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IgE multiple myeloma is a rare subtype of myeloma, accounting for <0.1% of all myeloma cases. Difficulties in diagnosing and monitoring this rare myeloma type are recognized, including the need of heightened awareness for initial diagnosis, performing a reflex immunofixation test using an anti-IgE antisera, and recognizing the possibility of the prozone phenomenon. Here, we report a rare case of IgE multiple myeloma with the prozone phenomenon. This case was characterized by a paradoxical increase in IgE levels with a progressive increase in the dilution factor. Moreover, serial monitoring of IgE levels correlated with the trend in the serum free light chain ratio, especially when the monoclonal protein was no longer detectable. This case highlights the need for laboratory professionals to be vigilant about the occurrence of the prozone phenomenon in IgE multiple myeloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Utilizing the Exdia analyzer, we have developed a highly sensitive time-resolved fluorescence lateral flow immunoassay (TRF-LFIA) • Detecting both the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP) in a single test for the first time. • Achieved highly sensitive results within a brief 15-minute time frame. • Design an algorithm utilizing TRF-LFIA to differentiate between patients with Ischemic stroke (IS) and Hemorrhagic stroke (HS). • The implementation of this algorithm significantly reduces the diagnosis time for Ischemic Stroke (IS) and Hemorrhagic Stroke (HS). The suggested algorithm not only mitigates delays in treatment but also reduces medical costs for patients. The goal of this study is to create a highly sensitive time-resolved fluorescence lateral flow immunoassay (TRF-LFIA) capable of concurrently measuring glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP). This assay is designed as a diagnostic tool and aims to provide an algorithm for stroke management, specifically for distinguishing between Ischemic stroke (IS) and Hemorrhagic stroke (HS). However, LFIA to quantify simultaneous serum NT-proBNP and GFAP are not yet available. We have developed and validated a novel TRF-LFIA for the simultaneous quantitative detection of NT-proBNP and GFAP. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the immunoassay were significantly improved by employing specific monoclonal antibodies linked to europium nanoparticles (EuNPs) that specifically target NT-proBNP and GFAP. The detection area on the nitrocellulose membrane featured sandwich-style complexes containing two test lines for NT-proBNP and GFAP, and one Control line. The fluorescence intensity of these test lines and control line was measured using an in-house developed Exdia TRF-Plus analyzer. As proof-of-concept, we enrolled patients suspected of having a stroke who were admitted within a specific time frame (6 h). A small amount of clinical specimen (serum) was used. To optimize the LFIA, an EuNPs conjugated antibodies were investigated to improve the detection sensitivity and decrease the background signal as well shorten the detection time. The Exdia TRF-LFIA cartridge offers a wide linear dynamic detection range, rapid detection, high sensitivity, and specificity. The limit of detection was determined to be 98 pg/mL for NT-proBNP and 68 pg/mL for GFAP, with minimal cross-reactivity. There were 200 clinical human serum samples that were used to evaluate this platform with high correlation. By combining the results of NT-proBNP and GFAP, we formulated an algorithm for the clinical assessment of Ischemic Stroke (IS) and Hemorrhagic Stroke (HS). According to our proposed algorithm, the combination of GFAP and NT-proBNP emerged as the most effective biomarker combination for distinguishing between IS and HS. Exdia TRF-LFIA shows great potential as a supplemental method for in vitro diagnostics in the laboratory or in other point-of-care testing (POCT) applications. Its development substantially decreases the diagnosis time for IS and HS. The proposed algorithm not only minimizes treatment delays but also lowers medical costs for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models of communicative competence in a second language invoked in defining the construct of widely used tests of communicative language ability have drawn largely on the work of language specialists. The risk of exclusive reliance on language expertise to conceptualize, design and administer language tests is that test scores may carry meanings that are misaligned with the values of non-language specialists, that is, those without language expertise but perhaps with expert knowledge in the domain of concern. Neglect of the perspective of lay (i.e., non-linguistic) judges on language and communication is a serious validity concern, since they are the ultimate arbiters of what matters for effective communication in the relevant context of language use. The paper reports on three research studies exploring the validity of rating scales used to assess speaking performance on a number of high-stakes English-language tests developed for professional or general proficiency assessment purposes in Korea, Australia, China, and the UK. Drawing on Jacoby and McNamara's (1999) notion of “indigenous assessment”, each project attempted to identify the values underlying non-language specialists' judgements of spoken communication as they rated test performance or participated in focus-group workshops where they viewed and commented on video- or audio-recorded samples of performance in the relevant real-world domain. The findings of these studies raise the question of whether language can or should be assessed as object independently of the content which it conveys or without regard for the goal and context of the communication. The studies' findings also cast doubt on the notion that the native speaker should always serve as benchmark for judging communicative effectiveness, especially with tests of language for specific purposes, where native speakers and second-language learners alike may lack the requisite skills for the kind of effective interaction demanded by the context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reuse of waste papers by conversion into valuable carbon materials has received considerable attention for diverse applications such as energy storage and water purification. However, traditional methods for converting waste papers into materials with suitable properties for specific applications are often complex and ineffective, involving consecutive carbonization and activation steps. Herein, we propose a simple one-step microwave (MW)-assisted synthesis for preparing waste paper-derived porous carbons (WPCs) for energy storage and water purification. Through a 30-min synthesis, WPCs with graphitic structure and high specific surface area were successfully produced. The fabricated WPCs exhibited outstanding charge storage capability with a maximum specific capacitance of 237.7 F g−1. Additionally, the WPC demonstrates a high removal efficiency for various dyes, achieving a maximum removal efficiency of 95.0% for methylene blue. The developed one-step MW synthesis not only enables the production of porous carbon from waste paper, but also offers a viable approach to address solid waste management challenges while simultaneously yielding valuable materials. [Display omitted] • Waste paper-derived porous carbons were synthesized by one-step microwave synthesis. • Within 30-min MW synthesis, graphitic and high-surface area WPCs were produced. • WPC exhibits outstanding electrochemical capacitance of 237.7 F g−1. • WPC exhibits high removal of various dyes, with maximum of 95.0% for methylene blue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated how 20 university students described their collective and individual learning experiences using social media technologies (SMTs). Data consisted of transcribed focus group discussions, which were analysed for students' use of first person singular and plural pronouns as well as for the kinds of verbs they used to describe their learning. Findings indicate that none of the participants used first person plural pronouns more frequently than first person singular pronouns to describe their learning experiences. Students also used possessive, stative and passive verbs in addition to verbs denoting more traditional learning behaviours associated with cognitive, psychomotor, affective and conative activities when discussing their learning. We conclude that, although evidence of a clearly definable ‘collective intelligence’ was lacking, co-occurrences of both group-oriented and self-oriented utterances were evident. Students' use of verb types highlighted issues of ownership, identity and control as additional features of their SMT enabled learning experiences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • The effect of Coriolis force and herringbone grooves on mixing performance in rotating microchannels was investigated. • The Coriolis force balanced appropriately with centrifugal force achieved efficient mixing. • Two strategies of the Coriolis force and herringbone induced multiple local vortices, improving mixing efficiency. • A two-sided herringbone mixer required the shortest channel length for 90% mixing in this study. Mixing is a critical process in reagent reactions used in biomedical applications. Nevertheless, achieving rapid mixing in microfluidics is challenging because of the low-Reynolds region. This study numerically investigated the mixing performance of a rotating channel based on the Coriolis force with herringbone grooves. In the absence of grooves, the mixing was maximized when the Coriolis force was appropriately balanced with the centrifugal force. As the aspect ratio increased from 0.5 to 2.0, rapid mixing was achieved owing to the decreased transverse distance between the rotating flows. Mixing improved with the herringbone grooves, achieving up to >90% for the shortest channel length (20 mm) among the various microchannels. This enhancement resulted from the flow split and recombination induced by the combination of the Coriolis force and grooves. This study will help create and design microchannels for disk chip miniaturization, automation, and integration into lab-on-a-disk-based biomedical procedures, such as point-of-care diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 3D printed parallelized and multiplexed microfluidic device effectively produces functional Janus particles. • The Janus particles can form stable Pickering emulsions from oil pollutants present in water. • This approach is effective remediation method regardless of the oil viscosity, water pH or its salinity. • Over 99.7% of unconventional heavy crude oils can be recovered from water. • The Janus particles can be reusable and are environmentally friendly. The growing global energy demand and declining conventional oil supply have accelerated the use of unconventional heavy crude oils (UHCOs). However, high viscosities of UHCOs make conventional remediation methods ineffective for removing them from water. To address this challenge, we propose Pickering emulsification using amphiphilic magnetic Janus particles (AMJPs) as an efficient remediation method for UHCOs. AMJPs are produced using a multiplexed 3D-printed microfluidic droplet generator. The design of the generator is carefully optimized through a combination of experimental and numerical studies to achieve mass production of the monodisperse particles. These AMJPs have the remarkable ability to emulsify oil pollutants, with viscosities ranging from as low as 0.31 mPa∙s to as high as 97,100 mPa∙s. The Pickering emulsification using AMJPs results in rapid and highly efficient (>99.7%) recovery of UHCOs from water in a recyclable manner. We realize the first ever mass production of AMJPs via 3D-printed droplet generators. The use of these AMJPs in the Pickering emulsification approach has potential applications beyond UHCO remediation, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinal vascular diseases are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. These diseases have common disease mechanisms including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, hypoxia, and inflammation. Treatment of these diseases with laser therapy, anti-VEGF injections and/or steroids has significantly improved clinical outcomes. However, these strategies do not address the underlying cause of the pathology and may have harmful side effects. Pathological processes that damage retinal vessels result in vascular occlusion and impairment of the barrier properties of retinal endothelial cells, leading to excessive vascular leakage. Therefore, a new therapeutic approach is needed for the treatment of retinal vascular disease. We were able to confirm that oral administration of CU06-1004, an endothelial dysfunction blocker, inhibited retinal vascular leakage induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2). Interestingly, oral administration of CU06-1004 prevented excessive vascular leakage in the diabetic retinopathy model. In addition, CU06-1004 inhibited angiogenesis and confirmed vascular stabilization in the oxygen-induced retinopathy model and laser-induced CNV model. Taken together, CU06-1004 could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of retinal vascular diseases. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an insufficient in-depth analysis of the nature and prevalence of the typologies of child homicide in Asia, particularly in South Korea. In the current study, we sought to determine the prevalence and identify the heterogeneity of the child homicide phenomenon in South Korea. All 341 original case files (i.e., hospital, police, and autopsy reports) of homicide incidents involving children aged 0–18 in 2016 were obtained from the forensic autopsy archives of the National Forensic Service (NFS), which handles 100 % of the medico-legal autopsies in South Korea. These were examined and reclassified based on our definition. A cluster analysis using Gower's distance was applied, which has rarely been utilized in this field of research. By performing a qualitative analysis, we first extracted 70 (numerical, logical, categorical) crime, victim, perpetrator, and household relevant variables, which were later utilized in the cluster analysis. Among the 341 cases from 2016, 95 were judged to be at least suspicious child homicide cases. When applying the cluster analysis, eight sub-clusters were extracted: child torture, maternal filicide, neonaticide, death not related to previous abuse, paternal filicide, paternal infanticide, maternal infanticide, and psychotic killings. The commonality and the unique aspect of the child homicide phenomenon in South Korea, in comparison with the results from previous research from other countries, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]