Commentary on Trends in Child Health Insurance Coverage: A Local Perspective

Purpose: To provide commentary on the original research article, “Trends in Child Health Insurance Coverage: A Local Perspective,” by Jean Rapahel, Richard R. Batsell, Marc A. Kowalkowski, Aileen Beltran, Angelo P. Giardino, and Charles G. Macias. Findings: The authors clearly show that in Houston, TX, over the past eight years, fewer children have employer-sponsored health insurance coverage and more children, especially low-income and minority children, are enrolled in public health insurance programs. These findings underscore the critical importance of preserving and strengthening our existing public insurance safety-net programs. Conclusion: All children should have access to high quality health care and insurance coverage. While the Medicaid program is not perfect, it plays an essential role in providing low-income children with primary care providers and routine well-child care. As child advocates, we should celebrate the achievements of the Medicaid program while we work to find innovative policy strategies to improve quality of care and optimize health care delivery. We must also stay committed to a comprehensive effort to eliminate childhood poverty and all health disparities as an essential investment in both the future health and future productivity of the next generation

Comparative study of filler influence on polylactide photooxidation

Polylactide (PLA) based nanocomposites of organically modified montmorillonite and micro-talc based micro- composites were prepared with different compositions and were UV-light irradiated under artificial accelerated conditions representative of solar irradiation. The chemical modifications resulting from photo-oxidation were followed by infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopies. The infrared analysis of PLA photooxidation shows the formation of a band at 1847 cm-1 due to the formation of anhydrides. The filler addition provokes an increase of anhydride formation rate dependent on filler nature, amount and dispersion degree on the matrix. The main factors that influence oxidation rate are the total extension of polymer/filler interfacial area and the presence of transition metal impurities of clays

Rhinoclemmys areolata

Number of Pages: 2Integrative BiologyGeological Science

Crystallization kinetics of poly(lactic acid)-talc composites

The crystallization kinetics of Poly(lactic acid) / talc composites were determined over a range of 0 wt.% to 15 wt.% of talc. Talc was found to change the crystallization kinetics. The presence of talc increases the crystallization rate and this increase is related to talc concentration and to crystallization temperature. In order to understand the effect of talc and PLA crystallinity on mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical thermal analyses were performed on Poly(lactic acid) / talc composites before and after an annealing process. It was demonstrated that the presence of crystals improves thermo-mechanical properties but in order to achieve good results at high temperatures the reinforcing effect of a filler such as talc is necessar

MWNT Surface Self-Assembling in Fire Retardant Polyethylene-Carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were melt blended at different concentration with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The nanotubes impart the fire-retardant characteristics to the polymer by formation of a thin protective film of MWNT/carbon char generated on the surface of the nanocomposites. The film formation mechanism is discusse