bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of symptoms and medication use among female medical students and pharmacy clients with premenstrual syndrome: a cross‐sectional study in Iran
Authors: Shahbazi Foroud , Eslampanah Zahra , Niaparast Mehrdad 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAffective and somatic symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may adversely affect many school‐aged females. Different treatment modalities may be used to help alleviate PMS symptoms.AimThis study documented the prevalence and nature of PMS, as well as medication use, among female pharmacy students and pharmacy clients in Iran.MethodsA cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study was conducted among university students and pharmacy clients in Kermanshah Province, eastern Iran, from October 2017 to May 2018. Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire about their PMS symptoms, use of medications, natural remedies and supplements for PMS, and the role of the pharmacist in their medication selection.ResultsAmong the 208 female students and clients who participated in the study, the overall prevalence of PMS was 73.6%. Back pain (59.1%) and mood swings (64.9%) were the most frequently reported physical and affective symptoms, respectively. More than three‐quarters of participants (76.9%) used at least one medication (either prescribed or self‐medicated) during menstruation. Self‐medication was reported by 70.2% of participants, mostly (66.3%) involving over‐the‐counter medications. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (for analgesia) were used by 49.0% of participants, whereas the oral contraceptive pill was used by only 6.4%. Traditional remedies were used by 42.8% of participants. Overall, community pharmacist involvement in PMS management was reported by only 27.9% of participants.ConclusionSelf‐medication for PMS, especially the use of analgesics, was very common among participants. The use of natural remedies was also significant, highlighting the need for studies to further evaluate the ability of such remedies to relieve PMS symptoms. Overall, community pharmacists were not substantially involved in treatment selection.
Dietary betaine supplementation improves meat quality of transported broilers through altering muscle anaerobic glycolysis and antioxidant capacity
Authors: Chen Rui , Wen Chao , Gu Yunfeng , Wang Chao , Chen Yueping , Zhuang Su , Yanmin Zhou  
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo investigate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, muscle anaerobic glycolysis and antioxidant capacity of transported broilers, 1‐day‐old partridge‐shank‐broiler‐chickens (n = 192) were randomly divided into three groups for a 50‐day feeding trial. The broilers in the control group were fed a basal diet, and experienced 0.75‐h transport before slaughter. The broilers in the other three groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500 or 1000 mg kg−1 betaine, respectively, and experienced 3‐h transport before slaughter (T, T + BET500 or T + BET1000 groups).RESULTSDietary betaine supplementation increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain of broilers, and feed conversion ratio was also improved (P < 0.05) by 500 mg kg−1 betaine supplementation. Compared with the control group, 3‐h transport increased (P < 0.05) live weight loss, serum corticosterone and cortisol concentrations, as well as muscle lactate and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and decreased (P < 0.05) muscle pH24h, glycogen content and total superoxide dismutase activity. Compared with the T group, betaine supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) serum corticosterone and cortisol concentrations and muscle MDA content, and increased (P < 0.05) muscle a*24 h. In addition, 1000 mg kg−1 betaine supplementation further decreased (P < 0.05) muscle drip loss, lactate content and lactate dehydrogenase activity, and increased (P < 0.05) muscle glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity.CONCLUSIONBetaine supplementation not only improved growth performance of broilers, but also alleviated meat quality deterioration of transported broilers through altering muscle anaerobic glycolysis and antioxidant capacity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Numerical investigation on the high‐speed wheel/rail adhesion under the starved interfacial contaminations with surface roughness
Authors: Wu Bing , Wu Tao , An Boyang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper presents a new numerical model of wheel/rail in rolling contact to study the adhesion mechanism under the starved interfacial contaminations at high speed considering surface roughness. A thermal starved mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory is hired in the model. The empirical equations for analysing the contact force of rough surfaces that are based on amount of accurate finite element analysis (FEA) of an elastic‐plastic single‐asperity contact over a rigid flat are proposed. Multilevel method is used to solve the modified Reynolds equations, and sweeping column method is used to solve energy and heat conduction equations. The pressure field, the fractional film content, and the temperature field are obtained through the present model. In addition, the influences of train speed, surface roughness amplitudes, and inlet film thickness on the adhesion coefficient are investigated. The results from the present model have been compared with those from flooded analyses for water and oil‐contamination cases. The numerical results show that the inlet film thickness and the train speed had a significant effect on the wheel/rail adhesion ability.
A comparative study of the corrosion stability of dental amalgams with electrochemical impedance measurements
Authors: Liu Dan , Xie Xuan , Roscher Jessica , Holze Rudolf 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe corrosion susceptibility of a selection of amalgams used in dentistry has been examined with the electrochemical impedance method. The results are compared with data derived from cyclic voltammetry performed with these materials before. Most examined materials including a conventional amalgam show similar corrosion resistance; however, only one product shows a significantly higher corrosion resistance.
Effect of the temperature of cerium nitrate–NaCl solution on corrosion inhibition of mild steel
Authors: Boudellioua Hichem , Hamlaoui Youcef , Tifouti Lakhdar , Pedraza Fernando 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this study, the effect of temperature on corrosion inhibition is studied in the absence and presence of an optimal concentration of cerium nitrate (600 mg/L) as an inhibitor of mild steel in sodium chloride. Corrosion tests are carried out through electrochemical techniques such as impedance spectroscopy and d.c. polarization measurements. The surface morphology of the films is investigated by optical microscopy, white‐light interferometry, and scanning electronic microscopy, coupled with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy analysis for chemical composition. The results obtained show that the activation energy for the corrosion inhibition process to occur increases in the presence of a cerium nitrate inhibitor. However, the corrosion resistance of mild steel is somewhat lost upon increasing the solution temperature up to 55°C, which leads to more cracked films. The enthalpy and entropy values suggest a mixed mechanism of chemisorption and physisorption inhibition, with a major dominance of physisorption control.
Effects of cooling rate on the precipitation behavior of grain boundary carbide and corrosion resistance of 5Cr15MoV stainless steel
Authors: Yan Han , He Zhijun , Lü Nan , Wei Chongyi , Xu Taixu , Liu Jihui 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHigh‐carbon and high‐chromium alloy steels are prone to pitting and intergranular corrosion, which reduces corrosion resistance. The precipitation behavior of the carbides of high‐carbon and high‐chromium alloy steels is one of the main factors affecting pitting and intergranular corrosion of stainless steel. In this study, 5Cr15MoV stainless steel was heated to 1,200℃ and then cooled by cooling rates varying from 25 to 150°C/min. The precipitation behavior of grain boundary carbides of 5Cr15MoV steel at different cooling rates, and its effect on the corrosion resistance of materials was studied. The results show that the carbides of 5Cr15MoV steel mainly precipitate along the grain boundaries, which leads to the formation of chromium‐depleted zones near the grain boundaries and reduces resistance to intergranular corrosion. It has been found that a higher cooling rate shortens the width of the Cr‐depleted zone near the boundary from 0.871 to 0.569 μm, reduces the Cr‐concentration gradient near the grain boundary from 36.422% to 12.667%, and suppresses the nucleus growth rate of grain boundary carbides. As the cooling rate increases, the corrosion current density decreases from 13.29 to 2.42 μA/cm2. The corrosion rate is the lowest, while the cooling rate is 150°C/min. The corrosion rate decreases from 218.339 to 158.488 mm/a. The phenomenon of intergranular corrosion and pitting corrosion was found to be weakened; and thereby, it is shown that an intensive cooling rate can improve the corrosion resistance of 5Cr15MoV steel.
RETRACTED: Population genetic data from 23 autosomal STR loci of Huaxia Platinum system in the Jining Han population
Authors: Dang Zhen , Liu Qi , Zhang Guoan , Li Shuyue , Wang Dan , Pang Qianqian , Yang Da , Li Changzheng , Cui Wen , Wang Yequan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundGenetic polymorphisms at 23 short tandem repeat (STR) loci were investigated in 1,215 Jining Han individuals from Jining city, Shandong province, eastern China.MethodsWe used population genetic data of 23 autosomal STR loci included in the Huaxia Platinum system to evaluate 1,215 unrelated Chinese Han individuals in the Jining Han population. Allele frequencies and forensic parameters of the STR loci were determined and genetic relationships among the Jining Han and other Chinese populations were evaluated.ResultsIn total, we observed 321 alleles, with frequencies ranging from 0.00041 to 0.52222. The combined discrimination power and probability of excluding paternity were 0.99999999999999999999999999919 and 0.99999999962, respectively. No deviations from HWE were observed at any loci. Population comparisons showed that the Xinjiang groups (Uyghur and Kazakh) and the Mongolian and Tibetan groups were isolated, while the Jining Han population clustered together with other populations, except the Guizhou Han population.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that 23 autosomal STR loci included in the Huaxia Platinum system are highly polymorphic and suitable for personal forensic identification and paternity testing in this population.
Benchtop 19F NMR spectroscopy as a practical tool for testing of remedial technologies for the degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid, a persistent organic pollutant
Authors: Heerah Kavi , Waclawek Stanislaw , Konzuk Julie , Longstaffe James G. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe development of effective remedial technologies for the destruction of environmental pollutants requires the ability to clearly monitor degradation processes. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for understanding reaction progress; however, practical considerations often restrict the application of NMR spectroscopy as a tool to better understand the degradation of environmental pollutants. Chief among these restrictions is the limited access smaller environmental research labs and remediation companies have to suitable NMR facilities. Benchtop NMR spectroscopy is a low‐cost and user‐friendly approach to acquire much of the same information as conventional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, albeit with reduced sensitivity and resolution. This paper explores the practical application of benchtop NMR spectroscopy to understand the degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid using sodium persulfate, a common reagent for the destruction of groundwater contaminants. It is found that Benchtop 19F NMR spectroscopy is able to monitor the complete degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid into fluoride; however, the observation of intermediate degradation products formed, which can be observed using a conventional NMR spectrometer, cannot be readily distinguished from the parent compound when measurements are performed using the benchtop instrument. Under certain reaction conditions, the formation of fluorinated structures that are resistant to further degradation is readily observed. Overall, it is shown that benchtop 19F NMR spectroscopy has potential as a quick and reliable tool to assist in the development of remedial technologies for the degradation of fluorinated contaminants.
An edge‐based strain smoothing particle finite element method for large deformation problems in geotechnical engineering
Authors: Jin Yin‐Fu , Yuan Wei‐Hai , Yin Zhen‐Yu , Cheng Yung‐Ming 
Published: January 2020

SummaryTo solve large deformation geotechnical problems, a novel strain‐smoothed particle finite element method (SPFEM) is proposed that incorporates a simple and effective edge‐based strain smoothing method within the framework of original PFEM. Compared with the original PFEM, the proposed novel SPFEM can solve the volumetric locking problem like previously developed node‐based smoothed PFEM when lower‐order triangular element is used. Compared with the node‐based smoothed PFEM known as “overly soft” or underestimation property, the proposed SPFEM offers super‐convergent and very accurate solutions due to the implementation of edge‐based strain smoothing method. To guarantee the computational stability, the proposed SPFEM uses an explicit time integration scheme and adopts an adaptive updating time step. Performance of the proposed SPFEM for geotechnical problems is first examined by four benchmark numerical examples: (a) bar vibrations, (b) large settlement of strip footing, (c) collapse of aluminium bars column, and (d) failure of a homogeneous soil slope. Finally, the progressive failure of slope of sensitive clay is simulated using the proposed SPFEM to show its outstanding performance in solving large deformation geotechnical problems. All results demonstrate that the novel SPFEM is a powerful and easily extensible numerical method for analysing large deformation problems in geotechnical engineering.
Finding multiple solutions to elliptic systems with polynomial nonlinearity
Authors: Zhang Xuping , Zhang Jintao , Yu Bo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractElliptic systems with polynomial nonlinearity usually possess multiple solutions. In order to find multiple solutions, such elliptic systems are discretized by eigenfunction expansion method (EEM). Error analysis of the discretization is presented, which is different from the error analysis of EEM for scalar elliptic equations in three aspects: first, the choice of framework for the nonlinear operator and the corresponding isomorphism of the linearized operator; second, the definition of an auxiliary problem in deriving the relation between the L2 norm and H1 norm of the Ritz projection error; third, the bilinearity/nonbilinearity of the linearized variational forms. The symmetric homotopy for the discretized equations preserves not only D4 symmetry, but also structural symmetry. With the symmetric homotopy, a filter strategy and a finite element Newton refinement, multiple solutions to a system of semilinear elliptic equations arising from Bose–Einstein condensate are found.
Flexible and stretchable polyaniline supercapacitor with a high rate capability
Authors: Huang Zhixuan , Ji Zhenyuan , Feng Yuping , Wang Panpan , Huang Yan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractFlexible electronics are currently highly favored because of their promising applications in flexible displays, artificial electronic skin, wearable devices etc. Exploiting flexible energy storage systems, which are supercapacitors, that have a decent electrochemical performance as well as flexibility and stretchability is essential to promote the development of flexible electronic products. In this work, a flexible and stretchable polyaniline (PANI) supercapacitor based on a conductive stainless steel mesh was developed via a simple electrodeposition route with an elastic gel polyvinyl alcohol polymer (PVA)/phosphoric acid (H3PO4) electrolyte, which exhibits a considerable rate capability and mechanical properties. The as‐prepared capacitor delivers a specific capacitance of 282 F g−1 under a specific current of 2.5 A g−1. Meanwhile, the PANI capacitor exhibits perfect pseudocapacitance behavior at low scan rates (up to 50 mV s−1) and great capacitive characteristics at high scan rates up to 5000 mV s−1. More impressively, this supercapacitor displays excellent tolerance against mechanical deformation, including bending, folding and stretching, even to 20%, with a well‐maintained capacitance. This stretchable PANI supercapacitor with a high rate capability provides a facile and cost‐effective route for the design of flexible energy storage devices. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Enhanced mechanical properties of epoxy‐matrix nanocomposites reinforced with graphene synthesized in atmospheric plasmas
Authors: Nakahara Kevin , Knego Jacob , Sloop Taylor , Bisquera Chance , Subler Nicole , Dato Albert 
Published: January 2020

AbstractGraphene can be synthesized in the gas phase using atmospheric plasmas. Gas‐phase‐synthesized graphene (GSG) possesses features that make it a promising filler material for enhancing the properties of polymers. In this study, epoxy‐matrix nanocomposites reinforced with GSG were investigated. Mixing GSG with epoxy showed that the nanomaterial effectively disperses and resists aggregation in polymer resins. Significant increases in both strength and strain at break were revealed through the tensile testing of GSG‐filled nanocomposites. In contrast, nanocomposites containing graphene nanoplatelets exhibited enhanced strength but diminished strain at break. Imaging of nanocomposite fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy indicated considerable matrix reinforcement by GSG. These results show that unique strengthening mechanisms exist in polymers reinforced with graphene synthesized in atmospheric plasmas.
Quantitative Proteomics for Monitoring Renal Transplant Injury
Authors: Song Lei , Fang Fei , Liu Peng , Zeng Gang , Liu Hongda , Zhao Yang , Xie Xubiao , Tseng George , Randhawa Parmjeet , Xiao Kunhong 
Published: January 2020

PurposeThis study is aimed at developing a molecular diagnostics platform to enhance the interpretation of renal allograft biopsies using quantitative proteomic profiling of formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) specimens.Experimental DesignA quantitative proteomics platform composed of 1) an optimized FFPE protein sample preparation method, 2) a tandem mass tag TMT10‐plex‐based proteomic workflow, and 3) a systematic statistical analysis pipeline to reveal differentially expressed proteins has been developed. This platform is then tested on a small sample set (five samples per phenotype) to reveal proteomic signatures that can differentiate T‐cell mediated rejection (TCMR) and polyomavirus BK nephropathy (BKPyVN) from healthy functionally stable kidney tissue (STA).ResultsAmong 2798 quantified proteins, the expression levels of 740 BKPyVN and 638 TCMR associated proteins are significantly changed compared to STA specimens. Principal component analysis demonstrated good segregation of all three phenotypes investigated. Protein detection and quantitation are highly reproducible: replicate comparative analyses demonstrated 71–84% overlap of detected proteins, and the coefficient of variation for protein measurements is <15% in triplicate liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry runs.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceQuantitative proteomics can be applied to archived FFPE specimens to differentiate different causes of renal allograft injury.
Salivary Fingerprinting of Periodontal Disease by Infrared‐ATR Spectroscopy
Authors: Beyer‐Hans Kerstin Meta‐Catherina , Sigrist Markus Werner , Silbereisen Angelika , Ozturk Veli Ozgen , Emingil Gulnur , Bostanci Nagihan 
Published: January 2020

PurposePeriodontal diseases, the most common chronic inflammatory diseases in humans, do not only affect tooth‐supporting tissues but also other body parts by contributing to the development of life‐threatening conditions. Since currently available diagnostic methods in periodontics lack the ability to identify patients at high risk for periodontal disease progression, development of innovative, non‐invasive, rapid detection methods for diagnosing periodontal diseases is needed. This study aims to assess the potential of infrared attenuated total reflection (IR‐ATR) spectroscopy to detect differences in composition of saliva supernatant in non‐periodontitis individuals (control) and patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (G‐AgP).Experimental DesignIR‐ATR is performed with a wavelength interval from 1230 to 1180 cm−1, analyzed with a simple subtraction in absorbance data.ResultsTen samples show in the analysis of variance of the two data sets a true difference (99.8%). A principal component analysis (PCA) is able to discriminate between G‐AgP and control groups.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceThis study demonstrates for the first time that IR‐ATR spectroscopy is a promising tool for the analysis of saliva supernatant for the diagnosis of periodontitis, and potentially other periodontal conditions. IR‐ATR spectroscopy holds the potential to be miniaturized and utilized as a non‐invasive screening test.
A strong correlation between consensus sequences and unique super secondary structures in leucine rich repeats
Authors: Batkhishig Dashdavaa , Enkhbayar Purevjav , Kretsinger Robert H. , Matsushima Norio 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLeucine rich repeats (LRRs) are present in over 430 000 proteins from viruses to eukaryotes. The LRRs are 20 to 30 residues long and occur in tandem. Individual LRRs are separated into a highly conserved segment with the consensus of LxxLxLxxNxL or LxxLxLxxNxxL (HCS) and a variable segment (VS). In LRRs parallel stacking of short β‐strands (at positions 3‐5 in HCS) form a super helix arrangement called a solenoid structure. Many classes have been recognized. All three classes of Plant specific, Leptospira‐like, and SDS22‐like LRRs which are 24, 23, and 22 residues long, respectively, form a 3(10)‐helix in the VS part. To get a deeper understanding of sequence, structure correlations in LRR structures, we utilized secondary structure assignment and HELFIT analysis (calculating helix axis, pitch, radius, residues per turn, and handedness) based on the atomic coordinates in crystal structures of 43 LRR proteins. We also defined three structural parameters using the three unit vectors of the helix axes of 3(10)‐helix, β‐turn, and LRR‐domain calculated by HELFIT. The combination of the secondary structure assignment and HELFIT reveals that their LRRs adopt unique super secondary structures consisting of a 3(10)‐helix and one or two Type I β‐turns. We propose one structural parameter as a geometrical invariant of LRR solenoid structures. The common LxxLxxL sequence (where “L” is Leu, Ile, Val, Phe or Cys) in the three classes is an essential determinant for the super secondary structures providing a medium range interaction.