bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative diagnosis of primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphomas supports the relevance of cell of origin profiling
Authors: Gros Audrey , Menguy Sarah , Bobée Victor , Ducharme Océane , Cassaigne Isabelle Cirilo , Vergier Béatrice , Parrens Marie , Beylot-Barry Marie , Pham-Ledard Anne , Ruminy Philippe , Jardin Fabrice , Merlio Jean-Philippe
Published: April 2022

Primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphomas (PCLBCL) represent a diagnostic challenge because they are classified as PCLBCL, leg type (PCLBCL, LT) or primary cutaneous follicle centre lymphoma, large cell (PCFCL, LC), which differ by prognosis and therapeutic requirement. Unclassified cases with discordant clinical presentations, morphologies, and immunophenotypes may be classified into the not otherwise specified (PCLBCL, NOS) category based on ancillary molecular analyses. Cell-of-origin profiling as germinal centre (GC) type or non-GC type by immunohistochemistry is not considered reproducible because of variable CD10 expression. In a series of 55 PCLBCL cases with > 80% large cells, we reported 21 PCFCL, LC cases as GC-type and 27 PCLBCL, LT as non-GC-type; 7 cases were considered PCLBCL, NOS. Here, we demonstrate the accuracy of molecular profiling of PCLBCL as GC or non-GC type using a reverse transcriptase multiplex ligation assay (RT-MLPA). RT-MLPA classified the seven PCLBCL, NOS cases in accordance with their mutational profile. An integrative principal component analysis confirmed the main criteria and the relevance of genomic profiling of PCFCL, LC as GC-derived, and PCLBCL, LT as non-GC-derived. Both the cell-of-origin classification of PCLBCL and the integrative analysis identified two clinically relevant subgroups according to overall survival, which may help to standardize PCLBCL diagnosis and patient management.
Development and characterization of rabbit monoclonal antibodies that recognize human spermine oxidase and application to immunohistochemistry of human cancer tissues
Authors: Tepper Armand W. J. W. , Chu Gerald , Klaren Vincent N. A. , Kalin Jay H. , Molina-Ortiz Patricia , Impagliazzo Antonietta
Published: April 2022

The enzyme spermine oxidase (SMOX) is involved in polyamine catabolism and converts spermine to spermidine. The enzymatic reaction generates reactive hydrogen peroxide and aldehydes as by-products that can damage DNA and other biomolecules. Increased expression of SMOX is frequently found in lung, prostate, colon, stomach and liver cancer models, and the enzyme also appears to play a role in neuronal dysfunction and vascular retinopathy. Because of growing evidence that links SMOX activity with DNA damage, inflammation, and carcinogenesis, the enzyme has come into view as a potential drug target. A major challenge in cancer research is the lack of characterization of antibodies used for identification of target proteins. To overcome this limitation, we generated a panel of high-affinity rabbit monoclonal antibodies against various SMOX epitopes and selected antibodies for use in immunoblotting, SMOX quantification assays, immunofluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry analysis with the antibody SMAB10 in normal and transformed tissues confirms that SMOX is upregulated in several different cancers. Together, the panel of antibodies generated herein adds to the toolbox of high-quality reagents to study SMOX biology and to facilitate SMOX drug development.
Posterior probabilities of membership of repertoires in acoustic clades
Authors: Whitehead Hal , Hersh Taylor A.
Published: April 2022

Recordings of calls may be used to assess population structure for acoustic species. This can be particularly effective if there are identity calls, produced nearly exclusively by just one population segment. The identity call method, IDcall, classifies calls into types using contaminated mixture models, and then clusters repertoires of calls into identity clades (potential population segments) using identity calls that are characteristic of the repertoires in each identity clade. We show how to calculate the Bayesian posterior probabilities that each repertoire is a member of each identity clade, and display this information as a stacked bar graph. This methodology (IDcallPP) is introduced using the output of IDcall but could easily be adapted to estimate posterior probabilities of clade membership when acoustic clades are delineated using other methods. This output is similar to that of the STRUCTURE software which uses molecular genetic data to assess population structure and has become a standard in conservation genetics. The technique introduced here should be a valuable asset to those who use acoustic data to address evolution, ecology, or conservation, and creates a methodological and conceptual bridge between geneticists and acousticians who aim to assess population structure.
The effectiveness of incentives for research participation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Abdelazeem Basel , Abbas Kirellos Said , Amin Mostafa Atef , El-Shahat Nahla Ahmed , Malik Bilal , Kalantary Atefeh , Eltobgy Mostafa
Published: April 2022

Background

Recruitment plays a vital role in conducting randomized control trials (RCTs). Challenges and failure of proper recruitment lead to early termination of trials. Monetary incentives have been suggested as a potential solution to these challenges. Therefore, we aimed to do a systematic review and analysis to evaluate the effect of incentives on the number of participants willing to consent to and participate in RCTs.

Methods

Electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to September 23rd, 2021, using the following keywords: payments, incentive, response, participation, enrollment, randomized, randomization, and RCT. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the quality of the included trials. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). All analyses were done with the random-effects model. We used Revman software to perform the analysis.

Results

Six RCTs with 6,253 Participants met the inclusion criteria. Our analysis showed significant improvement in response rate (RR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.55; P = 0.02) and consent rates (RR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.85; P = 0.006) when an incentive payment was offered to participants. Even a small amount of incentive showed significant improvement in both consent (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.73; P = 0.03) and response rates (RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.47; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrated statistically significant increases in the rate of consent and responses from participants when offered even small monetary value incentives. These findings suggest that incentives may be used to reduce the rate of recruitment failure and subsequent study termination. However, further RCTs are needed to establish a critical threshold beyond which incentive amount does not alter response rates further and the types of RCTs in which financial incentives are likely to be effective.
Astro-animation: A case study of art and science education
Authors: Arcadias Laurence , Corbet Robin H. D. , McKenna Declan , Potenziani Isabella
Published: April 2022

Art and science are different ways of exploring the world, but together they have the potential to be thought-provoking, facilitate a science–society dialogue, raise public awareness of science and develop an understanding of art. For several years, we have been teaching an astro-animation class at the Maryland Institute College of Art as a collaboration between students and NASA scientists. Working in small groups, the students create short animations based on the research of the scientists who are going to follow the projects as mentors. By creating these animations, students bring the power of their imagination to see the research of the scientists through a different lens. Astro-animation is an undergraduate-level course jointly taught by an astrophysicist and an animator. In this article, we present the motivation behind the class, describe the details of how it is carried out and discuss the interactions between artists and scientists. We describe how such a programme offers an effective way for art students, not only to learn about science but to have a glimpse of ‘science in action’. The students have the opportunity to become involved in the process of science as artists, as observers first and potentially through their own art research. Every year, one or more internships at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center have been available for our students in the summer. Two students describe their experiences undertaking these internships and how science affects their creation of animations for this programme and in general. We also explain the genesis of our astro-animation programme, how it is taught in our animation department and we present the highlights of an investigation of the effectiveness of this programme we carried out with the support of an NEA research grant. In conclusion, we discuss how the programme may grow in new directions, such as contributing to informal STE(A)M learning.
Creating the culture of saving: Framing a life without excess in the Emirati media
Authors: Karolak Magdalena
Published: April 2022

This article assesses how the concept of saving has been portrayed in the Emirati media in recent years and how media coverage serves to raise awareness about the need to save energy, water and money for the future of the UAE and the future well-being of individuals, whether Emirati or foreign residents. The concept of sustainability in relation to lifestyle is an important one in this country that has been associated with exuberance, luxury and overspending. Emirati citizens and expatriates alike, according to surveys, lead consumerist lifestyles characterized by above the limits spending on luxury products, which, for some, led to falling into permanent debts. A sustainable lifestyle requires a shift in mentality and media have recently opened a dialogue about the necessity of such a change. From tips for how to change spending patterns to reporting real-life stories, both negative and positive, media engage the Emirati citizens and residents in this topic. This first of its kind research is based on qualitative content and discourse analysis of the national English and Arabic language Emirati daily newspapers collected in 2019. In the process of analysis, frames, which are the cognitive structures that we use to make sense of the world around us, were extracted from a total of 258 articles in the sample. The analysis established the context and the meaning given to the concept of sustainable lifestyle produced by the news structure and the choice of words. The results of this study testify that local newspapers in the UAE play an important role in spreading financial literacy, sustainable lifestyle and tips for saving money among their readers and were doing so already ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic that highlighted the necessity of savings among audiences worldwide. The results highlight the maturity of the Emirati press in this regard.
Detection of zoonotic-borne parasites in Rattus spp. in Klang Valley, Malaysia
Authors: Mohd-Qawiem Firdaus , Nur-Fazila Saulol Hamid , Ain-Fatin Raslan , Yong Qian Hui , Nur-Mahiza Md Isa , Yasmin Abd Rahaman
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim: Rattus spp. are the most common animals capable of adapting to their environment. They can be reservoirs or vectors of diseases that facilitate the transmission of zoonotic-borne parasites to humans. Hence, a study on the detection of parasites in rat populations in urban areas is crucial to prepare for emerging zoonosis. Therefore, this study aims to identify blood parasites, ectoparasites, and helminths in Rattus spp. from wet markets located in Klang Valley, an urban area with a high-density human population.

Materials and Methods: A total of 32 rats were trapped in several wet markets in Klang Valley, Malaysia. They were anesthetized for morphometric examination followed by exsanguination. Various parasitological techniques such as perianal tape test, simple flotation, direct examination of the intestine, and fecal smear were performed for intestinal parasite detection; hair plucking, skin scraping, and full body combing for ectoparasite identification; and blood smear, microhematocrit centrifugation, and buffy coat techniques for blood parasite detection.

Results: The rats were identified as Rattus rattus (71.9%) and Rattus norvegicus (28.1%). The only blood protozoan found was Trypanosoma lewisi. The ectoparasites identified belonged to two broad groups, mites (Laelaps spp. and Ornithonyssus spp.) and fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis), known to be parasitic zoonotic disease vectors. The zoonotic intestinal parasites were cestodes (Hymenolepis nana), nematodes (Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Strongyloides spp., Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., and Syphacia spp.), and intestinal protozoa (coccidian oocysts and Giardia spp.). Microscopic images showing Giardia spp. are the first report of this organism in rats in Malaysia.

Conclusion: Rats caught in this urban area of the Klang Valley harbor parasites can pose a potential zoonotic threat to humans, raising public health concerns because of their proximity to densely populated urban areas.
Lieder, Geister und Tabus
Authors: Lin Wei-Ya
Published: April 2022

Die Tao verfügen über ein ganzheitliches Musikkonzept, das unlösbar mit allen Lebensbereichen verwoben ist. Wei-Ya Lin untersucht die Singpraxis der Tao daher anhand von ethnomusikologischen sowie sozial- und kulturanthropologischen Methoden und Ansätzen und fragt: Wie haben die Geister den Tao in früheren Zeiten das Singen beigebracht und wie kommunizieren sie, wenn jemand ein Tabu bricht? Was hat Singen mit der Nutzung von Naturressourcen zu tun? Und wie verändert sich das musikalische Verhalten im Lauf der Zeit? Dabei wird deutlich, dass ein tieferes Verständnis soziokultureller Transformationsprozesse nur erfolgen kann, wenn man berücksichtigt, dass zwischen Liedern, Geistern und Tabus wechselseitige Beziehungen bestehen.
Schauplätze des Reparierens und Selbermachens
Authors: Jonas Michael
Published: April 2022

Können die Schauplätze des Repair- und Do-it-yourself-Urbanismus wesentliche Beiträge zu einer nachhaltigen Stadtentwicklung leisten, die die hegemonialen Praktiken heutiger Wegwerfgesellschaften überwinden? Anhand einer praxeologischen Forschung in zwei Wiener Bezirken analysieren die Autor*innen die Schauplätze des Tauschens und Teilens, des Reparierens, des Upcyclings und des Kreativ-Seins, in denen sich Menschen im öffentlichen Raum für den Erhalt von Dingen engagieren. Mit dem Begriff des Schauplatzes rücken sie die öffentlichkeitswirksamen Praktiken eines nachhaltigen Umgangs mit den Dingen in den Vordergrund und verbinden diese mit aktuellen Diskussionen über notwendige Entwicklungen urbaner Infrastrukturen der Sorge und der Suffizienz.
Geschichte der Sklaverei in der niederländischen Republik
Authors: Holzmann Julia
Published: April 2022

1776 wurde in der niederländischen Republik ein Gesetz erlassen, das ausschließlich für Schwarze Menschen und People of Color gelten sollte, die als Sklav*innen in die Niederlande kamen. Wie und warum geschah das? Was bedeutete das für die betroffenen Menschen und deren Lebensalltag? Anhand eines großen und in weiten Teilen bisher unerforschten Quellenkorpus geht Julia Holzmann diesen Fragen interdisziplinär und intersektional nach. Sie* untersucht die enge Verflechtung zwischen Kolonien und Metropole sowie rechtlichen, sprachlichen und sozialen Praktiken, darunter auch Rassismus. Ihre* biografischen Mikrostudien geben Einblick in die Geschichte Schwarzer Menschen und People of Color in den Niederlanden.
Fremdheitserfahrungen und Othering
Authors: Freuding Janosch
Published: April 2022

Interreligiöse Bildung versteht sich als Beitrag zum friedlichen Zusammenleben der Religionen und Weltanschauungen. Doch auch in interreligiösen Lernvorgängen und Bildungsansätzen sind immer wieder ausgrenzende Mechanismen des Othering, des »Fremdmachens«, zu beobachten. Zugleich zeigt sich, dass verschiedene religionspädagogische Ansätze von unterschiedlichen Zugängen zum Thema Fremdheit ausgehen: Während die einen Fremdheitserfahrungen und individuelle religiöse Positionierungen ins Zentrum stellen, versuchen andere, »Fremdheit« zu dekonstruieren. Janosch Freuding zeigt Möglichkeiten auf, diese unterschiedlichen Auffassungen aufeinander zu beziehen und wirkungsvoll gegen Othering-Strukturen in interreligiöser Bildung vorzugehen.
Sozialkapital intersektional
Authors: Hinni Chantal
Published: April 2022

Beziehungen können wesentlich zum persönlichen und beruflichen Lebenserfolg von Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen beitragen. Mit einem Fokus auf der Schnittstelle von Behinderung und Migration fragt Chantal Hinni, wie es jungen Menschen gelingt, gemeinschaftliche Werte und Normen in ihr Leben zu integrieren und Beziehungen zu gestalten, die ihnen als Sozialkapital nützlich sind. Sie beleuchtet die bildungssoziologische Frage nach gesellschaftlichen Verteilungsprinzipien im Analyserahmen der Intersektionalität und überführt diese theoretisch und empirisch fundiert in die Anwendung der latenten Klassenanalyse.
Cybersicherheit in Innen- und Außenpolitik
Authors: Steiger Stefan
Published: April 2022

Cyberangriffe sind zu zentralen Herausforderungen staatlicher Sicherheitspolitiken unserer Zeit geworden. Wie haben sich die Politiken in den Bereichen der Strafverfolgung, der nachrichtendienstlichen sowie militärischen Nutzung des Netzes entwickelt? Welche internationalen sowie domestischen Einflüsse haben die Entwicklungen geprägt? Stefan Steiger geht diesen Fragen nach und analysiert die deutsche und britische Cybersicherheitspolitik seit den späten 1990er Jahren. Er zeigt, dass die Cybersicherheit sowohl die zwischenstaatlichen Beziehungen als auch die Relationen zwischen Regierungen und Bürger*innen beeinflusst.
(Selbst-)Bildungsprozesse in der Migrationsgesellschaft
Authors: Peters Manuel
Published: April 2022

Der inklusive Freiwilligendienst weltwärts ist eine privilegierte Form der räumlichen Bewegung, die als solche selten Gegenstand der erziehungswissenschaftlichen Migrationsforschung ist. Manuel Peters erkundet aus migrationspädagogischer und rassismuskritischer Perspektive die komplexen Aneignungsweisen rassifizierter Ordnungen innerhalb dieser Mobilität. Mithilfe postkolonialer, macht- und rassismusanalytischer sowie bildungstheoretischer Ansätze zeigt er, wie Aneignungsweisen als spezifische, interaktiv hervorgebrachte und (global-)gesellschaftlich verortete Subjektivierungspraktiken bzw. Bildungsprozesse rekonstruiert werden können. Die weltwärts#off ("i")#-Mobilität kann somit als bedeutsamer - postkolonialer - Zugehörigkeitskontext gedeutet werden, in dem sich vorherrschende Differenzordnungen der Migrationsgesellschaft aktualisieren.
»Doing market« - Unternehmerische Praxis und der Diskurs um »ethnische Ökonomie« im Markt für muslimische Mode in Berlin
Authors: Birnbauer Robert
Published: April 2022

Unter dem Schlagwort »ethnische Ökonomie« wird die berufliche Selbstständigkeit von Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund in Politik und Wissenschaft diskutiert. Indem die Selbstständigen ihren »Markt machen«, positionieren sie sich mit dem und gegen diesen Diskurs. Robert Birnbauer zeigt aus einer wirtschaftsanthropologischen Perspektive, wie die Unternehmer*innen dabei ihre gesellschaftlichen Positionen und etablierte ökonomische Wissensbestände gleichermaßen verhandeln. Dazu folgt er dem Diskurs um »ethnische Ökonomie« von der politischen in die unternehmerische Praxis und zeigt: Geschäfte im Markt für muslimische Mode werden zum Resultat gesellschaftlicher Diskurse und der Markt zum Effekt beschreibbarer unternehmerischer Praxis - weit jenseits einer »unsichtbaren Hand«.
Migrationsforschung (inter)disziplinär
Authors: Dinnebier Laura , Graevskaia Alexandra , Rumpel Andrea , Schmitz-Vardar Merve
Published: April 2022

Laura Dinnebier, Alexandra Graevskaia, Andrea Rumpel und Merve Schmitz-Vardar führen in diesem Beitrag in den Konzeptband ein und beschreiben die Entwicklungslinien deutscher Migrationsforschung entlang politischer Problemkonstruktionen und -wahrnehmungen. Der Beitrag widmet sich der (disziplinären) Pluralität innerhalb des Forschungsgebiets sowie den epistemologischen Grundfragen, die kritische Perspektiven in jüngere Debatten einbringen. Dabei wird verdeutlicht, dass der grundsätzlich umstrittene Charakter zentraler Begriffe, mit denen die Migrationsforschung operiert, eine Reflexion potenzieller Grenzen des methodischen Vorgehens und eigener (disziplinärer) Perspektiven notwendig macht.
Using Vignettes in Migration Research
Authors: Tran An Huy
Published: April 2022

In this article, An Huy Tran contributes to the discussion on research methods in transnational migration studies by reflecting on the utilization of written vignette in studying male migrants' transnational experiences and negotiations of sexualities and masculinities. The article explains how research vignettes could be suitably constructed and implemented in transnational migration studies and subsequently discusses the methodological connotations and the epistemological meanings of the technique. The article argues that the vignette technique can be a satisfactory supplementary inquiry method employed not only to examine migrants' experiences, subjectivities, and perceptions but also to avoid common (pre)assumptions in contemporary migration research.
Einstellungen und Sprachgebrauch politischer Repräsentant*innen zu Migrationspolitik
Authors: Schmitz-Vardar Merve , Leonhardt Christoph
Published: April 2022

Merve Schmitz-Vardar und Christoph Leonhardt widmen sich in diesem Beitrag mit den methodischen Grundlagen der Kombination von umfragebasierter Einstellungsforschung und der computergestützten Textanalyse von Plenarprotokollen. Dabei untersuchen sie, ob sich liberale oder restriktive migrationspolitische Einstellungen von politischer Entscheidungstragenden im Sprachgebrauch niederschlagen. Sie diskutieren die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen eines triangulativen Designs bei (Sekundär-)Daten, mittels verschiedener Datenarten. Datengrundlage sind die GLES-Kandidatenstudie (2018) und das GermaParl-Korpus (Blätte 2020), die sie für diesen Zweck vorstellen. Sie zeigen, dass diese Zusammenhänge auch durch Ambivalenzen im Sprachgebrauch innerhalb politischer Parteien differenziert betrachtet werden müssen.
Trends of the last 20 years of Postgraduate Theses in the Field of Science Education related to Biotechnological concepts in Turkey: A Content Analysis
Authors: GÜRKAN Gülşah , KAHRAMAN Sibel
Published: April 2022

This study made for concepts related to biotechnology research trends between the years 2000-2020 graduate thesis in the field of science in Turkey, offers a descriptive content analysis. Within the aim of the study, a total of 65 postgraduate theses were examined by scanning the database of the YOK National Thesis Center. In this study, in which document analysis, one of the qualitative research designs, was used, theses were analyzed according to years, universities, study subjects, concepts, methods, data collection tools, sampling and sample size. According to the results obtained from the findings, it has been observed that the theses are predominantly master's theses, the postgraduate theses made in the field of science education related to biotechnological concepts were carried out in a total of 27 universities and the theses were mainly done in Gazi University, İnönü University and Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University. According to the subject distribution, it has been observed that the theses are predominantly focused on learning, attitude/perception/interest and teaching. In addition, it has been concluded that quantitative studies are mostly used in the examined theses, and empirical designs among quantitative research methods are preferred more than non-experimental designs. As data collection tools, mostly skill, attitude, perception, personality, etc. tests, achievement tests, Likert type questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used and it was observed that the most preferred sample group was university and high school students and the sample size was mostly between 101-300, 31-100. Based on the results of the study, researchers can focus on more detailed analysis in biotechnology education through meta-analysis.
A compendium of optimization algorithms for distributed linear-quadratic MPC
Authors: Stomberg Gösta , Engelmann Alexander , Faulwasser Timm
Published: April 2022

Model Predictive Control (MPC) for {networked, cyber-physical, multi-agent} systems requires numerical methods to solve optimal control problems while meeting communication and real-time requirements. This paper presents an introduction on six distributed optimization algorithms and compares their properties in the context of distributed MPC for linear systems with convex quadratic objectives and polytopic constraints. In particular, dual decomposition, the alternating direction method of multipliers, a distributed active set method, an essentially decentralized interior point method, and Jacobi iterations are discussed. Numerical examples illustrate the challenges, the prospect, and the limits of distributed MPC with inexact solutions.
Uncertain AoI in stochastic optimal control of constrained LTI systems
Authors: Hahn Jannik , Stursberg Olaf
Published: April 2022

This paper addresses finite-time horizon optimal control of control structures with shared communication network. To cope with the uncertainties, induced by network imperfections and exogenous disturbances at the same time, an optimization-based control scheme is proposed. It uses a disturbance feedback and the Age of Information (AoI), a receiver-based measure of communication delays, as central aspects. The disturbance feedback is an extension of the control law used for balanced stochastic optimal control. Balanced optimality is understood as a compromise between minimizing expected deviations from the reference and the minimization of the uncertainty of future states. Time-varying state constraints as well as time-invariant input constraints are considered, and the controllers are synthesized by semi-definite programming.
Automatisierte Erzeugung von Modellen und Beobachtern für physikalisch vernetzte Systeme
Authors: Pfeifer Martin
Published: April 2022

Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit der Automatisierung der physikorientierten Modellbildung und des darauf basierenden Beobachterentwurfs. Hierzu werden Port-Hamiltonsche Methoden entwickelt, die erstmals eine durchgängige Automatisierung der Modellbildung und des Beobachterentwurfs für eine große Klasse physikalisch vernetzter Systeme ermöglichen.
Evaluation of the AFIAS-1 thyroid-stimulating hormone point of care test and comparison with laboratory-based devices
Authors: Dierks Sascha , Andag Reiner , Gauss Friederike , Budde Kathrin , Francke Paul , Peschka Manuela , Fischer Andreas , Schanz Julie , Petersmann Astrid
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is the routine primary screening test to assess thyroid function and rapid measurement of TSH levels is highly desirable especially in emergency situations. In the present study, we compared the analytical performance of a commercially available point-of-care test (AFIAS-1) and five laboratory-based systems.

Methods

Left over material of 60 patient plasma samples was collected from patient care and used in the respective assay. For statistical analysis of the produced data Bland-Altman and Passing-Bablok regression analysis were applied.

Results

Good correlation (r=0.982 or higher) was found between all devices. Slopes from regression analysis ranged from 0.972 (95% CI: 0.927–1.013) to 1.276 (95% CI: 1.210–1.315). Among the compared devices, imprecision was high in terms of coefficient of variation (CV=10.3%) for low TSH concentrations and lower (CV=7.3%) for high TSH concentrations. Independent of the method used, we demonstrated a poor standardization of TSH assays, which might impact clinical diagnosis e.g. of hyperthyreosis.

Conclusions

This study shows that the point-of-care (POC) test AFIAS-1 can serve as an alternative to laboratory-based assays. In addition the data imply that better standardization of TSH measurements is needed.
Simultaneously enhance the fire safety and mechanical properties of PLA by incorporating a cyclophosphazene-based flame retardant
Authors: Yu Wenhao , Yang Weijun , Xu Pengwu , Dai Chunfa , Liu Qingsheng , Ma Piming
Published: April 2022

The application of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been limited in flame-retardant field, and flame-retardant modification usually deteriorates its mechanical properties. In this study, a reactive flame-retardant hexa(ethylene oxide)-cyclotriphosphazene (HCCP-EP) was synthesized and used to improve the fire retardancy of PLA. As a result, the limiting oxygen index of PLA increased from 19.5% to 27.3% with an addition of 3 wt% HCCP-EP, and the PLA/HCCP-EP blend reached to underwriters laboratories (UL)-94 V-0 rating. The cone calorimeter test results showed that the peak heat release rate and total heat release of PLA decreased by 12.6% and 18.5%, respectively. Interestingly, the tensile strength of PLA increased slightly after the incorporation of HCCP-EP. The improved mechanical properties are ascribed to the fine dispersion of HCCP-EP and the coupling reaction between the epoxy groups of the HCCP-EP and the terminal groups of PLA during the melt processing.
N-fold Darboux transformation and exact solutions for the nonlocal Fokas–Lenells equation on the vanishing and plane wave backgrounds
Authors: Li Li , Liu Yiyan , Yu Fajun
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we propose and investigate the reverse-space–time nonlocal nonlinear Fokas–Lenells equation by the idea of Ablowitz and Musslimani. The reverse-space–time Fokas–Lenells equation, associated with a 2 × 2 matrix Lax pair, is the important integrable system, which can be reduced to the nonlocal Fokas–Lenells equation. Based on its Lax pair, we construct nonlocal version of N-fold Darboux transformation (DT) for the Fokas–Lenells equation, and obtain two kinds of soliton solutions from vanishing and plane wave backgrounds. Further some novel one-soliton and two-soliton are derived with the zero and nonzero seed solutions through complex computations, including the bright soliton, kink soliton and breather wave soliton. Moreover, various graphical analyses on the presented solutions are made to reveal the dynamic behaviors, which display the elastic interactions between two solitons and their amplitudes keeping unchanged after the interactions except for the phase shifts. It is clearly shown that these solutions have new properties which differ from ones of the classical Fokas–Lenells equation.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes in coronary artery disease
Authors: Xu Xiang , Zou Renchao , Liu Xiaoyong , Liu Jia , Su Qianqian
Published: April 2022

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, landscapes of EMT-related genes have not been fully established in CAD. We identified the differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Pearson’s correlation analysis, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, and support vector machine reverse feature elimination algorithms were used to screen EMT-related lncRNAs. The cis–trans regulatory networks were constructed based on EMT-related lncRNAs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to validate the expression of EMT-related genes in a cohort of six patients with CAD and six healthy controls. We further estimated the infiltration of the immune cells in CAD patients with five algorithms, and the correlation between EMT-related genes and infiltrating immune cells was analyzed. We identified eight EMT-related lncRNAs in CAD. The area under curve value was greater than 0.95. The immune analysis revealed significant CD8 T cells, monocytes, and NK cells in CAD and found that EMT-related lncRNAs were correlated with these immune cell subsets. Moreover, SNAI2, an EMT-TF gene, was found in the trans-regulatory network of EMT-related lncRNAs. Further, we found SNAI2 as a biomarker for the diagnosis of CAD but it also had a close correlation with immune cell subsets in CAD. Eight EMT-related lncRNAs and SNAI2 have important significance in the diagnosis of CAD patients.
The crystal structure of bis(μ2-5-chloro-2-oxido-N-(1-oxidopropylidene)benzohydrazonato-κ5
N,O,O′:N′,O′′)-octakis(pyridine-κ1
N)trinickel(II) C60H56Cl2N12Ni3O6
Authors: Xin Wang , Liguo Yang , Yizhuo Dong , Yanlin Ye , Yifan Wang
Published: April 2022

C60H56Cl2N12Ni3O6, triclinic,

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‾

$P\overline{1}$

(no. 2), a = 12.684(5) Å, b = 12.827(5) Å, c = 19.100(7) Å, α = 84.641(4)°, β = 81.178(4)°, γ = 85.471(4)°, V = 3050.7(19) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0267, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0735, T = 298 K.
Electrical and Transport Properties of Cement Mortar Made Using Portland Limestone Cement
Authors: Choudhary Antara , Ghantous Rita M. , Bharadwaj Keshav , Opdahl Oliver Hudson , Isgor O. Burkan , Weiss W. Jason
Published: April 2022

This study examines the performance of cementitious systems made using clinker that is typically used to make Type II/V cement, limestone, and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). The porosity, formation factor, and pore connectivity of mortars are examined. The mortars are made with ordinary portland cement (OPC), OPC+limestone (LS), and portland limestone cement (PLC) with and without typical commercial SCMs (silica fume, fly ash, and slag). The porosity of both the PLC and OPC+LS mortars is approximately 4 % higher than the porosity of commercial OPC (which typically contains 2–3 % interground limestone) mortar. The porosity of PLC+SCM and OPC+LS+SCM mortars is also 2–6 % higher than the porosity of commercial OPC+ SCM mortars. The mixtures containing SCMs with alumina showed less of an increase in porosity because the limestone reacted with alumina to form carbo-aluminate reaction products. Despite the increase in porosity, there is no statistically significant difference between the formation factor of the PLC, OPC+LS, and OPC mortars without SCM. The PLC+SCM, OPC+LS+SCM, and OPC+SCM mortars had a higher formation factor than the plain OPC/PLC/OPC+LS mortars because of pore refinement. Pore refinement is also observed in PLC and OPC+LS mortars containing SCMs with alumina. The results of this study indicate that PLCs (ASTM C595/C595M-20, Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements) can be used as a direct replacement for OPCs (ASTM C150/C150M-20, Standard Specification for Portland Cement) without any significant reduction in performance as related to transport.
Analytical and Numerical Study of the Ring Expansion Testing Technique
Authors: Abdelgawad Khaled , Nassef Ahmed , Eraky Mohamed T.
Published: April 2022

This article presents a design development for the ring expansion test as an alternative technique of burst test to determine the mechanical properties of circular homogeneous thin-walled tubes in the hoop direction where it is supposed to fail. This is done by replacing the internal fluid pressure in burst test by a solid mandrel partitioned into an equal number of pieces. The numerical analyses were carried out using the commercial finite element method (FEM) package ABAQUS/CAE. The testing system consists of a multispecies mandrel assembled with two identical cones from top and bottom, and the ring specimen circumscribes the mandrel, which expands radially as a result of the cone’s axial displacement. The FEM was used to optimize the proposed design in terms of the minimum number of pieces in use. In addition, the effects of friction between the cones/the mandrel and between the ring/the mandrel are investigated. The FEM revealed that eight mandrel pieces or more are needed to preserve a uniform hoop stress throughout the ring circumference. Moreover, the FEM results in conjunction with theoretical formulas revealed that eight mandrel pieces at a minimum are required to minimize the power dissipated because of friction to a nuance value of 2 %. It is concluded that the higher the number of pieces used, the more uniform the hoop stress generated in the ring specimen. Moreover, it can effectively decrease friction effect at the ring/mandrel interface. The FEM also makes a great contribution in estimating the friction coefficients as it is restricted to be evaluated experimentally.
Anesthesia Management of a Premature Neonate with Congenital Heart Disease during Emergency Diaphragmatic Hernia Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zheng Zebing , Gong Taowu , Zhu Zhaoqiong
Published: April 2022

In this medical report, we successfully implemented anesthesia management for an infant with congenital heart disease undergoing congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair. Left-sided CDH was diagnosed on a postnatal chest X-ray on day 1 of her life. The child was complicated with congenital heart diseases and pulmonary hypertension and showed severe dyspnea immediately after birth. Thoracoscopic CDH repair puts forward high requirements for anesthesia. Neonatal CDH combined with congenital heart disease brings more challenges to anesthesia. For high-risk premature neonates, anesthesia selections are essential, as those factors directly affect the prognosis. We report the application of S-ketamine as an anesthetic in this kind of operation for the first time. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. This case report reviews anesthesia management of critical CDH neonates, hoping to provide information to healthcare professionals unfamiliar with the treatment of this kind of patient.
“It was a Shock to the Whole Family”: Challenges of Ukrainian Families Raising a Child with Autism
Authors: Semigina Tetyana , Stoliaryk Olha
Published: April 2022

Based on the family-centered approach and a consumer perspective this research examines the overall level of satisfaction with educational and social services of the families raising children with autism or autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Lviv (Ukraine) and the challenges in interactions of such families with services. The survey (90 parents who are social work clients) and individual semi-structured interviews (30 parents) were used.

The findings indicate the respondents’ evaluation of the services they receive and inclusive education could not be qualified as favorable. Key challenges identified within the study are: problems of staff preparedness and lack of information about services; personal feelings of emotional burnout; unrealistic expectations from services; social stigma related to autism and social isolation of parents raising a child with ASD.

It is important for social workers to consider the need to collaboratively create the so-called social routers for families raising children with developmental disabilities during the early stages of family work. Verified information may reduce the parents’ stress and consolidate their efforts, help to avoid dubious treatments that are detrimental to the child’s health and are a significant financial burden to the family.
Fertilizer potential of slurry from intensive dairy cattle farms in Intensive production forestry systems
Authors: R Menino , H Moreira , Branco A Castelo- , AA Gomes , A Rodrigues , PML Castro , J Cunha , R Guedes , SIA Pereira
Published: April 2022

Intensive dairy cattle breeding has a relevant social and economic impact in Portugal, particularly in the northern region. This activity generates a high flow of livestock effluents (slurry), rich in important nutrients for plant growth, which can be introduced into intensive production forestry systems. These effluents can provide a good alternative to mineral fertilizers, not only from an economic perspective but, particularly, from the point of view of environmental protection. In the present study, the effect of increasing doses of slurry on tree growth, either with or without mycorrhizal arbuscular fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) inoculation, was evaluated in clones of Paulownia CoT2 and Populus i214, as they are genotypes that have a high efficiency in the mobilization of soil nutrients (namely N) and in the capture of CO2 from the atmosphere, as well as high biomass calorific value. For this purpose, a demonstration field trial was installed, occupying an area of 14,607 m2, where the trees were planted with the compasses of: 2.5 x 1.5 m and 2.5 x 0.75 m, respectively for Paulownia and for Poplar. Prior to transplantation to the field, some plants were inoculated with AMF and PGPB. In the field, the following treatments were performed: T0 - no fertilization, either mineral or organic; T1 - amount of slurry equivalent to 85 kg of N ha-1; T2 - amount of slurry equivalent to 170 kg of N ha-1; T3 - amount of slurry equivalent to 340 kg of N ha-1, both with and without inoculation. Results revealed a significant and positive effect of the slurry application, both in the diameter at breast height (DBH) and total stand height (TH), showing its high fertilizing potential, and, on the other hand, there was no increased contamination by nitrates and by pathogenic microorganism in the leachates for the experimental doses of slurry. Therefore, we can conclude that, under the experimental conditions, the slurry resulting from the intensive exploitation of cattle constitutes an alternative to exclusively mineral fertilization in intensive production forestry systems, either by increasing the production of biomass or by the absence of contamination of aquifers by nitrates and pathogens.
Sinorhizobium meliloti AS A PERSPECTIVE OBJECT FOR MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY
Authors:   Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov, Belarus, Pirhanov G. G.
Published: April 2022

Sinorhizobium meliloti is a Gram-negative soil nitrogen-fixing bacterium that increases the yield of legumes. There is information in the literature about the complete genome sequence of this bacterium, in addition, the polysaccharide composition of the biofilm, which is actively involved in nitrogen fixation, has been studied. The well-known nucleotide sequence, as well as the genetic and biochemical features of S. meliloti make this organism an ideal model for biotechnological research. The purpose of this work was to analyze the current data provided in the literature on the symbiotic interaction of Sinorhizobium meliloti with the host plant, and to characterize the main directions of the use of this bacterium in agriculture, bioremediation and medicine.
Demographic Dimension of Post-Soviet Regionalization in Ukraine Through the Lens of the Regionopolization Concept
Authors: HAVRYLIUK O. K.
Published: April 2022

The article presents the results of testing the “regionopolization” concept in the context of Ukrainian regions’ demographic development. The concept of regionopolization has a good applied potential for the needs of regional policy, especially in the framework of the development of the General Plan of the territory of Ukraine. The aim of the paper is to identify the spatiotemporal features of the regionopolization processes in Ukrainian regions and to determine the demographic patterns of these processes during 1989-2021. The novelty of the article lies in the deep study of the demographic aspect of the regionopolization processes in different periods of Ukrainian regions’ development with a focus on the study of development trajectories of regionopolises. The empirical database of this study consists of official data from the 1989 and 2001 censuses, as well as estimates from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. To achieve the aim of the paper, a number of methods are used: elements of descriptive statistics, the method of classification, the method of cartographic modelling etc. Empirical results have shown that the demographic patterns of regionopolization processes in Ukraine reflect the current socio-economic asymmetry of the country’s regional development. It is substantiated that both the vertical (mono- or polycentric regions) and the horizontal (mono- or polycentric regionopolises) spatial dimension are important in the delimitation of the system of regionopolises. It is established that during 1989-2021 more than half of Ukrainian regionopolises were shrinking, moreover, the majority were large and medium-sized regional centres. It is found that a regressive regionopolization, which is the dominant type of regionopolization in Ukraine, is a result of the overlapping numerous exogenous and endogenous socio-economic problems in the regions with the exhaustion of the demographic potential of the regions’ peripheral territories. In addition to regressive regionopolization, monocentric regions are another problem, as an excessive concentration of labour and capital in its regional centres (in which at least 40% of the region’s population is concentrated) leads to increased intra-regional disparities and polarization. Therefore, to counteract the shrinking regional centres and stimulate the development of regions’ periphery, it is necessary, firstly, to develop strategies and programs for polycentric development of monocentric regions, secondly, to support the development of small and medium-sized cities, and, finally, to promote interregional socio-economic cooperation.
Migration of Ukrainians to Slovakia: Trends and Prospects
Authors: MALYNOVSKA О. А.
Published: April 2022

In recent years, the role of neighboring Central European countries has increased significantly among the countries where Ukrainian migrants are destined. The quarantine restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have intensified this trend, as travel to neighboring countries, including to Slovakia, proved to be safer and easier to implement. Although the volume of migration to Slovakia is much lower than that observed between Ukraine and other countries of the Visegrad Group, this is quite an illustrative example for the analysis of general migration trends in the region. It is growing rapidly due to territorial and cultural proximity, increasing the needs of the neighboring country for additional labor from abroad, the gradual liberalization of its migration policy. Citizens of Ukraine travel to Slovakia primarily for employment, educational migration to the neighboring state is increasing, and some of the relocations are of a commercial nature. The consequences of Ukrainian migration to Slovakia are ambiguous. On the one hand, it promotes closer international relations, development of cooperation, transfer of knowledge and experience, but, on the other hand, leads to the loss of Ukraine’s labor potential, reduced labor activity at home, it is associated with employment of our citizens in the informal economy abroad, risks of violating their labor rights, lack of social protection. The purpose of this article is to analyze trends and determine the peculiarities of migration of Ukrainians to Slovakia, justifying the priorities of mutually beneficial cooperation for both countries to regulate the mobility (labor, education, trade) of the population. To achieve this, general scientific methods of cognition are used: systemic, comparative, structural-functional. The novelty of the study is provided by the identification of modern features of migration processes between Ukraine and Slovakia using the latest available statistical and factual data. According to the results, it is concluded that both countries are interested in translating cross-border migration into the legal sphere, ensuring orderly and safe movement of people. At the same time, the main interest for Ukraine is that the active mobility of the population does not provoke further deepening of disparities in the living standards of neighboring countries, contributes to the dynamization of development. This requires action in two main areas: maintaining the model of circular migration as an alternative to permanent migration, a safeguard against the final loss of labor and intellectual potential; creating conditions for the use of migrants’ earnings, knowledge and experience gained, social ties established for business expansion, job creation in Ukraine and, accordingly, providing preconditions for reducing labor migration, repatriation of migrants.