bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of cradle cap in infants with a new cosmetic non‐steroidal gel cream: Clinical, laboratory, and instrumental evaluation
Authors: Micali Giuseppe , Pulvirenti Nella , Dall’Oglio Federica , Tedeschi Aurora , Quattrocchi Enrica , Lacarrubba Francesco
Published: May 2021

Background

Cradle cap is a benign and self‐limiting variant of seborrheic dermatitis (SD) that can be distressing for parents.

Aims

To assess by clinical/laboratory/instrumental evaluation the efficacy/tolerability of a gel cream containing piroctone olamine (antifungal), biosaccharide gum‐2 (antifungal), stearyl glycyrrhetinate (anti‐inflammatory), and zinc l‐pyrrolidone carboxylate (zinc‐PCA) (antiseborrheic) in the treatment of mild/ moderate cradle cap.

Methods

In this prospective, open‐label trial, 10 infants, with mild/moderate cradle cap enrolled at the Dermatology University Clinic of Catania (Italy) used the tested gel cream twice daily for 30 days. Degree of erythema was evaluated clinically by a 5‐point severity scale (from 0=no erythema to 4=severe erythema), at baseline, at 15 and 30 days. Desquamation was rated by dermoscopy evaluation using a 5‐point scale (from 0=no desquamation to 4=severe/many large adherent white flakes), at all time points. An Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) using a 6‐point scale (from −1=worsening to 4=complete response/clear) was also performed at 30 days. Five subjects, randomly selected, underwent double microbiological evaluation for bacteria and yeasts by cultures of cotton swabs at baseline and at 30 days. Tolerability/acceptability was evaluated on a 4‐point scale (from 0=very poor to 3=excellent) at 15 and 30 days. Data were processed using SAS version 9.

Results

At baseline, a significant colony‐forming unit (CFU) count for Malassezia furfur and Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 4 out of 5 selected patients. After 15 and 30 days, a statically significant reduction from baseline in erythema and desquamation severity was observed, along with a reduction in CFU count for Malassezia furfur and Staphylococcus aureus from baseline. No signs of local side effects were documented.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the tested gel cream may represent a valid option to treat mild‐to‐moderate forms of cradle cap and support its antifungal and antibacterial properties.
A novel azelaic acid formulation for the topical treatment of inflammatory rosacea: A multicentre, prospective clinical trial
Authors: Dall’Oglio Federica , Tedeschi Aurora , Lacarrubba Francesco , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Skroza Nevena , Chiodini Paolo , Micali Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

Background

Topical azelaic acid (AzA) is a common treatment for mild/moderate inflammatory rosacea.

Aims

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of a novel formulation cream containing 15% AzA (anti‐inflammatory/anti‐oxidant/anti‐microbial agent) combined with 1% dihydroavenanthramide D (anti‐inflammatory/anti‐itch) in inflammatory rosacea using clinical/instrumental evaluation.

Methods

In this multicentre, prospective, open‐label trial, 45 patients with mild/moderate inflammatory rosacea enrolled at the Dermatology Clinic of the University of Catania, Naples, and Rome (Italy) were instructed to apply the cream twice daily for 8 weeks. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline (T0) and at 8 weeks (T1) by (1) Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score based on a 5‐point scale (from 0 = clear/no erythema/papules/pustules to 4 = severe erythema/several papules/pustules) and (2) inflammatory lesions count. Instrumental evaluation of erythema degree was performed by erythema‐directed digital photography (EDDP) by a 5‐point scale (from 0 = no redness to 4 = severe redness) at all time points. Tolerability was assessed by a self‐administered questionnaire at 8 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.

Results

Forty‐four patients completed the study. At week 8, a significant decrease in baseline of IGA scores [median from 3 (T0) to 1 (T1)] and inflammatory lesions count [median from 8 (T0) to 1 (T1)] was recorded along with a significant reduction of erythema scores [median from 2 (T0) to 1 (T1)]. No relevant side effects were recorded.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that this new non‐irritating product represents a valid therapeutic option for mild/moderate inflammatory rosacea, and EDDP is able to provide a more defined evaluation of erythema changes.
Evaluation of skin care concerns and patient’s perception of the effect of NanoSilk Cream on facial skin
Authors: Louiselle Amanda E. , Niemiec Stephen , Azeltine Mark , Mundra Leela , French Brooke , Zgheib Carlos , Liechty Kenneth W.
Published: May 2021

Background

Skin aging is an inevitable process with one of the key features of aging being dryness or flakiness of the skin. Previous in vivo and in vitro testing has highlighted that a silk‐based product may be effective in improving moisture retention in skin.

Methods

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of our silk‐based product through a combination of objective‐ including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EpiDerm Skin Irritation tests ‐ and subjective tests – including direct evaluation of patient’s own perception of their skin.

Results

In alignment with previous studies, patients reported significant concerns about aging, wrinkling, or saggy skin. We found that our silk‐based product was safe and effective in improving hydration and resilience of facial skin and a majority of participants stated they would continue to use this product, when commercially available.

Conclusion

Our novel silk‐based product, NanoSilk Cosmo, is safe for use on human facial skin and it improves skin resiliency and hydration.
Young adults suffering from mental illness: Evaluation of the family‐centred support conversation intervention from the perspective of mental healthcare professionals
Authors: Moen Øyfrid Larsen , Aass Lisbeth Kjelsrud , Schröder Agneta , Skundberg‐Kletthagen Hege
Published: May 2021

Aims and objectives

To explore how mental healthcare professionals’ experience and evaluate the use of Family‐Centred Support Conversation Intervention.

Background

Mental health professionals working in the community mental health service provide treatment, care and support to young adults suffering from mental illness. Young adults suffering from mental illness are dependent on other family members and live close to the family. The Family‐Centred Support Conversation promotes healing and alleviates the suffering of the family.

Design and methods

A qualitative explorative design was used. Individual interviews with health professionals (n = 13) were conducted in Norway and analysed using a phenomenographic approach. The COREQ checklist was used.

Results

Three descriptive categories emerged: A new tool in the toolbox, the family as a conversational partner and Implementing the intervention, with seven conceptions. The mental health professionals had no previous routine for family support. The conversations helped them to structure the involvement of family members. Having the family as a conversational partner together with the patients was considered both somewhat new and rewarding but also challenging. The mental health professionals described a need to adjust the intervention.

Conclusions

The Family‐Centred Support Conversation was described as a complement to care, as usual, structuring the involvement of families. The knowledge exchange between the families and the mental health professionals may create a context of changing beliefs, strengths and resources.

Relevance to clinical practice

Clinical practice is challenged to work on establishing a mindset; whereby, the family is regarded as a resource with important skills and life experience. The family should be offered individualised support and follow‐up, and FCSC may be a relevant intervention.
Overcoming the Incumbent Dilemma: The Dual Roles of Multimarket Contact During Disruption
Authors: Hsu Sean T. , Cohen Susan K.
Published: May 2021

Incumbents ignore nascent markets created by disruptive product innovations when previous industry and market experiences, ingrained in technology frames, leads them to characterize these innovations as unattractive to important customers and undervalue the growth opportunity. Competitors made salient through multimarket contact (MMC) may attenuate this incumbent dilemma if they enter the new market thereby signalling its value, or if an incumbent’s experience with MMC rivals augments its capacities to anticipate the potential value of a disruptive innovation. Building on prior work, we theorize MMC with competitors from the same industry as the incumbent (Insider MMC) encourages information‐based entry into a new market created by a disruptive product innovation – incumbents follow the choices of similar MMC rivals. We further theorize MMC with competitors from a different industry as the incumbent (Outsider MMC) broadens incumbent technology frames, reducing the tendency to discount disruptive innovation and increasing the likelihood an incumbent enters the new market – irrespective of whether the Outsider MMC rivals enter. Using data from the telecommunications industry from 1991 through 2005, we investigated relationships between MMC and incumbent entry into a new disruptive market, packet‐based networking switches. We found MMC linearly increased the likelihood of incumbent entry and that observable entry patterns are consistent with Insider and Outsider MMC affecting entry through distinctive mechanisms. We suggest disruptive innovation theory could be usefully extended through further consideration of how competitive experiences, particularly MMC, affect incumbent responses.
Pulmonary mass‐like lesion caused byToxoplasma gondiiin a domestic shorthair cat
Authors: McKenna Myles , Augusto Monica , Suárez‐Bonnet Alejandro , Fitzgerald Ella
Published: May 2021

A 2‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat underwent investigations for acute onset of lethargy, hyporexia, and cough. Computed tomography of the thorax identified a large mass‐like lesion in the left cranial lung lobe and bilateral pleural effusion. Thoracotomy and left cranial lung lobectomy were performed. Histopathology of the pulmonary mass was consistent with a localizedToxoplasma gondiipneumonia, confirmed by positive polymerase chain reaction on the affected lung lobe. After adjunctive medical management with a 28‐day course of clindamycin (12.5 mg/kg PO q12h), clinical signs resolved and repeat thoracic radiographs documented no abnormalities. The cat remains clinically well 1 year after surgery.
Patterns of antimicrobial drug use in veterinary primary care and specialty practice: A 6‐year multi‐institution study
Authors: Goggs Robert , Menard Julie M. , Altier Craig , Cummings Kevin J. , Jacob Megan E. , Lalonde‐Paul Denise F. , Papich Mark G. , Norman Keri N. , Fajt Virginia R. , Scott H. Morgan , Lawhon Sara D.
Published: May 2021

Background

Combatting antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach to antimicrobial stewardship including antimicrobial drug (AMD) use evaluation. Current veterinary AMD prescribing data are limited.

Objectives

To quantify companion animal AMD prescribing in primary care and specialty practice across 3 academic veterinary hospitals with particular focus on third‐generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems.

Animals

Dogs and cats presented to 3 academic veterinary hospitals from 2012 to 2017.

Methods

In this retrospective study, AMD prescribing data from 2012 to 2017 were extracted from electronic medical records at each hospital and prescriptions classified by service type: primary care, specialty practice or Emergency/Critical Care (ECC). Hospital‐level AMD prescribing data were summarized by species, service type, AMD class, and drug. Multivariable logistic full‐factorial regression models were used to estimate hospital, year, species, and service‐type effects on AMD prescribing. Estimated marginal means and confidence intervals were plotted over time.

Results

The probability of systemic AMD prescribing for any indication ranged between 0.15 and 0.28 and was higher for dogs than cats (P < .05) apart from 2017 at hospital 1. Animals presented to primary care were least likely to receive AMDs (dogs 0.03‐0.15, cats 0.03‐0.18). The most commonly prescribed AMD classes were aminopenicillins/β‐lactamase inhibitors (0.02‐0.15), first‐generation cephalosporins (0.00‐0.09), fluoroquinolones (0.00‐0.04), nitroimidazoles (0.01‐0.06), and tetracyclines (0.00‐0.03). Among the highest priority classes, fluoroquinolones (dogs 0.00‐0.09, cats 0.00‐0.08) and third‐generation cephalosporins (dogs 0.00‐0.04, cats 0.00‐0.05) were most frequently prescribed.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Antimicrobial drug prescribing frequencies were comparable to previous studies. Additional stewardship efforts might focus on fluoroquinolones and third‐generation cephalosporins.
Disturbance reshapes the productivity–diversity relationship
Authors: Ónodi Gábor , Kröel‐Dulay György , Botta‐Dukát Zoltán , Kertész Miklós
Published: May 2021

Question

We evaluated the effect of disturbance on the productivity–diversity relationship in a long‐term monitoring study. We asked whether the same productivity–diversity relationship applies to 12 years of pre‐fire (undisturbed) conditions and to eight years of post‐fire succession studied in the same plots.

Location

Bugac, Kiskunság, Central Hungary.

Methods

We studied 20 permanent plots for 20 years in grassland patches of a forest–steppe vegetation complex, 12 years before (2000–2011), and eight years after (2012–2019) a severe wildfire. The cover values of each vascular plant species were visually estimated each year. We used total cover as a proxy for productivity and species richness as a measure of diversity. We assessed changes in the productivity–diversity relationship before and after the disturbance event. Temporal changes of the pre‐fire and post‐fire relationship were analysed separately by generalized estimation equations in the R environment.

Results

In the pre‐fire period, we found a positive linear productivity–diversity relationship, and no time effect. However, in the post‐fire period, we found a unimodal relationship, which changed gradually from year to year. The disturbance event moved the vegetation out of a stable state, increased the range of both productivity and diversity, and resulted in a decreasing linear component of the relationship after the fire. Our results provide a striking example of the influence of succession on the shape of the productivity–diversity relationship.

Conclusions

Disturbance may create considerable and long‐lasting changes in the productivity–diversity relationship of formerly stable communities. The changing shape of the productivity–diversity relationship over time after disturbance suggests that the evaluation of broad‐scale productivity–diversity relationships should control for disturbance history.
Sergii Bulgakov’s Linguistic Trinity*
Authors: Heath Joshua
Published: May 2021

As the work of Sergii Bulgakov has become more widely available in English, his Trinitarian theology has become a subject of particular interest. This article analyses his less well‐known works on the Trinity from the 1920s, arguing that the understanding of Trinitarian doctrine developed there is inseparable from Bulgakov’s analyses of language and consciousness. By analysing Bulgakov’s approach to the Trinity via language, this article will draw particular attention to his negotiation of the notion of divine transcendence. We will see that Bulgakov’s writings on the Trinity display, contrary to received opinion, a deep apophatic tendency, or recognition of divine transcendence. But we will also see that his more thoroughly linguistic approach to the Trinity, in which divine transcendence flows from what it means for God to be Love, contradicts his explicit discussion of divine transcendence elsewhere as a transcendence of the Father alone.
Knockout of a highly GC‐rich gene in Burkholderia pyrrocinia by recombineering with freeze‐thawing transformation
Authors: Chen Feifei , Ye Jianren , Liu Wanhui , Chio Chonlong , Wang Wendy , Qin Wensheng
Published: May 2021

Genetic transformation is a valuable and essential method that provides powerful insights into the gene function of microorganisms and contributes to the construction of engineered bacteria. Here, we developed a novel genetic transformation system to easily knock out a highly GC‐rich gene (74.71% GC) from Burkholderia pyrrocinia JK‐SH007, a biocontrol strain of poplar canker disease. This system revealed a reliable selectable marker (trimethoprim resistance gene, Tmp) and a simplified, efficient transformation method (6,363.64 CFU/μg, pHKT2) that was developed via freeze‐thawing. The knockout recombineering of B. pyrrocinia JK‐SH007 was achieved through a suicide plasmid with a three‐fragment mutagenesis construct. The three‐fragment cassette for mutagenesis was generated by overlap extension and touchdown PCRs and composed of Tmp flanked by GC‐rich upstream and downstream fragments from B. pyrrocinia JK‐SH007. The mutant strain (ΔBpEG), which was verified by PCR, lost 93.3% of its ability to degrade carboxymethyl cellulose over 40 days. Overall, this system may contribute to future research on B. pyrrocinia traits.
Mechanism of validamycin A inhibiting DON biosynthesis and synergizing with DMI fungicides against Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Bian Chuanhong , Duan Yabing , Xiu Qian , Wang Jueyu , Tao Xian , Zhou Mingguo
Published: May 2021

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a vital virulence factor of Fusarium graminearum, which causes Fusarium head blight (FHB). We recently found that validamycin A (VMA), an aminoglycoside antibiotic, can be used to control FHB and inhibit DON contamination, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we found that both neutral and acid trehalase (FgNTH and FgATH) are the targets of VMA in F. graminearum, and the deficiency of FgNTH and FgATH reduces the sensitivity to VMA by 2.12‐ and 1.79‐fold, respectively, indicating that FgNTH is the main target of VMA. We found FgNTH is responsible for vegetative growth, FgATH is critical to sexual reproduction, and both of them play an important role in conidiation and virulence in F. graminearum. We found that FgNTH resided in the cytoplasm, affected the localization of FgATH, and positively regulated DON biosynthesis; however, FgATH resided in vacuole and negatively regulated DON biosynthesis. FgNTH interacted with FgPK (pyruvate kinase), a key enzyme in glycolysis, and the interaction was reduced by VMA; the deficiency of FgNTH affected the localization of FgPK under DON induction condition. Strains with a deficiency of FgNTH were more sensitive to demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides. FgNTH regulated the expression level of FgCYP51A and FgCYP51B by interacting with FgCYP51B. Taken together, VMA inhibits DON biosynthesis by targeting FgNTH and reducing the interaction between FgNTH and FgPK, and synergizes with DMI fungicides against F. graminearum by decreasing FgCYP51A and FgCYP51B expression.
Mobilization in the evening to prevent delirium: A pilot randomized trial
Authors: Nydahl Peter , McWilliams David , Weiler Norbert , Borzikowsky Christoph , Howroyd Fiona , Brobeil Angelika , Lindner Matthias , von Haken Rebecca
Published: May 2021

Background

Delirium is a common complication in patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Interventions such as mobilization are effective in the prevention and treatment of delirium, although this is usually completed during the daytime.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of mobilization in the evening to prevent and treat ICU patients from delirium by an additional mobility team over 2 weeks.

Methods

The design was a pilot, multi‐centre, randomized, controlled trial in four mixed ICUs over a period of 2 weeks. The mobility team consisted of trained nurses and physiotherapists. Patients in the intervention group were mobilized onto the edge of the bed or more between 21.00 and 23.00. Patients in the control group received usual care. The primary outcome parameter was the feasibility of the study, measured as recruitment rate, delivery rate, and safety. Secondary outcomes were duration and incidence of delirium, mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), and hospital length of stay for 28 days follow‐up, and power calculation for a full trial.

Results

Out of 185 patients present in the ICUs, 28.6% (n = 53) were eligible and could be recruited, of which 24.9% (n = 46, Intervention = 26, Control = 20) were included in the final analysis. In the intervention group, mobilization could be delivered in 75% (n = 54) of 72 possible occasions; mobilization‐related safety events appeared in 16.7% (n = 9) without serious consequences. Secondary parameters were similar, with less delirium in the intervention group albeit not significant. With an association of Cramer's V = 0.237, a complete study reaching statistical significance would require at least 140 patients, last 6 weeks, and cost >30 000 €.

Conclusions

In a mixed ICU population, mobilization in the evening was feasible in one‐quarter of patients with a low rate of safety events. Future trials seem to be feasible and worth conducting.
Rising trend in p​ediatric eosinophilic esophagitis incidence in Spain: Results of a prospective study 2014–16
Authors: La Orden Izquierdo Enrique , Mahillo‐Fernández Ignacio , Fernández Fernández Sonia , Barrio Torres Josefa , Román Riechmann Enriqueta , Gutiérrez Junquera Carolina ,   Working group on Eosinophilic esophagitis of the “Gastrosuroeste group” in Madrid
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The rate of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) diagnosis is increasing. This study aims to determine the incidence of EoE in the pediatric population residing in the southwestern Madrid and to analyze whether absolute monthly pollen counts, modified or not by the principal atmospheric pollutants, are associated with it.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study on prospectively recruited patients was designed to calculate the incidence of EoE in children aged under 15 years who were diagnosed between September 2014 and August 2016 in twelve hospitals.

We collected demographic and symptoms data, date of onset of symptoms, date of medical consultation, and date of endoscopic diagnosis of each included patient. Relative risk estimation was performed to assess the association between the incidence of diagnosis and monthly pollen counts and levels of atmospheric pollutants. All these models were adjusted for the number of total patients that underwent endoscopy at first time.

Results

One hundred forty‐eight patients were included. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain [42.57%], dysphagia [42.57%], and impaction [39%–86%]. The median overall monthly incidence was 1.13 [interquartile rank: 0.97–1.43] cases/100,000 children, and the annual mean was 15.2. The overall analysis of the relationship between incidence and absolute monthly counts, corrected for the number of first‐time endoscopies performed, revealed no statistically significant association with pollen and air pollutants. There was a higher frequency of diagnosis during the pollination period of Cupressaceae [relative risk 1.647; 95% CI (1.192–2.276) p < .002] and during February and November (relative risk 1.67; p < .01).

Conclusions

This study confirms the high incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis and also suggests a period of higher incidence of diagnosis in the months of February and November as well as in the period of high pollination of Cupressaceae.
Empirical distributions of homoplasy in morphological data
Authors: Murphy Jodie L. , Puttick Mark N. , O'Reilly Joseph E. , Pisani Davide , Donoghue Philip C. J.
Published: May 2021

Cladistic datasets of morphological characters are comprised of observations that exhibit varying degrees of consistency with underlying phylogenetic hypotheses, reflecting the acquisition and retention of character states (highly consistent characters), or the convergent evolution and loss of character states (less consistent characters). The consistency between phylogenetic history and individual character histories has a bearing both on the evolutionary process and on the relative ease with which phylogenetic history may be inferred from morphological data. We surveyed 486 tetrapod morphological cladistic datasets to establish an empirical distribution of consistency among characters and datasets. Average dataset size has increased in the number of characters and taxa through time. The Consistency Index measure of homoplasy decreases as more characters are added but the most significant decreases result from the addition of taxa. Retention Index and Homoplasy Excess Ratio remain relatively constant with changes in taxa and character number. Our sampling of larger datasets confirms that the positive relationship between dataset size and homoplasy is primarily caused by an increase in taxa, not an increase in characters. Genealogies of cladistic data matrices for early vertebrates, scalidophorans and crocodilians, which have been modified in succession, show a trend of generally consistent quality through research time. Thus, we find no support for the widely shared conjecture that in the search for phylogenetic resolution, high quality phylogenetic characters are quickly exhausted, with subsequent research leading to the inclusion of potentially misleading characters exhibiting high levels of homoplasy.
Antitumor necrosis factor alpha and an epidural abscess during a spinal cord stimulator trial: A case report
Authors: Frazier Andrew , Orr Walter N. , Braun Edward
Published: May 2021

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is commonly utilized for treatment and management of chronic intractable low back and lower extremity pain. Although SCS is an overall low‐risk procedure, there are potential life‐threatening complications, including surgical site infections, such as an epidural abscess. Immunosuppression, a risk factor for epidural abscess, is becoming more common as an increasing number of patients are being treated with biologics for a multitude of autoimmune disorders. One class of commonly utilized biologics is antitumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) alpha. Whereas these drugs can provide tremendous benefit for treatment and management of autoimmune disorders, there is no clear understanding of the degree to which these medications increase a patient’s risk for surgical site infection, including those associated with SCS‐related procedures. We present a case of an epidural abscess that developed immediately following an SCS trial in a patient with multiple undisclosed risk factors, including the use of an anti‐TNF alpha agent to treat ankylosing spondylitis. For an epidural abscess, early diagnosis is key to preventing devastating complications and the need for surgical intervention. Immunosuppression can be the result of multiple issues including cancer, HIV, and biologic agents, such as anti‐TNF alpha for the management of autoimmune diseases. There is limited evidence pertaining to the development of epidural abscesses in patients on anti‐TNF alpha medications who undergo SCS. Studies focused on infections in patients undergoing SCS trials and permanent implants while on anti‐TNF alpha agents could provide recommendations and guidance.
Molecular dissection of maize seedling salt tolerance using a genome‐wide association analysis method
Authors: Luo Meijie , Zhang Yunxia , Li Jingna , Zhang Panpan , Chen Kuan , Song Wei , Wang Xiaqing , Yang Jinxiao , Lu Xiaoduo , Lu Baishan , Zhao Yanxin , Zhao Jiuran
Published: May 2021

Salt stress is a major devastating abiotic factor that affects the yield and quality of maize. However, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of the responses to salt stress in maize is limited. To elucidate the genetic basis of salt tolerance traits, a genome‐wide association study was performed on 348 maize inbred lines under normal and salt stress conditions using 557 894 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The phenotypic data for 27 traits revealed coefficients of variation of >25%. In total, 149 significant SNPs explaining 6.6%–11.2% of the phenotypic variation for each SNP were identified. Of the 104 identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs), 83 were related to salt tolerance and 21 to normal traits. Additionally, 13 QTLs were associated with two to five traits. Eleven and six QTLs controlling salt tolerance traits and normal root growth, respectively, co‐localized with QTL intervals reported previously. Based on functional annotations, 13 candidate genes were predicted. Expression levels analysis of 12 candidate genes revealed that they were all responsive to salt stress. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology targeting three sites was applied in maize, and its editing efficiency reached 70%. By comparing the biomass of three CRISPR/Cas9 mutants of ZmCLCg and one zmpmp3 EMS mutant with their wild‐type plants under salt stress, the salt tolerance function of candidate genes ZmCLCg and ZmPMP3 were confirmed. Chloride content analysis revealed that ZmCLCg regulated chloride transport under sodium chloride stress. These results help to explain genetic variations in salt tolerance and provide novel loci for generating salt‐tolerant maize lines.
Volar location and degree of pigmentation are associated with poor survival and first metastasis pattern in acral melanoma
Authors: Ryu Geon Wook , Choi Yoo Duk , Jin Suna , Chung Ik‐Joo , Shin Min‐Ho , Yun Sook Jung
Published: May 2021

The risk factors affecting acral melanoma metastasis and prognosis remain unclear. The study included 168 patients with invasive acral melanoma who were followed for ≥3 years. We evaluated patient demographics, stages, clinicopathological features, anatomic site of melanoma including nail versus volar surface, and degree of melanoma pigmentations, sentinel lymph node biopsy results, and the first metastasis sites. Of the 168 patients (mean age 64.5 years; 52.4% male), 43 (25.6%) had invasive melanoma without metastasis, 113 (67.3%) had invasive melanoma with a first lymph node metastasis, and 12 (7.1%) had invasive melanoma with invasive melanoma with a first distant metastasis. Advanced T stage, high mitotic rate, ulceration, and the degree of pigmentation were significant risk factors for metastasis. Amelanotic and mild pigmentation of acral melanoma was associated with first distant metastasis, whereas heavy pigmentation was associated with first lymph node metastasis. Advanced TNM stages, high mitotic rate, volar location (hazard ratio = 2.24, 95% confidence interval 1.18–4.26), and low‐pigmentation (hazard ratio = 2.02, 95% confidence interval 1.17–3.49) were associated with melanoma‐specific mortality.
The nesting problem of two‐dimensional semantics
Authors: Xu Zhaoqing
Published: May 2021

Two‐dimensional semantics is probably the most significant development in contemporary philosophy of language. Among its various versions, it is Chalmers's epistemic two‐dimensionalism that received most widely discussions and most severe criticisms. Here I consider one such criticism, namely, “the nesting problem,” which concerns the interaction between modality and apriority. I propose a solution to the problem and defend it through comparison with other approaches in the literature, as well as rebut with some potential objections. It turns out that my solution not only handles the interaction between modality and apriority naturally but also avoids many difficulties of other approaches.
Randomized Scheduling Mechanisms: Assigning Course Seats in a Fair and Efficient Way
Authors: Bichler Martin , Merting Soeren
Published: May 2021

Course assignment is a very widespread problem in education and beyond. Typically, students have preferences for bundles of course seats or course schedules over the week, but courses have limited capacity. This is an interesting and frequent application of distributed scheduling, where payments cannot be used to implement the efficient allocation. First‐Come First‐Served (FCFS) is simple and the most widely used assignment rule in practice, but it leads to inefficient outcomes and envy in the allocation. It was recently shown that randomized economic mechanisms that do not require monetary transfers can have attractive economic and computational properties, which were considered incompatible for deterministic alternatives. We use a mixed‐methods design including field and laboratory experiments, a survey, and simulations to analyze such randomized mechanisms empirically. Implementing randomized scheduling in the field also required us to develop a solution to a new preference elicitation problem that is central to these mechanisms. The results of our empirical work shed light on the advantages that randomized scheduling mechanisms have over FCFS in the field, but also on the challenges. The resulting course assignment system was adopted permanently and is now used to solve course assignment problems with more than 1700 students every year.
Are Dealers Still Relevant? How Dealer Service Quality Impacts Manufacturer Success
Authors: Golara Sina , Dooley Kevin J. , Mousavi Nasim
Published: May 2021

Most automobile manufacturers use franchised dealers to distribute their products and to perform sales‐related and after‐sales services. However, the link between dealers’ service quality and manufacturer performance is not well understood. Some studies suggest that these services’ quality affects product sales, repeat sales, and brand reputation. Others posit that dealer services are a commodity, and their quality may only affect sales in the extremes. We constructed data representing sales and service quality ratings of 1078 U.S. automobile dealerships over a year in five different car classes. We find that the quality of after‐sales services positively influences sales of the brand in the dealer's region. Manufacturers whose dealers struggle with after‐sales services take a hit in market share even in markets where they enjoy superior competitive status. We also find that sales‐related services gain importance in highly competitive markets where the manufacturer has few dealers and competitors have many.
Facing the enemy: Spontaneous facial reactions towards suffering opponents
Authors: Mitschke Vanessa , Eder Andreas B.
Published: May 2021

The suffering of an opponent is an important social affective cue that modulates how aggressive interactions progress. To investigate the affective consequences of opponent suffering on a revenge seeking individual, two experiments (total N = 82) recorded facial muscle activity while participants observed the reaction of a provoking opponent to a (retaliatory) sound punishment in a laboratory aggression task. Opponents reacted via prerecorded videos either with facial displays of pain, sadness, or neutrality. Results indicate that participants enjoyed seeing the provocateur suffer: indexed by a coordinated muscle response featuring an increase in zygomaticus major (and orbicularis oculi muscle) activation accompanied by a decrease in corrugator supercilii activation. This positive facial reaction was only shown while a provoking opponent expressed pain. Expressions of sadness, and administration of sound blasts to nonprovoking opponents, did not modulate facial activity. Overall, the results suggest that revenge‐seeking individuals enjoy observing the offender suffer, which could represent schadenfreude or satisfaction of having succeeded in the retaliation goal.
HLA‐DPB1 allele frequencies in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom: A critical evaluation against the common, intermediate and well‐documented allele catalogues CWD 2.0.0, EFI CWD and CIWD 3.0.0
Authors: Lemin Andrew James , Foster Luke
Published: May 2021

The Birmingham H&I laboratory performed HLA typing on 456 potential deceased solid organ donors in the UK between 2014 and 2016. Accurate DPB1 typing is essential for determining HLA compatibility in transplantation, thus we report HLA‐DPB1 for potential deceased solid organ donors. To correctly interpret HLA typing data, laboratories must understand both international and local HLA allele frequencies. In this analysis, we determined HLA‐DPB1 allele and genotype frequencies for these 456 donors. HLA‐DPB1 diversity was evaluated against the common and well‐documented (CWD) alleles 2.0.0 catalogue, the European Federation for Immunogenetics (EFI) CWD catalogue and the common, intermediate and well‐documented (CIWD) 3.0.0 catalogue. Additionally, we determined which alleles are common in our local deceased donor population. We observed 27 HLA‐DPB1 alleles with DPB1*04:01 being the most frequently observed (allele frequency = 0.4342). All alleles detected locally were present in CIWD 3.0.0, however, DPB1*124:01 and *135:01 were not present in CWD 2.0.0 and DPB1*104:01 and *135:01 were not present in EFI CWD. Twenty of 27 DPB1 alleles identified were defined as locally common and also listed as common in CIWD 3.0.0 representing 62.5% of common alleles in the subset of CIWD 3.0.0 from individuals of a European geographic, ancestral or ethnic background. The alleles HLA‐DPB1*16:01 and *20:01 are locally common but not listed as common in EFI CWD and DPB1*104:01 is not listed as common in CWD 2.0.0 catalogue. Our analysis showed that the detected alleles and locally common alleles within our population were aligned with the CIWD 3.0.0 catalogue.
Effects of prophylactic and therapeutic antimicrobial uses in small‐scale chicken flocks
Authors: Van Cuong Nguyen , Kiet Bach Tuan , Phu Doan Hoang , Van Nguyen Thi Bich , Hien Vo Be , Thwaites Guy , Carrique‐Mas Juan , Choisy Marc
Published: May 2021

Antimicrobials are extensively used both prophylactically and therapeutically in poultry production. Despite this, there are little data on the effect of antimicrobial use (AMU) on disease incidence rate and per cent mortality. We investigated the relationships between AMU and disease and between AMU and mortality using data from a large (n = 322 flocks) cohort of small‐scale chicken flocks in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, that were followed longitudinally from day old to slaughter (5,566 observation weeks). We developed a parameterized algorithm to emulate a randomized control trial from observational data by categorizing the observation weeks into ‘non‐AMU’, ‘prophylactic AMU’ and ‘therapeutic AMU’. To evaluate the prophylactic AMU effect, we compared the frequencies of clinical signs in ‘non‐AMU’ and ‘prophylactic AMU’ periods. To analyse therapeutic AMU, we compared weekly per cent mortality between the weeks of disease episodes before and after AMU. Analyses were stratified by clinical signs (4) and antimicrobial classes (13). Prophylactic AMU never reduced the probability of disease, and some antimicrobial classes such as lincosamides, amphenicols and penicillins increased the risk. The risk of diarrhoea consistently increased with prophylactic AMU. Therapeutic AMU often had an effect on mortality, but the pattern was inconsistent across the combinations of antimicrobial classes and clinical signs with 14/29 decreasing and 11/29 increasing the per cent weekly mortality. Lincosamides, methenamines and cephalosporins were the only three antimicrobial classes that always decreased the mortality when used therapeutically. Results were robust respective to the parameters values of the weeks categorization algorithm. This information should help support policy efforts and interventions aiming at reducing AMU in animal production.
Analysis of Sonic Effects of Music from a Comprehensive Datasets on Audio Features
Authors: Otuokere Tobechukwu Okechukwu , Imoize Agbotiname Lucky , Atayero Aderemi Aaron-Anthony
Published: May 2021

Music, for the longest time, has impacted human lives tremendously. The ability of music to access and activate a wide range of human emotions is sensational. Toward this end, audio features provide a variety of information necessary for sound engineers, music producers, and artists to improve their craft to excite the vast majority of music listeners across the globe. In this paper, analysis of audio features derived using the Spotify web API endpoint and Spotify (Python module for Spotify web servers) is presented. The dataset was curated from audio features of over 160,000 songs released from the year 1921-2020. For clarity, statistical descriptions and probability distribution functions of the audio features are reported. Also, the interrelationship and correlation amongst the various audio features are demonstrated. Overall, the dataset would find useful applications in classical and future music production.
Design and Implementation of a Solar Panel Inverter as STATCOM Compensator
Authors: Alnahhas Mutaz , Abdul Ali Abdul Wali
Published: May 2021

A power system suffers from different losses, which can cause tragic consequences. Reactive power presence in the power system increases system losses delivered power quality and distorts the voltage. As a result, many researches are concerned with reactive power compensation. Moreover, reactive power should not be transmitted through a transmission line to a longer distance. Thus, Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices such as static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), static volt-ampere compensator (SVC), and unified power flow controller (UPFC) are utilized to overcome these issues. The necessity of balancing resistive power generation and absorption throughout a power system becomes a big concern in the electrical systems for reactive power compensation. Static synchronous compensator STATCOM is a shunt device used for the generation or absorption of reactive power as desired. STATCOM provides smooth and fast compensation and power factor correction. In this thesis, a solar Static synchronous compensator takes the DC input from the solar panel and inverted utilizing an H-bridge inverter. This topology is used for reactive power compensation and power factor correction at the load side. The simulation was done using MATLAB Simulink simulation tools. The system model was built using a single solar array for DC input and controlled using perturbation and observe method to maximize its power output. The STATCOM model was built using for high power MOSFETs to perform H- bridge inverter. The STATCOM was controlled using a hysteresis band current control using a PI controller to inject the current into the system. A hardware prototype of STATCOM was built and controlled using an Arduino microcontroller. The simulation results have demonstrated the STATCOM model of reactive power compensation and correcting the power factor under different loads of conditions. It also highlighted the proportional relation between reactive power presence and the increased cost of electricity bills. The proposed smart meter of STATCOM gives accurate reading and measurement. Overall, the simulated results showed a satisfactory level of compensation of reactive power and power factor correction. The system contained three significant parts; solar array, H- bridge inverter, and the PI controller. The smart meter circuit was capable of displaying readings regarding input solar voltage, current, and power factor on the LCD screen.
Short-Term Hydrothermal Scheduling using Imperialist Competitive Algorithm
Authors: Ayoub Mohamed ahmed
Published: May 2021

In this study, the Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) is proposed to solve a multi-chain Short-Term Hydrothermal Scheduling problem (STHTS). It aims to minimize the generation cost of the thermal plants while satisfying the thermal and hydro plants constraints. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the ICA, it has been tested on a system having a hydro plant with four-cascaded reservoir and a thermal plant. The results are compared with that obtained by other techniques. The ICA has the good convergence and the better results.
Alternative Form of Ordinary Differential Equation of Electroencephalography Signals During an Epileptic Seizure
Authors: Barja Ameen Omar
Published: May 2021

One of the most important fields in clinical neurophysiology is an electroencephalogram (EEG). It is a test used to detect problems related to the brain electrical activity, and it can track and records patterns of brain waves. EEG continues to play an essential role in diagnosis and management of patients with epileptic seizure disorders. Nevertheless, the outcome of EEG as a tool for evaluating epileptic seizure is often interpreted as a noise rather than an ordered pattern. The mathematical modelling of EEG signals provides valuable data to neurologists, and is heavily utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. EEG signals during the seizure can be modeled as ordinary differential equation (ODE). In this study we will present an alternative form of ODE of EEG signals through the seizure.
Conceptual Study of Transesterification of Vegetable Oils in the Continuous-Stirred-Tank Reactor at Unsteady-State and Isothermal Conditions
Authors: Gonawan Fadzil Noor , Kamaruddin Azlina Harun
Published: May 2021

The continuous-stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) is favorable for bi-phasic enzymatic reaction due to ease of operation, cost-effective and low downtime. Lack of study on the enzymatic reaction in the CSTR has disfavor this type of reactor compared to batch and packed bed. Presently, a simulation was carried out to simulate the behavior of the lipase-catalyzed production of biodiesel by using CSTR at isothermal conditions. The mathematical model incorporated the effect of the kinetic, thermal, and operating parameters. The parameters such as Michaelis constant (Km), inhibition constant (Ki), Gibbs inactivation energy (DelG) and mol flow rate are among determining factors of the course of the reaction. It is suggested that the enzyme with lower , higher , and higher  should be chosen for the reaction. In continuous operation in the CSTR, the volumetric flow rate of the substrates and the initial concentration of the feed could be used to control reaction performance as these parameters will determine the total mol or ratio of the substrates in the reactor. Most, importantly, the longer residence time is preferred to achieve higher conversion, however, the volumetric flow rate must not be too low to prevent underperformance of reaction.
Ab initio Investigation of the Structure and Electronic Properties of Normal Spinel Fe2SiO4
Authors: Chiromawa Idris Muhammad , Shaari Amiruddin , Razali Razif , Ahams Summanuwa Timothy , Abdullahi Mikailu
Published: May 2021

Transition metal spinel oxides have recently been predicted to create efficient transparent conducting oxides for optoelectronic devices. These compounds can be easily tuned by doping or defect to adapt their electronic or magnetic properties. However, their cation distribution is very complex and band structures are still subject to controversy. We propose a complete density functional theory investigation of fayalite (Fe2SiO4) spinel, using Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) and Local Density Approximation (LDA) in order to explain the electronic and structural properties of this material. A detailed study of their crystal structure and electronic structure is given and compared with experimental data. The lattice parameters calculated are in agreement with the lattice obtained experimentally. The band structure of Fe2SiO4 spinel without Coulomb parameter U shows that the bands close to Fermi energy appear to be a band metal, with four iron d-bands crossing the Fermi level, in spite of the fact that from the experiment it is found to be an insulator.