bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Be Berlin! Governing the City through Freedom
Authors: Lanz Stephan 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn this article, I examine how contemporary Berlin is governed, with a particular focus on the production of urban space. My points of reference are the term ‘government’ (as employed by Foucault) and the field of governmentality studies (where it is applied empirically). Based on a critical discourse and dispositive analysis of the city's current urban development policy, I propose that urban governance in Berlin may be analysed through the lens of three central dispositives: the dispositive of governing through citizenship; the dispositive of the creative city; and the dispositive of the social city. I discuss the characteristics of these dispositives of urban governance, drawing on a number of examples taken from the discipline of urban space production in order to look specifically at the aims and objectives of governance, its subjects and the ways it manifests itself. In conclusion, I suggest that the new forms of governance based on empowerment and cooperation have by no means replaced disciplinary technologies of governance, but are rather embedded within them.
Neighbourhood Effects as Indirect Effects: Evidence from a Dutch Case Study on the Significance of Neighbourhood for Employment Trajectories
Authors: Pinkster Fenne M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractOne of the key challenges in the study of neighbourhood effects on work is to understand the pathways through which disadvantaged neighbourhoods impact the employment opportunities of residents. Endogenous explanations for neighbourhood effects focus on social life in these neighbourhoods, identifying mechanisms of social isolation, deviant work ethics and neighbourhood disorder. This article studies these mechanisms in a low‐income neighbourhood in the Netherlands. The case study shows that unfavourable socioeconomic outcomes can be indirect and unintended consequences of actions and choices in everyday life that are not directly concerned with work. Nevertheless, these individual actions and choices reflect local social practices that are influenced by the marginalized context in which residents lead their lives.
Sortilin‐related VPS10 domain containing receptor 1 and Alzheimer's disease‐associated allelic variations preferentially exist in female or type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in southern Han Chinese
Authors: HE Yanqin , FANG Zhuyuan , YU Guran 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground:  Both in vitro and in vivo, overexpression of the sortilin‐related VPS10 domain containing receptor 1 (SORCS1) protein lowers amyloid‐β generation. Recent studies have shown that SORCS1 variations in intron 1 are associated with sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD), but the results remain inconsistent.Methods:  In order to clarify the role of the SORCS1 gene in southern Han Chinese, we genotyped eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of SORCS1 in 128 SAD patients and 92 healthy controls.Results:  By dividing patients and controls according to apolipoprotein status, sex and whether they had type 2 diabetes mellitus, we found that rs7907690 C allele frequencies were significantly higher in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the controls (P= 0.041). Also, the rs600879 GG genotype and G allele worked as protective factors of SAD in women (GG genotype, P= 0.007; G allele, P= 0.009). In multilocus analysis, the frequency of an eight‐single nucleotide polymorphism rs601883/rs7907690/rs600879/rs17277986/rs2900717/rs10884399/rs11193170/rs4918280 CCGGACGG haplotype was significantly higher in AD patients (6.3%), especially in female AD patients (9.5%), than in the controls (0.5%) (P= 0.003; P= 0.0002). However, the CTGGACGG haplotype was significantly lower in AD patients (9.3%) than in controls (20.3%) (P= 0.001). The association remained significant even after Bonferroni correction for the number of haplotypes.Conclusion:  This study provides evidence that variations in the SORCS1 gene influence susceptibility to SAD in southern Han Chinese. The genetic link between AD and SORCS1 gene variations are influenced by ethnic background, sex and whether an individual has type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Donepezil‐induced sleep spindle in a patient with dementia with Lewy bodies: a case report
Authors: OZAKI Asami , NISHIDA Masaki , KOYAMA Keiko , ISHIKAWA Kinya , NISHIKAWA Toru 
Published: December 2012

AbstractHere, we report a case of rapid eye movement sleep behavioural disorder in an elderly patient with dementia with Lewy bodies. Pretreatment polysomnography revealed atonia during rapid eye movement sleep, absence of sleep spindles and loss of slow‐wave sleep. Administration of donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, markedly improved delusional symptoms and cognitive function. Pretreatment polysomnography performed after donepezil administration revealed a considerable number of sleep spindles. The effects of cholinergic modulation induced by donepezil seemed to cause remarkable improvement in mental status, incorporating associated with sleep spindles generated by the thalamocortical circuit involved in this patient.
Improvement in delusions and hallucinations in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies upon administration of yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine
Authors: IWASAKI Koh , KOSAKA Kenji , MORI Hideo , OKITSU Reina , FURUKAWA Katsutoshi , MANABE Yuta , YOSHITA Mitsuhiro , KANAMORI Aya , ITO Nobuo , WADA Kenji , KITAYAMA Michio , HORIGUCHI Jun , YAMAGUCHI Shuhei , TAKAYAMA Shin , FUKUHARA Ryuji , OUMA Shinji , NAKANO Seigo , HASHIMOTO Mamoru , KINOSHITA Toru 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground:  This multicentre open‐label trial examined the efficacy and safety of the traditional Japanese medicine, or Kampo medicine, yokukansan (YKS), for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.Methods:  Sixty‐three dementia with Lewy bodies patients with probable BPSD (M : W, 30 : 33; mean age, 78.2 ± 5.8 years) were enrolled and treated with YKS for 4 weeks.Results:  Significant improvements in Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores (mean decrease, 12.5 points; P < 0.001) and Zarit Burden Interview‐Japanese edition tests (mean decrease, 3.6 points; P= 0.024) were observed. In patients who consented to an assessment after 2 weeks of treatment, a time‐dependent significant improvement was observed in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory score (n= 23; mean decrease, 14.4; P < 0.001), each subscale, including delusions and hallucinations, the Zarit Burden Interview‐Japanese edition (n= 22; mean decrease, 8.2; P < 0.01) and the behavioural pathology in Alzheimer's disease insomnia subscale. The Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) showed no significant change. Adverse events were observed in 11 (18%) patients. Three patients (5%) discontinued YKS due to adverse reactions, namely, spasticity and exacerbation of BPSD, edema, and nausea. Hypokalaemia (<3.5 mEq/L) was present in four patients (6%) at the study endpoint. Worsening of extrapyramidal symptoms was not observed.Conclusion:  YKS improved BPSD in dementia with Lewy bodies patients and caregiver burden scores without deterioration in cognitive function. YKS is useful for the treatment of delusions and hallucinations in BPSD.
Unusual Imaging Findings in Brain and Spinal Cord in Two Siblings With Maple Syrup Urine Disease
Authors: Bhat Maya , Prasad Chandrajit , Bindu Parayil Sankaran , Aziz Zarina , Christopher Rita , Saini Jitender 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTMaple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare metabolic disease affecting the neural tissue. While the brain abnormalities present on MRI are well known, spinal imaging features have not been studied. We herewith report an unusual finding of enlarged Virchow Robin spaces in brain and novel spinal cord changes in two biochemically diagnosed cases of MSUD. To the best of our knowledge, spinal MRI findings in cases of MSUD have not been previously reported. Knowledge of spinal MRI findings may be useful in diagnosis of this rare disorder.
Neuroblastoma with a Solitary Intraventricular Brain Metastasis Visualized on I‐123 MIBG Scan
Authors: Codreanu Ion , Dasanu Constantin A. , Zhuang Hongming 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDAlthough metastatic skull lesions of neuroblastoma are not uncommon, brain involvement is infrequent and prompt diagnosis is of utmost importance in such cases. Previous studies have shown that Meta‐Iodo‐Benzyl‐Guanidine (MIBG) scans were not always reliable in detecting central nervous system metastases, however most published reports referred to the Iodine‐131 (131I)‐MIBG scans. Herein, we report an intraventricular metastasis of neuroblastoma diagnosed using an Iodine‐123 (123I)‐MIBG scan, which is increasingly being used in clinical practice and reported as a more accurate method for detecting metastatic lesions.CASE DESCRIPTIONAn unusual case of metastatic neuroblastoma to the left lateral ventricle of the brain is presented. Planar 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy showed faint tracer activity close to the midline without asymmetric extensions or abnormal activity in the skull bones. A subsequent brain MR scan revealed an enhancing mass within the left frontal horn consistent with a metastatic lesion. The patient underwent tumor resection with pathology showing neuroblastoma.CONCLUSIONSOur case shows that 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy can be useful in detecting intraventricular brain metastases of neuroblastoma. Although the 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy has been reported to have a significantly superior sensitivity in monitoring asymptomatic patients with neuroblastoma compared with 131I‐MIBG scans, bone marrow histology, bone scan, CT, and urinary catecholamine levels, further studies may be necessary to evaluate its sensitivity in detecting brain lesions.
Optic Nerve and its Arterial‐Venous Vascularization: An Ultrasonologic Study in Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Healthy Controls
Authors: Carraro Nicola , Servillo Giovanna , Maria Sarra Vittoria , Bignamini Angelo , Pizzolato Gilberto , Zorzon Marino 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDRecent studies suggest that alterations in the cerebrospinal venous system may play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS) and that chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency correlates with clinical features of MS patients.OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the vascularization of optic nerve (ONr) and measure ONe thickness by color Doppler ultrasonography in MS patients with and without previous optic neuritis (ONe).SUBJECTS AND METHODSWe assessed flow variables in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and central retinal vein and measured the diameter of ONe in 46 relapsing‐remitting MS patients and 37 healthy controls (HC). Twenty‐two MS patients had previous ONe and 24 MS patients had not. Patients with acute ONe were not included. We examined and compared 63 unaffected and 29 affected eyes of MS patients with 74 control eyes.RESULTSRegarding flow variables, we did not find any significant difference between HC, MS affected, and unaffected eyes. Comparing ONr diameters, we found a progressive significant thinning of the ONr from HC to MS patients without and with past ONe.CONCLUSIONSWe found no significant alteration in the arterial‐venous vascularization of both affected and unaffected ONr compared with HC. We demonstrated the possibility to detect ONr atrophy in MS patients.
Structural and Metabolic Features of Two Different Variants of Multiple Sclerosis: A PET/MRI Study
Authors: Bolcaen Julie , Acou Marjan , Mertens Koen , Hallaert Giorgio , Van den Broecke Caroline , Achten Eric , Goethals Ingeborg 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDMultimodality imaging such as proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and positron emission tomography (PET) have provided information specific to the underlying mechanisms of many brain diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS).PURPOSETo determine the structural and metabolic characterization of two particular variants of MS, namely tumefactive MS and Balo's concentric sclerosis (BCS).METHODSConventional MR imaging, diffusion and perfusion MR, MR spectroscopy and PET imaging with F‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and F‐18 fluoromethylcholine (FCho) were performed.RESULTSIn a case with pathologically proven tumefactive MS, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a pseudotumoral lesion with incomplete ring enhancement, peripheral diffusion restriction, and high choline and lactate peaks on MRS. On follow‐up, the lesion showed significant growth. In a case of BCS, MRI showed an onion‐like lesion without contrast enhancement or diffusion restriction, and only a moderate increase in choline on MRS. The lesion remained stable on follow‐up. On PET, there was no uptake of F‐18 FDG in either type of MS lesion. Conversely, uptake of F‐18 FCho was moderate in tumefactive MS, whereas no F‐18 FCho uptake was noted in the lesion with, on MRI, typical features of BCS.CONCLUSIONSOur findings illustrate that metabolic features may differ between variants of MS possibly signifying different disease activity.
Flat Detector Computed Tomography Angiography with Intravenous Contrast Application: Feasibility for Visualization of Cerebral Arterial Vasculature
Authors: Saake Marc , Breuer Lorenz , Goelitz Philipp , Ott Sabine , Struffert Tobias , Doerfler Arnd 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe aim of our study was to evaluate flat detector computed tomography angiography with peripheral intravenous contrast material application (FD‐CTA) for visualization of cerebral arteries in comparison with intravenous multidetector computed tomography angiography (CTA) and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA).METHODSThe study was approved by the local institutional review board and informed consent was obtained by all participants. Ten patients underwent FD‐CTA, CTA, and DSA of the cerebral arterial vasculature for suspected cerebrovascular disease. The image data were evaluated by two readers in consensus for the visualization of cerebral arterial segments on a 5‐point scale (0 = vessel cannot be distinguished; 4 = excellent image quality). The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used for statistical analysis. Note that P < .05 was considered to indicate a significant difference.RESULTSThe depiction of cerebral arterial segments with FD‐CTA was significantly superior compared to CTA in most vessel segments (P < .05 in 20 of 23 anatomic regions) and was without significant difference compared with DSA in large and medium intracranial vessels.CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that the cerebral arteries can be visualized by FD‐CTA in high resolution, in many vessel segments comparable to DSA.
“Snake Fang” Sign without Carotid Stenosis on Duplex Ultrasonography Indicates High Risk of Artery‐to‐Artery Embolic Stroke
Authors: Tateishi Yohei , Tsujino Akira , Hamabe Jumpei , Tasaki Osamu , Morikawa Minoru , Hayashi Tomayoshi , Horie Nobutaka , Hayashi Kentaro , Suyama Kazuhiko , Nagata Izumi 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEArtery‐to‐artery embolism generally occurs in patients with not only moderate to severe arterial stenosis but also plaque vulnerability. Two unique cases with free‐floating thrombi at the distal side of the small plaque in the internal carotid artery without stenosis are presented and its clinical implications are discussed.RESULTSTwo middle‐aged men suffered embolic stroke. Initial duplex ultrasonography revealed small plaques and vortex flow without significant stenosis or plaque vulnerability in their internal carotid arteries. Continuous examination by duplex ultrasonography showed that free‐floating thrombi developed and regressed at the distal side of the small plaques. Histological examination disclosed plaque erosion at the distal side of the plaques without lipid core rupture.CONCLUSIONSIn these two cases, duplex ultrasonography revealed free‐floating thrombi developed at the distal region of small plaques. Aggressive treatment should be considered in a patient with thromboembolic stroke who has the small plaque presenting “snake fang” sign even if there is no stenosis or plaque vulnerability.
Retropharyngeal Ganglioneuroma: A Case Report
Authors: Yang Andrew I. , Ozsvath Jessica , Shukla Pratibha , Fatterpekar Girish M. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTGanglioneuromas are uncommon, benign, and highly differentiated tumors arising from sympathetic ganglia. Common sites for these tumors include the paraspinal region of the retroperitoneum and posterior mediastinum. We report a case of a retropharyngeal ganglioneuroma, a rare occurrence, emphasizing its key imaging characteristics.
Knowledge of medical imaging radiation dose and risk among doctors
Authors: Brown Nicholas , Jones Lee 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIntroductionThe growth of computed tomography (CT) and nuclear medicine (NM) scans has revolutionised healthcare but also greatly increased population radiation doses. Overuse of diagnostic radiation is becoming a feature of medical practice, leading to possible unnecessary radiation exposures and lifetime‐risks of developing cancer. Doctors across all medical specialties and experience levels were surveyed to determine their knowledge of radiation doses and potential risks associated with some diagnostic imaging.MethodsA survey relating to knowledge and understanding of medical imaging radiation was distributed to doctors at 14 major Queensland public hospitals, as well as fellows and trainees in radiology, emergency medicine and general practice.ResultsFrom 608 valid responses, only 17.3% correctly estimated the radiation dose from CT scans and almost 1 in 10 incorrectly believed that CT radiation is not associated with any increased lifetime risk of developing cancer. There is a strong inverse relationship between a clinician's experience and their knowledge of CT radiation dose and risks, even among radiologists. More than a third (35.7%) of doctors incorrectly believed that typical NM imaging either does not use ionising radiation or emits doses equal to or less than a standard chest radiograph.ConclusionKnowledge of CT and NM radiation doses is poor across all specialties, and there is a significant inverse relationship between experience and awareness of CT dose and risk. Despite having a poor understanding of these concepts, most doctors claim to consider them prior to requesting scans and when discussing potential risks with patients.
A Sucrose‐Mediated Sol–Gel Technique for the Synthesis of MgO–Y2O3 Nanocomposites
Authors: Iyer Aparna , Garofano Jacquelynn K.M. , Reutenaur Justin , Suib Steven L. , Aindow Mark , Gell Maurice , Jordan Eric H. 
Published: December 2012

A sucrose‐mediated aqueous sol–gel procedure was developed to synthesize MgO–Y2O3 nanocomposite ceramics for potential optical applications. The synthesis involves the generation of a precursor foam containing Mg2+ and Y3+ cations via the chemical and thermal degradation of sucrose molecules in aqueous solution. Subsequent calcination and crushing of the foam gave MgO–Y2O3 nanocomposites in the form of thin mesoporous flake‐like powder particles with uniform composition and surface areas of 27–85 m2 g−1, depending on calcination conditions. The flakes exhibited a homogeneous microstructure comprising intimately mixed nanoscale grains of the cubic MgO and Y2O3 phases. This microstructure was resistant to grain coarsening with average grain sizes of less than 100 nm for calcination temperatures of up to 1200°C. The results indicate that the sucrose‐mediated sol–gel process is a simple effective method for making nanoscale mixed oxides.
NdFeAsO1−xFx Superconductor – Impact of Fluorine Variation on Microstructure and Transport Properties
Authors: Aswathy Pillai Mohan , Anooja Jayakumari Babu , Syamaprasad Upendran 
Published: December 2012

Polycrystalline samples of NdFeAsO1−xFx (Nd1111) with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 were synthesized using a solid‐state method at ambient pressures. A maximum transition temperature (TC) of 52.0 K and a JC of 1050 A/cm2 at 12 K were observed for x = 0.3 and 0.4, respectively. The transport and magnetic properties observed for each stoichiometry have remarkable correlation with their corresponding structural and microstructural aspects. Moreover, the superconducting properties exhibited in this material, processed at a relatively low temperature of 1000°C, are competitive as compared to the existing reports wherein high pressures/temperatures are inevitable.
Reaction Sintering of HfC/W Cermets with High Strength and Toughness
Authors: Sun Shi‐Kuan , Zhang Guo‐Jun , Liu Ji‐Xuan , Zou Ji , Ni De‐Wei 
Published: December 2012

Hafnium carbide/tungsten (HfC/W) cermets were prepared by an in situ reaction sintering process, using hafnium oxide (HfO2) and tungsten carbide (WC) as the raw materials. The reaction path, densification behavior, microstructure development, and mechanical properties of the cermets were comprehensively investigated. It was found that WC decomposed to tungsten semicarbide (W2C) and tungsten (W) in sequence, and meanwhile HfC was formed by carbothermal reduction between HfO2 and as‐released carbon from the dissociation of WC. The solid solution formation between HfC and W during sintering was also studied. The obtained cermets (>98% TD) have a Vickers' hardness of 8.16 GPa, a fracture toughness of 14.45 MPa m1/2, and a high flexural strength of 1211 MPa.
Preparation, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of Nb4AlC3–Nb5(Si,Al)3 Composites
Authors: Zheng L.Y. , Wang J. Y. , Chen J. X. , Liu M. Y. , Sun Y. J. , Zhou Y. C. 
Published: December 2012

Niobium aluminum carbide (Nb4AlC3), as a member of the MAX phases, can retain its stiffness and strength up to over 1400°C, however, the strength at room temperature is relatively low. In this work, Nb5(Si, Al)3 was used to strengthen Nb4AlC3. Nb4AlC3–Nb5(Si, Al)3 composites with different amount of Nb5(Si, Al)3 were synthesized from the elemental powders by in situ hot‐pressing/solid–liquid reaction synthesis process. The RT flexural strength was significantly improved from 370 MPa of monolithic Nb4AlC3 to 432 MPa of Nb4AlC3‐15 vol% Nb5(Si, Al)3 composite without the degradation of its high‐temperature mechanical properties. While a slightly decrease in fracture toughness occurs with the increment of Nb5(Si, Al)3 content. Meanwhile, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations reveal that the interfaces between Nb4AlC3/Nb4AlC3, Nb4AlC3/Nb5(Si, Al)3, and Nb5(Si, Al)3/Nb5(Si, Al)3 are free of amorphous layers, which is also beneficial to its high‐temperature mechanical properties.
Nanostructured Solids from Freeze‐Dried Precursors: Multigram Scale Synthesis of TiO2‐Based Powders
Authors: Villanueva Regina , Gómez Andrés , Vie David , Martínez Eduardo , Beltrán Aurelio , Sapiña Fernando , Vila Jaume 
Published: December 2012

Nanocrystalline TiO2 and Ti1−xVxO2 (x = 0.01) powders have been prepared by thermal decomposition, in air, of amorphous precursors resulting from the freeze‐drying of appropriate solutions. In addition, TiO2−xNy (anatase and rutile) and TiOxNy (rock‐salt) have been prepared by thermal treatment in ammonia of a crystalline precursor (TiO2 obtained at 673 K). TEM and SEM images, as well as the analysis of the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, show the nanoparticulated character of those solids obtained at low temperatures, with typical particle sizes in the 10–20 nm range when prepared at 673 K. The UV–Vis results indicate both the insertion of V in the anatase lattice and the feasibility of nitridation at low temperatures. The photocatalytic properties of these materials (as prepared and after their incorporation to mortar samples) in the degradation of nitrogen oxides have been preliminary evaluated. Although N‐doping enhances the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 matrix, V‐doping worsens it.