bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived listening ability and hearing loss: Systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Hughes Sarah E. , Boisvert Isabelle , McMahon Catherine M. , Steyn Anne , Neal Katie
Published: October 2022

Background

Hearing loss (HL) can affect communication in complex ways. Understanding how adults with HL reflect on and conceptualise the way they listen (metacognition) is required if interventions, and the outcome measures used to evaluate them, are to address barriers to functional communication arising from HL.

Objectives

This study describes how adults with HL experience and report the processes, behaviours, and components of listening, as presented in published studies.

Design

Systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

Methods

Systematic searches identified English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles reporting the results of qualitative or mixed-methods studies of adults’ with HL perceived listening abilities. Medline, PsychInfo, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to November 2021. Handsearching reference lists of included studies identified additional studies for inclusion. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative checklist was used to appraise studies’ methodological quality. Data from included studies were analysed using thematic meta-synthesis. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of QUALitative (CERQual) approach assessed confidence in the review findings. Two reviewers independently completed all screening and quality appraisal. Thematic meta-synthesis and GRADE CERQual assessment was completed by one reviewer and confirmed by a second reviewer. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion.

Results

Data from 46 studies were included in the review. Thematic meta-synthesis identified six descriptive themes: 1) perceived listening ability; 2) external modifiers; 3) psychosocial impacts of hearing loss; 4) communication partner perspectives; 5) self-efficacy for listening; and 6) cognitive load. GRADE CERQual ratings for descriptive themes ranged from low to moderate confidence. Descriptive themes were related by analytic themes of liminality and reciprocity.

Conclusions

Adults with HL provide in-depth accounts of components and processes of listening, with studies reporting both cognitive and affective experiences consistent with theoretical models of metacognition. The findings will inform content generation for a hearing-specific patient-reported outcome measure of perceived listening ability in everyday communication.
Heart rate variability and the risk of heart failure and its subtypes in post-menopausal women: The Women’s Health Initiative study
Authors: Baig Muhammad , Moafi-Madani Miremad , Qureshi Reema , Roberts Mary B. , Allison Matthew , Manson JoAnn E. , LaMonte Michael J. , Liu Simin , Eaton Charles B.
Published: October 2022

Background

Low heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic imbalance, is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF). However, its relationship with HF subtypes; heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has not been studied prior.

Methods and findings

We conducted a longitudinal study in Women’s Health Initiative study cohort to investigate the association of baseline quartiles of resting heart rate (rHR) and HRV measures; SDNN (SD of normal-to-normal RR interval) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive difference of RR interval) measured by twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) on enrollment, with the risk of hospitalized HF and its subtypes. Total of 28,603 post-menopausal women, predominantly non-Hispanic whites (69%), with a mean (SD) age of 62.6 (7.1) years, free of baseline CHD and HF were included. In a fully adjusted cox-proportional hazards regression model which adjusted for age, race, BMI, alcohol intake, education, physical activity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, use of beta-blocker, calcium-channel blocker, hormone therapy, and time-varying incident CHD, the hazard ratios of lowest quartile of HRV (Q1) with HF risk were significant (Q1 SDNN compared to Q4 SDNN: 1.22, 95% CI 1.07, 1.39; Q1 RMSSD compared to Q4 RMSSD: 1.17, 95% CI 1.02, 1.33). On subgroup analysis of HF subtypes, low HRV was associated with elevated HFpEF risk (Q1 vs Q4 SDNN: 1.22, 95% CI 1.02, 1.47) but not with HFrEF (Q1 vs Q4 SDNN: 1.19, 95% CI 0.95, 1.50; Q1 RMSSD: 1.13, 95% CI 0.90, 1.43).

Conclusion

Low HRV is associated with elevated overall hospitalized HF risk and HFpEF risk in post-menopausal women. Whether interventions to increase HRV through healthy lifestyle changes will decrease HF risk warrants further investigation.
A methodology for classifying tissue-specific metabolic and inflammatory receptor functions applied to subcutaneous and visceral adipose
Authors: Yehuda Gur Arye , Somekh Judith
Published: October 2022

To achieve homeostasis, the human biological system relies on the interaction between organs through the binding of ligands secreted from source organs to receptors located on destination organs. Currently, the changing roles that receptors perform in tissues are only partially understood. Recently, a methodology based on receptor co-expression patterns to classify their tissue-specific metabolic functions was suggested. Here we present an advanced framework to predict an additional class of inflammatory receptors that use a feature space of biological pathway enrichment analysis scores of co-expression networks and their eigengene correlations. These are fed into three machine learning classifiers–eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN). We applied our methodology to subcutaneous and visceral adipose gene expression datasets derived from the GTEx (Genotype-Tissue Expression) project and compared the predictions. The XGBoost model demonstrated the best performance in predicting the pre-labeled receptors, with an accuracy of 0.89/0.8 in subcutaneous/visceral adipose. We analyzed ~700 receptors to predict eight new metabolic and 15 new inflammatory functions of receptors and four new metabolic functions for known inflammatory receptors in both adipose tissues. We cross-referenced multiple predictions using the published literature. Our results establish a picture of the changing functions of receptors for two adipose tissues that can be beneficial for drug development.
Interest without uptake: A mixed-methods analysis of methadone utilization in Kyrgyz prisons
Authors: Liberman Amanda R. , Bromberg Daniel J. , Litz Taylor , Kurmanalieva Ainura , Galvez Samy , Rozanova Julia , Azbel Lyu , Meyer Jaimie P. , Altice Frederick L.
Published: October 2022

HIV incidence continues to increase in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), in large part due to non-sterile injection drug use, especially within prisons. Therefore, medication-assisted therapy with opioid agonists is an evidence-based HIV-prevention strategy. The Kyrgyz Republic offers methadone within its prison system, but uptake remains low. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a framework for identifying people who would potentially benefit from methadone, intervening to identify OUD as a problem and methadone as a potential solution, and providing referral to methadone treatment. Using an SBIRT framework, we screened for OUD in Kyrgyz prisons among people who were within six months of returning to the community (n = 1118). We enrolled 125 people with OUD in this study, 102 of whom were not already engaged in methadone treatment. We conducted a pre-release survey followed by a brief intervention (BI) to address barriers to methadone engagement. Follow-up surveys immediately after the intervention and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after prison release assessed methadone attitudes and uptake. In-depth qualitative interviews with 12 participants explored factors influencing methadone utilization during and after incarceration. Nearly all participants indicated favorable attitudes toward methadone both before and after intervention in surveys; however, interest in initiating methadone treatment remained very low both before and after the BI. Qualitative findings identified five factors that negatively influence methadone uptake, despite expressed positive attitudes toward methadone: (1) interpersonal relationships, (2) interactions with the criminal justice system, (3) logistical concerns, (4) criminal subculture, and (5) health-related concerns.
Peptide Lv augments intermediate-conductance calcium-dependent potassium channels (KCa3.1) in endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis
Authors: Pham Dylan L. , Niemi Autumn , Ko Michael L. , Ko Gladys Y. P.
Published: October 2022

Peptide Lv is a small endogenous secretory peptide that is expressed in various tissues and conserved across different species. Patients with diabetic retinopathy, an ocular disease with pathological angiogenesis, have upregulated peptide Lv in their retinas. The pro-angiogenic activity of peptide Lv is in part through promoting vascular endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, migration, and sprouting, but its molecular mechanism is not completely understood. This study aimed to decipher how peptide Lv promotes EC-dependent angiogenesis by using patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings, Western immunoblotting, quantitative PCR, and cell proliferation assays in cultured ECs. Endothelial cells treated with peptide Lv became significantly hyperpolarized, an essential step for EC activation. Treatment with peptide Lv augmented the expression and current densities of the intermediate-conductance calcium-dependent potassium (KCa3.1) channels that contribute to EC hyperpolarization but did not augment other potassium channels. Blocking KCa3.1 attenuated peptide Lv-elicited EC proliferation. These results indicate that peptide Lv-stimulated increases of functional KCa3.1 in ECs contributes to EC activation and EC-dependent angiogenesis.
Depression and polymorphism G-174C (rs1800795) of the IL-6 gene in an open population of 25–44 year old in Russia/Siberia (WHO international program MONICA-psychosocial)
Authors: Gafarov V. V. , Gromova E. A. , Panov D. O. , Maksimov V. N. , Gagulin I. N. , Gafarova A. V.
Published: October 2022

Objective: to study the association of the G-174C (rs1800795) polymorphism of the IL-6 gene with depression in an open population of 25–44 year old in Novosibirsk.

Patients and methods. In 2013–2016 years we examined 403 men (mean age – 34±0.4 years, response – 71%) and 531 women (mean age – 35±0.4 years, response – 72%) from an open population of 25–44 year old residents of the Oktyabrsky district, Novosibirsk, the sample was representative. Depression was assessed using the MONICA-MOPSY psychosocial questionnaire. Genotyping of the studied gene polymorphisms was carried out in the Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research of Scientific Research Institute for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk.

Results and discussion. A severe level of depression occurred in 12.8% of the population, among men – in 8.9%, among women – in 15.8%; and moderate level – in 24.5% of the population (among men – 21.3%, among women – 26.9%). The most common in the population was the heterozygous C/G genotype (45.1%), the G/G genotype was observed in 34.6% of the population and, finally, C/C in 20.3% of participants. The most common allele of the IL-6 gene of the G-174C polymorphism (rs1800795) was the G allele in 57.5% of the population, and the C allele in only 42.5%. Among carriers of the G/G genotype of the IL-6 gene, a moderate (39.7%) or severe level of depression (37.3%) prevailed, while there was no depression in the carriers of the C/C genotype of the IL-6 gene (24.2%; χ2 = 10.962; df=4; p=0.027). Carrying the C/G genotype of the IL-6 gene increased the chance of developing a severe level of depression by almost 2.9–3.3 times in comparison with the carriage of the C/C genotype. Among carriers of the G/G genotype of the IL-6 gene, a severe level of depression was 3.3 times more common than in carriers of the C/C genotype. Individuals carrying the G allele of the IL-6 gene were 1.6 times more likely to experience a severe level of depression than those carrying the C allele.

Conclusion. The data obtained suggest that the carriage of the G allele of the G-174C polymorphism (rs1800795) of the IL-6 gene may be associated with a severe level of depression.
Study of the role of carriage of single nucleotide variants of the IL-1β, TNFA, BDNF, NTRK-2 genes in the development and clinical features of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Panina Yu. S. , Domoratskaya E. A. , Paramonova A. I. , Dmitrenko D. V.
Published: October 2022

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TE) is the most common form of focal epilepsy in adults with a high rate of drug-resistant course. In the Russian Federation studies of the contribution of the carriage of single nucleotide variants of genes (SNGs) encoding proteins of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration to the development of TE have not been previously carried out.

Objective: to study the association of SNGs rs16944 and rs1143634 of the IL-1β gene, rs1800629 of the TNFA gene, rs6265 of the BDNF gene, rs3780645 of the NTRK-2 gene with the risk of development, clinical and neuroimaging features of TE.

Patients and methods. The study included 166 patients with TE and 203 healthy volunteers living in the Siberian Federal District. The study included clinical, neurophysiological, neuroradiological, and laboratory work-up. Investigation of the carriage of SNGs rs16944 (-511T/C) and rs1143634 (+3954C/T) of the IL-1β gene, rs1800629 (G-308A) of the TNFA gene, rs6265 (G/A) of the BDNF gene, rs3780645 (C/T) and rs2289656 (C/T) of the NTRK-2 gene was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results and discussion. The prognostically unfavorable role of carriage of the A allele and the GA rs1800629 genotype of the TNFA gene in the development of TE, the GA rs6265 genotype of the BDNF gene in the development of TE with hippocampal sclerosis was established. Carrying the genotype AA rs1800629 of the TNFA gene in patients with TE reduces the risk of polytherapy with antiepileptic drugs.

Conclusion. The study of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration processes is important both from a physiological point of view and from the point of view of searching for the TE development markers, which make it possible to predict and evaluate the rate of disease progression, help to determine the tactics of treatment, and evaluate its effectiveness. In this regard, at present, the identification of potential genetic markers remains a task of high priority.
Identifikasi Faktor yang Memengaruhi Tingkat Kepuasan Pelanggan UPT. Percetakan dan Penerbit Syiah Kuala University Press
Authors: Gustifa Ridho Purnama , Anwar Samsul , Gani Taufiq Abdul
Published: October 2022

Salah satu strategi penting dalam upaya untuk mempertahankan pelanggan adalah dengan melakukan penelitian terhadap kepuasan yang dirasakan pelanggan. Kepuasan pelanggan adalah suatu tanggapan dari konsumen atas kinerja yang telah mereka dapatkan. Kepuasan pelanggan tidak hanya berkaitan dengan kualitas pelayanan, namun juga dipengaruhi oleh faktor-faktor lainnya. Identifikasi faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi kepuasan pelanggan tersebut merupakan hal yang penting bagi sebuah perusahaan termasuk UPT. Percetakan dan Penerbit Syiah Kuala University Press. Penelitian ini dilakukan terhadap 30 orang responden yang pernah menggunakan jasa layanan UPT. Percetakan dan Penerbit Syiah Kuala University Press. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara umum mayoritas pelanggan merasa cukup puas (60%) dan puas (20%) terhadap pelayanan yang mereka dapatkan. Lebih lanjut, penelitian ini juga menunjukkan adanya hubungan yang signifikan antara faktor sarana dan prasarana, proses pelayanan, dan kebijakan pelayanan dengan kepuasan yang dirasakan oleh pelanggan yang pernah menggunakan jasa layanan UPT. Percetakan dan Penerbit Syiah Kuala University Press.
Perilaku Pencarian Informasi Ibu Hamil pada Kehamilan Pertama di Kecamatan Tembalang Semarang dalam Memenuhi Kebutuhan Informasi
Authors: Lathifah Isnaini Chusnul , Dewi Athanasia Octaviani Puspita
Published: October 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perilaku pencarian informasi ibu hamil pada kehamilan pertama di Kecamatan Tembalang dalam memenuhi kebutuhan informasi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi dan teknik pengumpulan datanya adalah wawancara semi terstruktur. Informan dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 5 informan yang dipilih dengan menggunakan purposive sampling. Metode analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah thematic analysis. Selanjutnya, hasil temuan penelitian diinterpretasikan dengan model konseptual praktik informasi dua dimensi oleh Mckenzie (2003). Hasil analisis menunjukkan 6 perilaku pencarian informasi ibu hamil pada kehamilan pertama, yaitu antara lain: 1) Ibu hamil kehamilan pertama mengenali dan merencanakan dokter atau bidan yang dituju untuk periksa kandungan, 2) Ibu hamil kehamilan pertama mencatat poin-poin yang akan ditanyakan pada bidan saat kontrol, 3) Ibu hamil kehamilan pertama ketika berinteraksi dengan teman kerjanya yang juga keadaan hamil, sehingga menjadi kesempatan untuk mendapatkan informasi terkait kehamilan, 4) Ibu hamil kehamilan pertama mendapatkan informasi dari aplikasi kehamilan, 5) Ibu hamil kehamilan pertama baru mengenali kebutuhan informasi ketika ada notifikasi yang muncul dari ponselnya mengenai informasi kehamilan, 6) Ibu hamil kehamilan pertama yang mendapatkan informasi dari customer service produk susu yang ia beli.
Literasi Informasi Relasional Penulis Karya Fiksi dalam Proses Kepenulisan Karya Fiksinya : Sebuah Kajian Systematic Literature Review pada Database Tandofline
Authors: Trianda Yessi , Krismayani Ika
Published: October 2022

Dalam proses kepenulisan fiksi, terdapat kegiatan yang perlu dilakukan yakni menjaga keakuratan unsur nyata yang telah dimasukkan kedalam karya fiksi. Ketidakakuratan dapat memunculkan masalah bagi censorship karya tulisnya serta image penulis karya fiksi tersendiri. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjabarkan ragam pengalaman literasi informasi relasional para penulis karya fiksi, dipilihnya model relasional karena berfokus pada perbedaan setiap penulis mendapati pengalamannya masing-masing. Penulis karya fiksi memiliki cakupan yang ditentukan melalui metode penelitian systematic literature review. Pendekatan metode penelitian berupa meta-sintesis atau konfiguratif dengan cara meta-agregasi untuk menjawab research question yang merupakan tahap planning. Tahap conducting berupa persempitan dari 30 artikel yang diperoleh dengan kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi melalui database ilmiah tandofline. Kemudian dipersempit kembali dengan penilaian qualitas menyisakan 5 artikel. Tahap reporting menunjukan adanya pengalaman literasi informasi relasional penulis karya fiksi berupa kolaborasi dengan ilmuwan, literasi dokumen oral atau tertulis, serta pengalaman atau pengamatan pribadi.
Penguatan Eksistensi Pustakawan Dalam Era Disrupsi Melalui Falsafah Kepustakawanan Blasius Sudarsono
Authors: Arfa Mecca , Kaharudin Rizal Gani
Published: October 2022

Penguatan Eksistensi Pustakawan Dalam Era Disrupsi Melalui Falsafah Kepustakawanan Blasius Sudarsono. Berawal dari keterpaksaan dan kecintaan menjalani profesi pustakawan, Blasius Sudarsono berkeinginan mengembangkan profesi pustakawan. Pengembangan tersebut dilakukan dengan mencari makna kepustakawanan dengan cara menelaah dari aspek kebahasaan dan filosofi. Namun makna kepustakawanan yang digagas memiliki berbedaan dengan makna kepustakawanan dari Peraturan Menteri dan tokoh perpustakaan lainnya. Bertepatan dengan munculnya era disrupsi, pemikiran kepustakawanan diperlukan kajian mendalam untuk mengetahui besaran pengaruhnya menghadapi era tersebut. Artikel ini akan membahas makna kepustakawanan Blasius Sudarsono sebagai dasar menghadapi perubahan era disrupsi. Untuk mengungkap hubungan makna kepustakawanan dan rea disrupsi, artikel ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif. Peneliti melakukan pembahasan kajian dalam artikel ini dengan melakukan analisis terhadap sejumlah literatur yang didatapkan dan hasilnya disajikan secara deskriptif. Hasil pembahasan yang diperoleh bahwa secara kebahasaan dan filosofis makna kepustakawanan merupakan hakikat atau perihal tentang pustakawan sebagai bagian dari pengembangan individu dengan menghayati profesi pustakawan baik dari aspek keilmuan maupun naluri jiwa sebagai manusia sosial. Kontribusinya dalam era disrupsi, konsep kepustakawanan menjadi sebuah upaya untuk menguatkan eksistensi pustakawan untuk dapat diterima dalam lingkungan masyarakat.
Peran Nomor Inventaris Sebagai Sumber Informasi Jumlah Koleksi Pustaka: Studi Kasus pada Perpustakaan SD Negeri Manyaran 01 Semarang
Authors: Handayani Tri
Published: October 2022

Pencatatan nomor inventaris merupakan salah satu sub kegiatan pada inventarisasi koleksi perpustakaan. Nomor tersebut dicatat pada Buku Inventaris. Nomor inventaris merupakan nomor unik dan setiap koleksi diberikan nomor yang berbeda. Dengan demikian nomor inventaris koleksi perpustakaan memiliki peran penting untuk mengetahui jumlah koleksi yang dimiliki perpustakaan secara akurat. Selain itu, nomor inventaris merupakan kode utama yang diperlukan pada penerapan program otomatisasi koleksi perpustakaan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode observasi, wawancara, dokumen kebijakan, partisipasi. Pendekatan Ilmu Perpustakaan digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, bahwa Buku Inventaris yang direkomendasikan peneliti kepada perpustakaan ini pada penelitian sebelumnya perlu dilengkapi dengan pencantuman nomor inventaris yang logis dan ilmiah. Visi dan Misi perpustakaan yang dimiliki perpustakaan SD Negeri Manyaran 01 Semarang sangat jelas. Keberadaan visi dan misi tersebut, serta sikap kooperatif Kepala Sekolah beserta pengelola perpustakaan sekolah merupakan  unsur penting bagi keberhasilan penelitian ini. Sehubungan dengan keinginan Kepala Sekolah beserta jajarannya agar program otomatisasi perpustakaan diterapkan di perpustakaan sekolah tersebut, maka pencantuman nomor inventaris pada Buku Inventaris sangat direkomendasikan oleh peneliti.
Existence and uniqueness of solutions to higher order fractional partial differential equations with purely integral conditions
Authors: Chergui Djamila , Merad Ahcene , Pinelas Sandra
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we prove the existence and uniqueness of Caputo time fractional pseudo-hyperbolic
equations of higher order with purely nonlocal conditions of integral type.
We use an a priori estimate method; the so-called energy inequalities method,
based on some functional analysis tools, is developed for a Caputo time fractional of

2
⁢
m

{2m}

-th and

(

2
⁢
m

+
1

)

{(2m+1)}

-th order and the density of the range of the operator generated by the considered problem.
Using the Laplace transform and homotopy perturbation, we find a semi-analytical solution.
Finally, we give some examples for illustration.
The next wave of innovation in laboratory automation: systems for auto-verification, quality control and specimen quality assurance
Authors: Brown A. Shane , Badrick Tony
Published: October 2022

Laboratory automation in clinical laboratories has made enormous differences in patient outcomes, with a wide range of tests now available that are accurate and have a rapid turnaround. Total laboratory automation (TLA) has mechanised tube handling, sample preparation and storage in general chemistry, immunoassay, haematology, and microbiology and removed most of the tedious tasks involved in those processes. However, there are still many tasks that must be performed by humans who monitor the automation lines. We are seeing an increase in the complexity of the automated laboratory through further platform consolidation and expansion of the reach of molecular genetics into the core laboratory space. This will likely require rapid implementation of enhanced real time quality control measures and these solutions will generate a significantly greater number of failure flags. To capitalise on the benefits that an improved quality control process can deliver, it will be important to ensure that an automation process is implemented simultaneously with enhanced, real time quality control measures and auto-verification of patient samples in middleware. Therefore, it appears that the best solution may be to automate those critical decisions that still require human intervention and therefore include quality control as an integral part of total laboratory automation.
Second-generation Elecsys cerebrospinal fluid immunoassays aid diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Blennow Kaj , Stomrud Erik , Zetterberg Henrik , Borlinghaus Niels , Corradini Veronika , Manuilova Ekaterina , Müller-Hübner Laura , Quevenco Frances-Catherine , Rutz Sandra , Hansson Oskar
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is critical for appropriate treatment/patient management. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker analysis is often used to aid diagnosis. We assessed analytical performance of second-generation (Gen II) Elecsys® CSF immunoassays (Roche Diagnostics International Ltd), and adjusted existing cut-offs, to evaluate their potential utility in clinical routine.

Methods

Analytical performance was assessed using CSF samples measured with Elecsys CSF Gen II immunoassays on cobas e analyzers. Aβ42 Gen I/Gen II immunoassay method comparisons were performed (Passing-Bablok regression). Cut-off values were adjusted using estimated bias in biomarker levels between BioFINDER protocol aliquots/Gen I immunoassays and Gen II protocol aliquots/immunoassays. Distribution of Gen II immunoassay values was evaluated in AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and cognitively normal cohorts; percentage observations outside the measuring range were derived.

Results

The Gen II immunoassays demonstrated good analytical performance, including repeatability, intermediate precision, lot-to-lot agreement (Pearson’s r: ≥0.999), and platform agreement (Pearson’s r: ≥0.995). Aβ42 Gen I/Gen II immunoassay measurements were strongly correlated (Pearson’s r: 0.985–0.999). Aβ42 Gen II immunoassay cut-offs were adjusted to 1,030 and 800 ng/L, and pTau181/Aβ42 ratio cut-offs to 0.023 and 0.029, for Gen II and I protocols, respectively. No observations were below the lower limit of the measuring range; above the upper limit, there were none from the AD cohort, and 2.6 and 6.8% from the MCI and cognitively normal cohorts, respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the Gen II immunoassays have potential utility in clinical routine to aid diagnosis of AD.
The effect of the immunoassay curve fitting routine on bias in troponin
Authors: Badrick Tony , Ward Greg , Hickman Peter
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Unlike many dose-response curves used in clinical chemistry, the immunoassay curve used to quantitate measurands is often sigmoidal rather than linear. Consequently, a more complex curve fitting model is required. Various models are available, but they can introduce bias, and there can be little awareness of why this error can be introduced.

Content

These curve-fitting models include those based on the law of mass-action, empirical models such as splines or linearization models such as the log/logit function. All these models involve assumptions, which can introduce bias as the dose-response curve is ‘forced’ to fit or minimize the distance between the standard concentration points to the theoretical curve. The most common curve fitting model is the four or five parameter model, which uses four or five parameters to fit a sigmoidal curve to a set of standard points.

Summary and outlook

Measurement of cardiac troponin is an important element in establishing a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. We use troponin, a cardiac biomarker, to demonstrate the potential effect of the bias that the curve fit could introduce. Troponin is used for both rule-in and rule-out decisions at different concentrations and at either end of the dose-response curve. The curve fitting process can cause lot-to-lot reagent (and calibrator) variation in immunoassay. However, laboratory staff need to be aware of this potential source of error and why it occurs. Understanding how the error occurs leads to a greater awareness of the importance of validating new reagent/calibrator assessment using patient samples with concentrations at crucial decision points.
Definition and application of performance specifications for measurement uncertainty of 23 common laboratory tests: linking theory to daily practice
Authors: Braga Federica , Pasqualetti Sara , Borrillo Francesca , Capoferri Alessia , Chibireva Mariia , Rovegno Leila , Panteghini Mauro
Published: October 2022

Laboratories should estimate and validate [using analytical performance specifications (APS)] the measurement uncertainty (MU) of performed tests. It is therefore essential to appropriately define APS for MU, but also to provide a perspective on suitability of the practical application of these APS. In this study, 23 commonly ordered measurands were allocated to the models defined during the 2014 EFLM Strategic Conference to derive APS for MU. Then, we checked if the performance of commercial measuring systems used in our laboratory may achieve them. Most measurands (serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, γ-glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, pancreatic amylase, total proteins, immunoglobulin G, A, M, magnesium, urate, and prostate-specific antigen, plasma homocysteine, and blood red and white cells) were allocated to the biological variation (BV) model and desirable APS were defined accordingly (2.65%, 4.75%, 7.25%, 4.45%, 2.60%, 3.15%, 1.30%, 2.20%, 2.50%, 2.95%, 1.44%, 4.16%, 3.40%, 3.52%, 1.55%, and 5.65%, respectively). Desirable APS for serum total cholesterol (3.00%) and urine albumin (9.00%) were derived using outcome-based model. Lacking outcome-based information, serum albumin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood platelets were temporarily reallocated to BV model, the corresponding desirable APS being 1.25%, 2.84%, 9.90%, and 4.85%, respectively. A mix between the two previous models was employed for serum digoxin, with a 6.00% desirable APS. In daily practice by using our laboratory systems, 16 tests fulfilled desirable and five minimum APS, while two (serum albumin and plasma homocysteine) exceeded goals, needing improvements.
Supercharacters of discrete algebra groups
Authors: André Carlos A. M. , Lochon Jocelyn
Published: October 2022

The supercharacter theory of a finite group was introduced by Diaconis and Isaacs as an alternative to the usual irreducible character theory, and illustrated with a construction in the case of finite algebra groups. We extend this construction to arbitrary countable discrete algebra groups, where superclasses and indecomposable supercharacters play the role of conjugacy classes and indecomposable characters, respectively.
However, we adopt an ergodic theoretical point of view. The theory is then illustrated with a characterization of standard supercharacters of the group of upper unitriangular matrices over an algebraically closed field of prime characteristic.
Generalized derivations with Engel condition on Lie ideals of prime rings
Authors: Siddeeque Mohammad Aslam , Abdullah Ali Ahmed , Khan Nazim
Published: October 2022

Consider

ℜ

{\Re}

as a prime ring which is non-commutative in structure with a suitable characteristic. Here,

𝒵
⁢

(
ℜ
)

{\mathcal{Z}(\Re)}

is the center of

ℜ

{\Re}

and

𝒬

{\mathcal{Q}}

is the Utumi ring of quotients where

𝒞

{\mathcal{C}}

is the extended centroid of

ℜ

{\Re}

. Suppose

𝒫

{\mathcal{P}}

to be a Lie ideal of

ℜ

{\Re}

which is non-central. Let

𝒦

{\mathcal{K}}

be a generalized derivation of

ℜ

{\Re}

related with derivation μ of

ℜ

{\Re}

. If

𝒦

{\mathcal{K}}

satisfies certain typical algebraic identities, then we prove that

𝒦

{\mathcal{K}}

is either the identity map or the zero map or the scalar map and further information is also drawn on the associated scalar unless

ℜ

{\Re}

embeds in

M
2

⁢

(
𝒞
)

{M_{2}(\mathcal{C})}

, a matrix ring of order

2
×
2

{2\times 2}

over

𝒞

{\mathcal{C}}

.
On a class of nonlinear degenerate elliptic equations in weighted Sobolev spaces
Authors: El Ouaarabi Mohamed , Allalou Chakir , Melliani Said
Published: October 2022

We prove the existence and uniqueness of a weak solution to a Dirichlet boundary value problem for a class of nonlinear degenerate elliptic equations in the setting of weighted Sobolev spaces. Our proof is based on the weighted Sobolev spaces theory and the Browder–Minty theorem. First, we transform the problem into an equivalent operator equation; second, we utilized the Browder–Minty theorem to prove the existence and uniqueness of a weak solution to the considered problem.
On bicomplex 𝔹ℂ-modules lp

𝕜(𝔹ℂ) and some of their geometric properties
Authors: Değirmen Nilay , Sağır Birsen
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we examine the validity of bicomplex versions of some crucial
inequalities with respect to the hyperbolic-valued norm

|
⋅

|
𝕜

{|\cdot|_{\Bbbk}}

and we discuss some topological and geometric
concepts such as completeness, convexity, strict convexity and uniform
convexity in the bicomplex setting with respect to the hyperbolic-valued
norm

∥
⋅

∥

𝔻
,
⋅

{\|\cdot\|_{\mathbb{D},\cdot}}

by defining the concept of

𝔻

{\mathbb{D}}

-normed Banach bicomplex A-module and constructing

𝔻

{\mathbb{D}}

-normed Banach bicomplex

𝔹
⁢
ℂ

{\mathbb{BC}}

-modules

l
p
𝕜

⁢

(

𝔹
⁢
ℂ

)

{l_{p}^{\Bbbk}(\mathbb{BC})}

.
Fatigue testing of wood up to one billion load cycles
Authors: Karr Ulrike , Fitzka Michael , Schönbauer Bernd M. , Krenke Thomas , Müller Ulrich , Mayer Herwig
Published: October 2022

Solid birch wood (Betula pendula) was investigated with a newly developed ultrasonic resonance test set-up enabling accelerated fully reversed fatigue experiments of wood. Ultrasonic fatigue lifetimes were measured at a cycling frequency of about 20 kHz up to 109 load cycles. For comparison, servo-hydraulic fatigue tests at 50 Hz cycling frequency up to 5 × 106 were performed. Numbers of cycles to failure plotted against stress amplitudes determined at both frequencies show comparable slope and standard deviation in the regime of overlapping lifetimes. Birch does not show a fatigue limit. Failures still occurred up to 108 load cycles at stress amplitudes of 30 MPa corresponding to approximately 35% of the ultimate compressive strength. Working principles and control mode of the ultrasonic fatigue test set-up are presented. A modal analysis of excited resonance vibration of the employed load train has been performed by the finite-element-method. Furthermore, the process of determination of applied strain and stress amplitudes was verified by comparative measuring techniques using a contact extensometer.
Conveyor belt modelling in extrusion flow simulation
Authors: Debbaut Benoit
Published: October 2022

Technical rubber or polymer profiles are often extruded while dragging them into a water bath. However, complex or heavy profiles may require additional guiding tools. For example, geometrically complex profiles, such as PVC-window frames, require the use of calibrators for satisfying severe geometric requirements, while heavy rubber profiles, such as D-shape fenders or tire treads, require a conveying belt mainly for being able to achieve the process. Within the context of numerical simulation of extrusion flows, such a guiding tool brings an additional downstream constraint to the kinematic equation which dictates the shape of the extrudate surface. In the present paper, we propose a simple engineering approach for modelling a conveyor belt used in rubber tire tread extrusion, and we apply it to the simulation of the extrusion flow for a 3D non-symmetric profile of a viscoelastic material.
Krylov solvability under perturbations of abstract inverse linear problems
Authors: Caruso Noè Angelo , Michelangeli Alessandro
Published: October 2022

When a solution to an abstract inverse linear problem on Hilbert space is approximable by finite linear combinations of vectors from the cyclic subspace associated with the datum and with the linear operator of the problem, the solution is said to be a Krylov solution.
Krylov solvability of the inverse problem allows for solution approximations that, in applications, correspond to the very efficient and popular Krylov subspace methods. We study the possible behaviors of persistence, gain, or loss of Krylov solvability under suitable small perturbations of the infinite-dimensional inverse problem – the underlying motivations being the stability or instability of infinite-dimensional Krylov methods under small noise or uncertainties, as well as the possibility to decide a priori whether an infinite-dimensional inverse problem is Krylov solvable by investigating a potentially easier, perturbed problem.
Assessment of salivary cortisol concentrations for procedural pain monitoring in newborns
Authors: Olszewska Marta , Pointinger-Tomasik Stephanie , Kwinta Przemko
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of salivary cortisol (SC) for the assessment of procedural pain intensity in preterm and term newborns.

Methods

Three groups of neonates (term, 370–416 weeks; moderate to late preterm, 320–366; and very preterm, <320) hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit were assessed for the study. Response to nappy change, lung ultrasound (LUS), and blood sampling was analyzed. The intensity of pain was evaluated using continuous heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), and SC concentrations. Saliva samples were collected before and 20 min after the procedure’s end.

Results

Seventy-one infants were examined: 30 term, 21 moderate to late preterm, and 20 very preterm. SC has increased significantly in response to nappy change only in very preterm newborns (2.13 ng/mL [1.55–3.68] vs. 2.84 ng/mL [1.93–9.06], p = 0.01). LUS did not affect concentrations of SC in any group. Significant increase in SC was observed after blood sampling in term and very preterm infants (2.2 ng/mL [1.45–2.92] vs. 4.29 ng/mL [3.88–5.73], p = 0.002, and 1.88 ng/mL [1.47–4.13] vs. 5.3 ng/mL [3.42–8.02], p = 0.002, respectively). A significant correlation between values of SC increase and NIPS scores was found (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient [rs] = 0.31, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

We observed the increase in SC concentrations in response to painful stimulus. The presence of a correlation between NIPS scores and SC increase suggests that SC can be used as an objective parameter to assess pain in neonates.
“Platform Amphibiousness” in Covid-19: The Construction and Communication of National Image in the Global South in the Polymedia Use of Chinese Overseas Students
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Zeng Ziliang
Published: October 2022

In the post-epidemic era, international students are standing in the communication intersection of the Global South. Through interviews with 15 international students from developing countries, this paper finds that with the deepening of polymedia use during epidemic, the image of China in the media use of international students has changed and contains new energy for international communication. Firstly, in terms of media use, “from straying to breaking the wall”. There is no significant change in the platform of international students’ use of polymedia, but the demand for life information and comparison among media have increased significantly. Secondly, in terms of national image acceptance, “from information to action”. Even facing the stigmatization of China, international students’ reliance on Chinese local media still has been increasing during this period especially after the comparison between Western social media reports and their local experiences, while professional media image and concrete government actions are key factors. Thirdly, the role of individuals in the communication of the Global South goes “from nodes to windows”. International students using polymedia gradually convey China’s national image to the outside world through a cross-platform approach dismantling the incorrect frames after frames’ competition, generating the radiation effect of international communication from individuals, and driving the communication and correction of the international image within a limited scope.
Two-dimensional photonic MXene nanomedicine
Authors: Deng Ruxi , Chang Meiqi , Chen Yu , Zhou Yang
Published: October 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) with fascinating physicochemical properties, ultrathin lamellar structure, high specific surface area, and excellent biocompatibility have been extensively explored in biomedical applications over the past decade. Photonic MXene nanomedicine and materdicine, as one of the most burgeoning emerging treatment modalities, are of great research interest owing to their photon utilization ability and high therapeutic efficiency. This review aims to summarize and discuss the very-recent advances in engineering 2D MXenes for photonic theranostic applications. We initially concentrate on the synthesis methods, surface modification, and functionalization with respect to MXenes. Furthermore, the photonic biological applications including photonic antibacteria, photonic bioimaging, photonic therapy, and photonic theranostics are highlighted in detail with the selected paradigms. Finally, the current challenges and future directions for 2D MXene biomaterials in regard to their photonic biomedicines are discussed in depth, aiming to drive the speed of their practical applications in clinic.
Vorgehensmodell zur Erstellung Digitaler Zwillinge für Produktion und Logistik
Authors: Follath Alexander , Bross Florian , Galka Stefan
Published: October 2022

Der Digitale Zwilling (DZ) ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Industrie 4.0 und ermöglicht Anwendungen wie Predictive Maintenance, virtuelles Prototyping oder die Steuerung von Produktions- und Logistikprozessen. Herausforderungen bei der Entwicklung des Digitalen Zwillings entstehen durch fehlende Struktur und Standards. Mit diesem Beitrag soll ein Vorgehensmodell für die Erstellung eines Digitalen Zwillings im Bereich der Produktion und Logistik aufgezeigt werden. Das Vorgehensmodell hilft bei der Einordnung, für welche Anwendungsfälle ein Digitaler Zwilling entwickelt werden kann, welche Schritte bei einer Umsetzung erfolgen müssen, und gibt einen Überblick über die Voraussetzungen und Komplexität bei der Entwicklung. Das zentrale Element bildet dabei die zielgerichtete Aufbereitung und Analyse der zugrunde liegenden Daten mittels des in der Industrie etablierten Vorgehensmodell CRISP-DM.
Intelligente Schweißroboter
Authors: Rieck Sebastian , Gericke Andreas , Dryba Steffen , Henkel Knuth-Michael , Flügge Wilko
Published: October 2022

Um eine hohe Prozesssicherheit innerhalb automatisierter MSGSchweißprozesse zu erreichen, ist der Einsatz zusätzlicher Sensorik oftmals unumgänglich. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags werden die Gründe dafür näher beschrieben und auch herausgestellt, warum ein Roboter bei komplexeren Anwendungen oftmals das Nachsehen hat. Es wird zudem ein Ansatz vorgestellt, der den Einsatz künstlicher Intelligenz zur Erfassung und Antizipation des Prozesszustands vorsieht und in Kombination mit etablierter Sensorik innovative Adaptionsstrategien erlauben könnte.
From Bad to Worse
Authors: Markey Daniel , Larsen Jacob
Published: October 2022

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will have indirect consequences for relations between India and China. In the near term, those consequences appear to be mixed and limited. Over the long term, however, Moscow’s strategic misadventure threatens Russia’s position as an independent power, a defense supplier to India, and a champion of non-Western diplomatic initiatives that tend to encourage more stable China–India relations. The war will also produce “systemic” effects, including altered global expectations about the prospects for major-power conflict and a resurgence of US-led treaty alliances. In combination, these war-driven outcomes are likely to accelerate the deterioration of China–India relations that was already underway before February 2022.
Eye-Head-Body Coordination in the Motor-Memory Trade-off
Authors: Luo Chuan , Franchak John M.
Published: October 2022

Previous studies have demonstrated that people trade off between expending motor effort and memorization effort when completing a copying task that requires looking in different directions to gather information. When information is easy to gather with minimal movement, people choose to look more frequently and rely on less on memorization, however, they reduce motor effort and rely on memory more when looking requires larger (and more effortful) shifts of gaze. This paper investigated the eye-head-body movements that guided looking as well as participants’ trade-off between using motor effort and memory in a copying task. We add to prior work by characterizing the coordination between eyes, head, and body required to look at targets at different angles. In the task, participants copied models onto a board while wearing a mobile eye tracker that measured eye rotations and motion sensors that measured head rotations. We manipulated the angle of the model relative to the participant and the memorization difficulty of the models. Results showed that eye movements contributed more to small gaze shifts but the head and body contributed more as the angle of the target increased (requiring larger amplitude shifts of gaze). Participants chose to look frequently when models were adjacent to the workspace, but chose to rely more on memory for models that required greater shifts of gaze. Memorization difficulty affected the trade-off such that participants used more memory when the models were easy to remember. We discuss how participants’ decisions to look versus remember may depend on the contribution of eyes, head, and body to shift gaze by varying amplitudes.
“Some Wonder If Government Is Coming Out against Love”
Authors: Marcellus Jane
Published: October 2022

Section 213 of the 1932 Federal Economy Act mandated that if both members of a married couple worked for the federal government, one of them—usually the wife—would be dismissed when cuts were made. The law codified widespread prejudice against employed wives. This article interrogates how Depression-era feminists used their organizational publications to combat Section 213, primarily through sensationalist narratives about family hardship and couples scandalously cohabitating. These narratives were amplified in the mainstream press and in a widely syndicated fictional newspaper serial, which was optioned by Warner Bros. for a movie. That mainstream newspapers picked up feminist narratives illustrates the power of sensationalism at a time when objectivity is believed to have dominated news practices. The feminist campaign complicates that view, demonstrating sensationalism’s value as a persuasive tool and its use in “political mimesis,” with feminists asserting political agency by creating “correspondence” with opponents to raise consciousness.
Сhalcogenide glassy semiconductors of the system As-Se-S doped by Te for X-ray imaging
Authors:   Semiconductors Physics and Devices Laboratory, Physics and Engineering Faculty, Moldova State University, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Chirita A. , Spoiala D. ,   Semiconductors Physics and Devices Laboratory, Physics and Engineering Faculty, Moldova State University, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Vatavu S. ,   Semiconductors Physics and Devices Laboratory, Physics and Engineering Faculty, Moldova State University, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Published: October 2022

The polymer/ As-Se-S-Te structure for X-ray imaging has been investigated. The possibility of registering relief-phase images for radiation of “white” spectrum and λ=0,154 nm of Cu anode X-ray tube was shown