bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Child eating behavior outcomes of an early feeding intervention to reduce risk indicators for child obesity: The NOURISH RCT
Authors: Daniels Lynne Allison , Mallan Kimberley Margaret , Battistutta Diana , Nicholson Jan Maree , Meedeniya Josephine Emma , Bayer Jordana Kim , Magarey Anthea 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveThe objective was to describe parent‐reported child eating behavior and maternal parenting impact outcomes of an infant feeding intervention to reduce child obesity risk.MethodsAn assessor masked Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with concealed allocation of individual mother–infant dyads. The NOURISH RCT enrolled 698 first‐time mothers (mean age 30.1 years, SD = 5.3) with healthy term infants (51% female) aged 4.3 months (SD = 1.0) at baseline. Outcomes were assessed 6 months post‐intervention when the children were 2 years old. Mothers reported on child eating behaviors using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), food preferences, and dietary intake using a 24‐hour telephone recall. Parenting was assessed using five scales validated for use in Australia.ResultsIntervention effects were evident on the CEBQ overall (MANOVA P = 0.002) and 4/8 subscales: child satiety responsiveness (P = 0.03), fussiness (P = 0.01), emotional overeating (P < 0.01), and food responsiveness (P = 0.06). Intervention children “liked” more fruits (P < 0.01) and fewer non‐core foods and beverages (P = 0.06, 0.03). The intervention mothers reported greater “autonomy encouragement” (P = 0.002).ConclusionsAnticipatory guidance on protective feeding practices appears to have modest positive impacts on child eating behaviors that are postulated to reduce future obesity risk.
Predictors of health‐related quality of life in 500 severely obese patients
Authors: Warkentin Lindsey M. , Majumdar Sumit R. , Johnson Jeffrey A. , Agborsangaya Calypse B. , Rueda‐Clausen Christian F. , Sharma Arya M. , Klarenbach Scott W. , Birch Daniel W. , Karmali Shahzeer , McCargar Linda , Fassbender Konrad , Padwal Raj S. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo characterize health‐related quality of life (HRQL) impairment in severely obese subjects, using several validated instruments.MethodsA cross‐sectional analysis of 500 severely obese subjects was completed. Short‐Form (SF)‐12 [Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) component summary scores], EuroQol (EQ)‐5D [Index and Visual Analog Scale (VAS)], and Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL)‐Lite were administered. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to identify independent predictors of HRQL.ResultsIncreasing BMI was associated with lower PCS (−1.33 points per 5 kg/m2 heavier; P < 0.001), EQ‐index (−0.02; P < 0.001), EQ‐VAS (−1.71; P = 0.003), and IWQOL‐Lite (−3.72; P = 0.002), but not MCS (P = 0.69). The strongest predictors (all P < 0.005) for impairment in each instrument were: fibromyalgia for PCS (−5.84 points), depression for MCS (−7.49 points), stroke for EQ‐index (−0.17 points), less than full‐time employment for EQ‐VAS (−7.06 points), and coronary disease for IWQOL‐Lite (−10.86 points). Chronic pain, depression, and sleep apnea were associated with reduced HRQL using all instruments.ConclusionThe clinical impact of BMI on physical and general HRQL was small, and mental health scores were not associated with BMI. Chronic pain, depression, and sleep apnea were consistently associated with lower HRQL.
Inflammatory biomarker pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in relation to obesity, body fat depots and weight loss
Authors: Witasp Anna , Carrero Juan Jesús , Michaëlsson Karl , Ahlström Håkan , Kullberg Joel , Adamsson Viola , Risérus Ulf , Larsson Anders , Helmersson‐Karlqvist Johanna , Lind Lars , Stenvinkel Peter , Ärnlöv Johan 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveThe relation between inflammatory markers, adiposity and disease is under extensive study. Here we tested the hypothesis that the immunomodulatory protein pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is associated with adiposity in the general population.MethodsSerum PTX3 concentrations, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and fat depots, as quantified by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, were assessed in three community‐based cohorts: ULSAM, n = 790, mean age 78 years; PIVUS, n = 1003, mean age 70 years, women 50%; and the NORDIET‐trial, n = 86, mean age 53 years, women 63%. Participants were re‐examined after 5 years (PIVUS, n = 804) or following a 6‐week randomized controlled dietary intervention (NORDIET).ResultsPTX3 levels were inversely associated with BMI and WC as well as with total and visceral fat (P < 0.05 for all; adjusted for age, inflammatory biomarkers and cardiovascular risk factors). The association between PTX3 and BMI appeared even stronger in nonobese individuals. A decrease in BMI over 5 years as well as weight loss following the NORDIET intervention were associated with increased serum PTX3 concentrations (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThese consistent data support an inverse association between circulating PTX3 and anthropometrical measures, calling for further mechanistic studies of the link between PTX3 and fat.
Breath acetone to monitor life style interventions in field conditions: An exploratory study
Authors: Samudrala Devasena , Lammers Gerwen , Mandon Julien , Blanchet Lionel , Schreuder Tim H.A. , Hopman Maria T. , Harren Frans J.M. , Tappy Luc , Cristescu Simona M. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo assess whether breath acetone concentration can be used to monitor the effects of a prolonged physical activity on whole body lipolysis and hepatic ketogenesis in field conditions.MethodsTwenty‐three non‐diabetic, 11 type 1 diabetic, and 17 type 2 diabetic subjects provided breath and blood samples for this study. Samples were collected during the International Four Days Marches, in the Netherlands. For each participant, breath acetone concentration was measured using proton transfer reaction ion trap mass spectrometry, before and after a 30‐50 km walk on four consecutive days. Blood non‐esterified free fatty acid (NEFA), beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BOHB), and glucose concentrations were measured after walking.ResultsBreath acetone concentration was significantly higher after than before walking, and was positively correlated with blood NEFA and BOHB concentrations. The effect of walking on breath acetone concentration was repeatedly observed on all four consecutive days. Breath acetone concentrations were higher in type 1 diabetic subjects and lower in type 2 diabetic subjects than in control subjects.ConclusionsBreath acetone can be used to monitor hepatic ketogenesis during walking under field conditions. It may, therefore, provide real‐time information on fat burning, which may be of use for monitoring the lifestyle interventions.
Cigarette smoking and obesity are associated with decreased fat perception in women
Authors: Pepino Marta Yanina , Mennella Julie A. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveSmoking and obesity are independently associated with high consumption of high‐fat foods in women. We tested whether the co‐occurrence of smoking and obesity associates with reduced oral fat perception.MethodsFour groups of women (14 obese smokers, 11 obese never‐smokers, 10 normal‐weight smokers, 12 normal‐weight never‐smokers) rated vanilla puddings that varied in fat content for perceived intensity of creaminess and sweetness, using the general Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS), and degree of pleasantness, using the hedonic gLMS. To determine the role of retronasal smell, subjects rated puddings with and without noseclips.ResultsFor all groups, perception of creaminess grew with increasing fat concentrations; puddings with any amount of fat were perceived as sweeter than fat‐free pudding, and sweetness was enhanced when tasted without noseclips. Overall, obese smokers perceived less creaminess, sweetness, and pleasure while tasting the puddings than did the other three groups (all P values < 0.02).ConclusionThe ability to perceive fat and sweetness in and derive pleasure from foods is particularly compromised in obese women who smoke, which could contribute to excess calorie intake in this population already at high risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Retronasal olfaction appears not to contribute to blunted flavor perception observed in obese smokers.
Modelling photovoltaic modules with neural networks using angle of incidence and clearness index
Authors: Piliougine Michel , Elizondo David , Mora‐López Llanos , Sidrach‐de‐Cardona Mariano 
Published: January 2014

AbstractA neural network for modelling photovoltaic modules using angle of incidence and clearness index is proposed. Engineers require methods to estimate the output of a photovoltaic plant depending on meteorological conditions. Therefore, models for the grid inverter and the generator must be provided, and their outputs must be combined. The connection between both models is related to the maximum power point of the generator and how it is tracked by the inverter. That maximum power point under specific conditions of irradiance and module temperature is determined by the I–V curve of the module, which must be simulated under those conditions. Algebraic procedures were used to simulate the I–V curve. Recently, neural networks have been used for the same purpose. Previous methods only take into account the irradiance and the module temperature. The model proposed is based on neural networks, and it uses not only the irradiance and the module temperature but also the angle of incidence and the instantaneous clearness index as additional inputs. The normalised clearness replaces the standard clearness index because it allows the removal of the hourly trend found in this last index. This new model improves the results obtained with previous ones as it can distinguish amongst samples with the same solar irradiance and temperature values but with different angle of incidence and instantaneous clearness index. Results show that this model could be used to improve the accuracy of the tools used to forecast the output of photovoltaic plants. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atomistic mechanisms of huntingtin N‐terminal fragment insertion on a phospholipid bilayer revealed by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Côté Sébastien , Wei Guanghong , Mousseau Normand 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThe huntingtin protein is characterized by a segment of consecutive glutamines (QN) that is responsible for its fibrillation. As with other amyloid proteins, misfolding of huntingtin is related to Huntington's disease through pathways that can involve interactions with phospholipid membranes. Experimental results suggest that the N‐terminal 17‐amino‐acid sequence (httNT) positioned just before the QN region is important for the binding of huntingtin to membranes. Through all‐atom explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations, we unveil the structure and dynamics of the httNTQN fragment on a phospholipid membrane at the atomic level. We observe that the insertion dynamics of this peptide can be described by four main steps—approach, reorganization, anchoring, and insertion—that are very diverse at the atomic level. On the membrane, the httNT peptide forms a stable α‐helix essentially parallel to the membrane with its nonpolar side‐chains—mainly Leu‐4, Leu‐7, Phe‐11 and Leu‐14—positioned in the hydrophobic core of the membrane. Salt‐bridges involving Glu‐5, Glu‐12, Lys‐6, and Lys‐15, as well as hydrogen bonds involving Thr‐3 and Ser‐13 with the phospholipids also stabilize the structure and orientation of the httNT peptide. These observations do not significantly change upon adding the QN region whose role is rather to provide, through its hydrogen bonds with the phospholipids' head group, a stable scaffold facilitating the partitioning of the httNT region in the membrane. Moreover, by staying accessible to the solvent, the amyloidogenic QN region could also play a key role for the oligomerization of httNTQN on phospholipid membranes. Proteins 2014; 82:1409–1427. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two promising alkaline β-glucosidases isolated by functional metagenomics from agricultural soil, including one showing high tolerance towards harsh detergents, oxidants and glucose
Authors: Biver Sophie , Stroobants Aurore , Portetelle Daniel , Vandenbol Micheline 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
New β-glucosidase activities were identified by screening metagenomic libraries constructed with DNA isolated from the topsoil of a winter wheat field. Two of the corresponding proteins, displaying an unusual preference for alkaline conditions, were selected for purification by Ni-NTA chromatography. AS-Esc6, a 762-amino-acid enzyme belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 3, proved to be a mesophilic aryl-β-glucosidase with maximal activity around pH 8 and 40 °C. A similar pH optimum was found for AS-Esc10, a 475-amino-acid GH1-family enzyme, but this enzyme remained significantly active across a wider pH range and was also markedly more stable than AS-Esc6 at pH greater than 10. AS-Esc10 was found to degrade cellobiose and diverse aryl glycosides, with an optimal temperature of 60 °C and good stability up to 50 °C. Unlike AS-Esc6, which showed a classically low inhibitory constant for glucose (14 mM), AS-Esc10 showed enhanced activity in the presence of molar concentrations of glucose. AS-Esc10 was highly tolerant to hydrogen peroxide and also to sodium dodecyl sulfate, this being indicative of kinetic stability. This unique combination of properties makes AS-Esc10 a particularly promising candidate whose potential in biotechnological applications is worth exploring further.
Enzymatic Production of Cocoa Butter Equivalents High in 1‐Palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐3‐stearin in Continuous Packed Bed Reactors
Authors: Kim Sohee , Kim In‐Hwan , Akoh Casimir C. , Kim Byung Hee 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis study aimed to optimize the lipase‐catalyzed transesterification of high oleic sunflower oil (A) with a mixture of ethyl palmitate and ethyl stearate (B) to produce cocoa butter equivalents with a weight ratio of 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐3‐stearoyl‐rac‐glycerol (POS) to total symmetric monounsaturated triacylglycerols (SMUT) that is similar to that of cocoa butter by response surface methodology. The reaction was performed in a continuous packed bed reactor, using 0.45 g of Lipozyme RM IM as the biocatalyst. The effects of temperature (Te), residence time (RT), substrate molar ratio (SR, B/A), and water content (WC) of the substrates on the composition of reaction products were elucidated using the models established. Optimal reaction conditions for maximizing total SMUT and POS contents while minimizing the levels of diacylglycerol formation and acyl migration were: Te, 60 °C; RT, 28.5 min; SR, 8.5; WC, 300 mg/kg. The contents of total SMUT, POS, and diacylglycerol in the reaction products and the content of palmitoyl and stearoyl residues at the sn‐2 position of triacylglycerols in the products were 52.0, 25.1, 9.4, and 4.8 %, respectively, under these conditions. Successful scale‐up of the reaction was achieved under the optimal conditions, using 5 g of the lipase. A silver‐ion high performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the products obtained by the larger scale reaction contained 49.1 % total SMUT and 6.1 % of their positional isomers.
The role of chemical policy in improving supply chain knowledge and product safety
Authors: Scruggs Caroline E. , Ortolano Leonard , Schwarzman Megan R. , Wilson Michael P. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Although the US government has made important improvements in chemical management since the 1970s, these advances have not kept pace with scientific knowledge about chemical hazards. While US federal chemical policy reform is being debated for the first time since 1976, some US businesses have voluntarily sought to improve their knowledge of chemical hazards in their supply chains, and several US states, the European Union, China, and other countries have moved forward with chemical policy reforms. Until policy reforms occur in the USA, the US chemical market will continue to experience problems associated with poor information on hazardous chemicals in supply chains. These market conditions make it difficult for consumer product companies to identify hazards and create safer products. Results from interviews with consumer product company representatives demonstrate that challenges in obtaining chemical-related information exist across sectors, and information on chemical hazards and uses can be conflicting, protected by trade secrets, lost in supply chains, or nonexistent. Interview results illustrate how some consumer product companies are exceeding regulatory requirements by voluntarily restricting from their products chemicals that could harm human health or the environment. Understanding the motivations behind—and barriers to—these actions could inform efforts to modernize US chemicals policies in ways that promote effective chemical management in supply chains. Using examples from the European Union and some US states, we introduce policy suggestions that would increase knowledge, market transparency, and information flows regarding hazardous chemicals and their uses; these would support the efforts of companies to develop and market safer products.
0.5 V inverter‐based ultra‐low‐power, low‐noise VGA for medical ultrasound probes
Authors: Wang P. , Halvorsrød T.M. , Ytterdal T. 
Published: January 2014

An inverter‐based ultra‐low‐power, low‐noise, single‐ended to differential continuous‐time variable gain amplifier is presented for 2–6 MHz second harmonic cardiac imaging ultrasound probes in a 65 nm CMOS technology. The proposed variable gain amplifier (VGA) consists of three equal inverters and resistor arrays which form a feedback loop. To improve both the power and noise performances, the inverters operate in the sub‐threshold region by adopting a 0.5 V supply voltage. By doubling the input transconductance of the VGA, the noise figure (NF) is enhanced further. The 6‐b thermometer resistor arrays achieve a gain range of the VGA from 0 to 22 dB. The total power consumption is 55 μW, NF is 2.7 dB referred to an 8 kΩ source resistor at a centre frequency of 4 MHz. 8‐b thermometer calibration codes are added into the inverters to force the static operating point of the inverters to half of the supply voltage, which could increase the immunity of the second harmonic distortion (HD2) to the process variation. The HD2 of the proposed VGA is −60.6 dB at the 330 mV peak‐to‐peak output swing. The active size is 154 × 102 μm.
Dual active bridge synchronous chopper control strategy in electronic power transformer
Authors: Zhang Rui , Wang Dan , Mao Chengxiong , Lu Jiming , Yang Jiawei , Yi Yang , Chen Xun , Zhang Junfeng 
Published: January 2014

The electronic power transformer (EPT) is a novel transmission and transformation device, which consists of a series connection of two voltage‐source H‐bridge converters and a DC–DC converter with high‐frequency isolation transformer. When applied to microgrids, EPT will not only deliver energy to loads from the utility grid but also inject some amount of excess power into the utility grid. Hence, the capability of bidirectional power flow is important for EPT, which depends on the DC‐link stage. The traditional synchronous chopper control for a dual active bridge (DAB) converter has some limitations in the application of bidirectional power flow area. This study proposes a novel synchronous chopper control strategy for the DAB converter to implement bi‐direction power flow, details the basic principle and steady‐state operation and presents the mathematical derivations. A three‐phase three‐stage circuit configuration of 10 kV/400 V bi‐direction EPT system based on the novel control DAB converter is designed, and corresponding control schemes for the system are discussed. The performance of this EPT system is validated by the MATLAB/Simulink‐based simulations and the laboratory prototype experiments.
Static contact angle algorithm selection for superhydrophobic surface hydrophobicity detection
Authors: Xu Zhiniu 
Published: January 2014

The static contact angle calculation for superhydrophobic surfaces is systematically investigated. The water drop profiles with different volumes, contact angles, rotational angles and apex coordinates are numerically generated based on the Laplace equation. Thereafter, the goniometry, θ/2 method, circle and ellipse fitting algorithms and an improved axisymmetric drop shape analysis‐profile (ADSA‐P) algorithm are used to calculate the static contact angle. The results reveal that the contact angle errors by the θ/2 method, circle and ellipse fitting algorithms increase with the drop volume/contact angle. The goniometry will introduce significant error. The ADSA‐P algorithm can accurately obtain the contact angles (error < 0.3°) for the drop profiles regardless of the water drop volume, contact angle, rotational angle and apex coordinate. The ADSA‐P algorithm should be selected to calculate the static contact angles for the superhydrophobic surfaces. Static contact angle measurements of the superhydrophobic surfaces validate the aforementioned analysis.
SnS nanostructures prepared by simple film technique: catalyst‐free vacuum thermal evaporation
Authors: Li Jin , Wang Shengfeng , Jian Jikang , Sun Yanfei , Xu Jinbao 
Published: January 2014

SnS nanostructures were synthesised by simple vacuum thermal evaporation without any catalysts using tin chips and sulphur as the starting materials. The morphology was characterised by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) equipped with a high‐resolution TEM. It was found that the as‐prepared products were mostly tube shaped with a uniform geometry. The length of the nanostructures was several μm, the outer diameter and the thickness of the tubes was about 40–70 and 10–20 nm, respectively. The phase was analysed by X‐ray diffraction and confirmed that the as‐prepared products were of the orthorhombic phase. The photoluminescence spectra showed two emission bandcentres at 555.4 nm (2.24 eV) and at 785.0 nm (1.58 eV), which indicates that the SnS nanostructures could be used to prepare visible or an infrared light emitter or other optical devices.
myFX: a turn-key software for laboratory desktops to analyze spatial patterns of gene expression in Drosophila embryos
Authors: Montiel Ivan , Konikoff Charlotte , Braun Bremen , Packard Mary , Gramates Sian L. , Sun Qian , Ye Jieping , Kumar Sudhir 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Summary: Spatial patterns of gene expression are of key importance in understanding developmental networks. Using in situ hybridization, many laboratories are generating images to describe these spatial patterns and to test biological hypotheses. To facilitate such analyses, we have developed biologist-centric software (myFX) that contains computational methods to automatically process and analyze images depicting embryonic gene expression in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. It facilitates creating digital descriptions of spatial patterns in images and enables measurements of pattern similarity and visualization of expression across genes and developmental stages. myFX interacts directly with the online FlyExpress database, which allows users to search thousands of existing patterns to find co-expressed genes by image comparison.
Availability and implementation: myFX is freely available at http://www.flyexpress.net.
Contact: s.kumar@asu.edu