Determination of a Beckman Coulter AU turbidometric method-specific caeruloplasmin reference interval

Background Method-dependent variation of caeruloplasmin measurement is significant and necessitates the requirement for assay-specific reference intervals. Local determination becomes necessary in the absence of suitable published or manufacturer-quoted reference intervals. Methods Applicability of the Beckman Coulter AU-quoted reference interval was determined by assay of 20 surplus serum samples from patients attending the medical renal stones clinic at University Hospital Southampton. Subsequently, 60 additional samples were collected for local reference interval determination. Samples were analysed for caeruloplasmin using the Beckman Coulter AU turbidometric kit on an AU680 analyser. Outliers were removed, and non-parametric rank analysis of the results was performed. Results The Beckman Coulter-quoted reference interval of 200–600 mg/L was unsuitable with 40% of the verification samples falling below 200 mg/L. A caeruloplasmin reference interval of 150–320 mg/L was established. Conclusion Users should be aware the quoted Beckman Coulter AU turbidometric reference interval may not be appropriate. We have established a method-specific adult reference interval for routine use.

Local determination of the components of the deflection of the vertical using gravitational potential parameters at a neighboring point

<p>We present a method for the estimation of the components ξ and η of the deflection of the vertical using several parameters of the gravitational potential. Specifically, we assume that we know the geodetic coordinates (φ, λ, h), the magnitude of gravity g, the components ξ, η and the second partial derivatives of the gravitational potential (elements of the Eötvös matrix) at a point P. Knowing only the geodetic coordinates of a neighboring point A (at a distance up to several kilometers from P), we estimate the components ξ and η at A. The proposed method is evaluated with simulated data at several points in Greece. The results show that it may be used for the densification of a given astrogeodetic net.</p>

Cosmological constrains on minimally and non-minimally coupled scalar field models

We study the minimally and non-minimally coupled scalar field models as possible alternatives for dark energy, the mysterious energy component that is driving the accelerated expansion of the universe. After discussing the dynamics at both the background and perturbation level, we confront the two models with the latest cosmological data. After obtaining updated constraints on their parameters we perform model selection using the basic information criteria. We found that the ΛCDM model is strongly favored when the local determination of the Hubble constant is not considered and that this statement is weakened once local H0 is included in the analysis. We calculate the parameter combination $S_8=\sigma _8\sqrt{\Omega _{m}/0.3}$ and show the decrement of the tension with respect to the Planck results in the case of minimally and non-minimally coupled scalar field models. Finally, for the coupling constant between DE and gravity, we obtain the constraint $\xi \simeq -0.06^{+0.19}_{-0.19}$, approaching the one from solar system tests |ξ| ≲ 10−2 and comparable to the conformal value ξ = 1/6 at 1σ uncertainty.

HT-KZ detector system: R&D considerations and prototype performance

Following the experience with the Horizon-10T detector systems, a completely new detector of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) has been designed to be built at Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan. The motivation of building HorizonT-Kazakhstan is to study in detail the phenomenon of the multi-modal EAS events that were initially explored by Horizon-8T and 10T detector systems. This detector will have a ns-level resolution of charged particle arrival times and pulse shape resolution. Each detection point is designed to have a total scintillation area approximately equal to 7.7 m2 and consists of three 1.6×1.6 m detectors located in a triangular arrangement for the local determination of the EAS disk arrival direction, and to have ns precision in timing between points. Local arrival direction is important following evidence of large angle differences in the multimodal events seen previously.

Finitude, or the Limited Knowability of Finite Things

This chapter addresses the issue of the limitation of the knowability of particular finite things. Focusing on 2p8 and 2p9, the chapter discerns two sorts of limitations: the empirical origin of the existence of particular objects and the local determination of events. Neither of these limitations undermines the universal validity of the rationalist principle of the intelligibility of any being. Nevertheless, they establish conditions of possibility for the notion of understanding or intellection itself. Rather than being concerned with the paradoxical notion of infinite perspective, Spinoza’s introduction of these limitations posits that the perspective from which particular objects or events may be understood must itself be temporally or locally determined. This also touches upon the explanation of experience: any instance of experience must be viewed from a particular perspective in order to be comprehended.

Neuroscience and the possibility of locally determined choices: Reply to Adina Roskies and Eddy Nahmias

In a previous paper (Fischborn, 2016), I argued that neuroscience and psychology could in principle undermine libertarian free will by providing support for a subset of what I called ‘statements of local determination’. I also argued that Libet-style experiments have not so far supported statements of that sort. In a commentary to the paper, Adina Roskies and Eddy Nahmias (2016) accept the claim about Libet-style experiments, but reject the claim about the possibilities of neuroscience. Here I explain why I still disagree with their conclusion, despite being sympathetic to a lot of what they say in support of it.