bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between electromyography and perineometry in evaluating pelvic floor muscle function in nulligravidas: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Macêdo Lorena C. , Lemos Andrea , A. Vasconcelos Danilo , Katz Leila , Amorim Melania M.R. 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveTo correlate the results of electromyography and perineometry in the assessment of PFM function in nulligravidas.MethodsThe cross‐sectional observational study was approved by the internal review board of the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP) and was conducted in the Instituto Paraibano de Pesquisa Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto (IPESQ). Thirty‐eight nulligravidas aged 18‐39 years of age, who had already initiated their sexual life, participated in the study. Exclusion criteria consisted of the presence of genital prolapse, a history of pelvic or urogenital surgery and the presence of neurological disease producing muscle disorders. For the evaluation procedure, the women were submitted to a clinical evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles followed by electromyography. Perineometry was performed 72 h later. Prior to electromyography and perineometry, the women were given standardized training with electromyographic biofeedback to teach them to contract only their pelvic floor muscles.ResultsA highly positive, statistically significant correlation (r = 0.968; P < 0.001) was found between the electromyographic and perineometric findings.ConclusionsA strong correlation was found between perineometric and electromyographic findings of pelvic floor muscle function.
Place of surgery in the management of post‐operative chronic pain after placement of prosthetic material based on a series of 107 cases
Authors: Leonard Grégoire , Perrouin‐Verbe Marie‐Aimée , Levesque Amélie , Riant Thibault , Normand Loïc Le , Labat Jean‐Jacques , Rigaud Jérôme 
Published: March 2018

AimsThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of surgical removal of prosthetic material, possibly combined with nerve release, on chronic postoperative pain following placement of prosthetic material.Material and methodsSingle‐tertiary‐centre study on 107 patients managed between November 2004 and April 2016 for removal of prosthetic material responsible for postoperative chronic pain: retropubic suburethral sling (n = 32), transobturator suburethral sling (n = 50), prolapse mesh (n = 16), and hernia mesh (n = 9). The primary endpoint was at least 50% reduction of pain evaluated by a pain numerical rating scale (NRS).ResultsThe mean interval between the initial operation involving placement of prosthetic material and reoperation for removal of prosthetic material was 41.2 ± 35.4 months. In all cases pain apperaed immediately following prosthetic material placement surgery. Pain presented neuropathic features in almost 30% of cases and was poorly systematized in more than one‐half The mean follow‐up of the study population was 8.4 ± 10.3 months. The mean pain NRS score for the overall population was seven preoperatively and three at last follow‐up. At least 50% reduction of the pain NRS score was observed 67% of cases at last follow‐up. During follow‐up, 45% of patients experienced relapse of the disorder for which the prosthetic material was initially placed with, in particular, a 62% recurrence rate of urinary incontinence after removal of transobturator suburethral tape.ConclusionSurgical removal of prosthetic material to treat chronic postoperative pain, achieved global improvement of pain in about two‐thirds of cases, but with a risk of recurrence of the initial disorders.
Transient solutions to nonlinear acousto‐magneto‐mechanical coupling for axisymmetric MRI scanner design
Authors: Bagwell S. , Ledger P.D. , Gil A.J. , Mallett M. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn this work, we simulate the coupled physics describing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner by using a higher‐order finite element discretisation and a Newton‐Raphson algorithm. To apply the latter, a linearisation of the nonlinear system of equations is necessary, and we consider two alternative approaches. In the first approach, ie, the nonlinear approach, there is no approximation from a physical standpoint, and the linearisation is performed about the current solution. In the second approach, ie, the linearised approach, we realise that the MRI problem can be described by small dynamic fluctuations about a dominant static solution and linearise about the latter. The linearised approach permits solutions in the frequency domain and provides a computationally efficient way to solve this challenging problem, as it allows the tangent stiffness matrix to be inverted independently of time or frequency. We focus on transient solutions to the coupled system of equations and address the following two important questions: (i) how good is the agreement between the computationally efficient linearised approach compared with the intensive nonlinear approach and (ii) over what range of MRI operating conditions can the linearised approach be expected to provide acceptable results for outputs of interest in an industrial context for MRI scanner design? We include a set of academic and industrially relevant examples to benchmark and illustrate our approach.
Material design of elastic structures using Voronoi cells
Authors: Podestá J. M. , Méndez C. G. , Toro S. , Huespe A. E. , Oliver J. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryNew tools for the design of metamaterials with periodic microarchitectures are presented. Initially, a two‐scale material design approach is adopted. At the structure scale, the material effective properties and their spatial distribution are obtained through a Free Material Optimization technique. At the microstructure scale, the material microarchitecture is designed by appealing to a Topology Optimization Problem (TOP). The TOP is based on the topological derivative and the level set function. The new proposed tools are used to facilitate the search of the optimal microarchitecture configuration. They consist of the following: (i) a procedure to choose an adequate shape of the unit cell domain where the TOP is formulated and shapes of Voronoi cells associated with Bravais lattices are adopted and (ii) a procedure to choose an initial material distribution within the Voronoi cell being utilized as the initial configuration for the iterative TOP.
A fast algorithm for multifield representation and multiscale simulation of high‐quality 3D stochastic aggregate microstructures by concurrent coupling of stationary Gaussian and fractional Brownian random fields
Authors: Huang Junjie , Peng Qi 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThis study presents a multiscale computational framework for the representation and generation of concrete aggregate microstructures on the basis of the multifield theory, which couples the stationary Gaussian random field with the fractional Brownian random field. Specifically, the stationary Gaussian field is utilized to simulate the morphological shape of an aggregate on the coarse scale, whereas the surface topography of the aggregate on the fine scale is represented by the fractional Brownian field. To bridge the 2 scales, a concurrent coupling formula is proposed. This coupled technique allows for smooth transition between the coarse and fine scales and permits the rapid generation of highly realistic concrete aggregates that can be tailored to the desired quality and requirements, making the algorithm computationally appealing. In the generation of the random fields on the 2 scales, the Fourier representation of block circulant covariance matrices with circulant blocks is exploited, which yields substantial efficiency advantages over the conventional Cholesky decomposition approach in factorizing covariance matrices as well as simulating random fields. Meanwhile, a microsurface postprocessing and reconstruction procedure is also developed to convert the generated random fields into realistic 3D shapes. The numerical methodology proposed in this study offers tremendous potential for a plethora of applications in cement‐based materials.
The morphological, mechanical, rheological, and thermal properties of PLA/PBAT blown films with chain extender
Authors: Li Xin , Ai Xue , Pan Hongwei , Yang Jia , Gao Guanghui , Zhang Huiliang , Yang Huili , Dong Lisong 
Published: March 2018

Biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) blends and films were prepared using melt blending and blowing films technique in the presence of chain extender‐Joncryl ADR 4370F. The ADR contains epoxy functional groups and used as a compatibilizer. The morphological, mechanical, rheological, thermal, and crystalline properties of the PLA/PBAT/ADR blown films were studied. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the films revealed more ductile deformation with increasing PBAT content. The addition of PBAT enhanced the toughness of the PLA film. Tensile tests indicated that the elongation at break increased from 20.5% to 334.6% in the machine direction and from 7.1% to 715.9% in the transverse direction. The Young modulus increased from 2690.5 to 395.6 MPa in the machine direction and from 2623.5 to 154.0 MPa in the transverse direction. The sealing strength of 40/60/0.15 PLA/PBAT/ADR film was the highest among all the samples up to 9.4 N 15 mm−1. These findings gave important implications for designing and manufacturing polymer packaging materials.
Nanocavitation in silica filled styrene‐butadiene rubber regulated by varying silica‐rubber interfacial bonding
Authors: Cao Xijuan , Zhou Xing , Weng Gengsheng 
Published: March 2018

The influence of filler‐matrix interfacial bonding on the nanocavitation of rubber materials has not been explored clearly. We herein report the nanocavitation modes and geometrical features impacted by varying the silica‐styrene‐butadiene rubber interfacial bonding. The interfacial bonding is tuned by grafting different amount of multi‐functional silane coupling agents on to the silica nanoparticles. By using synchrotron radiation small angle X‐ray scattering measurements, 2 major classes of cavitation were detected. When the interfacial strength was weak, fibrillar nanocavitation, with lengths ranging from 120 to 217 nm and diameter of the same order of the particle size, was generated by interfacial decohesion at the particle pores along the stretching direction. After grafting modification, the fibril‐like nanocavitation almost disappears and nanocavitation content decreases first at lower grafting density; then nanocavitation content increases at higher grafting density, where nanocavitation in confined rubber regions dominates. It is finally proposed that nanoparticle interfacial strengthening can change the cavitation mode from interfacial decohesion to confined rubber matrix nanocavitation, which exhibits more favorable prevention of the macroscopic failure by cracking.
Preparation of urea formaldehyde microsphere and its effect on flame retardant ethylene vinyl acetate composites
Authors: Yu Guoxing , Liu Yinfeng , Li Juan 
Published: March 2018

Urea formaldehyde microsphere (UFM) was prepared and used with organic montmorillonite (OMMT) to modify the flame retardant efficiency of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/intumescent flame retardant (IFR) composites. The results show that single IFR may modify the flame retardancy of EVA, but its efficiency is not good enough. The EVA composite containing 21 wt% IFR is just classified the UL_94 V2 and has a limiting oxygen index (LOI) 24.7 vol%. Combining UFM with IFR does not improve the flame retardancy of EVA/IFR composites, and blending OMMT with IFR only improves its LOI. Adding 2 wt% UFM, 2 wt% OMMT, and 17 wt% IFR into EVA, it obtains the UL_94 V0 without melt dripping and a LOI 29.0 vol%. Also, the peak heat release rate and total heat release decrease a lot. Good synergistic effects among IFR, UFM, and OMMT improve the char residues and modify the char micromorphology of EVA composites, which provide better protect for the underlying resin.
Modification of poly(benzimidazole‐amide) nanocomposites by the incorporation of amine‐functionalized ZnO nanoparticles: Thermal and morphological characterization
Authors: Toiserkani Hojjat 
Published: March 2018

Fabrication, characterization, and properties of novel poly(benzimidazole‐amide)/functionalized ZnO nanocomposites (PBIA/APS‐ZnO NCs) were investigated. At first, an aromatic PBA containing 3 imidazole units per repeat unit was synthesized by direct polycondensation of 1,3‐bis(5‐carboxylic acid‐2‐benzimidazole)benzene (BCAB) with 5‐(2‐benzimidazole)‐1,3‐phenylenediamine (DAMI) with good yield as a polymeric matrix. The periphery of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was modified with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) to have a better dispersion NPs and enhancing interactions between nanoparticles and PBIA matrix. Different percentages of functionalized NPs (0, 4, 8, and 12 wt.%) were then embedded in PBA matrix through ultrasonic irradiation technique. Fourier transform infrared and thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed that APS was successfully attached on the ZnO NP surface. The obtained NCs were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and TGA. The TGA of the PBIA/APS‐ZnO NCs showed the enhancement in the thermal stability in comparison with the neat PBIA and that this increase is higher when the NP content increases. Scanning electron microscopy analyses of NCs revealed that the dispersion of APS‐ZnO NPs was uniformly done in the PBIA matrix.
Screening of bioactive components from traditional Chinese medicines using cell membrane chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry
Authors: Han Shengli , Lv Yanni , Wei Fen , Fu Jia , Hu Qi , Wang Sicen 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionCell membrane chromatography (CMC), as a highly selective type of affinity chromatography, has been demonstrated as an effective method to screen bioactive components acting on specific receptor from a complicated biological system.ObjectiveTo review the recent research progress and the technical applications of these analytical methods using CMC combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC/MS).MethodologyIn this review, we briefly introduce the CMC offline GC/MS, CMC online GC/MS, CMC offline LC/MS, and CMC online LC/MS system. And the practical application of these technologies is also enumerated. Then the future of these technologies and research methods were discussed.ResultsMany bioactive components interacting with specific receptors have been screened and identified in traditional Chinese medicines.ConclusionCMC technique has been combined with GC/MS and HPLC/MS and these combined systems have been successfully used to screen bioactive components acting on specific receptors from a complicated biological system.
A simple and fast quantitative analysis of quinolizidine alkaloids and their biosynthetic precursor, lysine, in Sophora alopecuroides by hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled with triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Hanqing , Xiao Dong , Li Wei , Zhang Xia , Gao Xiaojuan , Yong Jingjiao , Zhao Jianjun , Koike Kazuo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionDifferent parts of Sophora alopecuroides L. (Fabaceae) have historically been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of dysentery and enteritis. This plant is also utilised as an important resource for industrial preparation of quinolizidine alkaloidal pharmaceuticals.ObjectiveEstablish a reliable, simple and fast analytical method for the quantitative determination of the quinolizidine‐type alkaloids and extend understanding of the metabolism of quinolizidine‐type alkaloids in S. alopecuroides.MethodsHydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled with triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC‐TQ‐MS/MS) in multiple‐reaction monitoring (MRM) mode were used to determine seven quinolizidine‐type alkaloids and their biosynthetic precursor, lysine, in S. alopecuroides.ResultsA good separation was obtained on an ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) amide column within 7 min. The overall limits of detection (LODs) were between 1.13 and 2.81 ng/ml, and limits of quantitation (LOQs) were between 3.80 and 8.48 ng/ml. The developed method was successfully applied to 21 samples of S. alopecuroides. The seeds had the highest concentration of alkaloids among the different plant parts. Oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine were the two most abundant alkaloids in all of the different parts and at different phenological growth stages. The contents of quinolizidine alkaloids showed correlations with lysine.ConclusionA rapid and sensitive analytical method was established for the simultaneous determination of seven quinolizidine‐type alkaloids and their biosynthetic precursor, lysine, in S. alopecuroides; the content of lysine may be used as a marker to predict alkaloid production.
Anti‐ageing effect of red ginseng revealed by urinary metabonomics using RRLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS
Authors: Sun Jinghui , Jiao Chuanxin , Ma Yue , Chen Jianguang , Wu Wei , Liu Shuying 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionRed ginseng (RG) is one of the main processed products of the roots and rhizomes of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and is used for anti‐ageing. But how metabonomic influences of RG on the progress of ageing are less researched.ObjectiveA metabonomic method was developed to study the characters of the ageing process and the effects of total ginsenosides of red ginseng (TGRG) on the progress of ageing.MethodsUrine samples from four different ages (4, 12, 18 and 24 months old) of rats and interference after TGRG were analysed by rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadruple‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (RRLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) and multivariate statistical analysis were performed for the pattern recognition and characteristic metabolites identification.ResultsFourteen potential biomarkers were found and identified by MS/MS analysis by referring to authentic chemicals. The analysis of metabolic pathways indicated that the reduced energy and lipid metabolism, the decline of kidney function and amino acids metabolism disorders were the main features of ageing. After TGRG administration, lipid and amino acids metabolism of 18 and 24 month‐old rats were adjusted to restore a younger level, and nine related biomarkers in the ageing process reset to a younger level were recognised.ConclusionThese changes showed that TGRG may produce an anti‐ageing effect by intervening in the lipid metabolism and correcting the amino acid metabolism disorders in ageing rats.
Clinical application of chromosomal microarray analysis for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and copy number variations in fetuses with congenital heart disease
Authors: Xia Yu , Yang Yongchao , Huang Shufang , Wu Yueheng , Li Ping , Zhuang Jian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to determine chromosomal abnormalities and copy number variations (CNVs) in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD) by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA).MethodsOne hundred and ten cases with CHD detected by prenatal echocardiography were enrolled in the study; 27 cases were simple CHDs, and 83 were complex CHDs. Chromosomal microarray analysis was performed on the Affymetrix CytoScan HD platform. All annotated CNVs were validated by quantitative PCR.ResultsChromosomal microarray analysis identified 6 cases with chromosomal abnormalities, including 2 cases with trisomy 21, 2 cases with trisomy 18, 1 case with trisomy 13, and 1 unusual case of mosaic trisomy 21. Pathogenic CNVs were detected in 15.5% (17/110) of the fetuses with CHDs, including 13 cases with CHD‐associated CNVs. We further identified 10 genes as likely novel CHD candidate genes through gene functional enrichment analysis. We also found that pathogenic CMA results impacted the rate of pregnancy termination.ConclusionsThis study shows that CMA is particularly effective for identifying chromosomal abnormalities and CNVs in fetuses with CHDs as well as having an effect on obstetrical outcomes. The elucidation of the genetic basis of CHDs will continue to expand our understanding of the etiology of CHDs.
Methodological challenges when evaluating potential off‐label prescribing of drugs using electronic health care databases: A case study of dabigatran etexilate in Europe
Authors: Cainzos‐Achirica Miguel , Varas‐Lorenzo Cristina , Pottegård Anton , Asmar Joelle , Plana Estel , Rasmussen Lotte , Bizouard Geoffray , Forns Joan , Hellfritzsch Maja , Zint Kristina , Perez‐Gutthann Susana , Pladevall‐Vila Manel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPurposeTo report and discuss estimated prevalence of potential off‐label use and associated methodological challenges using a case study of dabigatran.MethodsObservational, cross‐sectional study using 3 databases with different types of clinical information available: Cegedim Strategic Data Longitudinal Patient Database (CSD‐LPD), France (cardiologist panel, n = 1706; general practitioner panel, n = 2813; primary care data); National Health Databases, Denmark (n = 28 619; hospital episodes and dispensed ambulatory medications); and Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), UK (linkable to Hospital Episode Statistics [HES], n = 2150; not linkable, n = 1285; primary care data plus hospital data for HES‐linkable patients). Study period: August 2011 to August 2015. Two definitions were used to estimate potential off‐label use: a broad definition of on‐label prescribing using codes for disease indication (eg, atrial fibrillation [AF]), and a restrictive definition excluding patients with conditions for which dabigatran is not indicated (eg, valvular AF).ResultsPrevalence estimates under the broad definition ranged from 5.7% (CPRD‐HES) to 34.0% (CSD‐LPD) and, under the restrictive definition, from 17.4% (CPRD‐HES) to 44.1% (CSD‐LPD). For the majority of potential off‐label users, no diagnosis potentially related to anticoagulant use was identified. Key methodological challenges were the limited availability of detailed clinical information, likely leading to overestimation of off‐label use, and differences in the information available, which may explain the disparate prevalence estimates across data sources.ConclusionsEstimates of potential off‐label use should be interpreted cautiously due to limitations in available information. In this context, CPRD HES‐linkable estimates are likely to be the most accurate.