bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of Tg kinetics in predicting 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT results and overall survival in patients affected by differentiated thyroid carcinoma with detectable Tg and negative 131I-scan
Authors: Albano Domenico , Tulchinsky Mark , Dondi Francesco , Mazzoletti Angelica , Bertagna Francesco , Giubbini Raffaele 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess the potential role of thyroglobulin (Tg) kinetics in predicting 2-[18F]-FDG-PET/CT results and overall survival (OS) in patients affected by differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and suspected recurrence.

Methods
On hundred and thirty-nine patients were retrospectively included. All patients underwent 2-[18F]-FDG-PET/CT due to detectable Tg levels and negative [131I] whole-body scan. The last two consecutive serum Tg measurements before PET/CT were used for Tg-doubling time (TgDT) and Tg-velocity (Tg-vel) calculation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal cutoff points for Tg, TgDT and Tg-vel for predicting PET/CT results.

Results
One hundred and fifteen (83%) patients had positive PET/CT for DTC recurrence, while the remaining 24 (17%) negative. Stimulated Tg before PET and Tg-vel were significantly higher in patients with a positive PET/CT scan than negative scan (average Tg 190 vs 14 ng/mL, p = 0.006; average Tg-vel 4.2 vs 1.7 ng/mL/y, p < 0.001). Instead, TgDT was significantly shorter in positive scan (average TgDT 1.4 vs 4.4 years, p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed the best Tg, TgDT and Tg-vel cutoff of 18 ng/mL,1.36 years and 1.95 ng/mL/y. In patients with Tg<18 ng/mL, the PET/CT detection rate was significantly lower in patients with low Tg-vel (p = 0.018) and with long TgDT (p = 0.001). ATA class risk, PET/CT results and Tg before PET were confirmed to be independent prognostic variables for OS.

Conclusions
Tg kinetics may help to predict 2-[18F]-FDG-PET/CT results in DTC patients with negative [131I]WBS and detectable Tg, especially in case of low-moderate Tg.
Development of 79 SNP markers to individually genotype and sex-type endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Authors: Sacks Benjamin N. , Hu Tianyi , Kierepka Elizabeth M. , Vanderzwan Stevi L. , Hickey Jena R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of two endangered subspecies of eastern gorilla. The principle approach to monitoring the two extant mountain gorilla populations has been to use fecal surveys to obtain DNA profiles for individuals that are then used for capture-recapture-based estimates of abundance. To date, 11 to 14 microsatellites have been used for this purpose. To adapt to ongoing changes in genotyping technologies and to facilitate the analysis of fecal DNA samples by multiple laboratories, we developed a panel of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that can be used for future gorilla monitoring. We used published short read data sets for 3 individuals to develop a suite of 79 SNPs, including two sex markers, for a Fluidigm platform. This marker set provided high resolution to differentiate individuals and will facilitate future monitoring, leaving room for additional SNPs to be included in a 96-assay format.
State of the art of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Napoli Niccolò , Kauffmann Emanuele F. , Vistoli Fabio , Amorese Gabriella , Boggi Ugo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCurrent evidence shows that robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) is feasible with a safety profile equivalent to either open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) or laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD). However, major intraoperative bleeding can occur and emergency conversion to OPD may be required. RPD reduces the risk of emergency conversion when compared to LPD. The learning curve of RPD ranges from 20 to 40 procedures, but proficiency is reached only after 250 operations. Once proficiency is achieved, the results of RPD may be superior to those of OPD. As for now, RPD is at least equivalent to OPD and LPD with respect to incidence and severity of POPF, incidence and severity of post-operative complications, and post-operative mortality. A minimal annual number of 20 procedures per center is recommended. In pancreatic cancer (versus OPD), RPD is associated with similar rates of R0 resections, but higher number of examined lymph nodes, lower blood loss, and lower need of blood transfusions. Multivariable analysis shows that RPD could improve patient survival. Data from selected centers show that vein resection and reconstruction is feasible during RPD, but at the price of high conversion rates and frequent use of small tangential resections. The true Achilles heel of RPD is higher operative costs that limit wider implementation of the procedure and accumulation of a large experience at most single centers. In conclusion, when proficiency is achieved, RPD may be superior to OPD with respect to CR-POPF and oncologic outcomes. Achievement of proficiency requires commitment, dedication, and truly high volumes.
Monitoring airborne inoculum for improved plant disease management. A review
Authors: Van der Heyden Hervé , Dutilleul Pierre , Charron Jean-Benoit , Bilodeau Guillaume J. , Carisse Odile 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGlobal demand for pesticide-free food products is increasing rapidly. Crops of all types are, however, under constant threat from various plant pathogens. To achieve adequate control with minimal pesticide use, close monitoring is imperative. Many plant pathogens spread through the air, so the atmosphere is composed of a wide variety of plant pathogenic and non-plant pathogenic organisms, in particular in agricultural environments. Aerobiology is the science that studies airborne microorganisms and their distribution, especially as agents of infection. Although this discipline has existed for decades, the development of new molecular technologies is contributing to an increase in the use of aerobiological data for several purposes, from day-to-day monitoring to improving our understanding of pathosystems. Although the importance of knowing the size and composition of plant pathogen populations present in the air is recognized, technical constraints hinder the development of agricultural aerobiology. Here we review the application of spore sampling systems in agriculture and discuss the main considerations underlying the implementation of airborne inoculum monitoring. The results of this literature review confirm that the use of aerobiological data to study the escape of inoculum from a source and its role in the development of diseases is well mastered, but point at a lack of knowledge to proceed with the deployment of these systems at the landscape scale. Thus, we conclude that airborne inoculum surveillance networks are still in their early stages and although more and more initiatives are emerging, research must be conducted primarily to integrate evolving technologies and improve the access, analysis, interpretation and sharing of data. These tools are needed to estimate short- and medium-term risks, identify the most appropriate control measures with the lowest environmental risk, develop indicators to document the effects of climate change, and monitor the evolution of new genotypes at multiple scales.
Brief report: attitudes towards Covid-19 vaccination among hospital employees in a tertiary care university hospital in Germany in December 2020
Authors: Bauernfeind Stilla , Hitzenbichler Florian , Huppertz Gunnar , Zeman Florian , Koller Michael , Schmidt Barbara , Plentz Annelie , Bauswein Markus , Mohr Arno , Salzberger Bernd 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination is essential to fight the pandemic. Health care workers (HCWs) are prioritized to get vaccinated, yet uptake of recommended vaccinations is known to be low in this group. In a tertiary care university hospital with a high number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care, 59.5% of surveyed staff (N = 2454) were willing to get vaccinated, 21.4% were unsure and 18.7% refused. Vaccine hesitancy was higher in female, younger and healthy employees without contact to Covid-19 patients; nurses (53.3%) were much less willing to get vaccinated compared to physicians (82.7%).
From Bielefeld to the Unified Patent Court – A Never-Ending Story?
Authors: Teschemacher Rudolf , Müller-Stoy Tilman 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe authors have known Jochen Pagenberg from different perspectives: Tilman Müller-Stoy for almost 20 years as a partner in the law firm bearing Jochen’s name; Rudolf Teschemacher since the start of Jochen’s and his own career when both got in touch with IP at the Max Planck Institute in the early 1970s and later on for more than 15 years as a senior consultant at Bardehle Pagenberg. Thus, they paint a colourful picture, in particular throwing a glance at a leitmotiv of his work: European patent litigation.
Methodology for the Characterisation of Linear Rail Transport Infrastructures with the Machine Learning Technique and Their Application in a Hyperloop Network
Authors: Fernández Gago José Ángel , Collado Pérez-Seoane Federico 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe layout solution for linear rail transport infrastructure will always alternate ‘surface’ sections with ‘tunnel’ and ‘viaduct’ sections. The capital expenditure (CapEx) linked at the planning stage to this type of public asset is strongly connected to the quantity of tunnels and viaducts planned. In this context, for similar lengths, a railway line using 15% tunnels and 7% viaducts to link two cities should not have the same financial viability as one using 8% tunnels and 3% viaducts to link the same cities. The process of planning, design and construction of linear works is heavily scrutinised by public administrations in all countries, and in many cases similar standards of work are shared. Firstly, this research paper highlights the existence of hidden geometric patterns in all linear transport infrastructures worldwide. Secondly, it proposes to exploit the existence of such patterns for the benefit of planners through the computational power available today in machine learning-as-a-service (MLaaS) platforms. This article demonstrates how geometric features extracted from any succession of rectangular trapeziums in linear infrastructures can predict the quantity of kilometres in ‘surface’, ‘tunnel’ and ‘viaduct’ sections in future linear rail transport infrastructures that have not yet been built. The practical application of the proposed working methodology has made it possible to intuit the characteristics of a future Hyperloop transport network in Europe of more than 12,000 km in length.
Streamlined Operational Approaches and Use of e-Technologies in Clinical Trials: Beat Acute Myeloid Leukemia Master Trial
Authors: Rosenberg Len , Levaux Hugh , Levine Ross L. , Shah Amit , Denmark James , Hereema Nyla , Owen Melanie , Kalk Spencer , Kenny Nicholas , Vinson Gene , Vergilio Jo-Anne , Mims Alice , Borate Uma , Blum William , Stein Eytan , Gana Theophilus J. , Stefanos Mona , Yocum Ashley , Marcus Sonja , Shoben Abigail , Druker Brian , Byrd John , Burd Amy 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAdvances in genomic technologies and an increased understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of cancer have resulted in development of new effective, mutation-targeted therapies. In turn, these informed the development of Master Trial designs to test these therapies. The Beat Acute Myeloid Leukemia (BAML) Master Trial (Sponsor: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) tests several targeted therapies in patients aged ≥ 60 years with AML based on genomic profiling obtained within 7 days of study enrollment. We hypothesized that integrating operational strategies with new electronic technologies (e-technologies) might streamline the conduct and management of this Master Trial. BAML’s 5 core operational strategies revolve around the guiding principle of “patients first.” The e-technology platforms employed in BAML include: Clinical Oversight Platform: a central collaborative tool; e-Protocol/e-Source Upload/Electronic Data Capture Platform: digitizes the protocol, allows remote data monitoring, and collects/exports data in Study Data Tabulation Model format; and Data Review Platform: ingests data from different sources for clinical response and safety data reviews. The operational approaches, e-technologies and sponsor/contract research organization’s (CRO) expertise together allow: the complexity and size of the BAML Master Trial to be better managed; near real-time study data oversight; better collaboration, communication and training; improved data collection, enhanced transmission and accessibility; data integration, review and generation of reports; while maintaining data privacy, and compliance. Initial e-technology challenges were overcome through training, learning, discipline and adjustment. In conclusion, to successfully manage Master Trials, significant time should be spent re-evaluating, improving and developing new operational approaches.Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT03013998. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03013998.
The Use of External Controls in FDA Regulatory Decision Making
Authors: Jahanshahi Mahta , Gregg Keith , Davis Gillian , Ndu Adora , Miller Veronica , Vockley Jerry , Ollivier Cecile , Franolic Tanja , Sakai Sharon 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe regulatory standards of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require substantial evidence of effectiveness from adequate and well-controlled trials that typically use a valid comparison to an internal concurrent control. However, when it is not feasible or ethical to use an internal control, particularly in rare disease populations, relying on external controls may be acceptable. To better understand the use of external controls to support product development and approval, we reviewed FDA regulatory approval decisions between 2000 and 2019 for drug and biologic products to identify pivotal studies that leveraged external controls, with a focus on select therapeutic areas. Forty-five approvals were identified where FDA accepted external control data in their benefit/risk assessment; they did so for many reasons including the rare nature of the disease, ethical concerns regarding use of a placebo or no-treatment arm, the seriousness of the condition, and the high unmet medical need. Retrospective natural history data, including retrospective reviews of patient records, was the most common source of external control (44%). Other types of external control were baseline control (33%); published data (11%); and data from a previous clinical study (11%). To gain further insights, a comprehensive evaluation of selected approvals utilizing different types of external control is provided to highlight the variety of approaches used by sponsors and the challenges encountered in supporting product development and FDA decision making; particularly, the value and use of retrospective natural history in the development of products for rare diseases. Education on the use of external controls based on FDA regulatory precedent will allow for continued use and broader application of innovative approaches to clinical trial design, while avoiding delays in product development for rare diseases. Learnings from this review also highlight the need to update regulatory guidance to acknowledge the utility of external controls, particularly retrospective natural history data.
Choral Constructions in Greek Culture
Authors: Steiner Deborah Tarn 
Published: May 2021

Why did the Greeks of the archaic and early Classical period join in choruses that sang and danced on public and private occasions? This book offers a wide-ranging exploration of representations of chorality in the poetry, art and material remains of early Greece in order to demonstrate the centrality of the activity in the social, religious and technological practices of individuals and communities. Moving from a consideration of choral archetypes, among them cauldrons, columns, Gorgons, ships and halcyons, the discussion then turns to an investigation of how participation in choral song and dance shaped communal experience and interacted with a variety of disparate spheres that include weaving, cataloguing, temple architecture and inscribing. The study ends with a treatment of the role of choral activity in generating epiphanies and allowing viewers and participants access to realms that typically lie beyond their perception.
GREEK CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF PERSIAN TRADITIONS: GIFT-GIVING AND FRIENDSHIP IN THE PERSIAN EMPIRE
Authors: Ellis Samuel 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article examines gift-giving within the Persian empire and its perception in Greek literary sources. Gift-giving in the Greek world was often framed in the language of friendship, and Greek authors subsequently articulated Persian traditions using the language and cultural norms of their intended audience. There were fundamental differences in the concepts of gift-exchange and reciprocity between the Greeks and the Persians. This article will examine Persian traditions of gift-giving followed by Greek traditions of gift-giving, and will argue that the Greek misrepresentation of Persian customs led to numerous misunderstandings in relations between Greek and Persian individuals. The use of Greek descriptive language, rather than more accurate terminology, to describe Persian traditions has hindered our understanding of gift-giving in the Persian empire. In addressing these misconceptions, this article will demonstrate the successful use of gift-giving in the Persian empire and the perils of Greek misrepresentation of foreign customs.
Rethinking Divine Hiddenness in the Hebrew Bible: The Hidden God as the Hostile God in Psalm 88
Authors: Fabrikant-Burke O. Y. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDivine hiddenness in the Hebrew Bible is widely construed as the conceptual equivalent to divine absence. This article challenges this influential account in light of Psalm 88—where the hidden God is hostilely present, not absent—and reevaluates divine hiddenness. Divine hiddenness is not conterminous with divine absence. Rather, with its roots in the ancient Near Eastern idea of the royal and cultic audience, the meaning of “hide the face” (סתר + פנים) may be construed as a refusal of an audience with the divine king YHWH. Building on this insight, I argue that divine hiddenness possesses a petitionary logic and develop a distinction between the experiential and petitionary inaccessibility of salvific divine presence. Divine absence and hostile divine presence denote the former, while divine hiddenness the latter. I probe the relationships between divine hiddenness, divine absence, and hostile divine presence, concluding that the absent or hostilely present God is not ipso facto hidden.
“May we not see God?”: Henry David Thoreau’s Doctrine of Spiritual Senses
Authors: Willsky-Ciollo Lydia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article argues that Henry David Thoreau believed in the essential unity of the five senses and privileged each as a source of wild and divine knowledge, which, when combined, created a full picture that might result in a true approximation of God in and beyond nature—the hallmark of Thoreau’s fundamentally incarnational theology. Thoreau treated each sense not only as a source of divine knowledge but as a site of theological discourse: for touch, the relationship between sin and grace; for smell, the conundrum of an eternal divinity acting in historical time; for taste, the efficacy of sacraments; for hearing, the possibility of continuing revelation; and for sight, the ability for human beings to actually see God. The senses were the practical entry point to Thoreau’s theological system, which was concerned with the discovery and redemption of internal “wildness” and reconnection to the mysterious, divine source of that wildness, to the unaccountable in nature.
Conversion, Identity, and Memory in Iranian-Jewish Historiography: The Jews of Mashhad
Authors: Sadjed Ariane 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe paper discusses the narratives of Jews from Mashhad, who were forced to convert to Islam in 1839. The community narrative as well as academic research is dominated by a modern understanding of religious identity and religious boundaries that fail to account for the diversity of practices among the community of converts, including multiple forms of religious belonging, and the switching of identities according to time and place. Based on historical sources and interviews with descendants from the Mashhadi community, the paper traces how a particular narrative of the history of the Jews from Mashhad prevailed and which significance this narrative entails for Mashhadi community and identity until today. While the Jews from Mashhad are a rather unique case among Iranian Jews–due to the long period in which they lived as converts–their pattern of memory building reflects a general trend among Jews from the Muslim world to assimilate to modern ideas of being Jewish.
Cochlear implantation in auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders: role of transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses and serial neural response telemetry
Authors: Dutt S N , Kumar A , Mittal A A , Vadlamani S , Gaur S K 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of pre-operative transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses and post-operative neural response telemetry in auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder patients.MethodsFour auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder patients who had undergone cochlear implantation and used it for more than one year were studied. All four patients underwent pre-operative transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem response testing, intra-operative and post-operative (at 3, 6 and 12 months after switch-on) neural response telemetry, and out-patient cochlear implant electrically evoked auditory brainstem response testing (at 12 months).ResultsPatients with better waveforms on transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem response testing showed superior performance after one year of implant use. Neural response telemetry and electrically evoked auditory brainstem response measures improved in all patients.ConclusionInferences related to cochlear implantation outcomes can be based on the waveform of transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses. Robust transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses suggest better performance. Improvements in electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses and neural response telemetry over time indicate that electrical stimulation is favourable in auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder patients. These measures provide an objective way to monitor changes and progress in auditory pathways following cochlear implantation.