Comparison of IFCC and NGSP methods for determination of glycated haemoglobin using advanced regression techniques

The objective of this work was a correct statistical comparison of two assay methods for determination of glycated haemoglobin HbA1c. The immunoturbidimetric determination of HbA1c was performed in two ways: using an automatic analyser Hitachi 912, calibrated according to the IFCC reference system (International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine) and using an analyser Advia 1200 and the NGSP reference system (National Glycohaemoglobin Standardization Program). For statistical comparison of these two analytical methods several advanced regression methods were used, which respect random errors of both compared methods. Specifically, Deming regression with and without weights, orthogonal regression, and Passing-Bablok regression were employed. The results demonstrate that the investigated analytical assay methods do not correspond to each other. The summarized results indicate usefulness of better harmonisation of two existing reference systems.     

Quasi-static Maxwell's equations with a dissipative non-linear boundary condition: Full discretization

We study a time dependent eddy current equation for the magnetic field H accompanied with a nonlinear boundary condition, which is a generalization of the classical Silver–Müller condition for a non-perfect conductor. More exactly, the relation between the normal components of electric (E) and magnetic (H  ) fields obeys the following power law (linearized for small and large values) ν×E=ν×(|H×ν|^α−1H×ν)$\mathit{\nu }\times \mathit{E}=\mathit{\nu }\times ({|\mathit{H}\times \mathit{\nu }|}^{\alpha -1}\mathit{H}\times \mathit{\nu })$ for some α∈(0,1]$\alpha \in (0,1]$. We design a linear fully discrete approximation scheme to solve this nonlinear problem. The convergence of the approximations to a weak solution is proved, error estimates describing the dependence of the error on discretization parameters are derived as well. The efficiency of the proposed method is supported by numerical experiments.     

Pd-catalysed conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to <Emphasis Type="Italic">α,β</Emphasis>-unsaturated ketones under microwave irradiation

The Pd-catalysed conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated cyclic ketones was studied under controlled microwave irradiation conditions. A variety of catalysts, bases and solvents was explored in order to achieve optimum yields in the shortest possible reaction time. Under optimised conditions (Pd(OAc)₂/2,2′-bipyridine and KF in a mixture of toluene, water, and acetic acid and 10 min microwave irradiation), a range of arylboronic acids was successfully added to several cyclic enones. With chiral phosphane ligands, a promising enantioselectivity was obtained (85 % ee).     

Excess electrical conductivity in polycrystalline Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O compounds and thermodynamic fluctuations of the amplitude of the superconducting order parameter

Measurements of the rounding effects on the electrical resistivity above the superconducting transition in Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O polycrystalline compounds are reported, to our knowledge for the first time in this HTSC system. These effects are analyzed in terms of thermodynamic fluctuations of the amplitude of the superconducting order parameter (SCOPF). In the mean-field-like region, the experimental critical exponent seems to be compatible with an order parameter of two components (2d) fluctuating in two dimensions (2D). This contrasts with previous results for A-Ba-Cu-O (A=Y, Ln) and Ln-M-Cu-O (M=Ba, Sr) superconductors, where SCOPF seem to be 2d-3D in all the different dynamic critical regions.     

On the genus of five- and six-regular graphs

This paper shows how to construct infinitely many regular graphs of degrees five and six having given genus γ > 0, which settles favorably Conjecture 1 stated by T. W. Tucker. Tucker has shown that there are infinitely many regular graphs of degrees four and three of arbitrary given genus (Theorem 1). He also proved that the number of regular graphs of degree greater than six embeddable in a given surface is finite (Corollary to Proposition 1). The case of the regular graphs of degrees six and five was left unanswered (Conjecture 1). This paper also shows a new way of constructing infinitely many regular graphs of degrees three and four of arbitrary genus γ > 0.     

Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms for coupled higher-order elements: theory,modeling, simulation

Nonlinear Dynamics - In this work, the definition of the constitutive relation of a classical higher-order two-terminal element from Chua’s table is extended to the coupled element. The way...     

Ex Vivo and In Vitro Studies on the Cytotoxicity and Immunomodulative Properties of Poly(2‐isopropenyl‐2‐oxazoline) as a New Type of Biomedical Polymer

Poly(2‐alkenyl‐2‐oxazoline)s are promising functional polymers for a variety of biomedical applications, such as drug delivery systems, peptide conjugates, or gene delivery. In this study, poly(2‐isopropenyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PIPOx) is prepared through free‐radical polymerization initiated with azobisisobutyronitrile. Reactive 2‐oxazoline units in the side chain support an addition reaction with different compounds containing a carboxylic group, which facilitates the preparation of polymers labeled with two different fluorescent dyes. The cytotoxicities of 2‐oxazoline monomers, PIPOx, and fluorescently labeled PIPOx are evaluated in vitro using an 3‐(4,5‐Dimethyldiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and ex vivo using a cell proliferation assay with adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence. The cell uptake of labeled PIPOx is used to determine the colocalization of PIPOx with cell organelles that are part of the endocytic pathway. For the first time, it is shown that poly(2‐isopropenyl‐2‐oxazoline) is a biocompatible material and is suitable for biomedical applications; further, its immunomodulative properties are evaluated.

     

A new approach to nickel electrolytic colouring of anodised aluminium

Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyse nickel on anodic aluminium surfaces after stripping the anodic aluminium oxide. The metal was electroplated at the bottom of the pores of anodised aluminium during electrolytic colouring in solutions without (Watts) and with (citrate) complexing agents, respectively. A relation between the anodic-cathodic processes, changes of the structure and composition of the coating in dependence on the used solution were studied. A morphology study performed after stripping the anodic aluminium oxide revealed the crucial influence of the anodic process/cycle and the complexing agent on the nickel structure on the aluminium surface. Off-time of half-way rectified current influenced the nickel deposition in the pores of anodic alumina negatively.