bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERFORMATIVITAS IDENTITAS GENDER DAN SEKSUALITAS DALAM NOVEL IMARAH YAKUBIAN KARYA ALA AL-ASWANI
Authors: Khurosan Herpin Nopiandi
Published: February 2021

This study examines aspects of the performativity of gender identity and sexuality in the novel Imarah Yakubian by Alaa al-Awani. Through Judith Butler's theory of performativity, the author examines how the identity and gender sexuality performativity of the characters and how the attitude of the characters in the novel Imarah Yaqubian in responding to the dominance of heteronormativity.The results showed that Egyptian society which was dominated by heteronormativity ideology gave birth to the marginalization of homosexuals. Individuals who have 'deviant' gender and sexuality tendencies respond to compliance, negotiation, or resistance. Compliance in the novel IY was shown by Abduh by positioning and publicly showing himself as what was considered normal by the general public. The moderate-negotiate response was demonstrated by Hatim al-Rashid's figure by showing the things that were acceptable to the public in the public sphere and showing what he wanted in the private sphere.
IDEOLOGI VIRUS DALAM REVIEW IDEOLOGI DAN FILSAFAT SOSIAL
Authors: Sujarwa Sujarwa , Handayani Endang Sri
Published: February 2021

Reivew of the article titled The Virus of Ideology tries to understand what the author's exposure is related to the Covid-19 Pandemic event from the perspective of ideology and social philosophy. This paper tries to provide an initial description of the various forms of natural life that have occurred on earth, both natural disasters and epidemics that have occurred.In his presentation, he asserted that all things that have happened have only been responded to by humans as a disaster that has passed even though it has taken a lot of wealth, objects, and lives. Humans arrogantly discovered by new technologies feel more prepared to deal with similar things. But, in the era of the pandemic covid-19, it turned out that it couldn't do much. The era that has globalized is needed together to work together not only in one country but between countries in the world.It broke the assumption of many people or countries whose ideological beliefs were often used as fanatic shields or powerful weapons to overcome all the challenges of their nation, apparently being broken by unarmed viruses. This reminds us that human beings really need to recognize liberation - in the form of the realm of death - in order to re-express their thoughts to remember about the origin of human beings and where they will return.
Can healthy eating go too far? Identifying orthorexia
Authors: Patience Sara
Published: February 2021

Sara Patience examines how good intentions around nutrition and exercise can lead to health issues
Measuring the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Authors: Peate Ian
Published: February 2021

Ian Peate explains how the vaccination for coronavirus is the route out of this current pandemic
What are the experiences of black African and African Caribbean men during the transition to fatherhood?
Authors: Turner Sarah , Stenner Karen
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to explore the experiences of men from African and African Caribbean heritage on transition to fatherhood and support received. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight black fathers living in the south east of England. Four themes were identified: preparation for fatherhood; experiences post birth; influences on ideas about fatherhood; and reflections on transition and suggestions for support for future fathers. While some fathers benefited from formal support, others did not attend antenatal classes and there was uncertainty around healthcare roles identified during the men's experiences post birth. Findings highlight the importance of extended family and friends in providing advice and the importance of culture in forming the identity of African fathers.
An analog of Thompson's triangle inequality in Euclidean Jordan algebras
Authors: Tao Jiyuan
Published: February 2021

In a recent paper [Linear Algebra Appl., 461:92--122, 2014], Tao et al. proved an analog of Thompson's triangle inequality for a simple Euclidean Jordan algebra by using a case-by-case analysis. In this short note, we provide a direct proof that is valid on any Euclidean Jordan algebras.
Quantum Cheshire cat: a physically realistic interpretation by invoking
entangled correlations
Authors: Saeed Muhammad Haroon , Imran Muhammad , Tariq Hinna , Rameez-ul-Islam  , Ikram Manzoor
Published: February 2021

The phenomenon of the quantum Cheshire cat (QCC) and its interpretation by Aharanov et al. [New J. Phys. 15, 113015 (2013)NJOPFM1367-263010.1088/1367-2630/15/11/113015], with the conjecture that any quantum entity can be disembodied from its physical attributes, has resulted in a heated debate leading to interpretational controversy as well as practical consequences. Here, we propose an experimentally testable and physically more realistic and logically plausible interpretation. We utilize a specifically engineered Mach–Zehnder-type interferometeric setup that is quite similar to the original QCC setup but with the slight difference that now a single-photon, bipartite entangled state traverses the interferometer such that each path is designated to a photon with different tags. With this specific setup, we demonstrate that the photon’s polarization is never physically separated from the photon itself. Rather, it becomes dormant and hence inaccessible along the designated interferometric path. We also generalize the schematics and show that any precisely oriented photon’s polarization that stands inaccessible or dormant re-emerges along the same spatially separated and isolated arm as we tune the polarization vector away from the selected angle. Thus our proposal persuasively proves that polarization is never stripped off the photon itself and instead becomes inaccessible along the interferometeric arm for a certain particularly selected orientation. The schematics further reveal that this inaccessibility of the photon’s polarization is not permanent, fixed, and universal, but rather it is entirely constrained to a specific orientation in the Hilbert space, governed by the particular pre- and post-selected state under two-state vector formalism.
Analysis of highly efficient quad-crescent-shaped Si nanowires solar cell
Authors: El-Bashar R. , Hussein M. , Hegazy Salem F. , Badr Y. , Farhat. O. Hameed Mohamed , Obayya S. S. A.
Published: February 2021

Nanostructured semiconductor nanowires (NWs) present a smart solution for broadband absorption solar cells (SCs) with high efficiency and low-cost. In this paper, a novel design of quad crescent-shaped silicon NW SC is introduced and numerically studied. The suggested NW has quad crescent shapes which create a cavity between any adjacent NWs. Such a cavity will permit multiple light scattering with improved absorption. Additionally, new modes will be excited along the NWs, which are highly coupled with the incident light. Further, the surface reflection from the crescent NWs is decreased due to the reduced surface filling ratio. The finite difference time domain method is utilized to analyze the optical characteristics of the reported structure. The proposed NW offers short circuit current density (Jsc) of 27.8 mA/cm2 and ultimate efficiency (η
ul
) of 34% with an enhancement of 14% and volume reduction of 40% compared to the conventional NWs. The Jsc and η
ul
are improved to 35.8 mA/cm2 and 43.7% by adding a Si substrate and back reflector to the suggested crescent NWs.
Achieving the shot-noise limit using experimental multi-shot digital holography data
Authors: Thornton Douglas E. , Radosevich Cameron J. , Horst Samuel , Spencer Mark F.
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we achieve the shot-noise limit using straightforward image-post-processing techniques with experimental multi-shot digital holography data (i.e., off-axis data composed of multiple noise and speckle realizations). First, we quantify the effects of frame subtraction (of the mean reference-only frame and the mean signal-only frame from the digital-hologram frames), which boosts the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the baseline dataset with a gain of 2.4 dB. Next, we quantify the effects of frame averaging, both with and without the frame subtraction. We show that even though the frame averaging boosts the SNR by itself, the frame subtraction and the stability of the digital-hologram fringes are necessary to achieve the shot-noise limit. Overall, we boost the SNR of the baseline dataset with a gain of 8.1 dB, which is the gain needed to achieve the shot-noise limit.
Voltage tunable mid-wave infrared reflective varifocal metalens via an optomechanic cavity
Authors: Chen Yikun , Pu Shiliang , Wang Chongzhi , Yi Fei
Published: February 2021

Metalenses enable the multifunctional control of light beams with an optically thin layer of nanoantennas. Efficient on-chip voltage tuning of the focal length is the crucial step toward the integration of metalenses into dynamically tunable optical systems. We propose and numerically investigate the on-chip electrical tuning of a reflective metalens via an optomechanic cavity. Light is focused by an array of silicon nanopillar antennas separated from a deformable metallic reflector by a small air gap. A transparent electrode is inserted into the optomechanic cavity to electrostatically deform the reflector and rearrange the reflection phase profile, resulting in a shift in the focal point. Two modes of voltage tuning via the relative curvature change of the reflector are analyzed. In mode 1, the size of the air gap is modified through the nearly parallel shift of the reflector, whereas in mode 2, the distribution of the air-gap size is tailored by the curvature change of the reflector. With the designed working wavelength of 3.8 µm and the initial focal length of 80.35 µm, the focal length is shifted by 20.3 µm in mode 1 and 7.25 µm in mode 2. Such a device can be used as a free space coupler between quantum cascade lasers and mid-infrared fibers with variable coupling efficiency.
Inducing topology in a wire medium based metamaterial [Invited]
Authors: Yves Simon , Lerosey Geoffroy , Lemoult Fabrice
Published: February 2021

We review our attempt to tackle topological photonics based on an experimental platform operating in the microwave frequency range. The latter is based on a resonant metamaterial consisting in a dense collection of finite-length resonant metallic wires, known as the wire medium. Inside, the wave propagation is accurately described by a polariton, which exhibits subwavelength propagating modes as well as a hybridization bandgap. Thanks to a relevant design of the relative lengths of the wires and/or on their spatial positioning, we explore different aspects of topology applied to wave propagation.
Generation of a polarization insensitive Airy beam using an all-dielectric metasurface
Authors: Wu Bairui , Xu Bijun , Wang Xiaogang , Ying Hao
Published: February 2021

The Airy beam possesses some unusual properties, which are non-diffraction, self-healing, and a unique self-bending behavior. Previous works about metasurfaces have used geometric phase or plasma resonance to produce the Airy beam. However, the former requires a circular polarized light incident, while the latter has a large optical loss. In this paper, a polarization insensitive metasuface is designed to generate the Airy beam. It works in 635 nm, which is the working wavelength of the commonly used semiconductor laser. The nature of all-dielectric eliminates the ohmic loss improving the working efficiency of the metasurface. The efficiency of generating the Airy beam is approximately 58 %. Most important of all, the square nanopillar is easier to be realized in processing. The square structure can have a smooth side as in the case of processing equipment accuracy is not very high.
Actionable pharmacogenetic variants in Hong Kong Chinese exome sequencing data and projected prescription impact in the Hong Kong population
Authors: Yu Mullin Ho Chung , Chan Marcus Chun Yin , Chung Claudia Ching Yan , Li Andrew Wang Tat , Yip Chara Yin Wa , Mak Christopher Chun Yu , Chau Jeffrey Fong Ting , Lee Mianne , Fung Jasmine Lee Fong , Tsang Mandy Ho Yin , Chan Joshua Chun Ki , Wong Wilfred Hing Sang , Yang Jing , Chui William Chun Ming , Chung Patrick Ho Yu , Yang Wanling , Lee So Lun , Chan Godfrey Chi Fung , Tam Paul Kwong Hang , Lau Yu Lung , Tang Clara Sze Man , Yeung Kit San , Chung Brian Hon Yin
Published: February 2021

Preemptive pharmacogenetic testing has the potential to improve drug dosing by providing point-of-care patient genotype information. Nonetheless, its implementation in the Chinese population is limited by the lack of population-wide data. In this study, secondary analysis of exome sequencing data was conducted to study pharmacogenomics in 1116 Hong Kong Chinese. We aimed to identify the spectrum of actionable pharmacogenetic variants and rare, predicted deleterious variants that are potentially actionable in Hong Kong Chinese, and to estimate the proportion of dispensed drugs that may potentially benefit from genotype-guided prescription. The projected preemptive pharmacogenetic testing prescription impact was evaluated based on the patient prescription data of the public healthcare system in 2019, serving 7.5 million people. Twenty-nine actionable pharmacogenetic variants/ alleles were identified in our cohort. Nearly all (99.6%) subjects carried at least one actionable pharmacogenetic variant, whereas 93.5% of subjects harbored at least one rare deleterious pharmacogenetic variant. Based on the prescription data in 2019, 13.4% of the Hong Kong population was prescribed with drugs with pharmacogenetic clinical practice guideline recommendations. The total expenditure on actionable drugs was 33,520,000 USD, and it was estimated that 8,219,000 USD (24.5%) worth of drugs were prescribed to patients with an implicated actionable phenotype. Secondary use of exome sequencing data for pharmacogenetic analysis is feasible, and preemptive pharmacogenetic testing has the potential to support prescription decisions in the Hong Kong Chinese population.
Point-of-care infrared thermal imaging for differentiating venomous snakebites from non-venomous and dry bites
Authors: Sabitha Paramasivam , Bammigatti Chanaveerappa , Deepanjali Surendran , Suryanarayana Bettadpura Shamanna , Kadhiravan Tamilarasu
Published: February 2021

Background

Local envenomation following snakebites is accompanied by thermal changes, which could be visualized using infrared imaging. We explored whether infrared thermal imaging could be used to differentiate venomous snakebites from non-venomous and dry bites.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled adult patients with a history of snakebite in the past 24 hours presenting to the emergency of a teaching hospital in southern India. A standardized clinical evaluation for symptoms and signs of envenomation including 20-minute whole-blood clotting test and prothrombin time was performed to assess envenomation status. Infrared thermal imaging was done at enrolment, 6 hours, and 24 hours later using a smartphone-based device under ambient conditions. Processed infrared thermal images were independently interpreted twice by a reference rater and once by three novice raters.

Findings

We studied 89 patients; 60 (67%) of them were male. Median (IQR) time from bite to enrolment was 11 (6.5–15) hours; 21 (24%) patients were enrolled within 6 hours of snakebite. In all, 48 patients had local envenomation with/without systemic envenomation, and 35 patients were classified as non-venomous/dry bites. Envenomation status was unclear in six patients. At enrolment, area of increased temperature around the bite site (Hot spot) was evident on infrared thermal imaging in 45 of the 48 patients with envenomation, while hot spot was evident in only 6 of the 35 patients without envenomation. Presence of hot spot on baseline infrared thermal images had a sensitivity of 93.7% (95% CI 82.8% to 98.7%) and a specificity of 82.9% (66.3% to 93.4%) to differentiate envenomed patients from those without envenomation. Interrater agreement for identifying hot spots was more than substantial (Kappa statistic >0.85), and intrarater agreement was almost perfect (Kappa = 0.93). Paradoxical thermal changes were observed in 14 patients.

Conclusions

Point-of-care infrared thermal imaging could be useful in the early identification of non-venomous and dry snakebites.
Describing fine spatiotemporal dynamics of rat fleas in an insular ecosystem enlightens abiotic drivers of murine typhus incidence in humans
Authors: Tran Annelise , Le Minter Gildas , Balleydier Elsa , Etheves Anaïs , Laval Morgane , Boucher Floriane , Guernier Vanina , Lagadec Erwan , Mavingui Patrick , Cardinale Eric , Tortosa Pablo
Published: February 2021

Murine typhus is a flea-borne zoonotic disease that has been recently reported on Reunion Island, an oceanic volcanic island located in the Indian Ocean. Five years of survey implemented by the regional public health services have highlighted a strong temporal and spatial structure of the disease in humans, with cases mainly reported during the humid season and restricted to the dry southern and western portions of the island. We explored the environmental component of this zoonosis in an attempt to decipher the drivers of disease transmission. To do so, we used data from a previously published study (599 small mammals and 175Xenopsyllafleas from 29 sampling sites) in order to model the spatial distribution of rat fleas throughout the island. In addition, we carried out a longitudinal sampling of rats and their ectoparasites over a 12 months period in six study sites (564 rats and 496Xenopsyllafleas) in order to model the temporal dynamics of flea infestation of rats. Generalized Linear Models and Support Vector Machine classifiers were developed to model theXenopsyllaGenus Flea Index (GFI) from climatic and environmental variables. Results showed that the spatial distribution and the temporal dynamics of fleas, estimated through the GFI variations, are both strongly controlled by abiotic factors: rainfall, temperature and land cover. The models allowed linking flea abundance trends with murine typhus incidence rates. Flea infestation in rats peaked at the end of the dry season, corresponding to hot and dry conditions, before dropping sharply. This peak of maximal flea abundance preceded the annual peak of human murine typhus cases by a few weeks. Altogether, presented data raise novel questions regarding the ecology of rat fleas while developed models contribute to the design of control measures adapted to each micro region of the island with the aim of lowering the incidence of flea-borne diseases.
Effects of Trichinella spiralis and its excretory/secretory products on autophagy of host muscle cells in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Hu Xiaoxiang , Liu Xiaolei , Bai Xue , Yang Li , Ding Jing , Jin Xuemin , Li Chen , Zhang Yulu , Li Yanfeng , Yang Yong , Liu Mingyuan
Published: February 2021

Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) is a widely distributed pathogenic microorganism that causes trichinellosis, a disease that has the potential of causing severe harm to their host. Numerous studies have demonstrated that autophagy can be triggered by microbial infection, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic helminths. However, it’s still unknown whether autophagy can facilitate host resistance to T. spiralis infection. The present study examined the role of autophagy in striated muscle cell transformation following infection with T. spiralis in BALB/c mice. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to detect the production of the host diaphragm autophagosome after T. spiralis infection, and changes in the protein and transcriptional levels of autophagic marker proteins were also detected. The significance of autophagy in T. spiralis infection, namely inhibition of T. spiralis growth, was preliminarily evaluated by conducting in vivo experiments using autophagy inhibitors. Besides, we studied the effect of excretory-secretory products (ES) of T. spiralis on autophagy of C2C12 myoblasts. The changes in protein and gene expression levels in autophagy-related pathways in vitro and in vivo were measured as further evidence. The results showed that T. spiralis infection induced autophagy in the host muscle cells. Meanwhile, ES inhibited autophagy of myoblasts in vitro, but this did not affect the cell viability. The upregulation and downregulation of autophagy-related factors in skeletal muscle cells may indicate an adaptive mechanism providing a comfortable niche for the parasite.
Drugs that target early stages of Onchocerca volvulus: A revisited means to facilitate the elimination goals for onchocerciasis
Authors: Jawahar Shabnam , Tricoche Nancy , Bulman Christina A. , Sakanari Judy , Lustigman Sara
Published: February 2021

Several issues have been identified with the current programs for the elimination of onchocerciasis that target only transmission by using mass drug administration (MDA) of the drug ivermectin. Alternative and/or complementary treatment regimens as part of a more comprehensive strategy to eliminate onchocerciasis are needed. We posit that the addition of “prophylactic” drugs or therapeutic drugs that can be utilized in a prophylactic strategy to the toolbox of present microfilaricidal drugs and/or future macrofilaricidal treatment regimens will not only improve the chances of meeting the elimination goals but may hasten the time to elimination and also will support achieving a sustained elimination of onchocerciasis. These “prophylactic” drugs will target the infective third- (L3) and fourth-stage (L4) larvae of Onchocerca volvulus and consequently prevent the establishment of new infections not only in uninfected individuals but also in already infected individuals and thus reduce the overall adult worm burden and transmission. Importantly, an effective prophylactic treatment regimen can utilize drugs that are already part of the onchocerciasis elimination program (ivermectin), those being considered for MDA (moxidectin), and/or the potential macrofilaricidal drugs (oxfendazole and emodepside) currently under clinical development. Prophylaxis of onchocerciasis is not a new concept. We present new data showing that these drugs can inhibit L3 molting and/or inhibit motility of L4 at IC50 and IC90 that are covered by the concentration of these drugs in plasma based on the corresponding pharmacological profiles obtained in human clinical trials when these drugs were tested using various doses for the therapeutic treatments of various helminth infections.
Biogeographical venom variation in the Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja) underscores the pressing need for pan-India efficacious snakebite therapy
Authors: Senji Laxme R. R. , Attarde Saurabh , Khochare Suyog , Suranse Vivek , Martin Gerard , Casewell Nicholas R. , Whitaker Romulus , Sunagar Kartik
Published: February 2021

Background

Snake venom composition is dictated by various ecological and environmental factors, and can exhibit dramatic variation across geographically disparate populations of the same species. This molecular diversity can undermine the efficacy of snakebite treatments, as antivenoms produced against venom from one population may fail to neutralise others. India is the world’s snakebite hotspot, with 58,000 fatalities and 140,000 morbidities occurring annually. Spectacled cobra (Naja naja) and Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) are known to cause the majority of these envenomations, in part due to their near country-wide distributions. However, the impact of differing ecologies and environment on their venom compositions has not been comprehensively studied.

Methods

Here, we used a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of venom proteomics, biochemical and pharmacological analyses, and in vivo research to comparatively analyse N. naja venoms across a broad region (>6000 km; seven populations) covering India’s six distinct biogeographical zones.

Findings

By generating the most comprehensive pan-Indian proteomic and toxicity profiles to date, we unveil considerable differences in the composition, pharmacological effects and potencies of geographically-distinct venoms from this species and, through the use of immunological assays and preclinical experiments, demonstrate alarming repercussions on antivenom therapy. We find that commercially-available antivenom fails to effectively neutralise envenomations by the pan-Indian populations of N. naja, including a complete lack of neutralisation against the desert Naja population.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the significant influence of ecology and environment on snake venom composition and potency, and stress the pressing need to innovate pan-India effective antivenoms to safeguard the lives, limbs and livelihoods of the country’s 200,000 annual snakebite victims.
The global procurement landscape of leishmaniasis medicines
Authors: Choi Hye Lynn , Jain Saurabh , Ruiz Postigo José A. , Borisch Bettina , Dagne Daniel Argaw
Published: February 2021

Ensuring access to essential medicines for leishmaniasis control is challenging, as leishmaniasis is a very small and unattractive market for pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, control programmes are severely underfunded. We conducted an analysis of global procurement of leishmaniasis medicines for the past 5 years in order to shed light on the current leishmaniasis market landscape and supply and demand dynamics. We estimated global demand of each leishmaniasis medicines, the amount of each medicine required to treat all reported cases, based on the number of cases reported to WHO and the first-line treatment regimen used in each country. Procurement data were obtained from procurement agencies, international organizations, WHO, national leishmaniasis programmes and manufacturers. Expert interviews were conducted to have a better understanding of how medicines were procured and used. The comparison of estimated need and procurement data indicated discrepancies in supply and demand at global level as well as in the most endemic countries. The extent of the gap in supply was up to 80% of the needs for one of the leishmaniasis medicines. Mismatch between supply and demand was much wider for cutaneous leishmaniasis than visceral leishmaniasis. This study presents a current picture of procurement patterns and imbalance in global supply and demand. Addressing improved access and supply barriers requires concerted and coordinated efforts at the global and national levels. Priority actions include setting up a procurement coordination mechanism among major procurers, partners and national programmes where forecasting and supply planning is jointly developed and communicated with manufacturers. In addition, continuous engagement of manufacturers and advocacy is critical to diversify the supplier base and ensure quality-assured and affordable generic medicines for leishmaniasis.
Magnetic microparticle concentration and collection using a mechatronic magnetic ratcheting system
Authors: Adeyiga Oladunni B. , Murray Coleman , Muñoz Hector E. , Escobar Alberto , Di Carlo Dino
Published: February 2021

Magnetic ratcheting cytometry is a promising approach to separate magnetically-labeled cells and magnetic particles based on the quantity of magnetic material. We have previously reported on the ability of this technique to separate magnetically-labeled cells. Here, with a new chip design, containing high aspect ratio permalloy micropillar arrays, we demonstrate the ability of this technique to rapidly concentrate and collect superparamagnetic iron oxide particles. The platform consists of a mechatronic wheel used to generate and control a cycling external magnetic field that impinges on a “ratcheting chip.” The ratcheting chip is created by electroplating a 2D array of high aspect ratio permalloy micropillars onto a glass slide, which is embedded in a thin polymer layer to create a planar surface above the micropillars. By varying magnetic field frequency and direction through wheel rotation rate and angle, we direct particle movement on chip. We explore the operating conditions for this system, identifying the effects of varying ratcheting frequency, along with time, on the dynamics and resulting concentration of these magnetic particles. We also demonstrate the ability of the system to rapidly direct the movement of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles of varying sizes. Using this technique, 2.8 μm, 500 nm, and 100 nm diameter superparamagnetic iron oxide particles, suspended within an aqueous fluid, were concentrated. We further define the ability of the system to concentrate 2.8 μm superparamagnetic iron oxide particles, present in a liquid suspension, into a small chip surface area footprint, achieving a 100-fold surface area concentration, and achieving a concentration factor greater than 200%. The achieved concentration factor of greater than 200% could be greatly increased by reducing the amount of liquid extracted at the chip outlet, which would increase the ability of achieving highly sensitive downstream analytical techniques. Magnetic ratcheting-based enrichment may be useful in isolating and concentrating subsets of magnetically-labeled cells for diagnostic automation.
Saliva as a potential matrix for evaluating pharmacologically active dolutegravir concentration in plasma
Authors: Yamada Eiko , Takagi Ritsuo , Moro Hiroshi , Sudo Koji , Kato Shingo
Published: February 2021

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is used in certain clinically selected cases and in research settings to optimize the response to antiretroviral therapy. Plasma of blood is commonly used for TDM, but blood sampling is invasive and at risk for transmission of infectious agents. On the other hand, saliva sampling is noninvasive, safe, cheap, and easily performed compared to blood. Dolutegravir (DTG) is now widely prescribed as a key component of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection. In this study, we examined the relationship between DTG concentrations in plasma and saliva of treated patients to explore the possibility of using saliva as an alternative body fluid of TDM. A total of 17 pairs of blood and saliva samples were obtained from 15 consented HIV-1-infected subjects treated with DTG containing regimens for more than one month. Both blood and saliva samples were collected within 1 h of each other. Drug concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using DTG-d5 as an internal standard. The LLOQ was 0.5 ng/mL. The calibration curves were prepared with pooled plasma or saliva containing DTG in a range of 0.5–100 ng/mL with precision of <14.4% and accuracy within ±14.7%. The DTG concentrations in the plasma and saliva were significantly correlated (Pearson’s correlation coefficient r = 0.76, p < 0.001). The median ratio of the drug concentration in saliva to those in plasma was 0.0056, which is close to the rate of non-protein-bound DTG in plasma (0.70%), suggesting that only free DTG in plasma is transported to the salivary glands and secreted into saliva. The present study demonstrates that DTG concentration in saliva reflects the pharmacologically active drug concentration in plasma and may provide an easily accessible alternative for monitoring effective antiretroviral treatment.
Differences in fractal patterns and characteristic periodicities between word salads and normal sentences: Interference of meaning and sound
Authors: Shimizu Jun , Kuwata Hiromi , Kuwata Kazuo
Published: February 2021

Fractal dimensions and characteristic periodicities were evaluated in normal sentences, computer-generated word salads, and word salads from schizophrenia patients, in both Japanese and English, using the random walk patterns of vowels.　In normal sentences, the walking curves were smooth with gentle undulations, whereas computer-generated word salads were rugged with mechanical repetitions, and word salads from patients with schizophrenia were unreasonably winding with meaningless repetitive patterns or even artistic cohesion. These tendencies were similar in both languages. Fractal dimensions between normal sentences and word salads of schizophrenia were significantly different in Japanese [1.19 ± 0.09 (n = 90) and 1.15 ± 0.08 (n = 45), respectively] and English [1.20 ± 0.08 (n = 91), and 1.16 ± 0.08 (n = 42)] (p < 0.05 for both). Differences in long-range (>10) periodicities between normal sentences and word salads from schizophrenia patients were predominantly observed at 25.6 (p < 0.01) in Japanese and 10.7 (p < 0.01) in English. The differences in fractal dimension and characteristic periodicities of relatively long-range (>10) presented here are sensitive to discriminate between schizophrenia and healthy mental state, and could be implemented in social robots to assess the mental state of people in care.
TLR7 agonist, N6-LS and PGT121 delayed viral rebound in SHIV-infected macaques after antiretroviral therapy interruption
Authors: Hsu Denise C. , Schuetz Alexandra , Imerbsin Rawiwan , Silsorn Decha , Pegu Amarendra , Inthawong Dutsadee , Sopanaporn Jumpol , Visudhiphan Pornsuk , Chuenarom Weerawan , Keawboon Boot , Shi Wei , Robb Merlin L. , Mascola John R. , Geleziunas Romas , Koup Richard A. , Barouch Dan H. , Michael Nelson L. , Vasan Sandhya
Published: February 2021

Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist and PGT121 (broadly neutralizing antibody, bnAb) administration previously delayed viral rebound and induced SHIV remission. We evaluated the impact of GS-986 (TLR7 agonist) and dual bnAbs on viral rebound after antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption. Rhesus macaques inoculated with SHIV-1157ipd3N4 were initiated on daily suppressive ART from Day 14 post SHIV inoculation. Active arm animals (n = 8) received GS-986, N6-LS and PGT121 after plasma viral suppression, starting from week 14. GS-986 induced immune activation and SHIV-specific T cell responses but not viral expression in all the active arm animals. After ART interruption, median time to viral rebound was 6 weeks in the active and 3 weeks in the control arm (p = 0.024). In this animal model, the administration of the combination of GS-986 and dual bnAbs was associated with a modest delay in viral rebound. This strategy should be further evaluated to better understand the underlying mechanisms for the induction of virus-specific immune responses and delay in viral rebound.
Multiple authorship in Anna Karenina (1935): Adapting Tolstoy’s literary classic in the Hollywood studio era
Authors: Hain Milan
Published: February 2021

Among the numerous film adaptations of Anna Karenina, the 1935 version produced by David O. Selznick for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer remains one of the most acclaimed and celebrated – undoubtedly owing to its high production values and the performance and ‘star presence’ of the legendary Greta Garbo. However, the film has also been criticized for distorting and simplifying Tolstoy’s literary classic. In this article, I focus on the process of transposing Anna Karenina into the Hollywood screen version, locating causes of the adaptation process in extra-textual factors. Specifically, I address the economic and industry discourse represented by the MGM studio and its house style; the censorship discourse represented by the Production Code Administration, Hollywood’s self-regulatory body headed by Joseph Breen; and the star discourse represented by Garbo. In the process, I identify and describe the industrial, economic and cultural determinants which brought about MGM’s version of Anna Karenina. At the same time, by perceiving Selznick, Breen and Garbo as co-authors of the film, I redefine and complicate the issue of authorship.
Channelling the dead: A conversation on Desdemona with Tina Benko
Authors: Rapetti Valentina
Published: February 2021

Tina Benko is an American stage, screen and television actress who has steadily trodden the Broadway boards for twenty years while starring in films and TV series and teaching acting and movement in New York City. An intensely focused and versatile performer, Benko has played in a broad variety of genres, ranging from screwball and Shakespearean comedies to realistic Russian, Scandinavian and American plays. In this interview, she discusses the factors that attracted her to drama and theatre, her acting training and approach to character-building, and theatre as a space for healing and reconciliation as she experienced it while working in Desdemona (2012), a cross-cultural theatre adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello staged by American theatre and opera director Peter Sellars, with texts by African American Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, and music and lyrics by Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré.
Singing back to the Bard: A conversation on Desdemona with Rokia Traoré
Authors: Rapetti Valentina
Published: February 2021

Rokia Traoré is a Malian singer, guitarist and composer, known worldwide for her artistic syncretism and political activism. Her distinctive style blends elements of traditional Malian music with blues, folk and rock to address contemporary geopolitical and humanitarian issues. She is the artistic director of Fondation Passerelle, a non-profit organization she founded in 2006 to support young African singers and musicians by offering them high-quality professional training and work opportunities in the music industry. In this interview, she discusses her experience as songwriter and performer in Desdemona (2012), a cross-cultural theatre adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello staged by American director Peter Sellars, with texts by African American Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, sharing some intimate memories and elaborating freely on the role of performers and the importance of focused listening in live stage productions.
La Pedagogía Católica Italiana: entre el Positivismo y el Neoidealismo. Notas sobre su presencia en españa (1870-1968)
Authors: Vilafranca Manguán Isabel
Published: February 2021

En este artículo los autores revisan la evolución de la pedagogía italiana desde la perspectiva de la tradición católica, desde los tiempos del Risorgimento en el siglo xix hasta 1968. Con este objetivo, se dibujan las grandes líneas del pensamiento pedagógico italiano sobre el poso de la herencia católica que se sitúa en un término medio entre el positivismo que se desarrolló en el tránsito del siglo XIX al XX y el neoidealismo de Giovanni Gentile que marcó el rumbo de la filosofía transalpina durante las primeras décadas del siglo pasado, con importantes resonancias en la reforma educativa fascista. Después de dibujar este mapa conceptual e intelectual, el artículo fija su atención en tres referentes de la pedagogía católica para España como son la educación salesiana de san Juan Bosco, presente en nuestropaís desde fines del siglo xix; la influencia de la neoescolástica que a través de la orientación psicopedagógica de Angelo Gemelli caló en la Universidad Católica del Sagrado Corazón de Milán, fundada en 1920 e inaugurada el año siguiente, y, por último, y después de la caída del fascismo, en el neoespiritualismo que a través de autores como Michele Federico Sciacca puede entenderse como la evolución natural del neoidealismo hacia posiciones más creyentes y confesionales.
Atividades matemáticas de Francisco Ferreira de Vilhena Alves na revista pedagógica a escola (Belém/Brasil) entre 1900 e 1905
Authors: Abreu Mendes Iran
Published: February 2021

Este artigo discute como os saberes elementares matemáticos do ensino primário são abordados nas atividades escolares propostas por Francisco Ferreira de Vilhena Alves na revista A Escola: Revista Official de Ensino, entre 1900 e 1905. A pesquisa tomou como referência empírica os arquivos digitalizados da referida revista, que foram interpretados a luz dos conceitos de disciplinação e disciplinarização, saberes profissionais de  professores (saberes matemáticos a ensinar e para ensinar), expert e expertise. Os resultados apontam a importância do trabalho de Francisco Ferreira de Vilhena Alves como um expert na elaboração e publicação das atividades de apoio aos professores, principalmente para o Ensino Primário e Escola Normal do Pará naquele momento.
Előtérben a háttér - Az önkéntesség Magyarországon (The background in the foreground – Volunteering in Hungary)
Authors: Farkas Kata , Hegedűs Anett , Katona Balázs , Máhl Zsuzsanna , Mátyus Anna , Molnár Ágnes Klára
Published: February 2021

Az önkéntesség témája talán sosem lehetett olyan aktuális, mint 2011-ben, az Önkéntesség Európai Évében. Az e téma köré szerveződött rendezvények talán népszerűbbé tehették az önkéntességet Magyarországon is. Az embereket legjobban a sport szeretete ösztönzi önkéntességre, pl. egy nagy sportrendezvény megrendezésekor a szervezők nagyban támaszkodnak az önkéntes munkaerőre. Azonban fontos lenne, hogy más területeken is felismerjék az emberek az effajta munkavégzés előnyeit. ______ The issue of volunteering may never be so actual, as in 2011, the European Year of Volunteering. The events which are organized around this theme might make volunteering more popular in Hungary. People are mostly encouraged by sport love for volunteering for example when arranging a great sport event the organizers can rely largely on the volunteers. However it would be important that people recognize the benefits of this kind of work in other fields as well.
Az extrém ármozgások statisztikai jellemzői a magyar áramtőzsdén (The statistical characteristics of extreme price movements in the Hungarian power exchange)
Authors: Marossy Zita
Published: February 2021

2010. július 20-án megkezdte működését a magyar áramtőzsde, a HUPX. 2010. augusztus 16-án az első napokban tapasztalt 45-60 euró megawattórás ár helyett egyes órákban 2999 eurós árral szembesültek a piaci szereplők. A kiemelkedően magas árak megjelenése nem szokatlan az áramtőzsdéken a nemzetközi tapasztalatok szerint, sőt a kutatások kiemelten foglalkoznak az ún. ártüskék okainak felkutatásával, valamint megjelenésük kvantitatív és kvalitatív elemzésével. A cikkben a szerző bemutatja, milyen eredmények születtek a kiugró árak statisztikai vizsgálatai során a szakirodalomban, illetve azok következtetései hogyan állják meg a helyüket a magyar árak idősorát figyelembe véve. A szerző bemutat egy modellkeretet, amely a villamosenergia-árak viselkedését a hét órái szerint periodikusan váltakozó paraméterű eloszlásokkal írja le. A magyar áramtőzsde rövid története sajnos nem teszi lehetővé, hogy a hét minden órájára külön áreloszlást illeszthessünk. A szerző ezért a hét óráit két csoportba sorolja az ár eloszlásának jellege alapján: az ártüskék megjelenése szempontjából kockázatos és kevésbé kockázatos órákba. Ezután a HUPX-árak leírására felépít egy determinisztikus, kétállapotú rezsimváltó modellt, amellyel azonosítani lehet a kockázatos és kevésbé kockázatos órákat, valamint képet kaphatunk az extrém ármozgások jellegéről. / === / On 20th July, 2010 the Hungarian Power Exchange, the HUPX started its operation. On 16th August in certain hours the markets participants faced € 2,999 price instead of in the first days experienced 45-60 euros/mwh. According to the international experiences the appearance of the extremely high prices hasn’t been unusual in the power exchanges, the researches have focused exploring the causes of the so-called spikes and quantitative and qualitative analysis of those appearances. In this article the author describes what results were determined on statistical studies of outstanding prices in the literature, and how their conclusions stand up into account the time series of the Hungarian prices. The author presents a model framework which describes the behavior of electricity prices in the seven hours of periodically varying parameters. Unfortunately the brief history of the Hungarian Power Exchange does not allow to suit specific prices for each hour of week. Therefore the author classifies the hours of the week in the two groups based on the nature of price dispersion: according to the appearance of spikes to risky and less risky classes. Then for describing the HUPX prices the author builds a deterministic two-state, regime-changing model, which can be identified the risky and less risky hours, and to get a picture of the nature of extreme price movements.
Vágyott kultúra és reális értékítélet - Tudásmenedzsment-rendszer kiépítésének előfeltétele egy felsőoktatási intézményben (Desired culture and real value judgement – Precondition of development a knowledge management system in a higher education institution)
Authors: Bencsik Andrea , Marosi Ildikó , Dőry Tibor
Published: February 2021

A tudásmenedzsment-rendszerek kiépítése és működtetése egyre népszerűbb vállalati cél. A legnagyobb igyekezet ellenére is kudarccal végződhet egy ilyen változás megvalósítása, ha a szükséges feltételek nélkül próbálkozunk ezzel a beavatkozással a szervezet életében. Az egyik legfontosabb előfeltétel a bizalomra, közös tanulásra, fejlődésre épülő, nyitott szervezeti kultúra, mely a tanulószervezeti jellemzőkkel írható le. A szerzők kutatásukban arra voltak kíváncsiak, milyen elképzeléseik, vágyaik vannak a felsőoktatásban oktató kollégáknak az ideálisnak nevezett szervezeti kultúráról. Ezeket az elképzeléseket egy külső tanácsadó cég által végzett kérdőíves felmérésen alapuló vizsgálat segítségével tudták meg, melynek kiértékelésére a circumplex-módszer szolgált. Az eredményeket összevetették a tanulószervezeti jellemzőkkel, vizsgálva azt a hipotézist, miszerint az oktató kollégák tudat alatt is olyan ideális szervezetet képzelnek el, mely a tanulószervezeti kultúra jellemzőivel azonos. _________ To create and to operate a knowledge management system is becoming a more and more popular target of the companies. Realizing the changes above can result in a failure – in spite of the biggest will – if organizations lack certain prerequisites which are necessary in companies’ lives. One of the most important prerequisites is organizational culture which can be characterized by confidence, common learning, development and open atmosphere. This is called a learning organizational culture. In their research the authors would have liked to know what kind of dreams the colleagues have about their own organizational culture. They achieve these results from an investigation with questionnaires which were realized by an advisory team. To evaluating the results of this investigation circumplex method was used. These results were compared with the characteristics of learning organization to confirm our hypothesis. According to this idea colleagues have the same images about their successful organization as the characteristics of learning organizations.