bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análisis semiótico de la manipulación didáctica en la película Whiplash
Authors: Vega Rincón Jhon Janer , Meza Romero Julieth Sandry
Published: March 2023

Este artículo analiza la representación del acto didáctico en la película Whiplash (Chazelle, 2014). Se propone una lectura desde el concepto semiótico de manipulación y se establecen detalles específicos sobre los procesos de provocación, intimidación, seducción y tentación; para ello, se describen los principales actores (docente y discente) y actantes (sujeto manipulador y sujeto manipulado) inscritos en flujos de acciones esquemáticas y se escudriña la puesta en escena de un modelo docente que utiliza mecanismos persuasivos orientados a situaciones límite. La investigación reflexiona, finalmente, sobre los valores que fundamentan el filme en la conformación de una cultura musical jazzística y una visión del éxito profesional sustentada en la obsesión y el perfeccionismo de la ejecución instrumental, lo cual valida un estilo didáctico retador como condición para superar las limitaciones y lograr el objetivo de la genialidad en la música.
Transformaciones de sentido de obras de arte clásicas en redes sociales
Authors: Monroy Galindo Adriana
Published: March 2023

La finalidad de este escrito es vislumbrar potencial en la producción de significación social mediante un análisis de la circulación de imágenes de obras de arte clásicas en redes sociales. Se enfatiza en las formas de apropiación de las obras y la relación que puedan tener con cierta carga de sentidos clásica, al tratarse de obras emblemáticas de la cultura occidental. Se parte de una reflexión sobre la performatividad de las imágenes, distinguiendo entre las funciones de representar y performar, y explorando la posibilidad de que aquellas imágenes que se apropian de las obras pueden perpetuar una perspectiva clásica o desarticularlas de una carga canónica, permitiendo así descifrar un entramado más amplio de sentidos.
Probing motor dynamics at the muscle level—Acoustic myography in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Celicanin M. , Harrison A. P. , Kvistgaard Olsen J. , Korbo L. , Løkkegård A. , Danneskiold‐Samsøe B. , Siebner H. R. , Ilic T. V. , Bartels E. M.
Published: March 2023

Acoustic myography (AMG) noninvasively probes muscle activity. We explored whether AMG captures abnormal motor activity in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and how this activity is modulated by antiparkinsonian medication. Twenty patients with PD underwent AMG of the biceps, triceps, extensor carpi radialis longus, and adductor policis muscles of the more affected arm during active and passive movements, using a mobile AMG device (CURO, Denmark). AMG and assessment of motor symptoms were performed in a pragmatic off‐medication state, as well as one and 3 h after oral intake of 200 mg levodopa. Three AMG parameters were calculated using the CURO analysis system. Motor efficiency was expressed by the E‐score, muscle fiber recruitment by the temporal T‐score, spatial summation by the S‐score, and S/T ratio. Twenty age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects served as controls. Group mean values were statistically compared using unpaired two‐tailed adjusted t‐test and ANOVA with Tukey´s correction for multiple comparison (p ≤ 0.05). For the biceps and extensor carpi radialis longus muscles, the active movement S:T ratio was lower in PD relative to healthy controls. The E‐score was also lower during active and passive flexion/extension movements in the off‐medication state. No significant between‐group differences in the AMG scores were noted for the triceps muscle during active or passive movements. The active S:T ratio and the E‐score during active elbow flexion and extension may offer a useful means to quickly assess abnormal motor activity and the effect of drug treatment in PD.
Groundstate for the Schrödinger-Poisson-Slater equation involving the Coulomb-Sobolev critical exponent
Authors: Lei Chunyu , Lei Jun , Suo Hongmin
Published: March 2023

In this article, we study the existence of ground state solutions for the Schrödinger-Poisson-Slater type equation with the Coulomb-Sobolev critical growth:

−
Δ
u
+

1

4
π
∣
x
∣

∗
∣
u

∣

2

u
=
∣
u
∣
u
+
μ
∣
u

∣

p
−
2

u
,

in

R

3

,

-\Delta u+\left(\frac{1}{4\pi | x| }\ast | u{| }^{2}\right)u=| u| u+\mu | u{| }^{p-2}u,\hspace{1.0em}{\rm{in}}\hspace{0.33em}{{\mathbb{R}}}^{3},

where

μ
>
0

\mu \gt 0

and

3
<
p
<
6

3\lt p\lt 6

. With the help of the Nehari-Pohozaev method, we obtain a ground-state solution for the above equation by employing compactness arguments.
Efficiency evaluation of a SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic strategy combining high throughput quantitative antigen immunoassay and real time PCR
Authors: Bernasconi Luca , Neyer Peter , Oberle Michael , Schmid Bettina , Martin Eileen , Fankhauser Hans , Haubitz Sebastian , Hammerer-Lercher Angelika
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Laboratory testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has played an important role in the effort to prevent and contain local outbreaks. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new fully automated SARS-CoV-2 laboratory-based antigen assay (CoV2Ag) and to explore the efficiency of a diagnostic algorithm combining antigen and conventional high-throughput molecular assays to address potential future challenges of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods

One thousand two hundred and twenty four consecutive nasopharyngeal swabs were tested using RT-PCR and CoV2Ag assay.

Results

The overall sensitivity and specificity of CoV2Ag were 79.1 and 97.8%, respectively. When the analysis was restricted to cases with Ct values ≤30, the sensitivity of the assay improved to 98.1%. Acceptable sensitivity was found when the analysis was limited to patients presenting within one or two to four days of symptom onset (80.5 and 84.8%, respectively). A retrospective analysis of the use of a two-step diagnostic approach combining the CoV2Ag assay and RT-PCR during an acute pandemic phase of 97 days showed a potential reduction in the number of RT-PCR tests by 36.1%, corresponding to savings in reagent costs and technician workload of approximately €8,000 and 10.5 h per day, respectively.

Conclusions

Our data show that the proposed algorithm represents a valid alternative diagnostic approach to increase testing efficiency during future pandemic phases with high positivity rates (>20%) and elevated numbers of RT-PCR test requests.
Internet, studying and daily rhythm: health symptoms among higher education students
Authors: Rouvinen Hanna , Sormunen Marjorita , Kunttu Kristina , Turunen Hannele
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Excessive Internet use is a health concern among higher education students leading to reduced academic performance and problems in everyday life. This study aimed to explore the relationship between health and problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online among students (n=3,050).

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was carried out. The data were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses.

Results

Findings indicated that one fifth of students reported having problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online. Psychological health symptoms such as anxiety (p<0.001) and physical health symptoms including lower back problems (p<0.001) were associated with these problems. According to the logistic regression analyses, problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online and higher amount of Internet use by time were associated with psychological and physical health symptoms.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that problems of studying and daily rhythm and spending more time online are related to health symptoms among the students. The study’s findings can be used from a prevention standpoint for early identification and further to identify the need for seeking professional treatment.
Performance evaluation of various distributors and exchange elements configurations in the optical fiber communication system under optimum operating conditions
Authors: Shanmugapriya Ganesan , Bhoompally Suneela , Ahammad Shaik Hasane , Kiran Kasi Uday , Anwer Twana Mohammed Kak , Hossain Md. Amzad , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , Nabil Ashraf Ali
Published: March 2023

This study reported the performance evaluation of various distributors and exchange elements configurations in the optical fiber communication system. The study of different diaphragm structures mechanics under different pressure levels effects. The stress along the x axis of a square diaphragm and the deflection of a square diaphragm under pressure are reported. The radial and tangential stress of a round diaphragm and the deflection of a round diaphragm under pressure are outlined. 3D for the bossed diaphragm deflection against diaphragm position is clarified. The stress distribution across the shorter side of a rectangular diaphragm and 3D for the rectangular diaphragm deflection against diaphragm position under pressure are demonstrated. The radial stress is larger than the tangential stress through the diaphragm radial position from 50 μm to 250 μm for a square diaphragm under pressure. The radial stress is larger than the tangential stress for the bossed diaphragm position varies from 125 μm to 250 μm. All the obtained results are demonstrated through the use of the MEMSolver simulation program software version 3.3.
How the physio-chemical properties of char from the pyrolysis of Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR) influences its future uses
Authors: Bentley Peter , Williams Karl , Khodier Ala
Published: March 2023

Pyrolysis of ASR is an emerging technology which may increase circularity in End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) waste recycling. To scale up from the current pilot scale, physiochemical characterisation of the by-products is required to determine their utilisation. This paper explored how the physiochemical properties of char from different pyrolysis fractions influence secondary uses. ASR was pyrolysed in a pilot-scale unit capable of processing 100 kg h−1 at 900 °C, producing 480 kg of char from which samples were taken for analysis. Three types of pyrolysis char were identified: (i) coarse char (CC) (ii) medium char (MC) and (iii) fine char (FC). Physical (particle size, moisture content and surface analysis) and chemical (calorific value, organic and inorganic elemental analysis) analysis was conducted. Physical and chemical differences were determined between char fractions: CC had the highest particle size (800 µm; mean 353.5 µm) calorific value (14,544 kcal g−1) and metal concentration; the relationship was CC > MC > FC. Organic elemental analysis indicated %C was highest under FC (80.29 %) and %S was highest in CC (1.04 %). Findings from this experiment provided initial insight into the differences in properties of char fractions from ASR pyrolysis. Potential future uses in char commercial markets were evaluated, with upgrading recommendations provided.
Egy régi jelenség új köntösben?
Authors: Anna Mária Bartal
Published: March 2023

Az elmúlt két évtized óta az olyan folyamatban lévő és egyre erősödő társadalmi és gazdasági változások – mint például az individualizáció, a szekularizáció, a digitalizáció és az atípusos foglalkoztatás –hatására az önkéntesség is új értelmezést kapott. Ez az újraértelmezés három jelenségben mutatkozott meg. Egyrészt az önkéntesség egyre heterogénebb és mindinkább specializált készségeket, tudásokat és menedzsmenti eszközöket megkövetelő tevékenységgé vált. Másrészt az önkéntesség „reflexív stílusa” mind inkább érzékelhetővé vált, harmadrészt pedig a klasszikus, hosszú távú és rendszeres önkéntesség mellett pedig mind gyakoribb lett az úgynevezett epizodikus önkéntesség. A tanulmány fő célja, hogy bevezesse a hazai szakirodalmi fogalomhasználatba az epizodikus önkéntesség fogalmát és ehhez kapcsolódva áttekintést adjon a téma elemzésének eddigi eredményeiről, illetve bemutassa a hazai epizodikus önkéntesek jellemzőit két önkénteskutatás másodelemzése alapján. Az eredmények szerint a magyar önkéntességet „újjászületése” óta az epizodikus önkéntesség dominanciája jellemezte, aminek hátterében– véleményünk szerint – legfőképpen az önkéntesség társadalmi beágyazottságát meghatározó tényezők állnak.
Regionális civil jelenlét és civil centrumperiféria lejtő a nagymintás ifjúságkutatások alapján
Authors: Balázs Kerpel-Fronius , Ádám Nagy
Published: March 2023

Az ezredforduló óta megvalósuló nagymintás (8000 fős) kérdőíves ifjúságkutatási program – amely a 15-29 éves korosztály élethelyzetét igyekszik négyévenként rögzíteni – részben alkalmas eszköz, hogy átfogó képet fessen a magyar fiatalokról. Cikkünkben ezen nagymintás ifjúságkutatási adatok civil attitűddel, civil társadalomhoz való viszonnyal kapcsolatos adatait vesszük alapul. A civilekkel kapcsolatos adatokat több jellemző szerint vizsgálták már, de a térbeli egyenlőtlenségeket tekintetbe vevő elemzés (regionalitás, centrum-periféria) nem kapott még nyilvánosságot. Elsősorban azt vizsgáltuk, hogy a regionalitás és – mind földrajzi, mind társadalmi, mind gazdasági – centrum-periféria lejtő miképp jelenik meg, a civil szervezeti részvételben, az idő- és pénzadományokban és a civilek iránti bizalomban.
Global Infectious Diseases in February 2023: Monthly Analysis
Authors: Liu Dongliang , Li Guodan , Su Qun , Luo Yi , Li Taihan , Wu Yufan , Zou Jiazhen , Sun Yinfu , Xiang Qi , He Shiping , Yu Wenjin , Gu Dayong
Published: March 2023

Public health security in human societies is placed under enormous strain by infectious disease epidemics. According to the WHO, COVID-19 and Mpox remain on the list of PHEICs, whereas cholera, dengue, and other contagious diseases remain endemic in several countries and regions. Data on prevalent infectious diseases have been collected worldwide in recent weeks, and may provide new ideas for international collaboration in public health.
Life in the Fast Lane
Authors: Chanenson Steven L.
Published: March 2023

In the summer of 2022, various aspects of the federal sentencing world seemed frozen in time. The U.S. Sentencing Commission couldn’t respond to vital legislative or practical developments because it lacked a quorum, as it had for more than three years. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors were operating under aging, interim charging, pleas, and sentencing guidelines, issued barely a week after President Biden took office, that revived former Attorney General Holder’s 2010 policies. But, in just a matter of months, the federal system has gone from a holding pattern to warp speed. When considered along with continued, thoughtful sentencing developments in the states, American sentencing law and practice in early 2023 could be seen as now living life in the fast lane.
Putting the “Compassion” in Compassionate Release
Authors: Zunkel Erica , Lessnick Jaden M.
Published: March 2023

In a harsh and inflexible system that offers few opportunities for judges to reevaluate the sentences they impose when circumstances warrant, federal compassionate release holds great promise. When the First Step Act was passed in 2018, sentencing judges were freed from the restrictive Sentencing Commission policy statement that limited the circumstances under which judges could grant relief. Exercising that newfound discretion, judges began granting sentencing reductions for reasons not enumerated in the outdated policy statement, such as COVID-19 and excessive and unjust sentences. Judges in certain federal circuits, however, have been increasingly constrained by appellate case law that cabins judicial discretion.

This article makes the case for the Sentencing Commission to expand and codify in its forthcoming policy statement judicial discretion to identify unenumerated “extraordinary and compelling” circumstances warranting a sentencing reduction and to reject circuit courts’ narrowing of compassionate release. We illuminate how judges have mindfully used their discretion over the past four years to grant relief for a variety of extraordinary and compelling reasons. In particular, this article describes our Clinic’s successful litigation for victims of law enforcement’s stash house reverse sting operations as illustrative of the need for expanded judicial discretion in compassionate release. Enshrining that discretion in an updated policy statement would provide an administrable safety valve consistent with Congress’s intent that compassionate release be a mechanism to remedy truly unjust sentences. Only then will compassionate release be truly compassionate.
Reassessing, Rethinking, Revising
Authors: Mitchell Kelly Lyn
Published: March 2023

This essay on the obligations of sentencing commissions to constantly reassess their policies is adapted from the speech given by Kelly Lyn Mitchell, Chair of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, upon receiving the Richard P. Kern Memorial Award from the National Association of Sentencing Commissions (NASC) on August 9, 2022.
Above-ground biomass allocation and potential carbon sink of black pine – a case study from southern Poland
Authors: Ochał Wojciech , Wertz Bogdan , Orzeł Stanisław
Published: March 2023

Biomass allocation is a key factor for understanding the forest carbon balance and reflects plants’ ecological strategies in different environmental conditions. Allocation patterns and biomass models outside of the native range of black pine have not been analyzed in the context of the observed climate changes. The study's goals were to develop biomass equations for mature black pine from southern Poland and assess biomass and carbon allocation patterns and the potential of trees of different social statuses for carbon sequestration. A total of 129 felled black pine trees were measured, among which 14 were destructively sampled to determine biomass and carbon content in tree components. The developed set of biomass equations provided allocation patterns and accumulation of trees of different social statuses. Biomass and carbon allocation patterns were different but related to tree social status. The introduction of diameter at crown base significantly improved the accuracy of the developed models. The analyzed trees allocated relatively more in stem than in crown in comparison with that observed in other studies. Biomass and carbon allocation patterns of the analyzed black pines differ from those of the native range. They should be considered in biomass modeling with factors influencing social status structure.
Miejsca obrad sejmików i zjazdów szlacheckich powiatu nowogródzkiego
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku / Instytut Historii im. Tadeusza Manteuffla Polskiej Akademii Nauk, Radaman Andrei
Published: March 2023

The subject of the article is the locations in the Nowogródek (Novgorodok) poviat (district) where noble gatherings were held. This is an important issue as it highlights the role and place of the dietinies (sejmiks) in the political system of the the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Even the Sejm, which was the most important organ of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, did not have its own meeting building, which is all the more evident in the organization of local noble assemblies. So we are dealing with the adaptation of the existing possibilities to the requirements of sejmik life. The article also touches upon another issue concerning the organization of dietinies (sejmiks) and other meetings of the Nowogródek poviat (district) nobility. The history of the Nowogródek dietinies (sejmiks) is an example of a case in which the nobility themselves, from the very beginning of the sejmik allocated quarters for sejmik and noble self-government spaces, building sejmik and court rooms for themselves. This is one of the few such examples in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and a sign of the great maturity of the Nowogródek nobility. Consequently, this example is included in broadly understood legal archeology.
Edycje akt sejmikowych z terenu prowincji wielkopolskiej
Authors:   Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Zwierzykowski Michał
Published: March 2023

The publication of sources left over from the activities of the former sejmiks, which were both part of the parliamentary system of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and an institution of local self-government, has a long tradition. Polish historians turned their attention to them in the second half of the 19th century. At the First Congress of Polish Historians in Krakow, in 1880, prominent luminaries of history and legal history put forward solid arguments, and from 1886 began, with varying fortunes and commitment, to publish them. To this day, however, most of the sejmiks await their researchers and editors. The editing of sejmik records has undergone several important transformations, gradually expanding the framework for classifying materials considered by historians. This article is an attempt to briefly summarize the achievements of editing sejmik materials from the province of Greater Poland, which functioned within the framework of the parliamentary system of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which consisted of the sejm, general sejmiks and sejmiks. The focus is on the origins of publishing sources for the history of the sejmiks (conventionally called sejmik “acts” since 1932), their classification and the gradual expansion of the catalog of texts considered, as well as an indication of the various stages of publishing activities. After briefly outlining the sejmik “geography” of the Greater Poland province, the text collects not only information about the editions that have already been published concerning several sejmiks, but also indicates the directions of the research and editing teams’ work currently underway for the province, as well as the prospects for the future. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the National Program for the Development of the Humanities has played a particularly important role in intensifying work on the publication of these sources and building teams of publishers; the text shows in detail the extent of this support in the form of grants, as well as plans for their acquisition in the coming years.
Akta sejmikowe jako źródła do historii staropolskiej wojskowości
Authors:   Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie, Kupisz Dariusz
Published: March 2023

In recent years, many publications presenting the records of sejmiks (regional assemblies in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) from the sixteenth-eighteenth centuries have appeared on the publishing market, and teams of historians from several research centres are working on new ones. Instructions for deputies to the Sejm and other resolutions of sejmiks are the fundamental sources for studying many aspects of the social and political life of the noble Commonwealth. Also, military historians use this type of source. However, the question arises whether the publishers of such sources include all the material related to the activity of the sejmik that would be of interest to researchers of martial history. On the other hand, a question can be asked whether they reach for sejmik records and can use them in their research into Old-Polish military science. In this case, the aim is to present the value of published sejmik records in studies of various aspects of the functioning of the Crown and Lithuanian armies and soldier life. Their fundamental importance for showing the mechanisms of the functioning of the noble levy (Polish. pospolite ruszenie, i.e. mass national conscription) seems obvious, but is it worth using them when researching problems related to the functioning of the so-called quarter army (Polish: wojsko kwarciane) or the comput army (Polish: wojsko komputowe)? The author also tries to analyse the scope of the material contained in published collections of sejmiks records. The purpose is to assess whether the sources related to the sejmiks’ activities in military matters are complete or whether the researchers compiling and editing these publications omit certain materials which may be important to historians of Old-Polish military science.
Materiały do działalności sejmiku kijowskiego z II poł. XVII w. w księgach grodzkich dawnego województwa kijowskiego
Authors:   Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie, Stolicki Jarosław
Published: March 2023

The holdings of the Central State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Kyiv include the castrum records of the former Kievan palatinate. In the mid-nineteenth century, they were collected by the Russian government and deposited in the newly created archive. Those records have been maintained since 1566, the date of the major legal and political reforms in Lithuania. In particular, they include the records of the second half of the seventeenth century, when the palatinate dietine was held in Włodzimierz. The Kievan nobility prevailed in their desires to preserve the castrum records from destruction, and to have a revision carried out after the wars with the Cossacks and Muscovy, in accordance with the constitutions of 1658 and 1661. Judicial reforms have also been necessary, since Kyiv (the traditional seat of the courts) remained in the hands of Muscovy. The article discusses the resolves of the Kievan palatinate dietines regarding the revision of records, and the results of the query of the Żytomierz, Owrucz, and Kyiv castrum records from the exile period. The state of preservation of those records is presented on the basis of contemporary sources. These records were compared with the information from the contemporary inventory and an archival query conducted by the author /Annex II/. The records of Żytomierz and Owrucz are preserved partially. The Kyiv records predating 1648 were seized by Muscovy. After 1684, new Kyiv records collections has been established, which is still kept in the archives in Kyiv. The sources for the history of the sejmik of Kyiv, which can be found in these books, are presented in the article.
Germline pathogenic variants in patients with early-onset neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Riechelmann Rachel Pimenta , Donadio Mauro Daniel Spina , Jesus Victor Hugo Fonseca de , de Carvalho Nathalia de Angelis , Santiago Karina Miranda , Barros Milton J , Lopes Laura , Oliveira dos Santos Gabriel , Nirvana Formiga Maria , Carraro Dirce Maria , Torrezan Giovana Tardin
Published: March 2023

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a rare group of cancers with heterogeneous behaviour and mostly of unknown aetiology. Excluding some infrequent hereditary cancer syndromes, the extent and clinical significance of mutations in other cancer predisposing genes (CPGs) are not known. We aimed to investigate the frequency of pathogenic and likely germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) in known CPGs in young adults with NEN and the clinical and molecular characteristics of these patients. We recruited 108 patients with lung or digestive NEN diagnosed between 18 and 50 years and performed targeted sequencing of 113 CPGs on germline DNA. For some patients, tumour features such as loss of heterozygosity (LOH), tumour mutation burden and microsatellite instability were evaluated. GPVs were detected in 17 patients (15.7%). Median age, sex, stage at diagnosis, family history of NENs or any personal history of neoplasm were similar between patients with or without GPVs. GPV carriers had more gastric (P = 0.084), functioning NEN (P = 0.041), positive family history of cancer (P = 0.015) and exclusively well-differentiated histology. Genes affected were mostly involved in DNA repair (CHEK2, ERCC2, ERCC3, XPC, MSH6, POLE and SLX4), with most GPVs found in MUTYH (four cases). LOH was performed in eight tumours and detected only in an SLX4-positive case. Overall, our findings indicate a role of inherited genetic alterations, particularly in DNA repair genes, in NEN carcinogenesis in young adults. These patients more often had a family history of cancer and functioning NENs.
Comparative analysis of NovaSeq 6000 and MGISEQ 2000 single‐cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Chen Weiran , Wahiduzzaman Md , Li Quan , Li Yixue , Zheng Guangyong , Huang Tao
Published: March 2023

Background

Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) technology is now becoming a widely applied method of transcriptome exploration that helps to reveal cell‐type composition as well as cell‐state heterogeneity for specific biological processes. Distinct sequencing platforms and processing pipelines may contribute to various results even for the same sequencing samples. Therefore, benchmarking sequencing platforms and processing pipelines was considered as a necessary step to interpret scRNA‐seq data. However, recent comparing efforts were constrained in sequencing platforms or analyzing pipelines. There is still a lack of knowledge of analyzing pipelines matched with specific sequencing platforms in aspects of sensitivity, precision, and so on.

Methods

We downloaded public scRNA‐seq data that was generated by two distinct sequencers, NovaSeq 6000 and MGISEQ 2000. Then data was processed through the Drop‐seq‐tools, UMI‐tools and Cell Ranger pipeline respectively. We calculated multiple measurements based on the expression profiles of the six platform‐pipeline combinations.

Results

We found that all three pipelines had comparable performance, the Cell Ranger pipeline achieved the best performance in precision while UMI‐tools prevailed in terms of sensitivity and marker calling.

Conclusions

Our work provided an insight into the selection of scRNA‐seq data processing tools for two sequencing platforms as well as a framework to evaluate platform‐pipeline combinations.
McSNAC: A software to approximate first‐order signaling networks from mass cytometry data
Authors: Wethington Darren , Mukherjee Sayak , Das Jayajit
Published: March 2023

Background

Mass cytometry (CyTOF) gives unprecedented opportunity to simultaneously measure up to 40 proteins in single cells, with a theoretical potential to reach 100 proteins. This high‐dimensional single‐cell information can be very useful in dissecting mechanisms of cellular activity. In particular, measuring abundances of signaling proteins like phospho‐proteins can provide detailed information on the dynamics of single‐cell signaling processes. However, computational analysis is required to reconstruct such networks with a mechanistic model.

Methods

We propose our Mass cytometry Signaling Network Analysis Code (McSNAC), a new software capable of reconstructing signaling networks and estimating their kinetic parameters from CyTOF data. McSNAC approximates signaling networks as a network of first‐order reactions between proteins. This assumption often breaks down as signaling reactions can involve binding and unbinding, enzymatic reactions, and other nonlinear constructions. Furthermore, McSNAC may be limited to approximating indirect interactions between protein species, as cytometry experiments are only able to assay a small fraction of protein species involved in signaling.

Results

We carry out a series of in silico experiments here to show (1) McSNAC is capable of accurately estimating the ground‐truth model in a scalable manner when given data originating from a first‐order system; (2) McSNAC is capable of qualitatively predicting outcomes to perturbations of species abundances in simple second‐order reaction models and in a complex in silico nonlinear signaling network in which some proteins are unmeasured.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that McSNAC can be a valuable screening tool for generating models of signaling networks from time‐stamped CyTOF data.
Optimization of dilute NaOH pretreatment at mild temperatures for monomeric sugar release from sorghum pith using response surface methodology
Authors: Jiang Kankan , Ding Shaojun , Tang Boping
Published: March 2023

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the alkali pretreatment conditions for maximum fermentable sugar yield from sorghum pith with respect to NaOH concentration (0.5% to 2%), reaction temperature (20 °C to 40 °C), and pretreatment time (2 h to 20 h). The pretreatment caused a slight loss of glucan, but a significant removal of lignin and xylan from the pith, particularly lignin. The optimized results showed that the pretreatment conditions for the maximum predicted enzymatic glucose yield (90.5%) were 19.5 h, 2% NaOH, and 40 °C, while that for the maximum predicted enzymatic xylose yield (57.7%) were 9.9 h, 1.4% NaOH, and 37.5 °C. The optimized pretreatment conditions for the maximum total sugars yield were 16.2 h, 2% NaOH, and 37 °C, under which 72.4% of the glucan and xylan present in the raw material were experimentally hydrolyzed to release monomeric sugars. Additionally, with the optimized combination of 15 FPU cellulase and 7.5 CBU β-glucosidase per gram of pretreated material, the saccharification efficiency approached 90% glucan and 74% xylan present in the pretreated material (obtained at 37 °C for 16 h with 2% NaOH). This study may provide useful information for the development of novel alternative feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol production.
Influence of birch false heartwood on the physical and mechanical properties of wood-plastic composites
Authors: Kallakas Heikko , Ayansola Gbenga S. , Tumanov Tanel , Goljandin Dmitri , Poltimäe Triinu , Krumme Andres , Kers Jaan
Published: March 2023

The influence of birch false heartwood was investigated relative to the physical and mechanical properties of wood-plastic composites. Birch wood (sapwood and false heartwood) particles were modified with 5 wt% NaOH (by wood content) and 5 wt% 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (by wood content) before being compounded with polypropylene in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The compounded composites were then injection moulded into standard test samples. The resulting composites were grouped into four categories: birch sapwood, modified birch sapwood, false heartwood, and modified false heartwood. Neat polypropylene samples were produced as a reference. The samples were tested for their tensile and flexural properties, water absorption, thickness swelling, and ultraviolet aging. The compositions of the composites were analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the tensile strength of all of the samples decreased after water absorption. Water absorption decreased the impact strength of all of the composites. Ultraviolet radiation degraded the neat polypropylene and lowered the mechanical properties of all of the composites. Surface chalking was observed in all of the wood-plastic composites exposed to ultraviolet aging, with colours ranging from brown and brownish black to white.
Static lateral load resistance of parallel bamboo strand panel-to-metal single-bolt connections – Part 2: Fracture model
Authors: Yu Xiaohong , Chen Chen , Demirel Samet , Zhang Jilei
Published: March 2023

The effect of end distance was evaluated relative to the static ultimate lateral resistance load of single-shear unconstrained metal-to-parallel bamboo strand panel (PBSP) single-bolt connections that failed in end tear-out, net cross-section tension modes. Empirical equations for estimation of the static ultimate lateral resistance loads of the evaluated connections were derived. The connection consisted of a PBSP main member fastened to a metal plate as a side member using a 6 mm diameter bolt without a nut or washer. The stress concentration factor was considered in the process of deriving the estimation equations for static ultimate lateral resistance loads. The experimental results indicated that the stress concentration factor was a linear function of end-distance to bolt-diameter ratio, (e/d), for connections that failed in end tear-out mode, while a quadratic function of (e/d) for connections that failed in net cross-section tension mode. The derived estimation equations including stress concentration factor can reasonably estimate the static ultimate lateral resistance load of single-shear unconstrained metal-to-PBSP single-bolt connections evaluated in this study.
The reconstruction of Belarusian national identity: discourses and processes, 2014–2019
Authors:   , Jachovič Juljan
Published: March 2023

Baltarusijos nacionalinės tapatybės rekonstravimas: diskursai ir procesai, 2014–2019 m
Rural Fashion of the 20th Century in Ukrainian Clothing and Textiles
Authors: Selivatchov Mykhailo
Published: March 2023

The relevance of the article is determined by active efforts to modernize the traditional forms of these days object-material creativity, to adapt them for modern stage and festival use, as well as for everyday life. At the same time, professional fashion designers and amateur craftsmen do not take into account sufficiently the experience of innovations accumulated in the folk surroundings itself. The submitted investigation is aimed at the ascertaining the ways and methods of renewal formed spontaneously in various regions of Ukraine during the 20th century, as well as the determination of the specific character of “rural” fashion, different from a “big” city vogue. The work methodology has included field research, conversations with craftsmen and consumers of their products, study of museum collections and specialized literature in order to trace stage and chronological changes in the cut and decoration of clothing, the use of new materials, ornamentation and local naming. We have concluded that the modification of fashion in rural society has taken place during the 20th century on average every 7–10 years, which is commensurable with the rhythm of urban vogue. The changes in fashion are influenced by a combination of natural and random factors. The main reason is the depletion of the resource of continuous aesthetic action of a certain form, colouring, ornamental design. The new thing in the village is sometimes a well-forgotten old used 2–3 generations ago. The specific character of rural fashion includes restraint, ordinariness, local nature of ornamental pattern, rejection of sudden changes as well as obvious eroticism, multilayered and multitextured clothing. Previously, there were no portrait or landscape images, which are now common in urban youth fashion. The study of folk dress and decor of the 20th century as changes in local fashion has significant cognitive potential.
Factors for Improving the Effectiveness of Professional Training of Employees in Modern Conditions
Authors: Vu Tuan Van , Nguyen Lan Thi Huong , Nguyen Thu Thi Hong
Published: March 2023

Introduction. Human resources are likened to the backbone of any organization ensuring its sustainable development and competition. Investment in the workforce through training programs brings back the best fruitful achievements. This study investigated six basic factors affecting the training effectiveness in Vietnam, which is considered as burdensome matters to any organization in terms of having a skilled workforce to meet the current working situation.
Materials and Methods. The study employed a mixed-methods approach involving a sample of 370 with e = ±5% over the population of 10,000 civil servants in Hanoi City. The quantitative data from the 5-Likert scale questionnaire among 370 respondents were addressed by IBM SPSS v.25. The semi-structured interviews relative to the same factors in the questionnaire were conducted with another 79 respondents to verify the validity of the research using NVivo v.12 for data treatment.
Results. The results of the study revealed the dissatisfaction of employees with the training programs of professional development. The authors recommend to create a competent system of motivation to improve the effectiveness of training and development of employees. The leaders should conduct needs analysis seriously to comprehend the real expections of employees so that they could satisfy what lack of expertise skills and knowledge employees want to be updated. Besides, the incentive schemes and job promotion feasibilities are availed to any employee who is successfully performed well at work after the training courses.
Discussion and Conclusion. The conclusions made by the authors contribute to the development of innovative training technologies in the system of professional development of the company staff. The results of the study will help HR professionals in the development of effective training programs that meet the expectations of employees.
Examining Indonesian Pre-Service Teachers’ Beliefs on the Nature of Mathematics
Authors: Purnomo Yoppy Wahyu
Published: March 2023

Introduction. Beliefs about the nature of mathematics influence a teacherʼs mindset and, as a result, the way he or she teaches in the classroom. Several studies have been conducted in this area, but they have rarely focused on pre-service teachers. The implication is that the instruments used to measure these beliefs must be modified. This study aims to refine and validate a scale to measure pre-service teachersʼ beliefs about the nature of mathematics and to determine the demographic analysis results that influence these beliefs.
Materials and Methods. A scale development study was adopted to achieve the objectives of this study. The participants were 410 pre-service teachers from undergraduate programs at one University with A (excellent) accreditation in the capital city of Indonesia. We used factor analysis to obtain a valid and reliable instrument. We also used multiple regression analysis to look at the relationships between pre-service teachersʼ gender, academic major, academic level, and mathematical beliefs.
Results. This study established a valid and reliable scale that includes three factors that underlie beliefs about the nature of mathematics. One factor is related to the philosophy of traditional mathematics, namely objective, and the other two factors are related to the philosophy of constructivism mathematics, namely relevant and dynamic. Additionally, we discover that the impact of the academic major variable is more significant than the influence of the other variables (gender and academic level).
Discussion and Conclusion. Beliefs about the nature of mathematics are central to the professional development of mathematics teachers because these beliefs have an implicit impact or are related to the beliefs, views, conceptions, or attitudes of teachers about teaching and learning mathematics and, in turn, lead to choices and practices carried out in class. Therefore, the beliefs scale developed in our research will allow researchers and/or interested parties to know the extent to which teachersʼ subjective knowledge of mathematics is used to improve these beliefs and lead to more meaningful mathematics practices.
Link as a complete invariant of Morse-Smale 3-diffeomorphisms
Authors: Nozdrinov Alexey A. , Pochinka Arseniy I.
Published: March 2023

In this paper we consider gradient-like Morse-Smale diffeomorphisms defined on the three-dimensional sphere S3
. For such diffeomorphisms, a complete invariant of topological conjugacy was obtained in the works of C. Bonatti, V. Grines, V. Medvedev, E. Pecu. It is an equivalence class of a set of homotopically non-trivially embedded tori and Klein bottles embedded in some closed 3-manifold whose fundamental group admits an epimorphism to the group Z
. Such an invariant is called the scheme of the gradient-like diffeomorphism f:S3→S3
. We single out a class G
of diffeomorphisms whose complete invariant is a topologically simpler object, namely, the link of essential knots in the manifold S2×S1
. The diffeomorphisms under consideration are determined by the fact that their non-wandering set contains a unique source, and the closures of stable saddle point manifolds bound three-dimensional balls with pairwise disjoint interiors. We prove that, in addition to the closure of these balls, a diffeomorphism of the class G
contains exactly one nonwandering point, which is a fixed sink. It is established that the total invariant of topological conjugacy of class G
diffeomorphisms is the space of orbits of unstable saddle separatrices in the basin of this sink. It is shown that the space of orbits is a link of non-contractible knots in the manifold S2×S1
and that the equivalence of links is tantamount to the equivalence of schemes. We also provide a realization of diffeomorphisms of the considered class along an arbitrary link consisting of essential nodes in the manifold S2×S1
.
CARACTERÍSTICAS EPIDEMIOLÓGICAS DE ADULTOS MAYORES HOSPITALIZADOS EN UN SANATORIO DE LA PROVINCIA DE SAN LUIS, ARGENTINA
Authors: Sánchez Sánchez Marcos , Rojo Sosa Cinthia , Arenas Rimoldi Paula , Pereyra González Carlos
Published: March 2023

Se considera persona adulta mayor a aquellas personas mayores a 60 años. Muchas investigaciones se han publicado sobre temas que involucran a esta población de este rango etario, principalmente, relacionadas con sus comorbilidades y causas de muerte. El objetivo de este estudio es describir las características epidemiológicas de los adultos mayores hospitalizados en el Sanatorio Ramos Mejía, de San Luis, Argentina, durante mayo de 2022. Se estudiaron todos los pacientes ingresados en el servicio de clínica médica o de otros servicios que recibieron interconsulta de este último, durante el mes referido. La población fue de 37 pacientes, 54 % fueron varones y 46 % mujeres, con promedio de edad de 76 años y gran parte hipertensos (67,57 %) o diabéticos (35,14 %). La mayoría poseía cobertura médica por INSSJP (Instituto Nacional de Servicios Sociales para Jubilados y Pensionados). El tiempo de internamiento promedio fue de 10,41 días (DE 10,41). Solo 4 pacientes requirieron ingreso a UTI (unidad de terapia intensiva), por una media de 5,97 días. El motivo de internación más frecuente fue la neumonía (18,92 %). De los egresos hospitalarios, el 21,6 % fue por muerte, la cual afectó en su mayoría a mujeres y la cantidad restante de egreso fue 56,52 % por resolución del cuadro que motivó el ingreso. La medicación más prevalente usada al ingreso por esta población fue la Metformina, 24,32 %. En cambio la medicación más frecuentemente administrada posterior al ingreso fue la Ranitidina, 67,57 %. En conclusión, según los resultados se logró caracterizar epidemiológicamente la población anciana de San Luis, Argentina.

Palabras clave: Anciano, Servicios de Salud para Ancianos, Geriatría, Medicina, Argentina. Fuente: DeCS/MeSH.
SÍNDROME DE PLAQUETAS PEGAJOSAS: REPORTE DE CASO
Authors: Casares-Fallas Daniel , Balmaceda-Meza Andrea
Published: March 2023

El Síndrome de Plaquetas Pegajosas es un trastorno autosómico dominante caracterizado por alteraciones de la agregación plaquetaria en respuesta a la epinefrina y/o el fosfato de adenosina, el cual favorece fenómenos trombóticos arteriales y venosos recurrentes. Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 33 años que consulta por dolor abdominal crónico de características inespecíficas a la que se le documenta por medio de TAC de abdomen una trombosis del eje espleno portal, la paciente se  ingresa al Servicio de Medicina Interna para completar estudios por trombosis venosa en sitio atípico y posterior a múltiples estudios se diagnóstica Síndrome de Plaquetas Pegajosas. El objetivo de este artículo es proporcionar una revisión del tema para tomar en consideración esta enfermedad dentro de los diagnósticos diferenciales, en especial cuando los estudios por trombofilias salen negativos, hay trombosis recurrentes o fallo al tratamiento.

Palabras clave: Síndrome de Plaquetas pegajosas, Trombofilia, Trombosis, Agregación plaquetaria. Fuente:DeCS/MeSH.