cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equal aspiration rates in gastrically and transpylorically fed critically ill patients.

Objectives: To determine the difference in aspiration rates between gastrically and transpylorically fed patients in the intensive care unit. Design: A prospective controlled study of critically ill patients randomized to receive either a gastrically placed feeding tube or a transpylorically placed feeding tube. Setting: University teaching hospital's medical intensive care unit. The study was conducted over 14 months. Patients: Fifty-four critically ill subjects (with an overall 40% mortality) with similar baseline age, severity of illness, and nutritional needs requiring enteral nutrition, with 51 completing the study. Interventions: All feeds were tagged with technetium-99m radiolabeled sulfur colloid, and the pulmonary secretions or lungs of each patient were scanned on a daily basis to determine whether aspiration had occurred. Patients were fed according to their assigned tube placement which was verified daily by continuous electromyography. Measurements and results: Of 27 gastrically fed patients 2 (7%) had evidence of scanned feed in pulmonary secretions or the lung, compared to 3 of 24 (13%) transpylorically fed patients (n.s.). Clinical suspicion of aspiration was insensitive and detected only 60% of isotopically documented aspirations with a positive predictive value of 27%. Conclusion: There was no difference in aspiration rates between gastrically and transpylorically fed critically ill patients.
Smooth nonparametric estimation of the hazard and hazard rate functions from record-breaking data

Abstract Often in industrial quality control experiments and destructive stress testing, only values smaller than all previous ones are observed. Here, from such record-breaking data, nonparametric estimation of the hazard function and the hazard rate is considered. For a single record-breaking sample, consistent estimation is not possible except in the extreme tails of the distribution. Hence, replication is required and for m such independent record-breaking samples, strong consistency of the estimators is established as m → ∞. Also, the hazard function estimators are shown to be asymptotically normal. Finally, for small m, the mean squared errors and biases of the estimators are examined through computer simulations.
Comparison of Central Artery Elasticity in Swimmers, Runners, and the Sedentary

Although swimming is one of the most popular, most practiced, and most recommended forms of physical activity, little information is available regarding the influence of regular swimming on vascular disease risks. Using a cross-sectional study design, key measurements of vascular function were performed in middle-aged and older swimmers, runners, and sedentary controls. There were no group differences in age, height, dietary intake, and fasting plasma concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Runners and swimmers were not different in their weekly training volume. Brachial systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were higher (p <0.05) in swimmers than in sedentary controls and runners. Runners and swimmers had lower (p <0.05) carotid systolic blood pressure and carotid pulse pressure than sedentary controls. Carotid arterial compliance was higher (p <0.05) and β-stiffness index was lower (p <0.05) in runners and swimmers than in sedentary controls. There were no significant group differences between runners and swimmers. Cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity was greater (p <0.05) in runners than in sedentary controls and swimmers and baroreflex sensitivity tended to be higher in swimmers than in sedentary controls (p = 0.07). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation was significant greater (p <0.05) in runners compared with sedentary controls and swimmers. In conclusion, our present findings are consistent with the notion that habitual swimming exercise may be an effective endurance exercise for preventing loss in central arterial compliance.
Value of Echocardiography and Electrocardiography as Screening Tools Prior to Doxorubicin Administration

The dose-limiting toxicity of doxorubicin is cardiotoxicosis. The authors of this report hypothesized that by using their institution's adopted guidelines (that involve prescreening echocardiography and electrocardiography), they would detect pre-existing cardiac abnormalities that preclude doxorubicin administration in <10% of dogs. Of 101 dogs, only 6 were excluded from doxorubicin administration based on electrocardiogram abnormalities, with a majority of those arrhythmias classified as ventricular premature contractions. One patient was excluded based on echocardiogram alone due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The incidence of cardiotoxicity in treated dogs was 8% (8/101). Additional pretreatment and ongoing studies are indicated to identify risk factors for cardiotoxicity.
The hospital library is crucial to quality healthcare.

In a 1988 report, an advisory committee of the Medical Library Association (MLA) wrote that “no one would argue against information as the foundation for efficient cost-effective business or agains...
The contributions of molecular framework to IMS collision cross-sections of gas-phase peptide ions.

Molecular dynamics (MD) is an essential tool for correlating collision cross-section data determined by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) with candidate (calculated) structures. Conventional methods used for ion structure determination rely on comparing the measured cross-sections with the calculated collision cross-section for the lowest energy structure(s) taken from a large pool of candidate structures generated through multiple tiers of simulated annealing. We are developing methods to evaluate candidate structures from an ensemble of many conformations rather than the lowest energy structure. Here, we describe computational simulations and clustering methods to assign backbone conformations for singly-protonated ions of the model peptide (NH2-Met-Ile-Phe-Ala-Gly-Ile-Lys-COOH) formed by both MALDI and ESI, and compare the structures of MIFAGIK derivatives to test the ‘sensitivity’ of the cluster analysis method. Cluster analysis suggests that [MIFAGIK + H]+ ions formed by MALDI have a predominantly turn structure even though the low-energy ions prefer partial helical conformers. Although the ions formed by ESI have collision cross-sections that are different from those formed by MALDI, the results of cluster analysis indicate that the ions backbone structures are similar. Chemical modifications (N-acetyl, methylester as well as addition of Boc or Fmoc groups) to MIFAGIK alter the distribution of various conformers; the most dramatic changes are observed for the [M + Na]+ ion, which show a strong preference for random coil conformers owing to the strong solvation by the backbone amide groups.
Speaking clearly for children with learning disabilities: sentence perception in noise.

This study compared the speech-in-noise perception abilities of children with and without diagnosed learning disabilities (LDs) and investigated whether naturally produced clear speech yields perce...
The Exposure of Grace: Dimensionality in Late Heidegger

Heidegger’s reflections on grace culminate in the years 1949-54 where grace names a figure for the ineluctable exposure of existence. Heidegger rethinks the relationship between what exists and the world in which it is found as one that is always open to grace. For Heidegger, this world is what he terms the “dimension” between earth and sky. The relationship is only possible where existence is no longer construed as a self-contained presence but instead is thought as something between presence and absence. In this essay, Heidegger’s references to grace in five contexts are considered: the 1949 Bremen lectures, the 1951 essay “... Poetically Dwells Man...,” the 1953 “Dialogue on Language,” the 1951 lecture on “Language,” and the 1954 speech at his nephew’s ordination.
The use of abbreviations and acronyms in the physics literature

In a random sample of 40 abbreviations and acronyms gathered from the physics literature 1973-74, about half could be found only in the papers in which they were published. Due to the lack of uniform style guides for journals, the reader often cannot find definitions quickly for abbreviations in papers.
Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Arthritis: Arthroplasty or Fusion?

The human thumb assumes 50% of the workload of the human hand, and is therefore the most important digit. As such, the thumb has a propensity for the development of osteoarthritis. Moreover, the thumb is also often diseased, in anywhere from 68% to 80%of patients who have rheumatoid arthritis. Much attention over the years has been given to the carpalmetacarpal joint of the thumb, whereas the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint of the thumb remains largely unstudied. The purpose of this article is to review the etiology of thumb MP joint arthritis, and discuss the different treatment options of this condition.
Semiconductor Parametric Diodes in Microwave Computers

The parametric subharmonic oscillator operates by energy transfer from the pump frequency to the oscillator frequency through a nonlinear energy storage element?in the present case, the nonlinear capacitance of a semiconductor diode. This paper examines both the requirements on the diode for satisfactory performance in this circuit and the limitations on oscillator performance which arise from the nature of the semiconductor diode. The analysis shows that abrupt junction diodes must have a Q of at least four at the oscillation frequency if there is to be any useable energy transfer, and that graded junction diodes must have a Q of six. The time constant governing the rise of the envelope of the subharmonic waveform is a marked function of the stray capacitances; this function is examined in detail. The choice of bias voltage to obtain the fastest possible rise time involves consideration of the stray capacitance, the Q of the available diode, and limitations imposed by excessive pump power requirements. For negligible stray capacitance, it is shown that the subharmonic wave-form can rise by a factor e in 1.3 cycles of the subharmonic frequency for an abrupt junction diode, or in 1.9 cycles for a graded junction diode. The principles involved in the design of the semiconductor diode are examined and the choice of materials, impurity distributions, and fabrication techniques are discussed. A new diode encapsulation intended for direct mounting in microstrip transmission line is described. Measurement of appropriate diode parameters is vital to diode research.
Fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane microlens arrays on curved surfaces

We report on polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) microlens arrays on curved surfaces. The mold of the microlens arrays was formed using the photoresist reflow method on top of SU-8 islands connected to each other by a thin layer of SU-8. The mold was transferred to PDMS using a double transfer method. Stress simulation determined that when placed on a curved surface the flexible polymer connecting the microlens arrays endured the most stress minimizing the optical deformation of the microlens arrays. Focal point results demonstrate uniformity of the microlenses within an array with an estimated focal length of 330 μm.
Factor-guided motion planning for a robot arm

Motion planning for robotic arms is important for real, physical world applications. The planning for arms with high-degree-of-freedom (DOF) is hard because its search space is large (exponential in the number of joints), and the links may collide with static obstacles or other joints (self-collision). In this paper we present a motion planning algorithm that finds plans of motion from one arm configuration to a goal arm configuration in 2D space assuming no self-collision. Our algorithm is unique in two ways: (a) it utilizes the topology of the arm and obstacles to factor the search space and reduce the complexity of the planning problem using dynamic programming; and (b) it takes only polynomial time in the number of joints under some conditions. We provide a sufficient condition for polytime motion planning for 2D-space arms: if there is a path between two homotopic configurations, an embedded local planner finds a path within a polynomial time. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm improves the performance of path planning for 2D arms.
Improving the quality of heart rate variability spectra by imposing a constraint on the amount of ectopy in each data segment

Heart rate variability (HRV) is primarily due to instability oscillations of homeostatic feedback loops. Each loop tends to oscillate at a frequency characteristic of the time required to traverse that loop. Discarding all segments with ectopy is impractical in a clinical setting, since the number of ectopy-free segments is low even in patients with moderate ectopy. Investigators are extending spectra into lower frequency ranges, which requires longer data segments, and further reduces the number of ectopy-free segments. A method is proposed to determine the level of ectopy above which data segments should be discarded. By enforcing an effective ectopy cutoff, the mean distance among the spectra making up the average periodogram is reduced, increasing the confidence in these spectra. This technique allows for "quality control" of the data upon which HRV spectral analysis is based. >
COLLEGE STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVE ON SMOKING CESSATION: “IF THE MESSAGE DOESN'T SPEAK TO ME, I DON'T HEAR IT”

The purpose of this study was to document the smoking cessation experiences of three groups of 18–24-year-old college students and explore their ideas for cessation. Focus group interviews were conducted with former smokers (n = 7), smokers struggling to quit (n = 7), and smokers with no desire to quit (n = 5). Participants indicated a need for smoking cessation programs that would help the students understand the immediate physiological impact of smoking, addictive nature of nicotine, and benefits of using nicotine replacement therapy. They believed emotional and cognitive strategies for coping with cravings and environmental cues to smoking should be included in smoking cessation programs. Students indicated that cost and convenience were important considerations for smoking cessation programs. They stated that the media messages were for teens and older adults and did not relate to them as college students or young adults.
Hyperspectral image data unsupervised classification using Gauss-Markov random fields and PCA principle

Hyperspectral image data (HSI), with hundreds of high resolution spectral bands, are usually utilized for background characterization. Background characterization can be performed supervised or unsupervised. No matter what classification method is used, the reduction of HSI data dimensionality is first conducted to allow effective feature extraction for classification. Principle component analysis (PCA) is generally used to de-correlate data and maximize the information content in a reduced number of features. This maximization of information is based on the covariance matrix of different spectral bands. The principle components generally contain the background of observed terrain. Some small target or small edge is possibly smoothed or lost. PCA projects the data onto the principal directions. Only the correlation of different spectral bands is used during PCA analysis. However, the correlation of different pixels in the terrain also can be used to compress and reconstruct the HSI data. In this paper, the Gauss-Markov random field (GMRF), which is assumed to be the model of observed terrain, and maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation, are used to compress and construct the HSI data with PCA. Also the unsupervised classification is used to evaluate the result of this method.
Sensing integrated water vapor along GPS ray paths

We demonstrate sensing of integrated slant-path water vapor (SWV) along ray paths between Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and receivers. We use double differencing to remove GPS receiver and satellite clock errors and 85-cm diameter choke ring antennas to reduce ground-reflected multipath. We compare more than 17,000 GPS and pointed radiometer double difference observations above 20° elevation and find 1.3 mm rms agreement. Potential applications for SWV data include local and regional weather modeling and prediction, correction for slant wet delay effects in GPS surveying and orbit determination, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. The method is viable during all weather conditions.
Immune Defects in 28-kDa Proteasome Activator γ-Deficient Mice

Protein complexes of the 28-kDa proteasome activator (PA28) family activate the proteasome and may alter proteasome cleavage specificity. Initial investigations have demonstrated a role for the IFN-γ-inducible PA28α/β complex in Ag processing. Although the noninducible and predominantly nuclear PA28γ complex has been implicated in affecting proteasome-dependent signaling pathways, such as control of the mitotic cell cycle, there is no previous evidence demonstrating a role for this structure in Ag processing. We therefore generated PA28γ-deficient mice and investigated their immune function. PA28γ−/− mice display a slight reduction in CD8+ T cell numbers and do not effectively clear a pulmonary fungal infection. However, T cell responses in two viral infection models appear normal in both magnitude and the hierarchy of antigenic epitopes recognized. We conclude that PA28γ−/− mice, like PA28α−/−/β−/− mice, are deficient in the processing of only specific Ags.
The Brutalization Effect: Execution Publicity and the Incidence of Homicide in South Carolina

In this note we report the results of a study of the effects of execution publicity on the incidence of homicide in a single State, South Carolina. The basic purpose is to see whether the data are consistent with the brutalization hypothesis; the use of the death penalty as a punishment by the state deadens people's respect for life and thus increases the incidence of homicide. Prior Research Most studies have shown that the death penalty has little effect on the incidence of homicide. Indeed, the effects, if any, are frequently contrary to those postulated by the deterrence hypothesis. For example, cross-sectional studies have shown that abolition States tend to have lower homicide rates than death penalty States. Because of other differences between the abolition and death penalty States (e.g., mean education), researchers have been unwilling to conclude on the basis of these data that the death penalty stimulates homicide, although there has been much speculation about a brutalizing effect. One of the few empirical studies to examine the brutalizing effect of the death penalty used data from a three county area in California for the years from 1946 to 1954. In the study comparisons were made between the daily incidence of homicide for weeks with and without executions. During this time California executed prisoners on Friday. It was found that the incidence of Thursday-Friday homicides was greater than expected for those weeks with executions and the incidence of Saturday-Sunday homicides was less than expected for those weeks with executions. From this pattern it was concluded that the deterrent effect of an execution, or more precisely the publicity surrounding an execution, was cancelled by its earlier brutalizing effect. Unfortunately, the conclusion was drawn without examining the accompanying publicity. The only other study providing documentation of a brutalizing effect examined the effects of trial publicity on the incidence of homicide in
Effective capacity region and optimal power control for fading broadcast channels

1 Transmission over fading broadcast channels in the presence of quality of service (QoS) constraints is studied. Effective capacity, which provides the maximum constant arrival rate that a given service process can support while satisfying statistical QoS constraints, is employed as the performance metric. The effective capacity region achieved with superposition coding and successive interference cancellation is identified and is shown to be convex. Subsequently, optimal power control policies that achieve the boundary points of the effective capacity region are investigated, and an algorithm for the numerical computation of the optimal power adaptation schemes for the two-user case is provided. Additionally, performance attained with time-division multiplexing (TDM) of messages is studied for comparison with the optimal schemes.
Increased G2 duration in sonicated root meristem cells of Pisum sativum

Abstract Roots were exposed to 2.3 MHz ultrasound at intensity levels of 7 and 11 W/cm2. The meristematic cells yielded an intensity dependent delay in their transit through G2 + 1/2 M.
Improved Low Thermal Conductivity Fine Cell HCFC-141b Appliance Foam

The issue of global warming is receiving more attention on the world stage. Carbon dioxide emission from the burning of fossil fuels is suspected of being a major contributor in the phenomena of global warming. In the U.S.A., the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA) was passed into law, in part to reduce the demand for electrical power, thereby decreasing carbon dioxide emissions from power generating plants. Under the provisions of NAECA, the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) has received authority to further restrict the amount of electricity used by household refrigerators and freezers sold in the U.S.A. The U.S. DOE will probably exercise that authority at some future date. Consequently, the continued development of better insulating HCFC-141b blown polyurethane foams is necessary to meet the future needs of the domestic refrigeration industry. Initial fine-cell HCFC blown foam systems having low thermal conductivity were first reported by Mobay Corporation (now Bayer Corporation) at the SPI in 1990. These early systems had high densities and long demolding times. Then, in 1991, at the SPI, Mobay Corporation reported a foam system with reduced demolding times comparable to commercial CFC-11 blown foams. But the high density of this foam still impeded it from becoming a commercially viable system. In 1992, at the SPI, Miles Inc. (now Bayer Corporation) reported a polymeric MDI HCFC-141b foam system with an initial core k-factor of 0.115 Btu-in./hr. ft 2 °F, a freeze stable density of 2.23 pcf, and an improvement in demolding properties over commercial CFC-11 blown foam systems. This system, in spite of its good k-factor and density, did not pass a cabinet freeze stability test due to foam cracks. Further improvements led to commercial HCFC-141b foam systems in 1994 which had initial core k-factors of approximately 0.117 Btu-in./hr. ft 2 °F and densities of approximately 2.15 pcf. Cell diameters were around 194 microns. This paper will describe a new system of finer cell polymeric MDI-based HCFC-141b blown foam. It has been tested commercially on cabinets and doors, showing a 3.4% reduction in initial core k-factor and a 2.8% reduction in reverse heat leak as compared with a standard MDI/HCFC-141b blown foam system. The system has an initial core k-factor of 0.113 Btu-in./hr. ft 2 °F and a freeze stable density of 2.25 pcf. The cell diameter was reduced by 15%, which lowered the radiative heat transfer. Also, lower water levels produced less carbon dioxide, further reducing the thermal conductivity due to less heat transfer by cell gas conduction. This development is of particular interest for appliance manufacturers who may need an extra boost to lower refrigerator energy consumption to be in compliance with the energy consumption regulations established for the products sold in the U.S.A. It can also help manufacturers' products qualify for energy efficiency rebate programs sponsored by the utility companies.
Probabilistic Principal Geodesic Analysis

Principal geodesic analysis (PGA) is a generalization of principal component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction of data on a Riemannian manifold. Currently PGA is defined as a geometric fit to the data, rather than as a probabilistic model. Inspired by probabilistic PCA, we present a latent variable model for PGA that provides a probabilistic framework for factor analysis on manifolds. To compute maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters in our model, we develop a Monte Carlo Expectation Maximization algorithm, where the expectation is approximated by Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling of the latent variables. We demonstrate the ability of our method to recover the ground truth parameters in simulated sphere data, as well as its effectiveness in analyzing shape variability of a corpus callosum data set from human brain images.
Effect of relativistic many-electron interactions on photoelectron partial wave probabilities

We obtain relative cross sections for the production of photoelectrons with specific angular momentum quantum numbers. These cross sections are obtained from the polarization analysis of the visible fluorescence of ions produced when circularly polarized vacuum ultraviolet radiation photoionizes ground state Ar. The ratio of cross sections for the production of photoelectrons with the same orbital angular momentum but different total angular momenta shows strong deviations from the statistical ratio, demonstrating the importance of relativistic interactions in many-electron photoionization dynamics.
The evaluation of germanium surface treatments

Abstract Studies have been made of the variations of electrical surface properties with surface treatment. The variables measured are the field effect mobility and the surface recombination velocity. A report is presented of the results with various etch systems, the influence of contamination in the etch or rinse water (some contaminants are found seriously to alter the characteristics with as low as 0.5 p.p.m.) and the variation of surface properties during heat treatment. A method has been developed for rapid estimation of surface barrier, density of fast states and reproducibility of the surface (with the large number of variables associated with surface treatments, rapidity in accumulation and interpretation of data is essential). These parameters (surface barrier, etc.) are obtained from the measurements discussed above and a set of calibration curves developed for the purpose. The method requires the energy levels of the fast states to be independent of surface treatment (or another set of calibration curves be developed for the new set of energies) but is self-checking with respect to this energy level parameter. Of those treatments used to date, the only one which has not been comparable in energy levels produced is the electrolytically etched surface, and a more exact analysis by W allis and W ang ( 4 ) has indicated also that here the energy levels are at considerably different values. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of fast state density and surface barrier using this method. Evidence will be presented that under certain treatments water vapor can change the density of recombination centers.
Voter Responses to Electoral Complexity: Ticket Splitting, Rational Voters and Representation in the Federal Republic of Germany

In order to understand how electoral rules affect political outcomes, we need to know whether and how voters react to them. The ability of voters to react strategically to electoral rules may be limited in cases where the electoral rules are complex. In this article, I look for evidence of rational reactions to a moderately complex electoral system, that used in the Federal Republic of Germany. By examining district-level election results, I find substantial evidence that voters do react rationally, despite the complexity of the two-vote system. The rational reactions by voters lead to excess first votes for incumbents, for candidates of the major party expected to be in government, to major-party candidates in close races and to major-party candidates in districts with significant minority-party support. The findings support both the general claim that voters can react strategically to complex electoral rules, and more specific claims about the value of the two-vote ballot in Germany.
Germicidal ultraviolet light induces ornithine decarboxylase in mouse epidermal cells and modifies the induction caused by phorbol ester tumor promoters.

— Germicidal ultraviolet light (UVC. 8–10 J/m2) induces ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in mouse epidermal cells in vitro in a biphasic manner with maxima of 2–3 fold induction at 4–6 h and of 10–20 fold induction at 15–18 h after irradiation. At this dose of UVC overall protein synthesis is inhibited by 10–30% and RNA synthesis by 40–50%. Induction of both ODC peaks is prevented by actinomycin D or cycloheximide. Similar culture factors appear to influence the extent of ODC induction by UVC and by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), since the ratio of peak activities is approximately constant at 2, whereas absolute values vary considerably between experiments. If cells are irradiated with UVC and then exposed to TPA, the effects are additive at 10 J/m2, less than additive at higher and enhanced at lower doses of UVC.
Qualitative Reasoning about Physical Systems

Complex machines are used, understood and repaired by people with essentially no formal training in physics and engineering-although the design and manufacture of such machines requires a deep knowledge of these subjects, and advanced mathematical reasoning. How is this possible? The way people understand these devices, the conceptual frameworks or "mental models" which they use, must be different from the differential equation based descriptions of the world taught in school; people's models are acquired informally, are largely qualitative, use causal reasoning, and relate directly to the language we speak every day. They are crude, but successful.This collection of articles, which constituted a special issue of the "Journal of Artificial Intelligence," presents the most recent work on qualitative reasoning about the real (physical) world. A common theme of all the contributions is explaining how physical systems work-from heat flow to transistors to digital computation. The explanations are so detailed and exact that they can be used by computer programs to reason about physical work in the same kinds of ways that people do.This rapidly developing area of cognitive science, variously called Qualitative or Naive Physics, is of direct psychological interest and has strong connections to theories of linguistic semantics. But there are also immediate technological applications, with much of this work funded by industry in the expectation of building computer systems which can communicate sensibly with people about physical mechanisms.This book inaugurates the series Computational Models of Cognition and Perception.A Bradford Book.
Identity of myelin basic protein from multiple sclerosis and human control brains: discovery of a genetic variant.

— Myelin basic protein was isolated from the brains of 7 multiple sclerosis and 5 control patients. When acid extracts of the delipidated brains were chromatographed on carboxymethylcellulose at alkaline pH the elution profiles were the same for the two groups of patients. Component I, the most basic species of the protein, from 2 multiple sclerosis and one control brains was fragmented by limited pepsin digestion. Tryptic peptide maps were prepared from the three major products, fragment 1–38, 39–89 plus 45–89 and 90–170. The amino acid compositions of corresponding peptides were identical except for a 50:50 substitution of serine for glycine in tryptic peptide 44–49 from one (N.L.) of the 2 patients with multiple sclerosis. Peptide 44–49. isolated from intact component 1 from the other 6 multiple sclerosis and 5 control brains, did not show this substitution. In both multiple sclerosis and control basic proteins phosphorus was present only in fragment 90–170 of component 3 in the amount of 0.22 mol of phosphorus/mol of protein. These data suggest that there is no difference in either the amino acid sequence or in the modification of basic protein from control and multiple sclerosis patients. The amino acid substitution in patient N.L. represents the first example of a mutation in basic protein.
The Existence of Free Rossby Waves during January 1979

Abstract The large-scale transient components of atmospheric flow have been studied for many years. Observational studies indicate that large amplitude regularly westward propagating waves appear episodically in the atmosphere. These waves have spatial structures and frequencies enticingly similar to those of external Rossby modes obtained theoretically from the linearized baroclinic equations. In the present study, the episode of 10–28 January 1979 is studied by expanding global objective analyses into the normal modes of a global baroclinic quasi-geostrophic model linearized about the observed nonseparable zonal mean wind field. Several coherent regularly propagating waves are found. One of the most significant of these (the R31 or 16 day mode) is examined in detail. Although the observed structure is similar in some ways to the theoretically derived structure, there are important discrepancies. These discrepancies are examined more closely using upper air soundings from Antarctica. The experimental res...
The effect of continuous interscalene brachial plexus block with 0.125% bupivacaine vs 0.2% ropivacaine on pain relief, diaphragmatic motility, and ventilatory function

Abstract Study objective Outpatient continuous interscalene brachial plexus blocks containing bupivacaine or ropivacaine are commonly used to control pain after shoulder surgery. Interscalene blocks cause hemidiaphragmatic paresis. Because ropivacaine preferentially blocks sensory fibers, it may cause less blockade of the phrenic nerve. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2 common continuous interscalene brachial plexus infusions: 0.125% bupivacaine vs 0.2% ropivacaine. The study hypothesis is that respiratory function will be less attenuated using ropivacaine than bupivacaine without affecting pain relief. Design Study design was a prospective randomized double-blind study, registered (NCT 02059070), with institutional review board approval and written informed consent. Setting The setting was the preoperative and postoperative area in an orthopedic teaching hospital. Patients Outpatients scheduled for shoulder arthroscopic surgery were included. Interventions All patients underwent baseline measurements and interscalene catheter placement, then randomized to receive pumps containing either 0.2% ropivacaine or 0.125% bupivacaine. Measurements Study measurements included preoperative and postoperative bedside spirometry and ultrasonographic evaluations of diaphragmatic excursion, postoperative pain scores, and postdischarge oral opioid (oxycodone) consumption. Main results There were no statistically significant differences between bupivacaine vs ropivacaine in outcomes of forced expiratory volume at 1 second change (−22% ± 18.3% vs −29% ± 14.9%), diaphragmatic excursion (−81.4% ± 37.95% vs −75.5% ± 35.1%), VAS pain scores at rest (4.9 ± 2.9 vs 3.5 ± 2.8), or oral opioid consumption (33.7 ± 24.3 mg vs 35.1 ± 33.9 mg). Conclusions There was no difference in respiratory dysfunction or opioid requirements between interscalene continuous peripheral nerve blocks with 0.125% bupivacaine or 0.2% ropivacaine. Further study is required to identify anesthetic infusates that will control pain while decreasing the attenuation of pulmonary function.
Medicare part d and the federal employees health benefits program: a comparison of prescription drug coverage.

BACKGROUND There is much debate currently about how to restructure the Medicare program to achieve better value for the money. Many have cited the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) as a model for reform. OBJECTIVE To compare drug coverage and cost-sharing between Medicare Part D and the FEHBP plans. METHODS A cross-sectional comparison was conducted of January 2009 data obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Office of Personnel Management, and 3 health plan websites. Regression analysis and t-tests were used to examine drug coverage, copayment, and coinsurance amounts among Medicare Part D and FEHBP plans. The final study sample of Medicare Part D plans consisted of 19 formularies, covering 63% of total Part D enrollment. These 19 formularies represented 232 stand-alone prescription drug plans. In addition, 5 prescription drug plans or formularies in the FEHBP plans were included, which represents 70% of total FEHBP enrollment. RESULTS The results of this study reveal that formulary coverage of the top drugs dispensed and sold in the United States in 2009 ranged from 72% to 94% (average, 84%) in Medicare Part D plans and from 85% to 99% (average, 94%) in the FEHBP plans (P <.01). The mean copayment for generic drugs in Medicare Part D plans was $4.53 compared with a mean of $7.67 (P <.05) in the FEHBP plans. The difference between the 2 programs in mean copayment for brand-name drugs was nonsignificant. For generic drugs, the mean coinsurance rate was 17% for Medicare Part D plans and a mean of 20% for the FEHBP plans (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS This analysis shows that there are differences in prescription drug coverage and cost-sharing among plans within Medicare Part D and the FEHBP. To avoid extreme increases in payroll taxes and other revenues or major cutbacks in services, Medicare must explore ways to change the healthcare system to achieve better value for the money. The experience of the FEHBP suggests a possible means of accomplishing this objective.
Plasminogen-Dependent Matriptase Activation Accelerates Plasmin Generation by Differentiating Primary Human Keratinocytes

Pericellular plasmin generation, an important pathophysiological process, can be initiated and accelerated by the autoactivation of the type 2 transmembrane serine protease matriptase and subsequent activation of urokinase plasminogen activator. The link between matriptase and plasminogen was initially thought to be one-directional: from matriptase, through plasminogen activator, to plasminogen. However, in the current study, we now show that primary human keratinocytes that are undergoing calcium-induced differentiation can rapidly activate matriptase in response to serum treatment via a mechanism dependent on intracellular calcium, protein kinase C, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases-based signaling. The serum factor, responsible for the induction of matriptase zymogen activation, was shown to be plasminogen. A sub-pM concentration of plasminogen (but not plasmin) acting at the cell surface is sufficient to induce matriptase activation, suggesting high potency and specificity of the induction. After matriptase zymogen activation, a proportion of active matriptase is shed into extracellular milieu and returns to the cell surface to accelerate plasmin generation. The ability of plasminogen to induce matriptase zymogen activation and the subsequent acceleration of plasmin generation by active matriptase reveals a feed-forward mechanism that allows differentiating human keratinocytes to rapidly and robustly activate pericellular proteolysis.
A fatal case of toxic shock associated with group A streptococcal cellulitis.

The patient in septic shock presents an imposing challenge to the physician's clinical skills; therapy must be initiated often before important data are obtained to assure optimal outcome for these very ill patients. For the past several decades the term septic shock has been virtually synonymous with gram-negative sepsis, as this syndrome is most frequently caused by the endotoxin sometimes expressed by gram-negative organisms. In susceptible individuals this endotoxin can cause hypotension, mental obtundity, decreased left ventricular function, acute renal impairment, vascular instability, severe hematological derangements, and, in 2 S percent of cases, death.! The early 1980s introduced us to a relatively new player in sepsis: Staphylococcus ourem and the toxic shock syndrome. A series of cases was defined in relation to vaginal tampon use, but since then toxic shock has occurred also in the presence of other staphylococcal infections.2 Recently another gram-positive bacterium has reportedly been associated with sepsis and shock. This organism is well known to office-based family physicians as the cause of many soft tissue infections thought until recently to be "routine": acute pharyngitis, otitis media, acute sinusitis, cellulitis, and erysipelas. The organism is group A ~­ hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), and there is an increasing number of reports of sepsis and death occurring as complications of one of these so-called routine infections.3-6 These findings are of great importance to office-based family physicians, because many affected patients have been young, otherwise healthy individuals without predisposing immune deficiency or debilitating illnesses. The following is a report of septic shock that recently occurred in my patient.
Synthesis and Properties of Pressureless-Sintered 3Y-TZP/Ba-M Type Ferrite In Situ Composites

In situ development of barium hexaferrite, BaFe12O19, particles in 3-mol%-yttria-doped zirconia (3Y-TZP) matrix was studied for the pressureless reactive sintering of 3Y-TZP, BaCO3, and y-Fe2O3 powders at 1250°-1400 °C for 2h. Fine-grained BaFe12O19 particles were homogeneously distributed in fine TZP matrix. Changing sintering temperatures could easily control the size of in-situ-developed BaFe12O19 particles. Submicrometer-sized BaFe12O19 particles were obtained at 1250°-1300 °C, allowing BaFe12O19 particles to be single magnetic domain structure. The 3Y-TZP/20-wt%-BaFe12O19 composite sintered at 1300 °C showed high magnetization and coercivity values, despite the low concentration of ferromagnetic phase. The composite also indicated moderately good mechanical properties.
Elevated CD1c+ Myeloid Dendritic Cell Proportions Associate With Clinical Activity and Predict Disease Reactivation in Noninfectious Uveitis.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye Institute (NEI) NIH Medical Research Scholars Program Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation/Retina Research Foundation CONICYT
The Spreading Umbrella: Extending the APA's Adjudication Provisions to All Evidentiary Hearings Required by Statute

The Administrative Procedure Act controls the procedures of almost all federal government administrative agencies and it has achieved nearly constitutional status. The APA regulates all federal agency rulemaking and all judicial review of agency action and all government information (with narrowly drawn exceptions in each case). However, only a small portion of agency adjudication is subject to the adjudication provisions of the APA. This article refers to these as Type A adjudications. Type A adjudications are the cases in which administrative law judges (ALJs) ordinarily preside - primarily benefits cases involving Social Security, Medicare, and Black Lung. In addition, Type A adjudication covers a wide array of regulatory adjudication, such as that conducted by the FTC, NLRB, SEC, and FERC. The APA provides significant protections to litigants in Type A adjudication. These include detailed provisions relating to the merit selection, independence, compensation, freedom from performance evaluation, and tenure of ALJs. Numerous statutes that call for evidentiary hearings as part of regulatory or benefit programs that are not governed by the APA's adjudication provisions. The article refers to these as Type B adjudications. Presiding officers (POs) rather than ALJs conduct these hearings. Type B adjudication is distinguished from true informal adjudication, meaning schemes in which no statute requires an evidentiary hearing. Type B adjudication includes such important federal regulatory and benefactory programs as deportation, patent claims, federal personnel cases, veterans' benefits, security clearances, tax collection due process hearings, and many others. There are probably as many or more Type B adjudications as Type A adjudications each year. Because of agency opposition to the statutory provisions protecting the independence of ALJs, Congress has repeatedly authorized new forms of Type B adjudication but rarely authorizes new forms of Type A adjudication. This article contends that it would be in the public interest to extend certain APA provisions that prescribe fundamental norms of fair adjudicatory procedure to Type B adjudication. The article does not propose that the APA's specific provisions relating to the selection, compensation and tenure of ALJs be extended to POs in Type B adjudication since it is not politically feasible to do so. Thus the article contends that such basic adjudicatory norms as separation of functions, prohibition of ex parte contact, impartiality of decisionmaker, exclusive record, notice, hearing, and findings requirements be applied to Type B adjudication. It contends that this fundamental reform can be achieved at little cost and without disruption of Type B adjudicatory schemes.
Protein Network Interacting with BK Channels

The large conductance, voltage- and calcium-dependent potassium BK channel, also termed BKCa, Maxi-K, KCa1.1, or SLO1, regulates a wide array of key biological processes that are mediated by calcium ions. This broad regulatory function of BK channels requires the interactions of BK channels with diverse sets of proteins that have different molecular or cellular functions. Proteins that interact with BK channels range from the auxiliary subunits of BK channels to cytoskeletal proteins responsible for BK channel trafficking and localization. Furthermore, depending on cellular contexts, BK channels interact with proteins modifying channel properties, and with proteins that allow cell-specific responses. In this chapter, we review some of the relevant studies investigating the protein interaction network of BK channels with a focus on the biological roles of the interaction.
Queer Humanism: Toward an Epistemology of Socially Just, Culturally Responsive Change

Queer theory is a postmodern critical theory that grew out of the women’s, gay, and queer studies’ movements of the 1990s. As a critical theory, queer theory explores the disconnect between biologi...
SYD985, a Novel Duocarmycin-Based HER2-Targeting Antibody–Drug Conjugate, Shows Antitumor Activity in Uterine Serous Carcinoma with HER2/Neu Expression

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is an aggressive form of endometrial cancer. Up to 35% of USC may overexpress the HER2/neu oncogene at strong (i.e., 3+) levels by IHC while an additional 40% to 50% express HER2/neu at moderate (2+) or low (1+) levels. We investigated the efficacy of SYD985, (Synthon Biopharmaceuticals), a novel HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of the mAb trastuzumab linked to a highly potent DNA-alkylating agent (i.e., duocarmycin) in USC. We also compared the antitumor activity of SYD985 in head-to-head experiments to trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), a FDA-approved ADC, against multiple primary USC cell lines expressing different levels of HER2/neu in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Using antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), proliferation, viability, and bystander killing assays as well as propidium iodide-based flow cytometry assays and multiple in vivo USC mouse xenograft models, we demonstrate for the first time that SYD985 is a novel ADC with activity against USC with strong (3+) as well as low to moderate (i.e., 1+/2+) HER2/neu expression. SYD985 is 10- to 70-fold more potent than T-DM1 in comparative experiments and, unlike T-DM1, it is active against USC demonstrating moderate/low or heterogeneous HER2/neu expression. Clinical studies with SYD985 in patients harboring chemotherapy-resistant USC with low, moderate, and high HER2 expression are warranted. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1900-9. ©2016 AACR.