bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colloidal Photonic Crystals for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Liao Junlong , Ye Changqing , Agrawal Prajwal , Gu Zhongze , Zhang Yu Shrike
Published: February 2021

Colloidal photonic crystals (PCs) have attracted extensive interests because of their excellent optical properties and advantages such as ease in preparation, cost‐effectiveness, and versatility in functionalizations. After decades of development, numerous types of colloidal PCs are developed and found various applications in the field of biomedicine, including biosensors, microcarriers, drug delivery, cell research, and organs‐on‐chips, among others. Herein, the basic concepts and recent progress concerning the applications of the colloidal PCs in the biomedical field are provided. Initially, a brief introduction of the design and fabrication of colloidal PCs that are widely used in biomedicine is presented. Subsequently, the utilities of the colloidal PCs and their representative works in each application area are discussed in detail. Finally, a summary of challenges and perspectives is presented.
CSSG: A cost‐sensitive stacked generalization approach for software defect prediction
Authors: Eivazpour Zeinab , Keyvanpour Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2021

The prediction of software artifacts on defect‐prone (DP) or non‐defect‐prone (NDP) classes during the testing phase helps minimize software business costs, which is a classification task in software defect prediction (SDP) field. Machine learning methods are helpful for the task, although they face the challenge of data imbalance distribution. The challenge leads to serious misclassification of artifacts, which will disrupt the predictor's performance. The previously developed stacking ensemble methods do not consider the cost issue to handle the class imbalance problem (CIP) over the training dataset in the SDP field. To bridge this research gap, in the cost‐sensitive stacked generalization (CSSG) approach, we try to combine the staking ensemble learning method with cost‐sensitive learning (CSL) since the CSL purpose is to reduce misclassification costs. In the cost‐sensitive stacked generalization (CSSG) approach, logistic regression (LR) and extremely randomized trees classifiers in cases of CSL and cost‐insensitive are used as a final classifier of stacking scheme. To evaluate the performance of CSSG, we use six performance measures. Several experiments are carried out to compare the CSSG with some cost‐sensitive ensemble methods on 15 benchmark datasets with different imbalance levels. The results indicate that the CSSG can be an effective solution to the CIP than other compared methods.
Germ cell ribonucleoprotein granules in different clades of life: From insects to mammals
Authors: Mukherjee Nivedita , Mukherjee Chandrama
Published: February 2021

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are no newcomers in biology. Found in all life forms, ranging across taxa, these membrane‐less “organelles” have been classified into different categories based on their composition, structure, behavior, function, and localization. Broadly, they can be listed as stress granules (SGs), processing bodies (PBs), neuronal granules (NGs), and germ cell granules (GCGs). Keeping in line with the topic of this review, RNP granules present in the germ cells have been implicated in a wide range of cellular functions including cellular specification, differentiation, proliferation, and so forth. The mechanisms used by them can be diverse and many of them remain partly obscure and active areas of research. GCGs can be of different types in different organisms and at different stages of development, with multiple types coexisting in the same cell. In this review, the different known subcategories of GCGs have been studied with respect to five distinct model organisms, namely, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, Xenopus, Zebrafish, and mammals. Of them, the cytoplasmic polar granules in Drosophila, P granules in C. elegans, balbiani body in Xenopus and Zebrafish, and chromatoid bodies in mammals have been specifically emphasized upon. A descriptive account of the same has been provided along with insights into our current understanding of their functional significance with respect to cellular events relating to different developmental and reproductive processes.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA‐Protein Complexes

RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
The Influence of Social Capital on the Educational Attainment of Roma Persons: Evidence from a Qualitative Study in Romania
Authors: Baciu Elena-Loreni , Lazar Theofild-Andrei
Published: February 2021

As the largest ethnic minority in Europe, Roma persons are among the groups with the lowest levels of educational attainment. In Romania, the country with the highest number of Roma persons of all the EU Members States, the situation is even worse, each higher level of education revealing an increasing gap between Roma persons and the general population.

Positioned within the framework of Social Capital theory, the current chapter explores the influences of micro- and mezzo-level social networks on educational attainment of Roma persons, trying to explain some of the mechanisms that perpetuate the gap between them and the general population, in terms of educational attainment.

Drawing on a qualitative bottom-up study of Roma persons’ experiences of belonging in society, we analysed the interlocking influences of bonding and bridging social capital on the interviewees’ educational attainment. The results of the study point out that both forms of social capital have an important impact on the educational attainment of persons in vulnerable groups, although in different ways, and sometimes they can be mutually reinforcing, depending on the prevailing social arrangements, in either keeping the persons engaged in education, or drawing them away from their educational paths. The results also show that in circumstances of intersecting vulnerabilities, a noticeable imbalance between agency and structure is produced, which corrodes the foundational principles of equity and affects the equality of opportunities.
Roma Population in the Spanish Education System: Identifying Explanatory Frameworks and Research Gaps
Authors: Ullán de la Rosa Francisco Javier , García Andreu Hugo
Published: February 2021

This chapter makes a literature review based on the Grant and Booth qualitative systematic methodology of the studies about the educational situation of the Roma in Spain, with an wider, extended scope that allows to compare the findings with those conducted on other countries’ Roma populations. Studies on the Roma educational situation in Spain are hindered by the lack of official, periodical statistics, having to rely on sample-based surveys and ethnographic studies. In spite of the inaccuracy of the studies all of them show, as a general picture, a staggering educational gap between the Roma and the rest of society which is common to all Western countries. Most of the studies on Roma education have concentrated in this negative aspect. Numerous theoretical frameworks have been developed to explain this staggering education gap. All them acknowledge the phenomenon as a multidimensional one but for heuristic purposes they can be ordered along an endogenous/exogenous factors continuum depending on how much they stress the weight of factors stemming from characteristics of the Roma ethnic group itself or, on the contrary, of the majority non-Roma society. The literature review has also identified an emergent critical current that sees this studies focused on educational underachievement as a sharing a common essentialist bias that helps to reinforce the stigmatization of Roma and have turned to focus, instead, on the study of academic success among the Roma. Although this emerging field is very promising, our review has identify several significant research gaps in this regard: a lack of longitudinal studies, a lack of studies on the Roma upper and middle classes and a lack of studies on Roma students in post-compulsory education, particularly the university level. This article encourages researchers to fill this gaps with the conviction that the knowledge obtained can help combat the negative stereotypes and the self-fulfilling prophecy effect that approaches focused on Roma underachievement may have.
School, Languages and Power in Pretend Play of Romani Children
Authors: Kubaník Pavel
Published: February 2021

This text explores different language ideologies and different ideologies of childhood and socialization among Romani parents and local teachers of Romani children. It also makes some notes on different modes of learning that the children can come across both inside and outside the school environment. All these features can be linked with the child-structured pretend play with school instruction as the main topic, as I observed it during my stays in one segregated Romani settlement in Eastern Slovakia. Among other functions, this play creates a natural niche of using Slovak, a language of instruction and the second language of children in Gav, which is not used in home environment of the children. I will show that, despite the teachers seeing the Romani settlement as a non-stimulating environment, the children learn many things in many different patterns. Nevertheless, the text presents the settlement and the school not as two different worlds, but as places naturally linked together through child agency.
Physical Disability and Sexuality, Some History and Some Findings
Authors: Braathen Stine Hellum , Carew Mark T. , Chiwaula Mussa , Rohleder Poul
Published: February 2021

In this chapter, we will explore some of the myths and misconceptions that exist about the sexual lives of people with physical disabilities. We look particularly at the myth of asexuality and we report on data from the survey study showing whether this myth exists in the views of South Africans without disability, about people with physical disabilities. We also look at the kinds of stereotypes about people with physical disabilities that survey respondents used. The chapter then looks at how this myth of asexuality among people with physical disabilities means that many young people with physical disabilities are excluded from sexual health education, may be vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, and generally feel excluded from the world of dating and relationships. We draw on existing research knowledge, our survey findings, as well as the pictures and personal stories of participants in our research project in this chapter.
Physical Disability and Femininity: An Intersection of Identities
Authors: Hunt Xanthe , Braathen Stine Hellum , Rohleder Poul
Published: February 2021

In this chapter, we will explore the intersections of physical disability and femininity. We look at how societies’ ideas about disability influence the way women with physical disabilities are viewed and view themselves as sexual beings. Using a combination of background literature and qualitative data from our photovoice study, we explore how social representations of femininity and expectations for women may negatively affect women with physical disabilities’ sense of themselves. We include pictures, written texts, and stories produced by some of the female participants from the project.
Rosabelle’s Story
Authors: Riese Rosabelle , Swartz Leslie
Published: February 2021

In this short chapter, Rosabelle, one of the project participants, writes a personal story about how sport had a hugely positive impact on her self-confidence, body image and ultimately her sense of sexuality. Rosabelle’s personal narrative is co-written with one of the researchers, who provides theoretical insights relevant to conceptualising and making sense of her experience.
Vic’s Story
Authors: McKinney Vic
Published: February 2021

In this chapter, Vic, a project participant, writes about getting married and becoming a father after having acquired a serious physical disability in an accident. He writes about how he and his wife underwent IVF to have 2 children. He also writes about the at times inappropriate reactions and questions from others about his wife’s pregnancy and his sexuality. Vic’s story is tied to current scholarship relevant to thinking about reproductive rights and disability.
City Engagement in the Joint Programming Initiative Urban Europe and the Role of Intermediary Organizations in R&I Policies for Urban Transition
Authors: Meyer Susanne , Hawlik Robert
Published: February 2021

This research investigates the case of the Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) Urban Europe and its role as an intermediary organization, developing research, and innovation programs for urban transition. In the literature, the role of an intermediary organization has recently been discussed as an effective promoter and developer of connecting visions, strategies, activities, and stakeholders. A conceptual approach to intermediary organizations for urban transition is operationalized, and its functions are discussed in this paper. As an example, the Joint Programming Initiative Urban Europe reveals how a transnational R&I initiative, represented by 20 national R&I programs in Europe, can provide scientific evidence for sustainable urbanization with a cross-sectoral, integrated, inter- and transdisciplinary approach implemented through activities beyond joint calls. The findings show that JPI Urban Europe acts as broker and facilitator of joint visions and starts to build communities for innovation, which is one of the important functions of intermediaries. The development of its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda clearly followed a co-creation process, putting the dilemmas of city practitioners in the center. JPI Urban Europe managed to attract high levels of commitment from a diversity of stakeholders to its strategic priorities and mobilized respective budgets for its implementation. The analysis of JPI Urban Europe participation in funded projects shows that challenge-driven calls (putting the problem owners in the center) seems to successfully develop a common language for all stakeholders and has a higher likelihood to generate more transformative outcomes. The number of funded urban living labs in projects shows that room for experimentation in niches and their extension is provided. The number of city representatives as funded project partners could be increased to further stimulate active involvement. The JPI Urban Europe also acts as a translator and enabler for learning in the urban—as well as in the policy sphere—the third function. This can be confirmed by the number and type of organizations reached with its specific formats. JPI Urban Europe coordinates joint activities of mainly national R&I programs but has only indirect influence on change in these organizations and limited influence on changes within research organizations, businesses, or cities that are even less connected. Overall, it can be concluded that the strategic ambition of JPI Urban Europe towards transformative change is obvious, but some instruments and formats to translate the ambition into action need further refinement, and it needs further in-depth research to better understand the outcomes and impacts of its diverse activities.
Ansteckung in der Wertschöpfungskette
Authors: Matt Johannes
Published: February 2021

Ob Sturm, Feuer, Streik, Managementversagen oder Handelskonflikte, die Risiken der Unternehmen sind zahlreich. Gefahr droht auch, wenn es den Lieferanten und Kunden schlecht geht. Fällt ein schwer ersetzbarer Lieferant aus, oder geht einem wichtigen Kunden das Geld aus, dann herrscht Krise. Je stärker die Arbeitsteilung und Spezialisierung in der Produktion ist, desto mehr sind die Unternehmen in einem Netzwerk von Lieferbeziehungen eng verflochten und voneinander abhängig. Umso verhängnisvoller kann sich ein Unterbruch in der Produktionskette auswirken. Die Ansteckung in der Wertschöpfungskette kann ganze Branchen erfassen und Konjunkturabschwünge verschärfen. Um die Krisenrobustheit zu stärken, können die Unternehmen z. B. mit Lagerhaltung, Diversifizierung der Lieferanten und ausreichenden Kapitalreserven vorsorgen.

Barrot, J.-N. und Sauvagnat, J. (2016), Input Specificity and the Propagation of Idiosyncratic Shocks in Production Networks, Quarterly Journal of Economics 131, 1543–1592.
Innovation, Ungleichheit und sozialer Aufstieg
Authors: Konzett Verena Maria
Published: February 2021

Innovation treibt das Wachstum, aber wenige erfolgreiche Unternehmer, Ingenieure und Forscher profitieren überdurchschnittlich stark. Gerade die erfolgreichsten Innovationen schaffen ungeahnte Vermögen und tragen zur Konzentration der Spitzeneinkommen bei. Gleichzeitig ist innovatives Unternehmertum eine grosse Chance für sozialen Aufstieg und verhindert eine Zementierung der Ungleichheit. Der Wettbewerb durch neue innovative Unternehmen fordert die etablierten Konzerne heraus und verhindert unverdiente Renteneinkommen. Innovative Unternehmensgründungen und die Beseitigung von Marktzutritts- und Wettbewerbsbarrieren fördern inklusives Wachstum, indem sie unproduktiven Vermögenskonzentrationen entgegenwirken.

Aghion, Philippe, Ufuk Akcigit, Antonin Bergeaud, Richard Blundell und David Hemous (2019), Innovation and Top Income Inequality, Review of Economic Studies 86, 1–45.
Mehr Bildungsrendite mit richtiger Studienwahl
Authors: Huber Valentine
Published: February 2021

Damit staatliche Investitionen in die Hochschulbildung möglichst viel Wirkung entfalten, kommt es sehr darauf an, dass jeder nach seinen Fähigkeiten und Neigungen das passende Studium verwirklichen kann. Wenn der Staat in höhere Kapazitäten investiert und mehr Studienplätze in einer Fachrichtung mit hoher Bildungsrendite schafft, können mehr Studienwerber ihre erstbeste Wahl in diesem Fach verwirklichen und so zu mehr Einkommen und Lebenszufriedenheit kommen. Weil sie von anderen Fachrichtungen in ihr bevorzugtes Fach wechseln, werden andernorts Studienplätze frei. Mindestens so wichtig für die gesamtwirtschaftliche Rendite von Bildungsinvestitionen sind die Gewinne der «Aufrücker», welche mit den frei werdenden Studienplätzen ihre nächst bessere Studienwahl realisieren können. Auch ihre Einkommensgewinne sollten in einer gesamtwirtschaftlichen Beurteilung von Bildungsinvestitionen mitzählen.

Kirkeboen, Lars J., Edwin Leuven und Magne Mogstad (2016), Field of Study, Earnings and Self-selection, Quarterly Journal of Economics 131(3), 1057–1112.
Wettbewerbliche Banken fördern das Wachstum
Authors: Konzett Verena Maria
Published: February 2021

Was nützen die besten Ideen, wenn Investitionen und neue Jobs mangels Zugang zu Bankkrediten nicht zustande kommen? Wachstum und Innovation brauchen einen leistungsfähigen Finanzsektor. Wettbewerb regt auch die Banken zu Höchstleistungen an. Indem sie mehr Informationen über ihre Kunden sammeln und ihre Prozesse bei der Auswahl und anschliessenden Überwachung optimieren, gelingt es ihnen besser, die besonders vielversprechenden Unternehmen zu identifizieren. Dadurch, dass die Banken die Kreditvergabe vor allem auf die innovativen und profitablen Unternehmen mit hohem Wachstumspotential lenken, fördern sie die Produktivitätssteigerungen und das Wachstum der Realwirtschaft.

Bai, J., D. Carvalho, und G. M. Phillips (2018), The Impact of Bank Credit on Labor Reallocation and Aggregate Industry Productivity, Journal of Finance 63(6), 2787–2836.
Erratum to: Cosmic ray boosted sub-GeV gravitationally interacting dark matter in direct detection
Authors: Wang Wenyu , Wu Lei , Yang Jin Min , Zhou Hang , Zhu Bin
Published: February 2021

After the submission of the original paper, our co-author Hang Zhou, has changed his affiliation to “School of Microelectronics and Control Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213164, China”, and his email address to “zhouhang_hep@126.com”. We hereby clarify this situation and make the correction of the author information.
RG flows of integrable σ-models and the twist function
Authors: Delduc François , Lacroix Sylvain , Sfetsos Konstantinos , Siampos Konstantinos
Published: February 2021

Abstract

In the study of integrable non-linear σ-models which are assemblies and/or deformations of principal chiral models and/or WZW models, a rational function called the twist function plays a central rôle. For a large class of such models, we show that they are one-loop renormalizable, and that the renormalization group flow equations can be written directly in terms of the twist function in a remarkably simple way. The resulting equation appears to have a universal character when the integrable model is characterized by a twist function.
Dispersive Estimates for Full Dispersion KP Equations
Authors: Pilod Didier , Saut Jean-Claude , Selberg Sigmund , Tesfahun Achenef
Published: February 2021

We prove several dispersive estimates for the linear part of the Full Dispersion Kadomtsev–Petviashvili introduced by David Lannes to overcome some shortcomings of the classical Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equations. The proof of these estimates combines the stationary phase method with sharp asymptotics on asymmetric Bessel functions, which may be of independent interest. As a consequence, we prove that the initial value problem associated to the Full Dispersion Kadomtsev–Petviashvili is locally well-posed in $$H^s(\mathbb R^2)$$

H
s

(

R
2

)

, for $$s>\frac{7}{4}$$

s
>

7
4

, in the capillary-gravity setting.
Failed meniscal repair increases the risk for osteoarthritis and poor knee function at an average of 9 years follow-up
Authors: Rönnblad Erik , Barenius Björn , Stålman Anders , Eriksson Karl
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of meniscal repair on OA in the knee joint and patient-related outcomes.

Methods

Three-hundred and sixteen meniscal repairs performed between 1999 and 2011 were analysed. Patient-related outcome measures were assessed through mailed questionnaires including KOOS, Lysholm score and Tegner activity level. Patients answering the questionnaires were encouraged to perform a radiographic evaluation with Rosenberg views, assessed according to Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) classification. The primary endpoint was to determine the effect of meniscal repair on the development of radiographic OA defined as a KL grade 2 or more.

Results

Mean follow-up time was 9.3 years (SD 3.6), 162 (51%) patients answered the questionnaires, and 86 patients completed the X-ray. The odds ratio for OA with a failed meniscus repair was 5.1 (p = 0.007) adjusted for gender and age at time of follow-up. KOOS showed a clinically important difference in the sport and recreation subscale (p = 0.041).

Conclusions

There was an increased risk for OA in the affected compartment with a failed meniscus fixation. This supports the fact that the meniscus is an important protector of the cartilage in the knee. The meniscus injury affects the long-term health-related quality of life according to KOOS and in light of this study we recommend repair of a torn meniscus whenever possible.

Level of evidence

III.
Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved accuracy and patient reported outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Junren , Ndou Wofhatwa Solomon , Ng Nathan , Gaston Paul , Simpson Philip M. , Macpherson Gavin J. , Patton James T. , Clement Nicholas D.
Published: February 2021

This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to compare the accuracy of component positioning, alignment and balancing techniques employed, patient-reported outcomes, and complications of robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty (RATKA) with manual TKA (mTKA) and the associated learning curve. Searches of PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar were performed in October 2020 using PRISMA guidelines. Search terms included “robotic”, “knee” and “arthroplasty”. The criteria for inclusion were published clinical research articles reporting the learning curve for RATKA and those comparing the component position accuracy, alignment and balancing techniques, functional outcomes, or complications with mTKA. There were 198 articles identified, following full text screening, 16 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and reported the learning curve of rTKA (n=5), component positioning accuracy (n=6), alignment and balancing techniques (n=7), functional outcomes (n=7), or complications (n=5). Two studies reported the learning curve using CUSUM analysis to establish an inflexion point for proficiency which ranged from 7 to 11 cases and there was no learning curve for component positioning accuracy. The meta-analysis showed a significantly lower difference between planned component position and implanted component position, and the spread was narrower for RATKA compared with the mTKA group (Femur coronal: mean 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.55, p<0.00001; Tibia coronal: mean 1.56, 95% CI 1.32–1.81, p<0.00001). Three studies reported using different alignment and balancing techniques between mTKA and RATKA, two studies used the same for both group and two studies did not state the methods used in their RATKA groups. RATKA resulted in better Knee Society Score compared to mTKA in the short-to-mid-term follow up (95%CI [− 1.23,  − 0.51], p=0.004). There was no difference in arthrofibrosis, superficial and deep infection, wound dehiscence, or overall complication rates. RATKA demonstrated improved accuracy of component positioning and patient-reported outcomes. The learning curve of RATKA for operating time was between 7 and 11 cases. Future well-powered studies on RATKAs should report on the knee alignment and balancing techniques utilised to enable better comparisons on which techniques maximise patient outcomes.

Level of evidence III.
Making one’s own way: jumping ahead in the capability space and exporting among Indian firms
Authors: Grazzi Marco , Mathew Nanditha , Moschella Daniele
Published: February 2021

This paper provides large scale evidence on the determinants of international competitiveness of Indian manufacturing firms, focusing in particular on the role of technology, costs and imported intermediate inputs. Our evidence suggests that innovation, in particular R&D investment, is positively related to both firms’ probability to export and firms’ export volumes. We also find that imported intermediate inputs, incorporating foreign technology is strongly associated with expanding export activities of firms. Finally, and in contrast to much of previous evidence on developed economies, we find that higher productivity or lower unit labour costs are not systematically associated with the probability to enter export markets, but they are positively related to higher export volumes. Overall our results point to the existence of a pattern of involvement in international trade for firms in developing countries that is not relying as a main driver on cost competitiveness.
In vitro human cell-based TTR-TRβ CALUX assay indicates thyroid hormone transport disruption of short-chain, medium-chain, and long-chain chlorinated paraffins
Authors: Sprengel Jannik , Behnisch Peter A. , Besselink Harrie , Brouwer Abraham , Vetter Walter
Published: February 2021

Over the last decades, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain chlorinated paraffins (LCCPs) have become the most heavily produced monomeric organohalogen compound class of environmental concern. However, knowledge about their toxicology is still scarce, although SCCPs were shown to have effects on the thyroid hormone system. The lack of data in the case of MCCPs and LCCPs and the structural similarity with perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prompted us to test CPs in the novel TTR-TR CALUX assay for their thyroid hormone transport disrupting potential. Four self-synthesized and additionally purified single chain length CP mixtures (C10-CPs, C11-CPs, C14-CPs and C16-CPs) and two each of industrial MCCP and LCCP products were tested in parallel with PFOA. All CP mixtures influenced the TTR binding of T4, giving activities of 1,300 to 17,000 µg/g PFOA equivalents and lowest observable effect concentrations (LOELs) of 0.95 to 0.029 mM/L incubate. Highest activities and lowest LOELs were observed for C16-CPs (48.3% Cl content, activity 17,000, LOEL 0.047 mM/L) and a LCCP mixture (71.7% Cl content; activity 10,000; LOEL 0.029 mM/L). A trend of higher activities and lower LOELs towards longer chains and higher chlorination degrees was implied, but could not be statistically confirmed. Irrespectively, the less well examined and current-use LCCPs showed the highest response in the TTR-TRβ CALUX assay.
Rapid capillary gel electrophoresis analysis of human milk oligosaccharides for food additive manufacturing in-process control
Authors: Szigeti Marton , Meszaros-Matwiejuk Agnes , Molnar-Gabor Dora , Guttman Andras
Published: February 2021

Industrial production of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) represents a recently growing interest since they serve as key ingredients in baby formulas and are also utilized as dietary supplements for all age groups. Despite their short oligosaccharide chain lengths, HMO analysis is challenging due to extensive positional and linkage variations. Capillary gel electrophoresis primarily separates analyte molecules based on their hydrodynamic volume to charge ratios, thus, offers excellent resolution for most of such otherwise difficult-to-separate isomers. In this work, two commercially available gel compositions were evaluated on the analysis of a mixture of ten synthetic HMOs. The relevant respective separation matrices were then applied to selected analytical in-process control examples. The conventionally used carbohydrate separation matrix was applied for the in-process analysis of bacteria-mediated production of 3-fucosyllactose, lacto-N-tetraose, and lacto-N-neotetraose. The other example showed the suitability of the method for the in vivo in-process control of a shake flask and fermentation approach of 2′-fucosyllactose production. In this latter instance, borate complexation was utilized to efficiently separate the 2′- and 3-fucosylated lactose positional isomers. In all instances, the analysis of the HMOs of interest required only a couple of minutes with high resolution and excellent migration time and peak area reproducibility (average RSD 0.26% and 3.56%, respectively), features representing high importance in food additive manufacturing in-process control.

Graphical abstract
Profiling of volatile substances by direct thermal desorption gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry for flagging a characterising flavour in cigarette tobacco
Authors: Zelinkova Zuzana , Wenzl Thomas
Published: February 2021

This paper describes an analytical method that supports the implementation of articles 9 and 10 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) regarding the provisions on the reduction of the palatability and attractiveness of tobacco products regarding flavour ingredients. This study aimed to develop a screening method to identify cigarettes that may have a characterising flavour to support the implementation of the ban of characterising flavours of tobacco products, as laid down in the US and EU law. An analytical method combining direct thermal desorption and GC–QTOF MS was developed for acquiring the profile of volatile and semi-volatile substances in tobacco. A database of flavour additives was created comprising 133 compounds. A group of cigarettes without a declared characterising flavour was used to establish a reference profile of flavouring chemicals commonly present in tobacco products. A reference profile was modelled both by the means of principal component analysis (PCA) and based on the calculation of threshold values specified as 95th percentile of measured compounds’ relative responses. Cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco labelled as flavoured were analysed to evaluate the discrimination power of the method. A constructed model of the reference cigarettes allowed the differentiation of the flavoured tobacco products from the reference group. The method allows drawing conclusions on the chemical profiles of flavour constituents of tobacco products at even sensorial subliminal concentration levels and is suitable for both the initial screening of products on the market for characterising flavours and for confirmatory purposes after sensory analysis.

Graphical abstract
Impact of malolactic fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum on volatile compounds of sea buckthorn juice
Authors: Markkinen Niko , Laaksonen Oskar , Yang Baoru
Published: February 2021

Malolactic fermentation using sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) juice as raw material was performed with six different strains of Lactobacillus plantarum. Increasing juice pH from 2.7 to 3.5 or adapting cells to low pH (i.e., acclimation) prior to inoculation allowed malolactic fermentation with all tested strains. Moreover, reducing pH of the growth medium from 6 to 4.5 with l-malate had little or no impact on biomass production. Volatile profile of sea buckthorn juice was analyzed with HS-SPME–GC–MS before and after fermentation. A total of 92 volatiles were tentatively identified and semi-quantified from sea buckthorn juice, majority of which were esters with fruity odor descriptors. Esters and terpenes were decreased in both inoculated and control juices during incubation. Microbial activity increased the levels of acetic acid (vinegar like), free fatty acids (cheese like), ketones (buttery like), and alcohols with fruity descriptors. Conversely, aldehydes associated with “green” aroma were decreased as a result of fermentation. Juices fermented with DSM 1055 had the highest acid and alcohol content, while fermentation with DSM 13273 resulted in the highest content of ketones. Compared to inoculation with other strains, fermentation with strains DSM 16365 and DSM 100813 resulted in rapid malolactic fermentation, less production of volatile acids, and lower loss of esters and terpenes important for natural sea buckthorn flavor.
Chaotic-Like Transfers of Energy in Hamiltonian PDEs
Authors: Giuliani Filippo , Guardia Marcel , Martin Pau , Pasquali Stefano
Published: February 2021

We consider the nonlinear cubic Wave, the Hartree and the nonlinear cubic Beam equations on $${\mathbb {T}}^2$$

T

2

and we prove the existence of different types of solutions which exchange energy between Fourier modes in certain time scales. This exchange can be considered “chaotic-like” since either the choice of activated modes or the time spent in each transfer can be chosen randomly. The key point of the construction of those orbits is the existence of heteroclinic connections between invariant objects and the construction of symbolic dynamics (a Smale horseshoe) for the Birkhoff Normal Form truncation of those equations.
Continuous-Time Mean Field Games with Finite State Space and Common Noise
Authors: Belak Christoph , Hoffmann Daniel , Seifried Frank T.
Published: February 2021

We formulate and analyze a mathematical framework for continuous-time mean field games with finitely many states and common noise, including a rigorous probabilistic construction of the state process and existence and uniqueness results for the resulting equilibrium system. The key insight is that we can circumvent the master equation and reduce the mean field equilibrium to a system of forward-backward systems of (random) ordinary differential equations by conditioning on common noise events. In the absence of common noise, our setup reduces to that of Gomes, Mohr and Souza (Appl Math Optim 68(1): 99–143, 2013) and Cecchin and Fischer (Appl Math Optim 81(2):253–300, 2020).
CXCR4 expression in glioblastoma tissue and the potential for PET imaging and treatment with [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor /[177Lu]Lu-Pentixather
Authors: Jacobs Sarah M. , Wesseling Pieter , de Keizer Bart , Tolboom Nelleke , Ververs F. F. Tessa , Krijger Gerard C. , Westerman Bart A. , Snijders Tom J. , Robe Pierre A. , van der Kolk Anja G.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

CXCR4 (over)expression is found in multiple human cancer types, while expression is low or absent in healthy tissue. In glioblastoma it is associated with a poor prognosis and more extensive infiltrative phenotype. CXCR4 can be targeted by the diagnostic PET agent [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor and its therapeutic counterpart [177Lu]Lu-Pentixather. We aimed to investigate the expression of CXCR4 in glioblastoma tissue to further examine the potential of these PET agents.

Methods

CXCR4 mRNA expression was examined using the R2 genomics platform. Glioblastoma tissue cores were stained for CXCR4. CXCR4 staining in tumor cells was scored. Stained tissue components (cytoplasm and/or nuclei of the tumor cells and blood vessels) were documented. Clinical characteristics and information on IDH and MGMT promoter methylation status were collected. Seven pilot patients with recurrent glioblastoma underwent [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET; residual resected tissue was stained for CXCR4.

Results

Two large mRNA datasets (N = 284; N = 540) were assesed. Of the 191 glioblastomas, 426 cores were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Seventy-eight cores (23 tumors) were CXCR4 negative, while 18 cores (5 tumors) had both strong and extensive staining. The remaining 330 cores (163 tumors) showed a large inter- and intra-tumor variation for CXCR4 expression; also seen in the resected tissue of the seven pilot patients—not directly translatable to [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET results. Both mRNA and immunohistochemical analysis showed CXCR4 negative normal brain tissue and no significant correlation between CXCR4 expression and IDH or MGMT status or survival.

Conclusion

Using immunohistochemistry, high CXCR4 expression was found in a subset of glioblastomas as well as a large inter- and intra-tumor variation. Caution should be exercised in directly translating ex vivo CXCR4 expression to PET agent uptake. However, when high CXCR4 expression can be identified with [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor, these patients might be good candidates for targeted radionuclide therapy with [177Lu]Lu-Pentixather in the future.
Comparing the diagnostic performance of radiotracers in recurrent prostate cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Alberts Ian Leigh , Seide Svenja Elizabeth , Mingels Clemens , Bohn Karl Peter , Shi Kuangyu , Zacho Helle D. , Rominger Axel , Afshar-Oromieh Ali
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Many radiotracers are currently available for the detection of recurrent prostate cancer (rPC), yet many have not been compared head-to-head in comparative imaging studies. There is therefore an unmet need for evidence synthesis to guide evidence-based decisions in the selection of radiotracers. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the detection rate of various radiotracers for the rPC.

Methods

The PUBMED, EMBASE, and the EU and NIH trials databases were searched without date or language restriction for comparative imaging tracers for 13 radiotracers of principal interest. Key search terms included 18F-PSMA-1007, 18F-DCPFyl, 68Ga-PSMA-11, 18F-PSMA-11, 68Ga-PSMA-I&T, 68Ga-THP-PSMA, 64Cu-PSMA-617, 18F-JK-PSMA-7, 18F-Fluciclovine, 18F-FABC, 18F-Choline, 11C-Choline, and 68Ga-RM2. Studies reporting comparative imaging data in humans in rPC were selected. Single armed studies and matched pair analyses were excluded. Twelve studies with eight radiotracers were eligible for inclusion. Two independent reviewers screened all studies (using the PRISMA-NMA statement) for inclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias (using the QUADAS-2 tool). A network meta-analysis was performed using Markov-Chain Monte Carlo Bayesian analysis to obtain estimated detection rate odds ratios for each tracer combination.

Results

A majority of studies were judged to be at risk of publication bias. With the exception of 18F-PSMA-1007, little difference in terms of detection rate was revealed between the three most commonly used PSMA-radiotracers (68Ga-PSMA-11, 18F-PSMA-1007, 18F-DCFPyl), which in turn showed clear superiority to choline and fluciclovine using the derived network.

Conclusion

Differences in patient-level detection rates were observed between PSMA- and choline-radiotracers. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to favour one of the four routinely used PSMA-radioligands (PSMA-11, PSMA-1007, PSMA-I&T, and DCFPyl) over another owing to the limited evidence base and risk of publication bias revealed by our systematic review. A further limitation was lack of reporting on diagnostic accuracy, which might favour radiotracers with low specificity in an analysis restricted only to detection rate. The NMA derived can be used to inform the design of future clinical trials and highlight areas where current evidence is weak.
The Efficacy and Safety of Surgical Treatment for Patients With Tuberculosis Destroyed Lung With or Without Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Ruan Hongyun , Gong Changfan , Wang Jinxiang
Published: February 2021

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment of tuberculosis destroyed lung (TDL), and the influence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) on the outcomes of surgical treatment of TDL.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 113 patients with TDL who underwent surgical treatment from January 2005 to December 2019. Among them, 30 of these cases were complicated with CPA. The patients were divided into two groups: TDL group and TDL + CPA group. We analyzed the effectiveness and safety of surgical treatment of TDL, and further compared the effectiveness and safety of surgical treatment of TDL with or withoutthe presence of CPA.

Results

The TDL + CPA group had a significantly higher age (P=0.003), symptoms of hemoptysis (P=0.000), and a higher proportion of patients with preoperative serum albumin <30 g/L (P=0.014) as compared with TDL group. For all enrolled patients, the incidence of severe postoperative complications was 12.4% (14/113) and the postoperative mortality within 30 days after discharge was 4.4% (5/113). 86.7% (98/113) of the patients recovered and discharged, the incidence of severe postoperative complications in the TDA + CPA group was higher than that of TDL group (23.3% vs 8.4%, P = 0.034), although there was no difference in mortality between the two groups (P = 1.000). A binary logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for severe postoperative complications were male (OR 25.24, 95% CI 2.31–275.64; P = 0.008) and age ≥ 40 years (OR 10.34, 95% CI 1.56–68.65; P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Surgical treatment for patients with TDL is effective with an acceptable mortality rate whether or not the disease is complicated with CPA. The independent risk factors identified for severe postoperative complications in patients with TDL were male and ≥ 40 years old. It implies that when treating patients with TDA + CPA, particular attention should be paid to these patients who have these independent risk factors to avoid a poor outcome.
Point-of-care ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Authors: Recker Florian , Weber Eva , Strizek Brigitte , Gembruch Ulrich , Westerway Susan Campbell , Dietrich Christoph F.
Published: February 2021

Background

The rapid technical development and portability of ultrasound systems over recent years has had a profound impact on the area of point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS), both in general medicine and in obstetrics and gynecology. The use of POCUS enables the clinician to perform the ultrasound scan either at the medical office or the patient’s bedside and used as an extension of the physical examination. Real-time images can immediately be correlated with the patient’s symptoms, and any changes in a (critical) patient’s condition can be more rapidly detected.

POCUS in OBGYN

POCUS is also suitable for time-critical scenarios, and depending on the situation and its dynamics, the course and results of any therapy may be observed in real time. POCUS should be considered to be a routine extension of practice for most OB/GYN clinicians as it can give immediate answers to what could be life-threatening situations for the mother and/or baby. With its proven usefulness, the applications and use of POCUS should be incorporated in teaching programs for medical students, OBGYN residents and emergency physicians.
Posterior infundibular dissection: safety first in laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Iskandar Mazen , Fingerhut Abe , Ferzli George
Published: February 2021

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still fraught with bile duct injuries (BDI). A number of methods such as intra-operative cholangiography, use of indocyanine green (ICG) with infrared imaging, and the critical view of safety (CVS) have been suggested to ensure safer Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).To these, we add posterior infundibular dissection as the initial operative maneuver during LC. Here, we report specific technical details of this approach developed over 30 years with no bile duct injuries and update our experience in 1402 LC.

Methods

In this manuscript, we present a detailed and illustrated description of a posterior infundibular dissection as the initial approach to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This technique developed after thirty years of experience with LC and have used it routinely over the past ten years with no bile duct injury.

Results

Between January of 2010 and December 2019, 1402 Laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed using the posterior infundibular approach. Operations performed on elective basis constituted 80.3% (1122/1402) and 19.97% were emergent (280/1402). One intra-operative cholangiogram was performed after a posterior sectoral duct was identified. There was one conversion to open cholecystectomy due to bleeding. There were 4 bile leaks that were managed with endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). There were no bile duct injuries.

Conclusion

Adopting an initial posterior mobilization of the gallbladder infundibulum lessens the need for medial and cephalad dissection to the node of Lund, allowing for a safer laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In fact the safety of the technique comes from the initial dissection of the lateral border of the infundibulum. The risk of BDI can be reduced to null as was our experience. This approach does not preclude the use of other intra-operative maneuvers or methods.
Support for families at home during childhood cancer treatment: a pilot study with Mr.V the Spaceman, a family-based activities tool
Authors: van Bindsbergen Kelly L. A. , D’Olivo Patrizia , Rozendaal Marco C. , Merks Johannes H. M. , Grootenhuis Martha A.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

It is important to support families in dealing with the distress that comes along with the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer. Therefore, we developed a playful tool that families can use at home to support their family functioning and safeguard their normal family life. We pilot tested this new tool called Mr.V and describe how families used and evaluated the tool, and how it could be further improved.

Methods

Mr.V is an interactive dispenser that looks like a spaceman and proposes family activities. These activities are suggested by family members themselves and dispensed by the machine at unexpected moments. Mr.V produced data on how it was used, and a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were used to evaluate the experiences of families and the potential of this tool.

Results

Ten families with a child with cancer between 5 and 9 years old (Mage = 6.7 years) who were in active treatment (mixed diagnoses) participated (n = 47; npatients = 10, nsiblings = 9, nparents = 16). All families used Mr.V for multiple days and were very satisfied with the tool regarding its acceptability, feasibility, and potential effectiveness. They also had suggestions on how the tool could be further improved.

Conclusion

Mr.V is an acceptable and feasible tool that can be implemented by families independently at home, regardless of their level of need for support. Mr.V promoted family activities and therefore has the potential to support family functioning and normal family life at home. Future research should further investigate the effectiveness of this tool.