bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FiberNet—A new embolic protection device for carotid artery stenting
Authors: Bauer C. , Franke J. , Bertog S.C. , Woerner V. , Ghasemzadeh‐Asl S. , Sievert H. 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundThough distal filter protection during carotid stenting reduces the risk of cerebrovascular events, periprocedural stroke remains a risk despite their broad usage. This observation may be related to the pore size of common filters. The FiberNet distal filter system is unique by its very small pore size (40 µm) as well as its low profile and flexibility. Little data is available regarding the clinical performance and safety of this device.PurposeThe aim was the evaluation of the safety of the FiberNet embolic protection system during carotid artery stenting.MethodsAll consecutive patients treated with carotid stenting at our institution using the FiberNet device were systematically followed. Primary endpoint was the rate of all death and stroke within 30 days of the procedure.ResultsCarotid artery stenting using the FiberNet embolic protection system was performed in 54 patients. The procedure was technical successful in all patients. Three patients (5.5%) had a TIA. Amauosis fugax occurred in two patients (3.7%). One patient (1.9%) had a minor stroke with hemiparesis of the left arm and face which resolved completely within 48 hr after the procedure. No patient died or suffered a major stroke.ConclusionThe safety and feasibility of the FiberNet distal protection system appears to be at least equivalent to that reported in studies using conventional distal filter protection. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mass Transfer Phenomena in Micellar Multiphase Systems Investigated for a Hydroformylation Reaction
Authors: Hamerla Tobias , Paul Niklas , Kraume Matthias , Schomäcker Reinhard 
Published: July 2013

AbstractGrundlegende Überlegungen zum Einfluss des Stofftransports in mizellaren Mehrphasenreaktionen werden diskutiert und am Beispiel der Hydroformylierung eines langkettigen Olefins gezeigt. Zur Aufklärung der ablaufenden Transportmechanismen muss der Dispersionszustand des mizellaren Mehrphasensystems charakterisiert werden. Hierzu werden Bilder mithilfe einer Endoskopmesstechnik aufgenommen und Leitfähigkeitsmessungen durchgeführt. Anschließend sollen mithilfe von kla‐Wert‐Messungen schematische Konzentrationsprofile erarbeitet werden, die zur Aufklärung der Stofftransportwege betragen sollen. Der Einfluss des Stofftransports auf die Hydroformylierung wird durch die Abhängigkeit der Rührerdrehfrequenz auf die Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit untersucht.
Synaptic plasticity and signaling in rett syndrome
Authors: Della Sala Grazia , Pizzorusso Tommaso 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTRett syndrome (RTT) is a disorder that is caused in the majority of cases by mutations in the gene methyl‐CpG‐binding protein‐2 (MeCP2). Children with RTT are generally characterized by normal development up to the first year and a half of age, after which they undergo a rapid regression marked by a deceleration of head growth, the onset of stereotyped hand movements, irregular breathing, and seizures. Animal models of RTT with good construct and face validity are available. Their analysis showed that homeostatic regulation of MeCP2 gene is necessary for normal CNS functioning and that multiple complex pathways involving different neuronal and glial cell types are disrupted in RTT models. However, it is increasingly clear that RTT pathogenetic mechanisms converge at synaptic level impairing synaptic transmission and plasticity. We review novel findings showing how specific synaptic mechanisms and related signaling pathways are affected in RTT models. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 178–196, 2014
Normal gray and white matter volume after weight restoration in adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Lázaro Luisa , Andrés Susana , Calvo Anna , Cullell Clàudia , Moreno Elena , Plana M Teresa , Falcón Carles , Bargalló Núria , Castro‐Fornieles Josefina 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether treated, weight‐stabilized adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) present brain volume differences in comparison with healthy controls.MethodThirty‐five adolescents with weight‐recovered AN and 17 healthy controls were assessed by means of psychopathology scales and magnetic resonance imaging. Axial three‐dimensional T1‐weighted images were obtained in a 1.5 Tesla scanner and analyzed using optimized voxel‐based morphometry (VBM).ResultsThere were no significant differences between controls and weight‐stabilized AN patients with regard to global volumes of either gray or white brain matter, or in the regional VBM study. Differences were not significant between patients with psychopharmacological treatment and without, between those with amenorrhea and without, as well as between patients with restrictive versus purgative AN.DiscussionThe present findings reveal no global or regional gray or white matter abnormalities in this sample of adolescents following weight restoration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013; 46:841–848)
Different modes of evolution in males and females generate dichromatism in fairy‐wrens (Maluridae)
Authors: Johnson Allison E. , Jordan Price J. , Pruett‐Jones Stephen 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSexual dichromatism in birds is often attributed to selection for elaboration in males. However, evolutionary changes in either sex can result in plumage differences between them, and such changes can result in either gains or losses of dimorphism. We reconstructed the evolution of plumage colors in both males and females of species inMaluridae, a family comprising the fairy‐wrens (Malurus,Clytomias,Sipodotus), emu‐wrens (Stipiturus), and grasswrens (Amytornis). Our results show that, across species, males and females differ in their patterns of color evolution. Male plumage has diverged at relatively steady rates, whereas female coloration has changed dramatically in some lineages and little in others. Accordingly, in comparisons against evolutionary models, plumage changes in males best fit aBrownian motion (BM) model, whereas plumage changes in females fit anOrnsteinUhlenbeck (OU) multioptimum model, with different adaptive peaks corresponding to distributions in eitherAustralia orNewGuinea. Levels of dichromatism were significantly associated with latitude, with greater dichromatism in more southerly taxa. Our results suggest that current patterns of plumage diversity in fairy‐wrens are a product of evolutionary changes in both sexes, driven in part by environmental differences across the distribution of the family.
Seismic reliability assessment of urban water networks
Authors: Fragiadakis Michalis , Christodoulou Symeon E. 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYWe present a framework for the seismic risk assessment of water supply networks, operating in either normal or abnormal conditions. We propose a methodology for assessing the reliability of water pipe networks combining data of past non‐seismic damage and the vulnerability of the network components against seismic loading. Historical data are obtained using records of damages that occur on a daily basis throughout the network and are processed to produce‘survival curves’, depicting their estimated survival rate over time. The fragility of the network components is assessed using the approach suggested in the American Lifelines Alliance guidelines. The network reliability is assessed using graph theory, whereas the system network reliability is calculated using Monte Carlo simulation. The methodology proposed is demonstrated both on a simple, small‐scale, network and also on a real‐scale district metered area from the water network of the city of Limassol, Cyprus. The proposed approach allows the estimation of the probability that the network fails to provide the desired level of service and allows the prioritization of retrofit interventions and of capacity‐upgrade actions pertaining to existing water pipe networks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UNCOVERING THE COMMON RISK‐FREE RATE IN THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION
Authors: Wagenvoort Rien J. L. M. , Zwart Sanne 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYWe introduce longitudinal factor analysis (LFA) to extract the common risk‐free (CRF) rate from a sample of sovereign bonds of countries in a monetary union. Since LFA exploits the typically very large longitudinal dimension of bond data, it performs better than traditional factor analysis methods that rely on the much smaller cross‐sectional dimension. European sovereign bond yields for the period 2006–2011 are decomposed into a CRF rate, a default risk premium and a liquidity risk premium. Our empirical findings suggest that investors chase both credit quality and liquidity, and that they price double default risk on credit default swaps. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lower Cortical Porosity and Higher Tissue Mineral Density in Chinese American Versus White Women
Authors: Boutroy Stephanie , Walker Marcella D , Liu X Sherry , McMahon Donald J , Liu George , Guo X Edward , Bilezikian John P 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Asian women have lower rates of hip and forearm fractures compared to other racial groups despite lower areal bone mineral density (aBMD). We have demonstrated microarchitectural differences, including greater cortical thickness (Ct.Th) and cortical volumetric BMD (Ct.BMD), in Chinese American versus white women. Yet it is not known whether greater Ct.BMD in Chinese American women is a result of greater tissue mineral density (TMD) or reduced cortical porosity (Ct.Po). Using an advanced segmentation algorithm based on high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) images, we tested the hypothesis that Chinese American women have better cortical skeletal integrity owing to lower Ct.Po and higher Ct.TMD compared with white women. A total of 78 Chinese American women (49 premenopausal and 29 postmenopausal) and 114 white women (46 premenopausal and 68 postmenopausal) were studied. Premenopausal Chinese American versus white women had greater Ct.Th, Ct.BMD, and Ct.TMD at both the radius and tibia, and decreased Ct.Po (p &lt; 0.05). A similar pattern was observed between postmenopausal Chinese American and white women. As expected, postmenopausal versus premenopausal women had lower Ct.BMD at the radius and tibia in both races (p &lt; 0.001). Ct.Po largely increased between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, whereas Ct.TMD decreased by 3% to 8% (p &lt; 0.001) in both races. Age-related differences in Ct.Po and Ct.TMD did not differ by race. In summary, both reduced Ct.Po and greater Ct.TMD explain higher Ct.BMD in Chinese American versus white women. Thicker and preserved cortical bone structure in Chinese American women may contribute to greater resistance to fracture compared to white women. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A methodology to eliminate snow‐ and ice‐contaminated solutions from GPS coordinate time series
Authors: Larson Kristine M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPositions derived from continuously operating GPS sites are used throughout the world for geophysical research. These positions are estimated assuming that the GPS signals have not been obstructed by either snow or ice on the GPS antenna. Unfortunately, in many regions of the world, this assumption is not correct. Snow and ice attenuate and scatter the GPS signal in a way that leads to significant positioning errors. These positioning outliers are typically removed by assuming geophysical models of displacement. In this study an algorithm is developed that uses signal strength data to determine when the GPS signal has been impacted by snow or ice. This information is then used to remove outliers in GPS coordinate time series. The signal strength‐based algorithm was tested on 6 years of data from the EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory network. The algorithm improves the precision of ~10% of these coordinate time series, with most of the improvement found for sites operating in Alaska.
Oral plus nasal corticosteroids improve smell, nasal congestion, and inflammation in sino‐nasal polyposis
Authors: Alobid Isam , Benítez Pedro , Cardelús Sara , de Borja Callejas Francisco , Lehrer‐Coriat Eduardo , Pujols Laura , Picado Cesar , Mullol Joaquim 
Published: July 2013

Objectives/HypothesisTo assess the effect of oral plus intranasal corticosteroids on subjective outcomes (smell and nasal congestion) and objective outcomes (tissue eosinophilia and nitric oxide) in severe nasal polyposis (NP).Study DesignAfter a 4‐week steroid washout period (w0), severe NP were randomized into a treatment group (n = 67) that receive oral prednisone for 2 weeks (w2) plus intranasal budesonide for 12 weeks (w12), and a control group (n = 22) that received no steroid treatment.MethodsBarcelona Smell Test 24 (BAST‐24), nasal congestion, tissue eosinophilia, and nasal nitric oxide (nNO) were assessed.ResultsBefore treatment, patients showed a significant impairment of smell detection (30.7 ± 39.5%), identification (7.1 ± 16.1%), and forced choice (13.8 ± 23.3%) in BAST‐24 compared to healthy population. At w2, the treatment group showed a significant improvement in detection, identification, and forced choice. Positive effect was also seen after 12 weeks of intranasal corticosteroids. A significant reduction of nasal congestion (1.17 ± 1.0 vs. 2.73 ± 0.5) and polyp tissue eosinophilia (10.9 ± 4.2 vs. 41.2 ± 12.2) with an increase of nNO (650 ± 317 vs. 420 ± 221 ppb) were observed at w2 compared to w0 and to the control group. These effects were also seen at w12.ConclusionsCombined oral and intranasal corticosteroids improve smell and nasal congestion and decrease nasal inflammation, as measured by reduced tissue eosinophilia and increased detection of nNO. Severity of smell loss correlates with degree of nasal congestion but not with inflammation, as measured by tissue eosinophilia or nasally exhaled nNO. Our findings suggest that improvement in smell may be related to improved conduction of odorants to the olfactory neuroepithelium.Level of EvidenceIb. Laryngoscope, 124:50–56, 2014
Molecular‐Cluster‐Assembly Method for Analysis of High‐Dimensional Structures of p‐Cresol Chains in Phenolic Polymers
Authors: Ho Shirun , Aoyagi Mutsumi 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA new method for analyzing oriented structures of polymers and their formation processes, called “molecular‐cluster‐assembly” (MoCA), is proposed. With this method, a polymer structure is assembled by molecular clusters at local minimum‐energy states and comprised of alternating structures along variable atomic coordinates. The reduced conformational space is searched comprehensively by using a Monte Carlo method. The total energy of the polymer structure is calculated from quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) energy. It has the same accuracy as full QM energy given by the Møller–Plesset (MP2) method and the fast calculation time is the same as that of the MM method. It is shown that long p‐cresol chains form self‐organized spiral structures and composite structures with both spirals and open‐rings. As phenol groups are oriented towards the inside of the long chains, more oxygen atoms located around a hydrogen atom provide a strong negative potential. It is concluded that these two kinds of oriented structures change the dissociation energy of the hydrogen atoms in the phenol groups.
A simple and novel method for retrieval of Pasteurellaceae from swab samples collected in the field
Authors: Hansen Mie J. , Bertelsen Mads F. , Dietz Rune , Sonne Christian , Bojesen Anders M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTraditionally it has been difficult or impossible to collect and preserve bacterial samples of especially fastidious bacteria in mixed primary cultures, unless the samples could be transported to a laboratory within approximately 24 h. Therefore, a simple novel method for preserving swab samples until bacterial isolation can be completed in the laboratory was developed and evaluated. Pasteurellaceae bacteria were used as a representative for fastidious bacteria. A 7.5% glucose serum medium was used as freeze medium. Swab samples were soaked in the medium a maximum of 2 h after collection and stored at −20°C. As a control study, 15 samples were collected from the oral cavity of a captive brown bear. One was immediately plated, while the remaining 12 swabs were stored at −20°C for 7 days and multiples of 30 days up to 330 days prior to plating. Two samples were stored without the medium for 7 and 30 days prior to plating. From a field setting in Greenland, eight polar bear samples were collected and subsequently stored for 240 to 259 days at −20°C before incubation. Pasteurellaceae bacteria were isolated and genotyped from all samples stored in the freeze medium, indicating that the medium enabled the bacteria to survive for at least 330 days at −20°C. The 100% recovery of target organisms in the polar bear samples even following lengthy storage and transport demonstrates that the method is very useful under remote field conditions.
Emerging concepts in the physiological basis of dystonia
Authors: Quartarone Angelo , Hallett Mark 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTWork over the past 2 decades has led to substantial changes in our understanding of dystonia pathophysiology. Three general abnormalities appear to underlie the pathophysiological substrate. The first is a loss of inhibition. This makes sense considering that it may be responsible for the excess of movement and for the overflow phenomena seen in dystonia. A second abnormality is sensory dysfunction which is related to the mild sensory complaints in patients with focal dystonias and may be responsible for some of the motor dysfunction. Third, evidence from animal models of dystonia as well as from patients with primary dystonia has revealed significant alterations of synaptic plasticity characterized by a disruption of homeostatic plasticity, with a prevailing facilitation of synaptic potentiation, together with the loss of synaptic inhibitory processes. We speculate that during motor learning this abnormal plasticity may lead to an abnormal sensorimotor integration, leading to consolidation of abnormal motor engrams. If so, then removing this abnormal plasticity might have little immediate effect on dystonic movements because bad motor memories have already been ‘‘learned'' and are difficult to erase. These considerations might explain the delayed clinical effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with generalized dystonia. Current lines of research will be discussed from a network perspective. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
Influence of the bridging atom in fluorene analogue low‐bandgap polymers on photophysical and morphological properties of copper indium sulfide/polymer nanocomposite solar cells
Authors: Jäger Monika , Trattnig Roman , Postl Markus , Haas Wernfried , Kunert Birgit , Resel Roland , Hofer Ferdinand , Klug Andreas , Trimmel Gregor , List Emil J. W. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThis contribution presents the correlation between structural, morphological, and fluorescence properties as well as device performance of nanocomposite solar cells comprising two low‐band gap polymers, poly[[9‐(1‐octylnonyl)−9H‐carbazole‐2,7‐diyl]‐2,5‐thiophenediyl‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole‐4,7‐diyl‐2,5‐thiophenediyl] (PCDTBT) and poly[2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole‐4,7‐diyl‐2,5‐thiophenediyl(9,9‐dioctyl‐9H‐9‐silafluorene‐2,7‐diyl)−2,5‐thiophenediyl] (PSiF‐DBT) and copper indium sulfide (CIS). It shows that, in analogy to organic solar cells, the device efficiency is strongly determined by different polymer structures leading to a different packing of the polymer chains and consequently to diverse morphologies. X‐ray diffraction investigation indicates increased semicrystallinity in PSiF‐DBT compared with the nitrogen analogue PCDTBT. The photoluminescence (PL) quenching of this polymer indicates that the higher photogeneration achieved in PSiF‐DBT based films can be correlated to a favorable donor‐acceptor phase separation. Transmission electron microscopy studies of PCDTBT:CIS blended films suggest the formation of polymer agglomerates in the layer resulting in a decreased PL quenching efficiency. For the considered polymer:CIS system, the combination of these effects leads to an enhanced overall device efficiency. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1400–1410
Polyaniline‐tailored electromechanical responses of the silver/epoxy conductive adhesive composites
Authors: Gumfekar Sarang P. , Amoli Behnam Meschi , Chen Alex , Zhao Boxin 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTIn this article, the electromechanical properties of silver‐in‐epoxy conductive adhesives with the polyaniline (PANI) micron particles as cofillers have been investigated. PANI is a conductive polymer and has a moderate conductivity in between those of silver and epoxy. It was found that PANI can be used to tailor both the adhesive's electrical contact resistance and its relaxation behavior; however, the effects of adding PANI were complex. The addition of small amount of PANI (2 wt %) dramatically increased the contact resistance; it might block the electrical contacts among silver flakes and was not able to form a continuous path among themselves. The addition of more PANI showed a moderate increase in contact resistance, which increased with the weight fraction of PANI from 6 to 15 wt %. Interdependent behavior of compressive strain and relaxation in electrical contact resistance is characterized to evaluate the origin of this relaxation. The addition of PANI made the relaxation in electrical contact resistance more sensitive to the compressive strain and the electromechanical coupling to deviate from the linear relationship. These research findings provide insights into the way to use PANI to tailor the electromechanical properties of the adhesive bonds or joints in the development of advanced functional devices. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013, 51, 1448–1455
Tissue dendritic cells as portals for HIV entry
Authors: Harman Andrew N. , Kim Min , Nasr Najla , Sandgren Kerrie J. , Cameron Paul U. 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYDendritic cells (DCs) are found at the portals of pathogen entry such as the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genital tracts where they represent the first line of contact between the immune system and the foreign invaders. They are found throughout the body in multiple subsets where they express unique combinations of C‐type lectin receptors to best aid them in detection of pathogens associated with their anatomical location. DCs are important in the establishment in HIV infection for two reasons. Firstly, they are one of the first cells to encounter the virus, and the specific interaction that occurs between these cells and HIV is critical to HIV establishing a foothold infection. Secondly and most importantly, HIV is able to efficiently transfer the virus to its primary target cell, the CD4+ T lymphocyte, in which it replicates explosively. Infection of CD4+ T lymphocytes via DCs is far more efficient than direct infection. This review surveys the various DCs subsets found within the human sexual mucosa and their interactions with HIV. Mechanisms of HIV uptake are discussed as well as how the virus then traffics through the DC and is transferred to T cells. Until recently, most research has focussed on vaginal transmission despite the increased transmission rate associated with anal intercourse. Here, we also discuss recent advances in our understanding of HIV transmission in the colon. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.