lithium-ion conductivity of the interface between HT-LiCoO2 and crystalline LLT.
Oriented single-crystalline TiO2 nanowires on titanium foil for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Liu Bin , Deng Da , Lee Jim Yang , Aydil Eray S.
Published: July 2010

A simple and environmentally benign three-step hydrothermal method was developed for growing oriented single-crystalline TiO2-B and/or anatase TiO2 nanowire arrays on titanium foil over large areas. These nanowire arrays are suitable for use as the anode in lithium ion batteries; they exhibit specific capacities ranging from 200–250 mAh/g at charge-discharge rates of 0.3 C where 1 C is based on the theoretical capacity of 168 mAh/g. Batteries retain this capacity over as many as 200 charge-discharge cycles. Even at high charge-discharge rates of 0.9 C and 1.8 C, the specific capacities were 150 mAh/g and 120 mAh/g, respectively. These promising properties are attributed to both the nanometer size of the nanowires and their oriented alignment. The comparable electrochemical performance to existing technology, improved safety, and the ability to roll titanium foils into compact three-dimensional structures without additional substrates, binders, or additives suggest that these TiO2 nanowires on titanium foil are promising anode materials for large-scale energy storage.