A qualitative summative assessment for theater education

Abstract

This article reviews the development of a qualitative summative assessment based on the National Theater Standards to evaluate theater education classes. The authors examine the current state of the field of theater education; the use of the assessment; an overview of the results of an arts integration U.S. Department of Education project; and a look at some of the student work. Finally, the article considers some of the complications and challenges that can arise from this type of process.     

GLP-1 receptor agonists and reduction of cardiometabolic risk: Potential underlying mechanisms

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic condition with an elevated impact on cardiovascular (CV) risk. The innovative therapeutic approaches for T2DM - incretin-based therapies (IBTs), including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, have become popular and more widely used in recent years. The available scientific data from clinical studies and clinical practice highlights their beyond glucose-lowering effects, which is achieved without any increase in hypoglycaemia. The former effects include reduction in body weight, lipids, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and subclinical atherosclerosis, thus reducing and potentially preventing CV events. In fact, the introduction of IBTs is one of the key moments in the history of diabetes research and treatment. Such therapeutic strategies allow customization of antidiabetic treatment to each patient's need and therefore obtain better metabolic control with reduced CV risk. The aim of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of GLP-1RA on various cardiometabolic markers and overall CV risk, with particular attention on recent CV outcome studies and potential mechanisms. In particular, the effects of liraglutide on formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque and mechanisms explaining its cardioprotective effects are highlighted.     

Convergence of EU nitrogen surplus,the RDP indicator of water quality

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), EU Nitrate Directive and EU Rural Development Policy (RDP) aim to improve water quality. The nutrient content of water can be decreased by reducing nitrogen emission. In this article a novel approach is applied to the evaluation of the impact of Agri Environmental Measures (AEM), which are part of axis 2 of the EU Rural Development Programme. The spending on AEM is linked to the reduction of nitrogen surplus, and hence, to the improvement of water quality. Reduction of nitrogen surplus is considered as a beta convergence process, in which the nitrogen surplus of EU member states converges to a steady state level. The convergence is tested, applying spatial econometrics on a panel data set of EU member states. The development over time of nitrogen surplus is explained applying the conditional beta convergence methodology. To allow for varying steady state nitrogen surpluses, structural variables are added to the analysis. RDP spending on AEM was added as structural variable to evaluate whether they affect the reduction of nitrogen surplus. The fixed effects panel data specification was tested to be the best model and preferred over spatial econometric specifications. A significantly negative effect is found between AEM expenditures and nitrogen surplus. Based on these estimation results it can be concluded that spending on AEM affects the convergence of nitrogen surplus towards a steady state level. A causal relationship cannot be tested with data on EU Member State level and additional analysis at smaller spatial level is warranted.     

Development and evaluation of an ELISA for quantification of human alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor in complex biological mixtures

Human alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor(1) (alpha(1)-PI) is the most abundant serine protease inhibitor in plasma. Its major function is inhibition of neutrophil elastase in lungs. alpha(1)-PI deficiency may result in severe, ultimately fatal emphysema. Three plasma-derived (pd-) alpha(1)-PI products are licensed in the US for replacement therapy of deficient patients. The recombinant versions (r-alpha(1)-PI), proposed as alternatives to pd-alpha(1)-PI products, have been under intensive investigation. For accurate determination of alpha(1)-PI from different sources and in various forms, there is an obvious need for reliable standardized assays for alpha(1)-PI quantification and potency measurements. As a part of our multi-step research focused on alpha(1)-PI structure-function investigation, we have established a simple and reproducible double-sandwich ELISA based on commercially available polyclonal antibodies. The developed ELISA allows the quantification of both pd-alpha(1)-PI and r-alpha(1)-PI in various complex matrices. A validation of the ELISA was performed with the working range of the assay (3.1-50 ng/ml) established on the bases of the following parameters: linearity (3-100 ng/ml, r(2)=0.995); accuracy (87.3-114.6% recovery); intra-assay precision (%CV, 2.8%); inter-assay plate-to-plate precision (3.9% per day and 4.1% day-to-day); detection limit (1.10 ng/ml); and quantification limit (3.34 ng/ml). The analytical performance of the alpha(1)-PI ELISA indicates that this assay can be used for monitoring concentration levels of alpha(1)-PI in multi-component biological matrices, based on the following: (a) quantification of r-alpha(1)-PI in various fermentation mixtures (E. coli and A. niger); (b) investigation of alpha(1)-PI enzymatically digested in the conditions of harsh fungal proteolysis; (c) evaluation of thermally polymerized alpha(1)-PI; (d) quantification of alpha(1)-PI in human serum; and (e) comparative quantification of alpha(1)-PI in commercially available products.     

术前CA125、OPN、CXCL8、NLR联合检测对乳腺癌改良根治术患者术后复发转移风险的评估价值

摘要 目的：探讨术前糖类抗原125（CA125）、骨桥蛋白（OPN）、趋化因子配体8（CXCL8）、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）联合检测对乳腺癌改良根治术患者术后复发转移风险的评估价值。方法：选取2015年4月-2016年4月期间我院收治的乳腺癌改良根治术患者384例按照术后有无复发转移分为未复发转移组（n=345）和复发转移组（n=39）,对比复发转移组、未复发转移组CA125、OPN、CXCL8、NLR,乳腺癌改良根治术患者术后复发转移的影响因素采用多因素Logistic回归分析。采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线来判断CA125、OPN、CXCL8、NLR检测对乳腺癌改良根治术患者术后复发转移风险的评估价值。结果：复发转移组的CA125、OPN、CXCL8、NLR高于未复发转移组,组间对比差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。乳腺癌改良根治术患者术后复发转移与肿瘤最大直径、临床分期、术前新辅助化疗、人表皮生长因子受体2（HER2）、淋巴结转移、组织学类型、细胞增殖标志抗原（ki-67）、雌激素受体（ER）/孕激素受体（PR）、P53、术后放疗、术后内分泌治疗有关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示：OPN偏高、CXCL8偏高、NLR偏高、肿瘤最大直径≥2 cm、淋巴结转移阳性、ER/PR双阴性、临床分期为III期、术前未接受新辅助化疗是乳腺癌改良根治术患者术后复发转移的危险因素（P<0.05）。术前CA125、OPN、CXCL8、NLR联合检测评估复发转移的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.855均高于各指标单独检测。结论：乳腺癌改良根治术后复发转移与OPN、CXCL8、NLR、肿瘤最大直径、淋巴结转移、ER/PR、临床分期、术前接受新辅助化疗均存在一定联系,临床需据此采取针对性干预措施加以防范。且术前CA125、OPN、CXCL8、NLR联合检测辅助评估术后复发转移的价值较高。     

血清AFP、FT3联合NLR对人工肝治疗乙型肝炎病毒相关慢加急性肝衰竭患者短期预后的评估价值研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清甲胎蛋白（AFP）、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸（FT3）联合中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值（NLR）对人工肝治疗乙型肝炎病毒相关慢加急性肝衰竭（HBV-ACLF）患者短期预后的评估价值。方法：选取2018年1月~2021年7月期间我院收治的97例HBV-ACLF患者,均成功实施人工肝治疗,作为人工肝治疗组。将人工肝治疗组的患者根据入院后90 d是否生存分为生存组69例和死亡组28例。同期选取在我院行体检的健康志愿者70例作为对照组。对比人工肝治疗组、对照组AFP、FT3、NLR。对比生存组和死亡组血清AFP、FT3、NLR。多因素Logistic回归分析短期预后的影响因素,采用预测概率值的受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清AFP、FT3联合NLR比值对人工肝治疗HBV-ACLF患者短期预后的预测价值。结果：人工肝治疗组AFP、NLR高于对照组,FT3低于对照组,组间对比差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。死亡组AFP、NLR高于生存组,FT3低于生存组,组间对比差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。人工肝治疗HBV-ACLF患者的短期预后与感染、国际标准化比值（INR）、终末期肝病模型（MELD）、白细胞计数（WBC）、红细胞分布宽度（RDW）、总胆红素（TBIL）、肌酐（Cr）、血清钠、C反应蛋白（CRP）有关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,RDW、AFP、INR、NLR、TBIL均为人工肝治疗HBV-ACLF患者短期预后的危险因素,而FT3则为人工肝治疗HBV-ACLF患者短期预后的保护因素（P＜0.05）。AFP、FT3、NLR联合预测人工肝治疗HBV-ACLF患者短期预后的曲线下面积（AUC）大于AFP、FT3、NLR的单独预测。结论：RDW、AFP、INR、FT3、NLR、TBIL均为人工肝治疗HBV-ACLF患者短期预后的影响因素,且AFP、FT3、NLR联合预测此类患者短期预后转归的预测价值较高。     

NanoString nCounter分析系统进行多基因表达计数的评价

目的:Nano String n Counter是近年发展起来的进行基因表达谱检测的新平台,它利用分子条形码直接对基因表达进行多重计数。本实验通过对m RNA表达量的检测,分析n Counter系统进行基因表达计数的可靠性。方法:应用Nano String公司提供的CAE Kit试剂盒,通过杂交(m RNA样品与报告探针和捕获探针杂交)、纯化(清洗未结合探针)和计数(读取m RNA的条数)三个步骤,检测由人参考RNA和人脑RNA构成的4个样品中48个目的基因的m RNA表达量;对获得的未进行标准化的原始数据,应用Excel 2007软件进行线性分析,从再现性、稳定性、准确性方面对n Counter分析系统进行评估。结果:再现性分析所有R2均大于0.998,线性拟合良好;试剂盒中阳性控制所有R2均大于0.99,高于质控要求的0.95;样品H70B30和H30B70的预期表达量与实测值线性R2大于0.999,预期值与实测值一致性良好。结论:n Counter分析系统稳定性好,准确性高,检测m RNA表达可靠。     

The nitrogen fertilization of spring barley

Summary From 1971 to 1979 field trials with increasing rates of fertilizer nitrogen on spring barley with sugar beet as the preceding crop were conducted on a farm on sandy loam in the south western part of The Netherlands. Prior to sowing and fertilizing soil samples were taken and analysed for mineral nitrogen (N_min). The average yield increase through application of fertilizer nitrogen was only 750 kg of grain per ha per year, the maximum yield being about 5 tonnes per ha. In the case of a fixed rate of fertilizer nitrogen per annum it can be derived from the response curves that 60 kg of N would have given the smallest average yield deficit (170 kg grain per ha) in comparison with maximum yields. With an N-advisory system based on soil analysis the average yield deficit would be at a minimum (163 kg of grain per ha) with a value for mineral soil nitrogen+fertilizer nitrogen totalling 120 kg N per ha.No relationship was found between optimum rate of fertilizer nitrogen and the amount of mineral soil nitrogen at the end of the winter. This was ascribed to the relatively small variation in mineral soil nitrogen and the weak response of the crop to fertilizer nitrogen.Promising results from nitrogen fertilizing systems based on soil analysis can be expected from more responsive crops like winter wheat, sugar beets and potatoes.With the average yield deficit compared with maximum yield as a characteristic, the usefulness of any N-advisory system can be compared, taking a fixed rate of nitrogen system as a standard.Seconded by the Agricultural Bureau of the Netherlands Fertilizer Industry (LBNM).     

金不换鲜三七液对哺乳动物致突变和致畸安全性评价

研究了金不换鲜三七液特殊毒理学效应的致突变性。以小鼠骨髓细胞染色体畸变试验、小鼠睾丸减数分裂染色体畸变及小鼠致畸试验为指标, 研究金不换鲜三七液的安全性。结果： （ａ） 小鼠骨髓细胞染色体畸变试验： 低、中、高３ 个剂量组小鼠骨髓细胞染色体畸变率分别为０－７ ％ 、０－２％ 和０－９ ％ , 与对照组相比无显著差异。阳性对照组染色体畸变率大大增高。（ｂ） 小鼠睾丸减数分裂细胞染色体畸变： 在本实验条件下, 小鼠睾丸细胞染色体畸变率［ 包括性染色体单价体（Ｘ－ ＹＵ） , 常染色体单价体（ＡＵ）］ 在各实验组和对照组之间无显著差异。（ｃ） 小鼠致畸试验： 小鼠口服金不换鲜三七液的累积剂量达１５ ｇ／ｋｇ 体重的１／１０、１／５ 和１／２ , 小鼠致畸试验也无显著差异。实验结果表明, 金不换鲜三七液安全无毒。     

Laboratory Evaluation of Controlled-release Repellent Treated Pulp Fabric on Human Volunteers Against Mosquito Vectors

Three controlled‐release personal‐use pulp fabric impregnated insect repellent formulations of 5% N, N‐diethyl‐3‐methylbenzamide (DEET), and 10% and 15% neem oils were evaluated in an environmental chamber on volunteers for their repellent efficacy against three mosquito species, Culex pipiens pallens, Aedes aegypti and Ochlerotatus togoi. The 5% DEET formulation showed significant repellency in pulp fabric (5 mm in width) against Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes aegypti (P < 0.05), providing an average repellency of 88.0%, 66.3%, and 46.8% of Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. Aegypti and O. togoi bites, respectively, during the 6 hours of exposure period. Against night‐biting mosquitoes Cx. pipiens pallens, the DEET formulation provided mostly complete protection for at least 4 hours after the application. In pulp fabric of 10 mm in width, the 5% deet formulation showed significantly the highest repellency among the repellents against O. togoi (P<0.05), providing an average repellency of 52.3% during the 6 hours of exposure period. However, the pulp fabrics treated with 10% and 15% neem oil were less effective than 5% DEET against three mosquito species. This study demonstrated the potential of 5% DEET as pulp fabric repellent against both day‐ and night‐biting mosquitoes.