bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AHSG Tag Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associate With Type 2 Diabetes and Dyslipidemia
Authors: Andersen Gitte , Burgdorf Kristoffer Sølvsten , Sparsø Thomas , Borch-Johnsen Knut , Jørgensen Torben , Hansen Torben , Pedersen Oluf 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE—The gene encoding the α2 Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG) is a credible biological and positional candidate gene for type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, and previous attempts to relate AHSG variation with type 2 diabetes and obesity in Swedish and French Caucasians have been largely successful. We related seven frequent AHSG tag single nucleotide polymorphisms to a range of metabolic traits, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The polymorphisms were genotyped in 7,683 white Danish subjects using Taqman allelic discrimination or chip-based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, providing a statistical power of &gt;99% to replicate previous findings. Data were analyzed in case-control and haplotype settings, and quantitative metabolic traits were examined for association. Moreover, epistatic effects between AHSG variants and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) and β-2-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms were investigated.
RESULTS—The −469T&gt;G (rs2077119) and IVS6+98C&gt;T (rs2518136) polymorphisms were associated with type 2 diabetes (P = 0.007 and P = 0.006, respectively, or Pcorr = 0.04 and Pcorr = 0.03, respectively, following correction for multiple hypothesis testing), and in a combined analysis of the present and a previous study −469T&gt;G remained significant (odds ratio 0.90 [95% CI 0.84–0.97]; P = 0.007). Furthermore, two AHSG haplotypes were associated with dyslipidemia (P = 0.003 and Pcorr = 0.009). Thr248Met (rs4917) tended to associate with lower fasting and post–oral glucose tolerance test serum insulin release (P = 0.02, Pcorr = 0.1 for fasting and P = 0.04, Pcorr = 0.2 for area under the insulin curve) and improved insulin sensitivity estimated by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (9.0 vs. 8.6 mmol · l−1 · pmol−1 · l−1; P = 0.01, Pcorr = 0.06). Indications of epistatic effects of AHSG variants with the IRS1 Gly971Arg polymorphism were observed for fasting serum triglyceride concentrations.
CONCLUSIONS—Based on present and previous findings, common variation in AHSG may contribute to the interindividual variation in metabolic traits.
Increased Expression and Activity of the Transcription Factor FOXO1 in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Valenti Luca , Rametta Raffaela , Dongiovanni Paola , Maggioni Marco , Ludovica Fracanzani Anna , Zappa Marco , Lattuada Enzo , Roviaro Giancarlo , Fargion Silvia 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE—Nonalcoholic fatty liver, affecting 34% of the U.S. population, is characterized by hepatic insulin resistance, which is more marked in the presence of steatohepatitis, and frequently precedes hyperglycemia. The molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between fatty liver and insulin resistance are still undergoing definition and have not been evaluated in humans. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance and the expression and regulation of forkhead box–containing protein O subfamily-1 (FOXO1), a transcription factor that mediates the effect of insulin on the gluconeogenic genes PEPCK and glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6PC).
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—FOXO1, PEPCK, and G6PC mRNA levels were evaluated in 84 subjects: 26 with steatohepatitis, 28 with steatosis alone, 14 with normal liver histology without metabolic alterations, and 16 with hepatitis C virus chronic hepatitis, of whom 8 were with and 8 were without steatosis. Protein expression and regulation of FOXO1 and upstream insulin signaling were analyzed in a subset.
RESULTS—Expression of PEPCK was higher in steatohepatitis compared with steatosis alone and normal liver, and it was correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. FOXO1 mRNA levels were higher in steatohepatitis, correlated with PEPCK and G6PC mRNA and with HOMA-IR. FOXO1 upregulation was confirmed at protein levels in steatohepatitis and, in the presence of oxidative stress, was associated with decreased Ser256 phosphorylation, decreased Akt1, and increased Jun NH2-terminal kinase-1 activity. Consistently, immunohistochemistry showed increased FOXO1 expression and nuclear localization in steatohepatitis. FOXO1 mRNA levels correlated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis activity score and were modulated by drugs counteracting hepatic lipogenesis.
CONCLUSIONS—FOXO1 expression and activity are increased in patients with steatohepatitis, and mRNA levels are correlated with hepatic insulin resistance.
Ultrasonic Measurements of Contact Area and Pressure Distribution of a Pneumatic Tire on a Rigid Surface
Authors: Pau Massimiliano , Leban Bruno , Baldi Antonio 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Contact phenomena which occur at the tire-ground interface play a crucial role in most issues related to optimal performances of the vehicle, safety, comfort, and energy consumption. Thus, it is essential to have available experimental tools capable of supplying detailed information about the main contact parameters (size and shape of nominal contact area and contact pressure distribution), especially when unknown or unpredictable external conditions make it difficult to use numerical tools in assessing them. Although a number of laboratory techniques have been devised to address this problem, here we propose a novel approach that exploits the property of ultrasonic waves to be differently reflected by a contact interface depending on its stress state. This noninvasive method is capable of supplying in real-time detailed maps of contact conditions as well as quantitative information with regard to geometric features of the contact area and contact pressure distribution values after suitable postprocessing procedures.
This study reports the results of the application of the ultrasonic method in the case of contact of a motor-bicycle tire on a rigid surface. A number of tests were carried out under different conditions with regard to inflation pressure and applied load. In each case, the raw reflection data were converted into graphic maps that display the contact area features and contain information about contact pressure. Moreover, to assess the quantitative reliability of the technique, ultrasonic data were compared with those obtained by means of a commercial pressure-sensitive film. The results are discussed to evaluate the capability of the ultrasonic method to correctly capture contact patch features.
Analytical Tire Forces and Moments with Physical Parameters
Authors: Salaani Mohamed Kamel 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The pneumatic tire behaves as a highly nonlinear system. Its complexity has limited the development of a complete and reasonable theory governing its mechanics. Practical tire models used in vehicle dynamics simulation and tire-related research rely basically on curve-fitted experimental data and empirical adjustments of theoretical models. This paper introduces a validated analytical model based on the physical properties of the tire by formulating the shear contact phenomena with elliptical normal pressure distribution and planar stress-strain laws. Adjustments are introduced to current methods for estimating distributed stiffness, the use of friction, and the forces saturation phenomena. The analytical model is formulated and normalized to accept tire physical parameters that are easily estimated from force and moments measurements. These parameters are universal to all tires: lateral and longitudinal stiffnesses, aligning pneumatic trail, overturning effective moment arm, and frictional properties. The method of using fundamental mechanics for modeling contact patch forces and moments with tire physical parameters constitutes a significant advancement. The tire model is validated with experimental data.
Electrochemical determination of muscle relaxant drug tetrazepam in bulk form, pharmaceutical formulation, and human serum
Authors: Ghoneim Mohammed , El-Desoky Hanaa , El-Ries Mohammed , Abd-Elaziz Ashraf 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTetrazepam dissolved in the Britton-Robinson universal buffer of various pH values (2.5–11.5) containing 10 vol. % of ethanol was reduced at the mercury electrode in a single 2-electron irreversible step due to reduction of the 4,5 C=N double bond of the seven-membered ring. Differential pulse polarography (DPP) and adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (AdCSV) techniques (Linear sweep LS, differential pulse DP and square-wave SW modes) for quantification of tetrazepam in bulk form and in myolastan tablets are presented. Moreover, the described linear sweep, differential pulse, and square-wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry was successfully applied in quantification of tetrazepam in spiked human serum without any prior extraction of the drug. The obtained results showed an increased sensitivity of the described electro-analytical procedures for the quantification of tetrazepam in the following order DPP, DP-AdCSV, LS-AdCSV, and SW-AdCSV, since the observed limits of tetrazepam quantitation by these electroanalytical techniques were 5 × 10−6 mol L−1, 3 × 10−7 mol L−1, 1 × 10−8 mol L−1, and 3 × 10−9 mol L−1, respectively.
Gas chromatography with ballistic heating and ultrafast cooling of column
Authors: Krkošová Žofia , Kubinec Róbert , Jurdáková Helena , Blaško Jaroslav , Ostrovský Ivan , Soják Ladislav , Ševčík Jiří 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAn overview of the existing methods for minimization of the analysis time in gas chromatography (GC) is presented and a new system for fast temperature programming and very fast cooling down is evaluated. In this study, a system of coaxial tubes, a heating/cooling module (HC-M), was developed and studied with a capillary column placed inside the HC-M. The module itself was heated by a GC oven and cooled down by an external cooling medium. The HC-M was heated at rates of up to 330 °C min−1 and cooled at the rate of 6000 °C min−1. The GC system was prepared for the next run within a few seconds. The HC-M permits good separation reproducibility, comparable with that of a conventional GC, expressed in terms of relative retention times and peak areas of analytes reproducibilities. The HC-M can be used within any commercial gas chromatograph.
Influence of process parameters on the epoxidation of 2-buten-1-ol over titanium silicalite TS-1 catalyst
Authors: Wróblewska Agnieszka , Ławro Ewelina , Milchert Eugeniusz 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe influence of process parameters on the epoxidation of 2-buten-1-ol with 30 % hydrogen peroxide using the titanium silicalite TS-1 is presented. The studies were carried out under autogenic pressure (in autoclave). Methanol was used as a solvent in this process. The influence of temperature, 2-buten-1-ol to hydrogen peroxide mole ratio, amount of solvent used, TS-1 catalyst content, and reaction time on the reaction was studied. The major product of this reaction, 2,3-epoxybutan-1-ol (EB), has numerous applications in chemical industry.
Electrochemical behaviour of the LiF-(CaF2)-La2O3 system
Authors: Ambrová Marta , Jurišová Jana , Sýkorová Alexandra , Uher Dalibor , Danielik Vladimír , Híveš Ján 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe electrochemical behaviour of the LiF-La2O3 and LiF-CaF2-La2O3 systems was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry. Several types of working electrodes (spectrographic pure graphite, W, Mo, Ni, Cu) were used. It was found that chemical reactions take place in the system during the dissolution of lanthanum oxide. The reduction of lithium cations occurred at the most positive potential from the species formed in the melt on ‘inert’ cathodes (W, Mo). The reactive cathodes (Cu, Ni) allowed the lanthanum deposition with depolarisation.
A new method of evaluation of element pollutant mobility in sediments
Authors: Vojteková Viera , Nováková Jarmila , Mackových Daniela , Blašková Jana 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe application of a strong chelating agent for the screening test of element mobility in sedimentary systems was investigated. Single-step and sequential extraction procedures were applied to four sediment samples collected from an industrially polluted region of Eastern Slovakia. A sequential extraction procedure (SEP), recommended by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), was applied and used as a reference extraction method. A single-step extraction with 0.05 mol dm−3 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was adapted for sediments when extraction conditions were optimised. The extraction efficiency of the single-step procedure was compared with that of SEP. The contents of elements extracted by Na2EDTA were in good agreement with the sum of the first three steps of the SEP for Fe, Mn, and Co. Na2EDTA can therefore be considered capable to extract the majority of elements associated with the reducible sedimentary phase — bound to Fe and Mn oxides in the regional geological conditions of the monitored region. Thus, Na2EDTA extraction of Fe and Mn can serve as an economical, time-saving supplementary test for the IRMM procedure.
Thermooxidative stability of polymethyl methacrylate containing nanoparticles of silica/titania and silica/zirconia
Authors: Šimon Peter , Zhong Wei , Bakoš Dušan , Hynek David 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe influence of silica/titania and silica/zirconia nanoparticles on thermooxidative degradation of PMMA was studied by non-isothermal thermogravimetry. Kinetic parameters describing the length of the oxidation induction periods were obtained from the treatment of the dependence of oxidation onset temperature on heating rate. Using these parameters, the protection factors of nanoparticles have been calculated. It was found that SiO2/TiO2 nanoparticles increase the thermooxidation stability of PMMA where the stabilizing effect, expressed as the protection factor, depends on temperature only slightly. The stabilizing effect of SiO2/ZrO2 is much stronger than that of SiO2/TiO2 and decreases with increasing temperature.
Polyaniline-coated cellulose fibers decorated with silver nanoparticles
Authors: Stejskal Jaroslav , Trchová Miroslava , Kovářová Jana , Prokeš Jan , Omastová Mária 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCellulose fibers of 20 μm in diameter and aspect ratio of 2 or 10 were coated with protonated polyaniline (PANI) during the oxidation of aniline hydrochloride with ammonium peroxydisulfate in an aqueous medium. The presence of PANI has been proved by FTIR spectroscopy. The conductivity increased from 4.0 × 10−14 S cm−1 to 0.41 S cm−1 after coating the fibers with PANI. The percolation threshold in the mixture of original uncoated and PANI-coated fibers was reduced from 10 mass % PANI to 6 mass % PANI, as the aspect ratio changed from 2 to 10. The subsequent reaction with silver nitrate results in the decoration of PANI-coated cellulose fibers with silver nanoparticles of about 50 nm average size. The content of silver of up to 10.6 mass % was determined as a residue in thermogravimetric analysis. FTIR spectra suggest that the protonated emeraldine coating changed to the pernigraniline form during the latter process and, consequently, the conductivity of the composite was reduced to 4.1 × 10−4 S cm−1, despite the presence of silver.
Effect of crown ethers on the solvent extraction and separation of lanthanide(III) ions with 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one
Authors: Petrova Maria , Dukov Ivan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSynergistic solvent extraction of 14 lanthanides with mixtures of 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (HP) and the crown ethers (S), 18-crown-6, benzo-18-crown-6 or dibenzo-18-crown-6 from an aqueous chloride medium with the constant ionic strength of 0.1 mol dm−3 was investigated using benzene as a diluent. The composition of the species extracted was determined as LnP3 · S. The addition of a crown ether to the chelating extractant produced rather significant synergistic effects. On basis of experimental data, values of equilibrium constants, synergistic coefficients, and separation factors were calculated.
Rapid solidification processing in molten salts chemistry: X-ray analysis of deeply undercooled cryolite-alumina melts
Authors: Korenko Michal , Kucharík Marián , Janičkovič Dušan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRapid solidification processing (cooling rate from the interval 105–106 K s−1) was used to prepare deeply undercooled cryolite-alumina melts. Such prepared samples were analyzed by the XRD method. Besides cryolite, XRD patterns belonging to ι-Al2O3 were recorded. The influence of annealing on the XRD patterns of deeply undercooled melts was also investigated.
Preparation of trisodium O-monoalkyl and O-monoaryl diphosphates
Authors: Gregáň Fridrich , Melicherčík Milan , Gregáň Juraj , Remko Milan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTrisodium O-methyl, O-butyl, O-phenyl, and O-(4-nitrophenyl) diphosphates were synthesized from sodium dimethylamido-O-(2-cyanoethyl) phosphate and O-alkyl-and O-aryl phosphoric acids. While in the previously described method, sodium hydroxide was used for the preparation of O-phenyl diphosphate, in our current work, we present an improved protocol, where sodium methoxide is used to increase the yields of O-alkyl and O-aryl diphosphates. The structures of final compounds were determined by 1H NMR, 31P NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The sodium O-alkyl- and O-aryl diphosphate salts prepared by this method may be used for the study of biological activity of diphosphate analogues.
Complex Brick Assemblies
Authors: Sunguroglu Defne 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAre bricks passé? Or is the contemporary world just failing to realise the innate possibilities of this ancient material? Eladio Dieste once ardently stated that brick is ‘a material with unlimited possibilities, almost completely ignored by modern technology.’1 Dieste's careful inclusion of the word ‘almost’ here seems to suggest that he suspected some exceptions to the rule – that there may have been some previously untold modern technological dabblings with brick. With this in mind, Defne Sunguroglu acknowledges the innovative uses of brick in the past, and introduces her current research project: Complex Brick Assemblies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineering Ecologies
Authors: Trummer Peter 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEngineering disciplines have, historically, been strongly dominated by physics. Structural and civil engineering are still based on the notion of controlling the forces of physics within our material world. However, a shift from physics to biology as the underlying paradigm of engineering is on the horizon, and with it a fundamental change in the way we conceive and practise architecture. Peter Trummer speculates on the possibilities and potential repercussions of ‘engineering ecologies’, which will be inherent to such a paradigm shift, by investigating a broad palette of contemporary design disciplines aimed at the careful modulation of environments and ecologies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
m3architecture
Authors: Taylor Mark 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe m3architecture practice in Brisbane combines experience with youth: in practice now for a decade, all four partners remain under forty. Mark Taylor describes how in its work the office has developed a ‘social and cultural agenda and site‐driven approach’ that eschews the oversimplification of a house style while motivating the architects to continue questioning every project on a first‐principles basis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Making Waves at East Beach Café
Authors: Watson Howard 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHoward Watson describes how Littlehampton on the Sussex coast has become the unlikely home to a cutting‐edge structure. The ‘rippling, ribbed, brown steel mollusc’ form of this year‐round café‐restaurant, realised by Heatherwick Studio and Adams Kara Taylor, celebrates its fresh seafood menu and beachside site. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Work injuries among drivers in the goods‐transport branch in denmark
Authors: Shibuya Hitomi , Cleal Bryan , Mikkelsen Kim Lyngby 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundGoods‐transport drivers in Denmark had an elevated rate of hospital contact due to injury compared with the skilled/semiskilled workforce in general in recent years. There is a need to elucidate the causes of their work injuries.MethodsWe analyzed the Danish National Work Injury Register for the 10‐year period 1993–2002.ResultsThe vast majority (92.6%) of the work injuries among goods‐transport were sustained under non‐traffic activities, that is, collecting, loading, unloading, and delivering goods. They fell from height (22.3%), suffered from overexertion (14.2%), got caught between/under objects (12.6%), collided with objects (12.0%), slipped/tripped (10.6%), or got struck by falling objects (9.0%).ConclusionsThere is a clear need for efforts to prevent work injuries under non‐traffic activities among goods‐transport drivers in Denmark. For this end, it is necessary to involve not only the drivers' employers for reinforcement of safety procedures, but also the employers' customers for improvement of the physical environment, in which drivers collect, load, unload, and deliver goods. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:364–371, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sclerocornea associated with the chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Binenbaum Gil , McDonald‐McGinn Donna M. , Zackai Elaine H. , Walker B. Michael , Coleman Karlene , Mach Amy M. , Adam Margaret , Manning Melanie , Alcorn Deborah M. , Zabel Carrie , Anderson Dennis R. , Forbes Brian J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractReported ocular findings in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (which encompasses the phenotypes of DiGeorge, velocardiofacial, and Takao (conotruncal‐anomaly‐face) syndromes) have included posterior embryotoxon (prominent, anteriorly displaced Schwalbe's line at the corneal limbus or edge), retinal vascular tortuosity, eyelid hooding, strabismus, and astigmatism. We present seven 22q11.2 patients from multiple centers with sclerocornea, an eye finding previously unreported in the literature. Four boys and three girls were identified with sclerocornea, systemic DGS/VCFS findings, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)‐confirmed microdeletion at chromosome 22q11.2. FISH diagnosis was perinatal in six patients but at 2 years of age in one child. Sclerocornea was bilateral in five patients. Findings included descemetocele (five eyes), microophthalmos (one eye), iridocorneal adhesions (one bilateral case), and severe anterior segment dysgenesis (one eye). Two patients underwent bilateral corneal transplantation; another two were scheduled for possible unilateral transplant. Sclerocornea is a static congenital condition in which the cornea is opaque and vascularized and resembles the sclera. The novel finding of sclerocornea suggests that a genetic locus at 22q11.2 may be involved in anterior segment embryogenesis. In most of our patients, the diagnostic process was underway, but in one patient 22q11.2 deletion was not suspected until after the child had already been undergoing treatment for sclerocornea for 2 years. Sclerocornea should be added to the clinical manifestations of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Ophthalmologists diagnosing sclerocornea in children with systemic findings suggestive of 22q11.2 deletion should ensure appropriate genetic referral. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.