bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inequalities in access to minimally invasive general surgery: a comprehensive nationwide analysis across 20 years
Authors: Schneider Marcel André , Gero Daniel , Müller Matteo , Horisberger Karoline , Rickenbacher Andreas , Turina Matthias 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has profoundly changed standards of care and lowered perioperative morbidity, but its temporal implementation and factors favoring MIS access remain elusive. We aimed to comprehensibly investigate MIS adoption across different surgical procedures over 20 years, identify predictors for MIS amenability and compare propensity score-matched outcomes among MIS and open surgery.

Methods
Nationwide retrospective analysis of all hospitalizations in Switzerland between 1998 and 2017. Appendectomies (n = 186,929), cholecystectomies (n = 57,788), oncological right (n = 9138) and left hemicolectomies (n = 21,580), rectal resections (n = 13,989) and gastrectomies for carcinoma (n = 6606) were included. Endpoints were assessment of temporal MIS implementation, identification of predictors for MIS access and comparison of propensity score-matched outcomes among MIS and open surgery.

Results
The rates of MIS increased for all procedures during the study period (p ≤ 0.001). While half of all appendectomies were performed laparoscopically by 2005, minimally invasive oncological colorectal resections reached 50% only by 2016. Multivariate analyses identified older age (p ≤ 0.02, except gastrectomy), higher comorbidities (p ≤ 0.001, except rectal resections), lack of private insurance (p ≤ 0.01) as well as rural residence (p ≤ 0.01) with impaired access to MIS. Rural residence correlated with low income regions (p ≤ 0.001), which themselves were associated with decreased MIS access. Geographical mapping confirmed strong disparities for rural and low-income areas in MIS access. Matched outcome analyses revealed benefits of MIS for length of stay, decreased surgical site infection rates for MIS appendectomies and cholecystectomies and higher mortality for open cholecystectomies. No consistent morbidity or mortality benefit for MIS compared to open colorectal resections was observed.

Conclusion
Unequal access to MIS exists in disfavor of older and more comorbid patients and those lacking private insurance, living in rural areas, and having lower income. Efforts should be made to ensure equal MIS access regardless of socioeconomic or geographical factors.
Discrete event optimization of a vehicle charging station with multiple sockets
Authors: Ferro Giulio , Minciardi Riccardo , Parodi Luca , Robba Michela 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe relevance and presence of Electric Vehicles (EVs) are increasing all over the world since they seem an effective way to fight pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, especially in urban areas. One of the main issues related to EVs is the necessity of modifying the existing infrastructure to allow the installation of new charging stations (CSs). In this scenario, one of the most important problems is the definition of smart policies for the sequencing and scheduling of the vehicle charging process. The presence of intermittent energy sources and variable execution times represent just a few of the specific features concerning vehicle charging systems. Even though optimization problems regarding energy systems are usually considered within a discrete time setting, in this paper a discrete event approach is proposed. The fundamental reason for this choice is the necessity of limiting the number of the decision variables, which grows beyond reasonable values when a short time discretization step is chosen. The considered optimization problem regards the charging of a series of vehicles by a CS connected with a renewable energy source, a storage element, and the main grid. The objective function to be minimized results from the weighted sum of the (net) cost for purchasing energy from the external grid, the weighted tardiness of the services provided to the customers, and a cost related to the occupancy of the socket during the charging. The approach is tested on a real case study. The limited computational burden allows also the implementation in real-case applications.
The Effect of Housework on Wages: A Study of Migrants and Native-Born Individuals in Germany
Authors: Fendel Tanja 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTo increase labour market participation among migrants, an increase in female labour market participation is important, with wages being a significant incentive. In research on the gender wage gap, the consideration of housework has been a milestone. Gender differences in housework time have always been much greater among migrants than among native-born individuals. Based on data obtained from the German Socio-Economic Panel from 1995 to 2017, this study questioned whether housework affects the wages of migrant full-time workers differently than those of their native-born counterparts. To consider the possible endogeneity of housework in the wage equation, the analysis estimated, in addition to an OLS model, a hybrid model to estimate within effects. Significant negative effects of housework on wages resulted for migrant women and native-born individuals. The effects for migrant men were significantly smaller or insignificant, which could not be explained by threshold effects. The greater amount of time spent on housework by migrant women than by native-born women will in general lead to a larger wage decrease due to housework for migrant women than for native-born women. The results further showed that the observed variables explained very little of the migrants’ gender wage gap, in contrast to the gap of native-born individuals. Human capital returns, including education and work experiences, were much lower for migrant women than for native-born women, whereas differences in housework equally contributed to the explained share of the gap for both groups, indicating the greater relevance of housework for migrants’ wage gap.
Crystallization of polylactide-based green composites filled with oil-rich waste fillers
Authors: Mysiukiewicz Olga , Barczewski Mateusz 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPolylactide is a highly demanded biopolymer, whose industrial application constantly increases. Its disadvantages such as brittleness and slow crystallization rate can be overcome by application of different additives. Because of environmental issues, using natural waste fillers as modifying agents for polylactide is especially interesting. In this study linseed cake, a byproduct of oil extraction from linseed, characterized by oil content of 0.9–39.8 wt.%, was added to polylactide to influence its crystallization behavior. The formation of the crystalline phase was studied by differential scanning calorimetry in isothermal and non-isothermal conditions and analyzed according to methods by Jeziorny, Ozawa, Mo and Avrami. The samples’ microstructures were observed using polarized light microscopy. The crystallization rate and Avrami exponent of samples crystallized in different conditions were evaluated. It was found that addition of 10 wt.% of linseed cake containing at least 17.7 wt.% oil notably changes the crystallization of polylactide, increasing its crystallinity and promoting the growth of crystallites.
Methodological insights on measurement and evaluation of compulsive buying behavior among young consumers in Poland: the case of compulsive- and non-compulsive buyers
Authors: Tarka Piotr , Babaev Jasurbek 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this study we focused on the methodological insights, the measurement and evaluation of compulsive buying tendencies among young consumers in Poland. We administered the Compulsive Buying Scale (CBS) developed by d’Astous et al. (in: Goldberg, Gorn, Pollay (eds) Advances in consumer research, Association for Consumer Research, Provo, 1990) for North America and adapted it to the Polish population. Then used the data to develop a Polish version of the Compulsive Buying Scale (P-CBS). The study extended previous methodological work on new consumers’ culture, and more importantly, investigated the compulsive buying in two groups of consumers: compulsive- and non-compulsive buyers. The sample comprised 504 young Polish citizens, aged between 17 and 25 years. In the complex analytical process, we replicated the three-dimensional structure of the CBS scale (d'Astous et al. 1990): the ‘Tendency to Spend’, a 'Reactive Aspect' of compulsive buying, and 'Post Purchase Guilt'. This process included the following steps: the translation of the items, an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, based on latent variables theory, and a reliability and validity analysis. Data analyses indicated a satisfactory reliability and validity of the P-CBS. Research findings are presented across the sample and the subsamples of compulsive buyers and non-compulsive buyers.
Suitcase Lab: new, portable, and deployable equipment for rapid detection of specific harmful algae in Chilean coastal waters
Authors: Fujiyoshi So , Yarimizu Kyoko , Miyashita Yohei , Rilling Joaquín , Acuña Jacquelinne J. , Ueki Shoko , Gajardo Gonzalo , Espinoza-González Oscar , Guzmán Leonardo , Jorquera Milko A. , Nagai Satoshi , Maruyama Fumito 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPhytoplankton blooms, including harmful algal blooms (HABs), have serious impacts on ecosystems, public health, and productivity activities. Rapid detection and monitoring of marine microalgae are important in predicting and managing HABs. We developed a toolkit, the Suitcase Lab, to detect harmful algae species in the field. We demonstrated the Suitcase Lab’s capabilities for sampling, filtration, DNA extraction, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) detection in cultured Alexandrium catenella cells as well as Chilean coastal waters from four sites: Repollal, Isla García, Puerto Montt, and Metri. A LAMP assay using the Suitcase Lab in the field confirmed microscopic observations of A. catenella in samples from Repollal and Isla García. The Suitcase Lab allowed the rapid detection of A. catenella, within 2 h from the time of sampling, even at a single cell per milliliter concentrations, demonstrating its usefulness for quick and qualitative on-site diagnosis of target toxic algae species. This method is applicable not only to detecting harmful algae but also to other field studies that seek a rapid molecular diagnostic test.
Sustainability nudges in the context of customer co-design for consumer electronics
Authors: Hankammer Stephan , Kleer Robin , Piller Frank T. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this study, we shed light on the unexplored potential of customer co-design in a mass customization (MC) setting to contribute to the promotion of sustainable consumption. We theoretically derive and empirically test several opportunities for companies to improve sustainable consumption and production in a joint effort with consumers. Our research bridges between the MC and the sustainability literature and shows that MC enables consumers to cohere attitude and action, based on individual sustainability preferences. We empirically assess whether MC companies can nudge their customers successfully towards more sustainable choices by designing sustainability-based starting solutions (Study 1) and by providing transparent sustainability information (Study 2) in MC configuration systems. We do so by portraying a simulated online buying process of a customizable TV with a realistic web-based product configurator. We find that sustainable defaults can play a significant role in promoting sustainable consumption, while providing detailed sustainability information does not show an effect. To get more insights into our results, we discuss the results on a supplementary qualitative analysis based on think-aloud consumer tests (Study 3), revealing several suggestions for further research. Using these findings, we revisit sustainability information in Study 4 and find that intuitive labels significantly influence consumers to choose more sustainably.
Soziologie – Corona – Kritik
Authors: Lessenich Stephan 
Published: November 2020

ZusammenfassungDie COVID-19-Pandemie läutet kein neues gesellschaftliches Zeitalter ein. Die bislang erkennbaren Mechanismen ihrer Bearbeitung sind vielmehr Ausweis jener strukturellen sozioökonomischen und soziopolitischen Krisendynamik, die als Signatur des demokratischen Kapitalismus gelten muss. Ebenso wenig sollte das herrschende Krisenmanagement als eine die kapitalistische Akkumulations- und Profitlogik zumindest vorübergehend stillstellende „Politik des Lebens“ missverstanden werden: Es sind vielmehr nur bestimmte Leben, deren Schutz und Rettung sich die Regierungen der demokratisch-kapitalistischen Industrienationen verschrieben haben. Gegenüber einer zeitdiagnostischen Adaption der beliebten Lebensberatungssemantik der „Krise als Chance“ ist daher Zurückhaltung geboten. Eine Chance aber könnten die gegenwärtigen Umstände tatsächlich für die Soziologie bieten: Wenn sie nämlich endlich aufhören würde, ihre unvermeidlich in gesellschaftspolitische Gestaltungsprozesse involvierte Praxis als eine „unideologische“, „wertfreie“ und politisch „neutrale“ zu verkennen.
On the Formation of Eutectics in Variations of the Al10Co25Cr8Fe15Ni36Ti6 Compositionally Complex Alloy
Authors: Manzoni A. M. , Dubois F. , Mousa M. S. , von Schlippenbach C. , Többens D. M. , Yesilcicek Y. , Zaiser E. , Hesse R. , Haas S. , Glatzel U. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Superalloy inspired Al10Co25Cr8Fe15Ni36Ti6 compositionally complex alloy is known for its γ-γ′ microstructure and the third Heusler phase. Variations of this alloy, gained by replacing 0.5 or 1 at. pct Al by the equivalent amount of Mo, W, Zr, Hf or B, can show more phases in addition to this three-phase morphology. When the homogenization temperature is chosen too high, a eutectic phase formation can take place at the grain boundaries, depending on the trace elements: Mo and W do not form eutectics while Hf, Zr and B do. In order to avoid the eutectic formation and the potential implied grain boundary weakening, the homogenization temperature must be chosen carefully by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. A too low homogenization temperature, however, could impede the misorientation alignment of the dendrites in the grain. The influence of grain boundary phases and incomplete dendrite re-orientation are compared and discussed.
The Gut Ecosystem: A Critical Player in Stroke
Authors: Delgado Jiménez Rosa , Benakis Corinne 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe intestinal microbiome is emerging as a critical factor in health and disease. The microbes, although spatially restricted to the gut, are communicating and modulating the function of distant organs such as the brain. Stroke and other neurological disorders are associated with a disrupted microbiota. In turn, stroke-induced dysbiosis has a major impact on the disease outcome by modulating the immune response. In this review, we present current knowledge on the role of the gut microbiome in stroke, one of the most devastating brain disorders worldwide with very limited therapeutic options, and we discuss novel insights into the gut-immune-brain axis after an ischemic insult. Understanding the nature of the gut bacteria-brain crosstalk may lead to microbiome-based therapeutic approaches that can improve patient recovery.
The solvent and treatment regimen of sodium selenite cause its effects to vary on the radiation response of human bronchial cells from tumour and normal tissues
Authors: Manda Katrin , Kriesen Stephan , Hildebrandt Guido 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSodium selenite is often given to moderate the side effects of cancer therapy to enhance the cellular defence of non-cancerous cells. To determine whether sodium selenite during radiotherapy protects not only normal cells but also cancer cells, which would imply a reduction of the desired effect of irradiation on tumour during radiotherapy, the effect of the combined treatment of irradiation and sodium selenite was investigated. Human bronchial cells from carcinoma (A549) and normal tissue (BEAS-2B) were treated with sodium selenite and effects on growth and in combination with radiation on metabolic activity and cell cycle distribution were studied. The influence on radiosensitivity was determined via colony forming assays using different solvents of sodium selenite and treatment schedules. It was shown that sodium selenite inhibits growth and influences cell cycle distribution of both normal and tumour cells. Metabolic activity of normal cells decreased more rapidly compared to that of cancer cells. The influence of sodium selenite on radiation response depended on the different treatment schedules and was strongly affected by the solvent of the agent. It could be shown that the effect of sodium selenite on radiation response is strongly dependent on the respective experimental in vitro conditions and ranges from lead to an initially suspected but ultimately no real radioprotection to radiosensitizing up to no effect in one and the same cell line. This might be a reason for controversially described cell responses to radiation under the influence of sodium selenite in studies so far.
Protective Activity of Aβ on Cell Cultures (PC12 and THP-1 after Differentiation) Preincubated with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
Authors: Wiatrak Benita , Balon Katarzyna 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAmyloid-β (Aβ), the influence of which is considered the pathomechanism of Alzheimer’s disease, is also present in healthy people. The microbiome’s impact is also taken into account, where bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates inflammatory processes and stimulates microglia via TLRs. Molecules of bacterial origin can co-create senile plaques with Aβ. This study evaluated the activity of physiological Aβ concentrations on neuronal and microglial cells after preincubation with LPS. Two cell lines were used in the study: PC12 cells differentiated with NGF and THP-1 cells differentiated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Cells were incubated with LPS at concentrations of 1–100 μM for 24 h and then with Aβ25–35 at a concentration of 0.001 μM or 1.0 μM for another 24 h. The viability of the culture and free oxygen radicals and the number of DNA strand breaks in both cell lines were evaluated. Additionally, for PC12 cells, neural features were assessed. Stimulation of repair processes in the presence of Aβ was observed for both studied cell lines. There was a decrease in free radical level and DNA damage number compared to control cultures (cells treated with LPS and without Aβ). The neurotrophic activity of Aβ was observed—the effect on neurites’ growth even after the preincubation of PC12 cells with LPS. At the lowest concentration of LPS used, the increase in neurite length was about 50% greater than in the negative control. At low concentrations, Aβ has a protective effect on neuron-like PC12 cells pretreated with LPS.
An exploration of organized crime in Italian ports from an institutional perspective. Presence and activities
Authors: Antonelli Marco 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe article will present the results of a qualitative research into organized crime in the Italian port system. It is a pioneering attempt to assess an extensive and diachronic perspective on the presence and activities of organized crime groups into the Italian seaports in order to provide a systematic analytical map through the analysis of institutional law enforcement reports. The article attempts to shed light on an overlooked topic, analytically relevant insofar as it examines OCGs’s activities in a specific and particular space representing an opportunity to obtain profits and social connections. Moreover, it analyses OCGs tendency to be involved in legal and illegal businesses, their ability to persist in space and time, and their skills in moving abroad.The results show that organized crime activities are permanent and largely widespread in the main harbours all over the country, particularly in Ancona, Cagliari, Genova and Gioia Tauro; organized crime groups operate mostly in illegal business and in particular in illicit trafficking of drugs, cigarettes and counterfeit goods; the Italian mafia ‘ndrangheta seems to be able to persist in space and time within several seaports. The study shows that simultaneous processes of specialization in illegal markets and diversification in seaports are ongoing.
Peritoneal dissemination of breast cancer diagnosed by laparoscopy
Authors: Nakagawa Tsuyoshi , Oda Goshi , Kikuchi Akifumi , Saito Toshifumi , Fujioka Tomoyuki , Kubota Kazunori , Mori Mio , Onishi Iichiro , Uetake Hiroyuki 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe accuracy of modern imaging techniques for the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis is poor. A breast cancer patient with a high serum CA15-3 level did not receive a definitive diagnosis of peritoneal dissemination by imaging examination and then underwent laparoscopy. Pathological examination showed peritoneal dissemination of breast cancer, but the biological markers were different from the primary lesion: ER(−), PgR(−), and Her2:3 +. T-DM1 therapy was very effective, and her systemic symptoms disappeared. Since biomarkers of metastatic lesions may sometimes change, laparoscopic biopsy is very important and useful.
Victimization Experiences and Binge Drinking and Smoking Among Boys and Girls in Grades 7 to 12 in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Struck Shannon , Fortier Janique , Salmon Samantha , Taillieu Tamara , Afifi Tracie O. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractExperiencing victimization, such as cyberbullying, discriminatory harassment, or bullying in adolescence is associated with health risk behaviours. However, inconsistent findings in the literature examining the associations between different types of victimization and binge drinking and smoking exist. This study investigated the association between nine types of victimization experiences and (a) binge drinking and (b) smoking among boys and girls in grades 7 to 12. Data were from the 2012/13 Manitoba Youth Health Survey that included 475 participating schools and 64,174 students. Students in grades 7 to 12 completed the survey at school. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between victimization experiences and binge drinking and smoking. All analyses were stratified by gender and grade groups. All nine types of victimization experiences among boys and girls in grades 7 to 12 were significantly associated with binge drinking and smoking. Overall, a dose-response trend was observed with increasing experiences of victimization related to greater odds of binge drinking and smoking for boys and girls in grades 7 to 9. Findings indicate that specific victimization experiences are associated with increased odds of binge drinking and smoking among adolescents. Prevention efforts to reduce victimization and to help those who have experienced victimization need to be addressed at all grade levels as it may be associated with a reduction in risky behaviours such as binge drinking or smoking among adolescents.