bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovations in anaerobic digestion: a model-based study
Authors: Postawa Karol , Szczygieł Jerzy , Kułażyński Marek
Published: January 2021

Background

Increasing the efficiency of the biogas production process is possible by modifying the technological installations of the biogas plant. In this study, specific solutions based on a mathematical model that lead to favorable results were proposed. Three configurations were considered: classical anaerobic digestion (AD) and its two modifications, two-phase AD (TPAD) and autogenerative high-pressure digestion (AHPD). The model has been validated based on measurements from a biogas plant located in Poland. Afterward, the TPAD and AHPD concepts were numerically tested for the same volume and feeding conditions.

Results

The TPAD system increased the overall biogas production from 9.06 to 9.59%, depending on the feedstock composition, while the content of methane was slightly lower in the whole production chain. On the other hand, the AHPD provided the best purity of the produced fuel, in which a methane content value of 82.13% was reached. At the same time, the overpressure leads to a decrease of around 7.5% in the volumetric production efficiency. The study indicated that the dilution of maize silage with pig manure, instead of water, can have significant benefits in the selected configurations. The content of pig slurry strengthens the impact of the selected process modifications—in the first case, by increasing the production efficiency, and in the second, by improving the methane content in the biogas.

Conclusions

The proposed mathematical model of the AD process proved to be a valuable tool for the description and design of biogas plant. The analysis shows that the overall impact of the presented process modifications is mutually opposite. The feedstock composition has a moderate and unsteady impact on the production profile, in the tested modifications. The dilution with pig manure, instead of water, leads to a slightly better efficiency in the classical configuration. For the TPAD process, the trend is very similar, but the AHPD biogas plant indicates a reverse tendency. Overall, the recommendation from this article is to use the AHPD concept if the composition of the biogas is the most important. In the case in which the performance is the most important factor, it is favorable to use the TPAD configuration.
Gabapentin for phantom limb pain after amputation in pediatric oncology: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Jiang Shuang , Zhou Meng-meng , Xia Rong , Bai Jing-hui , Yan Li-hui
Published: January 2021

Background

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a prevalent problem for children after amputation because of the chemotherapy treatment. Gabapentin is a potential option to manage PLP after amputation in pediatric oncology. However, no systematic review specifically investigated this topic. Thus, this study aims to appraise the efficacy and safety of gabapentin for post-amputation PLP in pediatric oncology.

Methods

Electronic databases (Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus, WANGFANG, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database) will be systematically searched from the beginning to the present without limitations to publication status and language. Primary outcome is pain intensity. Secondary outcomes are analgesic drug consumption, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life, and adverse events. The treatment effect of all dichotomous outcome data will be estimated as risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and that of continuous outcome data will be calculated as mean difference or standardized mean difference and 95% CIs. Methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool and that of case-controlled studies (CCSs) will be appraised using Newcastle-Ottawa Tool. Statistical analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.3 software.

Discussion

This study will summarize up-to-date high-quality RCTs and CCSs to assess the efficacy and safety of gabapentin for PLP after amputation in pediatric oncology. The findings of this study will help to determine whether or not gabapentin is effective and safe for children with PLP after amputation.

Systematic review registration

INPLASY202060090
$(\mathrm{p},\mathrm{q})$-Analysis of Montgomery identity and estimates of $(\mathrm{p},\mathrm{q})$-bounds with applications
Authors: Chu Yu-Ming , Talib Sadia , Set Erhan , Awan Muhammad Uzair , Noor Muhammad Aslam
Published: January 2021

The main objective of this article is to establish a new post quantum version of Montgomery identity. Some estimates of associated post quantum bounds are also obtained. In order to obtain the main results of the article, we use the preinvexity property of the functions. Some special cases are also discussed in detail. Finally, we present some applications of the obtained results, which shows the significance of the discussed results.
Influence of grass lawns on the summer thermal environment and microclimate of heritage sites: a case study of Fuling mausoleum, China
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Liu Peng , Xu Gongwen
Published: January 2021

The thermal environment and microclimate of heritage sites has been severely impacted by rapid urbanization. This study collected various meteorological measurement data as a reference for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation settings. Then CFD was applied to simulate the impact of lawns on the thermal environment and microclimate of Fuling Mausoleum. We found that lawns and soil can cool the air through evaporation, and thus have a specific cooling effect on the bricked ground. Simulations with the lawns, the bricked ground temperature decreased by 1.56–17.54 °C than that simulations without the lawns at 14:00, a decrease of 2.68%–24.20%. Under normal circumstances, when the wind speed or relative humidity increased, the ground temperature dropped. Greenbelt vegetation can adjust the microclimate and human thermal comfort indicators. The consistency of the difference between the actual measurement and the CFD simulation results shows that CFD simulation can thus accurately reflect the internal temperature field distribution if the selection of simulation parameters is reasonable. Theoretical calculation and analysis, experimental measurement research, and modern computer simulation analysis methods applied together constitute a complete system for studying modern physical environmental problems and can provide reliable and economic results.
SDPSO: Spark Distributed PSO-based approach for feature selection and cancer disease prognosis
Authors: Tadist Khawla , Mrabti Fatiha , Nikolov Nikola S. , Zahi Azeddine , Najah Said
Published: January 2021

The Dimensionality Curse is one of the most critical issues that are hindering faster evolution in several fields broadly, and in bioinformatics distinctively. To counter this curse, a conglomerate solution is needed. Among the renowned techniques that proved efficacy, the scaling-based dimensionality reduction techniques are the most prevalent. To insure improved performance and productivity, horizontal scaling functions are combined with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based computational techniques. Optimization algorithms are an interesting substitute to traditional feature selection methods that are both efficient and relatively easier to scale. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is an iterative search algorithm that has proved to achieve excellent results for feature selection problems. In this paper, a composite Spark Distributed approach to feature selection that combines an integrative feature selection algorithm using Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm for cancer prognosis is proposed; hence Spark Distributed Particle Swarm Optimization (SDPSO) approach. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated using five benchmark genomic datasets as well as a comparative study with four state of the art methods. Compared with the four methods, the proposed approach yields the best in average of purity ranging from 0.78 to 0.97 and F-measure ranging from 0.75 to 0.96.
Postoperative acute multiple organ failure after hepatectomy in a Nigerian male with sickle cell trait: a case report
Authors: Iwasaki Toshimitsu , Nara Satoshi , Nishimura Yuuki , Ueda Hiroki , Kishi Yoji , Esaki Minoru , Shimada Kazuaki , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi
Published: January 2021

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic disease characterized by sickle hemoglobin (HbS). Patients homozygous for HbS experience symptoms resulting from sickled erythrocytes no later than adolescence. However, heterozygous HbS carriers, or those with the so-called sickle cell trait (SCT), may undergo surgery without their hemoglobinopathy being known.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old Nigerian male with hepatitis C infection underwent radiofrequency ablation therapy for multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) 17 months prior. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) revealed a solitary tumor (3.2 cm) in the medial section of the cirrhotic liver. The Child–Pugh score was five, and the indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min was 17.4%. The nontumorous liver of the medial section accounted for 10% of the total liver volume according to CT volumetry. With the diagnosis of recurrent HCC, left medial sectionectomy was performed under intermittent blood flow occlusion by Pringle’s maneuver. Intraoperative ultrasonography confirmed that hepatic blood flow had been preserved after hepatectomy. However, laboratory tests on postoperative day (POD) 1 revealed severe liver damage: aspartate aminotransferase 9250 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase 6120 IU/L, total bilirubin 2.8 mg/dL, and prothrombin time% 20.9%. The patient’s renal and respiratory functions also deteriorated; therefore, continuous hemodiafiltration and plasma exchange were initiated under mechanical ventilation. Whole-body contrast-enhanced CT showed no apparent ischemia of the remnant liver, but diffuse cerebral infarction was detected. Despite intensive treatments, he died of multiple organ failure on POD 20. The pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed that the intrahepatic peripheral vessels were occluded by sickled erythrocytes. Additionally, chromatographic analysis of hemoglobin detected the presence of abnormal hemoglobin, although microscopic examination of the peripheral blood erythrocytes did not show morphological abnormalities. Based on these findings, we determined that he had SCT and developed vaso-occlusive crisis involving multiple organs just after hepatectomy.

Conclusion

SCD is a rare disease in eastern Asia, but its prevalence is increasing globally. Surgeons should pay increased attention to this disease, especially when performing hepatectomy under blood flow occlusion.
A joint inventory–finance model for coordinating a capital-constrained supply chain with financing limitations
Authors: Emtehani Faranak , Nahavandi Nasim , Rafiei Farimah Mokhatab
Published: January 2021

Faced with economic recession, firms struggle to find ways to stay competitive and maintain market share. Effective coordination of the supply chain can solve this problem, but this may fail if existing capital constraints and financial flows are ignored. This study addresses the challenge by exploiting coordination through joint decision-making on the physical and financial flows of a capital-constrained supply chain. We also consider the capital-constrained member’s financing limitations that lead to lost sales. Two scenarios based on non-coordinated and coordinated structures are modeled in the form of bi-objective optimization problems that simultaneously optimize system costs and service levels. The models are solved using the $$\varepsilon$$
ε
-constraint method. The results indicate that the non-coordinated model cannot satisfy more than about 50% of the demand due to capital shortage and financing limitations, while the coordinated model can satisfy all of the demand via internal financing. Furthermore, the proposed coordination scheme leads to cost reduction for the members and the total system. To motivate all members to accept the proposed coordination scheme, a cost-sharing mechanism is applied to the coordination procedure. Finally, a sensitivity analysis concerning financial parameters is provided for validating the coordination model.
A virtual-hybrid approach to launching a cardio-oncology clinic during a pandemic
Authors: Brown Sherry-Ann , Patel Sahishnu , Rayan David , Zaharova Svetlana , Lin Mingqian , Nafee Tarek , Sunkara Bipin , Maddula Ragasnehith , MacLeod James , Doshi Krishna , Meskin Joshua , Marks David , Saucedo Jorge
Published: January 2021

Background

As cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in cancer survivors, the new subspecialty of Cardio-Oncology has emerged to address prevention, monitoring, and management of cardiovascular toxicities to cancer therapies. During the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we developed a Virtual-Hybrid Approach to build a de novo Cardio-Oncology Clinic.

Methods

We conceptualized a Virtual-Hybrid Approach including three arms: information seeking in locations with existing Cardio-Oncology clinics, information gathering at the location for a new clinic, and information sharing to report clinic-building outcomes. A retrospective review of outcomes included collection and synthesis of data from our first 3 months (at pandemic peak) on types of appointments, cancers, drugs, and cardiotoxicities. Data were presented using descriptive statistics.

Results

A de-novo Cardio-Oncology clinic was developed structured from the ground up to integrate virtual and in-person care in a hybrid and innovative model, using the three arms of the Virtual-Hybrid Approach. First, we garnered in-person and virtual preparation through hands-on experiences, training, and discussions in existing Cardio-Oncology Clinics and conferences. Next, we gleaned information through virtual inquiry and niche-building. With partners throughout the institution, a virtual referral process was established for outpatient referrals and inpatient e-consult referrals to actualize a hybrid care spectrum for our patients administered by a multidisciplinary hybrid care team of clinicians, ancillary support staff, and clinical pharmacists. Among the multi-subspecialty clinic sessions, approximately 50% were in Cardio-Oncology, 20% in Preventive Cardiology, and 30% in General Cardiology. In the hybrid model, the Heart & Vascular Center had started to re-open, allowing for 65% of our visits to be in person. In additional analyses, the most frequent cardiovascular diagnosis was cardiomyopathy (34%), the most common cancer drug leading to referral was trastuzumab (29%), and the most prevalent cancer type was breast cancer (42%).

Conclusion

This Virtual-Hybrid Approach and retrospective review provides guidance and information regarding initiating a brand-new Cardio-Oncology Clinic during the pandemic for cancer patients/survivors. This report also furnishes virtual resources for patients, virtual tools for oncologists, cardiologists, and administrators tasked with starting new clinics during the pandemic, and innovative future directions for this digital pandemic to post-pandemic era.
Synthesis of DOTA-pyridine chelates for 64Cu coordination and radiolabeling of αMSH peptide
Authors: Yang Hua , Gao Feng , McNeil Brooke , Zhang Chengcheng , Yuan Zheliang , Zeisler Stefan , Kumlin Joel , Zeisler Jutta , Bénard François , Ramogida Caterina , Schaffer Paul
Published: January 2021

Background

64Cu is one of the few radioisotopes that can be used for both imaging and therapy, enabling theranostics with identical chemical composition. Development of stable chelators is essential to harness the potential of this isotope, challenged by the presence of endogenous copper chelators. Pyridyl type chelators show good coordination ability with copper, prompting the present study of a series of chelates DOTA-xPy (x = 1–4) that sequentially substitute carboxyl moieties with pyridyl moieties on a DOTA backbone.

Results

We found that the presence of pyridyl groups significantly increases 64Cu labeling conversion yield, with DOTA-2Py, −3Py and -4Py quantitatively complexing 64Cu at room temperature within 5 min (1 × 10− 4 M). [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-xPy (x = 2–4) exhibited good stability in human serum up to 24 h. When challenged with 1000 eq. of NOTA, no transmetallation was observed for all three 64Cu complexes. DOTA-xPy (x = 1–3) were conjugated to a cyclized α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH) peptide by using one of the pendant carboxyl groups as a bifunctional handle. [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-xPy-αMSH retained good serum stability (> 96% in 24 h) and showed high binding affinity (Ki = 2.1–3.7 nM) towards the melanocortin 1 receptor.

Conclusion

DOTA-xPy (x = 1–3) are promising chelators for 64Cu. Further in vivo evaluation is necessary to assess the full potential of these chelators as a tool to enable further theranostic radiopharmaceutical development.
Bacteriotherapy for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Yoshimatsu Yusuke , Mikami Yohei , Kanai Takanori
Published: January 2021

The number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease is rapidly increasing in developed countries. The main cause of this increase is thought not to be genetic, but secondary to rapidly modernized environmental change. Changes in the environment have been detrimental to enteric probiotics useful for fermentation, inducing an increase in pathobionts that survive by means other than fermentation. This dysregulated microbiota composition, the so-called dysbiosis, is believed to have increased the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease. Bacteriotherapy, a treatment that prophylactically and therapeutically corrects the composition of disturbed intestinal microbiota, is a promising recent development. In fact, fecal microbiome transplantation for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection in 2013 was a significant contribution for bacteriotherapy. In this paper, we comprehensively review bacteriotherapy in an easy-to-understand format.
Patient-led use of patient-reported outcome measure in self-Management of a Rotator Cuff Injury
Authors: Santana Maria J. , Tomkins Darrell J.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The patient is the person who experiences both the processes and the outcomes of care. Information held by the patient is vital for clinical and self-management, improving health outcomes, delivery of care, organization of health systems, and formulation of health policies. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) play an important role in supporting patient’s self-management. This narrative describes a patient-led use of a PROM to self-manage after a rotator cuff injury.

Methods

This is a narrative of a patient who tore the supraspinatus tendon in her right shoulder in an accident. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, the DASH questionnaire, was used to monitor and self-manage recovery after the accident.

The DASH questionnaire is a self-reported questionnaire that measures the difficulty in performing upper extremity activities and pain in the arm, shoulder or hand. It has been widely used in research studies, but here the patient initiated its use for self-management while waiting for and after rotator cuff surgery. The patient created separate sub-scale scores for function and for pain to answer questions from healthcare providers about her recovery.

Results

There was noticeable improvement over 3 months of conservative treatment, from a high level of disability of 56 to 39 (score changed 17); however, the scores were nowhere near the general population normative score of 10.1. Surgery improved the score from 39 pre-surgery to 28. Post-surgical interventions included physiotherapy, pain management and platelet-riched plasma treatment (PRP). The score was 14 4 weeks post-PRP.

Conclusions

The patient found the DASH useful in monitoring recovery from a rotator cuff injury (before and after surgery). The DASH contributed to communication with healthcare professionals and supported the clinical management. The DASH questionnaire was able to capture the patient’s experience with the injury and surgical recovery, corroborating an improvement in function while there was persistent post-surgical pain.
BuildCOM: automated auditing and continuous commissioning of next generation building management systems
Authors: Jradi Muhyiddine , Boel Niels , Madsen Bo Eskerod , Jacobsen Jonas , Hooge Julie Strandesen , Kildelund Lars
Published: January 2021

A building management system (BMS) is generally defined as the ‘Brain’ of the building. Building management systems aid in improving occupant comfort and productivity and, enhance the operational efficiency of building energy generation and supply systems. This paper presents the BuildCOM project which is driven by the industry and customer needs. It responds to the increasing demands for energy efficiency, comfort, and safety in the buildings sector. The project brings together academic researchers, industrial companies and public partners, to develop and demonstrate an innovative first-of-its-kind software for BMS automated auditing and continuous building commissioning. The software has three major capabilities, initial BMS auditing, BMS retro-commissioning and continuous building commissioning. Thus, the proposed software will aid the design, development and operation of next generation building management systems. The project builds up partly on the online building energy performance monitoring and evaluation (ObepME) tool developed in COORDICY which will be combined with a holistic process for building management systems auditing and commissioning within the developed software solution. The set of tools developed under BuildCOM will be implemented and demonstrated considering multiple case studies. Implementing the proposed solution, the customers and building owners will have up to 35% higher energy efficiency in newly built and exiting buildings, around 25% lower operation costs and less emissions from day one and throughout the building operation phase.
Fear at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic: validation of the Arabic version of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire among Saudi-based respondents
Authors: Aljemaiah Abdulaziz I , Osman Mugtaba , Alharbi Sarah , Alshehri Randa , Aldggag Esraa Mansoer , Aljoudi Alaa Talal , Abdulsomad Dina Smail , Abdulghani Mohammed , Alotaibi Fawaz
Published: January 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented stress and fear throughout the world.

Aims

To evaluate the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Saudi public, and to examine the performance of the Arabic version of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) scale.

Method

We conducted an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of a sample of the Saudi public.

Results

The study included 347 participants, who reported significantly higher levels of distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and somatisation compared with a normative sample. Females scored higher in terms of somatisation, depression and anxiety symptoms, and distress. Obtaining COVID-19 information from friends and relatives was associated with higher levels of somatisation, depression and anxiety symptoms, and distress. Cronbach's alpha was 0.93 for the distress scale, 0.88 for the depression scale, 0.88 for the anxiety scale and 0.86 for the somatisation scale.

Conclusions

Levels of psychological distress were high among the Saudi public during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found high reliability for the Arabic version of the 4DSQ scale. However, three items did not conform to the four-factor structure, namely, item 1: ‘During the past week, did you suffer from dizziness or feeling light-headed?’, item 20: ‘During the past week, did you suffer from disturbed sleep?’ and item 46: ‘During the past week did you ever think I wish I was dead?’.
Overall Survival With Second-Line Pembrolizumab in Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Randomized Phase III Clinical Trial Versus Propensity-Adjusted Real-World Data
Authors: Jemielita Thomas , Li Xiaoyun (Nicole) , Piperdi Bilal , Zhou Wei , Burke Thomas , Chen Cong
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE

To compare and characterize overall survival (OS) differences between clinical trial data from the KEYNOTE-010 trial and real-world data (RWD) from the Flatiron Health database in patients with programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)–expressing advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received second-line pembrolizumab monotherapy.

METHODS

Clinical trial data were from the randomized phase II/III KEYNOTE-010 trial that enrolled patients from August 28, 2013, to February 27, 2015. At data cutoff for KEYNOTE-010, the median survival follow-up time for pembrolizumab patients was 11.2 months. RWD were from Flatiron Health advanced NSCLC database and included patients who initiated second-line pembrolizumab from January 26, 2015, to February 28, 2019. At data cutoff for Flatiron, the median survival follow-up time for pembrolizumab-treated patients was 6.1 months. Clinical trial data from KEYNOTE-010 and RWD from Flatiron were analyzed without adjustment, with propensity adjustment, and filtered per the main KEYNOTE-010 eligibility criteria (EC) of histologically/cytologically confirmed PD-L1–positive NSCLC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0/1, no prior therapy with docetaxel for NSCLC, and laboratory values indicative of adequate organ function in addition to prior line of therapy requirements.

RESULTS

Among 243 patients from KEYNOTE-010 and 782 from Flatiron, median age was 63 v 68 years, and 64% v 54% were male, respectively. OS data from KEYNOTE-010 and Flatiron were similar without any adjustment (n = 782; hazard ratio [HR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.15) and after both filtering and propensity adjustment (n = 221; HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.34).

CONCLUSION

Without any adjustment, as well as after applying similar EC and appropriate statistical methods, RWD demonstrated similar effectiveness for pembrolizumab in second-line NSCLC as observed in randomized clinical trials.
BOIN Suite: A Software Platform to Design and Implement Novel Early-Phase Clinical Trials
Authors: Zhou Yanhong , Lin Ruitao , Kuo Ying-Wei , Lee J. Jack , Yuan Ying
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE

Using novel Bayesian adaptive designs has great potential to improve the efficiency of early-phase clinical trials. A major barrier for clinical researchers to adopt novel designs is the lack of easy-to-use software. Our purpose is to develop a user-friendly software platform to implement novel clinical trial designs that address various challenges in early-phase dose-finding trials.

METHODS

We used R Shiny to develop a web-based software platform to facilitate the use of recent novel adaptive designs.

RESULTS

We developed a web-based software suite, called Bayesian optimal interval (BOIN) suite, which includes R Shiny applications to handle various clinical settings, including single-agent phase I trials with and without prior information, trials with late-onset toxicity, trials to find the optimal biological dose based on risk-benefit trade-off, and drug combination trials to find a single maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or the MTD contour. The applications are built using the same software architecture to ensure the best and a uniform user experience, and they are developed using a proven software development standard operating procedure to ensure accuracy, robustness, and reproducibility. The suite is freely available with internet access and a web browser without the need of installing any other software.

CONCLUSION

The BOIN suite allows clinical researchers to design various types of early-phase clinical trials under a unified framework. This work is extremely important because it not only advances the clinical research and drug development by facilitating the use of novel trial designs with optimal performance but also enhances collaborations between biostatisticians and clinicians by disseminating novel statistical methodology to broader scientific communities through user-friendly software. The BOIN suite establishes a KISS principle: keep it simple, but smart.
Aharonov-Bohm effect on the generalized Dirac oscillator in a cosmic dislocation space-time
Authors: Chen H. , Long Z. W. , Ran Q. K. , Yang Y. , Long C. Y.
Published: January 2021

In this work, we investigate the spin-half relativistic particles described by the Dirac equation on the topological defect background induced by the cosmic string and torsion with an internal magnetic field. We derive the general expression of the generalized Dirac oscillator on the topological defect background and analyze the analogue of the Aharonov-Bohm effect for the Dirac oscillator with function

considered as the Cornell potential, and we explain the influence of related parameters on the energy levels of the studied system.
Making an IMPACT on Career Development for Early- and Mid-career Faculty
Authors: Sikora Matthew J , Riggins Rebecca B , Madak-Erdogan Zeynep
Published: January 2021

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are critically important in normal and disease physiology. Recent advances have created opportunities to expand our success in NR basic and translational research, but this field lacks a platform to lay the collaborative groundwork for aspiring and upcoming leaders in the field. NR IMPACT (Interdisciplinary Meeting for Progress And Collaboration Together) is a new collaborative group designed specifically for early- and midcareer faculty who study NRs in their many forms. A unique goal of NR IMPACT is to also directly address career challenges for early- and mid-career faculty. NR IMPACT held an inaugural conference in September 2020 and developed a roadmap identifying 5 major structural and science policy challenges facing early- and mid-career faculty. NR IMPACT identified potential best practices, resources needed, and key action items to address these issues. NR IMPACT is a first of its kind cohort dedicated to building a foundation for the scientific and professional growth of investigators studying NRs, and supporting new collaborations that will advance new paradigms in NR biology. Our unique focus on career development will enhance the success of current faculty and remove hurdles for new faculty, creating a robust pipeline of investigators with exciting new ideas to advance NR biology. The growth of NR IMPACT will build a strong peer-mentoring cohort that can be a unique resource for researchers and a prototype peer group for other disciplines.
Twilight of the Idols
Authors: Gallagher-Ross Jacob
Published: January 2021

Jacob Gallagher-Ross reviews Deanna Bowen’s God of Gods: A Canadian Play, an art exhibition that investigates and departs from the legacy of a modernist Canadian production of the same name. He examines Bowen’s critique of the legacies of settler colonialism and the influence that the large-looming Canadian modernists known as the Group of Seven have had on Canadian culture and identity, illuminating her argument that God of Gods was not “a Canadian play” but “the script for Canadian racism.”
Demography and population structure of Northeastern mediterranean monk seal population
Authors: KURT MERVE , GÜCÜ ALI CEMAL
Published: January 2021

The Northeastern Mediterranean coasts that border southern Turkey host one of the last strongholds for the survival of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus, 1779). The seal colonies inhabiting south coast of Turkey have been studied since 1994 through various short-term research projects focusing on distinct small populations that were thought to be isolated. In this study, the entire extent of the area was monitored approximately for 3 years (between 2015 and 2018) with camera traps places in 20 caves known to be actively used by the seals. A total of 7014 images taken throughout the study period, along with 25,100 images taken previously, were used to identify the seals inhabiting the area.  In total, 37 individuals were identified based on the natural marks on the body. Based on photo-identified seals, a mark-recapture method was applied to estimate the total population size within the Northeastern Mediterranean. The overall population size was found to be 46 (SE=7.7) in the case of closed population and 53(SE=34.8) in the case of open population during the study period.  The range of identified seals was almost six times larger than previously documented in the same area, reaching distances up to 245 km. The population estimate indicated a decrease in population size compared to previous studies.  Finally, the study emphasises the importance of long-term monitoring studies elucidating changes in the demographic parameters in relation to threats posed, rather than cut-paste measurement suggestions which are not applicable in reality, while structuring the conservation actions targeting survival of this highly endangered species.
Ecophysiological and behavioural responses to salinity and temperature stress in cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae with comments on gender differences
Authors: SVETLICHNY LEONID , HUBAREVA ELENA , UTTIERI MARCO
Published: January 2021

The gender differences in reaction to salinity (3-50) and temperature (6-26°C) stress were studied in the thermophilic cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae, introduced in the brackish temperate Black Sea since 2001. Both females and males possessed similar salinity tolerance ranges (6–40) irrespective of the salinity change rate, and females displayed a striking osmotic control upon sharp (18-40 and 40-18) salinity shocks. By contrast, the temperature response of males and females were different. Torpidity was recorded at a temperature below 10°C in males collected both in warm and cold seasons, as well as in summer-autumn females whilst in females grown up at the beginning of winter the locomotor parameters were high even at 6°С. The total metabolic rate of summer-autumn and winter females was determined by the level of basal metabolic rate and energy expenditures due to motor activity. In winter females that maintained high activity at low temperature, the total and basal metabolic rates, differing by 2.3 times at all temperatures within the range of 8–28°C, varied in accordance with the temperature coefficient Q10 of about 2, whereas in summer-autumn females at low temperatures total metabolic rate decreased to the basal level. The plasticity of both males and female to wide ranges in abiotic conditions provide an adaptive strategy to sustain the spreading of O. davisae in diverse environments.
Pycnogonida (Arthropoda) from Northern Adriatic Corallina officinalis Linnaeus, 1758 belts
Authors: LEHMANN TOBIAS , SPELDA JÖRG , MELZER ROLAND , BURŠIĆ MOIRA
Published: January 2021

We studied Pycnogonida, sea spiders, collected from 54 samples of Corallina officinalis belts in the vicinity of Pula and the Brijuni National Park representing both exposed and sheltered localities as well as different levels of human impact. Seven species were identified, namely Achelia echinata, A. langi, Tanystylum conirostre, Anoplodactylus angulatus, A. pygmaeus, Trygaeus communis, and Callipallene tiberi. As we used a quantifiable standard sample size of 5 cm2, we could perform a statistical analysis of species richness and abundances. The exposed low human impact sites showed a significantly higher amount of both, specimens and species than the sheltered high impact sites. C. tiberi and A. echinata showed a significant preference for exposed low impact sites while T. conirostre was equally distributed among the habitat subtypes.
On the presence of the Endangered white skate Rostroraja alba in Sardinian waters
Authors: MARONGIU MARTINA FRANCESCA , PORCU CRISTINA , BELLODI ANDREA , CANNAS RITA , CARUGATI LAURA , CAU ALESSANDRO , MULAS ANTONELLO , PESCI PAOLA , FOLLESA MARIA CRISTINA
Published: January 2021

The white skate Rostroraja alba is assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as Endangered globally and is now considered rare in the Mediterranean. This species has never been recorded in Sardinian seas (central western Mediterranean), but an empty eggcase was collected on a sandy bottom off the western Sardinia coasts during the MEDiterranean International Trawl Survey (MEDITS) program in 2019. A morphometric and morphological description of the Sardinian eggcase, after a comparison with measurements from other Mediterranean and Atlantic specimens, showed it to be clearly ascribable to Rostroraja alba.
Crop production under nitrogen starvation conditions: relationships with applied organic matter and soil microbial biomass
Authors: Oda Masato , Sukchan Uchada
Published: January 2021

Background: The application of organic matter with a high C/N ratio is effective for the prevention of soil degradation, although this can cause nitrogen starvation. However, some fields are highly productive under nitrogen-starvation conditions. The underlying mechanisms for this are unclear but the correlation between soil microbial biomass (SMB) and crop yield suggests that nitrogen flows from SMB to crops. We aimed to clarify this flow and the source of nitrogen.

Methods: We achieved nitrogen starvation conditions by applying waste mushroom bed and repeated lettuce cropping with different crop management practices, such as watering and fertilizer application. We analyzed correlations among crop yield, SMB, and total soil nitrogen.

Results: The order of the lettuce yield stably corresponded with the management practice used. The SMB increased remarkably by the time of the second lettuce cropping and showed a strong correlation with crop yield. The nitrogen from the waste mushroom bed was lost by denitrification within the crop season. The rate of decomposition showed no correlation with yield or SMB.

Discussions: The crop yield corresponded with the management practice earlier than SMB. Namely, no nitrogen flow from SMB to crop. Furthermore, most applied nitrogen was denitrified and the rate of decomposition (amount of released nitrogen) not affected yield or SMB, so the nitrogen flows of applied organic matter, SMB, and crops are independent. Therefore, the nitrogen source of both SMB and crops is biological fixation.

Conclusions: The correlation between SMB and crop yield is not a causal relationship. The nitrogen source for both is biological nitrogen fixation. The application of organic matter enhances this by occurring nitrogen starvation but not providing a nitrogen source.
Case Report: Isolated Lingual Dystonia
Authors: Yousafzai Zaland Ahmed , Qayyum Wajeeha , Khan Sohail , Iftikhar Mawara , Amin Qazi Kamran
Published: January 2021

Oromandibular dystonia is defined as a focal dystonia that manifests as forceful contractions of the face, jaw, and/or tongue. Lingual dystonia is a rare subtype of oromandibular dystonia that specifically affects the tongue. Multiple etiologies are thought to attribute to oromandibular dystonia, including brain damage, the use of neuroleptic medications, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and viral infections. Idiopathic cases of isolated lingual dystonia are rare and seldom reported in the literature. This report describes a 35-year-old female patient with lingual dystonia that was present at rest and aggravated during speech. Despite detailed history taking and a thorough examination, along with multiple imaging and laboratory studies, no cause could be established and her case was classified as being that of an idiopathic etiology.
A commercial antibody to the human condensin II subunit NCAPH2 cross-reacts with a SWI/SNF complex component
Authors: Cutts Erin E. , Taylor Gillian C. , Pardo Mercedes , Yu Lu , Wills Jimi C. , Choudhary Jyoti S. , Vannini Alessandro , Wood Andrew J.
Published: January 2021

Condensin complexes compact and disentangle chromosomes in preparation for cell division. Commercially available antibodies raised against condensin subunits have been widely used to characterise their cellular interactome. Here we have assessed the specificity of a polyclonal antibody (Bethyl A302-276A) that is commonly used as a probe for NCAPH2, the kleisin subunit of condensin II, in mammalian cells. We find that, in addition to its intended target, this antibody cross-reacts with one or more components of the SWI/SNF family of chromatin remodelling complexes in an NCAPH2-independent manner. This cross-reactivity, with an abundant chromatin-associated factor, is likely to affect the interpretation of protein and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments that make use of this antibody probe.
Spatial and temporal distribution of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Euxesta spp. (Diptera: Otitidae) in the corn crop
Authors: Ferreira Jessica Vasconcelos , Martins Ivan Carlos Fernandes , Pereira Raiana Rocha , Pereira Rayane Rocha , Alves Mateus Higo Daves , Campos Lourival Dias , Mello Marcello Neiva de , Duque Francisco José Sosa
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to verify the pattern and the spatial and temporal behavior of the corn earworm and corn-silk fly in the corn crop. Hybrid corn was planted without chemical insect control in one hectare, this area was divided into 100 plots of 100 m². For the occurrence of Euxesta spp. all parts of the plants were visually analyzed, whereas for Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) 10 ears were removed at random from each plot, totaling 1,000 ears per sample. Population fluctuation was related to the phenological stages of corn. For spatial behavior, the dispersion indices, frequency distribution models and geostatistics (Krigagem) were analyzed. The corn earworm (small and large) and corn-silk fly showed aggregate pattern and spatial behavior. The reach of caterpillars <1 cm had an area of influence greater than caterpillars > 1 cm, with spatial dependence being considered moderate. The corn-silk fly had a maximum area of influence of 1.33 ha with moderate and weak spatial dependence. The maps demonstrated that these insects occur dispersed throughout the corn area, but with aggregations influenced by the adjacent areas and edges of the crop. The largest occurrence of corn earworms was at the R3 stage. It was also found that the corn-silk fly followed the occurrence of the corn earworm. It is concluded that the studied pests have an aggregate spatial tendency in the corn crop and with the influence of adjacent areas, in addition to presenting related population peaks in the reproductive period of the corn crop.
La labor profesional de los periodistas republicanos exiliados, Adrià Vilalta en Excélsior.
Authors: Toll Deniel Gil
Published: January 2021

The study on the exile of Spanish republican journalists still has a considerable space to go. We have information about the personal adventures of many of them from the works published so far. However, their professional work in host countries is largely unknown. Adrià Vilalta was newswriter of the Barcelona newspaper El Diluvio and went into exile in Mexico, where he would work for Estampa magazine and Excelsior newspaper specializing in economic information.
How Complementors Benefit from Taking Competition to the System Level
Authors: Reisinger Markus , Schmidt Jens , Stieglitz Nils
Published: January 2021

In many industries, multiple independent complementors supply the individual components of a system. In this paper, we develop a formal model to examine the tensions and tradeoffs that result when a firm—either one of the complementors or a de novo entrant—takes competition to the system level by launching an integrated offering that combines the multiple components. A complementor who takes competition to the system level becomes a competitor to itself at the system level. As a consequence, the task of maintaining the competitiveness of the multiple-component system rests on the shoulders of the remaining complementor. We show that this allows the integrator to earn additional profits at the expense of the complementor—that is, it can raise the price of its component and thereby squeeze the margin of its complementor. We find that this squeezing effect can be so strong that offering an integrated system is profitable even if the system itself is unprofitable. Interestingly, when analyzing the possibility of entry by a de novo integrator who does not suffer from self-cannibalization, we show that an incumbent complementor may nevertheless have stronger incentives to launch an integrated offering. This is because the incumbent's ability to benefit from squeezing its complementor and earn additional profits on cannibalized sales leads to an entrant's disadvantage when taking competition to the system level. We also discuss defense strategies for complementors to shield themselves against the consequences of integration by their complementor.

This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.
Hard-to-heal wounds: a randomised trial of an oral proline-containing supplement to aid repair
Authors: Mehl Adriano A , Damião Adérson OMC , Viana Sâmela DDO , Andretta Camila P
Published: January 2021

Objective:

We evaluated the effects of a specialised oral nutritional supplement (ONS) containing arginine and proline, with high vitamin A, C and E, zinc and selenium content, on the repair of hard-to-heal wounds.

Method:

Patients with hard-to-heal wounds were evaluated at five timepoints (S0–S4) over four consecutive weeks. At S0 patients were randomised to the specialised ONS (n=15; 25 wounds) or control (n=15; 25 wounds) groups. Posology was 200ml twice daily over the research period. Wound surface area and perimeter were monitored. In addition to the metric data, it was also possible to calculate the rate of wound contraction and the linear growth of the wound edges, looking for wound-healing predictive factors.

Results:

A total of 30 patients took part in the study. Mean age was 65 years and 50% of patients had diabetes. Of the total evaluated wounds, 78% were <50cm2, 14% were 50–150cm2and 8% were >250cm2. In 96% of cases, the wounds were in the lower limbs. A statistically significant reduction (p=0.004) in surface area of the wounds due to the specialised ONS, with a performance peak between S1 and S2, was observed. This specialised ONS did not induce changes in blood pressure, blood glucose level or renal function. A mean weekly wound edge growth of 1.85mm in patients with diabetes and 3.0mm in those without diabetes was observed. These results were 2.9 and 4.6 times, respectively, higher than expected, according to the literature.

Conclusion:

Specialised ONS can be a therapeutic option for hard-to-heal wounds.
Dressings for preventing pressure ulcers: how do they work?
Authors: Avsar Pinar , Moore Zena , Patton Declan
Published: January 2021

Pressure ulcers (PUs) negatively affect quality of life (QoL) and cause problems for patients, such as pain, distress and often specific difficulties with treatments used to manage the wound. Thus, it is important to implement appropriate prevention strategies in order to achieve high-quality care, thereby reducing the burden of PUs on patients, the healthcare system and society as a whole. PU development arises due to the adverse effects of pressure, shear, friction and moisture at the skin/surface interface. Preventive interventions typically include risk assessment, reducing pressure and minimising shear and friction. More recently, certain wound dressings, as a potential additional protective strategy for preventing PUs, have been introduced. This review explores the mechanisms of action of dressings for preventing PUs. Findings from the review indicate that decreasing frictional forces transmitted to the patient's skin is achieved by use of a dressing with an outer surface made from a low friction material. Furthermore, the ability of dressings to absorb and redistribute shear forces through good adhesion to the skin, high loft and lateral movement of the dressing layers is important in reducing shear forces. This is achieved when the dressing reduces pressure transmitted to the patient's tissues by the propriety of high loft/thickness and padding that allows a degree of cushioning of bony prominences. Further, dressings may reduce humidity at the skin/dressing interface, i.e., the dressing is absorbent and/or permits moisture to evaporate quickly. As part of an established PU prevention protocol, dressings may help decrease PU incidence.