La Carte Research Articles

Goals à la carte: selective translation of the Sustainable Development Goals in strategic municipal planning in Norway

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are promoted as a global action plan for transformational change. Through calls to localise the global agenda, local governments have been made key actors in implementing the agenda. In Norway, the government ascribes municipalities a formal role in the national effort to implement the SDGs. Drawing on the concept of policy translation, we explore localisation processes at the strategic level of planning in Norwegian municipalities. Through analysis of municipal master plans and interviews with planners, we find that municipalities use a selective approach, prioritising goals that largely support existing policies, while more challenging goals become lost in translation. We argue that while the Norwegian planning system provides an institutional framework for implementing and following up on the SDGs, new rounds of translation will be needed to also handle difficult goals, if the SDGs are to create actual and much-needed policy change.

Validation of a Thai semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (semi-FFQ) for people at risk of metabolic syndrome

BackgroundFood frequency questionnaires (FFQ) are a useful dietary assessment tool to determine relationships between diet and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Our purpose was to validate a semiquantitative FFQ (semi-FFQ) for Thais at risk of metabolic syndrome (MS).MethodsThe researchers identified 345 men and women aged 30–65 years who were eligible for the study. Ninety-four participants were finally enrolled (54 in a “urine-collection not-required” group and 40 in a “urine collection” group). They were asked to maintain a 4-day food record for 4 weeks and partook in a semi-FFQ interview during week 4. Urine samples and biochemical results related to MS were collected. Validation results were associated with three primary nutrients for MS (sugar, fat, and sodium) and biochemical results (blood glucose, lipid profiles, blood pressure, and 24-h urine sodium).ResultsThe biomarker level of each key MS nutrient significantly increased commensurate with rises in semi-FFQ estimated intakes. Correlation coefficients (r) were as follows: fasting blood glucose, r = 0.221 (fruits) and r = 0.229 (desserts); triglycerides, r = 0.112 (a la carte-dishes); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, r = 0.205 (rice-with-topping dishes); systolic blood pressure, r = 0.272 (snacks) and r = 0.190 (a la carte dishes). Fasting blood glucose was a significant biomarker associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12–1.81). We also found that fat (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.09–1.89), sodium (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.05–1.95) and energy (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.17) from an a la carte meal were significantly associated with the development of metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsThai food has a unique characteristic since it often pairs various ingredients and seasoning in one menu. This semi-FFQ is a tool that offers relatively valid ranking for intake of energy, nutrients, single foods, and mixed dishes based on Thai menus associated with a risk for developing metabolic syndrome and NCDs. Using this tool could help identify unhealthy dietary patterns and help develop recommendations for people at risk with the goal of preventing NCDs.

Increased On-Target Rate and Risk of Concatemerization after CRISPR-Enhanced Targeting in ES Cells.

The French mouse clinic (Institut Clinique de la Souris; ICS) has produced more than 2000 targeting vectors for 'à la carte' mutagenesis in C57BL/6N mice. Although most of the vectors were used successfully for homologous recombination in murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs), a few have failed to target a specific locus after several attempts. We show here that co-electroporation of a CRISPR plasmid with the same targeting construct as the one that failed previously allows the systematic achievement of positive clones. A careful validation of these clones is, however, necessary as a significant number of clones (but not all) show a concatemerization of the targeting plasmid at the locus. A detailed Southern blot analysis permitted characterization of the nature of these events as standard long-range 5' and 3' PCRs were not able to distinguish between correct and incorrect alleles. We show that a simple and inexpensive PCR performed prior to ESC amplification allows detection and elimination of those clones with concatemers. Finally, although we only tested murine ESCs, our results highlight the risk of mis-validation of any genetically modified cell line (such as established lines, induced pluripotent stem cells or those used for ex vivo gene therapy) that combines the use of CRISPR/Cas9 and a circular double-stranded donor. We strongly advise the CRISPR community to perform a Southern blot with internal probes when using CRISPR to enhance homologous recombination in any cell type, including fertilized oocytes.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as liquid biopsies in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer versus other GI malignancies.

192 Background: Most of the focus on liquid biopsies for patients with colorectal cancers and other solid tumors has been on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are the other less talked about liquid biopsies. This is due to need for real-time processing and handling of CTCs, and is less conducive on previously banked samples. We took this prospective discovery endeavor to report in real-time CTC analyses using 2 very different platforms in patients with colorectal and other GI cancers. Methods: CTCs were evaluated using 2 platforms: RareCyte, which is simplistically based on density of CTCs and unbiased selection/identification for enumeration/biomarker analyses, and Parsortix, which is based on size/compressibility of CTCs. All patients signed written informed consent. Up to 4 serial draws were done for each patient (Total = 150 draws; 281 test results). CTCs were identified using standard definitions of nuclear/epithelial markers. À la carte we selected PD-L1, HER2, EGFR, Ki-67, and where adequate, confirmation with panel based single cell sequencing was also performed. Cell cultures were attempted for the Parsortix collections. Results: Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) had the highest number of CTCs (Mean: 15.8; Median: 7.5). This was in sharp contrast to the number of CTCs in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) (Mean: 4.2; Median: 3). At least a third of patients with CRC had at least 3 CTCs. Another 17.4% and 11.4% had at least 10, and at least 20 CTCs in CRC; while no patients with PC had more than 20 CTCs. CTCs in clusters were also common at baseline. In addition, we detected a significantly lower number of CTCs from patients receiving treatment versus those were not (Median 2.7 versus 0.7). Striking differences were also observed in CTCs for those with untreated/progressive disease versus those who had responding/stable disease (Median of 2.7 versus 0). Biomarker analyses on HER2/PD-L1/Ki-67/EGFR were feasible when CTCs were detected. There was overall agreement on CTCs detected on either platform. Where available, single cell sequencing data was concordant with clonal aberrations on sequencing. Conclusions: This is one of the largest prospective real-time endeavors in patients with colorectal and other GI cancers providing data on CTCs as liquid biopsies using 2 very different platforms. The descriptive insights gained from processing, enumeration, kinetics, timing of collection, biomarker analysis, costs, comparison across tumor types, attempts at cell culture, and single cell sequencing are of value for studies and investigators considering the use of CTCs in patients with colorectal and other GI cancers. While most of the focus is on ctDNA-based platforms, CTCs offer a different lens from a liquid biopsy standpoint that is complimentary and worth developing further.

Treaty flexibility unilaterally boosted: Reservations to European Social Charters

Thus far, research into reservations to treaties has often overlooked reservations formulated to both European Social Charters (and its Protocols) and the relevant European Committee of Social Rights practices. There are several pressing reasons to further explore this gap in existing literature. First, an analysis of practices within the European Social Charters (and Protocols) will provide a fuller picture of the reservations and responses of treaty bodies. Second, in the context of previous landmark events it is worth noting the practices of another human rights treaty monitoring body that is often omitted from analyses. Third, the very fact that the formulation of reservations to treaties gives parties such far-reaching flexibility to shape their contractual obligations (à la carte) is surprising. An important outcome of the research is the finding that, despite the far-reaching flexibility present in the treaties analysed, both the States Parties and the European Committee of Social Rights generally treat them as conventional treaties to which the general rules on reservations apply. Consequently, there is no basis for assuming that the mere fact of adopting the à la carte system in a treaty with no reservation clause implies a formal prohibition of reservations or otherwise discourages their formulation.

Access.

Access.

Embedding Regression: Models for Context-Specific Description and Inference

Social scientists commonly seek to make statements about how word use varies over circumstances—including time, partisan identity, or some other document-level covariate. For example, researchers might wish to know how Republicans and Democrats diverge in their understanding of the term “immigration.” Building on the success of pretrained language models, we introduce the à la carte on text (conText) embedding regression model for this purpose. This fast and simple method produces valid vector representations of how words are used—and thus what words “mean”—in different contexts. We show that it outperforms slower, more complicated alternatives and works well even with very few documents. The model also allows for hypothesis testing and statements about statistical significance. We demonstrate that it can be used for a broad range of important tasks, including understanding US polarization, historical legislative development, and sentiment detection. We provide open-source software for fitting the model.

A non-weight bearing protocol after ACL reconstruction improves static anterior tibial translation in patients with elevated slope and increased weight bearing tibial anterior translation

PurposeAim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a non-weight bearing (NWB) protocol within 21 post-operative days after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on static and dynamic anterior tibial translations (SATT and DATT, respectively). The hypothesis is that delayed WB would improve ATT at 9 months follow-up.MethodsA series of patients treated with ACL reconstruction was retrospectively reviewed, comparing a group with immediate post-operative weight bearing (WB group) and a group without post-operative weight bearing (NWB group). The NWB protocol was applied to patients with posterior tibial slope (PTS) ≥ 12°, pre-operative SATT ≥ 5 mm, and/or meniscal lesions of root or radial type. SATT, and PTS were measured on 20° flexion monopodal lateral x-rays, while DATT on Telos™ x-rays at pre-operative and 9-months follow-up.ResultsOne hundred seventy-nine patients were included (50 NWB group, 129 WB group). The SATT worsened in the WB group with a mean increase of 0.7 mm (SD 3.1 mm), while in the NWB group, the SATT improved with a mean decrease of 1.4 mm (SD 3.1 mm) from the pre-operative to 9 months’ follow-up (p < 0.001). The side-to-side Telos™ evaluation showed a significant improvement in DATT within both the groups (p < 0.001), but there was no difference between the two groups (p = 0.99).ConclusionThe post-operative protocol of 21 days without WB led to an improvement in SATT at 9 months without an influence on DATT, and it is recommended for patients with a SATT ≥ 5 mm and/or a PTS ≥ 12° as part of an “à la carte” approach to ACL reconstruction.Level of evidenceLevel IV, Retrospective case series

Saphenous sparing treatments: The ASVAL Method

The ASVAL method is based on a bottom-up concept of the evolution of venous disease from the tributaries to the saphenous axes, as opposed to the traditional top-down theory where reflux, conversely, appears first on the saphenous axes and then spreads to the tributaries. The bottom-up evolution has led to a change in treatment paradigm, no longer based on effective suppression of saphenous reflux, but on reversibility of the latter by ablation of the varicose tributaries, eliminating the filling effect at the origin of the hemodynamic disturbance. As the ASVAL strategy has its limits, depending on the stage of progression of saphenous damage, it is necessary to establish the indications where it can be applied, before the saphenous vein is irreversibly damaged (diameter larger than 8 mm, multiple ectasia, extended reflux above and below knee), or the clinical staged too advanced (skin changes). Various authors have reported on these criteria for applying the ASVAL method in the right indications considering hemodynamic data (ostial reflux, extent of truncal reflux), anatomical data (saphenous diameter, reflux location, volume of varicose reservoir) and clinical data (age, nulliparity, trophic disorders, presence of symptoms). Complications and side effects are limited if the indications and principles of the miniphlebectomy technique are respected. All the cohort studies reported show that after treatment using the ASVAL method (removal of varicose tributaries and ad integrum respect for the saphenous vein), reflux abolition is achieved in between 50% and 80% of cases, depending on the patients selected. Above all, these studies show that improvement in symptoms and quality of life is systematic, whatever the result on the saphenous vein. A recent randomized controlled trial shows that endovenous laser and ASVAL are clinically equivalent, with a cost/effectiveness ratio in favor of ASVAL. In conclusion, The ASVAL method leads to an alternative concept of an ascending or multifocal evolution starting on the epifascial tributaries and enabling to set an individualized “à la carte treatment” since every patient has a different clinical and hemodynamic situation of the disease at the time of treatment, which cannot match to a “one size fits all” that represents the traditional strategy. We have now at our disposal simple tools to evaluate the patients, select the good indications and perform properly the ASVAL method by mini-phlebectomy.

ШОС и Инициатива “Пояс и Путь” – перспектива двойной страховки для Афганистана

The article is devoted to the analysis of the impact of the SCO and the Belt and Road Initiative on the stability and economic development of Afghanistan. The author substantiates the possibility that the SCO and the Belt and Road Initiative can complement each other for peace and development in Afghanistan. The SCO provides a safe sphere for the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in Afghanistan, and the Belt and Road Initiative helps that the economy of Afghanistan will become part of the regional economy. The complexity of this problem is noted due to the fact that the positions of the SCO member states with regard to Afghanistan differ significantly, the Organization makes decisions solely by consensus, and the situation in Afghanistan is unstable. The author points out that these difficulties can be overcome, since the SCO member states are obliged to resolve disputes among themselves only peacefully, the projects developed by the SCO could potentially be planned by groups of interested participants on the principle of multilateralism a la carte, as Russian experts have already suggested, and increasing the interest of the SCO countries bordering Afghanistan in implementing economic projects related to This country will contribute to strengthening stability in Afghanistan and in the region as a whole. The integration of the SCO’s activities with the Belt and Road initiative will require minimizing threats that may emanate from the territory of Afghanistan to neighboring countries, ensuring the security of infrastructure and other facilities created on the territory of Afghanistan with external participation, as well as creative development of organizational and legal mechanisms of the SCO’s activities.

Isolated MPFL reconstruction with soft tissue femoral fixation technique in 54 skeletally immature patients: Clinical outcomes at 2 years follow-up. A French multicenter retrospective study

BackgroundMedial patello-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is one of the therapeutic options to treat patellofemoral instability. Classically, a à la carte treatment of skeletal and ligament abnormalities is described. This option is difficult to achieve in children because bony procedures can damage the femoral and/or tibial growth plate. The objective was to evaluate a strategy for isolated reconstruction of the MPFL in the treatment of objective patellar instabilities in children, in a large cohort. The return to sport, knee function and pain or discomfort were studied as secondary endpoints. MethodsThis French multicenter retrospective study included 54 pediatric patients with objective patellofemoral instability. Patients were included if they had presented at least 2 episodes of objective patella dislocation. A Deie-like technique with gracilis tendon graft, soft tissue femoral fixation and patellar bone tunnels for patellar fixation was used. Recurrence of dislocation was studied as the primary endpoint, and the recurrence rate was compared with the literature. A comparison of functional scores (Kujala, Lille femoro-patellar instability score or LFPI Score and Tegner activity score) and NRS between pre- and postoperative was studied as a secondary objective. ResultsA recurrence of femoro-patellar instability was observed for five patients within 2 years follow up (9%). A significant improvement of the Kujala, LFPI score, Tegner and NRS scores was observed (p<0.001). ConclusionIsolated reconstruction of the MPFL presents a risk of recurrence of 9% at 2years follow-up. This technique significantly improves the functional scores of the knee. This modified Deie technique provides good clinical and functional results, allowing return to sports with an acceptable risk of recurrence of patellar dislocation, similar to those observed in the literature. Isolated MPFL reconstruction as a first-line treatment appears to be a reliable and effective technique in terms of recurrence of dislocation and functional scores. It allows early recovery and rehabilitation and has lower morbidity than procedures requiring bone gestures. Level of evidenceIII, retrospective comparative study.

Innovative Design of Residual Stress and Strain Distributions for Analyzing the Hydrogen Embrittlement Phenomenon in Metallic Materials.

Round-notched samples are commonly used for testing the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of metallic materials. Hydrogen diffusion is influenced by the stress and strain states generated during testing. This state causes hydrogen-assisted micro-damage leading to failure that is due to HE. In this study, it is assumed that hydrogen diffusion can be controlled by modifying such residual stress and strain fields. Thus, the selection of the notch geometry to be used in the experiments becomes a key task. In this paper, different HE behaviors are analyzed in terms of the stress and strain fields obtained under diverse loading conditions (un-preloaded and preloaded causing residual stress and strains) in different notch geometries (shallow notches and deep notches). To achieve this goal, two uncoupled finite element (FE) simulations were carried out: (i) a simulation by FE of the loading sequences applied in the notched geometries for revealing the stress and strain states and (ii) a simulation of hydrogen diffusion assisted by stress and strain, for estimating the hydrogen distributions. According to results, hydrogen accumulation in shallow notches is heavily localized close to the wire surface, whereas for deep notches, hydrogen is more uniformly distributed. The residual stress and plastic strains generated by the applied preload localize maximum hydrogen concentration at deeper points than un-preloaded cases. As results, four different scenarios are established for estimating "a la carte" the HE susceptibility of pearlitic steels just combining two notch depths and the residual stress and strain caused by a preload.

The Private Dining Restaurant: The Ideal Restaurant of the Future due to Covid-19?

This paper presents a model of a dislocated restaurant created based on dislocated hotels in Italy. This paper aims to provide an innovative solution for new initiatives in the food and beverage industry experiencing great losses due to the Covid 19 epidemic. The study uses an existing hotel model and adopts it in restaurants, and it uses analyses and synthesis for developing and defining new concepts. The private dining restaurant model represents a hybrid modification between dislocated hotels and classic à la carte restaurants and is more customized to the new normal. Depending on space constraints, a private dining restaurant can be built as a brand new restaurant or use the many empty spaces in the centre of many cities for this purpose, thus encouraging urban regeneration. Although, given its characteristics, this restaurant model is easier to apply from the beginning as such (as dislocated) rather than applying to existing buildings.

Co-governance à la carte: the Covid-19 crisis and the failure of urban governance in Spain

ABSTRACT On 25 October 2020, the Spanish government, seeking to address a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, declared a new state of emergency. As opposed to the one introduced earlier in the year, on this occasion the government left to each region – the comunidades autónomas – the power to decide how, where and what mitigating measures would be put in place on the basis of a ‘co-governance framework’. The rationale behind this lockdown à la carte was motivated by a series of judicial rulings that had challenged the legal basis for regions and the central government to introduce stricter measures following the end of the first state of emergency. While different analyses have focused on how governments have dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic on a national scale, little discussion has taken place on the relationship between the national and the regional. Taking as point of departure recent debates about policy failure and urban governance, this paper focuses on the contradictions and challenges the Spanish government and the different regional governments had to face throughout the different states of emergency the country went through during the Covid-19 crisis, and the resulting mismatching policies put in place throughout this time.

À la carte Management of Recreational Resources

À la carte Management of Recreational Resources

Food waste in a hotel foodservice: A case study identifying hot spots and strategies to prioritize towards a reduction

The present study focuses on the characterization of food waste (FW) in a hotel foodservice along with the proposal of strategies for FW reduction. The food discarded in a hotel foodservice located in Montreal was quantified and categorized according to its origin (preparation waste, plate waste or spoilage), the type of service provided (restaurant's personalized table service or banquet), the meal formula (buffet or à la carte) and the possibility of its avoidance (avoidable, possibly avoidable or unavoidable). The results indicate that the majority of total food waste is avoidable. A major hot spot turns out to be preparation waste. As for plate waste, the quantity is minimal and did not vary significantly between the meal formulas, the types of service and the portion sizes, with some exceptions for the buffet formula. Based on obtained results, various strategies for FW reduction at multiple levels such as training kitchen staff in the actions against FW, reducing the number of items on the menu and/or the variety of preparations in a meal and modifying the banquet culinary package to include two-course menus, were proposed aiming at increasing the sustainability of hotel foodservices.

Review: Butinage: The Art of Religious Mobility, by Yonatan N. Gez, Yvan Droz, Jeanne Rey, and Edio Soares

Review: <i>Butinage: The Art of Religious Mobility</i>, by Yonatan N. Gez, Yvan Droz, Jeanne Rey, and Edio Soares

Methylene Blue functionalized carbon nanodots combined with different shape gold nanostructures for sensitive and selective SARS-CoV-2 sensing

The development of DNA-sensing platforms based on new synthetized Methylene Blue functionalized carbon nanodots combined with different shape gold nanostructures (AuNs), as a new pathway to develop a selective and sensitive methodology for SARS-CoV-2 detection is presented. A mixture of gold nanoparticles and gold nanotriangles have been synthetized to modify disposable electrodes that act as an enhanced nanostructured electrochemical surface for DNA probe immobilization. On the other hand, modified carbon nanodots prepared a la carte to contain Methylene Blue (MB-CDs) are used as electrochemical indicators of the hybridization event. These MB-CDs, due to their structure, are able to interact differently with double and single-stranded DNA molecules. Based on this strategy, target sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been detected in a straightforward way and rapidly with a detection limit of 2.00 aM. Moreover, this platform allows the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence in the presence of other viruses, and also a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs). The developed approach has been tested directly on RNA obtained from nasopharyngeal samples from COVID-19 patients, avoiding any amplification process. The results agree well with those obtained by RT-qPCR or reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique.

Variable Pricing in Restaurant Revenue Management: A Priority Mixed Bundle Strategy

The restaurant industry has historically been limited in its ability to adopt traditional revenue management pricing practices (e.g., variable pricing across tables and times) because of three specific challenges: (a) inability to segment customers by willingness to pay prior to seating, (b) limited ability to price discriminate (i.e., prioritize limited seating for the highest paying customers), and (c) inability to communicate menu price variances in advance. This article reviews common restaurant pricing strategies and discusses how each strategy cannot sufficiently address these three challenges. This work proposes a new strategy, the Priority Mixed Bundle ( PMB) Strategy, which addresses all three of these challenges. The PMB states that customers can make reservations if they are willing to commit to dining from a prix-fixe menu while walk-ins can dine a la carte. The article argues for why PMB is theoretically viable and could be superior to existing menu pricing strategies. A field study shows that the PMB generates more revenue than a la carte strategies. Survey results suggest that customers perceive PMB as fair. Overall, this research advances theory in restaurant revenue management and proposes a pricing strategy for restaurants.

A quantitative data analysis of video-based instruction in an asynchronous online mathematics methods class for teacher certification

The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 has forced teachers at all levels to adjust their teaching styles. Nearly every instructor is teaching in ways that are entirely new (at least to them). Online methods have jumped suddenly from à la carte options to essential components of instructional delivery at all levels from pre-kindergarten to higher education. There is a limit to the relevance of current education research literature for the unprecedented move to online learning precisely because it is unparalleled. However, with thoughtful planning and only a modest increase in effort, teachers working in these unprecedented situations can extend the lessons learned from this quantitative study to benefit their own student populations. The research presented will show the effectiveness of an instructor-created video segment to support student learning outcomes in an asynchronous online, graduate-level K-6 mathematics teaching methods course.