bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subcutaneous adipose cell size and distribution: Relationship to insulin resistance and body fat
Authors: McLaughlin T. , Lamendola C. , Coghlan N. , Liu T.C. , Lerner K. , Sherman A. , Cushman S.W. 
Published: May 2013

ObjectiveMetabolic heterogeneity among obese individuals may be attributable to differences in adipose cell size. We sought to clarify this by quantifying adipose cell size distribution, body fat, and insulin‐mediated glucose uptake in overweight to moderately‐obese individuals.MethodsA total of 148 healthy nondiabetic subjects with BMI 25‐38 kg/m2 underwent subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies and quantification of insulin‐mediated glucose uptake with steady‐state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentrations during the modified insulin suppression test. Cell size distributions were obtained with Beckman Coulter Multisizer. Primary endpoints included % small adipose cells and diameter of large adipose cells. Cell‐size and metabolic parameters were compared by regression for the whole group, according to insulin‐resistant (IR) and insulin‐sensitive (IS) subgroups, and by body fat quintile.ResultsBoth large and small adipose cells were present in nearly equal proportions. Percent small cells was associated with SSPG (r = 0.26, P = 0.003). Compared to BMI‐matched IS individuals, IR counterparts demonstrated fewer, but larger large adipose cells, and a greater proportion of small‐to‐large adipose cells. Diameter of the large adipose cells was associated with % body fat (r = 0.26, P = 0.014), female sex (r = 0.21, P = 0.036), and SSPG (r = 0.20, P = 0.012). In the highest versus lowest % body fat quintile, adipose cell size increased by only 7%, whereas adipose cell number increased by 74%.ConclusionsRecruitment of adipose cells is required for expansion of body fat mass beyond BMI of 25 kg/m2. Insulin resistance is associated with accumulation of small adipose cells and enlargement of large adipose cells. These data support the notion that impaired adipogenesis may underlie insulin resistance.
Synthesis of vinyl end‐capped polydimethylsiloxane by ring opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) catalyzed by rare earth solid super acid SO42‐/TiO2/Ln3+
Authors: Yang Xiongfa , Shao Qian , Fang Qing , Yang Linlin , Cao Cheng , Ren Zhaohui , Wu Lianbin , Lai Guoqiao , Han Gaorong 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRare earth solid super acids SO42−/TiO2/Ln3+ have been successfully developed to synthesize vinyl end‐capped polydimethylsiloxane by ring opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) end‐capped with 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl‐1,3‐divinyldisiloxane. The features of ring opening polymerization reactions have been investigated in detail. The preferable conditions for the ring opening polymerization of D4 are as follows: [Nd3+] = 0.07 mol L−1 and [SO42−] = 1.85 mol L−1 in the immersing solution; the amount of SO42−/TiO2/Nd3+ calcined at 500 °C was 5 wt% of the amount of D4; polymerization at 80 °C for 1 h. The average molecular weights of the products obtained using various rare earth catalysts were in order Nd > La > Sm > Gd, which shows that the light rare earths were more favorable for higher molecular weight products than the heavy ones. According to the polymerization features, a cationic equilibrium reaction mechanism is proposed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Biohybrid nanogels
Authors: Singh Smriti , Möller Martin , Pich Andrij 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTBiohybrid nanogels are crosslinked colloidal networks that consist of biological and synthetic polymers as building blocks. Such polymer colloidal particles attracted much attention in recent years mainly due to their outstanding properties and huge application potential that by far overcome classical nanogels or microgels prepared from water‐soluble synthetic polymers. In this report, we review recent developments on the synthesis and properties of biohybrid nanogels. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3044–3057
Effects of graphene and carbon nanotube fillers on the shear properties of epoxy
Authors: Sydlik Stefanie A. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTThe effects of quantity of graphene and carbon nanotube‐based fillers and their pendant functional groups on the shear properties of a thermoset epoxy were investigated. Two novel functionalized graphenes, one with epoxy functionality and the other with an amine, are synthesized for this purpose. Nanocomposites are prepared at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 wt % and the effects of functionalization on the homogeneity of dispersion and the shear mechanical properties are investigated. The properties of the epoxy nanocomposites containing epoxy‐ and amine‐functionalized graphene are compared with those containing graphene oxide, Claisen‐functionalized graphene, neat multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), three types of epoxy‐functionalized MWNT (EpCNT), and the unfilled epoxy. One of the EpCNT (EpCNT3) was found to increase the plateau shear storage modulus by 136% (1.67–3.94 MPa) and the corresponding loss modulus by almost 400% at a concentration of 10 wt %. Several other fillers were also found to increase shear properties at certain concentrations. A hybrid system of EpCNT3 and graphite was also studied, which improved the storage modulus by up to 51%. SEM images reveal a correlation between thorough dispersion of the additive and enhancement of shear modulus. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 997–1006
Effects of gamma irradiation and 15 days of subsequent ex vivo storage on the cytosolic red blood cell proteome analyzed by 2D‐DIGE and Orbitrap MS
Authors: Walpurgis Katja , Kohler Maxie , Thomas Andreas , Wenzel Folker , Geyer Hans , Schänzer Wilhelm , Thevis Mario 
Published: May 2013

PurposeGamma irradiation of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates is routinely used to prevent transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease. So far, the effects of ionizing radiation on RBC structure and function and especially the proteome are not fully understood.Experimental designRBC concentrates were irradiated with 30 Gy and stored for 1 or 15 days at 4 ± 2°C. Following cell lysis and hemoglobin depletion, 2D‐DIGE was used to examine the changes of the cytosolic RBC proteome. Significantly altered spots were analyzed using bottom‐up proteomic approaches and selected marker proteins validated by western blotting.ResultsGamma irradiation was found to enhance conventional RBC storage lesions. Following 15 days of postirradiation storage, the abundances of a total of 27 spots were significantly altered and 3 out of 13 identified proteins were selected and validated as potential marker proteins for the assessment of irradiation‐induced cytosolic RBC lesions.Conclusions and clinical relevanceGamma irradiation and subsequent ex vivo storage according to the Council of Europe guidelines were found to affect RBC protein structures. The validated marker proteins can serve as a basis for the development of a screening assay to monitor the quality of irradiated RBC concentrates during ex vivo storage.
Optical second harmonic generation in TlMeX2 (Me=In,Ga,X=S,Se,Te)
Authors: Araki Yoshito , Asaba Ryo , Wakita Kazuki , Shim YongGu , Mimura Kojiro , Mamedov Nazim 
Published: May 2013

AbstractOptical second harmonic generation (SHG) has been studied in TlMeX2 (Me=In,Ga, X=S,Se,Te) compounds with layered and chain crystalline structures. For layered TlInS2 and TlGaSe2, SHG signal has been observed in a range of temperatures below the point of phase transition into ferroelectric phase for which asymmetry is prominent. On the other hand, the chain TlInSe2 and TlGaTe2 have shown SHG signal at a temperature above 270 and 293K, respectively. Both the TlInSe2 and TlGaTe2 have symmetry centre at room temperature and second order optical non‐linearity is an artefact incompatible with their bulk structure. Surface structure is speculated to be responsible for SHG signal observed in these materials for the first time to our knowledge. The details of temperature behaviour of SHG in TlInSe2 and TlGaTe2lead to a phase‐transition based model for explanation of the observed phenomenon. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The evolution of an MCS over southern England. Part 1: Observations
Authors: Clark P. A. , Browning K. A. , Morcrette C. J. , Blyth A. M. , Forbes R. M. , Brooks B. , Perry F. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObservations are described of a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) with a cold pool which propagated across southern England on 25 August 2005. The observations were made as part of the Convective Storm Initiation Project (CSIP).The observed MCS structure broadly followed well‐established theories, including the presence of a weak rear‐inflow jet. In detail, however, unsteady transitions occurred involving the formation of two distinct lines of showers ahead of the initial linear system. In each case the cold pool merged with cold downdraughts from the new showers leading to a discontinuous propagation of the system. One of these lines formed independently of the MCS, very probably on a sea‐breeze convergence line. The mechanism for formation of the other is unknown, but it is possible that it was triggered by ascent associated with gravity waves generated by the MCS. The merged cold pool was deeper and colder and propagated faster than the original system, eventually forming a bow echo and arc cloud as it propagated across the English Channel. Until completion of the merger, the propagation velocity of the overall system had been controlled by a combination of the above mechanisms rather than simply by cold pool dynamics.
The evolution of an MCS over southern England. Part 2: Model simulations and sensitivity to microphysics
Authors: Clark P. A. , Browning K. A. , Forbes R. M. , Morcrette C. J. , Blyth A. M. , Lean H. W. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSimulations using the Met Office Unified Model at 1 km horizontal grid spacing of a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) with a cold pool which propagated across southern England on 25 August 2005 are validated using detailed observations from the Convective Storm Initiation Project (CSIP). Early organisation of the system is not especially well treated, but the model goes on to form a system which developed qualitative and quantitative features remarkably similar to the observations.A sensitivity study suggests that the initial linear system is driven by the position of a low‐level ‘lid’ and upper‐level instability, the linear organisation being promoted by a weak rear‐inflow jet forced by the upper‐level warm anomaly in the cloud anvil. A weak cold pool develops in the absence of ice‐phase processes, but this does not promote system propagation. Strengthening and descent of the rear‐inflow jet, and acceleration of the system, is promoted by the additional heating through glaciation and cooling through snow evaporation. The surface cold pool and gust front are further strengthened by snow melting and rainfall evaporation. With ice‐phase processes present, the cold pool strengthens as a result of the system development and its strength is broadly correlated with system propagation speed during the middle phase of the system's lifetime. Propagation enables the convective band to ‘sweep up’ any convective cells which trigger ahead of the system.The differing scales of microphysical processes means that it is difficult to form a steady‐state system. The observed transition phase corresponds to an increase in the slantwise nature of the flow in the storm and in the low‐level cooling by rainfall evaporation near the gust front, combined with a change in ambient conditions (advection over the sea) which eventually enable the cold pool to propagate ahead of the system.
Modelling the diurnal cycle of tropical convection across the ‘grey zone’
Authors: Pearson K. J. , Lister G. M. S. , Birch C. E. , Allan R. P. , Hogan R. J. , Woolnough S. J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe present the results of simulations carried out with the Met Office Unified Model at 12, 4 and 1.5 km resolution for a large region centred on West Africa using several different representations of the convection processes. These span a range of resolutions from much coarser than the size of the convection processes to cloud‐system‐resolving and thus encompass the intermediate ‘grey zone’. The diurnal cycle in the extent of convective regions in the models is tested against observations from the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget instrument on Meteosat‐8. By this measure, the two best‐performing simulations are a 12 km model without convective parametrization, using Smagorinsky‐style subgrid‐scale mixing in all three dimensions, and a 1.5 km simulation with two‐dimensional Smagorinsky mixing. Of these, the 12 km model produces a better match to the magnitude of the total cloud fraction but the 1.5 km one results in better timing for its peak value. The results suggest that the previously reported improvement in the representation of the diurnal cycle of convective organization in the 4 km model compared with the standard 12 km configuration is principally a result of the convection scheme employed rather than the improved resolution per se. The details of this result and implications for high‐resolution model simulations are discussed.
Cu Nanoclusters with Aggregation Induced Emission Enhancement
Authors: Jia Xiaofang , Li Jing , Wang Erkang 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA facile and versatile method for preparing water‐soluble, stable, luminescent Cu nanoclusters (NCs) via the process of size‐focusing etching from nonluminescent nanocrystals is presented. Using glutathione as a model ligand, the smallest cluster, Cu2, is selectively synthesized to form a nearly monodisperse product, eliminating the need for tedious size fractionation. Evolution of photoluminescence and absorption spectra reveal that the formation of stable cluster species occurs through surface etching. Intriguingly, the as‐prepared CuNCs exhibit an aggregation‐induced emission enhancement effect. The CuNCs emit a faint light when dispersed in aqueous solution, but generate a striking fluorescence intensity enhancement upon aggregation. Armed with these attractive properties, the emissive CuNCs are expected to open new opportunities for the construction of light‐emitting diodes, chemosensors, and bioimaging systems.
The SCORE Scale: A Coronal Mass Ejection Typification System Based On Speed
Authors: Evans Rebekah M. , Pulkkinen Antti A. , Zheng Yihua , Leila Mays M. , Taktakishvili Aleksandre , Kuznetsova Maria M. , Hesse Michael 
Published: May 2013

Key PointsA simple new category system for CMEs based on frequency of detection and speedApplicable in space weather operations and research
Agenesis of the fetal corpus callosum: sonographic signs change with advancing gestational age
Authors: Paladini D. , Pastore G. , Cavallaro A. , Massaro M. , Nappi C. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess the presence and degree of indirect signs of agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) according to gestational age and determine the percentage of cases in which each sign is present by 24 gestational weeks.MethodsWe analyzed retrospectively 54 cases of ACC which underwent three‐dimensional neurosonography at our unit between January 2005 and December 2012. A single examination was available in 48 cases and six cases were followed up longitudinally, giving a total of 69 examinations. The following variables were assessed: indication for referral, karyotype, width of the atrium and presence/absence of colpocephaly, the cavum septi pellucidi, dorsal cyst and additional central nervous system (CNS) and non‐CNS anomalies.ResultsOverall, there were 31 cases of complete ACC (cACC, 42 examinations) and 23 cases of partial ACC (pACC, 27 examinations). The mean gestational age was lower in the cases referred because of anomalies other than ACC than it was in those referred because of ventriculomegaly and/or suspicion of ACC (P < 0.05). Atrial width showed a positive linear correlation with advancing gestational age (P < 0.0001); it was < 10.0 mm in 25/34 (73.5%) examinations < 24 gestational weeks and in 9/35 (25.7%) ≥ 24 weeks (P < 0.001). Colpocephaly was present in 20.6% (7/34) of examinations < 24 weeks and in 68.6% (24/35) of those after 23 weeks (P < 0.05). The cavum septi pellucidi was present and visible at least in part in 17 (63%) of the 27 pACC examinations. In nine of the 27 (33.3%) pACC examinations, there was neither ventriculomegaly nor absence of the cavum septi pellucidi. Associated anomalies were present in 25/54 (46.3%) cases, and in 11 these included or consisted of CNS abnormalities. Karyotype was abnormal in seven of the 40 (17.5%) cases in which it was available.ConclusionsIn a significant proportion of cases, most of the indirect signs of ACC are either absent or barely visible at the time of the midtrimester screening ultrasound examination. Therefore, ACC may escape diagnosis at midtrimester screening ultrasound. In particular, a third of examinations in fetuses with pACC may not show any abnormality in the transventricular screening view < 24 weeks. The medicolegal implications of such findings are important and should be considered. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Arabin cervical pessary in women at high risk of preterm birth: a magnetic resonance imaging observational follow‐up study
Authors: Cannie M. M. , Dobrescu O. , Gucciardo L. , Strizek B. , Ziane S. , Sakkas E. , Schoonjans F. , Divano L. , Jani J. C. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo help elucidate the mechanism of action of the Arabin cervical pessary in pregnancies at high risk for preterm delivery.MethodsCervical length and uterocervical angle were evaluated in relation to gestational age in 198 pregnancies not at high risk for preterm birth that underwent clinical fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additionally, in 73 singleton pregnancies at high risk for preterm birth, an Arabin cervical pessary was placed at 14–33 weeks' gestation. We performed MRI of the cervix immediately before and after placement and at monthly follow‐up until removal of the pessary. In a subgroup of 54 pregnancies with a short cervix and pessary placement at 17–31 weeks' gestation, the uterocervical angle and cervical length at follow‐up were compared with the preplacement values.ResultsIn pregnancies not at high risk for preterm birth, the uterocervical angle did not vary, but cervical length showed a significant decrease with gestational age (r = −0.15, P < 0.05). Among the high‐risk patients, the cervical pessary was successfully placed at first attempt in 60 (82.2%) and by the second attempt in 66 (90.4%), remaining well positioned until removal. In five patients we failed to place the pessary after two attempts, in one patient the pessary dislodged during follow‐up and in one case the pessary was partly placed in the external cervical canal and triggered labor the next day. Among the subgroup of 54 patients, the median uterocervical angle immediately after pessary placement was significantly more acute than that prior to placement in the 46 (85.2%) who delivered after 34 weeks (132° vs 146°, P < 0.01), but was unchanged in the eight patients who delivered before 34 weeks (143° vs 152°, P > 0.05).ConclusionIn patients at high risk for preterm delivery, correct placement of the Arabin cervical pessary should be checked immediately; this can be performed quickly and easily using MRI. This study provides some evidence that, in singleton pregnancies with a short cervix, a cervical pessary delays birth through a mechanical effect on the uterocervical angle. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Fetal posterior fossa dimensions: normal and anomalous development assessed in mid‐sagittal cranial plane by three‐dimensional multiplanar sonography
Authors: Leibovitz Z. , Haratz K. K. , Malinger G. , Shapiro I. , Pressman C. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo construct nomograms of the dimensions of the fetal posterior fossa (PF), assessed in the mid‐sagittal plane in the second and third trimesters, and to assess how measurements from fetuses with PF abnormalities deviate from our normal ranges.MethodsThis was a prospective cross‐sectional study of 378 healthy fetuses in low‐risk singleton pregnancies between 15 and 35 weeks. PF size was evaluated in the mid‐sagittal plane of the fetal head using three‐dimensional multiplanar reconstruction (3D‐MPR). The borders of the PF were defined from the clivus to the tentorium (clivotentorial distance, CTD) and from the occipital bone to the level of the upper mesencephalic edge (tecto‐occipital distance, TOD), and the posterior fossa area (PFA) and perimeter (PFP) were assessed. Growth charts were produced. Thirty‐nine fetuses diagnosed with PF malformations were analyzed by calculating the z‐scores of PFA, PFP, TOD and CTD, relative to the developed nomograms.ResultsOf the 378 healthy fetuses initially included, there were 281 with adequate visualization of the PF borders; i.e. PF mid‐sagittal plane morphometry was feasible in 74.3% of cases. There was a linear relationship between each of PFA, PFP, TOD and CTD, and gestational age, with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.97, 0.97, 0.96 and 0.95, respectively (P < 0.001 for each). Chiari II malformation (CM‐II) and Dandy–Walker malformation (DWM) were associated with the greatest difference in PF size compared with normal; PFA z‐scores exceeded 2.6 in all five DWM cases and were below −2.66 in all 11 CM‐II cases.ConclusionsSonographic evaluation of fetal PF size in the mid‐sagittal plane is feasible. Our constructed nomograms provide reference data that may be helpful when evaluating PF congenital malformations. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Optimal caliper placement: manual vs automated methods
Authors: Yazdi B. , Zanker P. , Wagner P. , Sonek J. , Pintoffl K. , Hoopmann M. , Kagan K. O. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine the inter‐ and intraoperator repeatability of manual placement of calipers in the assessment of basic fetal biometric measurements and to compare the results with those of an automated caliper placement system.MethodsWe used stored ultrasound images of 95 normal fetuses between 19 and 25 weeks' gestation. Five operators (two experts, one resident and two students) were asked to measure the biparietal diameter (BPD), occiptofrontal diameter (OFD), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) twice manually and twice automatically. For each operator, the repeatability of manual and automated measurements was assessed using intraoperator SD. For the assessment of interoperator repeatability, the mean of the four manual measurements by the two experts for each fetus was used as the gold standard. The relative bias of the manual measurements of the three non‐expert operators and the operator‐independent automated measurement were compared with the gold standard measurement by mean and 95% CI.ResultsIn 89.5% of the 95 cases, the automated measurement algorithm was able to obtain appropriate measurements of BPD, OFD, AC and FL. Intraoperator SDs for the manual measurements ranged between 0.15 and 1.56, irrespective of the experience of the operator. For the automated biometric measurement system, there was no difference between the measurements of each operator. Regarding interoperator repeatability, the mean difference between the manual measurements of the two students, the resident and the gold standard was between −0.10 and 2.53 mm. The automated measurements tended to be closer to the gold standard, but the difference in bias in automated vs manual measurements did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionIn about 90% of cases, it was possible to obtain basic biometric measurements with an automated system. The use of automated measurements resulted in a significant improvement in intraoperator repeatability, but measurements were not significantly closer to the gold standard of expert examiners. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.