bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Friction forces on human finger skin
Authors: Oprisan C M , Chiriac B , Carlescu V , Olaru D N 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The prehension of the small objects with the human fingers is depending on the friction and adherence between finger’s skin and object’s surface. The design of finger pads for robotic and prosthetic hands must simulate both the human finger friction and adherence and elastic deformation, especially for small objects. In this paper, the authors have experimentally investigated the friction forces and friction coefficients in a dry sliding contact tribosystem using Microtribometer CETR UMT-2. A steel cylinder was sliding on the human finger with speeds between 0.5 to 10 mm/s at normal loads up to 10 N. The results showed that the friction coefficient increases with the sliding speed and decreases with the normal load. Also, it was evidenced the presence of the adherence and sliding zones during the laterally cyclic movement of steel cylinder as function of the normal loads and sliding speeds. A general equation for the friction coefficient as function of sliding speed and normal load has been obtained. Therefore, the experimental results offer important information to select the adequate artificial skin materials for robotic finger pads, often overlooked, with relatively simple shapes and mechanical properties typically used.
Temperature effect on the mechanical behaviour of niobium nitride thin films
Authors: Merie V V , Pustan M S , Negrea G , Bîrleanu C J , Crişan H G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Niobium nitride is used in a wide range of application due to its mechanical, physical, chemical, electrical and optical properties. The main aim of this paper is to deposit niobium nitride thin films by direct current magnetron sputtering and to characterize them at nanoscale. The films were deposited on silicon Si (100) substrates. Three types of films were deposited by modifying the deposition temperature. In this regard, some of the samples were deposited at room temperature (25 °C), some were deposited when the substrate was preheated at 200 °C, and the rest at substrate temperature of 400 °C. Regarding the topography of the samples, an increase in the average roughness was determined with the increase in deposition temperature. The nanoindentation tests were carried out at temperatures between 20 and 100 °C so that to emphasize the change in hardness and modulus of elasticity in terms of testing temperature. The results pointed out an important influence of both the deposition temperature and testing temperature on the topography, adhesion and mechanical properties of the niobium nitride thin films.
Thermophysical properties of SmTaO4, Sm3TaO7 and SmTa3O9 ceramics
Authors: Zhou Ying , Gan Guoyou , Ge Zhenhua , Feng Jing 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
SmTaO4, Sm3TaO7 and SmTa3O9 ceramics were prepared via a high temperature solid-state reaction. The results show that the phase structures of the SmTaO4 ceramics are a monoclinic phase (space group: I2 (5)), the Sm3TaO7 ceramics are an ordered orthorhombic phase (space group: Ccmm), and the SmTa3O9 ceramics are an orthorhombic phase (space group: Cmmm). Macromolecular and crystal structures of Sm3TaO7 and SmTa3O9 are more complex than those of SmTaO4, which can enhance phonon scattering and reduce thermal conductivity. Compared with those of SmTaO4 and SmTa3O9, Sm3TaO7 has the smallest grain size, indicating that a small grain size has an effect on strength and ensures material stability. Because of a distorted TaO6 octahedron and a high concentration of cation vacancy in the lattice of SmTa3O9, its thermal conductivity increases with increasing temperature. Compared with that of 7–8 YSZ, Sm3TaO7 has a low thermal conductivity (1.3–1.7 W·m−1·K−1 at 100 °C–900 °C), and its minimum thermal conductivity is nearly 30% lower than that of YSZ. The Sm3TaO7 ceramics have the highest TECs at approximately 9.82 × 10−6 K−1 at 1200 °C, which is close to that of 7–8 YSZ (approximately 10 × 10−6). This indicates that Sm3TaO7 has the potential to be employed as a thermal barrier coating.
Fabrication of magnetic and recyclable In2S3/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites for visible light photocatalytic activity enhancement
Authors: Zhao Wenye , Huang Yun , Su Chunyan , Gao Yepen , Tian Wenhui , Yang Xudong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In this work, magnetic In2S3/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites were fabricated via a two-step solvothermal process, which In2S3 loading amount on ZnFe2O4 support medium could be controlled by changing reaction mass. Investigation revealed that the photocatalytic activity of In2S3/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites was uperior to pure In2S3 and ZnFe2O4 for the degradation of MB driven by visible light. The improved photocatalytic activity may be stemming from the synergy effect of In2S3 and ZnFe2O4, resulting in the enhanced visible light absorbance and higher separation efficiency of the photo-generated charge carriers. Significantly, this sort of nanocomposites could rapidly be separated through an external magnetic field, and five successive cycle experiments have proved that it was stable and recyclable. Finally, a possible mechanism related to the separation of charge and photocatalytic decomposition of MB was also provided.
Free vibration analysis of cracked functionally graded non-uniform beams
Authors: Shabani Shkelzen , Cunedioglu Yusuf 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
This paper presents the free vibration analysis of an edge cracked non-uniform symmetric beam made of functionally graded material. The Timoshenko beam theory is used for the finite element analysis of the multi-layered sandwich beam and the cantilever beam is modeled by 50 layers of material. The material properties vary continuously along the thickness direction according to the exponential and power laws. A MATLAB code is used to find the natural frequencies of two types of non-uniform beams, having a constant height but an exponential or linear width variation along the length of the beam. The natural frequencies of the beam are verified with ANSYS software as well as with available literature and good agreement is found. In the study, the effects of different parameters such as crack location, crack depth, power-law index, geometric index and taper ratio on natural frequencies are analyzed in detail.
Insulation performance analysis of novel high-temperature vacuum insulated panels with 2D and 2.5D braided structures
Authors: Wang Yang , Yang Jian , Chen Zhaofeng 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In this paper, the thermal insulation performance and mechanism of novel High-temperature vacuum insulated panel (HTVIP) with 2D and 2.5D braided structures shell were compared and analyzed extensively. The effective thermal conductivity of 2.5D HTVIP ranged from 0.326 W m−1·K−1 to 0.748 W m−1·K−1 within the temperature from 25 °C to 900 °C is 12.4%–27.2% lower than the value of 2D HTVIP ranged from 0.368 W m−1·K−1 to 1.027 W m−1·K−1. The infrared images of both 2D and 2.5D HTVIP were also examined, which showed the 2.5D HTVIP has better thermal insulation performance. The thermal flow dynamic simulation of the HTVIP shows that the values of temperature at the center of the lower surface of the 2D and 2.5D HTVIP calculated by thermal simulation are 471 °C and 386 °C, respectively. And the heat flux density on the side of the 2.5D HTVIP is significantly lower than that of the 2D structure, the highest values are 163 KW m−2·K and 105 KW m−2·K, respectively.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Job Satisfaction, Well-Being, and Burnout Survey of Laboratory Professionals
Authors: Garcia Edna , Kundu Iman , Kelly Melissa , Soles Ryan , Mulder Lotte , Talmon Geoffrey A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To examine job satisfaction, well-being, job stress, and burnout among laboratory professionals.

Methods
The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. The survey was administered online via the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s survey tool, to elicit information about job satisfaction, well-being, job stress, and burnout among medical laboratory professionals.

Results
Although this survey shows high job satisfaction among respondents, overall job-related stress is high and burnout is prevalent. The majority of the respondents rated their work-life balance as “fair.” The main contributing factors to job stress, burnout, and work-life balance are quantity of workload and understaffing.

Conclusions
Based on the results of this survey, creating targeted interventions may help improve the quality of well-being programs for laboratory professionals. A comprehensive wellness program developed at the institutional, local, and national levels may improve morale and alleviate the recruitment and retention challenges faced by medical laboratory professionals.
Dynamics of Cortical Local Connectivity during Sleep–Wake States and the Homeostatic Process
Authors: Miyazaki Takehiro , Kanda Takeshi , Tsujino Natsuko , Ishii Ryo , Nakatsuka Daiki , Kizuka Mariko , Kasagi Yasuhiro , Hino Hideitsu , Yanagisawa Masashi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Sleep exerts modulatory effects on the cerebral cortex. Whether sleep modulates local connectivity in the cortex or only individual neural activity, however, is poorly understood. Here we investigated functional connectivity, that is, covarying activity between neurons, during spontaneous sleep–wake states and during and after sleep deprivation using calcium imaging of identified excitatory/inhibitory neurons in the motor cortex. Functional connectivity was estimated with a statistical learning approach glasso and quantified by “the probability of establishing connectivity (sparse/dense)” and “the strength of the established connectivity (weak/strong).” Local cortical connectivity was sparse in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and dense in REM sleep, which was similar in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The overall mean strength of the connectivity did not differ largely across spontaneous sleep–wake states. Sleep deprivation induced strong excitatory/inhibitory and dense inhibitory, but not excitatory, connectivity. Subsequent NREM sleep after sleep deprivation exhibited weak excitatory/inhibitory, sparse excitatory, and dense inhibitory connectivity. These findings indicate that sleep–wake states modulate local cortical connectivity, and the modulation is large and compensatory for stability of local circuits during the homeostatic control of sleep, which contributes to plastic changes in neural information flow.
Persistence With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in the United States, 2012–2017
Authors: Huang Ya-Lin A , Tao Guoyu , Smith Dawn K , Hoover Karen W 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection if used adherently throughout periods of HIV risk. We estimated PrEP persistence among cohorts of persons with commercial or Medicaid insurance.

Methods
We analyzed data from the IBM MarketScan Research Database to identify persons aged 18–64 years who initiated PrEP between 2012 and 2017. We assessed PrEP persistence by calculating the time period that each person continued filling PrEP prescriptions until there was a gap in prescription fills &gt; 30 days. We used Kaplan-Meier time-to-event methods to estimate the proportion of PrEP users who persisted with PrEP at 3, 6, and 12 months after initiation, and constructed Cox proportional hazards models to determine patient characteristics associated with nonpersistence.

Results
We studied 11 807 commercially insured and 647 Medicaid insured persons with PrEP prescriptions. Commercially insured patients persisted for a median time of 13.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.3–14.1), compared to 6.8 months (95% CI, 6.1–7.6) among Medicaid patients. Additionally, female sex, younger age, residence in rural location, and black race were associated with shorter persistence. After adjusting for covariates, we found that female sex (hazard ratio [HR], 1.81 [95% CI, 1.56–2.11]) and younger age (18–24 years: HR, 2.38 [95% CI, 2.11–2.69]) predicted nonpersistence.

Conclusions
More than half of commercially insured persons who initiated PrEP persisted with it for 12 months, compared to a third of those with Medicaid. A better understanding of reasons for nonpersistence is important to support persistent PrEP use and to develop interventions designed for the diverse needs of at-risk populations.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol concentrations determined in serum of newborns, infants, children, adolescents, and adults by use of a micromethod for combined precipitation ultracentrifugation
Authors: Asayama K , Miyao A , Kato K 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Cholesterol (C) concentrations in the two major subfractions of high-density lipoproteins (HDL2-C and HDL3-C) in sera from both sexes, ages ranging from newborns to adults, were measured by use of a micromethod for combined precipitation-ultracentrifugation. Sera were obtained from 91 boys, 68 girls, 15 healthy men, and 14 women. The HDL2-C concentration was higher in women than in men; the HDL3-C concentration was similar in these two groups. This sex-related difference, generally seen in adults, was found to begin at ages 11-15 y. The value of HDL2-C in females increased with age in a stepwise manner, whereas that in males increased up to ages 6-10 y but tended to decline thereafter. The HDL3-C concentration was higher in the adults than in the children. This micromethod for separating operationally defined HDL subfractions is of value for lipoprotein research in children.
Competitive binding enzyme immunoassay for zonisamide, a new antiepileptic drug, with selected paired-enzyme labeled antigen and antibody
Authors: Kalbe K , Nishimura S , Ishii H , Sunahara N , Naruto S , Kurooka S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We assessed the competitive binding between zonisamide (ZNS) in serum samples and beta-galactosidase-labeled ZNS derivatives, using competing antibodies to ZNS derivatives, and selected the best enzyme-labeled antigen and antibody for accurate enzyme immunoassay (EIA) of ZNS in serum without interference from its metabolites or from other antiepileptic drugs. This EIA, based on use of antibody linked to bacterial cell walls, has advantages over HPLC in simplicity, speed (50 samples per hour), and lack of requirement for special equipment. The concentrations of ZNS in serum as measured by the EIA correlated well with those by HPLC (n = 33, r = 0.977).
Thrombin-induced serotonin release as an in vitro indicator of the functional integrity of stored platelets
Authors: Hervig T , Vølundardottir T , Bakken A M , Farstad M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Measurements of endogenous serotonin and the thrombin-induced serotonin release reaction in platelet concentrates were compared with other methods of quality control: particle counting and pH and gas analyses. A discrepancy between the serotonin release reaction and the other data was observed after seven days of storage. The decline in the release reaction was not predictable from pH measurements or the number of platelets or leukocytes in the concentrate. There was a significant positive correlation between endogenous serotonin content and the thrombin-induced serotonin secretion after seven days of storage. We conclude that the current methods for routine control of platelet concentrates may not ensure the quality of the product after it has been stored for seven days. The thrombin-induced serotonin release may provide a valuable addition to the battery of tests available.
Improved purification of human lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-3 and studies with its fluorescein isothiocyanate and biotin conjugates
Authors: Weijers R N , de Bruijn R , Mulder J , Kruijswijk H 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Lactate dehydrogenase (L-lactate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzyme-3 (LD-3) has been isolated in milligram quantities from human erythrocytes. Using an improved procedure--which involves complete hemolysis of the erythrocytes, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sephacel column chromatography, and 5'-AMP-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography--we obtained 23,000-fold purified isoenzyme from the crude hemolysate (overall yield about 90%). The final product was homogeneous on polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and had a specific activity of about 435 kU/g. Its amino acid composition is presented. With the eventual aim to make visible and isolate IgA kappa antibody-secreting B lymphocytes, we developed reproducible methods for preparing fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer-1-conjugated LD-3 with a fluorescein/LD-3 molar ratio between 1.3 and 3.3, and biotinylated LD-3 with a biotin/LD-3 molar ratio between 1.3 and 2.5. In evaluating the stability of these two conjugates, we determined that they still can react with IgA kappa to form the IgA kappa (LD-3)2 complex.
A new enzyme immunoassay for prolactin in serum or plasma
Authors: Babiel R , Willnow P , Baer M , van Gent M , Ehrhardt V 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
This enzyme immunoassay (EIA) of human prolactin (hPRL) involves incubation of sample and anti-hPRL antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) in tubes coated with a second antibody to hPRL. The test can be performed within 60 min. No reaction of the antibodies with human placental lactogen and human somatotropin is detectable. The presence of detergent allows assay of both serum and plasma. Precision was improved by including polyethylene glycol in the reaction mixture. To optimize analytical recovery, we added protease inhibitor. Assay of the EIA standards shows good correlation with results for World Health Organization reference preparations. The measurable range is 1 to 400 micrograms/L. Intra- and interassay CVs are about 5%. Comparisons with two RIAs and two other EIAs show reasonably good correlations. The components of our EIA are stable for 18 months.
Adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine/xanthine measured in tissue and plasma by a luminescence method
Authors: Jabs C M , Neglen P , Eklof B , Thomas E J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
This simple method for sequentially quantifying hypoxanthine (HYP), inosine (INO), and adenosine (ADN) concentrations exploits the H2O2 peroxidase-catalyzed chemiluminescence of luminol. Though applied here only to tissue and plasma, this method can be adapted to analyze other body fluids. HYP in human plasma was stable for 30 min in 10 mmol/L EDTA reagent, whereas ADN was slowly converted to INO. Analytical recovery of HYP and INO added to plasma was 102% each; that of ADN was 95%. The within-run mean CVs for determinations of HYP, INO, and ADN at 1 mumol/L were 3.46%, 2.65%, and 3.01%; at 10 mumol/L they were 2.16%, 1.88%, and 1.63%, respectively. Corresponding between-run CVs were 5.34%, 4.09%, and 4.17%; and 3.43%, 2.40%, and 2.88%, respectively. Bilirubin at a concentration greater than 50 mumol/L interferes, but this interference is eliminated by bilirubin oxidase. Results for both tissue and plasma are compared with previously published results based on different analytical methods.
Quality management science in clinical chemistry: a dynamic framework for continuous improvement of quality
Authors: Westgard J O , Burnett R W , Bowers G N 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Current quality assurance approaches will not be adequate to satisfy the needs for quality in the next decade. Quality management science (QMS), as evolving in industry today, provides the dynamic framework necessary to provide continuous improvement of quality. QMS emphasizes the importance of defining quality goals based on the needs and expectations (implied needs) of customers. The laboratory can develop customer-friendly goals and measures of quality by recognizing that customers' experiences are represented by a totality of results. Quality goals and measures are best communicated as "total performance" by specifying a limit and percentile of the distribution, rather than a mean and standard deviation. Application of quality goals within the laboratory will usually require partitioning the total performance goal into components and translating those components into specifications to guide the operation and management of production processes. QMS also extends beyond technical processes to people processes and provides guidance for improving the quality of worklife and caring for the laboratory's most essential resource--our people.
The unique lipoprotein(a): properties and immunochemical measurement
Authors: Albers J J , Marcovina S M , Lodge M S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] represents a class of lipoprotein particles defined by the presence of apolipoprotein(a), a unique glycoprotein linked by a disulfide bond to apolipoprotein B-100 to form a single macromolecule. Apolipoprotein(a) is formed by three different structural domains having high amino acid sequence homology with plasminogen. One of the domains, called kringle 4, is present in multiple copies, the number of which varies and is genetically determined. This accounts for the size heterogeneity of apolipoprotein(a) and thus of Lp(a). Because high concentrations of Lp(a) are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and may inhibit fibrinolysis, interest in measuring Lp(a) has increased considerably, leading to a rapid development of commercially available immunoassays for the measurement of Lp(a) in human plasma. However, the immunochemical measurement of Lp(a) has several peculiar problems in addition to those encountered by the measurements of other apolipoproteins. The major problems that need to be carefully evaluated are (a) the structural complexity and heterogeneity of Lp(a), (b) the homology of apolipoprotein(a) with plasminogen, (c) the lack of standardization of the methods, and (d) the lack of a common means of expressing the Lp(a) values.
Discordance between measured and calculated total carbon dioxide
Authors: Ungerer J P , Ungerer M J , Vermaak W J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Recent studies on the agreement and correlation between measured and calculated total CO2 (TCO2) have yielded conflicting results. Pre-analytical variation could have been partially responsible. While keeping such variables at an absolute minimum, we found excellent correlation (r = 0.98) in 88 samples, with only a small variation in agreement between measured and calculated TCO2 values (SD = 1.1 mmol/L), which could be a function of variation in apparent pK (pK'). A subsequent evaluation of 913 consecutive samples, routinely analyzed, yielded similar results. These results suggest that some of the discrepancies reported in the literature could be ascribable to differences in sample types and sample handling. Rigid control of pre-analytical procedures is therefore a prerequisite in studies on this topic. The two methods were found to agree over a wide range of values, such that either of them could be used to evaluate clinical acid-base status accurately.
On dividing reference data into subgroups to produce separate reference ranges
Authors: Harris E K , Boyd J C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We consider statistical criteria for partitioning a reference database to obtain separate reference ranges for different subpopulations. Using general formulas relating population variances, sample sizes, and the normal deviate test for the significance of the difference between two subgroup means, we show that partitioning into separate ranges produces little reduction in between-person variability, even when the differences between means are highly significant statistically. However, when there is a clear physiological basis for distinguishing between certain subgroups, simulation studies show that partitioning may be necessary to obtain reference limits that cut off the desired proportions of low and high values in each subgroup. Guidelines based on these results are provided to help decide whether separate ranges should be obtained for a given analyte.