bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An innovative konjac glucomannan/κ‐carrageenan mixed tensile gel
Authors: Wu Di , Yu Simin , Liang Hongshan , Eid Mohamed , Li Bin , Li Jing , Mao Jin
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) showed a synergistic interaction with κ‐carrageenan (CAR), which led to the formation of a promising compound hydrocolloid gel in the food field (such as jelly). Nevertheless, the mixed gels formed by adding KGM to CAR still displayed defects in gel strength and syneresis, and would hardly meet the quality requirements of some gel foods. However, deacetylated KGM and maltodextrin (MD) have always been used in gel foods and affect their viscosity and rheological properties.

RESULTS

In our paper, different amounts of MD were first used to alter the textural properties, and the results showed that both tensile strength and elongation exhibited first an increasing and then a decreasing trend with the increasing MD proportion and achieved a maximum at a final maltodextrin proportion of 4 g kg−1 in the KGM/CAR/MD system. Based on the above results, we further explored the effects of deacetylation degree of KGM on the gel properties of mixed gel system. The results revealed that, compared to the native KGM, the partial deacetylated KGM was capable of significantly improving the tensile strength and elongation of KGM/CAR mixed gel.

CONCLUSION

Our study found that the appropriate addition of MD (0.4%) and DKGM were able to alter the tensile properties of KGM/CAR mixed gel, with potential to meet the needs of consumers and further design innovative tensile gel products in the soft gel industry. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Association between dietary diversity score and anthropometric indices among children and adolescents: the weight disorders survey in theCASPIAN‐IVstudy
Authors: Heidari‐Beni Motahar , Riahi Roya , Massoudi Soraya , Qorbani Mostafa , Kelishadi Roya
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the association between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and anthropometric indices in a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents.

METHODS

The nationwide cross‐sectional study included 5178 students aged 6–18 years. A validated 168‐item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used. The DDS was assessed by dividing food items into five groups.

RESULTS

An increase of 1 in the total DDS score was associated with 0.08 increase in the body mass indexz‐score (BMIz), 0.06 increase in waist circumferencez‐score (WCz), and 0.07 increase in hip circumferencez‐score (HCz) (P < 0.05) in girls. An increase of 1 in the DDS score of the dairy group was associated with an 0.11 increases in BMIz (P < 0.05). An increase of 1 in the DDS score of the fruit‐vegetable group was associated with 0.09 and 0.08 increase in BMIz and HCz among girls respectively (P < 0.05). The odds of excess weight (overweight or obesity) and abdominal obesity increased with each unit increase in total DDS in girls (odds ratio, ORexcess weight = 1.11 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.003–1.23), ORabdominal obesity = 1.11 (95% CI: 1.001–1.23)). The odds of excess weight increased with each unit increase in dairy DDS (ORexcess weight = 1.20 (95% CI: 1.002–1.43) among boys.

CONCLUSION

Higher DDS was associated with higher anthropometric indices and greater risk of obesity among children and adolescents. Our findings emphasize the importance of increasing the diversity of healthy food items to reduce weight disorders in the pediatric age group. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Continuing cancer surgery through the first six months of the COVID‐19 pandemic at an academic university hospital in India: A lower‐middle‐income country experience
Authors: Akhtar Naseem , Rajan Shiv , Chakrabarti Deep , Kumar Vijay , Gupta Sameer , Misra Sanjeev , Chaturvedi Arun , Azhar Tashbihul , Parveen Shirin , Qayoom Sumaira , Niranjan Palavalasa , Tiwari Shashwat
Published: February 2021

Background

The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID‐19) hinders the treatment of non‐COVID illnesses like cancer, which may be pronounced in lower‐middle‐income countries.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study audited the performance of a tertiary care surgical oncology department at an academic hospital in India during the first six months of the pandemic. Difficulties faced by patients, COVID‐19‐related incidents (preventable cases of hospital transmission), and modifications in practice were recorded.

Results

From April to September 2020, outpatient consultations, inpatient admissions, and chemotherapy unit functioning reduced by 62%, 58%, and 56%, respectively, compared to the same period the previous year. Major surgeries dropped by 31% with a decrease across all sites, but an increase in head and neck cancers (p = .012, absolute difference 8%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.75% — 14.12%). Postoperative complications were similar (p = .593, 95% CI: −2.61% — 4.87%). Inability to keep a surgical appointment was primarily due to apprehension of infection (52%) or arranging finances (49%). Two COVID‐19‐related incidents resulted in infecting 27 persons. Fifteen instances of possible COVID‐19‐related mishaps were averted.

Conclusions

We observed a decrease in the operations of the department without any adverse impact in postoperative outcomes. While challenging, treating cancer adequately during COVID‐19 can be accomplished by adequate screening and testing, and religiously following the prevention guidelines.
Current Protocol for Aesthetic Scar Management in Thyroid Surgery
Authors: Chung Jae‐Ho , Kim Da‐Som , Cheon Jeong‐Hyun , Yoon Jeong‐Min , Baek Seung‐Kuk , Jung Kwang‐Yoon , Yoon Eul‐Sik , Park Seung‐Ha
Published: February 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

We compared the scar quality when different protocols were applied, and eventually aim to find the optimal scar management protocol.

Study Design

We conducted a prospective, randomized, and blinded comparison of different scar management protocols in a single center.

Methods

We allocated 126 patients who underwent thyroidectomy via collar neck incision randomly into three groups. Patients in group A were treated with tissue adhesive only. Patients in group B were treated by means of subcuticular suturing and early scar management with a non‐ablative fractional laser (NAFL) and intralesional triamcinolone injection (ILI). Patients in group C had skin closure with tissue adhesive and early scar management. At 6 months after the operation, the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the width of the final scar were compared.

Results

Comparing the sum of PSAS, groups B and C showed significant higher satisfaction than did group A (22.81 ± 11.66 in group A, 10.9 ± 5.14 in group B, and 15.19 ± 9.98 in group C). In the sum of OSAS, group B also showed a significant difference than did groups A and C (17.74 ± 6.75 in group A, 10.26 ± 3.60 in group B, and 14.52 ± 6.48 in group C). Also, group B showed a narrower scar width than did groups A and C.

Conclusions

Our finding suggests that subcuticular suturing using barbed suture material and early treatment with a combination therapy using NAFL and ILI showed a favorable aesthetic outcome for both patients and operators. Based on our algorithmic approach for thyroidectomy scar, we anticipate an optimal aesthetic outcome.

Level of Evidence

II Laryngoscope, 131:E2188–E2195, 2021
Clinical and genetic characterization of autosomal recessive stickler syndrome caused by novel compound heterozygous mutations in the COL9A3 gene
Authors: Markova Tatiana , Sparber Peter , Borovikov Artem , Nagornova Tatiana , Dadali Elena
Published: February 2021

Background

Stickler syndrome (STL) is a clinically variable and genetically heterogeneous collagenopathy characterized by ophthalmic, auditory, skeletal, and orofacial abnormalities. STL is mainly inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with mutations in the COL2A1, COL11A1, and COL11A2 genes. Autosomal recessive forms are rare. However, 19 patients have been reported to date, with STL caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in genes that encode for the three chains of type IX collagen: COL9A1, COL9A2, and COL9A3.

Methods

Genetic analysis was performed using the next‐generation sequencing of 166 genes associated with skeletal disorders and sequenced on an Ion Torrent S5 system with a minimum coverage of 100X. The two variants in the COL9A3 gene identified in the proband and the parents were confirmed by Sanger sequencing on an ABI3130xl sequencer.

Results

We describe a novel case of autosomal recessive Stickler syndrome caused by two undescribed mutations in the COL9A3 gene: c.268C>T (p.Arg90Ter) and c.1729C>T (p.Arg577Ter). The clinical features included severe sensorineural hearing loss, high myopia, vitreoretinal degeneration, and early‐onset arthropathy of the lower limbs. Radiography revealed mild spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia.

Conclusion

This case further expands the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of COL9A‐associated STL with a more severe presentation.
Stochastic effects of the tumor‐T cell immune model
Authors: Wang Jingnan , Wang Huadi
Published: February 2021

To investigate the effects of environmental factors on the tumor growth and the T cell growth, we establish a stochastic tumor‐immune model consisting of cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells. By using the Itô formula and the strong law of large numbers, we prove the existence of globally unique positive solution and obtain the sufficient conditions of the extinction and the weak persistence of tumor cells and T cells. Moreover, according to our obtained theoretical results, we perform some numerical simulations to show that different noise intensities lead to different states of tumor cells, cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells, including extinction and weak persistence, which can be useful for the prevention and control of tumor deterioration and for explaining tumor escape phenomena of clinical medicine.
Virgin Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds Modulate the HDL Lipidome in Hypercholesterolaemic Subjects: A Lipidomic Analysis of the VOHF Study
Authors: Fernández‐Castillejo Sara , Pedret Anna , Catalán Úrsula , Valls Rosa‐Maria , Farràs Marta , Rubió Laura , Castañer Olga , Macià Alba , Fitó Montse , Motilva Maria José , Covas Maria‐Isabel , Giera Martin , Remaley Alan T. , Solà Rosa
Published: February 2021

Scope

The lipidomic analysis of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) could be useful to identify new biomarkers of HDL function.

Methods and results

A randomized, controlled, double‐blind, crossover trial (33 hypercholesterolaemic subjects) is performed with a control virgin olive oil (VOO), VOO enriched with its own phenolic compounds (FVOO), or VOO enriched with additional phenolic compounds from thyme (FVOOT) for 3 weeks. HDL lipidomic analyses are performed using the Lipidyzer platform. VOO and FVOO intake increase monounsaturated‐fatty acids (FAs) and decrease saturated and polyunsaturated FAs in triacylglyceride (TAG) species, among others species. In contrast, FVOOT intake does not induce these FAs changes. The decrease in TAG52:3(FA16:0) after VOO intake and the decrease in TAG52:5(FA18:2) after FVOO intake are inversely associated with changes in HDL resistance to oxidation. After FVOO intake, the decrease in TAG54:6(FA18:2) in HDL is inversely associated with changes in HDL cholesterol efflux capacity.

Conclusion

VOO and FVOO consumption has an impact on the HDL lipidome, in particular TAG species. Although TAGs are minor components of HDL mass, the observed changes in TAG modulated HDL functionality towards a cardioprotective mode. The assessment of the HDL lipidome is a valuable approach to identify and characterize new biomarkers of HDL function.
A comparison of non‐uniform sampling and model‐based analysis of NMR spectra for reaction monitoring
Authors: Steimers Ellen , Matviychuk Yevgen , Friebel Anne , Münnemann Kerstin , von Harbou Erik , Holland Daniel J.
Published: February 2021

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is widely used for applications in the field of reaction and process monitoring. When complex reaction mixtures are studied, NMR spectra often suffer from low resolution and overlapping peaks, which places high demands on the method used to acquire or to analyse the NMR spectra. This work presents two NMR methods that help overcome these challenges: 2D non‐uniform sampling (NUS) and a recently proposed model‐based fitting approach for the analysis of 1D NMR spectra.

We use the reaction of glycerol with acetic acid as it produces five reaction products that are all chemically similar and, hence, challenging to distinguish. The reaction was measured on a high‐field 400 MHz NMR spectrometer with a 2D NUS‐heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and a conventional 1D 1H NMR sequence. We show that comparable results can be obtained using both 2D and 1D methods, if the 2D volume integrals of the 2D NUS‐HSQC NMR spectra are calibrated. Further, we monitor the same reaction on a low‐field 43 MHz benchtop NMR spectrometer and analyse the acquired 1D 1H NMR spectra with the model‐based approach and with partial least‐squares regression (PLS‐R), both trained using a single, calibrated data set. Both methods achieve results that are in good quantitative agreement with the high‐field data. However, the model‐based method was found to be less sensitive to the training data set used than PLS‐R and, hence, was more robust when the reaction conditions differed from that of the training data.
Probabilistic analysis of a discrete element modelling of the runout behavior of the Jiweishan landslide
Authors: Li Bing , Gong Wenping , Tang Huiming , Zou Zongxing , Bowa Victor Mwango , Juang C. Hsein
Published: February 2021

Landslide is one of the most destructive geohazards around the world. The destruction of a landslide can be estimated from its deformation and runout behaviors, which might be simulated with numerical software such as particle flow code (PFC). In the PFC simulation of the runout behavior of a landslide, the results are dependent upon the particle‐particle contact micro‐parameters (e.g., contact modulus and friction coefficient). The calibration of the micro‐parameters of the PFC models is a challenge and various uncertainties are involved. The uncertainty in the selection of the modelling parameters leads to uncertainty in the simulated runout behavior of the landslide. As a result, the damage potential of the landslide cannot be accurately evaluated. To this end, this paper presents a probabilistic analysis of the runout behavior of the Jiweishan landslide, in which the uncertainty in the selection of the particle‐particle contact micro‐parameters is explicitly considered. Here, the input micro‐parameters are modeled as discrete random variables, the possible realizations of which are obtained through an orthogonal analysis of the PFC simulation‐based uniaxial compression tests. The derived possible realizations of the micro‐parameters are then adopted as the inputs to the built model of the landslide. With the results obtained from these PFC simulations, the runout behaviors of the Jiweishan landslide, such as the runout distance and the deposit thickness, are studied probabilistically. The results provide an improved estimate of the landslide runout behavior and further aid in making an informed risk assessment of the landslide.
Hunger, disease, and subtle lesions: Insights into systemic metabolic disease in fetal and perinatal remains from 13th‐ to 15th‐century Tartu, Estonia
Authors: Morrone Alessandra , Tõrv Mari , Piombino‐Mascali Dario , Malve Martin , Valk Heiki , Oras Ester
Published: February 2021

This paper reports a case study of 43 fetuses and perinates from four mass graves and two double burials from the cemetery of St. Jacob in Tartu (SE Estonia). The burials were dated to the 13th–15th centuries AD and located outside the cemetery walls, and likely can be linked to historically recorded episodes of famine and epidemic in medieval Livonia. All individuals belonged to the fetal and perinatal age categories, meaning they were either aborted or died around the time of birth. Ten perinates of these 43 individuals displayed skeletal evidence for systemic metabolic disease. The results of the bioarchaeological investigation provide insights into the effects upheavals of the time had on the weakest members of the society, especially the vulnerability of pregnant and lactating mothers to undernutrition and infections, and shed light on how the prematurely deceased were treated in this urban community. This may potentially explain the burial location. This work is the first detailed paleopathological study of non‐adults in medieval Estonia and the Baltic region, opening the way for further research on similar material in this geographical area.
Vinyl ester/silica aerogel nanocomposite coatings with enhanced hydrophobicity and corrosion protection properties
Authors: Labani Motlagh Kiyoumars , Seyfi Javad , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Mortazavi Saeed
Published: February 2021

Vinyl ester (VE) resins have been widely used in the coating industry. However, research on its potential in anti‐corrosion applications has been limited. In this work, silica aerogels were first synthesized and then incorporated into the VE resin at 5, 10, and 15 wt% with respect to the VE content. Based on the morphological results, higher inclusions of silica aerogels (10 and 15 wt%) were significantly aggregated at the surface layer of the coatings leading to a highly rough surface structure which was also proved by atomic force microscopy. In fact, the aerogel nanoparticles formed a very packed structure leading to the formation of an effective physical barrier against corrosive agents. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy also revealed that the nanocomposite coatings exhibited a lower water absorption behavior which could be beneficial for the anti‐corrosion behavior. Wetting results demonstrated that the water contact angle has essentially increased from 61° for the pure VE coating to 92° for the aerogel‐loaded coating. Such enhancement in hydrophobicity and also the creation of a physical barrier at the surface layer of the coatings led to promising barrier results as found by Tafel polarization curves. The protection efficiency was dramatically improved to 97.9% for the highest inclusion of silica aerogel.
Pulmonary hypertension is an important co‐morbidity in developmental lung diseases of infancy: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Varghese Nidhy Paulose , Tillman Robert H. , Keller Roberta L.
Published: February 2021

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) following preterm birth and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are both forms of developmental lung disease that may result in persistent pulmonary and pulmonary vascular morbidity in childhood. The pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) which accompanies BPD and CDH is due to developmental abnormalities and ongoing perinatal insults. This may be accompanied by evidence of elevated right heart pressures and pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The development of PH in these conditions is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the vulnerable BPD and CDH populations. We present a review of PVD pathogenesis and evaluation in BPD and CDH and discuss management of related sequelae of PH co‐morbidity for affected infants.
Heat‐Resistant Energetic Materials Deriving from Benzopyridotetraazapentalene: Halogen Bonding Effects on the Outcome of Crystal Structure, Thermal Stability and Sensitivity
Authors: Zhang Zhenqi , Geng Wenjing , Yang Wei , Ma Qing , Li Wei , Fan Guijuan , Chen Ya
Published: February 2021

Heat‐resistant energetic material (HREM) has shown its broad applications in petroleum and natural gas exploration, aerospace vehicle as well as solid rocket formulations. Benzopyridotetraazapentalene (BPTAP) (d: 1.84 g cm−3, D: 7670 m s−1, IS: 9 J, Td: 366 °C) is a heat‐resistant energetic material, which is more dense and energetic than those of commercial HREM hexanitrosilbene (HNS) (d: 1.74 g cm−3, D: 7612 m s−1, IS: 5 J, Td: 318 °C). However, low solubility in most of commonly‐used solvents has restricted its applications in detonators as nano‐energetic materials. Meanwhile, recognition on this fused organic backbone is still limited. Herein, we report a chlorine‐inclusion strategy and facile approaches to yield three new derivatives of BPTAP. It is notable that compound 6‐a exhibits its high density (1.92 g cm−3), superior thermal stability (Td: 334 °C), high detonation performance (D: 8084 m s−1), comparable sensitivity (IS: 3 J) to that of HNS, surpassing those of commercially‐used highly‐sensitive primary energetic material lead azide (LA). It is interesting that the chlorine‐inclusion in different position of fused benzopyridotetraazapentalene framework has greatly affected their physical properties such as crystal structure, thermal stability and sensitivity. This investigation offers a unique perspective for deeply exploring the relationship between structure and performance of energetic materials.
Some design considerations incorporating early futility for single‐arm clinical trials with time‐to‐event primary endpoints using Weibull distribution
Authors: Waleed Muhammad , He Jianghua , Phadnis Milind A.
Published: February 2021

Sample size calculation is an essential component of the planning phase of a clinical trial. In the context of single‐arm clinical trials with time‐to‐event (TTE) endpoints, only a few options with limited design features are available. Motivated from ethical or practical considerations, two‐stage designs are implemented for single‐arm studies to obtain early evidence of futility. A major drawback of such designs is that early stopping may only occur at the conclusion of the first stage, even if lack of efficacy becomes apparent at any other time point over the course of the clinical trial. In this manuscript, we attempt to fill some existing gaps in the literature related to single‐arm clinical trials with TTE endpoints. We propose a parametric maximum likelihood estimate‐based test whose variance component accounts for the expected proportion of loss to follow‐up and different accrual patterns (early, late, or uniform accrual). For the proposed method, we present three stochastic curtailment methods (conditional power, predictive power, Bayesian predictive probability) which can be employed for efficacy or futility testing purposes. Finally, we discuss the implementation of group sequential designs for obtaining an early evidence of efficacy or futility at pre‐planned timings of interim analyses. Through extensive simulations, it is shown that our proposed method performs well for designing these studies with moderate to large sample sizes. Some examples are presented to demonstrate various aspects of the stochastic curtailment and repeated significance testing methods presented in this manuscript.
Suspected adverse reactions to performance enhancing dietary supplements: Spontaneous reports from the Italian phytovigilance system
Authors: Ippoliti Ilaria , Menniti‐Ippolito Francesca , Mazzanti Gabriela , Di Giacomo Silvia
Published: February 2021

Herbal tonic and adaptogens are often used to improve overall well‐being. However, few clinical evidence supports their use and their safety is not known before marketing. In this context, the aim of our study was to analyze the spontaneous reports of suspected adverse reactions (ARs) to performance enhancing herbal dietary supplements collected by the Italian Phytovigilance System. Between March 2002 and September 2020, 110 spontaneous reports were collected, 58 of which related to products containing botanicals, alone or in association. Twenty‐three serious reactions were reported, 21 of which required hospitalization, one was life‐threatening and another caused disability. Dermatological and cardiovascular reactions were the most frequent. Hepatic ARs were the most serious (9 out of 10). A positive dechallenge was indicated in 69% of cases, while a positive rechallenge occurred in 15%. Concomitant use of other products was present in 18 reports (31%), while predisposing conditions were indicated in 17 (29%). Present data highlight safety concerns on herbal dietary supplements used as cognitive and physical performance enhancers, mainly due to their quality and use without expert supervision. Considering that postmarketing surveillance is not required for these products, spontaneous reports represent the only tool to point out risks related to food supplements.
The Curriculum Design Coherence Model in the Knowledge‐Rich School Project
Authors: Rata Elizabeth
Published: February 2021

This Research Report describes the trialling of the Curriculum Design Coherence (CDC) Model in the Knowledge‐Rich School Project in New Zealand. The Project’s findings suggest that a CDC Model curriculum development design programme may be of use more widely. The CDC Model achieves conceptual coherence and progression, firstly by using generalising subject concepts as the mechanism to create coherence; secondly by using connected content to materialise the subject concepts; and thirdly by employing the cohering subject concepts in competencies for real‐life application. It is argued that a curriculum designed according to a subject’s internal cohering mechanism gives rich depth and breadth to a national curriculum. It also assists students in acquiring deep understanding as their engagement with knowledge builds cognition. The sections in this report, ‘Introduction’, ‘The Knowledge‐Rich School Project’, ‘Knowledge Project Findings—Teachers’ Practice’, and ‘Knowledge Project Findings—the CDC Model’, provide accounts of the Project’s methods which have been used to create the findings. The collaborative design by researchers and teachers of ‘worked examples’ which apply the CDC Model was looked at first. Secondly, the ongoing refinement of the Model was investigated as the worked examples revealed its strengths and limitations, refinements which were fed back into the Model’s application. The sections ‘The Curriculum Design Coherence Model’, ‘Knowledge Types’, ‘Knowledge and Learning’, and ‘Knowledge and Language’ contain discussions of the realist (rational) theory of knowledge which informs the Model as well as explanations of how this knowledge theory justifies the Model’s design as a concept‐cohering tool. The CDC Model’s theoretical strength as a curriculum design tool makes it useful for professional programmes and teacher education. It avoids the limitations of both content‐list and skills‐based approaches for a concept‐cohering ‘rich’ approach to the curriculum.
Randomization‐based inference in the presence of selection bias
Authors: Uschner Diane
Published: February 2021

For the analysis of clinical trials, the study participants are usually assumed to be representative sample of a target population. This assumption is rarely fulfilled in clinical trials, and particularly not if the sample size is small. In addition, covariate imbalances may affect the trial. Randomization tests provide a nonparametric analysis method of the treatment effect that does not rely on population‐based assumptions. We propose a nonparametric statistical model that yields a formal basis for randomization tests. We adapt the model for the presence of covariate imbalance in the form of selection bias and investigate the effects of bias on the rejection probability of the randomization test using Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, we show that ancillary statistics can be used to control for the influence of bias. We show that covariate imbalance leads to an inflation of the type I error probability. The proposed nonparametric model allows for the use of ancillary statistics that yield an unbiased adjusted randomization test.
Semiparametric linear transformation models for indirectly observed outcomes
Authors: De Neve Jan , Dehaene Heidelinde
Published: February 2021

We propose a regression framework to analyze outcomes that are indirectly observed via one or multiple proxies. Semiparametric transformation models, including Cox proportional hazards regression, turn out to be well suited to model the association between the covariates and the unobserved outcome. By coupling this regression model to a semiparametric measurement model, we can estimate these associations without requiring calibration data and without imposing strong functional assumptions on the relationship between the unobserved outcome and its proxy. When multiple proxies are available, we propose a data‐driven aggregation resulting in an improved proxy. We empirically validate the proposed methodology in a simulation study, revealing good finite sample properties, especially when multiple proxies are aggregated. The methods are demonstrated on two case studies.
Functional Nucleic‐Acid‐Decorated Spherical Nanoparticles: Preparation Strategies and Current Applications in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhu Min , Wang Shan
Published: February 2021

Functional nucleic acids (FNAs) have drawn widespread attention in the construction of functional nanomaterials for biomedical applications due to their inherent biological functions and sequence programmability, as well as high thermal stability and easy chemical modification. FNA‐decorated spherical nanoparticles (FSNPs) are composed of a metal/metal‐free spherical core and a radially oriented FNA shell. Attracted by their unique capabilities, such as resistance to nuclease degradation and capability of crossing the blood–brain barrier, FSNPs as smart nanomaterials for cancer therapy are reviewed. The preparation strategies of FSNPs are first summarized, and the applications of responsive linkers in stimuli‐responsive drug release are introduced. The FSNPs are categorized into aptamer‐, i‐motif‐, DNAzyme‐, antisense oligonucleotide‐, and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide‐decorated SNPs. Their applications in cancer therapy include tumor‐targeting drug delivery and controllable releasing of drugs, overcoming physiological or pathological obstacles such as blood–brain barrier and interstitial transport barriers, as well as a reversal of resistance to chemotherapy and antitumor immune response activation. The remaining challenges and future directions of FSNPs are also discussed and proposed.
Recent Progress in Perovskite Solar Cells Modified by Sulfur Compounds
Authors: Zhou Yi , Liu Caiyun , Meng Fanning , Zhang Chu , Wei Guoying , Gao Liguo , Ma Tingli
Published: February 2021

In the past decade, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have begun to be increasingly studied worldwide owing to the superior properties of perovskite material. However, some issues have delayed their commercialization, such as their long‐term stability, cost reduction, scale‐up ability, and efficiency. The introduction of sulfur to PSCs can relieve the above issues because sulfur can passivate interfacial trap states, suppress charge recombination, and inhibit ion migration, thereby enhancing the stability of PSCs. Furthermore, PbS bonds provide new channels for carrier extraction. Herein, the sulfur‐based compounds utilized in PSCs are summarized and classified according to their functions in the different layers of PSCs. The results indicate that these sulfur‐based compounds have efficiently promoted the commercialization of PSCs. It is hoped that this review can help others understand the intrinsic phenomena of sulfur‐based PSCs and motivate additional investigations.
Brückenneubau im Landschaftspark Geraaue
Authors: Teich Stephan
Published: February 2021

Im Zuge der Bundesgartenschau 2021 erfolgt die Neu‐ und Umgestaltung des Landschaftsparks „Nördliche Geraaue“. Im nördlichen Erfurter Stadtteil Gispersleben wurde in diesem Zusammenhang eine neue Fußgänger‐ und Radwegquerung über den Fluss Gera erforderlich. Als Teil des idyllischen Kilianiparks sollte das Bauwerk neben ingenieurtechnischen auch höchsten ästhetischen Anforderungen genügen. Der Brückenneubau wurde daher als außergewöhnliches Bogentragwerk mit abgehängter Fahrbahn konzipiert. Den zentralen Bereich des Bauwerks bildet ein imposanter, das Brückendeck diagonal kreuzender und 36 m spannender Einzelbogen. Der Bogen und das sehr schlanke Brückendeck sind durch zehn Hänger miteinander verbunden, welche gegenläufig und harfenförmig angeordnet sind und somit ein optisch äußerst ansprechendes Erscheinungsbild garantieren. Der vorliegende Beitrag berichtet über die Konstruktion und die bauliche Umsetzung des Brückenbauwerks.
Towards Higher Complexity in the RNA World: Hairpin Ribozyme Supported RNA Recombination
Authors: Hieronymus Robert , Müller Sabine
Published: February 2021

In the RNA world, the exchange of sequence patches between two RNAs is an intriguing evolutionary concept, allowing generation of new RNA molecules with novel functionality. Based on the hairpin ribozyme (HPR) with its unique cleavage‐ligation properties, we here demonstrate RNA supported RNA recombination as a possible scenario for the emergence of larger RNA molecules with more complex functionality. A HPR variant designed for the purpose of recombination is capable of cleaving two different RNA molecules, one being a hammerhead ribozyme (HHR) and the other an aptamer (A), and to subsequently recombine and ligate the resulting fragments to a hammerhead ribozyme that is allosterically controlled (HHA) by a cognate ligand. Two such recombination processes involving aptamers for either theophylline or flavine mononucleotide (FMN) are demonstrated with yields of functional recombination product of up to 34 %.
Glycosylation and Protecting Group Strategies Towards the Synthesis of Saponins and Bacterial Oligosaccharides: A Personal Account
Authors: Muru Kevin , Gauthier Charles
Published: February 2021

Carbohydrates and their conjugates are not only involved in important biological processes but are also regarded as promising therapeutics and prophylactics. Over the last century, several glycosylation methodologies, glycosyl donors, and protecting groups have been developed and some of them have found broad synthetic applications in carbohydrate chemistry. In this Personal Account, we describe how glycosylation and protecting group strategies have been implemented in our as well as in other research groups as to synthesize bioactive glycans, more specifically naturally occurring lupane‐type saponins as well as oligosaccharides related to Burkholderia species.
Ribosome heterogeneity and specialization in development
Authors: Norris Karl , Hopes Tayah , Aspden Julie Louise
Published: February 2021

Regulation of protein synthesis is a vital step in controlling gene expression, especially during development. Over the last 10 years, it has become clear that rather than being homogeneous machines responsible for mRNA translation, ribosomes are highly heterogeneous and can play an active part in translational regulation. These “specialized ribosomes” comprise of specific protein and/or rRNA components, which are required for the translation of particular mRNAs. However, while there is extensive evidence for ribosome heterogeneity, support for specialized functions is limited. Recent work in a variety of developmental model organisms has shed some light on the biological relevance of ribosome heterogeneity. Tissue‐specific expression of ribosomal components along with phenotypic analysis of ribosomal gene mutations indicate that ribosome heterogeneity and potentially specialization are common in key development processes like embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, body patterning, and neurogenesis. Several examples of ribosome specialization have now been proposed but strong links between ribosome heterogeneity, translation of specific mRNAs by defined mechanisms, and role of these translation events remain elusive. Furthermore, several studies have indicated that heterogeneous ribosome populations are a product of tissue‐specific expression rather than specialized function and that ribosomal protein phenotypes are the result of extra‐ribosomal function or overall reduced ribosome levels. Many important questions still need to be addressed in order to determine the functional importance of ribosome heterogeneity to development and disease, which is likely to vary across systems. It will be essential to dissect these issues to fully understand diseases caused by disruptions to ribosomal composition, such as ribosomopathies.

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Translation Regulation

Translation > Ribosome Structure/Function

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
Introduction: Mnemonic Solidarity—Global Interventions
Authors: Lim Jie-Hyun , Rosenhaft Eve
Published: February 2021

Lim and Rosenhaft introduce “mnemonic solidarity” as a scholarly and political program, situating it in the context of the wider project and publication series “Entangled Memories in the Global South.” Their programmatic approach arises from the observation that a global memory formation has emerged since the late twentieth century, involving interchanges of various kinds between national memory cultures and structured by the terms of Holocaust memory. This development and its political implications have been addressed in various ways by scholars under the rubrics of “cosmopolitan,” “multidirectional,” “traveling,” “prosthetic,” “transnational,” and “agonistic” memory, but the new field of memory studies remains Eurocentric and relatively insensitive to the double-edged character of globalized memory—the interplay between de-territorialization and re-territorialization. This volume aims to reset the agenda.
What the World Owes the Comfort Women
Authors: Gluck Carol
Published: February 2021

The women who served in Japan’s military brothels across Asia during the Second World War are a focus of the politics of memory in East Asia as well as a touchstone for international human rights and sexual violence against women. By the 1990s, the “comfort women” had become a “traveling trope,” which like the Holocaust, both recognized and transcended its original time and place. Gluck traces their “coming into memory” through changes in five areas of the evolving postwar “global memory culture”: law, testimony, rights, politics, and notions of responsibility. She shows how the ideas and practices of public memory changed over time, in the course of which the comfort women became “global victims” in a transnational memoryscape.
Einleitung
Authors: Schwedes Oliver
Published: February 2021

Bei allen aktuellen gesellschaftlichen Kontroversen scheint eines sicher zu sein, wir leben in Zeiten großer gesellschaftlicher Veränderungen. Manche Beobachter*innen interpretieren die gesellschaftlichen Konflikte sogar als Ausdruck einer allgemeinen Verunsicherung und sehen darin den Beleg für den sich vollziehenden gesellschaftlichen Wandel, so als würden tiefgreifende gesellschaftliche Veränderungen notwendigerweise mit einer Verunsicherung der Bevölkerung einhergehen, die sich dem Wandel nicht gewachsen fühlt. Die vermeintlich neuen sozialen Phänomene wie Antisemitismus, Frauenfeindlichkeit und Rassismus scheinen sich so zu erklären, wenn sie nicht sogar mit einer verängstigten Bevölkerung entschuldigt werden.
Öffentliche Mobilität bewerten: Ansprüche an mobilitätsbezogene Mess- und Vergleichsverfahren
Authors: Rammert Alexander
Published: February 2021

Mobilität erstens messen und zweitens bewerten zu können, ist eine Grundvoraussetzung für ihre planungspraktische Operationalisierung. Hierbei gilt es eine Vielzahl an Spezifika zu beachten, welche die Mobilität von klassischen verkehrsplanerischen Mess- und Bewertungsgrößen unterscheidet. Diese mobilitätsspezifischen Besonderheiten führen dazu, dass neue in der Verkehrswissenschaft ungebräuchliche Methoden zur Anwendung kommen müssen. Eine dieser Methoden ist die Indexbildung, welche die Mobilität großflächig messbar und bewertbar macht. Eine zentrale Voraussetzung um den Anspruch einer Öffentlichen Mobilität überprüfen zu können.
Daseinsvorsorge und Öffentliche Mobilität: Die Rolle des Gewährleistungsstaats
Authors: Schwedes Oliver , Ringwald Roman
Published: February 2021

Der öffentliche Verkehr wird seit Beginn der Bundesrepublik als Aufgabe der Daseinsvorsorge verstanden. Eine Reform des öffentlichen Verkehrs im Sinne unseres Verständnisses von Öffentlicher Mobilität (siehe den Beitrag von Wolking in diesem Band) erfordert daher auch eine zeitgemäße Weiterentwicklung des Konzepts Daseinsvorsorge. Dazu ist es notwendig, ein Verständnis für die gesellschaftliche Funktion dieses verwaltungswissenschaftlichen Begriffs zu erarbeiten.
Factorization of e+e− → H X cross section, differential in zh, PT and thrust, in the 2-jet limit
Authors: Boglione M. , Simonelli A.
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Factorizing the cross section for single hadron production ine+e−annihilations is a highly non trivial task when the transverse momentum of the outgoing hadron with respect to the thrust axis is taken into account. We work in a scheme that allows to factorize thee+e−→ H Xcross section as a convolution of a calculable hard coefficient and a Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) fragmentation function. The result, differential inzh,PTand thrust, will be given to all orders in perturbation theory and explicitly computed to Next to Leading Order (NLO) and Next to Leading Log (NLL) accuracy. The predictions obtained from our computation, applying the simplest and most natural ansatz to model the non-perturbative part of the TMD, are in exceptional agreement with the experimental measurements of the BELLE Collaboration. The factorization scheme we propose relates the TMD parton densities defined in 1-hadron and 2-hadron processes, restoring the possi- bility to perform global phenomenological studies of TMD physics including experimental data from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, Drell-Yan processes,e+e−→ H1H2Xande+e−→ H Xannihilations.
Resummation methods for Master Integrals
Authors: Canko Dhimiter D. , Syrrakos Nikolaos
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We present in detail two resummation methods emerging from the application of the Simplified Differential Equations approach to a canonical basis of master integrals. The first one is a method which allows for an easy determination of the boundary conditions, since it finds relations between the boundaries of the basis elements and the second one indicates how using the x → 1 limit to the solutions of a canonical basis, one can obtain the solutions to a canonical basis for the same problem with one mass less. Both methods utilise the residue matrices for the letters {0, 1} of the canonical differential equation. As proof of concept, we apply these methods to a canonical basis for the three-loop ladder-box with one external mass off-shell, obtaining subsequently a canonical basis for the massless three-loop ladder-box as well as its solution.
Free field world-sheet correlators for AdS3
Authors: Dei Andrea , Gaberdiel Matthias R. , Gopakumar Rajesh , Knighton Bob
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We employ the free field realisation of the $$ \mathfrak{psu}{\left(1,1\left|2\right.\right)}_1 $$
psu

1

1

2

1

world-sheet theory to constrain the correlators of string theory on AdS3× S3× 𝕋4 with unit NS-NS flux. In particular, we directly obtain the unusual delta function localisation of these correlators onto branched covers of the boundary S2 by the (genus zero) world-sheet — this is the key property which makes the equivalence to the dual symmetric orbifold manifest. In our approach, this feature follows from a remarkable ‘incidence relation’ obeyed by the correlators, which is reminiscent of a twistorial string description. We also illustrate our results with explicit computations in various special cases.
Non-local matrix elements in B(s) → {K(*), ϕ}ℓ+ℓ−
Authors: Gubernari Nico , van Dyk Danny , Virto Javier
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We revisit the theoretical predictions and the parametrization of non-local matrix elements in rare $$ {\overline{B}}_{(s)}\to \left\{{\overline{K}}^{\left(\ast \right)},\phi \right\}{\mathrm{\ell}}^{+}{\mathrm{\ell}}^{-} $$

B
¯

s

→

K
¯

∗

ϕ

ℓ
+

ℓ
−

and $$ {\overline{B}}_{(s)}\to \left\{{\overline{K}}^{\ast },\phi \right\}\gamma $$

B
¯

s

→

K
¯

∗

ϕ

γ
decays. We improve upon the current state of these matrix elements in two ways. First, we recalculate the hadronic matrix elements needed at subleading power in the light-cone OPE using B-meson light-cone sum rules. Our analytical results supersede those in the literature. We discuss the origin of our improvements and provide numerical results for the processes under consideration. Second, we derive the first dispersive bound on the non-local matrix elements. It provides a parametric handle on the truncation error in extrapolations of the matrix elements to large timelike momentum transfer using the z expansion. We illustrate the power of the dispersive bound at the hand of a simple phenomenological application. As a side result of our work, we also provide numerical results for the Bs → ϕ form factors from B-meson light-cone sum rules.
Overweight patients benefit from high tibial osteotomy to the same extent as patients with normal weights but show inferior mid-term results
Authors: Herbst Moritz , Ahrend Marc-Daniel , Grünwald Leonard , Fischer Cornelius , Schröter Steffen , Ihle Christoph
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the impact of obesity on the clinical and radiological outcomes 6 years after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO).

Methods

A total of 120 prospectively recorded patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis underwent open-wedge HTO between 2008 and 2011. The study cohort was frequently examined over a minimum of a 6-year follow-up. The cohort was divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI): normal weight patients (BMI < 25 kg/m2), pre-obese patients (BMI 25–30 kg/m2) and obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m2). Clinical and functional outcomes (Oxford Knee Score, Hospital for Special Surgery Score, Lequesne Score, Tegner Activity Scale), subjective health-related quality of life (SF-36), change in mechanical limb alignment (mTFA) as well as conversion to unicompartmental or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were evaluated. To compare clinical scoring between the groups, univariate variance analysis was applied. Changes in outcome variables over time were analyzed with dependent t tests.

Results

From 120 patients, 85 were followed-up over a 6.7-year period on average (6–11.8 years) after HTO. The mean BMI was 28.6 ± 4.6 kg/m2. Each group showed a significant pre- to postoperative increase in all recorded scores (p < 0.05). In absolute terms, both mental and clinical scores of overweight patients did not reach the peak values of the normal weighted population during the period of observation. There was a conversion to TKA in 10.5% after an average of 50.1 ± 25.0 months following surgery. A total of five complications occurred without significant differences (BMI < 25: n = 1, BMI 25–30: n = 2, BMI > 30: n = 2; n.s.). There was a mean pre- to postoperative (six weeks after surgery) correction difference of 6.9° ± 3.2° (mTFA) with higher loss of correction over time in overweight patients.

Conclusion

In terms of clinical outcome and health-related quality of life, overweight patients may receive a benefit from open-wedge HTO to the same extent as patients with normal weights and show similar complication rates. However, they have inferior preoperative clinical and functional results and mid-term results after open-wedge HTO compared to patients with normal weights.

Level of evidence

Level III.