cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Pairwise Approach

In this chapter we will introduce the pairwise approach to learning to rank. Specifically we first introduce several example algorithms, whose major differences are in the loss functions. Then we discuss the limitations of these algorithms and present some improvements that enable better ranking performance.
Bioabsorbable plating in the treatment of pediatric clavicle fractures: A biomechanical and clinical analysis.

Abstract Background Classic implants for operative intervention of mid-shaft clavicle fractures in adolescents can become symptomatic, requiring removal. This study compares 1) biomechanical properties and 2) clinical outcomes in adolescents of mid-shaft clavicle fracture fixation with bioabsorbable versus metal implants. Methods Six synthetic clavicles with mid-shaft fractures underwent bioabsorbable plating. A testing frame applied 10 non-destructive torsion and 10 axial compression cycles, followed by cantilever bending to failure. Stiffness was calculated; maximum failure load and failure mode were recorded. Results were compared to previous data for locked metal constructs. Retrospective review of surgically treated clavicle fractures over three years included functional and radiographic outcomes. Findings Bioabsorbable plates had lower torsional stiffness (P Seven patients with bioabsorbable implants were included. All patients with bioabsorbable constructs achieved radiographic union, but 71% lost reduction. Despite fracture angulation, all achieved normal shoulder function after one year determined by QuickDASH evaluation. None required a second surgery. Interpretation Bioabsorbable implants had lower torsional stiffness and cantilever failure load, but comparable compression stiffness to metal implants. Bioabsorbable implants failed via gradual bending versus the catastrophic failure seen in metal implants. The clinical review allows understanding of the sequelae of this lower failure load of bioabsorbable plates where their use allowed in fracture displacement, yet achievement of ultimate radiographic union and acceptable functional outcomes.
ERK1/2 and p38 regulate inter-individual variability in ozone-mediated IL-8 gene expression in primary human bronchial epithelial cells.

Inter-individual variability is observed in all biological responses; however this variability is difficult to model and its underlying mechanisms are often poorly understood. This issue currently impedes understanding the health effects of the air pollutant ozone. Ozone produces pulmonary inflammation that is highly variable between individuals; but reproducible within a single individual, indicating undefined susceptibility factors. Studying inter-individual variability is difficult with common experimental models, thus we used primary human bronchial epithelial cells (phBECs) collected from many different donors. These cells were cultured, exposed to ozone, and the gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 was measured. Similar to in vivo observations, we found that ozone-mediated IL-8 expression was variable between donors, but reproducible within a given donor. Recent evidence suggests that the MAP kinases ERK1/2 and p38 mediate ozone-induced IL-8 transcription, thus we hypothesized that differences in their activation may control IL-8 inter-individual variability. We observed a significant correlation between ERK1/2 phosphorylation and IL-8 expression, suggesting that ERK1/2 modulates the ozone-mediated IL-8 response; however, we found that simultaneous inhibition of both kinases was required to achieve the greatest IL-8 inhibition. We proposed a “dimmer switch” model to explain how the coordinate activity of these kinases regulate differential IL-8 induction.
The development of sensorimotor integration underlying posture control in infants during the transition to independent stance.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development of postural control abilities in infants through the transition to independent stance and locomotion. Because both newborns and new walkers respond at least 80% of the time to optical flow, they may be considered to be equally sensitive to this basic information. The chapter presents research data from a number of laboratories that document the gradual development of posture control in the cephalocaudal direction. The beginning of postural control of the trunk occurs at about 3–4 months of age, with responses maturing by 7–9 months of age. Experiments on the transition to independent stance indicate that stance balance control also develops gradually. A sequential process occurs in the development of muscle response synergies. During this process, infants calibrate the sensory inputs contributing to stance control and the relevant muscles that would act to stabilize stance.
COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTATION: SOME PRINCIPLES AND PRESCRIPTIONS

ABSTRACT The careful conception, design, implementation, analysis and reporting of any experiment is not an easy task. This paper will present a typical consulting situation: The client is desirous of performing a “believable” comparative experiment and has come to the statistician for guidance. The elements of “believability” will be discussed. The general anatomy of a comparative experiment will be presented by component and state, and a few of the problems that arise in the component by state intersections will be mentioned and some prescriptions will be offered. Three general types of comparative experiments (i.e. preliminary, exploratory, and confirmatory) will be summarized and some distinctions mentioned. Although the paper utilizes a physical science setting, the discussion and prescriptions should be readily applicable to experimentation in other disciplines.
Planar and Plane Graphs

Planar graphs have many important applications in computer science, for example in VLSI layout. Many problems that are hard or even NP-complete for arbitrary graphs are much easier for planar graphs. In the next lecture we will prove a nice result due to Lipton and Tarjan in 1977 [73] which opens up planar graphs to divide-and-conquer.
Laparoscopic Hand-Assisted Low Anterior Resection

Laparoscopy for colon surgery is safe and effective. Laparoscopic rectal surgery remains technically challenging, and long-term oncologic outcomes to date are still under investigation. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery preserves several advantages of laparoscopy while decreasing operative time and expanding the reach of laparoscopy. This chapter focuses on the technical aspects of hand-assisted laparoscopic low anterior resection.
A role for mitochondria in myocardial adenosine production.

It is now generally accepted that the purine nucleoside, adenosine, is a potent modulator of cardiac function. For instance, adenosine probably participates in the regulation of coronary blood flow (Berne and Rubio, 1979) and Bellardinelli et al (1982) have demonstrated that adenosine decreases the rate of sinoatrial node depolarization and the rate of conduction through the atrioventricular node. Schrader et al (1977) have shown that adenosine decreases cyclic AMP mediated increases in inotropy caused by isoproterenol treatment. Finally, it has been shown that adenosine limits norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerve endings (Verhaege, 1978). It is possible that during periods of increased oxygen demand or mild ischemia, adenosine may cause an increase in coronary blood flow to meet the increased oxygen demand. Under more severe periods of anoxia or ischemia, adenosine may have negative inotropic and chronotropic effects, reducing myocardial oxygen needs and thus having a protective effect. A similar mechanism of action for the cardioprotective effect of calcium channel blockers has recently been proposed (Cheung et al, 1984).
Antigenic expression of human melanoma cells in serum-free medium.

A human melanoma cell line, M14, adapted to grow in serum free synthetic media was examined for its expression and secretion of several serologically defined melanoma associated antigens (MAA) previously described in this laboratory. Melanoma associated antigen expression and secretion was identical to that of M14 cells grown in parallel in serum supplemented medium. Spent synthetic media was found to be an enriched serum free source for the initial isolation of 100 kilodalton secreted glycoprotein MAA. M14 melanoma cells grown in synthetic media were also shown to be adaptable to the double agar clonogenic assay facilitating the examination of clonal heterogeneity in functional studies of MAA in melanoma tumor biology. Recent investigations from this laboratory have focused on characterizing human melanoma associated antigens (MAA) found either as secreted or cell surface associated glycoproteins in human melanoma cell lines.1,2,3 In these studies, monoclonal and polyclonal antiserums to melanoma cell components have been developed to specifically identify these MAAs immunochemically and provide a means to study the structural biochemistry of these determinants.1,2,3 At this time we have identified two antigens on which our research efforts are targeted: 1) a 100,000 dalton secreted glycoprotein (100K) common to melanoma, sarcoma and neuroblastoma tumor cell lines, and 2) a 250,000 dalton-high molecular weight component glycoprotein-proteoglycan complex which is thus far restricted to melanoma cells.
Quantized magnetic flux and the magnetohalon effect in a critical superconductor

If a solenoid is introduced into a superconductor at its critical temperature, the net magnetic flux is quantized. A nontrivial effect takes place at the transition between two adjacent values of the magnetic flux. On the approach to the critical point (corresponding to half-integer bare solenoid flux), the spatial distribution of magnetic flux splits into a half-integer core and a critically large halo carrying plus/minus one half of the flux quantum. The phenomenon is a direct counterpart of the recently revealed halon effect in terms of the quantized particle charge of a static impurity in the two-dimensional U(1) quantum-critical environment.
DUAL ANTIPLATELET THERAPY (DAPT) CESSATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN RELATION TO AGE: ANALYSIS FROM THE PARIS (PATTERNS OF NON-ADHERENCE TO ANTI-PLATELET REGIMENS IN STENTED PATIENTS) REGISTRY

The examination of outcomes by age in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is relevant given the aging population. We evaluated associations between DAPT cessation and cardiovascular (CV) risk after PCI in relation to age. PARIS was a prospective, observational study that evaluated modes of
Adenylyl cyclase 7 and neuropsychiatric disorders: A new target for depression?

Abstract Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) are enzymes that catalyze the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) from adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Humans express nine isoforms of membranous ACs and a soluble AC. Studies with genetic knockout or overexpression rodent models have indicated that AC isoforms may be targeted to achieve specific therapeutic outcomes. AC1, for instance, has been suggested and pursued as a target for relieving pain. Notably, previous studies examining genetically modified mice as well as human genetic polymorphisms have suggested a link between AC7 activity and depressive disorders. In the present review we present an overview on AC function and discuss the most recent developments to target AC isoforms for drug therapies. We next focus on discussing the available literature on the molecular and animal pharmacology of AC7 highlighting the available studies on the role of AC7 in depressive disorders. In addition, we discuss other possible physiological functions of AC7 relating to ethanol effects and the immune system and conclude with considerations about pharmacological modulation of AC7.
Outcomes of Elderly Patients with Nondisplaced or Minimally Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures Treated with Internal Fixation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background Internal fixation remains the treatment of choice for non-displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients. Improved outcomes with arthroplasty following displaced femoral neck fractures may indicate that outcomes of non-displaced patterns should be reexamined. The aim of our study was to conduct a systematic review of the orthopaedic literature to determine the outcomes of internal fixation for the treatment of non-displaced and minimally displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients. Methods Relevant articles were identified using PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases. Manuscripts were included if they contained (1) patients 60 years or older with (2) nondisplaced or minimally displaced (Garden I or II) femoral neck fractures (3) treated with internal fixation (4) separately reported outcomes in this patient population. The primary outcome was reoperation. Secondary outcomes included mortality, patient-reported outcomes, length of hospitalization, infection, and transfusions. Random-effects modeling was used to determine pooled estimates of the outcomes. Results Twenty-seven studies were identified with a total of 21,155 patients, all of which were treated with internal fixation. The pooled risk of reoperation was 14.1% (95% CI: 10.6-18.2). The risk of one-year mortality was 14.6% (95% CI: 11.5-18.2) based on the reporting in 15 studies. Conclusions The risk of reoperation and mortality following the treatment of nondisplaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly with internal fixation exceeds 14%. This complication profile may be unacceptably high. Arthroplasty may offer improved short-term functional outcomes and a reduced risk of reoperation. However, there is currently little evidence to consider this treatment to be an alternative to internal fixation. Level of Evidence III
NCOA5 Haplo-insufficiency Results in Male Mouse Infertility through Increased IL-6 Expression in the Epididymis

Male infertility might be caused by genetic and/or environmental factors that impair spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation. Here we report that heterozygous deletion of the nuclear receptor coactivator-5 (Ncoa5) gene resulted in decreased motility and progression of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymis, leading to infertility in male mice. Light microscopic and ultrastructural analysis revealed morphological defects in the spermatozoa collected from the cauda epididymis of Ncoa5+/− mice. Immunohistochemistry showed that interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in epithelial cells of Ncoa5+/− epididymis was higher than wild type counterparts. Furthermore, heterozygous deletion of Il-6 gene in Ncoa5+/− male mice partially improved spermatozoa motility and moderately rescued infertility phenotype. Our results uncover a previously unknown physiological role of NCOA5 in the regulation of epididymal sperm maturation and suggest that NCOA5 deficiency could cause male infertility through increased IL-6 expression in epididymis.
Predictors of occult lymph node metastases in lip cancer

Abstract Objective The incidence of lymph node metastases (LNM) in squamous cell carcinoma of the lip is modest (8%), making it challenging to identify patients that may benefit from elective pathologic staging evaluation of the neck. We evaluated predictors of LNM in patients with lip cancer in order to potentially refine selection of patients for pathologic staging evaluation of the neck. Study design Retrospective cohort study. Subjects Clinically N0 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lip that underwent definitive surgical resection and pathologic evaluation of lymph node metastases in the National Cancer Data Base from 2006 to 2013. Methods Multivariable binomial logistic-regression was used to assess the relationship between occult pathologic lymph node metastasis and potential preoperative predictors including; patient demographics, T-stage, location, and pathologic details. Results Among 786 patients the overall rate of LNM was 12.1%. Patients were more likely to have LNM with T2 (odds ratio (OR) 2.05; (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–3.54) or T3–4 (OR 2.36; CI 1.32–4.22) moderately differentiated (OR 2.65; CI 1.30–5.38) or poorly differentiated (OR 4.37; CI 1.97–9.71), or involvement of the mucosal surface (OR 1.82; CI 1.09–3.03). We created a prediction model based on proportional odd ratios from multivariant binomial logistic-regression analysis from statistically significant factors; incorporating T2–4, moderate/poorly differentiated, or mucosal site. Conclusion Our prediction model found that patients with two or more risk factors were the best candidates for elective pathologic nodal evaluation.
Transient flow to a finite-radius well with wellbore storage and skin effect in a poroelastic confined aquifer

Abstract This paper presents analytical solutions for pumping from a poroelastic, confined aquifer where the combined effects of a finite-thickness skin zone and the wellbore storage are fully incorporated. The pumping-induced axisymmetric stress, plane strain deformation, and pore pressure are derived in the Laplace transform domain. Time-domain solutions are obtained using the Stehfest inversion algorithm. Numerical examples are presented to investigate the effects of hydromechanical coupling and poroelasticity on the hydraulic drawdown at the pumping well and at an observation well. The results show that traditional methods substantially underestimate the drawdown at the pumping well in a low-permeability hard rock compared with the drawdown predicted using the fully coupled poroelastic theory. The difference becomes more pronounced when a finite-thickness positive skin is present with a permeability that is lower than the permeability of the formation. For finite-radius pumping wells with storage, the effects of poroelasticity on drawdown are masked by the effects associated with wellbore storage.
Relating Through Technology: Everyday Social Interaction

This book answers one of the most critical questions of our time, does the vast connectivity afforded by mobile and social media lead to more personal connection with one another? It offers an evidence-based account of the role of technology in close relationships that confronts such pressing questions as where face-to-face communication belongs in this digital age, whether social media is harmful to our well-being, and how online communication spills-over into our offline communication and relationships. Each chapter explores the positive and negative influences of media on relationships, coalescing into a balanced assessment of how technological advancement has altered our connections with each other. By zeroing in on communication with the most important people in our lives and tracing the changes in computer-mediated communication over time, Relating Through Technology focuses the conversation about media on its use in our everyday lives and relationships.
Interdependent YpsA- and YfhS-Mediated Cell Division and Cell Size Phenotypes in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT Although many bacterial cell division factors have been uncovered over the years, evidence from recent studies points to the existence of yet-to-be-discovered factors involved in cell division regulation. Thus, it is important to identify factors and conditions that regulate cell division to obtain a better understanding of this fundamental biological process. We recently reported that in the Gram-positive organisms Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, increased production of YpsA resulted in cell division inhibition. In this study, we isolated spontaneous suppressor mutations to uncover critical residues of YpsA and the pathways through which YpsA may exert its function. Using this technique, we were able to isolate four unique intragenic suppressor mutations in ypsA (E55D, P79L, R111P, and G132E) that rendered the mutated YpsA nontoxic upon overproduction. We also isolated an extragenic suppressor mutation in yfhS, a gene that encodes a protein of unknown function. Subsequent analysis confirmed that cells lacking yfhS were unable to undergo filamentation in response to YpsA overproduction. We also serendipitously discovered that YfhS may play a role in cell size regulation. Finally, we provide evidence showing a mechanistic link between YpsA and YfhS. IMPORTANCEBacillus subtilis is a rod-shaped Gram-positive model organism. The factors fundamental to the maintenance of cell shape and cell division are of major interest. We show that increased expression of ypsA results in cell division inhibition and impairment of colony formation on solid medium. Colonies that do arise possess compensatory suppressor mutations. We have isolated multiple intragenic (within ypsA) mutants and an extragenic suppressor mutant. Further analysis of the extragenic suppressor mutation led to a protein of unknown function, YfhS, which appears to play a role in regulating cell size. In addition to confirming that the cell division phenotype associated with YpsA is disrupted in a yfhS-null strain, we also discovered that the cell size phenotype of the yfhS knockout mutant is abolished in a strain that also lacks ypsA. This highlights a potential mechanistic link between these two proteins; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated.
Toll-9 interacts with Toll-1 to mediate a feedback loop during apoptosis-induced proliferation in Drosophila

Drosophila Toll-1 and all mammalian Toll-like receptors regulate innate immunity. However, the functions of the remaining eight Toll-related proteins in Drosophila are not fully understood. Here, we show that Drosophila Toll-9 is necessary and sufficient for a special form of compensatory proliferation after apoptotic cell loss (undead apoptosis-induced proliferation (AiP)). Mechanistically, for AiP, Toll-9 interacts with Toll-1 to activate the intracellular Toll-1 pathway for nuclear translocation of the NF-{kappa}B-like transcription factor Dorsal which induces expression of the pro-apoptotic genes reaper and hid. This activity contributes to the feedback amplification loop that operates in undead cells. Given that Toll-9 also functions in loser cells during cell competition, we define a general role of Toll-9 in cellular stress situations leading to the expression of pro-apoptotic genes which trigger apoptosis and apoptosis-induced processes such as AiP. This work identifies conceptual similarities between cell competition and AiP.
Thermal signatures of Cu metal revealed through oxygen isotope fractionation

Cu metal, surrogate for metallic actinide materials, was subject to accelerated aging through thermal treatment. A multiphase oxide-layer (Cu2O, CuO) was detected, varying with temperature (250–400 °C) and aging time (1–3.5 h). Isotope ratio mass spectrometry revealed temperature-dependent isotopic fractionation of O, evidenced by the enrichment of Cu oxide in 16O isotopes with increasing temperature. Isotopic fractionation occurred initially with atmospheric O, and later through exchange with water vapor. Raman spectra contributed insight on phase fraction and local bonding of Cu oxides. O isotopes could serve as a useful tracer for studying oxide layer growth from aging metallic systems.
A q -Analogue for Euler’s ζ(6) = π 6 /945

Recently, Sun (Two q-analogues of Euler’s formula ζ(2) = π2/6. arXiv:1802.01473, 2018) obtained q-analogues of Euler’s formula for ζ(2) and ζ(4). Sun’s formulas were based on identities satisfied by triangular numbers and properties of Euler’s q-Gamma function. In this paper, we obtain a q-analogue of ζ(6) = π6/945. Our main results are stated in Theorems 2.1 and 2.2 below.
Cryo-EM Reveals the Dynamic Interplay between Mitochondrial Hsp90 and Folding Intermediates of its SdhB Client Protein

TRAP1 is a mitochondrion specific Hsp90, a ubiquitous chaperone family that mediates the folding and maturation of hundreds of “client” proteins. Through the interaction with client proteins, TRAP1 regulates mitochondrial protein homeostasis, oxidative phosphorylation/glycolysis balance, and plays a critical role in mitochondrial dynamics and disease. However, the molecular mechanism of client protein recognition and remodeling by TRAP1 remains elusive. Here we established the succinate dehydrogenase B subunit (SdhB) from mitochondrial complex II as a client protein for TRAP1 amenable to detailed biochemical and structural investigation. SdhB accelerates the rate of TRAP1 dimer closure and ATP hydrolysis by 5-fold. Cryo-EM structures of the TRAP1:SdhB complex show TRAP1 stabilizes SdhB folding intermediates by trapping an SdhB segment in the TRAP1 lumen. Unexpectedly, client protein binding induces an asymmetric to symmetric transition in the TRAP1 closed state. Our results highlight a client binding mechanism conserved throughout Hsp90s that transcends the need for cochaperones and provide molecular insights into how TRAP1 modulates protein folding within mitochondria. Our structures also suggest a potential role for TRAP1 in Fe-S cluster biogenesis and mitochondrial protein import and will guide small molecule development for therapeutic intervention in specific TRAP1 client interactions.
Functional heart recovery in an adult mammal, the spiny mouse.

Abstract Background Ischemic heart disease and the resulting heart failure continue to carry high morbidity and mortality, and a breakthrough in our understanding of this disorder is needed. The adult spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) has evolved the remarkable capacity to regenerate full-thickness skin tissue, including microvasculature and cartilage, without fibrosis or scarring. We hypothesized that lack of scarring and resulting functional regeneration also applies to the adult Acomys heart. Methods and results We compared responses of the Acomys heart to CD1 outbred Mus heart following acute left anterior descending coronary artery ligation to induce myocardial infarction. Both Acomys and Mus hearts showed decreased ejection fraction (EF) after ligation. However, Acomys hearts showed significant EF recovery to pre-ligation values over four weeks. Histological analysis showed comparable infarct area 24-h after ligation with a similar collateral flow in both species' hearts, but subsequently, Acomys displayed reduced infarct size, regenerated microvasculature, and increased cell proliferative activity in the infarcted area. Conclusions These observations suggest that adult Acomys displays remarkable cardiac recovery properties after acute coronary artery occlusion and may be a useful model to understand functional recovery better. Translational perspective Adult Acomys provides a novel mammalian model to further investigate the cardioprotective and regenerative signaling mechanisms in adult mammals. This opens the door to breakthrough treatment strategies for the injured myocardium and help millions of patients with heart failure secondary to tissue injury with irreversible damage.
Poach-No-More: Antitrust Considerations of Intra-franchise No-Poach Agreements

No-poach agreements in franchise agreements pose a significant issue for workers. Economic evidence suggests that they suppress wages. Workers, turning to their antitrust remedies for recourse, as demonstrated by this paper, will run into enormous challenges—many of which hinge on formalist inquiries. This paper hopefully provides some guidance as to how to navigate around those formalist inquiries. This paper also advocates for significant reconsideration of antitrust laws, as they pertain for labor market analysis, so as to allow them to be used as a tool to prevent anticompetitive practices in all markets, including labor markets.
Product Placement of Medical Products

Abstract Product placement is a well-established marketing technique that nevertheless continues to provoke considerable criticism and debate. Likewise, direct-to-patient marketing of pharmaceuticals is legally acceptable but is controversial among ethicists and medical professionals. Little has been published regarding the ethical challenges and pitfalls involved in medical marketing, including the issues of whether medical products should be treated differently from consumer products and whether pharmaceuticals are distinct from medical devices. Discussed are examples of pharmaceutical marketing as well as an episode from the Chicago Hope television program in which a medical device was touted as a solution for a problem for which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of the device. Legal and ethical considerations for product placement of medical products as they influence patient demand are also analyzed, as well as some of the pitfalls that may accompany direct marketing of ...
Development of an FPGA-based Adaptable Peak Current-Mode Control for Use in Green Energy Conversion

An adaptable peak current-mode control (APCMC) was developed for a buck converter. This APCMC was implemented using a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and has applications in green energy conversion. An FPGA was chosen to implement the APCMC as it has the inherent capability for multitasking and has the capability for adding functionality without changing the hardware. The number of parts was minimized for the APCMC as it only requires an FPGA, power and timing circuitry, a comparator, and a single-pole RC filter. Instead of using a compensating ramp with a constant slope as is used in conventional peak current-mode control, the APCMC uses a compensating curve that has a varying slope that is optimized for each value of the duty cycle. The compensating curve was chosen such that it will not only prevent sub harmonic oscillations, but it will also enable a deadbeat response at all values of the duty cycle. The compensating curve was derived from a control model that used modified z-transforms.
Lecture II: Physiology

PHYSIOLOGICAL SCIENCE I welcome the constructive comments of Wolf Singer (regarding 40 Hz EEG activity) and Allen Braun (regarding fMRI studies of dreaming and creativity) both of which complement my discussion. Other neurobiologists contributed more indirectly to the dialogue (Joseph LeDoux, Laurence Weiskrantz, and Adrian Morrison). In retrospect, it may have been wise to solicit commentaries from neurobiologically committed sleep scientists whether or not they have any openly avowed interest in consciousness. Like the virtually pan disinterest in psychology, the physiology exists in a quasi-dualistic vacuum.
Successful treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor–induced alopecia with doxycycline

Both scarring and nonscarring alopecias have been described with the long-term use of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Current treatments revolve around anti-inflammatory agents such as topical corticosteroid ointments, creams, and intralesional injections to reduce follicular inflammation. Unfortunately, none of these therapies are universally effective. Here, we describe a case of erlotinib-induced alopecia refractory to intralesional and topical corticosteroids that was successfully treated with doxycycline as a novel treatment approach for EGFR inhibitor–associated alopecia.
Fifty years of influence in the workplace

Purpose – While focusing on the renowned bases of social power put forth by French and Raven in 1959, this paper aims to address the history and future of this taxonomy within organizational settings. Topics include the evolution of the power taxonomy, the power/interaction model, and matters relevant to future research and practice.Design/methodology/approach – First, a historical overview of the French and Raven power taxonomy is provided. Second, ways in which the taxonomy has been updated over the past several decades are discussed. Third, an overview of Raven's power/interaction model (1993) is presented. Lastly, implications for future research and practice within organizations are offered.Findings – A review of the historic and contemporary writings dedicated to social power would indicate that the advances made to the original French and Raven power taxonomy have not been incorporated into the management and organizational behavior literatures.Practical implications – Practitioners and scholars in...
Peginterferon-α2a in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection occurs worldwide and affects over 2.7 million adults in North America. Current standard of care is the combination of pegylated (peg) interferon and ribavirin for 24 weeks in hepatitis C virus genotypes 2 or 3 and at least 48 weeks in chronic hepatitis C virus infection genotypes 1 or 4. Peginterferon-α2a is a 40-kDa linear pegylated molecule that alters the pharmacokinetic properties of unmodified interferon-α. In clinical trials evaluating the combination of peginterferon-α2a and ribavirin in chronic chronic hepatitis C virus infection, sustained virologic response rates have been achieved in 46–52% of patients with genotype 1 and 76–80% of patients with genotypes 2 or 3. Studies on the role of longer treatment duration and retreatment in prior nonresponders are in progress. The main toxicities of peginterferon-α2a are flu-like symptoms and neuropsychiatric disorders, especially depression and cytopenias, and are found in similar rates to those observed with regular i...
Some theoretical results on nonlinear principal components analysis

Presents some results on the nonlinear principal components analysis (NLPCA) method of nonlinear feature extraction and discusses its relation to the principal curve/surface method. Both methods attempt to reduce the dimension of a set of multivariate observations by fitting a curve or surface through the middle of the observations and projecting the observations onto this curve/surface. The two methods fit their models under a similar objective function, with one important difference: NLPCA defines the function which maps observed variables to scores (projection index) to be continuous. The authors show that the effects of this constraint are (1) NLPCA is unable to model curves and surfaces which intersect themselves and (2) the NLPCA "projections" are suboptimal producing larger approximation error. The authors show how NLPCA score values can be interpreted and give the results of a small simulation study comparing the two methods.
Label-Free Biosensor Imaging on Photonic Crystal Surfaces.

We review the development and application of nanostructured photonic crystal surfaces and a hyperspectral reflectance imaging detection instrument which, when used together, represent a new form of optical microscopy that enables label-free, quantitative, and kinetic monitoring of biomaterial interaction with substrate surfaces. Photonic Crystal Enhanced Microscopy (PCEM) has been used to detect broad classes of materials which include dielectric nanoparticles, metal plasmonic nanoparticles, biomolecular layers, and live cells. Because PCEM does not require cytotoxic stains or photobleachable fluorescent dyes, it is especially useful for monitoring the long-term interactions of cells with extracellular matrix surfaces. PCEM is only sensitive to the attachment of cell components within ~200 nm of the photonic crystal surface, which may correspond to the region of most interest for adhesion processes that involve stem cell differentiation, chemotaxis, and metastasis. PCEM has also demonstrated sufficient sensitivity for sensing nanoparticle contrast agents that are roughly the same size as protein molecules, which may enable applications in “digital” diagnostics with single molecule sensing resolution. We will review PCEM’s development history, operating principles, nanostructure design, and imaging modalities that enable tracking of optical scatterers, emitters, absorbers, and centers of dielectric permittivity.
Evaluation of differential tuber tissue expansion and plant transpiration as methods for early hollow heart screening

Pith and perimedullar tissue expansion was measured in 19 potato clones from an irrigated and a dryland location to evaluate their correlation to hollow heart susceptibility. For combined locations, neither pith nor perimedullar expansion nor their differential was significantly correlated to hollow heart frequency. Expansion was most highly correlated to tuber water potential. Under irrigated conditions, hollow heart was positively correlated with specific gravity and pith expansion. Hollow heart frequency and leaf transpiration was investigated for nine cultivars. Hollow heart and transpiration were positively correlated. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of the total variation in hollow heart was explained as a quadratic function of transpiration.
Hyponatremia-associated cognitive impairment in traumatic brain injury

The case of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient with dramatic cognitive deterioration in the absence of medical aetiology other than simultaneous decline in serum sodium led to an investigation of the association between declines in sodium levels and cognitive status. In a population of 50 persons undergoing TBI rehabilitation, 12 (24%) had relative (3 mEq/L) decreases in serum sodium while five (10%) experienced absolute hyponatremia (136 mEq/L). Correlation with cognitive status was significant when the absolute hyponatremia group was compared with those whose sodium levels remained above 136 mEq/L. A case-matched study of the relative hyponatremia group yielded no significant association between sodium-level decreases and cognitive status. These data support previous conclusions indicating wide variation in individual responses to changes in serum sodium. The threshold for significant effects of hyponatremia may be higher in patients with TBI than in populations studied previously.
Simultaneous quantification of 28 synthetic cathinones and metabolites in urine by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry

Synthetic cathinones are novel stimulants derived from cathinone, with amphetamines or cocaine-like effects, often labeled “not for human consumption” and considered “legal highs”. Emergence of these new designer drugs complicate interpretation of forensic and clinical cases, with introduction of many new analogs designed to circumvent legislation and vary effects and potencies. We developed a method for the simultaneous quantification of 28 synthetic cathinones, including four metabolites, in urine by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). These cathinones include cathinone, methcathinone, and synthetic cathinones position-3’-substituted, N-alkyl-substituted, ring-substituted, methylenedioxy-substituted, and pyrrolidinyl-substituted. One mL phosphate buffer pH 6 and 25 μL IStd solution were combined with 0.25 mL urine, and subjected to solid phase cation exchange extraction (SOLA SCX). The chromatographic reverse-phase separation was achieved with a gradient mobile phase of 0.1 % formic acid in water and in acetonitrile in 20 min. We employed a Q Exactive high resolution mass spectrometer, with compounds identified and quantified by target-MSMS experiments. The assay was linear from 0.5–1 to 100 μg/L, with limits of detection of 0.25–1 μg/L. Imprecision (n = 20) was <15.9 % and accuracy (n = 20) 85.2–118.1 %. Extraction efficiency was 78.9–116.7 % (CV 1.4–16.7 %, n = 5), process efficiency 57.7–104.9 %, and matrix effects from −29.5 % to 1.5 % (CV 1.9–13.1 %, n = 10). Most synthetic cathinones were stable at 4 °C for 72 h (n = 27) and after 3 freeze-thaw cycles (n = 26), but many (n = 19) were not stable at room temperature for 24 h (losses up to −67.6 %). The method was applied to authentic urine specimens from synthetic cathinone users. This method provides a comprehensive confirmation method for 28 synthetic cathinones in urine, with good selectivity and specificity.
Comment on "Chromosomal Speciation and Molecular Divergence-Accelerated Evolution in Rearranged Chromosomes"

Navarro and Barton ([ 1 ][1], [ 2 ][2]) proposed a very interesting model of speciation— based on the parapatric model ([ 3 ][3])—that postulates a period of continuous gene flow between nascent species. During this period, adaptive mutations linked with chromosomal inversions may not be able to
Anuric acute kidney injury in neurofibromatosis 1

Neurofibromatosis is one of several genetic disorders characterized by hyperpigmented skin spots (cafe au lait spots) and multiple neurofibromas. It was first reported by Friedrich Daniel von Recklinghausen in 1882. There are 2 types of neurofibromatosis described in the literature: von Recklinghausen disease, or neurofibromatosis 1 that involves peripheral nerve sheaths, and central, or neurofibromatosis 2. Neurofibromatosis 1 very commonly involves renal arteries, and hypertension commonly is present in these patients due to stenotic ostial lesions resulting in bilateral renal artery stenosis. However, renal artery aneurysms, renal artery thrombosis, or external compression by neurofibromas also may cause hypertension. We present a unique case of a man with neurofibromatosis 1 presenting with anuric acute kidney injury, followed by a brief discussion of neurofibromatosis 1 and its association with renovascular disease.
Irregular dust devil pressure drops on Earth and Mars: Effect of cycloidal tracks

Abstract In a survey of dust devil activity at a desert playa using continuous monitoring by a pressure logger, we have detected a number of pressure drops with complex structures: simple and symmetric drops make up only 25–30% of the total. In contrast to the simple, symmetric single-dip profiles expected for single-cell vertical vortices gliding past the pressure sensor, many profiles have an asymmetric shape, double dips, or ‘shoulders’ where a broad shallow dip is superposed on a narrow deeper one. A double dip in Mars Phoenix data was attributed in prior work to a near-simultaneous encounter with two dust devils, while laboratory experiments with two-cell vortices find a local peak in pressure at the center, also yielding a double dip in a transect profile. However, we suggest instead that a likely explanation for many complex pressure profiles measured in the field and on Mars is in fact the trochoidal path of a dust devil across the terrain, rather than the straight-line constant-speed path usually assumed. Images of the Martian surface show that many dust devil tracks have such a trochoidal or cycloidal path, which can be parametrically described. A model of the pressure profile driven by this parametric path description can reproduce observations.
Designing spatially explicit incentive programs for habitat conservation: A case study of the Bicknell's thrush wintering grounds

Abstract The Bicknell's thrush (Catharus bicknelli) is among North America's migratory bird species of greatest conservation concern. Protecting habitat at both ends of its range has been identified as a high priority action. An estimated 90% of the species' global population overwinters on the island of Hispaniola, where ongoing habitat loss is a severe problem. Preventing further loss of Bicknell's thrush habitat on Hispaniola will require, among other efforts, establishing conservation areas on private lands, where success will depend on cooperation with landowners. This paper considers a voluntary incentive program to landowners in the Dominican Republic to yield a cost-effective network of protected habitat to sustain overwintering Bicknell's thrush populations. TAMARIN, a Geographic Information System (GIS) based model, evaluates the economic and ecological considerations for a voluntary bid scenario where landowners sell their property rights to a government agency or non-governmental organization. Results indicate that two scientific reserves in northeastern Dominican Republic could be connected under one viable forest fragment valued at US $5.5 × 106, increasing the total protected land by 87% to 19,357 ha. Incorporating the spatial variability of economic costs and biological benefits into a conservation program, such as the Bicknell's Thrush Habitat Protection Fund will help planners achieve habitat conservation at least cost.
Strategic Behavior in the International Burley Tobacco Market

Abstract This note uses an international trade model to investigate the competitiveness of the world burley tobacco market. Results support the contention that governments can take advantage of market imperfections to shift rents to the domestic economy. Both tariffs and quotas lead to larger domestic welfare compared to baseline results. However, a lowering of the price support lead to similar overall welfare increases without the retaliatory responses by competitors.
Comparison of Two Treatments in Animal Carcinogenicity Experiments

Abstract In animal carcinogenicity experiments, tumors are often undetectable until death, and thus information about the tumor development rate is confounded with both the mortality rate in animals without tumors and the tumor lethality rate. In Malani and Van Ryzin (1986), the problem of estimating the tumor incidence rate and other related functions was discussed, using data from survival/sacrifice experiments. Estimates were derived using a discrete multistate model. Many of the existing methods for comparing the tumor incidence rate of two treatments either require restrictive assumptions about the tumor lethality or assume that treatment primarily affects the tumor development rate and does not alter the death rate in the presence or absence of tumors. In this article tests are derived for (a) checking the tumor nonlethality and (b) comparing two treatments with regard to the death rate in the presence or absence of tumors. Each test involves testing the hypothesis that a certain odds ratio in a 2 ×...
Orientational order in the vicinity of a second order smectic-A to nematic phase transition

Abstract Measurements of the quadrupolar splitting of the central N 14 are reported for the liquid crystal NBOA. The splitting is a measure of the orientational order parameter. At the nematic to smectic- A transition, the orientational order parameter varies continuously as a function of temperature, but with a discontinuous slope, as expected of a second order phase transition. The results are interpreted in terms of the Kobayashi-McMillan theory.
Straylight before and after phacoemulsification in eyes with preoperative corrected distance visual acuity better than 0.1 logMAR.

Purpose To report the outcomes of changes in straylight before and after phacoemulsification in eyes with preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) better than 0.1 logMAR. Setting Private refractive surgery clinic, Driebergen, the Netherlands. Design Cohort study. Methods Standard phacoemulsification with implantation of a monofocal or multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) was performed. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative straylight values, CDVA, and refractive error were compared. Results The study enrolled 160 eyes (89 patients). The mean CDVA was 0.02 ± 0.05 logMAR (range −0.1 to 0.1 logMAR) preoperatively and 0.00 ± 0.04 logMAR (range −0.1 to 0.2 logMAR) postoperatively. The mean preoperative straylight was 1.21 ± 0.20 log(s) (range 0.80 to 1.74 log[s]) and 1.11 ± 1.16 log(s) (range 0.76 to 1.63 log[s]), respectively; the improvement was statistically significant. There was a correlation between high preoperative straylight values and postoperative improvement in straylight values. Conclusions In eyes with relatively good CDVA of 0.1 logMAR or better (decimal 0.8 or better; Snellen 20/25 or better), straylight improved by 0.10 log(s) after cataract surgery. A subgroup of 44 eyes had an improvement of more than 0.20 log(s), which is comparable to a 2-line improvement on the vision chart. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosures are listed after the references.