bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dire l’indicible: Children, trauma and silences in Kim Thúy’s Ru and Grace Ly’s Jeune fille modèle
Authors: Kistnareddy Ashwiny O.
Published: February 2021

This article articulates the notion of silences that endure in the aftermath of the Indochina war and the traumatic impact on children. Through an analysis of two Francophone texts, Grace Ly’s Jeune fille modèle and Kim Thúy’s Ru, this study demonstrates that it is silence which evokes and solidifies the trauma experienced by victims of war; this is transmitted to their children despite attempts at secrecy and endeavours to protect children from such trauma. It examines the ways in which narrating trauma and breaking silences play a role in recuperating both history and personal history. In foregrounding the voices of those who have died and haunt subsequent generations, the article discusses the silences that pervade Ru and Jeune fille modèle in order to gauge the extent to which narrating stories, finding one’s voice and breaking silences become a means of obtaining freedom and alleviating some of the dolour of war and losses. In so doing, it analyses the ways in which children enable these healing processes to take place and eventually permit multiple voices to break through the narrative fibre in order to create redemption stories.
Restitution of African colonial artefacts: A reassessment of France’s post-colonial identity
Authors: Duhennois Doris
Published: February 2021

This article aims to investigate the way the French government has utilized the restitution of African colonial artefacts to reshape its postcolonial identity. The decision to return African artefacts to their country of origin is studied from a national perspective, shedding light on the postcolonial evolution of the French society, and from an international perspective, placing this decision within the structure of international relations. This article demonstrates that the restitution of African colonial artefacts is part of a political strategy aimed at addressing the national and international criticisms directed towards the French government without having to implement the structural reforms necessary to truly resolve them.
North American Jewish Day Schools’ Online Promotion of Physical Education
Authors: Kahan David , McKenzie Thomas , Fedoriouk Roman
Published: February 2021

Objective: Parents and other stakeholders regularly view school websites for important information including curricula. Over 300,000 students are enrolled in North American Jewish day schools, but little is known about schools’ online promotion of physical education (PE). We conducted a content analysis of the mention of various PE characteristics and their association with school characteristics. Methods: We systematically tallied mention of 7 PE characteristics and 4 school characteristics on the websites of 516 Jewish day schools located in 237 North American cities. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations were used to analyze proportions for each characteristic and associations among them. Results: PE and curriculum were the only characteristics mentioned on over 50% of the websites. The mention of 4 PE characteristics (health messaging, facilities, PE, curriculum) was strongly associated with the religious affiliation of schools. Specifically, websites of liberal schools and traditional schools were more and less likely, respectively, to mention the characteristics. Conclusions: The websites of Jewish day schools insufficiently promoted PE characteristics with large differences based on religious affiliation. Surveying school officials responsible for website content about their beliefs on PE generally and the appropriateness of websites for promoting it may help inform strategies for boosting its online presence.
Intensive Mindfulness-based Resilience Training in First Responders: A Pilot Study
Authors: Canady Brittany , Zullig Keith , Brumage Michael , Goerling Richard
Published: February 2021

first responders offered in a compressed, residential immersion format (MBRT-I). Methods: Participants (N = 31) attended a 2.5-day immersion training to receive training in MBRT-I, with a booster session 30 days later. Self-report data measuring aspects of stress and health were collected at baseline, immediately following MBRT-I training, 30 days after MBRT-I training, and 90 days after MBRT-I training. Results: Participants reported significant improvements in emotional intelligence, emotional regulation, occupational stress, and fatigue (p < .05), with further trends approaching statistical significance regarding perceived stress, anger, and mindfulness. Conclusions: Whereas larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to establish the efficacy of this intervention, preliminary results suggest a compressed-format version of MBRT is (1) feasible, and (2) may be beneficial in reducing stress, anger, and fatigue, and improving likely mediators of positive health outcomes, such as emotional regulation and mindfulness among a broad range of first responders.
A Visual Support of Standard Procedures for Solar Radiation Quality Control
Authors: El Alani Omaima , Ghennioui Hicham , Ghennioui Abdellatif , Saint-Drenan Yves-Marie , Blanc Philippe , Hanrieder Natalie , Dahr Fatima-Ezzahra
Published: February 2021

Solar irradiance data from high-quality ground-based measurements are primordial for different solar energy applications. In order to achieve the required accuracy, quality control procedures are of great benefit. A variety of approaches   have been proposed. In this sense, some approaches propose a visual representation of the routine, while others only provide a time series of binary flag values, and do not propose any specific visualization of the flagged data as opposed to non-flagged ones. In this regard, the present paper puts forward a complete routine including several quality control procedures for solar irradiance measurements by providing visual support for these different approaches. The visual tool in question was validated using five years research data with 10 minutes resolution of the global, diffuse and direct components of solar irradiation collected from three ground-based weather stations in Morocco. This visual tool puts forth a more precise idea of the measurement quality by detecting various errors, such as time shifts, outliers identification; either with one or two components, or consistency tests between the three components of solar radiation when available. The proposed tool can be regarded as a means of improving the detection rate of abnormal data as a first step in diagnosing the prominent causes of error.
The future of evaluation of child and adolescent psychiatric treatments
Authors: Falissard Bruno
Published: February 2021

Purpose of review: To imagine the future methods and paradigms for evaluating treatments in child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP). A historical perspective will be adopted first to explain the origin of methods and designs presently in use. Then an overview of methodological breakthroughs that occur currently will be presented. Recent findings: At the moment, mechanisms of action and randomized controlled trials are the two pillars of treatment evaluation. However, personalized medicine, digital health, big data, health economy, and patient organizations strongly question this state of affairs. As a result, new methodological approaches are arriving in force among which “n-of-1” studies, Bayesian designs, observational studies, and Qualitative researches. Summary: In CAP, psychological treatments are important, there are numerous age groups, and many moderators influencing treatment efficacy. This may be a reason why CAP has not benefited as much as many other medical specialties from Evidence-Based Medicine. Fortunately, the methodological revolution we are going through at the moment is likely to change this. If CAP can get the ball rolling, it will gain a lot in therapeutic efficacy.
Well-Ordered and Non-Well-Ordered Lower and Upper Solutions for Periodic Planar Systems
Authors: Fonda Alessandro , Klun Giuliano , Sfecci Andrea
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to extend the theory of lower and upper solutions to the periodic problem associated with planar systems of differential equations. We generalize previously given definitions and we are able to treat both the well-ordered case and the non-well-ordered case. The proofs involve topological degree arguments, together with a detailed analysis of the solutions in the phase plane.
Saturated Fronts in Crowds Dynamics
Authors: Campos Juan , Corli Andrea , Malaguti Luisa
Published: February 2021

We consider a degenerate scalar parabolic equation, in one spatial dimension, of flux-saturated type. The equation also contains a convective term. We study the existence and regularity of traveling-wave solutions; in particular we show that they can be discontinuous. Uniqueness is recovered by requiring an entropy condition, and entropic solutions turn out to be the vanishing-diffusion limits of traveling-wave solutions to the equation with an additional non-degenerate diffusion. Applications to crowds dynamics, which motivated the present research, are also provided.
Simulation of segmented mirrors with adaptive optics
Authors: Störkle Johannes , Hahn Luzia , Eberhard Peter
Published: February 2021

This work deals with the simulation-based investigation and control of optical systems that are mechanically influenced. Here, the focus is on the dynamic-optical modeling of vibration-sensitive, segmented mirror systems, which are used, for example, in large astronomic telescopes. Furthermore, an adaptive optical unit usually compensates for the optical aberrations due to atmospheric disturbances. In practice, these aberrations are detected and corrected within a few seconds using deformable mirrors. However, to further improve the performance of these optical systems, dynamic disturbances in the mechanics, i.e. small movements and deformations of the optical surfaces, must also be taken into account. For the investigation of such cases, multidisciplinary simulation methods are developed and presented.
High quality diffractive optical elements (DOEs) using SMILE imprint technique
Authors: Drieschner Simon , Kloiber Fabian , Hennemeyer Marc , Klein Jan J. , Thesen Manuel W.
Published: February 2021

Augmented reality (AR) enhancing the existing natural environment by overlaying a virtual world is an emerging and growing market and attracts huge commercial interest into optical devices which can be implemented into head-mounted AR equipment. Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) are considered as the most promising candidate to meet the market’s requirements such as compactness, low-cost, and reliability. Hence, they allow building alternatives to large display headsets for virtual reality (VR) by lightweight glasses. Soft lithography replication offers a pathway to the fabrication of large area DOEs with high aspect ratios, multilevel features, and critical dimensions below the diffractive optical limit down to 50 nm also in the scope of mass manufacturing. In combination with tailored UV-curable photopolymers, the fabrication time can be drastically reduced making it very appealing to industrial applications. Here, we illustrate the key features of high efficiency DOEs and how the SMILE (SUSS MicroTec Imprint Lithography Equipment) technique can be used with advanced imprint photopolymers to obtain high quality binary DOEs meeting the market’s requirements providing a very versatile tool to imprint both nano- and microstructures.
Aristotle on Light and Vision: An ‘Ecological’ Interpretation
Authors: Costello Sean M.
Published: February 2021

Scholarship on Aristotle’s theory of visual perception has traditionally held that Aristotle had a single, static, conception of light and that he believed that illumination occurredprior toandindependent ofthe actions of colours. I contend that this view precludes the medium from becoming actually transparent, thus making vision impossible. I here offer an alternative to the traditional interpretation, using contemporary conceptual tools to make good philosophical sense of Aristotle’s position. I call my view the ‘ecological’ interpretation. It postulates two conceptions of light: non-visible mobile propagated light and visible static illumination produced by the interaction of propagated light with the environment’s coloured textured surfaces. I argue that these contemporary conceptual tools can find a foothold in and consistently enrich Aristotle’s extant position and that, with their aid, we can restore coherence to his theories of light and vision.
A Functional Reading of the Epicurean Classification of Desires
Authors: Robitzsch Jan Maximilian
Published: February 2021

This paper examines the classification of desires that the Epicureans offer in their writings. It surveys the extant textual evidence for the classification and discusses the relationship between natural and necessary, natural and unnecessary, and unnatural and unnecessary desires. It argues that while the practical significance of the Epicurean classification is clear, which desires fall into which class is not. The paper suggests the reason for this may be that the Epicureans acknowledge some variability in their concept of human nature, arguing for a functional reading of the Epicurean classification of desires.
Partaking of Reason in a Way: Aristotle on the Rationality of Human Desire
Authors: Long Jr. Duane
Published: February 2021

Three times in Book 1 chapter 13 of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle says desire partakes of reason in a way. There is a consensus view in the literature about what that claim means: desire has no intrinsic rationality, but can partake of reason by being blindly obedient to the commands of reason. I argue this consensus view is mistaken: for Aristotle, adult human desire has its own intrinsic rationality, and while it is to be obedient to reason, it is not blind obedience, for when reason tells desire to obey, it includes an explanation supporting its order which desire can at least potentially understand. Thus, the nature of human desire, and also of the characteristic interaction of desire and reason, is much different than it is standardly taken to be.
Plato on Natural Kinds: The Promethean Method of thePhilebus
Authors: Proios John D.
Published: February 2021

Plato’s invention of the metaphor of carving the world by the joints (Phaedrus 265d–66c) gives him a privileged place in the history of natural kind theory in philosophy and science; he is often understood to present a paradigmatic but antiquated view of natural kinds as possessing eternal, immutable, necessary essences. Yet, I highlight that, as a point of distinction from contemporary views about natural kinds, Plato subscribes to an intelligent-design, teleological framework, in which the natural world is the product of craft and, as a result, is structured such that it is good for it to be that way. In Plato’sPhilebus, the character Socrates introduces a method of inquiry whose articulation of natural kinds enables it to confer expert knowledge, such as literacy. My paper contributes to an understanding of Plato’s view of natural kinds by interpreting this method in light of Plato’s teleological conception of nature. I argue that a human inquirer who uses the method identifies kinds with relational essences within a system causally related to the production of some unique craft-object, such as writing. As a result, I recast Plato’s place in the history of philosophy, including Plato’s view of the relation between the kinds according to the natural and social sciences. Whereas some are inclined to separate natural from social kinds, Plato holds the unique view that all naturalness is a social feature of kinds reflecting the role of intelligent agency.
Correlating Coating Quality of Coverage with Rheology for Mica-Based Paints
Authors: Anderson Jacob , Shori Shailesh , Jabbari Esmaiel , Ploehn Harry J. , Gadala-Maria Francis , Priftis Dimitrios
Published: February 2021

This paper examines the relationship between rheology and the qualitative appearance of dried, mica-based paint coatings used in the aerospace industry. The goal is to identify key rheological characteristics indicative of poor coating visual appearance, providing a screening tool to identify unsatisfactory paint formulations. Four mica paints were studied, having coating visual appearances ranging from very poor to very good. Strain sweeps indicated that the poor-quality paints have a smaller % strain midpoint in the linear visco-elastic range; while the good-quality paints have a lower G’/G” cross-over point in frequency sweeps. Thixotropy experiments utilizing single and multiple-loop hysteresis cycles plotting shear stress as a function of shear rate showed that the base mica paints with good appearance had nearly constant, reversible profiles in the forward and the backward directions; while the mica paints with poor appearance were irreversible with a noticeable gradual change in shear stress as more loops are run. The difference in area between the forward and the reverse curves was determined, leading to a quantifiable criterion that can differentiate good paints from poor paints with significance testing. This work would establish the first rheology model using hysteresis loops to predict the visual properties of mica-based paints.
Measuring Social Norms in Economics: Why It Is Important and How It Is Done
Authors: Nosenzo Daniele , Görges Luise
Published: February 2021

Experimental economics offers new tools for the measurement of social norms. In this article, we argue that these advances have the potential to promote our understanding of human behavior in fundamental ways, by expanding our knowledge beyond what we learn by simply observing human behavior. We highlight how these advancements can inform not only economic and social theory, but also policymaking.We then describe and critically assess three approaches used in economics to measure social norms. We conclude our overview with a list of recommendations to help empirical researchers choose among the different tools, depending on the nature and constraints of their research projects.
The Legitimacy of Groups: Toward a We-Reasoning View
Authors: Tam Agnes
Published: February 2021

In liberal political philosophy, a prevalent view holds that groups are typically voluntary associations. Members of voluntary associations can accept, revise or reject group practices as a matter of choice. In this article, I challenge this view. Appealing to the concept of joint commitment developed in philosophy of social science, I argue that individuals who jointly commit their wills to a goal or a belief form a ‘We’-group. Members of ‘We’-groups are under an obligation to defer to ‘Our’ will embodied in ‘Our’ norms as a matter of course. I further show the ubiquity of We-groups. This joint commitment account of group authority raises a much-overlooked question of group legitimacy: Do members have good reasons to obey norms of their group? I show that state-centric views of legitimacy are inapt to answer it. A group-centric view, revived from the old communitarian literature, is defended.
On How Expertise Ascriptions Work
Authors: Quast Christian
Published: February 2021

Expertise is often ascribed to persons who are considered exceptionally competent in a particular subject matter. In contrast to this traditional approach, the present paper introduces a contextual understanding of expertise ascriptions. More precisely, this paper introduces two different kinds of contextuality by advancing and advocating the thesis that expertise ascriptions are true if and only if their content within their context of use is true against standards in the context of assessment. This means that expertise ascriptions have indexical content and are also assessment-sensitive. On this basis, a definition of expertise will be developed which outlines a series of conditions for what it takes to be an expert.
Expertise as a Form of Knowledge: A Response to Quast
Authors: Fuller Steve
Published: February 2021

Christian Quast has presented what he describes as a ‘role-functional’ account of expertise as a form of knowledge that purports to take into account prior discussions within recent analytic social epistemology and allied fields. I argue that his scrupulousness results in a confused version of the role-functional account, which I try to remedy by presenting a ‘clean’ account that clearly distinguishes such an account from what Quast calls a ‘competence-driven’ one. The key point of my account is that ‘competence’ pertains to knowledge in closed systems and ‘expertise’ in open systems. I observe that the invocation of ‘reliability’ as an epistemic standard simply serves to confuse the difference between the competence-driven and role-functional accounts.
Varieties of Tribalism in the Laboratory
Authors: Hargreaves Heap Shaun P.
Published: February 2021

This paper uses evidence from laboratory experiments to identify a variety of tribalisms. This is important because some tribalisms encourage zerosum thinking and others do not; and some are not developed by Buchanan. This, in turn, supplies new insights into Buchanan’s project of identifying the kinds of environment that encourage his sense of moral progress. In particular, current levels of inequality become a significant barrier to moral progress not only because they create an economic form of tribalist zero-sum thinking but they also undermine the scope for positive-sum.
The Meaning of Mass Atrocities Beyond Our Moral Fate
Authors: Morrow Paul
Published: February 2021

Philosophical accounts of moral progress commonly acknowledge the problem of mass atrocities. But the implications of such events for our ability to perceive, and achieve, progress are rarely considered in detail. This paper aims to address this gap. The paper takes as its starting point Allen Buchanan’s evolutionary theory of moral progress in his 2020 book Our Moral Fate. Through critical analysis of Buchanan’s theory, the paper shows that moral philosophers seeking to draw evidence from atrocities must pay closer attention to social scientific research into such crimes, and particularly to findings concerning the diverse motives, intentions, and ideological influences on perpetrators. At the same time, the paper suggests that mass atrocities exhibit the action-guiding influence not only of moral norms, but also of social and legal norms. The paper concludes by briefly considering the significance of mass atrocities for theories of moral progress beyond Our Moral Fate.
Why do women become teachers while men don’t?
Authors: Carroll David , Parasnis Jaai , Tani Massimiliano
Published: February 2021

Across countries, almost all primary and pre-primary teachers are women while few men in the occupation tend to specialise in secondary schooling and administration. We investigate the decision to become a teacher versus alternative occupations for graduates in Australia over the past 15 years. We find that this gender distribution reflects relative returns in the labour market: women with bachelor qualifications receive higher returns in teaching, while similarly educated men enjoy substantially higher returns in other occupations. We also find evidence that schools which can, and do, make higher wage offers successfully attract more male teachers as well as more female teachers with a degree in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These results are consistent with the predictions of theoretical models of self-selection of intrinsically motivated workers.
Attention based convolutional network for automatic sleep stage classification
Authors: Sun Shasha , Li Chuanpeng , Lv Ning , Zhang Xiaoman , Yu Zhaoyan , Wang Haibo
Published: February 2021

Sleep staging is an important basis for diagnosing sleep-related problems. In this paper, an attention based convolutional network for automatic sleep staging is proposed. The network takes time-frequency image as input and predict sleep stage for each 30-s epoch as output. For each CNN feature maps, our model generate attention maps along two separate dimensions, time and filter, and then multiplied to form the final attention map. Residual-like fusion structure is used to append the attention map to the input feature map for adaptive feature refinement. In addition, to get the global feature representation with less information loss, the generalized mean pooling is introduced. To prove the efficacy of the proposed method, we have compared with two baseline method on sleep-EDF data set with different setting of the framework and input channel type, the experimental results show that the paper model has achieved significant improvements in terms of overall accuracy, Cohen’s kappa, MF1, sensitivity and specificity. The performance of the proposed network is compared with that of the state-of-the-art algorithms with an overall accuracy of 83.4%, a macro F1-score of 77.3%, κ = 0.77, sensitivity = 77.1% and specificity = 95.4%, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed network.
An easy and low-cost biomagnetic methodology to study regional gastrointestinal transit in rats
Authors: Pinto Leonardo , Soares Guilherme , Próspero André , Stoppa Erick , Biasotti Gabriel , Paixão Fabiano , Santos Armênio , Oliveira Ricardo , Miranda José
Published: February 2021

The identification of gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders requires the evaluation of regional GI transit, and the development of alternative methodologies in animals has a significant impact on translational approaches. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to validate an easy and low-cost methodology (alternate current biosusceptometry – ACB) for the assessment of regional GI transit in rats through images. Rats were fed a test meal containing magnetic tracer and phenol red, and GI segments (stomach, proximal, medial and distal small intestine, and cecum) were collected to assess tracer’s retention at distinct times after ingestion (0, 60, 120, 240, and 360 min). Images were obtained by scanning the segments, and phenol red concentration was determined by the sample’s absorbance. The temporal retention profile, geometric center, gastric emptying, and cecum arrival were evaluated. The correlation coefficient between methods was 0.802, and the temporal retention of each segment was successfully assessed. GI parameters yielded comparable results between methods, and ACB images presented advantages as the possibility to visualize intrasegmental tracer distribution and the automated scan of the segments. The imaging approach provided a reliable assessment of several parameters simultaneously and may serve as an accurate and sensitive approach for regional GI research in rats.
High-resolution pediatric reference intervals for 15 biochemical analytes described using fractional polynomials
Authors: Zierk Jakob , Baum Hannsjörg , Bertram Alexander , Boeker Martin , Buchwald Armin , Cario Holger , Christoph Jürgen , Frühwald Michael C. , Groß Hans-Jürgen , Groening Arndt , Gscheidmeier Thomas , Hoff Torsten , Hoffmann Reinhard , Klauke Rainer , Krebs Alexander , Lichtinghagen Ralf , Mühlenbrock-Lenter Sabine , Neumann Michael , Nöllke Peter , Niemeyer Charlotte M. , Ruf Hans-Georg , Steigerwald Udo , Streichert Thomas , Torge Antje , Yoshimi-Nöllke Ayami , Prokosch Hans-Ulrich , Metzler Markus , Rauh Manfred
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Assessment of children’s laboratory test results requires consideration of the extensive changes that occur during physiological development and result in pronounced sex- and age-specific dynamics in many biochemical analytes. Pediatric reference intervals have to account for these dynamics, but ethical and practical challenges limit the availability of appropriate pediatric reference intervals that cover children from birth to adulthood. We have therefore initiated the multi-center data-driven PEDREF project (Next-Generation Pediatric Reference Intervals) to create pediatric reference intervals using data from laboratory information systems.

Methods

We analyzed laboratory test results from 638,683 patients (217,883–982,548 samples per analyte, a median of 603,745 test results per analyte, and 10,298,067 test results in total) performed during patient care in 13 German centers. Test results from children with repeat measurements were discarded, and we estimated the distribution of physiological test results using a validated statistical approach (kosmic).

Results

We report continuous pediatric reference intervals and percentile charts for alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl-transferase, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, anorganic phosphate, and magnesium. Reference intervals are provided as tables and fractional polynomial functions (i.e., mathematical equations) that can be integrated into laboratory information systems. Additionally, Z-scores and percentiles enable the normalization of test results by age and sex to facilitate their interpretation across age groups.

Conclusions

The provided reference intervals and percentile charts enable precise assessment of laboratory test results in children from birth to adulthood. Our findings highlight the pronounced dynamics in many biochemical analytes in neonates, which require particular consideration in reference intervals to support clinical decision making most effectively.
Updates on liquid biopsy: current trends and future perspectives for clinical application in solid tumors
Authors: Pinzani Pamela , D’Argenio Valeria , Del Re Marzia , Pellegrini Cristina , Cucchiara Federico , Salvianti Francesca , Galbiati Silvia
Published: February 2021

Despite advances in screening and therapeutics cancer continues to be one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The molecular profile of tumor is routinely assessed by surgical or bioptic samples, however, genotyping of tissue has inherent limitations: it represents a single snapshot in time and it is subjected to spatial selection bias owing to tumor heterogeneity. Liquid biopsy has emerged as a novel, non-invasive opportunity of detecting and monitoring cancer in several body fluids instead of tumor tissue. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), RNA (mRNA and microRNA), microvesicles, including exosomes and tumor “educated platelets” were recently identified as a source of genomic information in cancer patients which could reflect all subclones present in primary and metastatic lesions allowing sequential monitoring of disease evolution. In this review, we summarize the currently available information concerning liquid biopsy in breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and melanoma. These promising issues still need to be standardized and harmonized across laboratories, before fully adopting liquid biopsy approaches into clinical practice.
External quality assessment of M-protein diagnostics: a realistic impression of the accuracy and precision of M-protein quantification
Authors: de Kat Angelino Corrie M. , Jacobs Joannes F.M.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Studies that investigate the accuracy and precision of M-protein quantification are scarce. These studies are prone to give a biased view, since they are exclusively performed by institutions with international top-expertise on M-protein diagnostics. To obtain a realistic impression of the accuracy and precision of M-protein quantification, we studied results of 73 laboratories participating in the Dutch External Quality Assessment (EQA) program for M-protein diagnostics.

Methods

To measure accuracy, healthy serum was spiked with respectively 1 and 5 g/L human IgG-kappa monoclonal antibody daratumumab. To measure precision, five sera were selected to be repeatedly send to all blinded EQA-participants.

Results

The reported concentrations for the EQA-sample spiked with 5 g/L daratumumab ranged from 2.6 to 8.0 g/L (mean 4.9 g/L, between-laboratory CV = 23%). 98% of the participants detected and correctly characterized the 1 g/L daratumumab band. Both the accuracy (mean 1.7 g/L) and precision (between-laboratory CV = 46%) of this 1 g/L M-protein was poor. In the five EQA-samples that were repeatedly send to the same 73 participating laboratories, between-laboratory precision (mean CV = 25%) was significantly different than the within-laboratory precision (mean CV = 12%). Relatively poor precision was observed in sera with small M-proteins.

Conclusions

The EQA-data reveal a large variation in reported M-protein concentrations between different laboratories. In contrast, a satisfactory within-laboratory precision was observed when the same sample was repeatedly analyzed. The M-protein concentration is correlated with both accuracy and precision. These data indicate that M-protein quantification to monitor patients is appropriate, when subsequent testing is performed within the same laboratory.
A Shift Splitting Iteration Method for Generalized Absolute Value Equations
Authors: Li Cui-Xia , Wu Shi-Liang
Published: February 2021

In this paper, based on the shift splitting technique, a shift
splitting (SS) iteration method is presented to solve the
generalized absolute value equations. Convergence conditions of the
SS method are discussed in detail when the involved matrices are
some special matrices. Finally, numerical experiments show the
effectiveness of the proposed method.
Of absent mothers, strong sisters and peculiar daughters: The constructional network of English NPN constructions
Authors: Sommerer Lotte , Baumann Andreas
Published: February 2021

This paper analyzes symmetric NPN constructions (e.g.,day to day, face to face, step by step) qualitatively and quantitatively by examining data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (Davies, Mark. 2008–. The Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA): 570 million words, 1990–present.http://corpus.byu.edu/coca/). The constructions’ frequency and productivity, as well as their semantics and extension potential (i.e., modification, complementation) is investigated (e.g., by conducting collostructional analysis). In terms of theoretical modeling, the paper takes a Usage-based, Cognitive Construction Grammar approach (UCCxG) and sketches the constructional network of this constructional family, postulating various constructional templates on different levels of specificity – among others – the existence of the following subtypes [CNsg,timeiafterCNsg,timei]Cx(e.g.,day after day, night after night), [CNsg,measurementibyCNsg,measurementi]Cx(e.g.,inch by inch, step by step) or [CNsg,bodypartitoCNsg,bodyparti]Cx(e.g.,skin to skin, shoulder to shoulder). We show how these templates are vertically and horizontally connected to each other. Ultimately, we argue that in a usage-based model which strives for cognitive plausibility it is not always feasible to postulate the entrenchment of an abstract overarching schema (i.e., a ‘mothernode’) like [CNiP CNi]Cxor even [N P N]Cxhigh up in the network. It is unlikely that speakers abstract such a general schema in a bottom-up acquisition process for this family. Rather, the NPN group is a constructional family characterized by many sister ties and by the absence of mother nodes from which information can be inherited.
2D graphene and h-BN layers application in protective coatings
Authors: Yang Xue , Zhang Renhui , Pu Jibin , He Zhongyi , Xiong Liping
Published: February 2021

As two-dimensional (2D) materials, graphene and hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN) are famous for protective coatings, because of their excellent chemical resistance, barrier property, impermeability along with thermal stability, and a large number of these properties are particularly suitable for protective coatings. However, the applications of graphene for metal protection have been limited by galvanic corrosion issues. Also, h-BN nanosheets are also explored as potential materials for corrosion protecting, especially, electrical insulation of h-BN is influential in solving electrochemical reaction and uniquely suitable to be used as an anticorrosion material. Interestingly, graphene doped h-BN exhibit outstanding functionalities in a synergic manner compare to stand-alone 2D materials. This review provides the fundamental summary of preparation methods for graphene and h-BN, meanwhile, the key challenges and future potential of protective coatings are discussed and predicted.
Integrating infection and sepsis management through holistic early warning systems and heuristic approaches: a concept proposal
Authors: Tulli Giorgio , Toccafondi Giulio
Published: February 2021

This is a first attempt to integrate the three pillars of infection management: the infection prevention and control (IPC), and surveillance (IPCS), antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), and rapid identification and management of sepsis (RIMS). The new ‘Sepsis-3’ definition extrapolates the diagnosis of sepsis from our previously slightly naïve concept of a stepwise evolving pattern. In doing so, however, we have placed the transition from infection toward sepsis in the domain of uncertainty and time-dependency. This now demands that clinical judgment be used in the risk stratification of patients with infection, and that pragmatic local solutions be used to prompt clinicians to evaluate formally for sepsis. We feel it is necessary to stimulate the development of a new generation of concepts and models aiming at embracing uncertainty. We see the opportunity for a heuristic approach focusing on the relevant clinical predictors at hand allowing to navigate the uncertainty of infection diagnosis under time constraints. The diverse and situated clinical approaches eventually emerging need to focus on the understanding of infection as the unbalanced interactions of host, pathogen, and environment. In order extend such approach throughout the patient journey we propose a holistic early warning system underpinned by the risk-based categories of hazards and vulnerabilities iteratively fostered by the information gathered by the infection prevention control and surveillance, clinical microbiology, and clinical chemistry services.
Profile of reflexives in Hill Mari
Authors: Burukina Irina
Published: February 2021

The paper provides a detailed examination of reflexive strategies in the Kuznetsovo dialect of Hill Mari (Mari, Uralic) filling in an existing gap in the description of anaphoric elements in Uralic languages. Firstly, I focus on simple lexical reflexives derived from the stem (ə̈)škə̈-. Having examined their morphosyntactic and binding properties, I adopt several typological classifications and approach the Hill Mari data from a cross-linguistic perspective comparing them to anaphors in other Uralic languages. Secondly, I consider other reflexive strategies employed in Uralic languages, such as complex (reduplicative) reflexive pronouns and reflexive detransitivization of a predicate, and I demonstrate that these scenarios are unavailable in the variety of Hill Mari under discussion.
Design of coaxial and waveguide couplers for helix TWT
Authors: Alaria Mukesh Kumar , Ghosh Sanjay Kumar
Published: February 2021

In this paper, two types of coaxial coupler and waveguide coupler for different frequency helix traveling wave tubes (TWTs) are designed, fabricated and cold tested. The coaxial coupler includes of window ceramic and RF transformer section. At present multi-section impedance transformer design approach is used for wideband helix TWTs. In any helix TWT, impedance of the source is transformed to the characteristic impedance of helix. This is done by the quarter-wavelength (λ/4) impedance transformation approach. The simulated results of different types of couplers are carried out by HFSS and CST microwave studio software and compare with experimental results. Three-dimensional electromagnetic field simulators allowing the any geometry with port excitations it is possible to model the complex coaxial and waveguide type couplers with helix SWS assembly and predict its desired return loss performances.
Comparison of the effects of zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on the expression of hepcidin gene in rat liver
Authors: Pourmohammad Pirouz , Alipanah-Moghadam Reza , Nemati Ali , Malekzadeh Vadoud , Mahmoodzadeh Yavar
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Nanoparticles have special properties, such as increased intestinal absorption, permeability, and so on. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have medical applications such as using in drug production. Studies of ZnO nanoparticles have shown the role of these particles in reducing or increasing the genes expression. Given the important role of hepcidin in the development of anemia and iron overload diseases, this study investigated the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the hepatic expression of the hepcidin gene to help find a way to treat these diseases.

Methods

In this experimental study, 24 male Westar rats were divided into three groups: control, ZnO treating group and ZnO nanoparticle treating group. Both ZnO and ZnO nanoparticles were injected with 50 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. At the end, serums were collected and iron, ferritin and IL-6 levels were measured. Expression of the hepcidin gene was done by Real Time PCR.

Results

ZnO and the ZnO nanoparticle significantly increased the expression of the hepcidin gene relative to the control group. The increase in expression of the hepcidin gene in ZnO nanoparticles was more significant than in the ZnO.

Conclusion

ZnO nanoparticles led to significant increase in expression of the hepcidin gene.
COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease: a review of current knowledge
Authors: Pal Aastha , Ahirwar Ashok Kumar , Sakarde Apurva , Asia Priyanka , Gopal Niranjan , Alam Sana , Kaim Kirti , Ahirwar Pradeep , Sorte Smita R.
Published: February 2021

The uncontrolled spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which originated in China created a global turmoil. While the world is still busy figuring out a cure for the deadly disease, scientists worked out on many theories and conducted several studies to establish a relationship between the infection and other known diseases. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the major complications of this infection after the respiratory manifestations. Individuals with cardiovascular complication are said to be more susceptible to acquiring the infection because the novel coronavirus uses the ACE2 receptor for its entry inside the cell and there is a high level of ACE2 expression in individuals with cardiovascular complications because of the enzyme’s anti-hypertrophic, anti-fibrotic and anti-hypertensive effects on the heart. Individuals who belong to the older age group are also more susceptible. Knowing the above information, it might seem that using ACE2 inhibitors would help to slow or prevent the entry of the novel coronavirus but it would also at the same time prove to have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system as the protective functions of ACE2 would be lost. While the search for a cure still continues it has been stated many a times that the conditions might worsen with time and the only way to keep ourselves and our family safe would be to follow the appropriate social distancing methods and get a COVID test if we experience any of the major symptoms.
COVID-19 and nutritional deficiency: a review of existing knowledge
Authors: Muthuvattur Pallath Meghana , Ahirwar Ashok Kumar , Chandra Tripathi Satyendra , Asia Priyanka , Sakarde Apurva , Gopal Niranjan
Published: February 2021

COVID-19 has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic, which spread largely among people who have had close contact with the infected person. The immunopathology of the SARS-CoV-2 virus includes the production of an excess amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines “a cytokine-storm”. The respiratory system (main), cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract are the most affected body systems during viral infection. It has been found that most of the patients who require admission to hospital are elderly or have chronic underlying diseases. Higher cases of malnutrition and co-morbidities like diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases are reported in elderly patients due to which, the immune system weakens and hence, the response to the virus is diminished in magnitude. A deficiency of micronutrients results in impaired immune responses leading to improper secretion of cytokines, alterations in secretory antibody response and antibody affinity which increases susceptibility to viral infection. The deficiency of various micronutrients in COVID-19 patient can be treated by appropriate nutritional supplements, prescribed after evaluating the patients’ nutritional status. Here we aim to highlight the role of a few particular nutrients namely Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Omega-3 fatty acids, Zinc and Magnesium along with the synergistic roles they play in enhancing immunity and thus, maintaining homeostasis.
Berberine improves dietary-induced cardiac remodeling by upregulating Kruppel-like factor 4-dependent mitochondrial function
Authors: Ding Laili , Li Shufeng , Wang Fan , Xu Jian , Li Shaojun , Wang Bo , Kou Junjie , Wang Yongshun , Cao Wei
Published: February 2021

Multiple studies have showed that berberine protects against heart diseases, including obesity-associated cardiomyopathy. However, it is not fully disclosed the potential molecular mechanisms of berberine on controlling cardiac remodeling. Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 4, identified as a critical transcriptional factor, participates in multiple cardiac injuries. The present study was to explore whether KLF4 determined the cardioprotective benefits of berberine in dietary-induced obese mice. High fat diet-induced obese mice were treated with berberine with or without lentivirus encoding Klf4 siRNA, and cardiac parameters were analyzed by multiple biological approaches. In dietary-induced obese mouse model, administration of berberine obviously increased cardiac level of KLF4, which closely correlated with improvement of cardiac functional parameters. Co-treatment of lentivirus encoding Klf4 siRNA abolished cardioprotective benefits of berberine, including induction of cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, functional disorders, inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, we found berberine improved cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis and activities, whereas silencing Klf4 decreased berberine-upregulated mitochondrial quality, ATP production and oxygen consumption. Our present study demonstrated that berberine protected against dietary-induced cardiac structural disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction dependent on cardiac KLF4 signaling. Cardiac KLF4 was one of potential therapeutic targets for obesity-induced cardiac injuries.
Direct comparison of the immunogenicity of major histocompatibility complex-I and -II deficient mesenchymal stem cells in vivo
Authors: Halm Darius , Leibig Nico , Martens Jens , Stark G. Björn , Groß Tobias , Zimmermann Stefan , Finkenzeller Günter , Lampert Florian
Published: February 2021

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an important role in tissue engineering applications aiming at the regeneration or substitution of damaged tissues. In this context, off-the-shelf allogeneic MSCs would represent an attractive universal cell source. However, immune rejection is a major limitation for the clinical use of allogeneic MSCs. Immune rejection is mediated by the expression of major histocompatibility complexes (MHC)-I and -II on the donor cells. In this study, we eliminated MHC-I and/or MHC-II expression in human MSCs by using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and investigated the effect of the individual or combined knockout of MHC-I and MHC-II on MSC survival after transplantation into immunocompetent mice. Elimination of MHC-I and/or MHC-II expression did not affect mesenchymal marker gene expression, viability, proliferation and the differentiation potential of MSCs in vitro. However, cell survival of transplanted MSCs was significantly elevated in MHC-I and MHC-II deficient MSCs. A direct side-by-side comparison does not reveal any significant difference in the immunogenicity of MHC-I and MHC-II knockout MSCs. Moreover, double knockout of MHC-I and MHC-II did not further increase in vivo cell survival of transplanted MSCs. Our results demonstrate that knockout of MHC-I and/or MHC-II represents an effective strategy to prevent immune rejection of allogeneic MSCs.