bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beta and alpha cell function in metabolically healthy but obese subjects: Relationship with entero‐insular axis
Authors: Calanna Salvatore , Piro Salvatore , Di Pino Antonino , Maria Zagami Rose , Urbano Francesca , Purrello Francesco , Maria Rabuazzo Agata 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjective:Obesity is widely acknowledged as a critical risk factor for metabolic complications. Among obese subjects, there is a phenotype of metabolically healthy but obese (MHO) individuals that shows a favorable cardiometabolic risk profile. We aimed to evaluate the potential mechanisms underlying the metabolic profile of this subset, including alpha and beta cell function and entero‐insular axis.Design and Methods:One hundred twenty‐nine obese and 24 nonobese subjects were studied. Obese participants were defined as MHO or at‐risk obese, according to the homeostasis model of assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index (MHO: lower tertile of HOMA‐IR, n = 43; at‐risk: upper tertile of HOMA‐IR index, n = 41). Insulin, glucagon, and incretin responses after a 120′ oral glucose tolerance test (75‐g OGTT) were investigated.Results:During OGTT, MHO individuals showed in comparison with at‐risk subjects: lower fasting and afterloads plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and C‐peptide; higher disposition index; lower fasting (P = 0.004) and at 30′ (P = 0.01) plasma glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) levels; lower area under the curve (AUC) (0‐30) for GIP (P = 0.008); higher glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) plasma levels at 90′ (P = 0.02) and 120′ (P = 0.02); lower glucagon plasma levels at baseline (P = 0.04) and at 30′ (P = 0.03); and appropriate glucagon suppression after the oral glucose load.Conclusions:MHO subjects show, as well as normal‐weight individuals, a lower diabetogenic profile by virtue of higher disposition index and unaffected entero‐insular axis. At‐risk obese individuals present increased GIP levels that might play a role in determining increased glucagon secretion and inappropriate glucagon responses after glucose load, thus contributing to impaired glucose homeostasis.
The relationship of C‐reactive protein to obesity‐related depressive symptoms: A longitudinal study
Authors: Daly Michael 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjective:Obesity has been shown to produce a state of systematic low‐grade inflammation that may have detrimental neuropsychiatric effects.Design and Methods:Longitudinal associations between obesity, inflammation, and depressive symptoms amongst a cohort of older English adults over 4 years of follow‐up were examined. Participants were 3,891 obese and nonobese people drawn from the English longitudinal study of ageing (ELSA) [aged 64.9 (SD = 8.8) years, 44.6% men]. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and after 4 years of follow‐up using the eight‐item center for epidemiological studies—depression scale (CES‐D).Results:Approximately 26.3% (N = 1,025) of the sample were categorized as obese at baseline. Obesity at baseline was associated with elevated levels of depressive symptoms at follow‐up (P < 0.001), in analyses that adjusted for depression levels at baseline and sociodemographic and background variables including the prevalence of permanent illness/disability, alcohol consumption, sedentary behavior, and smoking. In addition, C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations at baseline were independently associated with CES‐D depression scores at follow‐up (P = 0.008) in fully adjusted analyses. Subsequent mediation analyses revealed that CRP levels explained ∼20% of the obesity‐related longitudinal change in depression scores.Conclusion:These data suggest that chronic inflammation may be a key determinant of depressive symptoms in obesity.
Family‐based hip‐hop to health: Outcome results
Authors: Fitzgibbon Marian L. , Stolley Melinda R. , Schiffer Linda , Kong Angela , Braunschweig Carol L. , Gomez‐Perez Sandra L. , Odoms‐Young Angela , Van Horn Linda , Christoffel Katherine Kaufer , Dyer Alan R. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjective:This pilot study tested the feasibility of Family‐Based Hip‐Hop to Health, a school‐based obesity prevention intervention for 3–5‐year‐old Latino children and their parents, and estimated its effectiveness in producing smaller average changes in BMI at 1‐year follow‐up.Design and Methods:Four Head Start preschools administered through the Chicago Public Schools were randomly assigned to receive a Family‐Based Intervention (FBI) or a General Health Intervention (GHI).Results:Parents signed consent forms for 147 of the 157 children enrolled. Both the school‐based and family‐based components of the intervention were feasible, but attendance for the parent intervention sessions was low. Contrary to expectations, a downtrend in BMI Z‐score was observed in both the intervention and control groups.Conclusions:While the data reflect a downward trend in obesity among these young Hispanic children, obesity rates remained higher at 1‐year follow‐up (15%) than those reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009–2010) for 2–5‐year‐old children (12.1%). Developing evidence‐based strategies for obesity prevention among Hispanic families remains a challenge.
International Research Partnerships in Occupational Therapy: A Canadian–Zambian Case Study
Authors: Njelesani Janet , Stevens Marianne , Cleaver Shaun , Mwambwa Lombe , Nixon Stephanie 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe country of Zambia's Sixth National Development Plan includes many objectives related to participation and health that align with values underlying occupational therapy. Given this link, occupational therapy research has the potential to advance the Sixth National Development Plan and thereby enhance the participation and health of Zambians. However, there is neither a school of occupational therapy nor many occupational therapists working in Zambia. Using an example of a global research partnership between Canadian occupational therapy researchers and Zambian researchers, this paper examines the partnership using four criteria for global health research in order to derive lessons for future occupational therapy research partnerships. Implications for future occupational therapy research partnerships include the need for partners to combine their complementary skills and knowledge so that they may collaborate in mutually beneficial ways to address global health challenges and expand the reach of occupational therapy perspectives. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of novel copolyamide charring agents on flame‐retarded polypropylene
Authors: Yang Bin , Liu Heng , He Bobing , Leng Jinhua , Chen Xian 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this article, two novel copolyamide charring agents, ES‐6 and M‐170, were served as charring agents or synergist with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and dipentaerythritol (DPER) for the flame‐retarded polypropylene (PP). The flame‐retardant system was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), tensile strength, Izod impact strength, thermogravimetric analyses, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Compared with polyamide 6 (PA6), ES‐6 and M‐170 had better dispersion and compatibility in the PP matrix and enhanced mechanical properties. Meanwhile, as low melting point polyamides, ES‐6 and M‐170 could decrease processing temperature and effectively inhibit side reaction, especially the degradation of APP. In addition, the synergistic effect between ES‐6 and DPER was also investigated. The results showed that the synergistic system containing ES‐6 had better flame retardancy and mechanical performance in comparison with the system only using DPER or the system containing PA6. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Surface‐grafting of ground rubber tire by poly acrylic acid via self‐initiated free radical polymerization and composites with epoxy thereof
Authors: Yagneswaran Sriram , Storer William J. , Tomar Neetu , Chaur Manuel N. , Echegoyen Luis , Smith Dennis W. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractCommercially available recycled ground rubber tire (GRT) particles, found to contain persistent mechano‐free radicals confirmed by electron paramagnetic spectroscopy for the first time self‐initiates free radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA). The poly acrylic acid (PAA) grafted GRT (PAA‐g‐GRT) was confirmed by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Epoxy composites using the PAA‐g‐GRT as filler were prepared and their mechanical properties were studied. The PAA‐g‐GRT/epoxy composite showed higher mechanical properties with an increase of modulus up to 180% as compared with the neat GRT/epoxy composite. Surface morphology of GRT, neat GRT/epoxy, and PAA‐g‐GRT/epoxy composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. This technology introduces a new concept to functional and reactive recycling and the cost effective utilization of renewable resource green materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Discordant results between fetal karyotyping and non‐invasive prenatal testing by maternal plasma sequencing in a case of uniparental disomy 21 due to trisomic rescue
Authors: Pan Min , Li Fa Tao , Li Yan , Jiang Fu Man , Li Dong Zhi , Lau Tze Kin , Liao Can 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTUniparental disomy (UPD) is an uncommon chromosome condition, but UPD involving chromosome 21 is rarely reported. We reported here a case who had first trimester screening test for Down syndrome, chorionic villus sampling for fetal karyotyping, quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF‐PCR), as well as non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) by maternal plasma sequencing. There were discordant results between fetal karyotyping and NIPT due to UPD 21combined with confined placental mosaicism of trisomy 21. This demonstrated that it is possible to detect placental mosaicism by NIPT, but further studies are required to confirm its sensitivity. Therefore, all positive NIPT results must be confirmed by conventional invasive test and karyotyping. QF‐PCR has the additional benefit in diagnosing UPD. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solvent‐assisted anionic ring opening polymerization of glycidol: Toward medium and high molecular weight hyperbranched polyglycerols
Authors: ul‐haq Muhammad Imran , Shenoi Rajesh A. , Brooks Donald E. , Kizhakkedathu Jayachandran N. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTHyperbranched polyglycerols (HPGs) are globular structures with a large number of functionalizable hydroxyl groups and have excellent in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility profiles comparable to polyethylene glycol. This work introduces a facile method for the synthesis of medium molecular weights (Mws) (50–300 kDa) HPGs, which has been difficult to synthesize with low polydispersity, with the assistance of solvents by ring opening polymerization. The influence of different solvents (1,4‐dioxane, tetrahydropyran (THP), ethylene glycol diethyl ether (EGDE) and decane), solvent to glycidol ratio, concentration of glycidol and the time of polymerization on Mw and polydispersity of HPGs has been studied. The Mw and polydispersity of HPGs are significantly affected by the nature of the polymerization phase (homogeneous or heterogeneous) and chemical structure of the solvent. The differences in the solvation of the potassium cations and change in the nucleophilicity of the alkoxide anion in various solvents may be responsible for the changes in Mw and PDI of the HPG. The Mw of the HPG decreases in the order 1,4‐dioxane > THP > EGDE >decane. The microstructure, solution and thermal properties of the HPG do not depend on the nature of solvent. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2614–2621
Remaking a Bargain: The Political Logic of the Minimum Wage in the United States
Authors: Gitterman Daniel P. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis essay explores how political processes shaped the origins and development of the federal minimum wage in the United States, attempting to impose an order and logic on that process. It offers an analytically grounded narrative that abstracts from the historical details and interprets a broad sweep of outcomes between the New Deal and the present. Rather than identifying only the preferences of the ardent minimum wage supporters (and opponents), I identify those members of an enacting coalition (including the president) or veto players whose preferences had to be taken into account for a minimum wage bargain to be struck. For each episode, the analytical narrative identifies the coalition that made the minimum wage agreement—the members of Congress among whom a bargain was struck and codified into legislation, plus (usually) the president. The narrative also determines the nature of the compromise that enabled members of an enacting coalition to adopt an increase in the minimum wage. In each instance, policymakers were “heirs” before they were choosers: The heavy hand of later New Deal history shaped subsequent political choices.
Effects of Ar–N2–O2 Microwave Plasma on Poly‐L‐Lactic Acid Thin Films Designed for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Chichti Emna , Henrion Gerard , Cleymand Franck , Jamshidian Majid , Linder Michel , Arab‐Tehrany Elmira 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPoly‐lactic acid (PLA) is the most used biopolymer in both biomedical and food packaging fields to replace petrochemical plastics. The surface properties of PLA thin films were studied before and after plasma treatment to enhance its wettability and its adhesive properties. Based on the experimental design, the most significant parameters of the plasma process were specified. The effect of the cold plasma treatment on the mechanical, topographic composition, thermal and barrier properties of the PLA was carried out using different Ar–N2–O2 gas mixture. Results show that the discharge gas can have a significant influence on the chemical composition and the wettability of the PLA surfaces. As the plasma processing is a surface treatment without affecting the bulk properties, it did not change the PLA properties. magnified image
Rural Outmigration, Natural Capital, and Livelihoods in South Africa
Authors: Hunter Lori M. , Nawrotzki Raphael , Leyk Stefan , Maclaurin Galen J. , Twine Wayne , Collinson Mark , Erasmus Barend 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTRural households across the globe engage in both migration and natural resource use as components of livelihood strategies designed to meet household needs. Yet, migration scholars have only recently begun to regularly integrate environmental factors into empirical modelling efforts. To examine the migration‐environment association in rural South Africa, we use vegetation measures derived from satellite imagery combined with detailed demographic data from over 9000 households at the Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance Site. Results reveal that household‐level temporary migration is associated with higher levels of local natural capital, although no such association exists for permanent migration. Further, more advantaged households exhibit a stronger association between migration‐environment, in‐line with the ‘environmental capital’ hypothesis, suggesting that natural resource availability can facilitate household income diversification. We argue that a focus on migration's environmental aspects is especially timely in the contemporary era of climate change and that natural capital availability and variability represent critical pieces of the empirical migration puzzle, especially regarding cyclical livelihood migration. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical properties of InGaN‐based LEDs investigated using high hydrostatic pressure dependent techniques
Authors: Crutchley B. G. , Marko I. P. , Pal J. , Migliorato M. A. , Sweeney S. J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractHigh pressure electroluminescence (EL) measurements were carried out on blue and green emitting InGaN‐based light emitting diodes (LEDs). The weak pressure coefficient of the peak emission energy of the LEDs is found to increase with increasing injection current. Such behaviour is consistent with an enhancement of the piezoelectric fields under high pressure which become increasingly screened at high currents. A subsequent increase in the quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) is expected to cause a reduction of the light output power as pressure is applied at a fixed low current density (∼10 A cm−2). A similar proportional reduction of light output power as pressure is applied at a fixed high current density (260 A cm−2) suggests that there is a non‐radiative loss process in these devices which is relatively insensitive to pressure. Such behaviour is shown to be consistent with a defect‐related recombination process which increases with increasing injection.
Order–disorder processes in adamantine ternary ordered‐vacancy compounds
Authors: Manjón F. J. , Gomis O. , Vilaplana R. , Sans J. A. , Ortiz H. M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAdamantine ternary ordered‐vacancy compounds (OVCs) of the AB2X4 family derive from the zincblende structure of binary AX compounds and share many properties with the chalcopyrite‐type ternary ABX2 compounds. AB2X4 mainly crystallize in the defect chalcopyrite (or thiogallate) structure but also in other vacancy‐ordered phases, like the defect stannite (DS, or defect famatinite) and the pseudocubic (PC) structures, where vacancies occupy a fixed Wyckoff site in an ordered and stoichiometric fashion. Order–disorder phase transitions have been studied in several adamantine OVCs at high temperatures and/or pressures, where OVCs undergo a phase transition to a disordered zincblende (DZ) structure on increasing temperature and to a disordered rocksalt (DR) structure on increasing pressure. It has been suggested that these order–disorder transitions should undergo via intermediate phases of partial disorder between the fully ordered phases and the fully disordered phases. In this work we study the different possible intermediate phases of partial disorder and discuss the possibility to find them with the help of vibrational spectroscopies, like Raman scattering or infrared measurements.
AlGaAs anode heterojunction PIN diodes
Authors: Boles T. , Brogle J. , Hoag D. , Carlson D. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper describes the development of a heterojunction AlGaAs/GaAs PIN diode as a revolutionary improvement as compared to the homojunction GaAs PIN diode commonly used in microwave systems for commercial and military applications. In a heterojunction device the injected carriers from the junction are confined by the bandgap discontinuity between the AlGaAs/GaAs layers. This confinement effectively reduces the series resistance within the I‐region of a PIN diode. Simulations of both single and double heterojunction PIN diodes predict a significant improvement in the return loss and insertion loss as compared to an equivalent GaAs PIN structure. In particular, the single heterojunction PIN diode, when simulated at a bias of 10 mA, indicates a factor of two reduction in high frequency insertion loss. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High voltage GaN‐on‐silicon HEMT
Authors: Boles T. , Varmazis C. , Carlson D. , Palacios T. , Turner G. W. , Molnar R. J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractM/A‐COM Technology Solutions has continued in the joint development efforts sponsored by the Department of Energy with MIT main campus and MIT Lincoln Labs to develop GaN on silicon three terminal high voltage/high current HEMT switching devices. The first year developmental goals were for a three terminal structure that has a reverse breakdown characteristic of >1200 V and is capable of switching 10 amperes of current. An average three terminal breakdown of 1322 V was achieved on a single finger 250 µm GaN on silicon HEMT device utilizing a source connected field plate with a 4.5 µm drain region overlap. An individual device breakdown on a single finger 250 µm GaN on silicon HEMT device with a SCFP of >1630 V was measured at a current of 250 µA (1mA/mm) – One of the highest yet reported for GaN on silicon in the industry. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Graphene: A Platform for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Xu Weigao , Mao Nannan , Zhang Jin 
Published: March 2013

AbstractSurface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) imparts Raman spectroscopy with the capability of detecting analytes at the single‐molecule level, but the costs are also manifold, such as a loss of signal reproducibility. Despite remarkable steps having been taken, presently SERS still seems too young to shoulder analytical missions in various practical situations. By the virtue of its unique molecular structure and physical/chemical properties, the rise of graphene opens up a unique platform for SERS studies. In this review, the multi‐role of graphene played in SERS is overviewed, including as a Raman probe, as a substrate, as an additive, and as a building block for a flat surface for SERS. Apart from versatile improvements of SERS performance towards applications, graphene‐involved SERS studies are also expected to shed light on the fundamental mechanism of the SERS effect.
Brückenbauwerke mit stählernen Überbauten im Zuge der BAB A 9 zwischen Schkeuditzer Kreuz und Anschlußstelle Weißenfels
Authors: Fiedler E. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDie in dem Bereich des Autobahnabschnittes der BAB A 9 zwischen Schkeuditzer Kreuz und der Anschlußstelle Weißenfels gelegenen stählernen Autobahnbrücken wurden in beiden Bauabschnitten unterschiedlich ausgebildet. Bei dem ersten Bauabschnitt wurden die auf sekundären stählernen Längsträgern aufliegenden Stahlbetonplatten durch orthotrope Platten ersetzt, die auf die Obergurte der Hauptträger aufgeschweißt worden sind. Bei dem zweiten Bauabschnitt wurden wegen der größeren Querschnittsbreite der Autobahn neue stählerne Überbauten mit orthotroper Platte ausgeführt. Bei einer 180 m langen Talbrücke wurde ein einzelliger stählerner Hohlkasten in Verbundbauweise hergestellt.
Plastische Grenztragfähigkeit des Rechteckquerschnittes unter zweiachsiger Biegung und Normalkraft
Authors: Saal H. , Hornung U. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractFür den Rechteckquerschnitt unter zweiachsiger Biegung und Normalkraft werden die Interaktionsbeziehungen für die Ermittlung der plastischen Grenztragfähigkeit hergeleitet. Die Interaktionsbeziehungen werden als Formeln angegeben, deren Gültigkeitsgrenzen ebenfalls durch Formeln beschrieben und graphisch dargestellt werden. Aus dieser Darstellung läßt sich eine Näherungsbetrachtung herleiten, mit der sich die Interaktion noch einfacher beschreiben läßt, die aber vor allem die Anwendung der Interaktionsbeziehungen auch in den Fällen rechtfertigt, in denen anstelle der vollplastischen Biegemomente nur das 1,25fache der elastischen Grenzmomente eingesetzt werden darf.
Tragendes Glas
Authors: Hess R. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDer Werkstoff Glas ist in den letzten Jahren zu einem sehr wichtigen und verbreiteten Baustoff geworden. Nachdem Glas bis dahin in erster Linie als transparentes raumabschließendes Element verwendet wird, erfolgt in jüngster Zeit vermehrt der Einsatz als eigentliches Tragelement. In einer Einführung werden die verschiedenen Glassorten sowie Spezialgläser näher beschrieben. Diese Einführung ist sowohl für den Architekten als auch für den Bauingenieur interessant. Es wird auch kurz auf die Bemessung von Glas eingegangen, indem die gegenwärtige Technik aufgezeigt wird und Hinweise auf neuere Methoden gegeben werden. Ferner wird auf den Entwurf von europäischen Normen eingegangen. Nach einer Umschreibung des Begriffs tragendes Glas anhand des Eurocodes 1 werden einige Beispiele von Bauten, wo tragendes Glas Verwendung findet, beschrieben. Es sind Objekte, an denen der Autor selbst mitgewirkt hat.