bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth of Regional Acute Stroke Systems of Care in the United States in the First Decade of the 21st Century
Authors: Song Sarah , Saver Jeffrey 
Published: June 2012

Background and Purpose—
States and counties in the US began implementing regional systems of acute stroke care in the first decade of the 21st century, whereby emergency medical services systems preferentially route acute stroke patients directly to primary stroke centers. The pace, geographic range, and population reach of regional stroke system implementation has not been previously delineated.

Methods—
We performed a review of legislative archives, internet and media reports, consultation with American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Centers for Disease Control staff, and phone interviews with state public health and emergency medical service officials from each of the 50 states.

Results—
The first counties to adopt regional regulations supporting routing of acute stroke patients to primary stroke centers were in Alabama and Texas in 2000; the first states were Florida and Massachusetts in 2004. By 2010, 16 states had state-level legislation or regulations to enable emergency medical service routing to primary stroke centers, as did counties in 3 additional states. The US population covered by routing protocols increased substantially in the latter half of the decade, from 1.5% in 2000 to 53% of the US population by the end of 2010.

Conclusions—
The first decade of the 21st century witnessed a remarkable structural transformation in acute stroke care: by the end of 2010, over half of all Americans were living in states/counties with emergency medical service routing protocols supporting the direct transport of acute stroke patients to primary stroke centers. Additional efforts are needed to extend regional stroke systems of care to the rest of the US.
Conservation and divergence between cytoplasmic and muscle-specific actin capping proteins: insights from the crystal structure of cytoplasmic Cap32/34 from Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Eckert Christian , Goretzki Agnieszka , Faberova Maria , Kollmar Martin 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
Capping protein (CP), also known as CapZ in muscle cells and Cap32/34 in Dictyostelium discoideum, plays a major role in regulating actin filament dynamics. CP is a ubiquitously expressed heterodimer comprising an α- and β-subunit. It tightly binds to the fast growing end of actin filaments, thereby functioning as a “cap” by blocking the addition and loss of actin subunits. Vertebrates contain two somatic variants of CP, one being primarily found at the cell periphery of non-muscle tissues while the other is mainly localized at the Z-discs of skeletal muscles.

Results
To elucidate structural and functional differences between cytoplasmic and sarcomercic CP variants, we have solved the atomic structure of Cap32/34 (32 = β- and 34 = α-subunit) from the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium at 2.2 Å resolution and compared it to that of chicken muscle CapZ. The two homologs display a similar overall arrangement including the attached α-subunit C-terminus (α-tentacle) and the flexible β-tentacle. Nevertheless, the structures exhibit marked differences suggesting considerable structural flexibility within the α-subunit. In the α-subunit we observed a bending motion of the β-sheet region located opposite to the position of the C-terminal β-tentacle towards the antiparallel helices that interconnect the heterodimer. Recently, a two domain twisting attributed mainly to the β-subunit has been reported. At the hinge of these two domains Cap32/34 contains an elongated and highly flexible loop, which has been reported to be important for the interaction of cytoplasmic CP with actin and might contribute to the more dynamic actin-binding of cytoplasmic compared to sarcomeric CP (CapZ).

Conclusions
The structure of Cap32/34 from Dictyostelium discoideum allowed a detailed analysis and comparison between the cytoplasmic and sarcomeric variants of CP. Significant structural flexibility could particularly be found within the α-subunit, a loop region in the β-subunit, and the surface of the α-globule where the amino acid differences between the cytoplasmic and sarcomeric mammalian CP are located. Hence, the crystal structure of Cap32/34 raises the possibility of different binding behaviours of the CP variants toward the barbed end of actin filaments, a feature, which might have arisen from adaptation to different environments.
Flexibility in thermoregulatory physiology of two dunnarts, Sminthopsis macroura and Sminthopsis ooldea (Marsupialia; Dasyuridae)
Authors: Tomlinson Sean , Withers Philip C. , Maloney Shane K. 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY
Stripe-faced dunnarts (Sminthopsis macroura) and Ooldea dunnarts (S. ooldea) were acclimated for 2 weeks to ambient temperature (Ta) regimes of 12–22°C, 18–28°C and 25–35°C, and then measured for standard, basal (BMR) and maximum (MMR) metabolic rate using flow-through respirometry. Sminthopsis macroura maintained a stable body temperature under all experimental Ta and acclimation regimes. Although its BMR was not statistically different between the three acclimation regimes, the lower end of the thermoneutral zone (TNZ) shifted from 30°C under the 18–28°C and 12–22°C acclimation regimes to 35°C under the 25–35°C acclimation regime. MMR increased significantly at the cooler acclimation regimes. EWL increased at Ta=35°C, compared with lower Ta, in all acclimation regimes, but an increase in evaporative water loss (EWL) at Ta=10°C observed in cool acclimations did not occur at the 25–35°C regime. In contrast, S. ooldea had variable body temperature between experimental Ta in all acclimation regimes, but no acclimational shift in TNZ, which was between 30 and 35°C. Neither BMR nor MMR was affected by exposure to the three acclimation regimes. EWL did not change across Ta or with acclimation regime. Sminthopsis macroura was flexible in many aspects of its thermoregulation (involving energy and water balance) in response to thermal acclimation, presumably allowing it to balance its energy and water requirements over a broad range of climatic conditions. Sminthopsis ooldea seems to have an inflexible energetic and water balance in response to thermal acclimation, but has low nominal expenditure of either resource on thermoregulation because it thermoregulates less precisely than S. macroura. It seems that S. ooldea is adapted to a more narrow, stable climate.
Recognition of variable courtship song in the field cricketGryllus assimilis
Authors: Vedenina Varvara Yu. , Pollack Gerald S. 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYWe analyzed the courtship song of the field cricket Gryllus assimilis. The song comprises two elements: groups of ca. 10 pulses (chirps) with low fundamental frequency (3.5–3.7 kHz) alternating with high-frequency (15-17 kHz) pulses (ticks) that usually occur as doublets. Some elements of courtship song are quite variable (high coefficient of variation) both within and between males, whereas others are more stereotypical. In experiments with playback of synthesized courtship songs, we studied the importance of several song parameters for mating success, which we evaluated as the probability with which females mounted muted, courting males. Altering some features that show little variability, such as chirp-pulse rate or carrier frequency of ticks, resulted in significant decreases in mounting frequency, consistent with the notion that trait values showing little variability are constrained by stabilizing selection exerted by females. However, alteration of one invariant trait, the occurrence of both song components, by omitting either component from test songs only slightly affected female responsiveness. Alteration of a variable song trait, the number of ticks per song phrase, had no effect on female response rate, thus failing to provide support for the idea that variable traits provide a substrate for sexual selection. An unusual characteristic feature of the song of G. assimilis is that chirp pulses often contain substantial high-frequency power, and indeed may entirely lack power at the fundamental frequency. Playback experiments showed that such songs are, nevertheless, behaviorally effective. To understand the neural basis for this, we recorded the responses of the two principal ascending auditory interneurons of crickets, AN1 and AN2. Our results suggest that the frequency selectivity of the neurons is sufficiently broad to tolerate the spectral variability of courtship chirps.
Survival of heat stress with and without heat hardening inDrosophila melanogaster: interactions with larval density
Authors: Arias Leticia N. , Sambucetti Pablo , Scannapieco Alejandra C. , Loeschcke Volker , Norry Fabian M. 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYSurvival of a potentially lethal high temperature stress is a genetically variable thermal adaptation trait in many organisms. Organisms cope with heat stress by basal or induced thermoresistance. Here, we tested quantitative trait loci (QTL) for heat stress survival (HSS) in Drosophila melanogaster, with and without a cyclic heat-hardening pre-treatment, for flies that were reared at low (LD) or high (HD) density. Mapping populations were two panels of recombinant inbred lines (RIL), which were previously constructed from heat stress-selected stocks: RIL-D48 and RIL-SH2, derived from backcrosses to stocks of low and high heat resistance, respectively. HSS increased with heat hardening in both LD and HD flies. In addition, HSS increased consistently with density in non-hardened flies. There was a significant interaction between heat hardening and density effects in RIL-D48. Several QTL were significant for both density and hardening treatments. Many QTL overlapped with thermotolerance QTL identified for other traits in previous studies based on LD cultures only. However, three new QTL were found in HD only (cytological ranges: 12E–16F6; 30A3–34C2; 49C–50C). Previously found thermotolerance QTL were also significant for flies from HD cultures.
Modeling and Simulation of a Parabolic Trough Power Plant
Authors: Silva Jo ao P. , Castro Rui 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIn Portugal, the increase in the production of electricity based on renewable energy sources has been achieved based mainly on hydro and wind resources. The sun has been underexploited so far. The Portuguese territory presents high levels of solar radiation, and thus it is urged to find solutions that take advantage of this widely recognized fact. In this context, it is important to come forward with concentrated solar power systems as an option. The most mature of these technologies is the parabolic trough. The purpose of this paper is to report the outcomes of a study concerning a parabolic trough power plant, with thermal storage. This paper aims to present a model of a parabolic trough power plant, including the associated thermal storage system, to validate it against results reported in the literature and to build up a simulator enabling the assessment of the performance of the plant for several locations in the Portuguese territory. Based on the obtained results, some conclusions regarding the behavior of the system are drawn.
On a Submerged Device with Controlled Dynamics for Efficient Wave Energy Conversion
Authors: Korde Umesh A. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis paper investigates a fully submerged, symmetric, three-dimensional wave energy device utilizing two phenomena: (i) under certain conditions, a submerged fixed circular disc has the effect of focusing the incident wave field so that considerable energy concentration can occur over a region behind the disc center; and (ii) the dynamic interaction of two stiffness-coupled bodies causes the oscillation amplitude of one of the bodies to be nearly zero in harmonic forcing at a certain frequency. The goal of the paper is to examine whether the combined effect of (i) and (ii) enables high efficiency energy conversion, in particular with the application of active control to extend the effect (ii) to a range of frequencies. The work reported here considers a three-body device where controlled dynamic interaction between two of the bodies holds one nearly fixed, so as (a) to enable the focusing effect in (i), and to provide a stationary reference for energy absorption via oscillations of the third body. The paper also discusses the control approach used, and evaluates performance results based on a simple analytical model. An appreciable enhancement of the `bandwidth' of efficient energy absorption is observed with control.
Fabrication and properties of poly(L-lactide)/hydroxyapatite/chitosan fiber ternary composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Zhao Jianhao , Luo Chunhong , Han Wanqing , Tu Mei , Zeng Rong , Cha Zhengang , Zhou Changren 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
A ternary composite scaffold of poly(L-lactide)/hydroxyapatite/chitosan fibers was fabricated for bone tissue engineering. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that hydroxyapatite particles and chitosan fibers in microscale uniformly distributing in poly(L-lactide) matrix not only increased the mechanical property but also prevented the crack and platelet formation on the pore surface of poly(L-lactide) matrix at cooling. The X-ray diffraction peak intensity of poly(L-lactide) component decrease may be due to the presence of hydroxyapatite particles and chitosan fibers as the crystal nuclei that led to the crystallinity decrease of poly(L-lactide). The in vitro degradation test showed that the degradation of poly(L-lactide) was resisted by enhancing the chitosan fiber content. The bone mesenchymal stem cell culture indicated that the composite scaffolds promoted the attachment and proliferation of cells, which would likely attach to and stretch along the chitosan fibers. Therefore, this ternary composite scaffold will be a promising matrix material for bone tissue engineering.
Influence of X-ray opaque BaSO4 nanoparticles on the mechanical, thermal and rheological properties of polyoxymethylene nanocomposites
Authors: Romero-Ibarra Issis C. , Bonilla-Blancas Elizabeth , Sánchez-Solís Antonio , Manero Octavio 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
This work evaluates the influence of a radiopaque reinforcement, barium sulfate (BaSO4), on the mechanical, rheological and thermal properties of polyoxymethylene (POM). Nanocomposites of POM containing spherical nanoparticles of BaSO4 (0, 1, 2, 3 phr) were obtained by melt extrusion in a twin-screw equipment followed by injection molding. The mechanical, thermal and rheological properties of these nanocomposites and the dispersion state of the particles were investigated. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed the morphology of the products. The main objective of this work is the production of nanocomposites with sulfate concentration enough to acquire radiopaque properties while maintaining the mechanical properties of the matrix. In this regard, mechanical and rheological properties were found similar to those of the polymer matrix, but radiopaque contrast tests revealed the influence of the nanoparticles concentration on the optical properties of the composites. The production of these nanocomposites suggests potential applications in the biomedical sector given their unique radio-opacity properties.
Dielectric and magnetic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride polymer composites highly loaded with nickel
Authors: Sirisathitkul Chitnarong , Jantaratana Pongsakorn , Muensit Nantakan 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIn this work, electroactive polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was a matrix for dispersing 10 wt% ferromagnetic nickel (Ni) particles. The composites were formed into its shape by using a spin coater with varying spinning speeds from 750 to 3750 rpm to obtain the thicknesses between 68 μm and 40 μm on printed circuit board substrates. Magnetic hysteresis loops of the composites were dependent on the spinning speed because the spin regulated the dispersion and size distribution of Ni particles in the PVDF matrix. Owing to the Ni agglomeration, the composites prepared by 750, 1500 and 2250 rpm spinning clearly displayed soft ferromagnetic properties but the capacitance was decreased with the decrease in spinning speed. In every sample, the capacitance was reduced with the increase in frequency from 1 kHz to 100 kHz and remained minimal up to 1 MHz. These changes in capacitance can be explained by the polarization of surface charges of Ni clusters of varying sizes from different spinning speeds. The dissipation factor was, by contrast, sensitive to the frequency and the dispersion of Ni only at frequencies higher than 60 kHz.
The Face of Disorder: a Note on Hos 3,4
Authors: Kruger Paul A. 
Published: June 2012

In the history of Hosean exegesis the passage in 3,1–5 has always been problematic for interpreters. The significance of the announcement in Hos 3,4 is typically touched on very briefly and usually an exilic or post-exilic historical context is sought to fit the details. This short note approaches the evidence in v. 4 from an intertextual and intercultural angle. It argues that the declaration should not be taken at face value, as a reference to »historical« conditions, but that it should rather be regarded as a literary topos portraying a scenario of the utmost disorder.
Dans l’histoire de l’interprétation du livre d’Osée, la péricope 3,1–5 a toujours posé problème. On n’a pas assez noté la référence à l’annonce de 3,4, et on suppose habituellement un contexte historique de la fin de l’époque exilique,ou même l’époque post exilique, pour en expliquer les détails. Cette brève étude aborde le v. 4 d’un point de vue intertextuel et interculturel. Il en ressort que l’expression ne peut être prise au premier degré, c-à-d. comme référence à des circonstances »historiques« précises, mais qu’il s’agit d’un topos littéraire destiné à décrire le scénario d’un désordre extrême.
In der Geschichte der Auslegung des Buches Hosea war die Stelle 3,1–5 für die Exegeten immer problematisch. Auf die Bedeutung der Ankündigung in Hos 3,4 wird meist nur kurz eingegangen und üblicherweise wird ein historischer Kontext aus der Zeit des Exils oder nach dem Exil herangezogen, um die Details zu erklären. Dieser kurze Aufsatz betrachtet den Beleg in V. 4 aus einem intertextuellen und interkulturellen Blickwinkel. Es wird dabei argumentiert, daß die Aussage nicht für bare Münze genommen, also als Hinweis auf »geschichtliche « Gegebenheiten, sondern daß sie als literarischer Topos gesehen werden soll, der ein Szenario von äußerster Unordnung beschreibt.
The Lexicon of LXX Canticles and Greco-Roman Papyri
Authors: De Crom Dries 
Published: June 2012

This study presents the results of a selective inquiry into the lexicon of LXX Canticles in contrast with papyri from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The aim is both to illustrate how papyrological sources may help our understanding of Greek texts from the Septuagint corpus, and to evaluate earlier findings on the lexicon of LXX Canticles and their implications for the provenance of this translation.
Cette étude présente les résultats d’un sondage sur le lexique du Cantique des Cantiques selon les LXX, par rapport aux sources papyrologiques d’époque ptolémaïque et romaine. Elle se propose d’illustrer combien la compréhension des textes LXX peut profiter des sources papyrologiques, et en même temps d’évaluer d’autres recherches sur le lexique du Cantique grec et leurs implications pour les origines de cette traduction.
Diese Studie präsentiert die Ergebnisse einer selektiven Untersuchung zum Wortschatz des Hohenlieds in der LXX im Vergleich mit Papyri aus der Ptolemäer- und Römerzeit. Ziel ist es, sowohl zu zeigen, wie papyrologische Quellen unserem Verständnis griechischer Texte der Septuaginta helfen können, als auch ältere Untersuchungsergebnisse zum Wortschatz des Hohenlieds in der LXX und deren Folgerungen über die Herkunft dieser Übersetzung kritisch zu bewerten.
In vitro inhibition of HBV replication by a novel compound, GLS4, and its efficacy against adefovir-dipivoxil-resistant HBV mutations
Authors: Wang Xue-Yan , Wei Zhen-Man , Wu Guo-Yi , Wang Jiang-Hua , Zhang Ying-Jun , Li Jing , Zhang Heng-Hui , Xie Xing-Wang , Wang Xian , Wang Zhao-He , Wei Lai , Wang Yu , Chen Hong-Song 
Published: June 2012

Background HBV infection continues to be an important worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality. Patients with chronic hepatitis B can be successfully treated using nucleoside/nucleotide analogues. However, drug-resistant HBV mutants frequently arise, leading to treatment failure and progression to liver disease. Here, we report the effects of GLS4, a non-nucleosidic inhibitor that exhibits a novel and highly specific anti-HBV activity. Methods The median inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of GLS4 on HBV were measured by Southern blotting. HBV capsid and core protein levels were detected by immunoblotting. To determine the antiviral activity of GLS4 against adefovir dipivoxil (ADV)-resistant HBV mutants, HepG2 cells transiently transfected with PUC-HBV1.2 plasmids that contained one of three major ADV-resistant mutations (rtA181T, rtA181V and rtN236T) were treated with GLS4. Intracellular HBV replicative intermediates were detected by Southern blotting. The effect on the in vitro assembly of HBV capsid protein was examined using dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Results The IC50 of GLS4 was 0.012 μM, which is significantly lower than that of lamivudine (0.325 μM). Immunoblot analysis of HepG2.2.15 cells and transiently transfected HepG2 cells indicated that GLS4 treatment interfered with the formation of core particles (assembly). The ADV-resistant HBV mutant strains were also sensitive to GLS4. Upon examining the in vitro assembly of HBV core protein 149 by electron microscopy, increased aberrant particles were observed after GLS4 treatment. Conclusions GLS4 is a new and unique potential anti-HBV agent that possesses a different mechanism of action than existing therapeutic drugs.
The Wage Premium of Foreign Ownership: Evidence from European Mergers and Acquisitions
Authors: Oberhofer Harald , Stöckl Matthias , Winner Hannes 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe authors provide evidence on the impact of foreign ownership on labor market outcomes analyzing pay differences between foreign-acquired and domestically owned firms. For this purpose, they use firm-level data from 16 European countries over the time period 1999–2006. Combing propensity score matching techniques with difference-in-differences (DID) estimators the authors estimate positive wage premia of cross-border merger and acquisitions (M&As), suggesting that foreign-acquired firms exhibit higher short-run (postacquisition) wage growth than their domestic counterparts. The observed wage disparities are most pronounced for low paying firms (with average wages below the median) which are typically located in Eastern European transition economies.