bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Paleoarchaic to Early Archaic Transition on the Colorado Plateau: The Archaeology of North Creek Shelter
Authors: Janetski Joel C. , Bodily Mark L. , Newbold Bradley A. , Yoder David T.
Published: April 2012

Recent literature on Paleoarchaic and Early Archaic strategies in the arid west of North America has characterized the shift from the earlier to later period as constituting an adaptive discontinuity. The empirical bases for this conclusion are shifts in mobility, subsistence, and technology. Paleoarchaic peoples are described as highly mobile, focused on a diversity of animal resources, including birds and small game, and using more exotic toolstone, an aspect of mobility. In contrast, Early Archaic strategies are less mobile, yet more focused on large game, using more local toolstone, and adopting grinding tools presumably to process small seeds. Accompanying this transition is the shift from stemmed to notched projectile points. Data bearing on this transition on the Colorado Plateau have been scarce. Excavations of finely stratified deposits at North Creek Shelter on the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah have yielded support for the adaptive discontinuity position, although qualitative differences between the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau are apparent in mobility and faunal use.
Architecture, Settlement, and Formative Developments in the Equatorial Andes: New Discoveries in the Department of Tumbes, Peru
Authors: Moore Jerry D.
Published: April 2012

The cultural transformations associated with the Formative period are pivotal for understanding the prehistory of the Americas. Over the last five decades, investigations in southwestern Ecuador have provided an early and robust set of archaeological data relating to Archaic-to-Formative transformations as exemplified by the Las Vegas, Valdivia, Machalilla, and Chorrera archaeological traditions. However, recent archaeological research in adjacent zones of the equatorial Andes indicates that the transformations in southwestern Ecuador were paralleled by coeval but distinct developments. Recent (2006–2007) excavations in the Department of Tumbes, Peru, have documented previously unknown Formative transformations, including the development of substantial domestic architecture during the Archaic (ca. 4700–4330 B.C.E.) and early Formative (ca. 3500–3100 B.C.E.), the shift from elliptical pole-and-thatch dwellings to rectangular wattle-and-daub structures at ca. 900–500 B.C.E., and the construction of public architecture and the establishment of a two-tiered settlement system by ca. 1000–800 B.C.E. These recently discovered archaeological patterns from Tumbes and additional data from southern Ecuador provide the basis for revised comparative perspectives in which southwestern Ecuador is a significant—but no longer the only—vantage point for understanding the evolution of Formative societies in the equatorial Andes.
Egalitarian Ideology and Political Power in Prehispanic Central Mexico: The Case of Tlaxcallan
Authors: Fargher Lane F. , Blanton Richard E. , Espinoza Verenice Y. Heredia
Published: April 2012

During the central Mexican late Postclassic period, the Aztec Triple Alliance became the largest and most powerful empire in Mesoamerica. Yet ancient Tlaxcallan (now Tlaxcala, Mexico) resisted incorporation into the empire despite being entirely surrounded by it and despite numerous Aztec military campaigns aimed at the defeat of the Tlaxcaltecas. How did it happen that a relatively small (1,400 km²) polity was able to resist a more powerful foe while its neighbors succumbed? We propose a resolution to this historical enigma that, we suggest, has implications for the broader study of social and cultural change, particularly in relation to theories of state formation and collective action. We find it particularly interesting that the Tlaxcaltecas abandoned a key tenet of traditional Nahua political structure in which kingship was vested in members of the nobility, substituting for it government by a council whose members could be recruited from the ranks of commoners. To achieve such a significant deviation from typical Nahua authority structure, the Tlaxcaltecas drew selectively from those aspects of Nahua mythic history and religion that were consistent with a comparatively egalitarian and collective political regime.
Vessels for Ceremony: The Pictography of Codex-Style Mixteca-Puebla Vessels from Central and South Mexico
Authors: Sánchez Gilda Hernández
Published: April 2012

An excellent illustration of the strong intertwinement of the art, image, text, and ritual characteristics of the ancient Americas is the codex-style pottery of the Mixteca-Puebla style. These ceramics, together with painted books and murals, were manifestations of an artistic style and iconography known as the Mixteca-Puebla style, which developed in central and south Mexico during the late Postclassic period (A.D. 1250–1521). Scholars have long recognized the motifs depicted on these vessels as part of the iconographic corpus of the Borgia group and Mixtec codices, and they have proposed that these vessels had ceremonial uses. A recent study of a large sample of these artifacts from the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley, central Veracruz, the Mixtec region, the Valley of Oaxaca, and the Basin of Mexico confirms both suggestions, showing that the vessels' painted images were more than mere decoration; they conformed to a pictography that referred to essential notions of Mesoamerican rituality. It is proposed that the meaning of this pictography was related to the context in which the vessels were used. Most likely the painted signs conveyed meanings by using stylistic devices of Mesoamerican ceremonial language. Addressed here are the mechanisms of this pictography, the progress made in reading it, and insights into the vessels' use context.
Cloth Production and Economic Intensification in the Area Surrounding Chichen Itza
Authors: Ardren Traci , Manahan T. Kam , Wesp Julie Kay , Alonso Alejandra
Published: April 2012

Recent investigations at the site of Xuenkal on the plains north of Chichén Itzá provide evidence of the changing regional political environment during the Terminal Classic Period (A.D. 900–1000). This paper examines a collection of spindle whorls recovered during the 2005, 2006, and 2007 field seasons of the Proyecto Arqueológico Xuenkal (PAX) as evidence for intensification of craft production. Through this analysis and comparison with spindle whorl collections from other Lowland Maya sites, we suggest the inhabitants of Xuenkal rapidly adapted to changing economic demands by increasing the amount of cloth produced in their residential settings, perhaps in response to increased tribute demands that emanated from the dominant political power of the region. Spinning and weaving is associated with the female gender during the Classic Period in Mesoamerica. Thus, intensification of this gendered activity not only produced excess materials for the state, but also reinforced its gender ideology. Analysis of these artifacts adds to the knowledge of Maya cloth production and addresses the nature of Chichén Itzá's influence on regional sites during the height of its influence in the Terminal Classic period.
Quarrying Evidence at the Quispisisa Obsidian Source, Ayacucho, Peru
Authors: Tripcevich Nicholas , Contreras Daniel A.
Published: April 2012

Artifacts made from Quispisisa obsidian are widely disseminated in the Peruvian Andes, but the geological source of the Quispisisa geochemical type was only recently located in southern Ayacucho. Following the positive identification of the source in 1999 by Richard Burger and colleagues, we found evidence of broad quarrying activities in unexplored portions of the source area. We describe 34 quarry pits, some as large as 80 m across, together with evidence of early-stage lithic reduction at the source. We encountered high concentrations of reduction debris associated with more extensive knapping in two localities, but our preliminary evaluation of surface evidence suggests that much of the material quarried was removed from the area as intact nodules or after minimal reduction at the source area.
Movilidad, acceso y uso de agata traslúcida por los cazadores-recolectores tempranos durante la transición pleistoceno-holoceno en el norte de Uruguay (Ca. 11,000-8500 A.P.)
Authors: Suárez Rafael
Published: April 2012

El artículo presenta la localización de 10 canteras de ágata traslúcida descubiertas en la Región Arqueológica Catalanes Nacientes Arapey (RACNA), definiendo una zona de abastecimiento de ágatas en el norte de Uruguay. Esta materia prima es el segundo recurso lítico más utilizado en los contextos estratigráficos tempranos datados por ¹⁴C en el noroeste de Uruguay, luego de la arenisca silicificada. Se analiza la frecuencia-distribución de ágata traslúcida en dos sitios residenciales de cazadores-recolectores tempranos, Pay Paso 1 (11,000-8500 a.P.), sitio K87 (10,420 a.P.), y en un sitio canterataller Catalán Seco 1 (CS-1). Se presenta una sólida base cronológica para el sitio Pay Paso 1 que incluye 32 fechas ¹⁴C lo que permitió reconocer tres componentes tempranos donde se registra una tecnología orientada hacia la producción de hojas durante el inicio de ocupación de Pay Paso 1 (10,930-10,880 a.P.). El trabajo discute las formas principales de aprovisionamiento del ágata traslúcida durante el poblamiento de Uruguay, que se relacionan con la accesibilidad del recurso, la tecnología lítica, el territorio y la movilidad de los cazadores-recolectores tempranos de la región. Se registran desplazamientos de entre 140-170 km desde sitios residenciales hasta la zona de aprovisionamiento de ágata.
North and South: Hunter-Gatherer Communities in the Andes Mountains in Central Chile
Authors: Cornejo B. Luis E. , Sanhueza R. Lorena
Published: April 2012

One of the most serious limitations in studies of prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies based on the archaeological record has been the difficulty of establishing distinctions among groups that inhabited a given area at the same time. This article suggests that, at least during a period ranging from 3000 B.C. to A.D. 1000, the Central Chilean Andes, specifically the Maipo River Valley, was occupied by two groups of hunter-gatherers that were distinct enough for us to propose that they were actually two different social units.
Diet and Rank in a Caribbean Maritime Society
Authors: Crock John G. , Carder Nanny
Published: April 2012

The investigation of social inequality in the Caribbean mainly has focused on the larger islands of the Greater Antilles where ethnohistoric records and monumental architecture form the basis for analysis of precolumbian complex societies. This paper presents evidence for status differentiation in the Lesser Antilles on the small island of Anguilla within a deposit at the Sandy Hill site and evaluates associated archaeofauna for evidence of rank-based differences in food consumption. When compared with three other sites, the higher density of status-related artifacts and higher densities of food remains at the Sandy Hill site are interpreted as the result of feasting. No evidence for inequality is observed in patterns of food consumption.
The Hydroarchaeological Method: A Case Study at the Maya Site of Palenque
Authors: French Kirk D. , Duffy Christopher J. , Bhatt Gopal
Published: April 2012

This research consists mainly of introducing the hydroarchaeological method, especially as related to issues of drought. The article outlines how this multidisciplinary method can provide insights into the success and failures of an archaeological site, in this case the Maya site of Palenque. We also detail convincing evidence that shows that the Maya of Palenque did not leave their city because of deficiencies of water, as some paleoclimatologists and archaeologists have asserted. The first logical step toward understanding any settlement’s water system is to use basic hydrologic methods and theory and to understand the local watershed. There is great potential for watershed-climate modeling in developing plausible scenarios of water use and supply and of the effect of extreme conditions (flood and drought), all of which cannot be fully represented by atmosphere-based climate and weather projections. The research demonstrates how the local watershed, land-use, and ecological conditions interact with regional climate changes. The archaeological implications for this noninvasive “virtual” method are many, including detecting periods of stress within a community, estimating population by developing caps based on the availability of water, and understanding settlement patterns, as well as assisting present local populations in understanding their water cycle.
Torata Alta: An Inka Administrative Center and Spanish ColonialReduccionin Moquegua, Peru
Authors: Rice Prudence M.
Published: April 2012

The hilltop site of Torata Alta displays a gridded site plan characteristic of Inka and Spanish colonial settlement planning, and it is now evident that the site’s brief history represents both occupations. Torata Alta began as a colony established by the Inka in the agriculturally rich Torata Valley and was settled by their Altiplano allies, the Lupaqa, in the Lake Titicaca Basin. Sometime during the early 1570s, as part of Spanish colonial administrative reforms, the community became a reducción resettlement of native Andeans drawn from small nearby hamlets. A church and ancillary buildings were constructed in the site center, and investigated structures include a beer-brewing facility and residences for textile-producing elites. In 1600, the eruption of Huaynaputina volcano and its accompanying earthquake swarm destroyed the church and covered the site with a layer of ash. Torata Alta’s residents continued living there but suffered another earthquake in 1604. The community appears to have been largely abandoned by the end of the first quarter of the seventeenth century, the residents moving down to the valley settlement that became modern Torata.
The interaction between BDNF and DRD2 in Bipolar II disorder but not in bipolar i disorder
Authors: Huang Chih‐Chun , Chang Yun‐Hsuan , Lee Sheng‐Yu , Chen Shiou‐Lan , Chen Shih‐Heng , Chu Chun‐Hsien , Huang San‐Yuan , Tzeng Nian‐Sheng , Lee I Hui , Yeh Tzung Lieh , Yang Yen Kuang , Lu Ru‐Band
Published: April 2012

Bipolar I (BP‐I) and bipolar II (BP‐II) disorders are the two most common subtypes of bipolar disorder. However, most studies have not differentiated bipolar disorder into BP‐I and BP‐II groups, for which the underlying etiology differentiating these two subtypes remains unclear. The genetic association between both subtypes is essential for improving our understanding. The dopamine D2 receptor/ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (DRD2/ANKK1), one of the dopaminergic pathways, as well as the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, were reported as candidate genes in the etiology of bipolar disorder. Therefore, we examined the contribution of the BDNF and DRD2/ANKK1 genes and their interaction to the differentiation of BP‐I and BP‐II. Seven hundred ninety‐two participants were recruited: 208 with BP‐I, 329 with BP‐II, and 255 healthy controls. The genotypes of the BDNF and DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reactions plus restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. A significant main effect for the Val/Val genotype of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism predicted BP‐II patients. The significant interaction effect for the Val/Val genotype of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and A1/A2 genotype of DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A polymorphism was found only in BP‐II patients. We provide initial evidence that the BDNF Val66Me and DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A polymorphisms interact only in BP‐II disorder and that BP‐I and BP‐II are genetically distinct. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical modeling of liquid water transport inside and across membrane in PEM fuel cells
Authors: Meng Hua , Han Bo , Ruan Bo
Published: April 2012

Liquid water transport inside a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell plays a crucial role in cell performance and durability. In this paper, a two‐phase multi‐dimensional PEM fuel cell model has been developed to properly handle water transport inside and across the polymer membrane in both absorbed water phase and free liquid phase. The numerical model has been employed to investigate effects of the cell operating current and cell temperature on liquid water distributions on both anode and cathode sides, as well as inside the membrane. Numerical results reveal that liquid water transport inside and across the polymer membrane plays an important role in PEM fuel cell water distributions. Increasing the fuel cell operating current density would result in more liquid water accumulation on both anode and cathode sides, a phenomenon dictated mainly by more water production. However, liquid water evaporation on the anode side also makes a profound impact at an increased operating current density. Decreasing the cell operating temperature, particularly from 80 to 60 °C, would result in more liquid water inside the fuel cell. This phenomenon is mainly controlled by the decreased liquid water evaporation process on both anode and cathode sides. Further decreasing the cell boundary temperature from 60 to 40 °C would only lead to very slight liquid water increase. The calculated results show qualitative agreement with available neutron imaging data. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Region 8q24 is a susceptibility locus for nonsyndromic oral clefting in Brazil
Authors: Brito Luciano Abreu , Paranaiba Lívia Máris Ribeiro , Bassi Camila Fernandes Silva , Masotti Cibele , Malcher Carolina , Schlesinger David , Rocha Katia Maria , Cruz Lucas Alvizi , Bárbara Lígia Kobayashi , Alonso Nivaldo , Franco Diogo , Bagordakis Elizabete , Martelli Hercílio , Meyer Diogo , Coletta Ricardo D. , Passos‐Bueno Maria Rita
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a relatively common craniofacial defect with multifactorial inheritance. The association of the rs987525 single nucleotide variant, located in a gene desert at 8q24.21 region, has been consistently replicated in European populations. We performed a structured association approach combined with transcriptional analysis of the MYC gene to dissect the role of rs987525 in oral clefting susceptibility in the ethnically admixed Brazilian population.

METHODS

We performed the association study conditioned on the individual ancestry proportions in a sample of 563 patients and 336 controls, and in an independent sample of 221 patients and 261 controls. The correlation between rs987525 genotypes and MYC transcriptional levels in orbicularis oris muscle mesenchymal stem cells was also investigated in 42 patients and 4 controls.

RESULTS

We found a significant association in the larger sample (p = 0.0016; OR = 1.80 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.21–2.69], for heterozygous genotype, and 2.71 [95% CI, 1.47–4.96] for homozygous genotype). We did not find a significant correlation between rs987525 genotypes and MYC transcriptional levels (p = 0.14; r = −0.22, Spearman Correlation).

CONCLUSIONS

We present a positive association of rs987525 in the Brazilian population for the first time, and it is likely that the European contribution to our population is driving this association. We also cannot discard a role of rs987515 in MYC regulation, because this locus behaves as an expression quantitative locus of MYC in another tissue. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ in aqueous solution
Authors: Quang Duong Tuan , Hop Nguyen Van , Luyen Nguyen Dinh , Thu Ha Phuong , Oanh Doan Yen , Hien Nguyen Khoa , Hieu Nguyen Van , Lee Min Hee , Kim Jong Seung
Published: April 2012

We prepared an aminothiourea‐derived Schiff base (DA) as a fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ ions. Addition of 1 equiv of Hg2+ ions to the aqueous solution of DA gave rise to an obvious fluorescence enhancement and the subsequent addition of more Hg2+ induced gradual fluorescence quenching. Other competing ions, including Pb2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Co3+, Ni2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+, did not induce any distinct fluorescence changes, indicating that DA can selectively detect Hg2+ ions in aqueous solution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactions between m‐phenylenediamine and bovine serum albumin measured by spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Jian‐qiu , Hu Zhi‐jun , Wang Nan‐xi , Ji Rong
Published: April 2012

This study explored interactions between m‐phenylenediamine (MPD) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by spectrophotometry. The Stern‐Volmer equation and UV‐vis spectra examination at different temperatures and pH were used to explore different quenching mechanisms. Under simulated physiological conditions, the binding distance between MPD and BSA was 5.18 nm with a ratio of 1:1. The quenching effect of MPD on BSA intrinsic fluorescence depended strongly on pH, and maximum quenching was observed at alkaline pH. Moreover, the thermodynamic parameters of the MPD‐BSA system showed that the predominant acting force between MPD and BSA was a hydrophobic force. The impact of MPD on the conformation of BSA and the effects of co‐ions on binding interactions were also examined. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Supply Chains: an Exploratory Perspective
Authors: Carbone Valentina , Moatti Valerie , Vinzi Vincenzo Esposito
Published: April 2012

Corporate responsibility (CR) in general, and sustainable supply chain management in particular, have been a growing concern for companies and researchers over the past decade. However, in scholarly work, sustainability has often been dealt with in a generic fashion or from an anecdotal point of view. Further, research works examining CR on the one hand and sustainable supply chains on the other have been conducted separately. We undertake the multiple factor analysis of a CR rating database (Innovest) which reports longitudinal scores for both the social and environmental performance of 1198 companies in different countries and distinct industries, to demonstrate a strong relationship between CR and a sustainable supply chain. Our findings from exploratory analysis also illustrate the role of country of origin and industry in shaping CR behaviour, highlighting isomorphic as well as allomorphic trends for CR trough time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Transcatheter therapy for aortic coarctation with severe systemic hypertension during pregnancy
Authors: Assaidi Anass , Sbragia Pascal , Fraisse Alain
Published: April 2012

Aortic coarctation is an unusual cause of hypertension during pregnancy and its management is not clarified. We report transcatheter balloon dilatation and stenting for native aortic coarctation in a 22‐year‐old pregnant woman with severe and uncontrolled systemic hypertension. Arterial blood pressure could be successfully controlled with medical treatment during the rest of the pregnancy and the patient underwent uneventful delivery. No adverse events or recoarctation was observed during 24 months clinical follow‐up. In conclusion, native aortic coarctation can be successfully treated during pregnancy with transcatheter therapy. More experience is needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of such management. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparisons of clinical outcomes for thrombectomy devices with different mechanisms in hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Yang Chih‐Chung , Yang Chung‐Wei , Wen Szu‐Chi , Wu Chih‐Cheng
Published: April 2012

Objectives

To compare clinical outcomes between mechanical thrombectomy devices with hydrodynamic mechanism and rotational mechanism.

Background

A number of advantages and concerns have been raised for different mechanical devices but the comparisons of clinical outcomes are absent, especially for the treatment of autogenous hemodialysis arteriovenous (AV) fistulas.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed 275 percutaneous thrombectomy procedures in AV fistulas. Procedures included were thrombectomy using devices with hydrodynamic mechanism, the AngioJet rheolytic catheter (AngioJet) (n = 134) or devices with rotational mechanism, the Arrow‐Trerotola percutaneous thrombectomy device (PTD) (n = 141). Measured outcomes included clinical success, complications and patency rates.

Results

Clinical success was achieved in 76% (102 of 134) of the AngioJet procedures and in 91% (128 of 141) of the PTD procedures (P = 0.002). The procedure time for the PTD method was significantly shorter than that of the AngioJet method (52 vs. 88 min, P < 0.001). Complications occurred in 14% of the AngioJet procedures and 11% of the PTD procedures. The post‐intervention primary patency rates at 6 months were 45% for the AngioJet group and 43% for the PTD group (P = 0.70). The postintervention secondary patency rates at 1 year were 74% for the AngioJet group and 87% for the PTD group (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

For the salvage of thrombosed AV fistulas, a device using rotational mechanism is more time‐saving with a higher immediate success rate and secondary patency rate. However, the long‐term patency results were not different. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Significant reduction in systolic blood pressure following renal artery stenting in patients with uncontrolled hypertension: Results from the HERCULES trial
Authors: Jaff Michael R. , Bates Mark , Sullivan Timothy , Popma Jeffrey , Gao Xingyu , Zaugg Margo , Verta Patrick ,   on behalf of the HERCULES Investigators
Published: April 2012

Background: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) causes hypertension (HTN) and threatens renal function (RF). The HERCULES Trial is a prospective, multicenter trial of renal stenting in patients with uncontrolled HTN and ARAS evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the RX Herculink Elite Renal Stent System (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA). Methods: A total of 202 patients (241 total lesions; 78 bilateral lesions) were enrolled between August 2007 and October 2009. The primary endpoint was 9‐month binary restenosis determined by duplex ultrasound and/or angiography. Secondary endpoints included changes in blood pressure, antihypertensive medications, and RF between baseline and 9 months. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured at baseline, 24 hr and 30 days postprocedure. Results: Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline was 162 mm Hg. Nearly 70% of patients were receiving three or more antihypertensive medications (mean 3.4 medications per patient). Baseline serum creatinine was 1.2 ± 0.4 and 61.5% of subjects had estimated glomerular filtration <60. The restenosis rate was 10.5% at 9 months. The study device, procedure, and clinical success rates were 96.0, 99.2, and 98.0%, respectively. Freedom from major adverse events was 94.8%. At 9 months, the mean SBP significantly decreased (mean 145, paired t test P < 0.0001) after stenting with no change in medications. There was no correlation between SBP reduction and baseline BNP or BNP reduction. Conclusions: HERCULES demonstrates clinically and statistically significant SBP reduction in patients with uncontrolled HTN, low in‐stent restenosis, and complication rates. This study highlights that when appropriate patients are selected for renal artery stenting, impressive reductions in blood pressure may be anticipated. Although the magnitude of absolute reduction in SBP was related to baseline SBP, elevated baseline BNP levels were not predictive of reduction in SBP. Further studies for predictors of clinical response following percutaneous renal revascularization are needed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term impact of balloon postdilatation on neointimal formation: An experimental comparative study between second‐generation self‐expanding versus balloon‐expandable stent technologies
Authors: Aboodi Michael S. , Milewski Krzysztof , Tellez Armando , Cheng Yanping , Yi Geng‐Hua , Kaluza Greg L. , Granada Juan F.
Published: April 2012

Background

Self‐expanding stents (SES) are reemerging as therapeutic alternatives to treat coronary artery disease. It has been proposed that SES can improve clinical outcomes by inducing less injury at implantation and achieving better vessel wall apposition. To date, little data exists comparing the vascular response to both methods of deployment in a controlled experimental setting.

Objective

To quantify differences in vascular injury and healing between second‐generation SES and balloon‐expandable stents (BES) and the effects of balloon postdilatation in a porcine coronary model.

Methods

Seventy‐five bare SES (AXXESS or vProtect) and 42 BES (Vision) were implanted in porcine coronaries. A subset of these received balloon postdilatation (SES + D = 22, BES + D = 20). Follow‐up was scheduled at 30 (BES = 10, BES + D = 6, SES = 19, SES + D = 8), 90 (BES = 6, BES + D = 8, SES = 19, SES + D = 8), and 180 days (BES = 6, BES + D = 6, SES = 15, SES + D = 6).

Results

In vivo imaging and histological analysis showed that neointimal formation peaks early (30 days) in BES. Conversely, for SES, the peak occurred later (90 days). However, the neointimal formation achieved in either group equalized at 180 days. For SES, postdilatation shortened the peak of neointimal formation to 30 days. Conversely, for BES, postdilatation delayed the peak of neointimal formation to 90 days. At 30 days, histology showed that SES had significantly less injury. However, at 90 days, injury scores tended to be higher for SES. By 180 days, injury scores were comparable between both groups.

Conclusions

The mechanism of stent expansion influences the degree of vascular injury and healing. The synergistic use of balloon postdilatation changes the dynamics of healing and may impact the potential beneficial effects inherent to SES technologies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Angiographically confirmed stent thrombosis in contemporary practice: Insights from intravascular ultrasound
Authors: Armstrong Ehrin J. , Kwa Andrew T. , Yeo Khung Keong , Mahmud Ehtisham , Javed Usman , Patel Mitul , Shunk Kendrick A. , MacGregor John S. , Low Reginald I. , Rogers Jason H.
Published: April 2012

Objective: We hypothesized that patients presenting with stent thrombosis (ST) have a high prevalence of stent underexpansion and malapposition when assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Background: IVUS can provide mechanistic insight into mechanical factors, including stent underexpansion, malapposition, and fracture that may predispose to ST. Methods: All consecutive cases of angiographically confirmed ST from a multicenter registry (from 2005 to 2010) were reviewed. All IVUS images were reviewed off‐line for the presence of stent underexpansion, malapposition, and fracture. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to determine whether use of IVUS at the time of ST was associated with long‐term mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. Results: IVUS was performed in 32 of 173 subjects with ST (18%). Stent underexpansion was present in 82% of cases and in all cases of early ST, with a mean stent expansion of 0.7 ± 0.23 by MUSIC criteria. Stent malapposition was most frequently observed in very late ST (40%). In‐hospital mortality was similar between subjects who had IVUS performed at the time of ST when compared with the non‐IVUS group (3.2% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.8). Subjects who had IVUS performed at the time of ST had lower rates of mortality (HR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1‐1.6, P =0.2) and major adverse cardiovascular events (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2–1.4, P =0.2) at follow‐up, but these values were not statistically significant. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of stent underexpansion in early ST, while the prevalence of malapposition is higher in very late ST. Use of IVUS during treatment for ST may identify mechanisms underlying the development of ST. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Ultrasonic Irradiation on the Crystallization of Sodium Acetate Trihydrate Utilized as Heat Storage Material
Authors: Seo K. , Suzuki S. , Kinoshita T. , Hirasawa I.
Published: April 2012

The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on nucleation phenomena in the heat storage material CH3COONa · 3H2O was investigated by measuring the nucleation probability and induction time. The experimental results show that the concentration of CH3COONa should be operated in the optimum range for CH3COONa · 3H2O‐selective crystallization. Furthermore, the nucleation probability increased and the induction time decreased with increasing energy input. Consequently, the optimum conditions of ultrasonic irradiation of CH3COONa · 3H2O are 53 wt‐% CH3COONa, 3.0 W of energy input, and ΔT = 10–68 K.
Parameter estimation in differential equation models with constrained states
Authors: Campbell David A. , Hooker Giles , McAuley Kim B.
Published: April 2012

We introduce a method to estimate parameters and states from a differential equation model while enforcing interpretability constraints such as monotone or non‐negative states. We motivate the methodology using a real data chemical engineering example and show that a variety of restrictive constraints from earlier analyses do not address the problem of interpretability. Our proposed method estimates parameters using a smoothing‐based relaxation of the model to enforce interpretability of the observed and unobserved system states. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enantioselective Multicomponent Synthesis of Fused 6–5 Bicyclic 2‐Butenolides by a Cascade Heterobicyclisation Process
Authors: Suero Marcos G. , De la Campa Raquel , Torre‐Fernández Laura , García‐Granda Santiago , Flórez Josefa
Published: April 2012

The successive coupling of an alkoxy(aryl/heteroaryl)carbene complex of chromium with either a ketone or an imide lithium enolate and then a 3‐substituted (H, TMS, PhCH2, PhCH2CH2, Me) propargylic organomagnesium reagent has afforded novel hydroxy‐substituted bicyclic [4.3.0]‐γ‐alkylidene‐2‐butenolides with three modular points that has allowed the efficient introduction of molecular complexity, including a homopropargylic alcohol core. The selective formation of these five‐ or six‐component heterobicyclisation products is the result of the regioselective integration of the Grignard reagent as a propargyl fragment followed by a cascade CO/alkyne/CO insertion, ketene trapping and elimination sequence. By using lithium enolates of chiral N‐acetyl‐2‐oxazolidinones and the corresponding propargylic organocerium reagents, both enantiomers of these bicyclic heterocycles were efficiently prepared with very high enantiomeric purity. Architecturally, these fused bicyclic butenolides are characterised by a highly unsaturated and oxygenated core and they exhibit strong blue fluorescence in solution.
From Low to Very High Birefringence in Bis(2‐pyridylimino)isoindolines: Synthesis and Structure–Property Analysis
Authors: Wong Edwin W. Y. , Ovens Jeffrey S. , Leznoff Daniel B.
Published: April 2012

A series of new substituted 1,3‐bis(2‐pyridylimino)isoindolines—1,3‐bis(2‐pyridylimino)‐5,6‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenoxy)isoindoline (2 b), 1,3‐bis(2‐pyridylimino)‐5,6‐bis(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)isoindoline (2 c), and 1,3‐bis(2‐pyridylimino)‐5‐tert‐butylisoindoline (2 d)—were synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The birefringence (Δn) of the crystals of unsubstituted 1,3‐bis(2‐pyridylimino)isoindoline (2 a), 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d were measured and found to vary greatly, with Δn values of 0.0654(3), 0.0629(17), 0.588(10), 0.701(12), respectively. A structure–property relationship for the birefringence values of 2 a–2 d was outlined and indicated that the anisotropy of the polarizability of the molecules plays a crucial role in the birefringence of the crystals. The greatest birefringence values are achieved when the molecules are oriented in a face‐to‐face configuration intermolecularly, and along the crystallographic face being measured.
Catalytic Epoxidations with Peroxides: Molybdenum Trioxide Species as the Origin of Allylic Byproducts
Authors: Neuenschwander Ulrich , Meier Emanuel , Hermans Ive
Published: April 2012

Molybdenum(VI)peroxide species, formed in the reaction of MoVI complexes with peroxides, are able to epoxidize >CC< double bonds heterolytically. In this study, theoretical and experimental evidence is provided for a kinetically competing reaction reaction of such molybdenum(VI)peroxide species with additional peroxide reagent, leading to molybdenum(VI)trioxide species, which easily decompose into radicals. Under epoxidation conditions, those radicals will reduce the selectivity, due to the formation of allylic byproducts. The involved reaction pathways are characterized by DFT calculations, providing kinetic parameters that are in good agreement with the experimental observations.
Hedgehog regulates angiogenesis of intersegmental vessels through the VEGF signaling pathway
Authors: Moran Carlos M. , Myers Candace T. , Lewis Cristy M. , Krieg Paul A.
Published: April 2012

Background: The cellular mechanisms regulating branching and growth of the intersegmental vessels (ISVs) are not well understood. We have carried out studies demonstrating that Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a major regulator of intersomitic vessel growth. Results: Inhibition of Hh activity by cyclopamine completely blocks formation of intersomitic vessels in the avian embryo. Examination of gene expression patterns in Hh‐deficient embryos shows that components of the VEGF and Notch signaling pathways are down‐regulated. However, we find no evidence that Notch signaling plays a significant role in regulation of intersomitic vessel growth. Indeed, it appears that Hh modulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, VEGF, is the primary regulator of growth of intersomitic vessels in the avian embryo. Conclusions: Inhibition of the VEGF pathway results in absence of ISVs, whereas stimulation of VEGF expression leads to precocious branching of ISVs. These results demonstrate that Hh is an essential modulator of VEGF expression during developmental angiogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 241:1034–1042, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epigenetic regulation of cardiac development and function by polycomb group and trithorax group proteins
Authors: Wang Q. Tian
Published: April 2012

Heart disease is a leading cause of death and disability in developed countries. Heart disease includes a broad range of diseases that affect the development and/or function of the cardiovascular system. Some of these diseases, such as congenital heart defects, are present at birth. Others develop over time and may be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Many of the known heart diseases are associated with abnormal expression of genes. Understanding the factors and mechanisms that regulate gene expression in the heart is essential for the detection, treatment, and prevention of heart diseases. Polycomb Group (PcG) and Trithorax Group (TrxG) proteins are special families of chromatin factors that regulate developmental gene expression in many tissues and organs. Accumulating evidence suggests that these proteins are important regulators of development and function of the heart as well. A better understanding of their roles and functional mechanisms will translate into new opportunities for combating heart disease. Developmental Dynamics 241:1021–1033, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Climate Change? No, Wise Resource Use is the Issue: Social Representations of Energy, Climate Change and the Future
Authors: Fischer Anke , Peters Vera , Neebe Mirjam , Vávra Jan , Kriel Antoinette , Lapka Miloslav , Megyesi Boldizsár
Published: April 2012

Recent social scientific research has often dealt with public perceptions of climate change as an isolated topic. In contrast, we explored through qualitative interviews (n = 202) across five European countries how members of the public conceptualized climate change within a wider context of energy and the future, drawing on social representation theory.

Our analysis suggests that, rather than separating between environmental issues, participants interpreted both climate change and energy consumption in a context of unsustainable resource use. Views on climate change were often very sceptical, but the unsustainability of contemporary resource use was almost unanimously of great concern. However, despite their strong plea for political change towards sustainability, many interviewees found it challenging to translate their views into behaviour. We argue that obstacles for behavioural change might lie in the tensions between cognitive, normative and affective aspects of people's representations, and conclude with recommendations for European climate change mitigation policies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Label‐Free Amperometric Detection of Albumin with an Oil/Water‐type Flow Cell for Urine Protein Analysis
Authors: Matsui Risa , Sakaki Toru , Osakai Toshiyuki
Published: April 2012

The 1,2‐dichloroethane (DCE)/water interface, with an anionic surfactant, dinonylnaphthalenesulfonate (DNNS−), being present in DCE, was utilized for label‐free detection of albumin. An oil/water‐type flow cell was prepared using a porous PTFE tube and dipping the tube in the DCE solution containing DNNS−. This flow cell provided a well‐defined current response linear to the albumin concentration up to 10 µM with a detection limit of 1.2 µM. The current response is due to the interfacial adsorption of albumin molecules depending on the Galvani potential difference. Possible interference from creatinine in the urine could be avoided by a conventional dialysis treatment.
Regional climate model assessment using statistical upscaling and downscaling techniques
Authors: Berrocal Veronica J. , Craigmile Peter F. , Guttorp Peter
Published: April 2012

Climate models are mathematical models that describe the temporal evolution of climate, oceans, atmosphere, ice, and land‐use processes, across a spatial domain via systems of partial differential equations. Because these models cannot be solved analytically, the model output is generated numerically over grid boxes. Regional climate models (RCMs), or the dynamic downscaling of global climate models to regional scales, are often used for planning purposes, and it is important to assess carefully the uncertainty of such models. We evaluate the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) RCM by comparing its model output at the grid box level, with the predictions obtained from two observation‐driven spatio‐temporal statistical models. The “downscaling model” combines the spatially and temporally smoothed climate model output with temperature observations at synoptic stations in a spatio‐temporal linear statistical model. The “upscaling model” describes the observational temperature alone at the daily scale, via a spatio‐temporal model that includes a wavelet‐based trend, spatially varying seasonality, along with volatility and long‐range dependence terms. Both statistical models have the ability to make predictions at a seasonal scale, both at point and grid box level. In the years 1962–2007 in South Central Sweden, we show that the climate model performs well in predicting the annual and seasonal average temperature at three reserved stations, but there are interesting differences among the model output and the statistical model‐based predictions at the grid box level. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genotype analysis of tumor‐initiating cells expressing CD133 in neuroblastoma
Authors: Cournoyer Sonia , Nyalendo Carine , Addioui Anissa , Belounis Assila , Beaunoyer Mona , Aumont Anne , Teira Pierre , Duval Michel , Fernandes Karl , Fetni Raouf , Haddad Elie , Sartelet Hervé
Published: April 2012

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common and lethal extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Despite aggressive therapy, more than half of the children with advanced NB will die of uncontrolled metastatic disease. After chemotherapy, tumor‐initiating cells (TICs) could persist, cause relapses and metastasis. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the tumor‐initiating properties of CD133high NB cells and to identify new specific genetic abnormalities. Isolation of the CD133high cell population from NB cell lines was followed by neurosphere formation, soft agar assays, and orthotopic injections in NOD/SCID/IL2Rγc‐null mice. A differential genotyping analysis was performed with Affymetrix SNP 6.0 arrays on CD133low and CD133high populations and the frequency of the abnormalities of 36 NB tumors was determined. Our results show that CD133high NB cells possess tumor‐initiating properties, as CD133high cells formed significantly more neurospheres and produced significantly more colonies in soft agar than CD133low. Injection of 500 CD133high cells was sufficient to generate primary tumors and frequent metastases in mice. Differential genotyping analysis demonstrated two common regions with gains (16p13.3 and 19p13.3) including the gene EFNA2 in the CD133high population, and two with loss of heterozygosity (16q12.1 and 21q21.3) in the CD133low population. The gain of EFNA2 correlated with increased expression of the corresponding protein. These abnormalities were found in NB samples and some were significantly correlated with CD133 expression. Our results show that CD133high NB cells have TICs properties and present different genotyping characteristics compared to CD133low cells. Our findings reveal insights into new therapeutic targets in NB TICs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Derivation of a brief measure of agitation and aggression in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Dennehy Ellen B. , Kahle‐Wrobleski Kristin , Sarsour Khaled , Milton Denái R.
Published: April 2012

Objective

Neuropsychiatric symptoms, including agitation and aggression (A/A), are highly prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are associated with increased disability, functional impairment, caregiver distress, and institutionalization. Previous psychometric work suggests that individual items of agitation, irritability, disinhibition, and aberrant motor behavior from the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) may be a valid measure of A/A in AD. We provide additional confirmation of this subscale, as well as preliminary validation of it as a measure of A/A (the NPI‐4‐A/A).

Methods

The sample included 641 individuals identified from the South Carolina Alzheimer's Disease Registry and assessed to be at a nursing home level of care. Demographic and medical data were extracted from the Registry, and phone interviews were conducted with caregivers to collect additional information not included in the Registry. The primary statistical analysis was confirmatory factor analysis of the NPI‐12 factor structure.

Results

The standardized root mean residual and root mean square error of approximation (90% CI) values of 0.060 and 0.043 (0.030, 0.057), respectively suggest adequate model fit of the data, whereas the Tucker–Lewis index estimate of 0.779 is below the criteria for adequate model fit. All but two normalized residuals (NR) suggested adequate model fit of the data (|NR| < 2.58). NPI‐4‐A/A scores were higher in patients residing in nursing homes and were correlated with caregiver burden.

Conclusions

The NPI‐4‐A/A is proposed as a measure of A/A in AD. The utility and validity of this measure should be explored further. Improved measurement and focus on subgroups of neuropsychiatric symptoms should be integrated into interventions for AD. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.