bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guide for Investigating and Remediating Distress in Flexible Pavements: California Department of Transportation's New Procedure
Authors: Cook Mike C. , Seeds Stephen B. , Zhou Haiping , Hicks R. Gary
Published: April 2007

In 2001, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) initiated a 3-year, $7 million project with MACTEC, Inc. The project included on-call flexible pavement consulting services to Caltrans in the areas of new products, asphalt rubber, modified binders, moisture sensitivity, failure investigations, independent quality assurance, training, laboratory testing, pavement maintenance, pavement rehabilitation, and asphalt recycling. One of the key tasks of the project was to develop a comprehensive guide and a detailed procedure to investigate flexible pavement distresses and develop cost-effective remedies and repair strategies. The emphasis of the procedure is on addressing premature distress and certain problems that might arise during pavement construction. The guide contains two manuals: (a) an office manual that describes the types of flexible pavement distress, identifies the factors that affect distress and performance, and provides tools that can be used to characterize distress condition, determine likely causes, and generate a corrective solution and (b) a field manual for use in the field by experienced engineers familiar with the new tools and requiring little instruction on its application. The principles presented in the guide are based on modern pavement engineering technology and are applicable to the practices of many federal, state, and local agencies. The process presented in the guide is summarized, and several of the new tools that have applicability to other agencies are described.
Performance of Cold In-Place Recycling in Nevada
Authors: Sebaaly Peter E. , Bazi Gabriel , Hitti Edgard , Weitzel Dean , Bemanian Sohila
Published: April 2007

In light of the increasing cost of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures and the limited availability of good materials, cold in-place recycling (CIR) offers an attractive alternative for rehabilitating asphalt pavements. Because of its limited performance history and the unavailability of a standard mix-design procedure, the use of CIR mixtures has been limited to low-and medium-volume roads. For more than a decade, many highway agencies have experimented with or used CIR mixtures and reported numerous successes. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is currently using CIR on low- and medium-volume roads. The CIR layer is treated as a stabilized base course followed by a thin HMA overlay. As part of this program, NDOT developed a mix-design procedure based on the Hveem mix-design method to establish the optimum moisture and emulsion contents. The design procedure evaluates the moisture sensitivity of the CIR mixture and determines the need for lime treatment of the CIR mix. The basic concept of the mix design is to assess the ability of the CIR process in providing a flexible and stable mix that can withstand the combined action of traffic loads and environment. The designed CIR mixtures were implemented on three field projects and showed excellent performance, which led NDOT to construct additional CIR projects.
Making the Most of Limited Data in Evaluating Advanced Traveler Information Systems by Experimental Resampling
Authors: Vasudevan Meenakshy , Wunderlich Karl , Toppen Alan , Larkin James
Published: April 2007

Because of high data collection costs, analysts are commonly faced with the problem of limited data in the evaluation of intelligent transportation systems. How reliable are conclusions based on small samples? If limited data are available, how does one maximize their value? These questions were addressed to evaluate the potential benefits of prospective notification-based traveler information services used to deliver pre-trip travel time information to simulated drivers in a Cincinnati, Ohio, case study. In Cincinnati, travel time data were initially available for only 30 weekdays. An analysis that used this small data set indicated that an advanced traveler information system (ATIS) user would reduce disutility by 32% versus a comparable nonuser. However, since trip experiences on 30 weekdays may not characterize the typical experience of a commuter, conclusions drawn from the small sample may not accurately represent a more generalized assessment of the benefits of ATIS. Hence, an analogue of statistical resampling (experimental resampling) was applied to generate a large sample of days over which the effectiveness of ATIS could be evaluated. With experimental resampling, the reduction in disutility for an ATIS user was only 24%. It was concluded that experimental resampling provided a more reliable estimate of the benefit. To validate the claim, a more extensive study used 154 weekdays spanning a year. The validation analysis found that when compared with the small sample of 30 weekdays, the resampled cases were better predictors of the benefits for the large sample of 154 weekdays.
Identification and Ranking of Black Spots: Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Geurts Karolien , Wets Geert , Brijs Tom , Vanhoof Koen
Published: April 2007

In Flanders, Belgium, approximately 1,014 accident locations are considered dangerous. These dangerous accident sites, or black spots, are selected by means of historic accident records for the period 1997 to 1999. A combination of weighting values, respectively, 1 for each light injury, 3 for each serious injury, and 5 for each deadly injury (1_3_5), is used to rank and select the most dangerous accident locations. A sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the effect on the identification and ranking of black spots as based on three different weighting value combinations, representing a different attitude toward the traffic safety problem: avoiding all accidents (1_1_1), all deadly accidents (1_1_10), and all accidents with serious or deadly injuries (1_10_10). Furthermore, effects of use of the expected number of accidents, estimated from a hierarchical Bayesian model, instead of the historic count data, to rank and select the accidents sites, were evaluated. Results show that a different attitude toward the traffic safety problem and the choice of the corresponding injury weighting values on the one hand and use of estimates instead of count values on the other hand do have important consequences for the selection and ranking of black spots. This is important not only for the number of accident locations that will receive a different ranking order but also for the effect on the type of accident locations that are selected as dangerous and accordingly for the resulting future traffic safety decisions.
Predicting the Severity of Median-Related Crashes in Pennsylvania by Using Logistic Regression
Authors: Donnell Eric T. , Mason John M.
Published: April 2007

Models of median-related crash severity were developed by using roadway inventory and crash records for Pennsylvania Interstate highways. Cross-median and median barrier crashes formed the sample of crash types considered. Data were collected to model crash severity, including cross-section, traffic volume, and environmental predictor variables. Logistic regression models were developed by using both an ordinal and a nominal response. The results indicate that modeling crash severity as an ordinal response provided appropriate results for cross-median crashes, whereas a nominal response was more appropriate for median barrier crashes. Explanatory variables such as pavement surface conditions, use of drugs or alcohol, presence of an interchange entrance ramp, horizontal alignment, crash type, and average daily traffic volumes affect crash severity. The analysis results may be used by practitioners to understand the trade-off between geometric design decisions and median-related crash severity. Approximately 0.7% median barrier crashes on the Interstate system resulted in a fatality, whereas 43% were property-damage-only crashes and about 56% were injury crashes. More than 17% of cross-median collisions were fatal, and 67% involved injury.
Predicting Casualty Numbers in Great Britain
Authors: Raeside Robert , White David
Published: April 2007

Monthly time series data related to road traffic and pedestrian casualties and fatalities in Great Britain are analyzed and trends are identified. These forecasts are based on extrapolation of the absolute number of casualties and not the ratio of casualties to 100 million vehicle kilometers. A short review of influences on these trends is presented, and a number of statistical forecasting autoregressive integrated moving average models are then constructed. Predictions produced are compared with government targets, and it is found that targets for fatal, serious, and slight casualty reduction are on track to be met. However, there are fewer grounds for optimism regarding pedestrian casualties.
Evaluation and Validation of Automated In-Vehicle Data Collection System for Developing Roadway Alignments
Authors: Harkey David L. , Yi Chang , Feaganes John
Published: April 2007

The Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) sponsored by FHWA includes crash and roadway inventory data from nine states for conducting safety studies. Whereas the initial choice of participating states was based on the presence of key roadway inventory variables, only two of those states currently have horizontal curvature data, and the data are limited. Given the known relationship between roadway curvature and safety, an objective of recent HSIS research was to improve on the available curvature data. A new algorithm makes use of in-vehicle data collected at highway speeds for the development of roadway alignments. Analysis of the algorithm focused on both consistency and accuracy. By using the Connecticut Department of Transportation's automatic road analyzer vehicle, repeated runs were made in both directions on each route selected for the consistency analysis. For the accuracy analysis, horizontal alignments were determined on the basis of survey data collected at the same locations. In general, the results from the PLV-HC software, which uses the azimuth data from the automated vehicle, prove that the data can be used to do a good job of identifying curves and tangents on a roadway. However, the data collected and the postprocessing software need improvement to capture the radius and length of each curve more consistently and accurately.
Validation and Improvement of a Rear-End Conflict Prediction Model
Authors: Ratrout Nedal T. , Al-Ofi Khalaf A. , Lyaz Shoukat
Published: April 2007

Traffic conflict is an important parameter for the safety evaluation of signalized intersections. A major drawback of traffic conflict is that it is complex, and highly trained personnel are needed to collect the relevant data. In a previous work, a one-variable regression model was reported for predicting rear-end conflict: conflicts/hour = 0.0115 (number of stops/hour). This model was limited to four-legged signalized intersections with left-turn bays in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The model was successfully validated via this study. It was also shown that the predictive power of the model can be dramatically improved by adding the mean speed to the number of stops. Specifically, the best model with which to predict conflict was found to be conflict = -6.64 + 0.0066 (number of stops) + 0.1737 (mean speed). It was also shown that TRANSYT-7F is a promising tool for facilitating the prediction of conflict. In a small-scale experiment, the simulated stops obtained through the TRANSYT-7F software were successfully used in lieu of the observed stops for predicting rear-end conflict.
Multilevel Structural Equation Model for Activity Participation and Travel Behavior: Data from the Puget Sound Transportation Panel
Authors: Chung Jin-Hyuk , Kim Seongho , Lee Young-Kyun , Choi Yun-Sook
Published: April 2007

A multilevel structural equation model (SEM) is applied to handle the hierarchical nature of the data and explain complex relationships among socioeconomic factors for individuals and households, activity participation, and travel behavior by using data from Wave 3 of the Puget Sound Transportation Panel. On the basis of the model structure, variations in individual activity participation and travel behavior can be divided into two categories: within-household variation and between-household variation. Empirical results show that the interdependency index of leisure activity duration for household members within a household has a value of 0.33, indicating high interdependency. Total travel time duration likewise has a value of 0.26, indicating high similarity. These results suggest that the multilevel SEM approach is an appropriate modeling methodology and can provide additional information on activity and travel behavior. The effects from exogenous variables on endogenous variables developed in this study also provide meaningful and interpretable results, which are consistent with results of previous studies. Most personal and household characteristics influence activity participation and travel behavior within a household as well as between households.
Motorist Response to Arterial Variable Message Signs
Authors: Peng Zhong-Ren , Guequierre Nathan , Blakeman Joseph C.
Published: April 2007

Although much research into driver attitudes toward and responses to expressway-based variable message signs (VMSs) has been conducted, little research has explored motorist responses to VMSs on arterial surface streets. Arterial VMSs, located near main expressway entrance points, may prove to be more effective at inducing motorists to divert during congestion or incidents than their highway counterparts because they will allow drivers to have many more routing options before they commit to the expressway system. The results of a study conducted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to discern motorist attitudes toward arterial VMSs and the diversion behaviors induced by those signs are presented. A revealed-preference survey conducted in the immediate vicinity of the arterial VMS found that nearly two-thirds of the respondents obtained traffic information from the signs more than once per week. Furthermore, 66% of those surveyed changed their route at least once per month because of the information received from the arterial VMS. These results demonstrate that motorists are responsive to messages on arterial VMSs; arterial VMSs have an important impact on motorist’s travel behavior and are thus a key component in a comprehensive traffic management system. More specifically, an ordered logit model revealed that the propensity to divert was correlated to the frequency that a driver encounters an arterial VMS, motorists’ perception of the VMS information as useful, and motorists’ trust in the accuracy of the VMS information. The reasons for this diversion response are primarily to save travel time and to avoid expressway incidents.
Evaluation of Traffic Safety Risk of Drivers Who Use Bioptic Telescopic Lenses
Authors: Clarke Nancy , Hagge Robert A.
Published: April 2007

A study was performed to determine whether drivers who were required to wear a bioptic telescopic lens (BTL) device while driving posed a greater risk to traffic safety than drivers of similar ages and the same sex not wearing BTLs. Significance tests were performed to determine the differences between the BTL group and the comparison group on 2-year total accident, fatal or injury accident, and total citation rates. The results indicated that the BTL group had substantially higher total and fatal or injury accident rates than the comparison group both before and after statistical adjustment of these criterion measures for age and sex differences between the groups. However, an opposite result was found for total citations: the unadjusted and adjusted rates for the BTL group were significantly lower than those for the comparison group. The driving records of the subjects who use BTLs also showed that only 35% of them had been restricted from driving at night, as required under the department’s licensing policy.
Analysis of Multivariate Models for Evaluating Segregation in Hot-Mix Asphalt Pavements
Authors: Wu Jun-Xia , Romero Pedro
Published: April 2007

Multivariate statistical techniques were used to determine the feasibility of quantifying segregation in hot-mix asphalt pavements. Data obtained by using visual ratings of segregation, nuclear density gauge readings, and laboratory tests at nine field sites as reported by the National Center for Asphalt Technology were analyzed. Data were screened, before multi variate statistical analyses were performed, to develop relationships among segregation level, change in key mixture properties (air voids, asphalt content, and percent passing various sieves), and change in mixture density. The results revealed that segregation level could not be accurately identified by visual ratings and that multivariate statistics based on actual measured properties were appropriate for evaluating segregation level. Laboratory-prepared samples were made to assess the accuracy of the model developed in the study. The verification results indicated that the model could predict segregation level of these samples with accuracy. From the analysis of the models, it was concluded that a change in mixture density could predict segregation. This allows screening of segregated pavement sections on the basis of numerical field measurements instead of reliance on subjective visual observations. Given the promising results from this work, further studies on segregation models based on density measurements are suggested.
Agency Process for Alternate Design and Alternate Bid of Pavements
Authors: Temple William H. , Zhang Zhongjie , Lambert Jeff , Zeringue Kirk M.
Published: April 2007

The process used by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) to develop a policy that allows selection of pavement type through the bid process is described, and its application in Louisiana since 1998 is discussed. The core element in this policy is the alternate design, alternate bid (ADAB) procedure that uses life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to estimate the long-term costs of asphalt and concrete pavements. Traditional LCCA is accomplished with the use of assumptions for timing and cost of future activities that are based on two factors: past performance of pavements in Louisiana and expected additional service life attributable to improved design, materials, and construction procedures. A threshold of 20% in difference of life-cycle costs is adopted as a reasonable zone within which different pavement types can compete. The ADAB model adds a factor, C, that represents future rehabilitation costs and user delay costs associated with a particular alternate to each contractor’s base bid, A. A B component is time-based bidding that may also include an incentive for early completion. The model is therefore known as A+B+C in Louisiana, and the lowest total bid determines the apparent low bidder. LADOTD included both major paving industries early in the development process to reach a consensus that allowed the department to fully implement the process as a standard procedure. Comments were also solicited from FHWA and national trade associations before final implementation. Seven projects have been let successfully with the use of the bid model, resulting in selection of four asphalt and three portland cement concrete pavements for construction. One early observation following the implementation of ADAB is a trend toward reduced bid prices that may be related to increased competition. If this trend continues, the process is expected to result in reduced construction costs.
Deployment of Wireless Mobile Detection and Surveillance for Data-Intensive Applications
Authors: Hourdakis John , Michalopoulos Panos G. , Morris Ted
Published: April 2007

Real-time information about traffic conditions is vital in construction, advanced traffic management systems, advanced traffic information systems, and other operational or design activities. Traditionally, at most permanent installations, such information is captured by in-pavement sensors and transmitted through land-based communications. However, temporary detection and surveillance are often needed as alternatives to the permanent sensor and camera systems at construction sites, during special events, or during communication or sensor failures. In such cases, temporary detection and surveillance must be reliable and low cost. Recent advances in wireless technologies have enabled development of portable detection and surveillance systems that can detect traffic, collect measurements, capture live video, and transmit this information wire-lessly back to the supervising station to facilitate rapid, inexpensive, and efficient deployment. However, to make widespread use practical, further improvements are needed in robustness, ease of use, functionality, and cost reduction. A low-cost, easily deployable detection and surveillance system is presented. The system integrates machine vision sensors for data collection, compressed digital video for surveillance, and wireless communications for information retrieval and remote control. It can be placed on existing or mobile structures and assembled with off-the-shelf components to serve department of transportation needs for both temporary traffic monitoring and planning and research data collection. Four of these advanced detection systems were deployed at a 1.7-mi site for wireless, continuous coverage, allowing detailed real-time data collection and surveillance. This data- and video-intensive deployment serves as a live laboratory for applications ranging from evaluation of new technologies (such as sensors, video, wireless communications) to testing of advanced traffic-simulation models or refinement of accident-prevention studies.
Gender symmetry in prevalence, severity, and chronicity of physical aggression against dating partners by university students in Mexico and USA
Authors: Straus Murray A. , Ramirez Ignacio Luis
Published: April 2007

The paper reports results from analyses of the physical aggression against dating partners by four samples of university students in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Mexican Americans and Non‐Mexican Whites in El Paso and Lubbock Texas, and New Hampshire (N=1,544). The percent reporting partner violence (PV) was high in all samples, but also differed significantly between samples. The lowest rate was in New Hampshire (29.7%), followed by Texas, Non‐Mexican Whites (30.9%), Texas Mexican American (34.2%), and the highest rate was in Juarez (46.1%). When only severe assaults were compared, the differences between samples was similar, i.e., lowest in New Hampshire and highest in Juarez. In all four samples, there was no significant difference between males and females in either the overall prevalence of physical aggression or the prevalence of severe attacks. Among the 553 couples where one or both of the partners were violent, in almost three quarters of the cases (71.2%) there was gender symmetry in the sense that both partners engaged in this type of behavior. When only one partner was violent, this was twice as likely to be the female partner (19.0%) as the male partner (9.8%). Among the 205 couples where there was an act of severe aggression, symmetry was less prevalent (56.6%), but when only one partner was violent, it was again twice as likely to be the female partner (29.8% female only versus 13.7 male partner only). These results are consistent with the gender symmetry in PV found in many studies. They extend those results by showing that gender symmetry prevails in four different cultural contexts. The presence of gender symmetry in these different cultural contexts, combined with studies showing that women are injured more often and more seriously by partner‐assaults, and studies showing that women initiate PV as often as men, suggests that programs and policies aimed at primary prevention of PV by women are crucial to ending PV and for reducing the victimization of men and women. Aggr. Behav. 33:281–290, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Young adults' media use and attitudes toward interpersonal and institutional forms of aggression
Authors: Brady Sonya S.
Published: April 2007

Links between media violence exposure and favorable attitudes toward interpersonal violence are well established, but few studies have examined whether associations extend to include favorable attitudes toward institutional forms of aggression. Studies on this topic have not assessed multiple forms of media use and statistically controlled for individual characteristics likely to influence attitudes beyond sociodemographic information. In this study, undergraduate students (N=319) aged 18–20 years (56% male) completed a survey assessing media use (number of hours per week spent playing videogames, watching movies/TV shows, watching TV sports) and attitudes toward interpersonal violence, punitive criminal justice policies, and different types of military activities (preparedness/defense and aggressive intervention). Greater number of hours spent watching TV contact sports was associated with more favorable attitudes toward military preparedness/defense, aggressive military intervention, and punitive criminal justice policies among men independently of parental education, lifetime violence exposure within the home and community, aggressive personality, and constrained problem solving style. Greater number of hours spent watching violent movies/TV was associated with more favorable attitudes toward military preparedness/defense among men and with more favorable attitudes toward interpersonal violence and punitive criminal justice policies among women, but these associations became non‐significant when adjusting for covariates. Aggr. Behav. 33:519–525, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Court committtee opinion limiting ADR representation raises constitutional issues, as well as problems rooted in protectionism
Authors: Lurie Paul M.
Published: April 2007

More commentary on a January New Jersey Supreme Court committee's unauthorized practice of law opinion restricting ADR representation. Paul M. Lurie, of Chicago, writes that the committee's stance raises constitutional issues, and reviews analogous state regulations around the country
Aus der Sicht des Synthetikers: Palladiumkomplexe N‐heterocyclischer Carbene als Katalysatoren für Kreuzkupplungen
Authors: Kantchev Eric Assen B. , O'Brien Christopher J. , Organ Michael G.
Published: April 2007

Palladiumkatalysierte C‐C‐ und C‐N‐Kupplungen zählen zu den vielseitigsten und leistungsfähigsten Syntheseverfahren. Seit 15 Jahren erfreuen sich die N‐heterocyclischen Carbene (NHCs) wachsender Beliebtheit als Liganden für palladiumvermittelte Kreuzkupplungen und ähnliche Methoden. Sie sind in vielerlei Hinsicht den üblichen tertiären Phosphanen überlegen. Weil NHCs stark σ‐elektronenschiebend sind, können sie auch anspruchsvolle Substrate zu oxidativen Insertionen bewegen. Andererseits führen ihre Sperrigkeit und ihre besondere Topologie zu einer raschen reduktiven Eliminierung. Schließlich tragen die starken Pd‐NHC‐Bindungen zur hohen Stabilität der aktiven Spezies bei – auch bei niedrigen Ligand/Pd‐Verhältnissen und hohen Temperaturen. Wenn erst stabile, anwenderfreundliche und leistungsstarke NHC‐Pd‐Präkatalysatoren kommerziell verfügbar sind, liegt das Ziel eines universellen Kreuzkupplungskatalysators in greifbarer Nähe. Dieser Aufsatz beschreibt zunächst die chemischen Grundlagen zu den NHC‐Pd‐Komplexen, um ihre Besonderheiten kennenzulernen. Anschließend folgt eine umfassende Diskussion zur Anwendung dieser Katalysatoren in C‐C‐ und C‐N‐Kreuzkupplungen sowie in der Carbopalladierung.
Innentitelbild: O‐Glycoside Orientation Is an Essential Aspect of Base J Recognition by the Kinetoplastid DNA‐Binding Protein JBP1 (Angew. Chem. 16/2007)
Authors: Grover Rajesh K. , Pond Stephanie J. K. , Cui Qizhi , Subramaniam Prem , Case David A. , Millar David P. , Wentworth Paul
Published: April 2007

Die Proteinerkennung durch DNA ist für die Steuerung der Genomexpression in lebenden Zellen essenziell. Kinetoplastiden wie die im Hintergrund wiedergegebenen verfügen über das Protein JBP1, das an doppelsträngige DNA bindet, die die gezeigte glycosylierte Base (Nucleosid dJ) enthält. In ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 2897 ff. analysieren P. Wentworth, Jr. et al. die Bindung und stellen fest, dass JBP1 eine entscheidende Edge‐on‐Konformation des Pyranosylrings von Nucleosid dJ erkennt. Diese Befunde sind für die Entwicklung neuer biologischer Ziele für antiparasitär wirksame Stoffe wichtig.
Developmental Basis of Limb Homology in Lizards
Authors: Fabrezi Marissa , Abdala Virginia , Oliver María Inés Martínez
Published: April 2007

Shubin and Alberch (Evol Biol 1986;20:319–387) proposed a scheme of tetrapod limb development based on cartilage morphogenesis that provides the arguments to interpret the homologies of skeletal elements and sets the basis to explain limb specialization through later developmental modification. Morphogenetic evidence emerged from the study of some reptiles, but the availability of data for lizards is limited. Here, the study of adult skeletal variation in 41 lizard taxa and ontogeny in species of Liolaemus and Tupinambis attempts to fill in this gap and provides supporting evidence for the Shubin‐Alberch scheme. Six questions are explored. Is there an intermedium in the carpus? Are there two centralia in the carpus? Is there homology among proximal tarsalia of reptiles? Does digit V belong to the digital arch? Is the pisiform an element of the autopodium plan? And should the ossification processes be similar to cartilage morphogenesis? We found the following answers. Some taxa exhibit an ossified element that could represent an intermedium. There is one centrale in the carpus. Development of proximal tarsalia seems to be equivalent with that observed among reptiles. Digit V could arise from the digital arch. Pisiform does not arise as part of the limb plan. And different patterns of ossification occur following a single and conservative cartilaginous configuration. Lizard limb development shows an early pattern common to other reptiles with clear primary axis and digital arch. The pattern then becomes lizard‐specific with specialization involving some reduction in prechondrogenic elements. Anat Rec 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thoracic radicular vessels by simultaneous intra‐arterial and intravenous injection of araldite
Authors: Jellema K. , Bleys R.L.A.W. , Tijssen C.C. , Koudstaal P.J. , van Gijn J.
Published: April 2007

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVF) consist of a shunt between a radicular artery and a radicular vein, resulting in a progressive paraparesis. They are most prevalent in middle‐aged men (male to female ratio 5 to 1). It is unknown why the shunt develops. It is possible that there are anatomical differences between men and women, which may account for the sex difference in prevalence. We performed a study with simultaneous arterial and venous araldite injection in 5 male and 5 female human cadavers using different colors. The mean age of the human cadavers was 78 years (range 70–91). The human cadavers were not known to have suffered from spinal disease. We did not find significant differences in thoracic vasculature between men and women. Two different types of radicular arteries could be identified: The first was the arterial feeder of the root ganglion or the dura mater, which is also called the distal radicular artery. The second was the tributary of the anterior spinal artery, which is also called the medullary artery. We found three arteriovenous anastomoses between the radicular artery and the corresponding vein, and three between the radicular artery and venous plexus. We found a total of six thoracic arteriovenous shunts in four cadavers but their role in the pathogenesis of SDAVF remains uncertain. No vascular anatomic differences between men and women were found. Clin. Anat. 20:524–529, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Central venous catheterization—An anatomical review of a clinical skill—Part 1: Subclavian vein via the infraclavicular approach
Authors: Boon J.M. , Van Schoor A.N. , Abrahams P.H. , Meiring J.H. , Welch T. , Shanahan D.
Published: April 2007

The safe and successful performance of a central venous catheterization (CVC) requires a specific knowledge of anatomy in addition to a working knowledge. Misunderstanding the anatomy may result in failure or complications. This review aims to aid understanding of the anatomical framework, pitfalls, and complications of CVC of the subclavian (SCV). CVC is common practice amongst surgeons, anesthesiologists, and emergency room physicians during the preparations for major surgical procedures such as open‐heart surgery, as well as, for intensive care monitoring and rapid restoration of blood volume. Associated with this technique are certain anatomical pitfalls and complications that can be successfully avoided if one possesses a thorough knowledge of the contraindications, regional anatomy, and rationale of the technique. Clin. Anat. 20:602–611, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The corridor map method: a general framework for real‐time high‐quality path planning
Authors: Geraerts Roland , Overmars Mark H.
Published: April 2007

In many virtual environment applications, paths have to be planned for characters to traverse from a start to a goal position in the virtual world while avoiding obstacles. Contemporary applications require a path planner that is fast (to ensure real‐time interaction with the environment) and flexible (to avoid local hazards such as small and dynamic obstacles). In addition, paths need to be smooth and short to ensure natural looking motions.

Current path planning techniques do not obey these criteria simultaneously. For example, A* approaches generate unnatural looking paths, potential field‐based methods are too slow, and sampling‐based path planning techniques are inflexible. We propose a new technique, the Corridor Map Method (CMM), which satisfies all the criteria. In an off‐line construction phase, the CMM creates a system of collision‐free corridors for the static obstacles in an environment. In the query phase, paths can be planned inside the corridors for different types of characters while avoiding dynamic obstacles. Experiments show that high‐quality paths for single characters or groups of characters can be obtained in real‐time. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure Induction of the T‐Cell Receptor ζ‐Chain upon Lipid Binding Investigated by NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Duchardt Elke , Sigalov Alexander B. , Aivazian Dikran , Stern Lawrence J. , Schwalbe Harald
Published: April 2007

The conformation of the cytoplasmic part of the ζ‐chain of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) in its free form and bound to detergent micelles has been investigated by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The ζ‐chain is considered to be a mediator between the extracellular antigen and the intracellular signal‐transduction cascade leading to T‐cell activation. Earlier studies suggested a T‐cell activation mechanism that involved a TCR‐state‐dependent lipid incorporation propensity of the ζ‐chain accompanied by a helical folding transition. In order to support this proposed mechanism, standard protein NMR assignment and secondary‐structure‐elucidation techniques have been applied to the free TCR ζ‐chain and to the ζ‐chain bound to the detergent LMPG, which forms a micelle, in order to obtain the structural characteristics of this folding transition in a residue‐resolved manner. We could assign the resonances of the free ζ‐chain at 278 K, and this formed the basis for chemical‐shift‐perturbation studies to identify lipid binding sites. Our NMR results show that the free TCR ζ‐chain is indeed intrinsically unstructured. Regions around the ITAM2 and ITAM3 sequences are involved in a highly dynamic binding of the free ζ‐chain to a detergent micelle formed by the acidic lipid LMPG.
New Light on an Old Story: Formation of Melam during Thermal Condensation of Melamine
Authors: Lotsch Bettina V. , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: April 2007

We report on the existence and formation of the carbon nitride precursor melam (H2N)2(C3N3)NH(C3N3)(NH2)2, thereby clarifying one of the last unresolved issues posed by the complex thermal condensation of melamine C3N3(NH2)3. Experimental proof is put forward that melam is a direct condensation product of melamine, but can be detected only in small amounts under special reaction conditions owing to its rapid transformation into melem. The coexistence of melamine and melem during thermal condensation yields two adduct phases with distinct compositions [C3N3(NH2)3]2[C6N7(NH2)3] and [C3N3(NH2)3][C6N7(NH2)3]2. They may be considered as co‐crystallizates of melamine and melem and can be isolated as intermediates between 590 and 650 K prior to the formation of single‐phase melem C6N7(NH2)3. Melam (C2/c, a=1811.0(4), b=1086.7(2), c=1398.4(3) pm, β=96.31(3)°, V=2735.3(9)×106 pm3, T=130 K) adopts a ditriazinylamine‐type structure with a twisted conformation about the bridging NH moiety and transforms into melem around 640 K. Two compounds deriving from melam have been synthesized by solution and solid‐state reactions. The salt melamium diperchlorate C6N11H11(ClO4)2⋅2 H2O (C2/c, a=1747.8(4), b=1148.2(2), c=993.6(2) pm, β=118.79(3)°, V=1747.4(6)×106 pm3, T=130 K) crystallizes as a dihydrate and exhibits a doubly protonated, planar melam core. In the neutral complex Zn[C6N11H9]Cl2 (P21/c, a=743.00(15), b=2233.2(5), c=762.5(2) pm, β=99.86(3)°, V=1246.5(4)×106 pm3, T=200 K), melam acts as a symmetrically bent bidentate ligand, which is coordinated to the Lewis acid Zn‐site through two ring nitrogen atoms.
Crystal Structures of and Displacive Transitions in OsN2, IrN2, RuN2 and RhN2.
Authors: Yu Rong , Zhan Qian , De Jonghe Lutgard C.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Crystal Structure and Chemical Bonding of the High‐Temperature Phase of AgN3.
Authors: Schmidt Carsten L. , Dinnebier Robert , Wedig Ulrich , Jansen Martin
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Direct Demonstration of Enhanced Diffusion in Mesoporous ZSM‐5 Zeolite Obtained via Controlled Desilication.
Authors: Groen Johan C. , Zhu Weidong , Brouwer Sander , Huynink Steven J. , Kapteijn Freek , Moulijn Jacob A. , Perez‐Ramirez Javier
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Lanthanum Orthovanadate Nanorods.
Authors: Wang Nian , Zhang Quanfei , Chen Wen
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Phase Diagram for the Na2O—Al2O3—H2O System at 130 °C.
Authors: Ma Shuhua , Zheng Shili , Zhang Yifei , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Na[H2TETA]0.5 [ZnPO4]2×0.5H2O or TJPU‐1: A New Zincophosphate Open‐Structure Co‐Templated by Sodium and Organoamine.
Authors: Zhao Yongnan , Jin Jun , Yang Xiaoqin , Yang Yang
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Germanate Material Containing 16‐Ring Channels and Templated by a Simple Primary Amine.
Authors: Attfield Martin P. , Al‐Ebini Yousef , Pritchard Robin G. , Andrews Ellen M. , Charlesworth Richard J. , Hung Wan , Masheder Ben J. , Royal Drew S.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Exploiting the Multifunctionality of Organocations in the Assembly of Hybrid Polyoxometalate Clusters and Networks.
Authors: Ritchie Chris , Burkholder Eric M. , Long De‐Liang , Adam David , Koegerler Paul , Cronin Leroy
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
N4H9Cu7S4: A Hydrazinium‐Based Salt with a Layered Cu7S4‐ Framework.
Authors: Mitzi David B.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Function of an N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Based on Concept of Chiral Mimetic.
Authors: Arao Takafumi , Sato Kei , Kondo Kazuhiro , Aoyama Toyohiko
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Highly Asymmetric Michael Addition to α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by 9‐Amino‐9‐deoxyepiquinine.
Authors: Xie Jian‐Wu , Chen Wei , Li Rui , Zeng Mi , Du Wei , Yue Lei , Chen Ying‐Chun , Wu Yong , Zhu Jin , Deng Jin‐Gen
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Michael Addition of Thiols to α‐Enones: Is Any Catalyst Necessary?
Authors: Meciarova Maria , Toma Stefan
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
2‐Iodoxybenzoic Acid Mediated Facile Conversion of 1,3‐Diols to 1,2‐Diketones by Oxidative Cleavage of the C—C Bond.
Authors: Yadav J. S. , Biswas Swapan Kumar , Srinivas R.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Selective Hydrogenolysis of Benzyl‐Protected 1‐Hydroxy‐3‐hydroxyimino‐2‐pyrrolidinones.
Authors: Katkevichs M. , Korchagova E. , Ivanova T. , Slavinska V. , Lukevics E.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
The Proline‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Amination of Branched Aldehydes.
Authors: Baumann Thomas , Vogt Henning , Braese Stefan
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Bismuth‐Catalyzed Direct Substitution of the Hydroxy Group in Alcohols with Sulfonamides, Carbamates, and Carboxamides.
Authors: Qin Hongbo , Yamagiwa Noriyuki , Matsunaga Shigeki , Shibasaki Masakatsu
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Regioselective N‐Arylation of Some Pyrimidine and Purine Nucleobases.
Authors: Khalafi‐Nezhad Ali , Zare Abdolkarim , Parhami Abolfath , Rad Mohammad Navid Soltani , Nejabat Gholam Reza
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Non‐Cryogenic CeCl3‐Promoted Double Additions of Methyllithium and n‐Butyllithium to Unsaturated Nitriles.
Authors: Limanto John , Dorner Benjamin , Devine Paul N.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Catalytic Carbonyl (Z)‐Dienylation via Multicomponent Reductive Coupling of Acetylene to Aldehydes and α‐Ketoesters Mediated by Hydrogen: Carbonyl Insertion into Cationic Rhodacyclopentadienes.
Authors: Kong Jong Rock , Krische Michael J.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
An Asymmetric Synthesis of (2S,3S)‐Safingol
Authors: Sharma Anubha , Gamre Sunita , Chattopadhyay Subrata
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Asymmetric Induction in Hydrogen‐Mediated Reductive Aldol Additions to α‐Amino Aldehydes Catalyzed by Rhodium: Selective Formation of syn‐Stereotriads Directed by Intramolecular Hydrogen‐Bonding.
Authors: Jung Cheol‐Kyu , Krische Michael J.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
A New Strategy for the Synthesis of Taurine Derivatives Using the “Safety‐Catch” Principle for the Protection of Sulfonic Acids.
Authors: Seeberger Sonja , Griffin Roger J. , Hardcastle Ian R. , Golding Bernard T.
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Enantioselective Cyclopropanation Reaction Using a Conformationally Fixed Pyridinium Ylide Through a Cation—π Interaction.
Authors: Yamada Shinji , Yamamoto Jun , Ohta Emiko
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Nickel(0)‐Catalyzed Disilylative and Silastannylative Cyclizations of 1,3‐Diene and Tethered Aldehyde.
Authors: Saito Nozomi , Mori Miwako , Sato Yoshihiro
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Second Generation Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Tamiflu: Allylic Substitution Route.
Authors: Mita Tsuyoshi , Fukuda Nobuhisa , Roca Francesc X. , Kanai Motomu , Shibasaki Masakatsu
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Nickel‐Catalyzed [4 + 3] Cycloaddition of Ethyl Cyclopropylideneacetate and 1,3‐Dienes.
Authors: Saito Shinichi , Takeuchi Kouhei
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
A New, One‐Step, Effective Protocol for the Iodination of Aromatic and Heterocyclic Compounds via Aprotic Diazotization of Amines.
Authors: Krasnokutskaya Elena A. , Semenischeva Nadya I. , Filimonov Victor D. , Knochel Paul
Published: April 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.