bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Panretinal handheld OCT angiography for pediatric retinal imaging
Authors: Ni Shuibin , LIANG GUANGRU , Ng Ringo , Ostmo Susan , Jia Yali , Chiang Michael F. , Huang David , Skalet Alison , Young Benjamin , Campbell J. , Jian Yifan
Published: February 2024

Comprehensive visualization of retina morphology is essential in the diagnosis and management of retinal diseases in pediatric populations. Conventional imaging techniques often face challenges in effectively capturing the peripheral retina, primarily due to the limitations in current optical designs, which lack the necessary field of view to characterize the far periphery. To address this gap, our study introduces a novel ultra-widefield optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) system. This system, specifically tailored for pediatric applications, incorporates an ultrahigh-speed 800 kHz swept-source laser. The system’s innovative design achieves a 140° field of view while maintaining excellent optical performance. Over the last 15 months, we have conducted 379 eye examinations on 96 babies using this system. It demonstrates marked efficacy in the diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity, providing detailed and comprehensive peripheral retinal angiography. The capabilities of the ultra-widefield handheld OCTA system in enhancing the clarity and thoroughness of retina vascularization assessments have significantly improved the precision of diagnoses and the customization of treatment strategies. Our findings underscore the system’s potential to advance pediatric ophthalmology and broaden the scope of retinal imaging.
CLAW: An automated Snakemake workflow for the assembly of chloroplast genomes from long-read data
Authors: Phillips Aaron L. , Ferguson Scott , Burton Rachel A. , Watson-Haigh Nathan S.
Published: February 2024

Chloroplasts are photosynthetic organelles in algal and plant cells that contain their own genome. Chloroplast genomes are commonly used in evolutionary studies and taxonomic identification and are increasingly becoming a target for crop improvement studies. As DNA sequencing becomes more affordable, researchers are collecting vast swathes of high-quality whole-genome sequence data from laboratory and field settings alike. Whole tissue read libraries sequenced with the primary goal of understanding the nuclear genome will inadvertently contain many reads derived from the chloroplast genome. These whole-genome, whole-tissue read libraries can additionally be used to assemble chloroplast genomes with little to no extra cost. While several tools exist that make use of short-read second generation and third-generation long-read sequencing data for chloroplast genome assembly, these tools may have complex installation steps, inadequate error reporting, poor expandability, and/or lack scalability. Here, we present CLAW (Chloroplast Long-read Assembly Workflow), an easy to install, customise, and use Snakemake tool to assemble chloroplast genomes from chloroplast long-reads found in whole-genome read libraries (https://github.com/aaronphillips7493/CLAW). Using 19 publicly available reference chloroplast genome assemblies and long-read libraries from algal, monocot and eudicot species, we show that CLAW can rapidly produce chloroplast genome assemblies with high similarity to the reference assemblies. CLAW was designed such that users have complete control over parameterisation, allowing individuals to optimise CLAW to their specific use cases. We expect that CLAW will provide researchers (with varying levels of bioinformatics expertise) with an additional resource useful for contributing to the growing number of publicly available chloroplast genome assemblies.
Vocal fold fibroblasts and exposure to vibration in vitro: Does sex matter?
Authors: Kirsch Andrijana , Grossmann Tanja , Steffan Barbara , Groselj-Strele Andrea , Gerstenberger Claus , Gugatschka Markus
Published: February 2024

Studies have shown that certain vocal fold pathologies are more common in one sex than the other. This is often explained by differences in the composition of the lamina propria and anatomical differences between female and male vocal folds, resulting in e.g. different fundamental frequencies. Here, we investigated a potential sex-specific voice frequency effect in an in vitro setting using vocal fold fibroblasts from one male and one female donor with and without cigarette smoke extract (CSE) addition. After exposure to either male or female vibration frequency with or without CSE, cells and supernatants were harvested. Gene and protein analysis were performed by means of qPCR, western blot, ELISA and Luminex. We found that exposure of cells to both male and female vibration pattern did not elicit significant changes in the expression of extracellular matrix-, inflammation-, and fibrosis-related genes, compared to control cells. The addition of CSE to vibration downregulated the gene expression of COL1A1 in cells exposed to the female vibration pattern, as well as induced MMP1 and PTGS2 in cells exposed to both female and male vibration pattern. The protein expression of MMP1 and COX2 was found to be significantly upregulated only in cells exposed to CSE and female vibration pattern. To conclude, different vibration patterns alone did not cause different responses of the cells. However, the female vibration pattern in combination with CSE had a tendency to elicit/maintain more pro-inflammatory responses in cells than the male vibration pattern.
Within-host bayesian joint modeling of longitudinal and time-to-event data of Leishmania infection
Authors: Pabon-Rodriguez Felix M. , Brown Grant D. , Scorza Breanna M. , Petersen Christine A.
Published: February 2024

The host immune system plays a significant role in managing and clearing pathogen material during an infection, but this complex process presents numerous challenges from a modeling perspective. There are many mathematical and statistical models for these kinds of processes that take into account a wide range of events that happen within the host. In this work, we present a Bayesian joint model of longitudinal and time-to-event data of Leishmania infection that considers the interplay between key drivers of the disease process: pathogen load, antibody level, and disease. The longitudinal model also considers approximate inflammatory and regulatory immune factors. In addition to measuring antibody levels produced by the immune system, we adapt data from CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation, and expression of interleukin 10, interferon-gamma, and programmed cell death 1 as inflammatory or regulatory factors mediating the disease process. The model is developed using data collected from a cohort of dogs naturally exposed to Leishmania infantum. The cohort was chosen to start with healthy infected animals, and this is the majority of the data. The model also characterizes the relationship features of the longitudinal outcomes and time-to-death due to progressive Leishmania infection. In addition to describing the mechanisms causing disease progression and impacting the risk of death, we also present the model’s ability to predict individual trajectories of Canine Leishmaniosis (CanL) progression. The within-host model structure we present here provides a way forward to address vital research questions regarding the understanding of the progression of complex chronic diseases such as Visceral Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease causing significant morbidity worldwide.
MOOC-based blended learning for knowledge translation capacity-building: A qualitative evaluative study
Authors: Dagenais Christian , Hot Aurélie , Bekelynck Anne , Villemin Romane , Mc Sween-Cadieux Esther , Ridde Valéry
Published: February 2024

This qualitative study investigated the effectiveness of blended learning using MOOCs (massive open online courses) for capacity-building in knowledge translation (KT). The evaluation followed Kirkpatrick’s updated model. A total of 23 semi-directed interviews were conducted with participants working at a research centre in Côte d’Ivoire, with a first wave of interviews immediately post-training and a second wave after five months. Results showed that the training met learners’ needs, with both the content and teaching format being deemed appropriate. Learners reacted positively to face-to-face activities and affirmed the importance of coaching for putting learning into practice. Specific KT skills and principles appeared to have been acquired, such as a procedure for structuring the KT process and improved skills for communicating and presenting scientific knowledge. Five months after the training, encouraging changes were reported, but the sustainability of the new KT practices remained uncertain. KT capacity-building initiatives in low- and middle-income countries struggle to meet demand. Little is known about effective KT training in that context, and even less in non-anglophone countries. The study presented here contributes to the understanding of success factors from the learners’ standpoint.
Magnetic capture device for large volume sample analysis
Authors: Armstrong Cheryl M. , Capobianco Joseph A. , Lee Joe
Published: February 2024

Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) techniques employing superparamagnetic particles can successfully isolate various components from mixtures. However, their utility can be limited for large-volume samples, viscous samples, or those containing a high density of particulate matter because of the need to generate high field gradients for particle recovery. Therefore, a new class of immunomagnetic particles was devised utilizing a single, macroscopic Pyrex spinbar conjugated with biorecognition elements to address these limitations. Advantages include an inherent capacity for effective mixing, an almost instantaneous recovery of the spinbar that can be performed without expensive equipment and with no loss of magnetic particles during processing, and reduced transfer of sample matrix. As a result, spinbars can provide an effective means for IMS with large-volume assays composed of complex matrices.
Beowulf 1563a and Blissian Metrics
Authors: Pascual Rafael
Published: February 2024

A. J. Bliss, in his authoritative and influential monograph on The Metre of Beowulf (1967), analysed l. 1563a, hē ġefēng þā fetelhilt, as a member of his group (4) of verses beginning with finite verbs. In verses of that group, in which the verb is the last particle before the first stressed element, alliterating finite verbs are thought to be an integral part of the alliterative scheme of the line and hence to be metrically stressed. This means that, according to Bliss, l. 1563a is a Type 1A2a with hē and ġe- in anacrusis. This analysis is compatible with Bliss’s definition of anacrusis, according to which any two unstressed syllables can be in the extrametrical prelude to a verse. As this essay shows, however, personal pronouns are not normally found in anacrustic positions in the poem, and so it appears reasonable to believe that seemingly anacrustic hē is not part of the authorial reading, but a result of scribal misapprehension of the text in the exemplar. After considering several possibilities and solutions, this article proposes cancellation of hē on the grounds that the scribe found the absence of a pronominal subject at that point confusing, and so decided to supply one to make the syntax of the passage closer to the syntax of late Old English verse. Emendation to ġefēng þā fetelhilt does not change Bliss’s analysis of l. 1563a as a Type 1A2a, but it does mean that that verse should be considered a member not of group (4), but of group (3): the verb is the only particle before the first stressed element. The essay concludes by reminding readers of Bliss’s monograph that his definition of anacrusis can be accepted as long as pronouns and linguistic elements other than verbal prefixes and proclitic ne are excluded from the definition.
Inner-witnessing as a spatial everyday practice in Ann Petry’s The Street
Authors: Coloma Peñate Patricia
Published: February 2024

Some scholars approach Ann Petry’s portrayal of Lutie Johnson’s fate in the hostile background of The Street (1946) through a naturalistic and deterministic lens: the protagonist, a single black mother, dreams of improving her lifestyle by reproducing a white uppermiddle class model. Given Lutie’s gender and race her dreams are, following this critical method, condemned as impossible. This approach to Petry’s novel does not take into account the deep geographical analysis that the author provides of Lutie’s struggle. Employing a spatial paradigm, this essay aims to offer an interpretation of Petry’s novel that challenges traditional geographic patterns evident in the street’s urban description. Such opposition reflects Katherine McKittrick’s approach to the definition of ‘Black women’s geographies’ as sites of struggle. Analyzing the novel’s employment of everyday practices, such as communicative expressions, and Kelly Oliver’s notion of inner-witnessing as one of them, proves how Lutie Johnson’s subjective mapping constitutes an everyday practice within the novel. As such, Petry’s portrayal of Lutie’s creation of space through these everyday practices illustrates how in her interactions with the street’s dynamics Lutie provides a witnessing cartography of struggle that opposes traditional geographic interpretations.
From Bildungsroman to Bildungsromance: Physical and Affective War in Chinelo Okparanta’s Under the Udala Trees
Authors: Cruz-Gutiérrez Cristina
Published: February 2024

The bildungsroman has dominated the Nigerian literary landscape since the 1990s with novels such as Chimamanda N. Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus (2004), Unoma Azuah’s Sky-High Flames (2005), Chika Unigwe’s Night Dancer (2012), and Chinelo Okparanta’s Under the Udala Trees (2015). These coming-of-age stories place a special emphasis on the national evolution of Nigeria. Thus, by delving into such interrelation of the national and personal domains, I propose to theorize Under the Udala Trees as a “bildungsromance,” or novel of affective and romantic development. I use the term “bildungsromance” to describe the growth of Okparanta’s protagonist, Ijeoma, as intrinsically associated with the experiences gathered from her affective attachments both in the public and the private spheres. I will analyze Ijeoma’s sentimental relationships as she discovers and naturalizes her queer identity. For this, I will delve into the negative affects − in the form of fear, shame and guilt (Braidotti 2009, 50) − that influence Ijeoma’s experience as a result of her non-conforming to the dictums of Nigerian customary laws. Ironically, such negative affects will be introduced as tightly associated with “the promise of happiness” (Ahmed 2010, 14). In turn, I shall underline the role of Ijeoma’s intimate and romantic relationships in prompting positive forms of affect such as self-love and pride. These affective experiences allow Ijeoma to acquire a critical perspective towards Nigerian customary laws and their impact on identity formation and on what has been referred to as the “democratisation of the private sphere” (Giddens 1992, 184). Ultimately, I will hinge upon Ijeoma’s awareness of her own affective advancements as a key element in her bildungsromance.
Érték és közösség
Authors: Bánkutiné Mihalcsik Márta
Published: February 2024

Kutatásomban vizsgáltam az értékfeltárás törvényi hátterét, illetve azt, hogy Veszprém vármegyében mely települések éltek ezzel a lehetőséggel és milyen hatásfokkal. Az alábbi Balaton-felvidéki településeken működő alkotókörök létrejöttét, tevékenységét mutatom be: Alsóörsi Csipkeműhely, Paloznaki, Felsőörsi és Tótvázsonyi Hímzőműhely. Ismertetem, hogyan hat egy meghatározó személyiség egy-egy közösség létrejöttére, eredményes tevékenységére, hogyan valósult meg a hungarikum mozgalom "Minden értéknek legyen közössége!" jelmondata, mi a közösségi értékfeltárás lényege, a települési értékfeltáró folyamatok milyen pozitív hatást gyakoroltak külhoni testvértelepülésekre. Az egyéniségvizsgálati és az összehasonlító módszert alkalmaztam, a további adatgyűjtést interjúk készítése, dokumentumok, fotók, alkotások összegyűjtése és elemzése, valamint a szakirodalom széleskörű feldolgozása segítette.
Nanomedicine: The future for oral delivery of phytomedicine targeting re-emerging multidrug resistant pathogens
Authors: Shatri Dr Albertina Mariina Ndinelao , Mumbengegwi Davis
Published: February 2024

Phytomedicine uses crude extracts, extracts fractions or essential oil, for medicinal purposes. The WHO estimates that 80% of the world population rely on phytomedicine for primary health care (WHO, 2007) The most commonly used forms of phytomedicine in Namibia are decoctions and infusions from medicinal plant extracts that are rich in bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, coumarins, steroids and tannins (Iikasha et al., 2020). Variousmedicinal plants have been identified in Namibia to have biological activity against multidrug resistant pathogens. Despite the potential bioactivity observed in in-vitro analysis of phytomedicine, the efficacy of most phytomedicine administered orally is negatively affected by the harsh acid pH of the stomach and this limits the potential for phytomedicine as alternative medicine for multidrug resistant pathogens (Kyriakoudi et al., 2021). Fig 2 summarises the challenges faced by phytomedicine in the GI tract.
Mélange et sexualité dans les cités platoniciennes. (La dimension politique de la sexualité dans les cités platoniciennes)
Authors: Montoya María del Pilar
Published: February 2024

La gestion de la sexualité dans la République et dans les Lois est l’un des sujets qui inspirent la thèse aristotélicienne selon laquelle la cité de Magnésie n’est qu’une version légèrement modifiée de la cité fictive décrite dans la République. Cette idée réapparaît à l’époque contemporaine sous la forme de débats passionnés, dont l’un des représentants les plus véhéments fut sans doute K. Popper. Dans le premier tome de la Société ouverte et ses ennemis, affirme que les «légères» variations introduites à Magnésie furent motivées par l’espoir platonicien de mener à bien son ancien dessein. De sorte que, à l’exception de quelques détails insignifiants, les questions traitées dans les Lois seraient tantôt parallèles, tantôt complémentaires à celles de la première πολιτείᾳ.
Partant du principe que les modifications introduites dans la cité des Lois relèvent d’un changement sensible de position d’un dialogue à l’autre, cette étude s’attachera plus particulièrement à l’analyse des arguments relatifs à la gestion de la sexualité et du mélange des classes dans la République et dans les Lois. Sans ignorer que la finalité demeure la même dans les deux cités, nous voulons montrer que la qualité des méthodes par lesquelles l’Étranger athénien cherche à réaliser l’unité de la cité magnète fait transparaître sa volonté de bâtir une constitution politique plus adaptée à la nature de ses destinataires, une constitution qui repose sur  la conscience des limites de l’autorité politique face au pouvoir de résistance de certaines tendances.
Reinterpreting the myth of sacrifice for creation from the ballad Mănăstirea Argeșului in the rock-symphonic opera Meșterul Manole (2013) – analyse from a socio-historical and intermedial perspective
Authors: Bartosiewicz-Nikolaev Olga
Published: February 2024

The main objective of my paper is to present the sociopolitical circumstances of the creation of the rock-symphonic opera Meșterul Manole (2013), based on a libretto by Victor Cârcu and composed by Joseph Kappl (former member of the rock band Phoenix), its reception by contemporary society and its character as an intermedial work. In my study, I will use the tools of the intermedial approach, which will help me to describe and grasp the relations of transposition of the myth between different media that interact and influence each other in the opera under analysis.
Comments on the Signaling Theory of IPO Underpricing and Investor Protection Laws
Authors: Kim Jeong-Yoo
Published: February 2024

It has been widely known that good firms use lower IPO prices to signal their superior prospects to investors. The underlying intuition is that good-type firms signal their type by underpricing their initial issue of shares, because investors can rationally infer that only the best can recoup the signaling cost from subsequent issues. In this paper, we argue that the intuition is not complete. We show that a good firm always has an incentive to deviate to raise the IPO price slightly from its equilibrium price if the price is the only signaling device, implying that signaling by underpricing is not an equilibrium phenomenon in the case of one-dimensional signal. Then, we show that if the firm can choose the equity fraction to be sold as well, a good-type firm can signal its high profitability by choosing a low equity fraction. In this case, a good-type firm engages in underpricing, but it cannot be a signal because both types choose same prices in equilibrium. We also discuss the effect of investor protection laws on IPO underpricing.
Existence, uniqueness, localization and minimization property of positive solutions for non-local problems involving discontinuous Kirchhoff functions
Authors: Ricceri Biagio
Published: February 2024

Let

Ω
⊂

R

n

\Omega \subset {{\bf{R}}}^{n}

be a smooth bounded domain. In this article, we prove a result of which the following is a by-product: Let

q
∈

]

0
,
1

[

q\in ]0,1{[}

,

α
∈

L

∞

(

Ω

)

\alpha \in {L}^{\infty }\left(\Omega )

, with

α
>
0

\alpha \gt 0

, and

k
∈
N

k\in {\bf{N}}

. Then, the problem

−
tan

∫

Ω

∣

∇

u

(

x

)

∣

2

d
x

Δ
u
=
α

(

x

)

u

q

in

Ω

u
>
0

in

Ω

u
=
0

on

∂
Ω

(

k
−
1

)

π
<

∫

Ω

∣

∇

u

(

x

)

∣

2

d
x
<

(

k
−
1

)

π
+

π

2

\left\{\begin{array}{ll}-\tan \left(\mathop{\displaystyle \int }\limits_{\Omega }| \nabla u\left(x){| }^{2}{\rm{d}}x\right)\Delta u=\alpha \left(x){u}^{q}\hspace{1.0em}& \hspace{0.1em}\text{in}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{0.33em}\Omega \\ u\gt 0\hspace{1.0em}& \hspace{0.1em}\text{in}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{0.33em}\Omega \\ u=0\hspace{1.0em}& \hspace{0.1em}\text{on}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{0.33em}\partial \Omega \\ \left(k-1)\pi \lt \mathop{\displaystyle \int }\limits_{\Omega }| \nabla u\left(x){| }^{2}{\rm{d}}x\lt \left(k-1)\pi +\frac{\pi }{2}\hspace{1.0em}\end{array}\right.

has a unique weak solution

u

˜

\tilde{u}

, which is the unique global minimum in

H

0

1

(

Ω

)

{H}_{0}^{1}\left(\Omega )

of the functional

u
→

1

2

tan

∫

Ω

∣

∇

u

˜

(

x

)

∣

2

d
x

∫

Ω

∣

∇

u

(

x

)

∣

2

d
x
−

1

q
+
1

∫

Ω

α

(

x

)

∣

u

+

(

x

)

∣

q
+
1

d
x
,

u\to \frac{1}{2}\tan \left(\mathop{\int }\limits_{\Omega }| \nabla \tilde{u}\left(x){| }^{2}{\rm{d}}x\right)\mathop{\int }\limits_{\Omega }| \nabla u\left(x){| }^{2}{\rm{d}}x-\frac{1}{q+1}\mathop{\int }\limits_{\Omega }\alpha \left(x)| {u}^{+}\left(x){| }^{q+1}{\rm{d}}x,

where

u

+

=
max

{

0
,
u

}

{u}^{+}=\max \left\{0,u\right\}

.
Comparative analysis of bio-based amino acid surfactants obtained via Diels–Alder reaction of cyclic anhydrides
Authors: Jolmes Tristan , Tayari Siwar , Bresser Marc , Müller Sonja , Glüsen Birgit , Schörken Ulrich
Published: February 2024

Current changes in environmental legislation and customer demands set an urge for the development of more sustainable surfactants. Thus, the objective of this work was the development of novel environmentally friendly amino acid surfactants. Combining Diels–Alder cyclization of myrcene with maleic or citraconic anhydride followed by ring opening with amino acids enabled a synthesis route with a principal 100% atom economy. Variation of amino acids resulted in a large structural variety of anionic and amphoteric surfactants. Lysine gave access to either a mono-acylated product bearing a cationic side chain or a bi-acylated gemini surfactant. First, anhydride precursors were synthesized in yields of >90% in a Diels–Alder reaction under microwave radiation and subsequent amino acid coupling in aqueous environment gave fully bio-based surfactants in good yields and purity. Physicochemical characterization showed an enhanced decrease in surface tension upon addition of amino acids to the myrcene–anhydride backbone, resulting in a minimal value of 31 mN·m−1 for gemini–lysine. Foamabilitiy and foam stability were significantly increased at skin-friendly pH 5.5 by incorporation of amino acids. The carboxylic groups of surfactants with arginine were esterified with ethanol to access cationic compounds. Comparative analysis revealed moderate antimicrobial effects against yeast, Gram-positive bacteria, and Gram-negative bacteria.
Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles on yellow phosphorus slag and its application in organic coatings
Authors: Dung Nguyen Tien , My Duong Tra , Chinh Nguyen Thuy , Dai Nguyen Quy , Hieu Vu Dinh , Thuy Tran Thanh , Thoa Nguyen Kim , Hoang Thai
Published: February 2024

This work concentrated on the decoration of AgNPs to yellow phosphorus slag (YPS) using both chemical (NaBH4) and biological (Areca catechu nut and Jasminum subtriplinerve leaf extracts) reducing agents, as well as its use as antibacterial and enhancement additives for organic coatings based on acrylic emulsion resin. It is the first study about the decoration of AgNPs on the surface of YPS using bio-reduction agents (A. catechu nut and J. subtriplinerve leaf extracts). The characteristics of YPS decorated by AgNPs (YPS@AgNPs) were determined using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering methods. To quantify the amount of AgNPs in YPS@AgNPs, atomic absorption spectroscopy was used. The results of YPS@AgNPs fabrication confirmed that the above green reduction agents had a higher efficiency and were more suitable than the chemical reduction agent (NaBH4). Moreover, the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria strains of YPS@AgNPs using the J. subtriplinerve leaf extract as a reducing agent gave the best result among the three agents. In particular, the bactericidal activity of YPS@AgNPs against the new marine bacterium, Pseudomonas stutzeri B27, was evaluated, and it was found that YPS@AgNPs can inhibit the growth of an antibiotic-resistant bacterium, P. stutzeri B27. They enhance not only the mechanical properties but also the bactericidal ability of the water-borne acrylic resin coating.
German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine – areas of expertise: Division reports from the German Congress of Laboratory Medicine 2022 in Mannheim, 13–14 October 2022
Authors: Nauck Matthias , Holdenrieder Stefan , Klein Hanns-Georg , Findeisen Peter , Winter Christof , Ceglarek Uta , Petersmann Astrid , Klouche Mariam , Lichtinghagen Ralf , Biemann Ronald , Adler Jakob , Streichert Thomas , von Meyer Alexander , Wieland Eberhard , Hofmann Walter , Aufenanger Johannes , Orth Matthias , Shipkova Maria , Bidlingmaier Martin , Birschmann Ingvild , Blüthner Martin , Conrad Karsten , Luppa Peter B. , Kiehntopf Michael , Bietenbeck Andreas , Baum Hannsjörg , Renz Harald
Published: February 2024

The programme of the German Congress for Laboratory Medicine 2022 was essentially designed by the divisions of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL). Almost all chairpersons of the divisions organised a 90-min symposium on current topics, i.e. conceptualised the symposia and invited speakers. For this article all chairpersons summarised the lectures that were given within the symposia. The DGKL’s work is structured into 5 areas of expertise: Molecular Diagnostics, Learning & Teaching, Quality & Management, Laboratory & Diagnostics and Biobanks & Informatics. The areas of expertise are in turn subdivided into divisions. About the history of the establishment of this new structure within the DGKL you can find information in the editorial of this issue.
On certain functional equation related to derivations
Authors: Marcen Benjamin , Vukman Joso
Published: February 2024

In this article, we prove the following result. Let

n
≥
3

n\ge 3

be some fixed integer and let

R

R

be a prime ring with

char

(

R

)

≠

(

n
+
1

)

!

2

n
−
2

{\rm{char}}\left(R)\ne \left(n+1)\!{2}^{n-2}

. Suppose there exists an additive mapping

D
:
R
→
R

D:R\to R

satisfying the relation

2

n
−
2

D

(

x

n

)

=

∑

i
=
0

n
−
2

n
−
2

i

x

i

D

(

x

2

)

x

n
−
2
−
i

+

(

2

n
−
2

−
1

)

(

D

(

x

)

x

n
−
1

+

x

n
−
1

D

(

x

)

)

+

∑

i
=
1

n
−
2

∑

k
=
2

i

(

2

k
−
1

−
1

)

n
−
k
−
2

i
−
k

+

∑

k
=
2

n
−
1
−
i

(

2

k
−
1

−
1

)

n
−
k
−
2

n
−
i
−
k
−
1

x

i

D

(

x

)

x

n
−
1
−
i

\begin{array}{rcl}{2}^{n-2}D\left({x}^{n})& =& \left(\mathop{\displaystyle \sum }\limits_{i=0}^{n-2}\left(\genfrac{}{}{0.0pt}{}{n-2}{i}\right){x}^{i}D\left({x}^{2}){x}^{n-2-i}\right)+\left({2}^{n-2}-1)\left(D\left(x){x}^{n-1}+{x}^{n-1}D\left(x))\\ & & +\mathop{\displaystyle \sum }\limits_{i=1}^{n-2}\left(\mathop{\displaystyle \sum }\limits_{k=2}^{i}\left({2}^{k-1}-1)\left(\genfrac{}{}{0.0pt}{}{n-k-2}{i-k}\right)+\mathop{\displaystyle \sum }\limits_{k=2}^{n-1-i}\left({2}^{k-1}-1)\left(\genfrac{}{}{0.0pt}{}{n-k-2}{n-i-k-1}\right)\right){x}^{i}D\left(x){x}^{n-1-i}\end{array}

for all

x
∈
R
.

x\in R.

In this case,

D

D

is a derivation. This result is related to a classical result of Herstein, which states that any Jordan derivation on a prime ring with

char

(

R

)

≠
2

{\rm{char}}\left(R)\ne 2

is a derivation.
Understand how machine learning impact lung cancer research from 2010 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Chen Zijian , Liu Yangqi , Lin Zeying , Huang Weizhe
Published: February 2024

Advances in lung cancer research applying machine learning (ML) technology have generated many relevant literature. However, there is absence of bibliometric analysis review that aids a comprehensive understanding of this field and its progress. Present article for the first time performed a bibliometric analysis to clarify research status and focus from 2010 to 2021. In the analysis, a total of 2,312 relevant literature were searched and retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. We conducted a bibliometric analysis and further visualization. During that time, exponentially growing annual publication and our model have shown a flourishing research prospect. Annual citation reached the peak in 2017. Researchers from United States and China have produced most of the relevant literature and strongest partnership between them. Medical image analysis and Nature appeared to bring more attention to the public. The computer-aided diagnosis, precision medicine, and survival prediction were the focus of research, reflecting the development trend at that period. ML did make a big difference in lung cancer research in the past decade.
On Traces, Clues, and Fiction: Carlo Ginzburg and the Practice of Archaeology
Authors: Ribeiro Artur
Published: February 2024

In recent years, archaeological research has relied on large datasets, both temporally and geographically, with some archaeologists discussing that there should be a shift towards a more scientific form of conducting archaeological research called “macroarchaeology.” Ironically, and contradictorily, this shift towards large-scale research has involved the use of inductive approaches, which means that archaeological material needs to be converted into universal quantitative values. The inductive approaches used by archaeologists today, as argued by Karl Popper, and other authors in recent years, cannot be considered scientific in the strict sense of the word, since there is always a degree of uncertainty in inductive reasoning. This study suggests that archaeological data can be considered as traces of the past, clues that allow us to reconstruct past phenomena. As Carlo Ginzburg’s evidential paradigm demonstrates, thinking of the past in terms of traces and clues is much more scientific than appears at first. In addition to traces and clues, a second interpretative procedure can be conducted on data. Based on Ginzburg’s conjectural paradigm and discussion on fiction, we can recognize the past as real, while at the same time, conjecture the several ways past agents could have acted otherwise.
Identification of the role of TG2 on the expression of TGF-β, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in aged skin
Authors: Ergülen Elvan , Akdoğan Güner Gül
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a unique protein having enzymatic and nonenzymatic functions that have been implicated in various biological and pathological processes such as cell survival and apoptosis, cell signaling, differentiation, adhesion and migration, wound healing and inflammation. As reported in previous studies, TG2 expression and activity increase by age suggesting that TG2 possibly has roles in cellular aging process. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of TG2 in chronological skin aging through its impact on the expression of some important extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including TGF-β, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2.

Methods

We have compared TG2 expression and activity in young and in vitro chronologically aged human dermal fibroblasts via Western blot and in situ TG2 activity assays. Afterwards, we inhibited TG2 expression via siRNA transfection and activity via active site inhibitor of TG2 separately in aged dermal fibroblasts and monitored the expression levels of TGF-β, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in these cells by Western blot and compared to that of untreated control cells.

Results

We obtained evidence that both TG2 expression and activity increase in aged cells. However, protein levels of TGF-β, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 do not exhibit any significant difference in TG2 downregulated or TG2 activity inhibited aged cells compared to control cells.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that changes in the expression and activity of TG2 in (in vitro) chronologically aged human dermal fibroblasts do not impact the expression patterns of TGF-β, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 proteins.
Research on the design method of mode transition control law for Ma6 external parallel TBCC engine
Authors: Jiao Guiqian , Song Wenyan , Zeng Xianglong , Fu Yu , Li Jianping
Published: February 2024

To achieve a fast and reliable mode transition of the Ma 0–6 external parallel TBCC engine, a design method for the transition state control law is developed. The design parameters of the TBCC engine are obtained based on the mission requirements of hypersonic aircraft. For the key mode transition process of the combination engine, a segmented mode transition strategy is formulated with the objectives of smooth thrust and continuous flow. The mode transition control law of the combination engine is designed and optimized using the Hooke-Jeeve Direct Search Method. The results demonstrate that the proposed design method for the mode transition control law can effectively enable a fast and smooth mode transition of the combination engine, with a total duration of 7 s. During the mode transition process, the total thrust fluctuation during the transition from the turbofan windmill state to the turbofan shutdown state is the largest, and the maximum relative error between the total thrust and the expected value during the mode transition process is 0.4 %.
Jenseits der Lagerbildung. Ein Kommentar zu „Gütekriterien in der Soziologie“
Authors: Erhard Franz , Schäfer Robert
Published: February 2024

Der Beitrag setzt sich mit dem Gütekriterien-Katalog auseinander, wie er von Otte et al. (2023) entwickelt wurde. Dieser hat uns einerseits zu Selbstkritik angeregt, andererseits möchten wir einige kritische Anmerkungen zur Weiterführung der Debatte beitragen. Diese beziehen sich darauf, dass einige Gütekriterien gleichzeitig zu weit und zu eng formuliert sind, was in beiden Fällen durch die unnötige Fixierung auf kausalistische Forschungsstrategien begründet ist. Zudem wird ein Gütekriterium vorgeschlagen, das bis dato sowohl von der qualitativen als auch von der quantitativen Seite zu wenig behandelt wurde: die gesellschaftstheoretische Rückbindung der empirischen Ergebnisse. Abschließend plädieren wir dafür, in künftigen Gütekriterien-Katalogen systematisch den Unterschied zweier verschiedener Verständnisse davon zu berücksichtigen, was Generalisierung bedeuten kann. Im Zuge dessen plädieren wir für die Anerkennung eines epistemologischen Pluralismus in der Soziologie.
Hydrothermal synthesis of zinc molybdates (α-ZnMoO4) nanoparticles and its applications of supercapacitor and photocatalytic performances
Authors: Elayarani Palanisamy , Sumathi Thiyagarajan , Sivakumar Ganesan , Pragadeswaran Selvam , Suthakaran Selvakumar , Sathiyamurthy Subbarayan , Seshadhri Jayasree , Ayyar Manikandan , Arularasu Markasagayam Visagamani
Published: February 2024

The rational construction and design of nanostructured materials have a significant impact on the fabrication of high-performance electrode materials, which have attracted considerable interest in an effort to enhance the reliability and efficiency of energy storage devices. In this study, the α-ZnMoO4 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by facile hydrothermal method and the influence of various hydrothermal reaction times on structural, morphological, optical and electrochemical properties were studied. XRD analysis illustrated that α-ZnMoO4 nanoparticles exhibited anorthic crystal structure and the average crystallite size was 42 nm. FESEM images changed from a cubic structure to plate-like structures depending on reaction times. HRTEM analysis revealed that prepared sample showed a plate-like structure and the SAED pattern exhibited a polycrystalline nature. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of vibrational molecules in α-ZnMoO4 nanoparticles. The BET and XPS measurements showed the α-ZnMoO4 nanoparticles were mesoporous and had Zn2+ and Mo6+ oxidation states, respectively. From UV–Visible spectra, a better spectral selectivity region was observed at higher reaction times, and the bandgap values were decreased from 2.73 to 2.48 eV. In photocatalytic studies, RhB dye was used as an organic pollutant and achieved a degradation efficiency of 85 % at an optimized reaction time of 24 h. For electrochemical performances, the prepared electrode material showed maximum specific capacitance values of 165 F g−1 and 110 F g−1 for cyclic voltammetry and galvanoststic charge-discharge analysis, respectively.
The Evolution of a Disaster
Authors: Cohen Samuel
Published: February 2024

This essay explores how Gregory I (bishop of Rome, 590–604) depicted two Lombard sieges of Rome, traditionally dated to 592 and 593. These events, when they are discussed, are typically presented in a litany of disasters that befell Rome at the end of the sixth century. Plague, famine, flooding, and ultimately the “swords of the Lombards” were the depressing context of Gregory’s pontificate. However, a close examination of Gregory’s letters, the principal source for Rome in this period, reveals that the bishop’s presentation of these Lombard attacks evolved considerably between 591 and 595. Indeed, it was only in response to several controversies with the East, including criticisms by the exarch Romanus and especially the use of the title universalis episcopus (typically translated into English as ecumenical patriarch) by Patriarch John IV of Constantinople (582–95), that Gregory came to recast the Lombard campaigns as disasters for Rome and the causes of great suffering. Rome’s suffering then served as a rhetorical foil against which Gregory contrasted what he saw as the callous neglect of imperial officials and especially John’s prideful asceticism performed in the safety of Constantinople.
Anticipating Disasters
Authors: Fournier Eric
Published: February 2024

Following Valens’s defeat at the hands of the Goths at the Battle of Adrianople in August 378 and immediately before Alaric’s sack of Rome in August 410, both Gratian and Honorius issued temporary forbearance measures that relaxed the otherwise coercive religious policies against Donatists in North Africa. The present article analyzes these episodes as case studies in how the late Roman government reacted to disasters and crises in the religious sphere. These episodes are particularly puzzling because they go against the tendency of increasing coercion against schismatics and heretics expressed in late Roman laws and imperial propaganda. The article argues that late Roman religious policy that attempted to enforce theological orthodoxy was mainly the product of episcopal lobbying and petitions, and therefore it could be suspended when more pressing concerns, such as the loyalty of a crucial province for the food supply of the city of Rome, hung in the balance.
Sudden death and Haemoproteus infection in captivity Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) from Brazil
Authors: Lemes Mel Takazono , Felichak Andriel Gustavo , Lorenzi Laura Dalcin , Marangoni Marina , Mamgue Vitor Eduardo , Braz Paulo Henrique
Published: February 2024

The present study aims to report the sudden death of two captive individuals of the Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia that coexisted in the same enclosure with other raptor birds in a Zoo of Brazil. Despite Haemoproteus infections generally being considered benign, they can lead to sudden death, particularly in stressful environments. Through hematological examinations and microscopic analyses, this article reports two cases of Haemoproteus in Burrowing Owls, suggesting a potential correlation between its presence and owl’s deaths. Also, discusses the prevalence of this infection in captive raptorial birds, emphasizing the significance of immunity and proper management to prevent infections and reveal the importance of early diagnosis for the preservation of the health of these captive birds.
Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination and Prevention of Symptomatic Infection in Infants
Authors: Cardemil Cristina V. , Cao Yi , Posavad Christine M. , Badell Martina L. , Bunge Katherine , Mulligan Mark J. , Parameswaran Lalitha , Olson-Chen Courtney , Novak Richard M. , Brady Rebecca C. , DeFranco Emily , Gerber Jeffrey S. , Pasetti Marcela , Shriver Mallory , Coler Rhea , Berube Bryan , Suthar Mehul S. , Moreno Alberto , Gao Fei , Richardson Barbra A. , Beigi Richard , Brown Elizabeth , Neuzil Kathleen M. , Munoz Flor M. ,   MOMI-Vax Study Group
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Maternal vaccination may prevent infant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to quantify protection against infection from maternally derived vaccine-induced antibodies in the first 6 months of an infant’s life.

METHODS

Infants born to mothers vaccinated during pregnancy with 2 or 3 doses of a messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine (nonboosted or boosted, respectively) had full-length spike (Spike) immunoglobulin G (IgG), pseudovirus 614D, and live virus D614G, and omicron BA.1 and BA.5 neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers measured at delivery. Infant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was determined by verified maternal-report and laboratory confirmation through prospective follow-up to 6 months of age between December 2021 and July 2022. The risk reduction for infection by dose group and antibody titer level was estimated in separate models.

RESULTS

Infants of boosted mothers (n = 204) had significantly higher Spike IgG, pseudovirus, and live nAb titers at delivery than infants of nonboosted mothers (n = 271), and were 56% less likely to acquire infection in the first 6 months (P = .03). Irrespective of boost, for each 10-fold increase in Spike IgG titer at delivery, the infant’s risk of acquiring infection was reduced by 47% (95% confidence interval 8%–70%; P = .02). Similarly, a 10-fold increase in pseudovirus titers against Wuhan Spike, and live virus nAb titers against D614G, and omicron BA.1 and BA.5 at delivery were associated with a 30%, 46%, 56%, and 60% risk reduction, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher transplacental binding and nAb titers substantially reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants, and a booster dose amplified protection during a period of omicron predominance. Until infants are age-eligible for vaccination, maternal vaccination provides passive protection against symptomatic infection during early infancy.
Modelado molecular de reacciones enzimáticas
Authors: Escorcia Cabrera Andrés Mauricio
Published: February 2024

Las enzimas son macromoléculas de origen biológico que actúan como catalizadores de las reacciones químicas responsables de la funcionalidad de los seres vivos. Así, las enzimas intervienen en diferentes procesos biológicos, tales como la digestión de alimentos, la transmisión de impulsos nerviosos, la fecundación, entre otros. Por otro lado, las enzimas pueden ejercer su poder catalítico aún por fuera de los organismo vivos (i.e. se pueden aislar y utilizar en un medio de reacción diferente al del organismo del que provienen). Una característica importante de las reacciones enzimáticas es que pueden ocurrir bajo condiciones de reacción suave (e.g.temperatura y pH moderados), lo que ha hecho a las enzimas atractivas para el desarrollo de procesos biotecnológicos amigables con el medio ambiente. De hecho, las enzimas han logrado constituirse hoy día como catalizadores valiosos en síntesis orgánica (e.g. en la síntesis de fármacos), ya que además son altamente selectivas y disminuyen el riesgo de obtener productos de reacción indeseados1.Por todo lo anterior, las enzimas son el objeto de estudio de numerosas investigaciones a nivel mundial. Las investigaciones con enzimas abarcan desde los experimentos hasta los estudios in silico . La ventaja de estos últimos es que brindan información a nivel molecular a la cual no es posible acceder experimentalmente. El estudio in silico (o modelado molecular) de una reacción enzimática permite comprender claramente cuáles son las bases moleculares res ponsables de las propiedades catalíticas (especificidad, selectividad, estabilidad, etc) que puede exhibir una enzima al catalizar una reacción determinada2,3. Obtener este tipo de información resulta bastante útil en diferentes campos de investigación, como por ejemplo, en el diseño racional de fármacos, insecticidas, enzimas (mutantes), entre otros4,5,6.El modelado molecular de reacciones enzimáticas es un campo que ha sido muy poco explorado en Colombia pero que ha ganado gran atención en los últimos años2,3.
Indole-Bearing Azo Compounds: Molecular Docking and in silico ADMET Analysis
Authors: Dilek Ömer , Tilki Tahir , Karabacak Atay Çiğdem
Published: February 2024

In this study, the interaction between the 12 indole-bearing azo compounds (a-l), which were previously synthesized by our research group, and two proteins, 2XIR and 5TGZ, was investigated using an in silico method. The ligand-protein interaction parameters and quantities were determined via molecular docking simulation studies. Since compound e has the lowest docking scores for both 2XIR and 5TGZ, it was selected for additional research on binding interactions. Both e-2XIR and e-5TGZ had docking scores that were lower than those of the control molecules. ADMET characteristics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) were anticipated using the ADMETlab 2.0 and ProTox-II server. Compound b was categorized as having the greatest levels of toxicity, falling into the sixth toxicity class.
As dívidas dos países em desenvolvimento
Authors: DORNBUSCH RUDIGER
Published: February 2024

RESUMO Este artigo trata interesse dos EUA no problema da dívida mundial. Segundo o autor, o problema da dívida (1) afeta a lucratividade e até a estabilidade do sistema bancário norte-americano; (2) faz parte da crise comercial dos EUA e (3) é uma importante aposta da política externa na crise da dívida, pois a cobrança da dívida traz instabilidade social e política. O autor mostra os fatos da dívida e as origens do problema das dívidas analisando o grande problema dos devedores. No quadro geral denominado “problema de transferência” é discutido o problema do serviço da dívida onde o autor apresenta um estudo de caso do México e do Brasil. Ele conclui mostrando cinco soluções alternativas para o problema da dívida: uma macroeconomia mundial melhorada, uma facilidade, trocas de dívida por capital, uma reversão da fuga de capitais e alívio da dívida no estilo Bradley.