bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Second-Trimester Reference Intervals for Thyroid Tests: The Role of Ethnicity
Authors: La’ulu Sonia L , Roberts William L 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Background: Thyroid function changes during pregnancy, complicating the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Maternal thyroid dysfunction has been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. We evaluated thyroid function test results by ethnicity and week of gestation during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
Methods: We collected 3064 blood specimens in serum tubes from Asians (13%), blacks (22%), Hispanics (23%), and whites (42%). We measured thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total and free thyroxine (TT4 and FT4), total and free triiodothyronine (TT3 and FT3), thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (TPOAb) by use of an ARCHITECT i2000SR (Abbott Diagnostics). The TSH reference interval was calculated for samples negative for both TgAb and TPOAb and reference intervals for TT4, FT4, TT3, and FT3 in antibody-negative samples with normal TSH.
Results: Serum samples were positive for TgAb in 10.6%, 1.8%, 6.2%, 6.5%, and 5.9% of Asian, black, Hispanic, white, and combined groups, respectively. Samples were positive for TPOAb in 12.4%, 4.1%, 11.8%, 12.3%, and 10.4% of the same groups, respectively. The nonparametric reference intervals for all participants were 0.15–3.11 mIU/L (TSH), 9.3–15.2 pmol/L (0.72–1.18 ng/dL; FT4), 89.0–176.3 nmol/L (6.90–13.67 μg/dL; TT4), 3.82–5.96 pmol/L (2.48–3.87 pg/mL; FT3), and 1.82–3.68 nmol/L (118–239 ng/dL; TT3).
Conclusions: Blacks had lower prevalences of TgAb and TPOAb positivity and of increased serum TSH. The prevalence of TgAb and TPOAb positivity was highest in Asians. Whites had the highest prevalence of increased TSH. The lower and upper reference limits of TT3 were significantly lower for Asians. Reference intervals for women in the 2nd trimester were different from those of nonpregnant individuals.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Media and Ethnic Minorities in Europe
Authors: d'Haenens Leen , Ogan Christine 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Across the countries of Europe and within the European Union, there seems to be no end to discussions of policies related to migrants – from the labor migrants who came to Europe more than 40 years ago to the continued requests from prospective migrants who want to immigrate for asylum and family formation. The discussions on what those policies should be, range from multiculturalism to integration and assimilation. Shifts in policies have occurred because of the slow economic and educational progress made by some migrants; by the post-9/11 changes in attitudes and behavior among some Muslim migrants, and by concerns over the increased size of the migrant population.
Use of old and new media by ethnic minority youth in Europe with a special emphasis on Switzerland
Authors: Bonfadelli Heinz , Bucher Priska , Piga Andrea 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
The first part of this article summarizes research carried out during the last decade in the field of media use of ethnic minorities throughout Europe. Guiding research questions, underlying paradigms, and empirical evidence will be critically discussed in a comparative way. In the second part, empirical data of a Swiss survey among 1,600 adolescents aged 12 to 17 with migrant and Swiss backgrounds are presented. The comparative study points at similarities and differences in access to and use of old and new media such as the Internet as well as with the link between media use and social integration or cultural identity. Special emphasis is given to ethnic versus social factors as underlying explanatory factors. The results of the Swiss study are placed in the context of European research evidence.
Types of Integration, Acculturation Strategies and Media Use of Young Turks in Germany
Authors: Trebbe Joachim 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Although most Turks in Germany belong to the second or third generation of immigrants, they have retained the social, cultural, and religious identity of their country of origin. This article deals with this double identity of young Turks in Germany and their language-bound exposure to television, radio, press, and the Internet. Telephone survey data are presented regarding the integration and media use of Turks in Germany. The survey was carried out in 2006 on behalf of the public broadcasting station of North Rhine-Westphalia (Westdeutscher Rundfunk, WDR). The analyses identify and describe different types of integration of Turks and investigate the relationship between their level of integration and their demographic profile as well as their patterns of media use. Causal analysis was focused on the question how different strategies of acculturation influence the use of mass media.
Culture-specific features as determinants of news media use
Authors: Gezduci Hasibe , d'Haenens Leen 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
This article, which looks at exposure to and the use of host and home media by Turkish diaspora in Belgium, illustrates that media use is determined by cultural as well as socio-demographic features. By means of a quantitative survey among four hundred respondents of Turkish origin between the ages of eighteen and sixty, the use of host and home media (i. e., old and new) in general and news contents in particular were analyzed in relation to culture-specific features such as ethnic cultural position, religion, and command of language, alongside with socio-demographic features such as age, gender, education, years of residence and socio-economic status. Our investigation showed religion, ethnic-cultural position and command of the Turkish language to be the strongest determinants for home language news media use, while host language news media use was strongly determined by command of the Dutch or French language, length of residence and educational level. These findings, especially those pertaining to news use, bring nuance to a certain number of earlier findings with Turkish youngsters in the Netherlands and Flanders (12–19), whose media use was predominantly related to socio-demographics.
Comparative effect of ozone, chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide on lignin: Reactions affecting pulp colour in the final bleaching stage
Authors: Pipon Guillaume , Chirat Christine , Lachenal Dominique 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Several lignin-like model compounds (vanillin, syringaldehyde, guaiacol, syringol, p-benzoquinone, naphthoquinone) and commercial softwood lignin were submitted to small charges of ozone, chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution under conditions simulating a final bleaching stage. In the case of ozone, the coloured quinone models were directly destroyed, whereas the phenolic models and lignin underwent a two-step decomposition mechanism: chromophores were formed at very low ozone charges, and then were destroyed with increasing ozone charge. Chlorine dioxide had hardly any effects on the quinone models, but formed coloured groups from the phenolic models and lignin. However, these were more intensely coloured and were only partially removed with higher ClO2 charges. As for hydrogen peroxide, the colour of lignin and naphthoquinone were directly removed, at least partially, but high H2O2 charges were necessary. Consequently, ozone seems to be the best reagent for final bleaching in which small chemical charges are applied. We suggest reaction mechanisms between ozone and the phenolic model compounds and p-benzoquinone that can explain the observations.
Cover Picture: Joining Strategies for Open Porous Metallic Foams on Iron and Nickel Base Materials (Adv. Eng. Mater. 8/2007)
Authors: Longerich S. , Piontek D. , Ohse P. , Harms A. , Dilthey U. , Angel S. , Bleck W. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe cover shows a cavity in a metal foam which developed due to large heat effects in the foam during welding. More about joining strategies of open porous metallic foams can be found in the paper by S. Angel, W. Bleck et al. on page 670.
Forming Antifouling Organic Multilayers on Porous Silicon Rugate Filters Towards In Vivo/Ex Vivo Biophotonic Devices
Authors: Kilian K. A. , Böcking T. , Ilyas S. , Gaus K. , Jessup W. , Gal M. , Gooding J. J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe describe the development and optimization of porous silicon photonic crystal surface chemistry towards implantable optical devices. Porous silicon rugate filters were prepared to obtain a narrow linewidth reflectivity peak in the near‐infrared (700–1000 nm) with low background reflectivity elsewhere. The morphology of the mesoporous structures (pore diameter < 50 nm) was such that only small proteins could infiltrate the pores whereas larger proteins were excluded. To provide stability in biological media, we established an approach to build organic multilayers containing hexa(ethylene oxide) moieties in porous silicon. The optical changes associated with organic derivatization were monitored concurrently with FTIR characterization. Furthermore, the antifouling capability of our chemical strategy is assessed and the penetration of different sized proteins into the structure was determined. The structural stability in biological environments was evaluated by incubation in human blood plasma over time while monitoring the optical signature of the photonic crystal.
A Novel Ultra‐hydrophobic Surface: Statically Non‐wetting but Dynamically Non‐sliding
Authors: Zhao N. , Xie Q. , Kuang X. , Wang S. , Li Y. , Lu X. , Tan S. , Shen J. , Zhang X. , Zhang Y. , Xu J. , Han C. C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn this study, we report the fabrication of a novel surface with both morphology and composition heterogeneities by casting polymer blend solution. The resultant poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and amphiphilic polyurethane (A‐PU) surface has a rough structure on microscale and separated hydrophobic and hydrophilic nanodomains as well. On this surface, water drop shows a static CA about 160° but the drop is pinned on the surface at any titled angles. This phenomenon can be ascribed to the special surface characters as the air trapped in the porous surface and hydrophobic domains repel the water, leading to a very high static CA, whereas the hydrophilic domains contacting with water at the interface, though being restrained to a little fraction by the surface roughness, adhere the drop. In addition, by adding the third component, hydrophobic fluorinated polyurethane, in the blend, the formed PMMA/A‐PU/F‐PU blend surfaces show CA about 160° but the SA be able to rationally tune from small to large by adjusting the ratio of A‐PU to F‐PU. Our method provides a novel approach for controlling surface morphology, composition and corresponding surface adhesion, and may find many applications in various fields.
Proton‐Conducting Aromatic Polymers Carrying Hypersulfonated Side Chains for Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Lafitte B. , Jannasch P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPolysulfone main chains have been functionalized with hypersulfonated aromatic side chains where the sulfonic acid groups were highly concentrated on a local scale, with two acid groups placed on the same aromatic ring. This molecular design was implemented to promote the nanophase separation that takes place in proton‐exchange membranes between the hydrophobic polymer main chain and the hydrophilic ionic groups responsible for the water uptake and conduction. Morphological investigations revealed that polysulfones functionalized with disulfonaphthoxybenzoyl or trisulfopyrenoxybenzoyl side chains contained larger and more uniform ionic clusters, as compared to conventionally sulfonated polysulfones where the acid groups are dispersed along the main chain. Membranes based on the polymers carrying hypersulfonated side chains formed efficient networks of water‐filled nanopores upon hydration, which facilitated excellent levels of proton conductivity exceeding that of the commercial Nafion membrane at moderate water uptakes.
Severe Henoch‐Schönlein purpura in a thalassemic patient under deferiprone treatment
Authors: Unal Sule , Güçer Safak , Kale Gülsev , Besbas Nesrin , Özen Seza , Gümrük Fatma 
Published: August 2007

AbstractHerein we present a 7‐year‐old β‐thalassemia major patient who developed severe Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (HSP) with renal, pulmonary involvement and invagination while under iron chelation with deferiprone. DNA analysis for familial Mediterranean fever revealed M696V mutation. Various cellular and humoral immunological impairments have been described in thalassemia major patients and the severe course of HSP in our case may be related to these underlying immunological defects. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Design and application of a highly efficient separation technology for C9 arenes
Authors: Zhu Menglei , Sun Jinsheng , Tian YuFeng , Ren Maoming , Li Xingang 
Published: August 2007

AbstractC9 arenes consist of a series of isomeric compounds with very close boiling points. Although hard to separate by distillation, e.g. the separation of 1,2,4‐trimethylbenzene and 1,3,5‐trimethylbenzene, it was possible to perform flow sheet and equipment analyses of the actual operating data by computer simulation and produce a successful flow sheet revamp. That is, with new separation technology and structured packing technology, the original flow sheet was rearranged and columns were reconstructed. The conclusion of the retrofit demonstrated increased throughput, purity and productivity of 1,2,4‐trimethylbenzene (the main product). In addition, 1,3,5‐trimethylbenzene, a very important by‐product, was obtained at higher purity. This reconstruction brings significant economic benefit and advanced technology for the separation and utilization of C9 arenes in worldwide operations. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of reactive distillation processes using differential evolution strategies
Authors: Babu B. V. , Khan Muzaffar 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMany problems of process synthesis and design in chemical engineering can be modeled as mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problems. They include both the continuous (floating point) and integer variables. A common feature of this class of mathematical problems is the potential existence of nonconvexities due to a particular form of the objective function and/or the set of constraints. Owing to their combinatorial nature, these problems are considered to be difficult to solve. In the present study, a model based on an extension of conventional distillation is proposed for the synthesis of ethylene glycol using the nonequilibrium reactive distillation. The proposed model is simulated using the relaxation and homotopy‐continuation methods. The differential evolution (DE) algorithm is applied to find the minimum total annualized cost of the nonequilibrium reactive distillation for the synthesis of ethylene glycol, which is a MINLP optimization problem.The optimization is performed with nonideal vapor–liquid equilibrium using ten strategies of DE, considering synthesis reaction on all trays. The results show that the optimized objective function values are better than those reported in the literature, and mostly independent of the number of trays and of the reaction distribution. It is shown that the proposed homotopy‐continuation method with DE strategy (DE/best/1/bin) is capable of providing optimized solutions which are close to the global optimum, and reveals its adequacy for the optimization of reactive distillation problems encountered in chemical engineering practice. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of green tea polyphenol crosslinking in alleviating ultraviolet‐radiation effects on collagen
Authors: Fathima Nishtar Nishad , Ansari Thamimul , Rao Jonnalagadda Raghava , Nair Balachandran Unni 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe widespread application of collagen warrants studies on the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on stabilized collagen. The negative impact of UV radiation is well known. Because collagen is used as a biomaterial in various biomedical applications, knowing the effects of UV irradiation on stabilized collagen has become essential. In this study, the effects of UV irradiation on collagen stabilized with green tea polyphenols, that is, Acacia mearnsii (wattle), and catechin has been studied. The fluorescence intensity has been found to decrease with irradiation for native and wattle‐treated collagen. Spectral studies have indicated that the photodegradation products increase after irradiation for native collagen, whereas collagen treated with catechin or A.mearnsii exhibits different responses depending on the duration of the irradiation. The duration of the irradiation has a significant influence on polyphenol‐treated collagen. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Morphology and mechanical property of binary and ternary polypropylene nanocomposites with nanoclay and CaCo3 particles
Authors: Chen Haibin , Wang Mozhen , Lin Yong , Chan Chi‐Ming , Wu Jingshen 
Published: August 2007

AbstractInorganic nanofillers, CaCO3 and nanoclay, are widely applied to improve the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP). In general, the use of spherical CaCO3 can enhance the impact strength while the use of layered nanoclay can enhance the modulus and yield stress. With the objective to simultaneously improve the stiffness, strength, and impact strength of PP, in this work a ternary nanocomposite, PP/CaCO3/nanoclay (NCPP), was prepared and its morphology, crystallization, and mechanical behaviors were investigated with a comparison to the binary nanocomposites, PP/CaCO3 (CPP) and PP/nanoclay (NPP). The results showed that in NCPP the nanoclay was extremely exfoliated with a much higher degree than that in NPP, which was possibly because the incorporation of CaCO3 nanoparticles adjusted the matrix viscosity and thus provided a balance between shear stress and molecule diffusion. As a result of this highly exfoliated structure, a substantial increase in modulus and yield stress was attained in NCPP. However, its impact strength was less enhanced. The toughening effects of the CaCO3 particles observed in CPP became ineffective. This difference was ascribed to the fact that in NCPP the crystallization behavior was dominated by the nanoclay and the formation of β‐phase crystallites induced by the CaCO3 particles was inhibited. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
History of Cannabis and Its Preparations in Saga, Science, and Sobriquet
Authors: Russo Ethan B. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCannabis sativa L. is possibly one of the oldest plants cultivated by man, but has remained a source of controversy throughout its history. Whether pariah or panacea, this most versatile botanical has provided a mirror to medicine and has pointed the way in the last two decades toward a host of medical challenges from analgesia to weight loss through the discovery of its myriad biochemical attributes and the endocannabinoid system wherein many of its components operate.This study surveys the history of cannabis, its genetics and preparations. A review of cannabis usage in Ancient Egypt will serve as an archetype, while examining first mentions from various Old World cultures and their pertinence for contemporary scientific investigation. Cannabis historians of the past have provided promising clues to potential treatments for a wide array of currently puzzling medical syndromes including chronic pain, spasticity, cancer, seizure disorders, nausea, anorexia, and infectious disease that remain challenges for 21st century medicine. Information gleaned from the history of cannabis administration in its various forms may provide useful points of departure for research into novel delivery techniques and standardization of cannabis‐based medicines that will allow their prescription for treatment of these intractable medical conditions.
Cannabidiol – Recent Advances
Authors: Mechoulam Raphael , Peters Maximilian , Murillo‐Rodriguez Eric , Hanuš Lumír O. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe aim of this review is to present some of the recent publications on cannabidiol (CBD; 2), a major non‐psychoactive constituent of Cannabis, and to give a general overview. Special emphasis is laid on biochemical and pharmacological advances, and on novel mechanisms recently put forward, to shed light on some of the pharmacological effects that can possibly be rationalized through these mechanisms. The plethora of positive pharmacological effects observed with CBD make this compound a highly attractive therapeutic entity.
Arachidonic acid and glucose uptake by freshly isolated human adipocytes
Authors: Malipa Ana C. A. , Meintjes Roy A. , Haag Marianne 
Published: August 2007

AbstractFatty acid (FA) and glucose transport into insulin‐dependent cells are impaired in insulin resistance (IR; type 2 diabetes mellitus). Studies done on the effects of FAs on glucose uptake, and the influence of insulin on FA uptake by adipocytes, have yielded contradictory results. In this study, isolated human adipocytes were exposed to arachidonic acid (AA) and to insulin, and FA uptake as well as glucose uptake was measured. AA uptake into adipocyte membranes and nuclei was also investigated. Glucose uptake was inhibited by 57 ± 8% after 30 min of exposure to arachidonate. AA was significantly taken up into adipocyte membranes (49.6 ± 29% and 123 ± 74%) at 20 and 30 min of exposure, respectively, and into nuclei (147.6 ± 19.2%) after 30 min. Insulin stimulated AA uptake (24.1 ± 14.1%) at 30 min by adipocytes from a non‐obese subject, while inhibiting it (16.6 ± 12%) in adipocytes from an obese subject. These results suggest that: (1) AA inhibits glucose uptake by adipocytes exposed over a short period, probably by a membrane‐associated mechanism, (2) insulin‐dependent AA uptake is dependent on the body mass index (BMI) of the donor and the insulin sensitivity of their adipocytes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐chain fatty acyl‐coenzyme A‐induced inhibition of glucokinase in pancreatic islets from rats depleted in long‐chain polyunsaturated ω3 fatty acids
Authors: Zhang Ying , Bulur Nurdan , Peltier Sébastien , Carpentier Yvon A. , Malaisse Willy J. , Sener Abdullah 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe metabolism of D‐glucose was recently reported to be impaired in pancreatic islets from second generation rats depleted in long‐chain polyunsaturated ω3 fatty acids. Considering the increased clearance of circulating non‐esterified fatty acids prevailing in these rats, a possible inhibition of glucokinase in insulin‐producing cells by endogenous long‐chain fatty acyl‐CoA was considered. The present study was mainly aimed at assessing the validity of the latter proposal. The activity of glucokinase in islet homogenates, as judged from the increase in D‐glucose phosphorylation rate in response to a rise in the concentration of the hexose represented, in the ω3‐depleted rats, was only 81.8 ± 4.8% (n = 11; p < 0.005) of the paired value recorded in control animals. This coincided with the fact that the inclusion of D‐glucose 6‐phosphate (3.0 mM) and D‐fructose 1‐phosphate (1.0 mM) in the assay medium resulted in a lesser fractional decrease of D‐glucose phosphorylation in ω3‐depleted rats than in control animals. Moreover, whereas palmitoyl‐CoA (50 µM) decreased the activity of glucokinase by 38.0 ± 6.0% (n = 4; p < 0.01) in islet homogenates from normal rats, the CoA ester failed to affect significantly the activity of glucokinase in islet homogenates from ω3‐depleted rats. These findings afford direct support for the view that glucokinase is indeed inhibited by endogenous long‐chain fatty acyl‐CoA in islets from ω3‐depleted rats, such an inhibition probably participating to the alteration of D‐glucose catabolism prevailing in these islets. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.