cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of nonlinear pharmacokinetics of erythropoietin in sheep and humans.

The primary mechanism of erythropoietin's (EPO) in vivo elimination and the tissue, or tissues, responsible are unknown. Previous studies indicating that EPO pharmacokinetic (PK) behaviour is nonlinear suggest that EPO elimination takes place by a saturable mechanism. A versatile PK system analysis, the Disposition Decomposition Analysis (DDA), capable of quantification of the Michaelis–Menten parameters, Vm and km was used to analyze and compare EPO's PK behaviour in newborn sheep and preterm infants. Lambs and infants both demonstrated nonlinear PK behaviour appropriately analyzed with DDA. Compared to preterm infants, lambs had significantly greater (p<0.05) elimination capacity as determined by the Vm (2789±525 versus 1767±250 mU/mL per h (mean±S.E.), respectively), and larger extrapolated linear clearances (116±19.1 versus 21.3±1.75 mL/kg per h, respectively) (p<0.01). Lambs also demonstrated significantly larger (p<0.01) degrees of nonlinearity as judged by smaller mean km values (2142±258 versus 6796±1.007 mU/mL, respectively). Of note, although the DDA does not distinguish what the mechanism of EPO elimination is, enzymatic degradation and receptor-mediated cellular internalization are two possibilities. The in vivo DDA-derived km values were similar to reported in vitro binding affinity kd data for erythroid progenitors and cell lines having EPO-R's, i.e. 240–2400 mU/mL. The present study's demonstration that EPO's nonlinear PK behaviour in both sheep and humans can be analyzed by the DDA methodology indicates that the sheep model may be used in invasive studies needed to further characterize the mechanism of EPO elimination. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystal and molecular structure of (5,10,15,20- tetrakisphenyl-2-ethoxy-3-oxa-chlorinato)Ag(II)

The silver(II) complex of the chlorin-like derivativev [5,10,15,20-tetrakisphenyl-2-ethoxy-3-oxa-chlorinato]Ag(II) (1Ag), formally formed by substitution of one pyrrolic subunit in silvermeso-tetraphenylporphyrin by one ethoxy-substituted hydrooxazole moiety, crystallizes in the tetragonal space groupI4/m witha = 13.4811(10) A,c = 9.7361(13) A, andZ = 2. The molecule, which is asymmetric, accommodates the high-symmetry space group by rotational disorder with the silver atom located on the four-fold axis.
A TEST OF REPRODUCTIVE POWER IN SNAKES

Reproductive power is a contentious concept among ecologists, and the model has been criticized on theoretical and empirical grounds. Despite these criticisms, the model has successfully predicted the modal (optimal) size in three large taxonomic groups and the shape of the body size distribution in two of these groups. We tested the reproductive power model on snakes, a group that differs markedly in physiology, foraging ecology, and body shape from the endothermic groups upon which the model was derived. Using detailed field data from the published literature, snake-specific constants associated with reproductive power were determined using allometric relationships of energy invested annually in egg production and population productivity. The resultant model accurately predicted the mode and left side of the size distribution for snakes but failed to predict the right side of that distribution. If the model correctly describes what is possible in snakes, observed size diversity is limited, especially in the largest size classes.
Clinical Trial Participants With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Differ From Patients Treated in Real-World Practice.

Patients with mRCC treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in real-world clinical practice are sicker than those enrolled onto pivotal clinical trials, and more than one third are trial ineligible.
A New Genus and New Species of Paguridae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) from the Bohol Sea, the Philippines

A new genus and new species of the hermit crab family Paguridae is described and illustrated on the basis of three specimens collected from off Balicasag Island, Bohol Sea, the Philippines. The new genus, Pliopagurus, is referred to the “Pylopagurus-Tomopagurus” group on account of its having 11 pairs of biserial gills and paired first pleopods in females, and appears closest to Lophopagurus McLaughlin, 1981. The possession of short sexual tubes on both coxae of the fifth pereopods in the male and the lack of a median crest or dorsolateral keel of the left chela distinguish Pliopagurus from Lophopagurus. An emended key to the genera of the “Pylopagurus-Tomopagurus” group is presented.
Context Effects in Subjective Mental Workload Ratings

The impact of performance context on subjective mental workload ratings was assessed with the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (SWAT) and the NASA Task Load Index (TLX). In Experiment 1, a strong context effect was demonstrated. A low range of task difficulty produced considerably higher ratings on a common set of difficulty levels than did a high range of task difficulty. In Experiment 2, increasing the participants' range of experiences during practice eliminated the context effect. We recommend that methods for standardizing context, such as providing experience with the complete difficulty range, be developed for subjective mental workload evaluations. Actual or potential applications of this research include providing methodologies for controlling context effects in practical assessments of mental workload to increase the validity of subjective measures.
Effect of Vitamin K (Menadione) on Choline Esterase Activity, Acetylcholine Synthesis, and Striated Muscle.∗:

Summary1. The effect of menadione in concentrations from 1×10−7 to 2.5×10−3 mol. on the synthesis of acetylcholine, on the activity of choline esterase, and on the effect of some chemical agents in...
Organizational Responses to Discontinuous Innovation: A Case Study Approach

Research that examines entrant-incumbent dynamics often points to the organisational limitations that constrain incumbents from successfully pursuing new technologies or fending off new entrants. Some incumbents are nevertheless able to successfully implement organisational structures and develop routines that overcome these institutional constraints. We provide a case-study analysis of how three firms — Motorola, IBM and Kodak — responded to "discontinuous" innovations and the associated structural and organisational limitations that typical to incumbent organisations. Each firm was able to capture gains from new technologies and develop profitable products in emerging markets, although their abilities to sustain these gains varied due to subsequent organisational changes. Drawing from these case studies, we synthesise how firms can institute organisation strategies to continue to capture gains from disruptive innovations. A schema suggests that particular organisation strategies are comparatively optimal for corresponding points along an innovation lifecycle.
Utilizing structural analysis of Web of trust for evaluating the effect of deceptive data

Web of trust is the foundation of the reputation system, recommendation system and semantic Web. Most of existing research on web of trust concentrates on aggregating the trust ratings on subjects and objects in the Web of trust. The problem with this approach is that an adversary subject can accumulate reputation gradually and can be highly trusted by many other subjects. If this subject later deliberately releases a deceptive data, the effect caused by this deceptive data may be disastrous. Not only can this deceptive data greatly affect people who directly trust this individual, but also, its consequence may have an effect on many other subjects in the network. Our model illustrates how the structural analysis of Web can help evaluate the deleterious result of the deceptive data.
Membrane damage of bacteria by silanols treatment

Antimicrobial action of silanols, a new class of antimicrobials, was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent dye studies. Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were treated by silanols at concentration of less than 0.2 wt% for one hour. Membrane damage of the bacteria by the silanol treatment was clearly observed by transmission electron microscopy. Separation of the cytoplasmic membrane from the outer membrane for E. coli and disorganized cytoplasmic membrane of the Gram-positive bacteria were observed when compared to the control. Fluorescent dyes, green-fluorescent nucleic acid stain (Syto 9) and the red-fluorescent nucleic acid stain (Propidium iodide), were used to monitor membrane damage of the bacteria by Confocal microscopy and Spectrophotometer. A reduction of the green fluorescent emission was detected for silanol treated bacteria indicating membrane damage of the bacteria and supporting the hypothesis that their viability loss may be due to their membrane damage analogus to alcohols.
Action (verb) fluency: test-retest reliability, normative standards, and construct validity.

Action (verb) fluency is a newly developed verbal fluency task that requires the examinee to rapidly generate as many verbs (i.e., “things that people do”) as possible within 1 min. Existing literature indicates that action fluency may be more sensitive to frontal–basal ganglia loop pathophysiology than traditional noun fluency tasks (e.g., animal fluency), which is consistent with the hypothesized neural dissociation between noun and verb retrieval. In the current study, a series of analyses were undertaken to examine the psychometric properties of action fluency in a sample of 174 younger healthy participants. The first set of analyses describes the development of demographically adjusted normative data for action fluency. Next, a group of hypothesis-driven correlational analyses reveals significant associations between action fluency and putative tests of executive functions, verbal working memory, verbal fluency, and information processing speed, but not between action fluency and tests of learning or constructional praxis. The final set of analyses demonstrates the test–retest stability of the action fluency test and provides standards for determining statistically reliable changes in performance. In sum, this study enhances the potential clinical applicability of action fluency by providing demographically adjusted normative data and demonstrating evidence for its reliability and construct validity. (JINS, 2005, 11, 408–415.)
The diffraction and refraction of plane pulses

A method for solving problems of plane pulse diffraction by a perfectly conducting wedge is described. The method is extended to give results when a conductive half-plane lies on the surface between two distinct isotropic media of different dielectric properties.
An examination of the burdens faced by entrepreneurs at start-up and five years later

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the burdens faced by small business entrepreneurs in North Dakota. Design/methodology/approach – Two surveys of entrepreneurs are reported on, assessing burdens at start-up and five years later. Burdens are compared within each time period, across time periods, and are linked to industry type and business size. The study also compares survivors and non-survivors, and considers whether survivorship is linked to initial burdens. Findings – Regulatory factors and taxes were not as burdensome in the initial time period, compared to workforce and financing factors. In the follow-up survey property taxes were the largest burden, particularly among larger businesses. Among survivors, availability of capital was more burdensome at start-up and permitting and licensing complexity at follow-up. Survivors had more employees and rated permit/license complexity as more of a burden compared to non-survivors. Cross-industry burden differences were noted. Finally, busine...
Reply to Newman: Quantification of biological aging in young adults is not the same thing as the onset of obesity

Newman (1) highlights a challenge faced by studies seeking to measure aging: How to distinguish the process of aging from its causes. This is simple enough when causes originate outside the organism (e.g., environmental toxicants). But what about conditions inside the organism? Are age-related diseases the cause of biological changes in aging? Or is aging the root cause of age-related diseases? Our study (2) attempted to: ( i ) disentangle aging from age-related disease by studying young people in their 20s and 30s, decades before age-related disease onset; and ( ii ) disentangle aging from specific pathologies of individual organ systems by tracking coordinated change over time across several different organ systems. We tracked 18 biomarkers of the cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems, kidneys, liver, lungs, gums, … [↵][1]1Email: dbelsky{at}duke.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Differential Fluorometry in Catecholamine Determination: A Simplified Method of Calculation

A method for calculating the results of differential fluorometry in the determination of epinephrine and norepinephrine is described. A form which outlines the calculations in steps is illustrated. This simplified method is applicable to differential fluorometry and other procedures which involve solving two equations simultaneously.
Rapid discrimination of the stimulus properties of 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists using conditioned taste aversion.

Separate groups of rats were trained to discriminate the stimulus properties of selective agonists at 5-HT receptors using a conditioned taste aversion procedure. Fluid-restricted rats were injected with drug or saline and then given access to a 0.25% saccharin solution for 30 min. When rats received a drug trial, saccharin consumption was followed by an injection of LiCl (1.8 mEq/kg i.p.), whereas on saline trials saccharin consumption was followed by a second injection of saline instead of LiCl. Rats were trained using injections of either 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (0.4 mg/kg i.p.), an agonist selective for the 5-HT1A receptor, or 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (0.8 mg/kg i.p.), an agonist selective for 5-HT1B and 5-HT1C receptors, as the drug stimuli. Acquisition of the discriminated taste aversion, as measured by the differential effects on saccharin drinking between drug and saline trials, required only two to three pairings of either drug stimulus with LiCl injections. The 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin discriminative stimulus cue generalized to other drugs that are selective for the 5-HT1A receptor, such as ipsapirone (8-16 mg/kg i.p.) or buspirone (4 mg/kg i.p.), but not to agonists that are selective for the 5-HT1B/1C receptor, such as 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine or 1-(m-chlorophenyl)piperazine. The discriminative stimulus properties of 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine generalized to 1-(m-chlorophenyl)piperazine (0.2-0.8 mg/kg i.p.) but not to the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (0.4 mg/kg i.p.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Transcriptome analysis of the human corneal endothelium.

PURPOSE To comprehensively characterize human corneal endothelial cell (HCEnC) gene expression and age-dependent differential gene expression and to identify expressed genes mapped to chromosomal loci associated with the corneal endothelial dystrophies posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD)1, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD)4, and X-linked endothelial dystrophy (XECD). METHODS Total RNA was isolated from ex vivo corneal endothelium obtained from six pediatric and five adult donor corneas. Complementary DNA was hybridized to the Affymetrix GeneChip 1.1ST array. Data analysis was performed using Partek Genomics Suite software, and differentially expressed genes were validated by digital molecular barcoding technology. RESULTS Transcripts corresponding to 12,596 genes were identified in HCEnC. Nine genes displayed the most significant differential expression between pediatric and adult HCEnC: CAPN6, HIST1H3A, HIST1H4E, and HSPA2 were expressed at higher levels in pediatric HCEnC, while ITGBL1, NALCN, PREX2, TAC1, and TMOD1 were expressed at higher levels in adult HCEnC. Analysis of the PPCD1, FECD4 and XECD loci demonstrated transcription of 53/95 protein-coding genes in the PPCD1 locus, 27/40 in the FECD4 locus, and 35/68 in the XECD locus. CONCLUSIONS An analysis of the HCEnC transcriptome reveals the expression of almost 13,000 genes, with less than 1% mapped to chromosomal loci associated with PPCD1, FECD4, and XECD. At least nine genes demonstrated significant differential expression between pediatric and adult HCEnC, defining specific functional properties distinct to each age group. These data will serve as a resource for vision scientists investigating HCEnC gene expression and can be used to focus the search for the genetic basis of the corneal endothelial dystrophies for which the genetic basis remains unknown.
Theory of Divalent Main Group H2 Activation: Electronics and Quasiclassical Trajectories

Density functional theory (DFT), absolutely localized molecular orbital (ALMO) analysis, and quasiclassical trajectories (QCTs) were used to study the structure, barrier heights, thermodynamics, electronic properties, and dynamics of dihydrogen (H2) activation by singlet divalent main group compounds (ER2; E = C, Si, Ge). ALMO energy and charge decomposition calculations reveal that in the transition state CR2 acts as an ambiphile toward H2 because of equal forward-bonding and back-bonding orbital stabilization while SiR2 and GeR2 act as nucleophiles with dominant orbital energy stabilization arising from ER2 to H2 donation. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) energy gaps do not provide a reasonable estimate of energy stabilization gained between the ER2 and H2 in the transition state or an accurate description of the nucleophilic versus electrophilic character because of electron repulsion and orbital overlap influences that are neglected. In CR2 transition states, forward-bonding and back-bonding are maxim...
A NEW EXPERIMENT TO SEARCH FOR NEUTRON→ANTINEUTRON TRANSITIONS AT HFIR REACTOR

Experimental observation of nucleon instability is one of the key missing components required for the explanation of baryon asymmetry of the universe. Proton decays with the modes and rates predicted by the original (B−L) conserving SU(5) grand unification scheme are not observed experimentally. There are reasons to believe that (B−L) might not be conserved in nature, thus leading to the nucleon decay into lepton + (X) and to phenomena such as Majorana masses of neutrinos, neutrinoless double-beta decays, and most spectacularly the transitions of neutron to antineutron. The energy scale where these processes may occur is far beyond the reach of contemporary colliders. This scale is not predicted by theory therefore the existence of corresponding processes must be explored experimentally. In this paper we discuss motivation and a new experimental approach to searching for (B−L) violating transition of neutron to antineutron. A new search for n n → can be performed in a reactor-based experiment at HFIR/ORNL with a sensitivity ~1000 times higher than in previous experiments.
Renaissance in Security Studies? Caveat Lector!

This article critiques Stephen Walt's survey of security studies, published last year in ISQ It identifies serious flaws in the essay's understanding of security studies—viewed from analytic, normative, and methodological perspectives—and, conversely, argues for a richer conceptual, broader interdisciplinary, theoretically more inclusive, and, not ironically, a more policy-relevant understanding of security studies than the survey presents.
PTMAC: A Prediction-Based TDMA MAC Protocol for Reducing Packet Collisions in VANET

With the rapid development of wireless communications, vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have recently attracted great attention. Although IEEE 802.11p has been approved as the standard medium access control (MAC) protocol for vehicle-to-vehicle communications, its contention-based nature and inability to handle hidden-terminal problems may incur high packet collision probability under high-traffic-density situations. To overcome the shortcoming of IEEE 802.11p, time-division multiple-access (TDMA)-based protocols are proposed. However, packet collisions can still occur due to contention or multiple vehicles using the same slot while approaching each other, i.e., encounter collisions, particularly in two-way traffic roads. Some proposed remedying the encounter collisions for two-way traffic by partitioning a frame into two sets: one for the traffic in each direction. However, these proposed protocols are harder to adapt to the uneven traffic loads on both directions and cannot solve the problem of four-way intersections. In this paper, we propose a new TDMA protocol called prediction-based TDMA MAC (PTMAC) based on a novel way of predicting encounter collisions and effectively reducing the number of collisions. To the best of our knowledge, PTMAC is the first protocol that is designed for both two-way traffic and four-way intersections. It has shown that, based on this predictability, the encounter collisions can be greatly reduced in both two-way traffic and four-way intersections, regardless of the traffic loads on different road segments.
E-143 pediatric cerebrovascular access systems

Introduction Cerebrovascular intervention in children is often challenging due to the small size of the parent vessels. However, complex interventional cases still often require guiding catheters with a sizeable lumen and reasonable support. We review our experience with pediatric neurointervention over the last 1.5 years at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital to identify pediatric-specific access systems that provide optimal lumen diameter and support. Materials and methods We performed 82 pediatric cerebrovascular interventional procedures in children ages 8 days to 17 years since July 2013. These procedures included diagnostic cerebral angiography (48), Wada testing (4), tumor embolization (2), AVM embolization (10) aneurysm embolization and flow diversion (5), intra-arterial chemotherapy (12), and arterial sacrifice (1). These cases were reviewed to identify pediatric-specific access platforms for intracranial intervention. Results For diagnostic angiography, a 4 French Terumo Glide catheter was used for all patients ages 7 and younger. A 4 French or 5 French Glide catheter was used in patients older than 7. For therapeutic intervention in children less than 5 years old, a 4 French transfemoral access system was always used. In infants, a 4 French micropuncture system was often used as the sheath, with subsequent direct navigation with the microcatheter. In toddlers, a 4.3 French DAC is used with a 4 French groin sheath. The DAC is steam-shaped to obtain a hockey stick configuration, allowing selection of the great vessels. In children ages 6 and older, a 5 or 6 French access system may be used. Five French guiding catheters used were the Cordis Envoy or the Concentric DAC (again steam-shaped). Six French systems included the Cordis Envoy, Penumbra Neuron, and Cook Shuttle Sheath. On one occasion a 4 French Terumo Glide catheter was used for internal carotid artery access in an infant, which was complicated by vasospasm. This was treated with nitroglycerin and resolved. No other complications related to the guide system were encountered. Conclusion Guide catheter access systems are key to successful procedures. Using systems with adequate support and lumen diameter is important, particularly in procedures using parallel catheters such as balloon-assisted technique, or with flow diversion deployment. In our experience at the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Cerebrovascular Program, we have found that children over age 5 can usually tolerate 5 or even 6 French guide systems when needed. We report separately that the size of the cervical vessels grows rapidly until approximately age 5, at which point they are near-adult size (Ladner et al ., submitted). In younger patients, we often utilize a 4.3 French Concentric DAC with a steam shape, which can be used with a 4 French groin sheath. We find that the 4.3 French DAC provides welcome support, particularly in small children, without causing much vasospasm or arterial deformation, and thus we now often use this rather than primary aortic navigation with the microcatheter. Disclosures M. Froehler: None.
Surgical management of parathyroid carcinoma

Cancer of the parathyroid glands is an exceedingly rare endocrine malignancy representing a very uncommon cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. It is characterized by markedly increased serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels far in excess of those exhibited by benign parathyroid disease. Diagnosis is made by histopathology, which may be problematic before initiating treatment for hyperparathyroidism. Because of its rarity, both staging classification and prognostic factors have been difficult to define and less useful in predicting the course of disease and treatment outcomes. Effective management involves comprehensive surgical resection, which offers the best opportunity for cure. Both radiotherapy and chemotherapy are largely ineffective modalities for treatment. Recurrent disease is generally incurable; however, repeat surgery and medical management of tumor-induced hypercalcemia may provide intermediate-term palliation.
The Methadone Treatment of Heroin Addiction

Under proper medical supervision, a single daily dose of methadone achieves blockade of the narcotic effects of heroin without producing euphoria in the addict and without escalation of dosage. Dr. Nyswander describes the pioneer program which in three years has successfully rehabilitated more than 300 heroin addicts and transformed them into socially useful human beings.
Aging perceptions and self-efficacy mediate the association between personality traits and depressive symptoms in older adults.

Objective Personality traits have been shown to be predictors of depressive symptoms in late life. Thus, we examined whether other more modifiable sources of individual differences such as self-efficacy and self-perceptions of aging would mediate the association between personality traits and depressive symptoms in older adults. Method Data were obtained from 3,507 older adult participants who took part in the 2012 Health and Retirement Study. The “Big Five” personality traits, self-efficacy, aging perceptions, and depressive symptoms were assessed. Mediation analyses tested the hypothesis that self-efficacy and aging perceptions would mediate the relationship between personality traits and depressive symptoms. Results All five personality traits were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Neuroticism was positively associated with depressive symptoms and had the greatest effect compared with the other personality traits. There was a significant indirect effect of neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness on depressive symptoms (including both mediators). The mediating effect of aging perceptions on the relationship between neuroticism and depressive symptoms was the strongest compared with self-efficacy, accounting for approximately 80% of the total indirect effect. Conclusion Our results provide support for interventions aimed at improving self-perceptions related to efficacy and aging in order to reduce depressive symptoms in older adults. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capecitabine-Associated Loss of Fingerprints: Report of Capecitabine-Induced Adermatoglyphia in Two Women with Breast Cancer and Review of Acquired Dermatoglyphic Absence in Oncology Patients Treated with Capecitabine.

Capecitabine, an oral 5-fluorouracil prodrug, is currently used in the treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma and breast cancer. Fingerprints, also referred to as dermatoglyphics and characterized by the pattern of ridges and furrows on the fingertips, are used for identification by government agencies and personal electronic devices. Two women with breast cancer who were treated with capecitabine and developed drug-associated loss of their fingerprints are described. PubMed was used to search the following terms separately and in combination: absence, adermatoglyphia, breast, cancer, capecitabine, carcinoma, colon, colorectal, dermatoglyphics, fingerprint, fluorouracil, foot, hand, loss, malignancy, nasopharyngeal, oncology, reaction, rectal, skin, syndrome, tumor, and xeloda. The papers identified were reviewed and appropriate references were evaluated. The characteristics of capecitabine-induced adermatoglyphia in 20 oncology patients are reviewed. Most of the patients received either 2000 mg/m2 or 3500 mg, in divided doses, each day. Hand-foot syndrome, varying in severity from grade 1 to grade 4, always preceded the onset of fingerprint loss. The discovery of adermatoglyphia occurred as early as two weeks to as late as 3½ years after starting capecitabine. Patients were often unaware of their fingerprint loss until they experienced delays attempting to enter the United States, were unable to process government documents or obtain a driver's license, or could not obtain access to their telephone, computer or gym which required fingerprint identification scanning. The loss of fingerprints was reversible for some of the individuals; however, several of the patients did not recover their dermatoglyphics, the functional quality of their fingerprints, or both after discontinuing the drug. The significance of capecitabine-induced adermatoglyphia will continue to increase as fingerprint identification continues to advance not only in scanning technology but also in global utilization. Therefore, it is essential that patients receiving capecitabine are aware of this potential adverse cutaneous sequellae.
Salivary protein changes in response to acute stress in medical residents performing advanced clinical simulations: a pilot proteomics study.

AbstractContext: Quantitative changes of salivary proteins due to acute stress were detected.Objective: To explore protein markers of stress in saliva of eight medical residents who performed emergency medicine simulations.Materials and methods: Saliva was collected before the simulations, after the simulations, and following morning upon waking. Proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), identified by mass spectrometry (MS), and relatively quantified by densitometry.Results: Salivary alpha-amylase and S–type cystatins significantly increased, while the ∼26 kDa and low-molecular weight (MW) (<10 kDa) SDS-PAGE bands exhibited changes after stress.Discussion and conclusion: Alpha-amylase and cystatins are potential salivary markers of acute stress, but further validation should be performed using larger sample populations.
A probabilistic drought forecasting framework: A combined dynamical and statistical approach

In order to improve drought forecasting skill, this study develops a probabilistic drought forecasting framework comprised of dynamical and statistical modeling components. The novelty of this study is to seek the use of data assimilation to quantify initial condition uncertainty with the Monte Carlo ensemble members, rather than relying entirely on the hydrologic model or land surface model to generate a single deterministic initial condition, as currently implemented in the operational drought forecasting systems. Next, the initial condition uncertainty is quantified through data assimilation and coupled with a newly developed probabilistic drought forecasting model using a copula function. The initial condition at each forecast start date are sampled from the data assimilation ensembles for forecast initialization. Finally, seasonal drought forecasting products are generated with the updated initial conditions. This study introduces the theory behind the proposed drought forecasting system, with an application in Columbia River Basin, Pacific Northwest, United States. Results from both synthetic and real case studies suggest that the proposed drought forecasting system significantly improves the seasonal drought forecasting skills and can facilitate the state drought preparation and declaration, at least three months before the official state drought declaration.
Deficits in dynamic balance during tandem gait after concussion may be exacerbated by dual-tasks

Objective Expert consensus recommends tandem gait (heel-to-toe walking) to assess concussion. Failure rate when only assessing time-to-task completion is unacceptably high among healthy participants. Our purpose was to assess tandem gait centre of pressure and dual-task cost with and without cognitive distraction in recently concussed individuals. Design Cross-sectional. Setting University. Subjects Thirty college-aged recreational athletes in two 15-person groups: 1) recent concussion (median time post-concussion=126 days, range 28-432d), and 2) healthy sex-, age- (±1 yr), mass- (±10%), and height- (±5%) matched controls. Intervention Participants completed 3 trials each of 4 tandem gait conditions: 1) tandem gait (eyes open, no cognitive distraction), 2) tandem gait (eyes closed, no cognitive distraction), 3) tandem gait (eyes open, Brooks Visuospatial Task cognitive distraction), and 4) tandem gait (eyes closed, Brooks Visuospatial Task cognitive distraction). Outcome measures Centre of pressure velocity, speed, path length, and dual-task cost. Results The recent concussion group (25.15 cm/s) demonstrated slower tandem gait velocity compared to the control group (29.20 cm/s; p=0.049; 95% CI:0.02-8.06 cm/s). After controlling for group velocity differences, the recent concussion group (23.5%) had higher centre of pressure speed dual-task cost during the eyes closed dual-task condition than did the control group (16.3%; p=0.032; 95% CI:2.70-11.48%). Conclusions We observed subtle centre of pressure group differences more than one month after post-concussion return to activity. It remains unclear if these differences impact clinical outcomes post-concussion. Longitudinal investigations should study acute post-concussion movement deficits, and discern the recovery of these deficits in comparison to recovery using traditional concussion assessment tools. Competing interests None.
The effects of musical cues on motor learning using a robotic wrist rehabilitation system — A healthy pilot study

A robotic wrist rehabilitation system consisting of a passive therapy device and rehabilitation gaming suite was developed for upper limb motor rehabilitation. To enhance motor learning, musical cues were integrated into the gaming suite to encourage specific wrist movements. To validate the effects, a pilot study was conducted with abled-bodied participants to compare three conditions — the use of musical cues, the use of tapping beats and a condition with no sound. Participants were asked to complete a 90 second exercise session in which they used the therapy device to control the movements of a virtual pick to catch musical notes depicted on screen. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three conditions. Participants who received musical cues reacted more quickly to musical notes, hit the positions more accurately, and showed a trend of missing fewer notes as compared to the control. These participants also continued the trend of reducing their miss rate after the musical cues were removed. This suggests that musical cues can be used to assist with motor task learning and retention.
Molecular phylogenetic analyses of imported Zika virus genomes in China

Abstract Background The rapid transmission and potential link to severe neurologica complications and birth defects have made Zika virus infection a serious threat to global public health. However, the initial ancestor of Zika virus and the potential transmission route remain are unknown. Methods We assessed the epidemiological characteristics of 28 confirmed cases of Zika virus infection and analysed the genetic diversity of Zika virus isolates. Findings 28 confirmed cases of Zika virus infection were imported from South America, Central America and south Pacific areas. 18 cases were overseas Chinese people who had emigrated from Jiangmen, Guangdong. The remaining cases were businessman travelling in Venezuela, Samoa, Suriname, Guatemala, and Ecuador. The results of a molecular-clock phylogenetic analysis showed that the evolutionary rate of the Asian lineage was 1·05 × 10−3 substitutions per site per year. The estimated time-scaled phylogeny contains a well-supported cluster of Zika virus strains (posterior probability [PP]=1·0) that share a common ancestor with the French Polynesia lineage in 2013, which suggests that a common ancestor likely transmitted from French Polynesia to South America, particularly to Brazil. All cases of Zika virus imported into China were located in two independent clusters (PP=1·0). One cluster contained the isolates imported into China from Venezuela. The common ancestor of this clade descended from an ancestral lineage that can be dated to the beginning of 2015; therefore, the imported China isolates from Venezuela were probably already locally endemic before 2015. In another cluster, all the isolates were imported into China from the South Pacific island Samoa. The common ancestor of this cluster can be dated to the middle of 2014. The estimated time-scaled phylogeny indicates that this cluster also shared a common ancestor with French Polynesia strain in 2013 (PP=0·99). Interpretation The present data indicated that the imported Zika virus in China was unlikely to be transmitted from Brazil in 2015. Alternatively, an independent local transmission of Zika virus appears to have been previously established in Venezuela and Samoa after 2014 and 2013, respectively. Funding Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Program (2015A020213004), Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology (2016A020251001), and National Key R&D Program (2016YFC1200201).
Investigations into the efficacy of multi-component cocaine vaccines

Although cocaine addiction remains a serious health and societal problem in the United States, no FDA-approved treatment has been developed. Vaccines offer an exciting strategy for the treatment of cocaine addiction; however, vaccine formulations need to be optimized to improve efficacy. Herein, we examine the effectiveness of a tricomponent cocaine vaccine, defined as having its hapten (GNE) and adjuvant (cytosine-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide 1826, CpG ODN 1826) covalently linked via the immunogenic protein ovalbumin (OVA). The tricomponent vaccine (GNE-OVA-CpG 1826) and a vaccine of analogous, individual components (GNE-OVA+CpG ODN 1826) were found to similarly induce highly specific anticocaine antibody production in mice and block cocaine's stimulant effects in hyperlocomotor testing.
Alternative and Underground Comics: Interview with Caitlin McGurk

ABSTRACTIn this installment of “Conversations,” Caitlin McGurk, associate curator for outreach at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, discusses alternative and underground comics along with different aspects of her professional career in cartoon and comics librarianship.
Atypical chest pain. Differentiation from coronary artery disease.

PreviewA 48-year-old woman presents with a 2-week history of left-sided chest pain, which she describes as intermittently “stabbing” in nature one minute and “squeezing” the next. The pain is unrelated to respiration. Is it atypical chest pain or a sign of coronary artery disease? Dr Richards outlines an approach to identifying the source of chest pain and discusses characteristic manifestations of both ischemic and nonischemic pain.
Comparing programmed cell death in cultured primary and tumor cells in inquiry-based cell biology laboratory exercises

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is a cellular pathway by which individual cells self-destruct for the benefit of the organism. In this practical paper, we describe laboratory exercises with an...
Enhanced cognitive control over task-irrelevant emotional distractors in generalized anxiety disorder versus obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Abstract Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined in part by excessive and uncontrollable worry. However, little is known about cognitive control abilities in adults with GAD. The present study examined cognitive control over negative and neutral material in a mixed clinical sample of adults with GAD and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder and a comparison healthy control sample. Participants completed a novel emotional variant of the AX-CPT (eAX-CPT) to index proactive and reactive cognitive control in the presence of negative and neutral distractor stimuli. Participants with GAD demonstrated enhanced cognitive control specifically over negative emotional distractors, relative to neutral distractors (within-subjects) and relative to OCD and controls (between-subjects). Findings were specific to GAD versus trait worry; however, higher trait worry predicted better cognitive control in GAD only. These findings are inconsistent with deficit-based cognitive models of GAD and may be better accounted for by models that conceptualize worry as an intentional (albeit maladaptive) cognitive control or emotion regulation strategy that is actively maintained by individuals with GAD in order to avoid engaging with more distressing emotional information.
Epsilon factors of representations of finite general linear groups

Abstract We define epsilon factors for irreducible representations of finite general linear groups using Macdonald's correspondence. These epsilon factors satisfy multiplicativity, and are expressible as products of Gauss sums. The tensor product epsilon factors are related to the Rankin-Selberg gamma factors, by which we prove that the Rankin-Selberg gamma factors can be written as products of Gauss sums. The exterior square epsilon factors relate the Jacquet-Shalika exterior square gamma factors and the Langlands-Shahidi exterior square gamma factors for level zero supercuspidal representations. We prove that these exterior square factors coincide in a special case.
A randomized controlled trial protocol for an interdisciplinary evaluation of non-arthritic hip disease

Background: Non-arthritic hip disease (NAHD) is a clinical condition often accompanied by painful movement. Current literature is lacking regarding how movement abnormalities are evaluated and treated in this population, which may be key to identifying which patients may respond to non-operative versus operative treatment. Combining the expertise of a hip arthroscopist and physical therapist may better inform treatment decisions for persons with NAHD. The primary objective of this study is to identify the extent to which an interdisciplinary evaluation between a physical therapist and surgeon influences treatment decisions of persons presenting to a hip preservation clinic. Rationale for study design: A prospective, randomized controlled trial provides the ability to identify cause and effect of this new evaluation type. Methods: Ninety-six adults with unilateral, NAHD presenting to a hip preservation clinic for initial evaluation will be randomized to receive either a standard evaluation with a surgeon or an interdisciplinary evaluation by a physical therapist and surgeon. Regardless of group, the surgeon conducts a standard-care examination. For participants in the interdisciplinary group, the physical therapist conducts an assessment of 6 postures and movements to identify asymmetrical, abnormal, or painful strategies. Treatment selection(s) and decisional conflict will be compared between groups after the evaluations. Discussion: Persons with NAHD may experience considerable decisional conflict because of prolonged duration of symptoms and minimal evidence to compare operative and non-operative treatment for this population. The findings of this study have the potential to improve patient experience and produce more informed and supported treatment decisions for persons considering surgical treatment for NAHD.
Role of Exercise in Mitigating Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a clinical spectrum of liver abnormalities resulting from excessive fat accumulation in hepatocytes. These abnormalities extend to simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which includes lobular inflammation and evidence of cell injury. This entity may lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatic synthetic dysfunction. This problem is more common in those who are overweight and obese and who exhibit features of metabolic syndrome including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension (1). Data suggest that children with NAFLD have increased morbidity and mortality in adulthood (2). Early occurrence likely indicates deleterious environmental exposures or genetic predispositions. Given the rising prevalence in children and adults, paralleling concomitant changes in lifestyle over the past three decades, there are emerging imperatives for screening, diagnosis, and intervention. Primary outcome measures in treating NAFLD vary. A commonly accepted goal of treatment is a decrease in hepatic steatosis and a decrease or resolution of inflammation and cell injury (i.e., NASH) and/or fibrosis, which may elude noninvasive assessment. A sustained decrease in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from baseline is commonly used as a surrogate marker for histologic improvement and response to treatment (3,4). Evaluation of fibrosis requires histologic assessment obtained via liver biopsy. In children, NAFLD comorbidities (insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension) are also important to mitigate to improve clinical outcomes. There are currently no pharmacologics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of NAFLD. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary interventions and a focus on increased physical activity, remain the first-line treatment options for pediatric NAFLD (5,6). There is limited evidence to …
Controlling goes Multimedia

Das Internet hat viele Bereiche des modernen Business grundlegend verandert und Chancen wie Risiken in erheblichem Masie auch neu verteilt [1], Es mag schon als Sensation anmuten, das eines der am bzgl. der Performance am besten beurteilten Unternehmen der Welt — wobei man bei solchen Einschatzungen sicherlich vorsichtig sein mus — nicht einer der wachstumsstarken Industriekonzerne, wie z.B. General Motors oder Siemens, nicht eines der aufstrebenden Unternehmen der Biotechnologie, und auch nicht ein Softwaregigant ist, wie z.B. Microsoft, Oracle oder SAP, sondern eine Firma, die im Web unter der Adresse: http://www.amazon.comerreichbar ist. Amazon ist die (wohl) groste Online-Buchhandlung der Welt. Die Sensation daran ist, das weder der grundlegende Business Process, der Business to Customer-Handel mit absoluten Commodities wie Buchern, noch die technologische Kernkomponente, das kundenseitige Online-Shopping via (downloadbarem) Web-Browser im Internet, als besonders komplex und auch „intelligent“ einzuschatzen sind [2]. Warum also diese hohe Einschatzung bzw. Bewertung durch die (unterstellt) erfolgshungrigen Analysten an der Wall Street oder wo auch immer? Analysiert man den „Fall Amazon“ auf einer groben Ebene, so lassen sich grundlegend eine „Wirkungskomponente“ und eine „Gestaltungskomponente“ unterscheiden.