bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alzheimer‘s disease: exploring nature’s ‘medicinal chest’ for new therapeutic agents
Authors: Tsarbopoulos Anthony
Published: January 2021

Natural products have served humanity as a valuable source for the discovery and development of therapeutic agents. In addition, these phytochemicals can function as lead compounds for the development of synthetic analogs aimed at treating human diseases. In our aging society, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, which is characterized by a significant and progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions. As society demographics change, the predominance of AD and other age-related dementias is increasing, with concurrent financial and societal costs.

AD represents one of the most remarkable scientific challenges for drug discovery as the search for effective disease-modifying agents has been unsuccessful. Medicinal plants have been used for their “anti-aging” properties, and cognitive enhancing properties. In the past decades, natural products have been studied for their anti-AD properties, and their potential for developing therapeutic agents against several molecular targets has been evaluated. This insight evaluates the prospects of medicinal plants for providing disease-modifying, as well as disease-preventing, agents for AD.
Evaluation of the ARKRAY HA-8190V instrument for HbA1c
Authors: van der Hagen Eline A.E. , Leppink Sanne , Bokkers Karin , Siebelder Carla , Weykamp Cas W.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a valuable parameter in the monitoring of diabetic patients and increasingly in diagnosis of diabetes. Manufacturers continuously optimize instruments, currently the main focus is to achieve faster turnaround times. It is important that performance specifications remain of high enough standard, which is evaluated in this study for the new ARKRAY HA-8190V instrument.

Methods

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocols EP-5, EP-9 and EP-10 were applied to investigate imprecision, bias and linearity. In addition potential interferences, performance in External Quality Assessment (EQA) and performance against the HA-8180V instrument in 220 clinical samples was evaluated.

Results

The HA-8190V demonstrates a CV of ≤0.8% in IFCC SI units (≤0.6% National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program [NGSP]) at 34 and 102 mmol/mol levels (5.3 and 11.5% NGSP) and a bias of −0.1 mmol/mol (−0.01% NGSP) at a concentration of 50 mmol/mol (6.7% NGSP), but with a significant slope as compared to target values. This results in a bias of −1.0 and 0.9 mmol/mol (−2.0 and 0.9% NGSP) at the 30 and 70 mmol/mol (4.9 and 8.6% NGSP) concentration level. Simulation of participation in the IFCC certification programme results in a Silver score (bias −0.1 mmol/mol, CV 1.1%). Interference in the presence of the most important Hb variants (AS, AC, AE, AD) and elevated HbA2 and HbF concentrations is less than 3 mmol/mol (0.3% NGSP) at a concentration of 50 mmol/mol (6.7% NGSP).

Conclusions

Analytical performance of the HA-8190V is very good, especially with respect to precision and HbA1c quantification in the presence of the most common Hb variants.
Dynamic modeling of fouling over multiple biofuel production cycles in a membrane reactor
Authors: Huynh Thien An , Zondervan Edwin
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a novel mathematical model that combines a membrane filtration model, component balances and reaction kinetics models for an intensified separation-reaction process in membrane reactor producing biofuels was developed. A unique feature is that the proposed model can capture the dynamics of membrane fouling as function of both reversible and irreversible fouling; which leads to cyclic behavior. Fouling leads to the decline of the reactor productivity. With an appropriate fouling-model, the operational strategy can be optimized. In the case study of biodiesel production, the developed model was validated with experimental data. The model was in good agreement with the data, where R-squared are 0.96 for the permeate flux and 0.95 for the biodiesel yield. From a further analysis, the efficiency of membrane reaction system in term of productivity can be significantly improved by changing the backwashing frequency under specific operating conditions. As the backwashing frequency increased eight times, the biodiesel yield increased to more than two to three times before the permeate flux dropped under a predetermined limit due to the increase of irreversible membrane fouling.
Bringing the clinical laboratory into the strategy to advance diagnostic excellence
Authors: Lubin Ira M. , Astles J. Rex , Shahangian Shahram , Madison Bereneice , Parry Ritchard , Schmidt Robert L. , Rubinstein Matthew L.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Clinical laboratory testing provides essential data for making medical diagnoses. Generating accurate and timely test results clearly communicated to the treating clinician, and ultimately the patient, is a critical component that supports diagnostic excellence. On the other hand, failure to achieve this can lead to diagnostic errors that manifest in missed, delayed and wrong diagnoses.

Content

Innovations that support diagnostic excellence address: 1) test utilization, 2) leveraging clinical and laboratory data, 3) promoting the use of credible information resources, 4) enhancing communication among laboratory professionals, health care providers and the patient, and 5) advancing the use of diagnostic management teams. Integrating evidence-based laboratory and patient-care quality management approaches may provide a strategy to support diagnostic excellence. Professional societies, government agencies, and healthcare systems are actively engaged in efforts to advance diagnostic excellence. Leveraging clinical laboratory capabilities within a healthcare system can measurably improve the diagnostic process and reduce diagnostic errors.

An expanded quality management approach that builds on existing processes and measures can promote diagnostic excellence and provide a pathway to transition innovative concepts to practice.

Outlook

There are increasing opportunities for clinical laboratory professionals and organizations to be part of a strategy to improve diagnoses.
Zum Status von Intuitionen in Gedankenexperimenten
Authors: Huber Jakob
Published: January 2021

Intuition-based argumentation is ubiquitous across most philosophical subfields. Moral and political philosophers in particular frequently justify normative principles on the basis of thought experiments that evoke judgments about specific (hypothetical) cases. Lately, however, intuitions have come under attack and their justificatory force is being questioned. This essay asks whether we can acknowledge the epistemic fallibility of intuitions, while nevertheless reaching reliable normative conclusions. To that effect I investigate three different strategies of relating specific intuitions and more general normative principles: the intuitionist, coherentist, and foundationalist methods. Showing that none of them succeeds in making up for the problematic epistemic status of intuitions in the justificatory process, I conclude that normative principles are unreliable to the extent that they are based on thought-experiments.
Technische Form und Konstruktion
Authors: Tamborini Marco
Published: January 2021

In this paper, I delineate the first pages of a philosophical genealogy which outlines the cornerstones of a philosophy of bio-technical forms. In so doing, the essay contributes to the philosophical understanding of some key scientific concepts. In particular, it analyses the philosophical and historical preconditions, the epistemic assumptions, as well as the ontological commitments of the concept of form as used in digital design and in bionics. In the first section, I investigate Ernst Kapp’s philosophy of technical forms. In the second section, I analyse the emergence of biotechnology, today’s bionics, as an independent technical discipline. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Austro-Hungarian botanist Raoul Heinrich Francé (1874–1943) founded this discipline with the aim of imitating the technical solutions chosen by nature. In the conclusion, I draw broader conclusions about the philosophy of bio-technical forms. Particularly, I argue, first, that the role of materiality and form-intrinsic propriety is of central importance in processes of form design. Second, I define morphology as a theory of possible constructions of forms in space and not, as in evolutionary biology, a science of the changes of forms in time. This characterises what I have called the ontological turn in form-design disciplines: nature operates technically to conceive new forms.
ReGenesis
Authors: Gramelsberger Gabriele
Published: January 2021

Inspired by the success of synthesising organic substances by Friedrich Wöhler in 1828, the vision of creating life in the laboratory synthetically has become increasingly accessible for today’s synthetic biology and synthetic genomics, respectively. The engineering of biology – a contemporary version of the liaison of technology and organic form – creates cellular machines, biobricks, biomolecular ‘borgs’, and entire synthetic genomes of artificial organisms. Besides major ethical concerns, the shift in scientific epistemology is of interest. Unlike classical analytical science, synthetic science understands by a process of generation, through which myriads of new things are created, dramatically changing the living environment.
Fabrication and characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) modified with nano-montmorillonite biocomposite
Authors: Yan Xu , Zhou Wanru , Ma Xiaojun , Sun Binqing
Published: January 2021

In this study, a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) modified with nano-montmorillonite biocomposite (MMT/PHBH) was fabricated by solution-casting method. The results showed that the addition of MMT increased the crystallinity and the number of spherulites, which indicated that MMT was an effective nucleating agent for PHBH. The maximum decomposition peak of the biocomposites moved to a high temperature and residue presented an increasing trend. The biocomposites showed the best thermal stability at 1 wt% MMT. Compared with PHBH, 182.5% and 111.2% improvement in elastic modulus and tensile strength were obtained, respectively. Moreover, the oxygen permeability coefficient and the water vapor permeability of MMT/PHBH biocomposites decreased by 43.9% and 6.9%, respectively. It was also found that the simultaneous enhancements on the crystallizing, thermal stability, mechanical, and barrier properties of biocomposites were mainly caused by the formation of intercalated structure between PHBH and MMT.
Preparation, characterization, and catalytic performance of Pd–Ni/AC bimetallic nano-catalysts
Authors: Zhang Yu , Liao Yalong , Shi Gongchu , Wang Wei , Su Bowen
Published: January 2021

Palladium–nickel (Pd–Ni) bimetallic nano-catalysts supported on activated carbon (Pd–Ni/AC) have been successfully prepared by impregnation method enhanced with ultrasonic. The prepared Pd–Ni/AC catalysts were used for the catalytic hydrodechlorination reaction of bleached shellac and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscope, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results show that Pd–Ni bimetallic structures in catalytic particles with the diameter of 4 and 14 nm were distributed uniformly on AC support, and the lattice fringe spacing in catalytic particles was measured as 0.213 nm which is lying in the region between monometallic Pd (111; 0.225 nm) and Ni (111; 0.203 nm), and that Pd1–Ni1/AC catalyst exhibits the best catalytic hydrodechlorination performance with the dechlorination efficiency of 92.58 wt% while it is used for the hydrodechlorination of bleached shellac, and the optimum catalytic performance is related to the synergistic electronic effect and bimetallic structure of the Pd1–Ni1/AC sample.
A review of end-point carbon prediction for BOF steelmaking process
Authors: Wang Zhou , Liu Qing , Liu Haitao , Wei Shizhong
Published: January 2021

The precise prediction of end-point carbon content in liquid steel plays a critical role in increasing productivity as well as energy efficiency that can be achieved in the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) steelmaking process. Due to numerous and diversity of the studies on BOF end-point carbon prediction, it seems necessary to provide a comprehensive literature review on state-of-the-art developments in end-point carbon prediction for BOF steelmaking. This paper presents the characteristics of different end-point carbon prediction models. The end-point carbon prediction for BOF steelmaking has initially relied on the experience and skill of the operators. With the development of information technology and auto-detection methods, BOF end-point carbon prediction mainly has gone through three stages, such as static prediction, dynamic prediction, and intelligent prediction. Future contributions to the development and application of intelligent end-point carbon prediction in BOF steelmaking are still arduous tasks. However, it is envisaged that the intelligent end-point carbon prediction will witness more frequent applications and greatly improve the high-quality, high-efficiency, and stable production for BOF steelmaking in the future.
Design optimization of permanent magnet synchronous motor using Taguchi method and experimental validation
Authors: Gope Deepayan , Goel Sandeep Kumar
Published: January 2021

The critical dimensions of magnet and its positional parameters in a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) are optimized using Taguchi method. L16 Orthogonal Array (OA) was used in Taguchi method to optimize the magnet width w and thickness t, and magnet position parameters i.e., D1, O1, and Rib. Using the D-optimal design criterion, 52 data points for five factors were selected for optimization of power factor and efficiency using response surface methodology to perform the sensitivity analysis. Regression model for efficiency and power factor are modeled using analysis of variance results. A 1.07 kW capacity PMSM was designed based on the optimized parameters and making use of efficient computational resource, i.e., RMxprt tool of the ANSYS Maxwell software and drive system in ANSYS Simplorer for real time results and performance study. The performance of PMSM in terms of line current, load torque, and efficiency has been verified with the experimental results and the efficiency data available in literature. The results were found to be in a good agreement. Confirmation test results showed that the Taguchi method is very successful in the optimization of permanent magnet synchronous motor dimensions.
Impact of high-pressure homogenization on the microstructure and rheological properties of citrus fiber
Authors: Su Dianbin , Zhu Xin-Di , Wang Yong , Li Dong , Wang Li-Jun
Published: January 2021

Citrus fiber dispersion with different concentrations (5–25 g/kg) was treated by high-pressure homogenization (90 and 160 MPa) for two cycles. The particle size distribution, hydration properties of powders, morphology and rheological measurements were carried out to study the microstructure and rheological properties changes by high-pressure homogenization (HPH). In conclusion, the HPH can reduce the particle size of fiber, improve the water holding capacity and water binding capacity. Furthermore, fiber shape can be modified from globular cluster to flake-like slices, and tiny pores can be formed on the surface of citrus fiber. The apparent viscosity, storage modulus and loss modulus were increased by HPH whereas the activation energy was reduced. The Hershcel–Bulkley model, Carreau model and Power Law mode were selected to evaluate the rheological properties.
Ameliorative effect of morin on dutasteride-tamsulosin-induced testicular oxidative stress in rat
Authors: Olayinka Ebenezer Tunde , Adewole Kayode Ezekiel
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Dutasteride-Tamsulosin (DUT-TAM), a drug of choice for the treatment of prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH) has been implicated in testicular toxicity. This study investigated the protective effect of morin, a plant-derived flavonoid on DUT-TAM-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rat.

Methods

Twenty-four male Wistar rats (110–140 g) were randomly divided into four treatment groups (n=6). Group A animals served as the control and were administered olive oil, Group B animals were administered 5.4 mg/kg b.w. of dutasteride + 3.4 mg/kg b.w of tamsulosin., Group C animals were administered 100 mg/kg b.w. of morin, while Group D animals were administered DUT-TAM (5.4 mg/kg b.w. of dutasteride + 3.4 mg/kg b.w. of tamsulosin) and morin (100 mg/kg b.w.). The administration lasted for two weeks.

Results

DUT-TAM-induced abnormal sperm morphology (31.8%), significantly reduced (p<0.05) sperm count, sperm motility, live-dead sperm ratio, testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities, as well as the levels of ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione (GSH) which were ameliorated by co-treatment with morin. Also, DUT-TAM-induced increase in testicular malondialdehyde level and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly reversed (p<0.05) by co-treatment with morin.

Conclusions

These results indicated the protective ability of morin against Dutasteride-Tamsulosin-induced testicular toxicity and oxidative stress.
A prospective controlled study on Ramadan fasting in the healthy young males in summer in Germany: effect on cytokines
Authors: Ghashang Samaneh Khoshandam , Raha Solaiman , Hamdan Imad , Gutenbrunner Christoph , Nugraha Boya
Published: January 2021

Short communication

During the Ramadan fasting (RF) month, participants restrict some activities during day time, particularly consumption of food and beverages. In Germany, Muslims fast about 18–19 h a day when Ramadan falls in the summer. This longer period of restriction could lead to the changes of the body physiology, anthropometric parameters and biological mediators.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-1β. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) during RF in Germany. Correlations of cytokines with anthropometric parameters were also determined.

Methods

Fifty healthy adult males were recruited and divided into two equal groups: fasting group (FG) and non-fasting group (NFG). FG was evaluated at T1: one week before, T2: mid-, T3: last days of, and T4: one week after Ramadan. The NFG were evaluated only at T1 and T3.

Results

In FG significant alterations of IL-1β was observed. Insignificant differences were found between the FG and NFG at T1 and T3 concerning the measured cytokines. Circulating IL-1β increased significantly from T2 to T4 and from T3 to T4. At T3, TNF-α was correlated significantly with anthropometric parameters such as the body weight, the skeletal muscle mass and the fat free mass, whilst IL-12 was correlated significantly with the skeletal muscle mass, the fat free mass and the body water mass at T4.

Conclusions

Significant Alterations of IL-1β during RF in FG were observed. Anthropometric parameters correlate with TNF-α and IL-12 levels during at T3 and T4, respectively.
The effects of an olive-oil massage on hemodialysis patients suffering from fatigue at a hemodialysis unit in southern India – a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lazarus Eilean Rathinasamy , Deva Amirtharaj Anandhi , Jacob Devakirubai , Chandrababu Ramesh , Isac Chandrani
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To determine the effects that an olive oil massage has on fatigue among patients undergoing hemodialysis, and the associated sociodemographic factors that can reduce fatigue.

Methods

The study used true experimental pre- and post-test research design. A total of 200 patients were recruited in a selected hemodialysis unit in southern India and were allocated to either a study or control group by randomization, with 100 patients in each group. All the patients in the intervention group were given a lower back and lower leg massage using olive oil at the beginning, and after every hour, of their hemodialysis using olive oil for a period of eight weeks. In contrast, the control group continues to receive routine care. The level of fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale both before and after massage therapy.

Results

Between 73 and 80% of patients were suffering from severe fatigue and the mean fatigue score was 5.53 (SD 1.82) and 5.56 (SD 1.57) for the study and control group, respectively. After eight weeks of massage therapy, the results showed that 53% of patients in the study group showed borderline fatigue, with a mean score of 4.39 (SD 2.37), whereas in the control group 73% patients showed severe fatigue, with a mean score of 5.17 (SD 2.00). The independent t-test between the study and the control group showed a statistically significant reduction in fatigue in the study group with a mean difference (MD) of 3.56 (t=−1.24; p=0.000). There were also statistically significant changes noted in gender and in the duration of the hemodialysis (χ
2 = 6.043; p=0.049) and (χ
2 = 6.611; p=0.046) respectively.

Conclusion

The study concluded that patients undergoing hemodialysis experienced moderate to severe levels of fatigue. In patients with no or mild anemia, massage has been shown to decrease fatigue and increase energy levels among patients undergoing hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease.
Influence of irisin on diet-induced metabolic syndrome in experimental rat model
Authors: Medhat Dalia , El-Bana Mona A. , El-Daly Sherien M. , Ashour Magdi N. , Elias Tahany R. , Mohamed Rehab A. , Yassen Noha N. , Abdel-Monem Mahmoud A. , Hussein Jihan
Published: January 2021

Objective

To evaluate the influence of irisin on the experimental paradigm of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) as a part of MetS cluster.

Methods

Forty male albino rats were divided into four groups; normal control, standard diet + irisin, high carbohydrate and fat diet (HCHF), and HCHF + irisin. After the experimental period, levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, lipid profile, kidney functions, salusin-alpha (Sal-α), adropin, and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) were evaluated. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) expression in skeletal muscle was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Aorta, liver, pancreas, and skeletal muscle tissue samples were prepared for histopathological examination.

Results

Rats administrated HCHF showed elevated levels of FBS, lipid profile, kidney functions, RBP-4, and downregulation of PGC-1α expression along with a decline in levels of insulin, Sal-α, and adropin while administration of irisin significantly attenuated these levels.

Conclusions

Irisin as based therapy could emerge as a new line of treatment against MetS and its related diseases.
Functional status in adhesive capsulitis – yoga vs. physiotherapy: a quasi experimental study
Authors: Pitchai Pothiraj , Krishnan Vijaya , Mangle Komal
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Adhesive capsulitis results in a multidimensional disability which demands a polygonal approach. Although physiotherapy proves an essential for a complete and comprehensive recovery in adhesive capsulitis, evidence also suggest the role of yoga in the management, hence this study investigate their effectiveness.

Methods

This is a quasi-randomised control study. A pre-diagnosed subacute and chronic adhesive capsulitis of shoulder, between the age group of 35–60 years of both genders of total 40 participants were randomly divided into Group ‘A’ (yogasana) and Group ‘B’ (physiotherapy). The parameters of pain, joint mobility and functional disabilities were measured at the baseline and after four-weeks.

Results

The mean age of Group ‘A’ was 45.4 ± 7.78 years whereas 50.05 ± 5.98 years was in Group ‘B’. Intragroup analysis for both the groups showed statistically significant improvement in all the study variables. Whereas in intergroup analysis yogasana was found to be statistically significant in improving shoulder abduction mobility, p=0.03, effect size r=0.35 and also in shoulder flexion (p=0.15, r=0.23) and shoulder internal rotation (p=0.07, r=0.3), though statistically not significant, in view of small effect size response.

Conclusions

Both techniques improved the functional status in adhesive capsulitis, however additional effects on joint mobility was demonstrated by yogasana.
Nonlinear dynamics of pulsating detonation wave with two-stage chemical kinetics in the shock-attached frame
Authors: Poroshyna Yaroslava E. , Lopato Aleksander I. , Utkin Pavel S.
Published: January 2021

The paper contributes to the clarification of the mechanism of one-dimensional pulsating detonation wave propagation for the transition regime with two-scale pulsations.
For this purpose, a novel numerical algorithm has been developed for the numerical investigation of the gaseous pulsating detonation wave using the two-stage model of kinetics of chemical reactions in the shock-attached frame.
The influence of grid resolution, approximation order and the type of rear boundary conditions on the solution has been studied for four main regimes of detonation wave propagation for this model.
Comparison of dynamics of pulsations with results of other authors has been carried out.
A Skellam regression model for quantifying positional value in soccer
Authors: Pelechrinis Konstantinos , Winston Wayne
Published: January 2021

Soccer is undeniably the most popular sport world-wide and everyone from general managers and coaching staff to fans and media are interested in evaluating players’ performance. Metrics applied successfully in other sports, such as the (adjusted) +/− that allows for division of credit among a basketball team’s players, exhibit several challenges when applied to soccer due to severe co-linearities. Recently, a number of player evaluation metrics have been developed utilizing optical tracking data, but they are based on proprietary data. In this work, our objective is to develop an open framework that can estimate the expected contribution of a soccer player to his team’s winning chances using publicly available data. In particular, using data from (i) approximately 20,000 games from 11 European leagues over eight seasons, and, (ii) player ratings from the FIFA video game, we estimate through a Skellam regression model the importance of every line (attackers, midfielders, defenders and goalkeeping) in winning a soccer game. We consequently translate the model to expected league points added above a replacement player (eLPAR). This model can further be used as a guide for allocating a team’s salary budget to players based on their expected contributions on the pitch. We showcase similar applications using annual salary data from the English Premier League and identify evidence that in our dataset the market appears to under-value defensive line players relative to goalkeepers.
Represent 255: language, style and the construction of identity in Tanzanian English hip-hop
Authors: Adjirakor Nikitta Dede
Published: January 2021

From its encouraged and sustained use during colonial times, through to the creation of the Tanzanian state, the Swahili language has been consistently constructed as one of the key facets of Tanzanian identity. After the emergence of hip-hop in Tanzania, the shift from English to Swahili was instrumental to its widespread adoption, with English gaining a symbolic meaning as a status marker as well as a language for international positioning. This article argues that recently, a rising number of hip-hop artists style themselves as purely English-speaking artists to construct a Tanzanian identity that challenges the dominant positioning of Swahili. To this end, I explore through selected texts how English is used to construct a cosmopolitan niche and urban identity that serves as a counternarrative to the dominance of Swahili in the popular imagination. Through hip-hop songs, groups and performance events, I show how English is used to evoke experiences of belonging that are positioned as authentic narratives that juxtapose rather than contradict a Tanzanian identity.
Mixed convection flow in a vertical channel in the presence of wall conduction, variable thermal conductivity and viscosity
Authors: Ajibade Abiodun O. , Umar Ayuba M.
Published: January 2021

This study theoretically investigates the effects of variable viscosity, thermal conductivity and wall conduction on a steady mixed convection flow of heat generating/absorbing fluid passes through a vertical channel. One of the channel plates moves with a constant velocity while the other is stationary. The governing flow equations are solved analytically using homotopy perturbation method (HPM). The effects of the thermophysical and hydrodynamics parameters are captured in graphs and tables. It has been observed that, both the velocity and temperature distributions decrease with increase in viscosity and boundary plate thickness near the heated plate while a reverse cases were observed near the cold plate. Increase in thermal conductivity ε decreases the fluid flow near the heated plate. When the boundary plate thickness is increased, the critical value of Gre to onset the reverse flow increases while increase in thermal conductivity reduces the critical value of Gre. It’s also noticed that the skin friction and rate of heat transfer at the heated plate decrease with increase in boundary plate thickness d.
On solitary wave solutions of a peptide group system with higher order saturable nonlinearity
Authors: Inc Mustafa , Elhassanein Ahmed , Abdou Mohamed Aly Mohamed , Chu Yu-Ming
Published: January 2021

In this article, a new continuous model of a peptide group system with higher order saturable nonlinearity is derived. The model is constructed up on discrete Schrodinger equation with higher order saturable nonlinearity. New exact solutions of the proposed model are investigated. Via the generalized Riccati equation mapping method travelling wave and soliton solutions are derived. For certain values of parameters kink, antikink, breathers, and dark and bright solitons are presented.
Association of expression and genotypes of thymidylate synthase in non-small cell lung cancer patients with different clinicopathological characteristics
Authors: Chen Jin-Yin , Chen He-Jian , Chen Pei-Feng
Published: January 2021

Objective

To explore the expression and genotypes of thymidylate synthase (TS) in patients of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with different clinicopathological characteristics.

Methods

The expression profiles of TS were examined by immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in 160 patients with NSCLC. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect TS-5′UTR tandem repeats, G/C nucleotide polymorphisms, and 3′UTR 6 bp deletion/insertion polymorphisms. The relationships between clinicopathological characteristics and TS expression or genotypes were investigated through χ
2 test. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to analyze the association between TS expression and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of NSCLC patients.

Results

The expression levels of TS protein and TS gene in NSCLC tissues were significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues (P < 0.05). Furthermore, high expression of TS protein and 5′UTR polymorphism of TS gene showed significant correlation with differentiation, TNM stage, and lymph node metastases. The frequency of −6 bp/−6 bp genotypes in patients with NSCLC was 43.13% (69/160), which was higher than others. In addition, the rate of TS protein overexpression in NSCLC patients with 3R/3R was 79.79%, which was higher than others. Interestingly, high expression of TS protein predicted shorter DFS and OS and lower 3-year DFS rate and 3-year OS rate.

Conclusions

The expression levels of TS in NSCLC were significantly increased and may help to predict the prognosis of NSCLC, and high expression of TS protein and 5′UTR polymorphism of TS gene were significantly related to differentiation, TNM stage, and lymph node metastases.
The possible role of arsenic and gene-arsenic interactions in susceptibility to breast cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Moslehi Roxana , Stagnar Cristy , Srinivasan Sneha , Radziszowski Pawel , Carpenter David O.
Published: January 2021

The roles of many environmental contaminants in increasing breast cancer risk remain controversial. Arsenic (As) is a major global environmental contaminant and carcinogen. We conducted a systematic review of the role of As and gene-arsenic interactions in susceptibility to breast cancer. Following a systematic literature search using well-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria, a total of 15 epidemiologic studies (two meta-analyses, three systematic reviews, three cohort studies, two case-control studies, and five cross-sectional studies) were reviewed. In addition, several animal, in vitro, in vivo, and in silico (i.e., computer modeling) studies provided mechanistic insights into the association between As and breast cancer. Our review suggests a possible overall main effect of As on breast cancer risk. The evidence for an effect of gene-As interactions on breast cancer risk is strong. Studies that measured levels of As metabolites among participants and/or evaluated interactions between As exposure and genetic or epigenetic factors generally reported positive associations with breast cancer risk. Our analysis of the Comparative Toxicogenomics and the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis Databases provided further evidence for As-gene interactions and their effects on breast cancer-related biologic pathways. Our findings provide potential leads for future epidemiologic studies of As-associated cancer risks and interventions to reduce population exposure.
Deutsche Arbeitswelten zwischen globalen Problemlagen und nationalen Handlungsbezügen
Authors: Raphael Lutz
Published: January 2021

Zeithistorische Studien zu Arbeitswelten in Deutschland erleben einen Neustart nach dem Auslaufen der klassischen gesellschaftshistorischen und arbeiterbewegungsgeschichtlichen Forschungen zum Industriezeitalter in Deutschland (1880–1970). Die neuen Forschungen sind geprägt von der Umbruchsituation der Gegenwart, sie sind geprägt von widerstreitenden Erkenntnisinteressen zwischen Global- und Nationalgeschichte, zwischen einer radikalen Ausweitung des Forschungsgegenstands auf jede Art von Tätigkeit und der Konzentration auf lohnabhängige Beschäftigungsformen. Der Aufsatz plädiert für das Innovationspotenzial einer neuen Arbeitsgeschichte als einer Problemgeschichte der Gegenwart auf den Gebieten der Geschlechtergeschichte, der Geschichte von Klassenlagen und Ungleichheit, nationaler Ordnungsmuster von Arbeit, der Mikropolitik in Betrieben sowie der Wissensordnungen und Berufswelten.
Emanzipatorischer Aufbruch und antisemitische Verfolgung
Authors: Nattermann Ruth
Published: January 2021

Auf der Grundlage neu erschlossener Quellen untersucht der Aufsatz die Erfahrungen italienisch-jüdischer Feministinnen zwischen emanzipatorischem Aufbruch und antisemitischer Verfolgung. Den zeitlichen Schwerpunkt bildet die Phase vom Beginn des Ersten Weltkriegs bis 1945. Verdeutlicht werden die um 1914 zunehmenden Spannungen des Emanzipationsprozesses zwischen Partizipation, Abgrenzung und antijüdischer Anfeindung. Die Marginalisierung, Entrechtung und Verfolgung während der faschistischen Diktatur werden dezidiert aus dem Blickwinkel jüdischer Frauen betrachtet. Trotz des bedeutenden Einflusses dieser jüdischen Frauen auf die Entwicklung der italienischen Frauenbewegung und ihre ausgeprägt transnationale Orientierung blieb ihre Emanzipation als Frauen und Jüdinnen unvollkommen.
Der Aufbau des Sozialismus
Authors: Radu Sorin
Published: January 2021

Die politische Schulung der kommunistischen Parteieliten und der Parteibürokraten durch Kaderschulen ist ein Forschungsthema, das unser Verständnis der Funktionsweise des Ostblockkommunismus und der dortigen dynamischen Beziehung zwischen Staat und Gesellschaft vertiefen kann. Ein derartiger Zugang erlaubt es Forscherinnen und Forschern, das Universum des Parteiapparats zu verstehen, ein komplexeres Profil dieser Welt zu zeichnen und die internen Mechanismen der Einparteienherrschaft zu verstehen. Aus diesen Gründen ist die Erforschung der politischen und ideologischen Ausbildung ein notwendiger Schritt hin zu einer detaillierten Geschichte des osteuropäischen Kommunismus. Die vorliegende Studie konzentriert sich auf eine Untersuchung der regionalen Parteischule von Timișoara in den Jahren von 1948 bis 1973, die Parteiaktivisten „aus der zweiten Reihe“ der Partei- und Verwaltungsbürokratie politisch und ideologisch schulte.
Explaining Public Participation in Anti-authoritarian Protests in Hong Kong
Authors: Sing Ming
Published: January 2021

This article aims to identify the causes that underlie the mass participation in anti-authoritarian protests of Hong Kong in 2019. The research draws from the perceived performance approach and social learning approach and uses survey data to explain the mass participation. Four variables regarding perceived political performance, rather than perceived economic performance, are found to exert a causal effect on individuals’ decisions to participate in mass protests. These perceived political performance variables include mass dissatisfaction with Hong Kong’s lack of democracy and the police’s performance. Thus, an attempt to stifle the demonstrations by offering merely economic incentives will not suffice. In light of the social learning approach, the younger and more educated people in Hong Kong are found to be more supportive of the protests. The findings highlight the failure of the authoritarian government in China to earn the political trust of the younger and more educated generation in Hong Kong. This article concludes by drawing attention to the dim prospects for Hong Kong’s political stability and prosperity.
The “Techno-Turn” of China’s Official Discourse on Nationalism
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang
Published: January 2021

This article explores a recent tendency in the official Chinese discourse on nationalism—the government more actively employs Chinese achievements in science and technology to boost national pride and regime legitimacy. This “techno-turn” focuses on China’s construction of megaprojects, its active role in international techno-economic business, and its development of cutting-edge scientific research and technologies. This transition in the official discourse on nationalism contains several rationales along material, policy, and ideological dimensions, and uses sophisticated propaganda tactics. It also faces constraints and challenges—some derived from conflicts with reality, and others derived from internal logical imbalances. The turn marks a new stage in the development of contemporary Chinese nationalism, in which official nationalism absorbs elements from popular nationalism. This ideological transition may influence both Chinese domestic and international politics—it may lead to China’s more confident engagement in international affairs, but may also generate uncertainties in relations between China and the West.
China’s Deng Development Model
Authors: Malinowski Grzegorz M.
Published: January 2021

This article is a form of reflection on the Chinese development model. In the ongoing discussion on this subject, the view seems to prevail that the source of the country’s economic success is the use of evidence-based policy, understood as “scientific development,” that is, basing economic policy on the most recent findings of development economics. The conclusion of this article is quite the opposite. It turns out that the foundations of the Chinese development paradigm are assumptions that are very similar to the principles around which Edmund Burke's concept of modern conservatism is built. A specific core of this concept is aversion and skepticism toward scientific theories, combined with the postulate of the gradual nature of all economic and social changes. Ultimately, however, it turns out that modern conservatism alone is also not sufficient in explaining the Chinese development success. The second pillar is the relevant set of development goals and their proper sequence.
Wicked Stepmother, Best Friend, and the Unaccounted Space Between
Authors: Dunn Tasha R. , Ly-Donovan Carolyn
Published: January 2021

Blended families are increasingly common, yet our understanding of these families—especially the role of stepmothers—is limited and lacks a critical focus. Such lack is a problem when recognizing that the stepmother is one of the most culturally stigmatized family positions. Guided by family systems theory, which recognizes the family as an interdependent system where roles are created and maintained through interactions, we seek to provide a deeper understanding of how stepmothers navigate the difficulties that accompany their stigmatized role. Instead of writing about the stepmother role in the family system from an outside perspective, we use critical duoethnography to write from inside the system by composing first-person, collaborative, reflexive accounts of our lived experiences as stepmothers that highlight the unique work we do within our blended families. Our accounts engage an intersectional lens where we embrace our layered identities—as stepmothers, women, feminists, and academics who hail from the working class and have differing ethnic backgrounds—to write ourselves out of the simplistic, and often negative, cultural ideas about stepmothers. Our primary goal is to provide a dynamic illustration of the nuanced, messy, and multifaceted experiences of (step)m(Other)ing—hence the strategic use of parentheses to encapsulate such experiences. We pinpoint the struggles we encounter in striving to find a balance between establishing a close bond with our (step)children and taking on a more authoritative parental role—all with the threat of the “wicked stepmother” stereotype looming over us. Ideally, our insider accounts help to untangle the lived experiences of stepmothers from the grip of a pervasive, distorted, denigrating, and essentializing cultural construct.
"Manicomio español"
Authors: Castro de Paz José Luis
Published: January 2021

En 1953, en plena madurez intelectual y cuando ya es uno de los más famosos actores de España, Fernando Fernán-Gómez —de quien se celebra en 2021 el centenario de su nacimiento— debuta como director cinematográfico con Manicomio, un filme tan modesto como excéntrico que reune cuatro historias de Edgar Allan Poe, Aleksadr Ivanovich Kuprin, Leonidas Andreiev y Ramón Gómez de la Serna en su primera adaptación cinematográfica (“La mona de imitación”). En la película, Fernán-Gómez traza un tan oscuro como deslavazado dibujo metafórico de una España desquiciada en la que gobiernan los locos, mientras los intelectuales —como un inolvidable Camilo José Cela— cocean cual burros encerrados en un delirante manicomio. Pueden intuirse ya en el texto, más o menos embrionariamente, rasgos sainetescos y deformantes —el protagonista (el propio Fernán-Gómez) hablándole a los espectadores; el maltrechotono costumbrista del episodio ramoniano protagonizado por Antonio Vico y Elvira Quintillá— que constituirán las bases del futuro estilo del autor  de El mundo sigue (1963) o El extraño viaje (1964).
Un dios de sanación y de destino
Authors: Fernández Moreno Sergio
Published: January 2021

En estos últimos años, la historia y la cultura germánica de la época vikinga han visto incrementada su presencia en el medio audiovisual, tal y como demuestra la aparición de la serie Vikings (2013). Concretamente, esta última incorpora frecuentemente referencias a los mitos asociados a Óðinn —una de las divinidades centrales del panteón nórdico—, cuyos atributos aparecen, además, reflejados en algunos de los personajes. Así, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar, por un lado, cómo los relatos y características vinculados con el dios se adaptan a las exigencias de la trama y, por otro, explicar en qué medida las alusiones a esta divinidad evocan los significados que los mitos odínicos encerraban en su contexto original. Tras este análisis será posible concluir que los poderes que el antiguo mundo escandinavo atribuía a Óðinn en relación con el destino y la magia curativa determinan el futuro de algunos de los protagonistas de Vikings.
Cuando la literatura y el cine se cuentan
Authors: Canseco Alicia
Published: January 2021

La película The Fall (2006) de Tarsem Singh y el relato de J. D. Salinger «El hombre que ríe», incluido en la célebre colección de Nueve cuentos (1953), aparentemente tan dispares, están relacionadas no solo por su construcción metaficcional, sino por la intradiégesis de sus metaficciones y lo que provocan que están se desencadenen. Del mismo modo, la interpretación de los narratarios diegéticos es, en ambos casos, fundamental en el metarrelato, pues percibimos ambos desde el punto de vista de un niño que no alcanza a entender el mundo de los adultos.
La fuerza de los argumentos y la perspectiva retórica
Authors: Yoris-Villasana Corina
Published: January 2021

En este artículo analizo conceptualmente algunas propuestas que se han hecho para definir la noción de fuerza argumentativa y propongo una definición que incluye la perspectiva retórica, ausente, hasta ahora, a mi juicio, de las distintas propuestas que he analizado. Las definiciones que más difusión han tenido privilegian las perspectivas lógica y dialéctica y, en consecuencia, la perspectiva retórica ha sido dejada en un segundo plano. La perspectiva retórica comprende la argumentación como un proceso natural de comunicación persuasiva donde son empleadas ciertas técnicas discursivas que permiten inducir o aumentar la adhesión a una tesis. Los argumentos cotidianos, los debates públicos casi nunca prescinden de los elementos retóricos, como la emoción y el espíritu que permea a un determinado conglomerado social, es decir, el ethos; entendiendo por este el catálogo de actitudes, valores y costumbres enraizados en un grupo social.
Relating fitness phenotypes to genotypes in Lithuanian elite athletes
Authors: GINEVIČIENĖ Valentina , PRANCKEVIČIENĖ Erinija , MILAŠIUS Kazys , KUČINSKAS Vaidutis
Published: January 2021

Background. We aim to link fitness-related genotypes to the development of specific physical fitness phenotypes and a predisposition towards a specific sport category in Lithuanian elite athletes.
Materials and methods. The study involved 193 athletes (152 male and 41 female) and 250 controls. The athletes were stratified into four groups: endurance, mixed sports, speed / power, and team sports. Genotypes of the athletes were identified according to the genetic polymorphisms: ACE (rs1799752), ACTN3 (rs1815739), PPARGC1A (rs8192678) and PPARA (rs4253778). One-way analysis of variance and logistic regression modelling were used for testing the genotype–phenotype association.
Results. The frequency of ACE I allele was higher in athletes than in controls, although only male athletes showed a significant difference from male controls. The PPARA C allele was more common in the athlete group than in the general population of Lithuania. There were no significant ACTN3 and PPARGC1A SNP allele / genotype frequency differences between the athlete group and the controls. We have found that the ACTN3 RR genotype is associated with single muscular contraction power; the PPARGC1A Ser482Ser was associated with the muscle fat mass index; the PPARA CC and ACE II genotypes are associated with the muscle mass and single muscular contraction power. The effect of the gene variants was different for male and female athletes.
Conclusions. The ACE II, PPARA CC, ACTN3 RR genotypes are related to the speed/power sports and the ACE DD, PPARA GG are related to the endurance sports in Lithuanian athletes. PPARGC1A Ser482Ser may be not critical but rather additive to endurance performance.

Keywords: physical performance, ACE, ACTN3, PPARGC1A and PPARA genetic variants, sport category