cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
2917 A Novel Twist on Direct Trocar Insertion

Video Objective To describe a novel direct trocar insertion (DTI) technique for minimally invasive surgery that requires minimal force and provides excellent visualization Setting Tertiary health care facility. Patients who underwent minimally invasive gynecologic surgery for benign and malignant indications between 2014 -2016 were reviewed Interventions Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery by two senior Gynecologic Oncology faculty members. 780 patients underwent minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries for benign and malignant indications. A Left upper quadrant (LUQ) approach was used in all the patients. With a level operating room table, we made a 5 mm incision. With the laparoscope inside the 5 mm Optiview trocar, we applied gentle pressure while rotating or twisting the trocar. Abdominal wall layers were distinctly identified without tenting the abdominal wall. Atraumatic entry was achieved in all cases. BMI and prior pelvic surgery did not impact the use of this technique; however, we routinely used LUQ approach in patients with prior abdominal surgeries. Creation of pneumoperitoneum with this DTI technique was feasible in all patients. No major complications were associated with the technique. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of direct trocar insertion under visualization. Our application of light pressure and twisting while visualizing abdominal layer without having to tent up the abdominal wall allows excellent control and visualization of abdominal wall layers and prevents inadvertent popping of the trocar. It also helps avoid trocar skiving keeping the appropriate distance from targeted anatomy.
Novel risk factors for central-line associated bloodstream infections in critically ill children.

Objective:Central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) cause morbidity and mortality in critically ill children. We examined novel and/or modifiable risk factors for CLABSI to identify new potential targets for infection prevention strategies.Methods:This single-center retrospective matched case-control study of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients was conducted in a 60-bed PICU from April 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017. Case patients were in the PICU, had a central venous catheter (CVC), and developed a CLABSI. Control patients were in the PICU for ≥2 days, had a CVC for ≥3 days, and did not develop a CLABSI. Cases and controls were matched 1:4 on age, number of complex chronic conditions, and hospital length of stay.Results:Overall, 72 CLABSIs were matched to 281 controls. Univariate analysis revealed 14 risk factors, and 4 remained significant in multivariable analysis: total number of central line accesses in the 3 days preceding CLABSI (80+ accesses: OR, 4.8; P = .01), acute behavioral health needs (OR, 3.2; P = .02), CVC duration >7 days (8–14 days: OR, 4.2; P = .01; 15–29 days: OR, 9.8; P 80 CVC accesses in the 3 days before CLABSI. Interventions focused on these factors may reduce CLABSIs in this high-risk population.
From Neighbors to Partners: The Adoption of Interlocal Government Collaboration in the United States, 1977–2007:

Local governments in the United States frequently collaborate with neighboring localities for service provision despite the high costs of this strategy. Using the Institutional Collective Action (I...
Risk of hepatitis B reactivation and cytomegalovirus related infections with Mogamulizumab: A retrospective study of international pharmacovigilance database.

Background Mogamulizumab (Moga) is a C-C chemokine receptor-4 antibody approved in the United States for relapsed /refractory mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. Few cases reported an increased risk of hepatitis B reactivation and cytomegalovirus (CMV) related infection post-Moga. However, literature is limited to mainly case reports and series, while no study has used the Food and Drug Administration adverse events reporting system (FARES) database to investigate the relationship. Methods Using United States Food and Drug Administration adverse events reporting system database, we collected all cases of hepatitis B reactivation and CMV related infection between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019, for Moga and other drugs. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) was calculated, which was considered significant when the lower limit of 95% confidence interval (CI) >1. Findings Three hundred and thirty-eight total adverse cases were reported for Moga during the study period, with 261 cases reported indication for use, including cutaneous T cell lymphoma (47.04%), and adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (30.18%). Eight cases were reported for hepatitis B reactivation with Moga use, compared to 2290 cases with other medications. The ROR is 143.67 (p Interpretation A signal has been identified between Moga exposure and hepatitis B reactivation as well as CMV related infection. A consideration in future studies should be placed on determining the relationship and investigating the need for pre-treatment screening, close monitoring, and utilization of prophylaxis in this population-based on pre-treatment risks. Funding None.
Development of a Taxonomy for Medication-Related Patient Safety Events Related to Health Information Technology in Pediatrics

BACKGROUND Although electronic health records (EHRs) are designed to improve patient safety, they have been associated with serious patient harm. An agreed-upon and standard taxonomy for classifying health information technology (HIT) related patient safety events does not exist. OBJECTIVES We aimed to develop and evaluate a taxonomy for medication-related patient safety events associated with HIT and validate it using a set of events involving pediatric patients. METHODS We performed a literature search to identify existing classifications for HIT-related safety events, which were assessed using real-world pediatric medication-related patient safety events extracted from two sources: patient safety event reporting system (ERS) reports and information technology help desk (HD) tickets. A team of clinical and patient safety experts used iterative tests of change and consensus building to converge on a single taxonomy. The final devised taxonomy was applied to pediatric medication-related events assess its characteristics, including interrater reliability and agreement. RESULTS Literature review identified four existing classifications for HIT-related patient safety events, and one was iteratively adapted to converge on a singular taxonomy. Safety events relating to usability accounted for a greater proportion of ERS reports, compared with HD tickets (37 vs. 20%, p = 0.022). Conversely, events pertaining to incorrect configuration accounted for a greater proportion of HD tickets, compared with ERS reports (63 vs. 8%, p < 0.01). Interrater agreement (%) and reliability (kappa) were 87.8% and 0.688 for ERS reports and 73.6% and 0.556 for HD tickets, respectively. DISCUSSION A standardized taxonomy for medication-related patient safety events related to HIT is presented. The taxonomy was validated using pediatric events. Further evaluation can assess whether the taxonomy is suitable for nonmedication-related events and those occurring in other patient populations. CONCLUSION Wider application of standardized taxonomies will allow for peer benchmarking and facilitate collaborative interinstitutional patient safety improvement efforts.
Female mice may have exacerbated catabolic signalling response compared to male mice during development and progression of disuse atrophy.

Background Muscle atrophy is a common pathology associated with disuse, such as prolonged bed rest or spaceflight, and is associated with detrimental health outcomes. There is emerging evidence that disuse atrophy may differentially affect males and females. Cellular mechanisms contributing to the development and progression of disuse remain elusive, particularly protein turnover cascades. The purpose of this study was to investigate the initial development and progression of disuse muscle atrophy in male and female mice using the well-established model of hindlimb unloading (HU). Methods One hundred C57BL/6J mice (50 male and 50 female) were hindlimb suspended for 0 (control), 24, 48, 72, or 168 h to induce disuse atrophy (10 animals per group). At designated time points, animals were euthanized, and tissues (extensor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius, and soleus for mRNA analysis, gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus for protein synthesis rates, and tibialis anterior for histology) were collected for analysis of protein turnover mechanisms (protein anabolism and catabolism). Results Both males and females lost ~30% of tibialis anterior cross-sectional area after 168 h of disuse. Males had no statistical difference in MHCIIB fibre area, whereas unloaded females had ~33% lower MHCIIB cross-sectional area by 168 h of unloading. Both males and females had lower fractional protein synthesis rates (FSRs) within 24-48 h of HU, and females appeared to have a greater reduction compared with males within 24 h of HU (~23% lower FSRs in males vs. 40% lower FSRs in females). Males and females exhibited differential patterns and responses in multiple markers of protein anabolism, catabolism, and myogenic capacity during the development and progression of disuse atrophy. Specifically, females had greater mRNA inductions of catabolic factors Ubc and Gadd45a (~4-fold greater content in females compared with ~2-fold greater content in males) and greater inductions of anabolic inhibitors Redd1 and Deptor with disuse across multiple muscle tissues exhibiting different fibre phenotypes. Conclusions These results suggest that the aetiology of disuse muscle atrophy is more complicated and nuanced than previously thought, with different responses based on muscle phenotypes and between males and females, with females having greater inductions of atrophic markers early in the development of disuse atrophy.
Flecainide-induced AV Dyssynchrony and Atrial Latency Progression in a Patient with a Dual Chamber Pacemaker

INTRODUCTION Flecainide is a class 1C antiarrhythmic primarily usedfor the management of supraventricular arrhythmias. Adverse effects in patientswith pacemakers are poorly described in the current literature. We report acase of worsening intracardiac conduction in a patient with baseline atriallatency. CASE A patient with paroxysmalatrial fibrillation and recently implanted dual chamber pacemaker withresultant atrial latency underwent flecainide treatment resulting in worseningatrial latency, progressive dyspnea, and pacemaker syndrome physiology. The patientexperienced symptomatic improvement with pacemaker reprogramming to AAI andreduced flecainide dosages. CONCLUSION Prudence should be exercised when initiating flecainide therapy, particularly in pacemaker-dependentpatients, who may be at risk for increasedthresholds, inconsistent capture, and latency. In the setting of apparentcapture latency, changing to AAI mode may both confirm the diagnosis andprovide a symptomatic benefit.
Association between learning and memory problems and health outcomes after blood or marrow transplantation (BMT): A BMT survivor study (BMTSS) report.

12014Background: Cognitive impairment after BMT for hematologic malignancies typically involves processing speed, attention and working memory. Survivors perceive these deficits as learning and/or ...
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Suppresses ACE2 and Type I Interferon Expression in Primary Cells From Macaque Lung Bronchoalveolar Lavage.

SARS-CoV-2 virus causes upper and lower respiratory diseases including pneumonia, and in some cases, leads to lethal pulmonary failure. Angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), the receptor for cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been shown to protect against severe acute lung failure. Here, we provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 reduced the mRNA expression of ACE2 and type I interferons in primary cells of lung bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from naive rhesus macaques. The expression levels of ACE2 and type I interferons were also found to be correlated with each other, consistent with the recent finding that ACE2 is an interferon-inducible gene. Furthermore, induction of ACE2 and type I interferons by poly I:C, an interferon inducer, was suppressed by S1 protein in primary cells of BAL. These observations suggest that the downregulation of ACE2 and type I interferons induced by S1 protein may directly contribute to SARS-CoV-2-associated lung diseases.
Disciplining the Niger Delta, 1928-1938: Taxation and Reorganization

As part of the first formal effort to incorporate the Western Niger Delta region (Warri Province) into the Nigerian colonial economy, British officials initiated a taxation scheme in this region in 1927. People responded by launching an effective boycott on the lucrative palm oil trade. The success of the boycott was due to colonial ignorance about these autonomous communities. An intense period of colonial intervention followed, between 1928 and 1938, the main objective being to “reorganize” Warri communities into discrete, taxable units in an effort to discipline them within the framework of inter-war development policy. This paper will discuss the extent to which colonial officials could carry out these objectives given existing local struggles over land and authority among Warri communities. It highlights the discrepancies between London-based Colonial Office imperatives, and the uneven political and economic realities on the ground in Nigeria. British officials brought pre-existing ideas about hierarchy, authority, and race to bear on their understanding of struggles among Warri communities. In turn, Africans re-shaped colonial expectations of development as they engaged reorganization. Reorganization introduced and reinforced an ethnicized political process that became a major feature in how Warri communities made claims on the colonial, and eventually post-colonial, state.
Medical Cannabis as Adjunctive Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

The goal of this systematic review was to define a consensus within the current literature regarding the impact/effect of cannabis or cannabinoids on the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. We conducted a review of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, using a comprehensive search strategy, focusing on articles relating to head & neck cancer and cannabis/cannabinoids without a time limit for publication. Two, independent reviewers screened articles based on title/abstract and included the ones selected by both. We then conducted a full-text review and excluded all articles which did not meet inclusion criteria. A single reviewer then assessed studies for methodological quality and extracted relevant data using a premade data collection tool. We identified five studies that met inclusion criteria. Studies were of varying quality and the majority investigated recreational cannabis use with only one study reporting dosing across participants. Lack of standardized cannabis exposure presents a wide array of potential confounding variables across the remaining studies. Meta-analysis was not attempted due to variability in reported outcomes. It is impossible to draw any conclusions regarding the benefit or adverse effects of current medical cannabis products in this patient population. The literature regarding the effect of cannabis/cannabinoids on head & neck cancer patients is limited. However, the current lack of evidence does not definitively disprove the efficacy of cannabis. High-quality studies are necessary for physicians to provide advice to patients who are either using or interested in cannabis as an adjunctive treatment.
Infomediation for E-business enabled supply chains: A semantics based approach

Infomediation refers to a virtual space where the buyers and sellers can meet, negotiate, and form business relationships. We describe an infomediary-based approach that uses a semantic model to define the information space. Along with the semantic model, we employ an ontology that enables semantic data integration. XML is an emerging standard data format for cross-platform information exchange—our architecture leverages the power of XML to facilitate information exchange. Using these techniques, we are developing a web-based tool to integrate participants in an electronic marketplace. Our approach supports interoperability between loosely coupled virtual partners and enables customization of information for multiple users and devices.
Kinetics and sequence specificity of processing of prepilin by PilD, the type IV leader peptidase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract PilD, originally isolated as an essential component for the biogenesis of the type IV pili of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a unique endopeptidase responsible for processing the precursors of the P. aeruginosa pilin subunits. It is also required for the cleavage of the leader peptides from the Pdd proteins, which are essential components of an extracellular secretion pathway specific for the export of a number of P. aeruginosa hydrolytic enzymes and toxins. Substrates for PilD are initially synthesized with short, i.e., 6- to 8-amino-acid-long, leader peptides with a net basic charge and share a high degree of amino acid homology through the first 16 to 30 residues at the amino terminus. In addition, they all have a phenylalanine residue at the +1 site relative to the cleavage site, which is N methylated prior to assembly into the oligomeric structures. In this study, the kinetics of leader peptide cleavage from the precursor of the P. aeruginosa pilin subunit by PilD was determined in vitro. The rates of cleavage were compared for purified enzyme and substrate as well as for enzyme and substrate contained within total membranes extracted from P. aeruginosa strains overexpressing the cloned pilD or pilA genes. Optimal conditions were obtained only when both PilD and substrate were contained within total membranes. PilD catalysis of P. aeruginosa prepilin followed normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a measured apparent Km of approximately 650 microM, and a kcat of 180 min-1. The kinetics of PilD processing of another type IV pilin precursor, that from Neisseria gonorrhoeae with a 7-amino-acid-long leader peptide, were essentially the same as that measured for wild-type P. aeruginosa prepilin. Quite different results were obtained for a number of prepilin substrates containing substitutions at the conserved phenylalanine at the +1 position relative to the cleavage site, which were previously shown to be well tolerated in vivo. Substitutions of methionine, serine, and cysteine for phenylalanine show that Km values remain close to that measured for wild-type substrate, while kcat and kcat/Km values were significantly decreased. This indicates that while the affinity of enzyme for substrate is relatively unaffected by the substitutions, the maximum rate of catalysis favors a phenylalanine at this position. Interesting, PilD cleavage of one mutated pillin (asparagine) resulted in a lower Km value of 52.5 microM, which indicates a higher affinity for the enzyme, as well as a lower kcat value of 6.1 min m(-1). This suggests that it may be feasible to design peptide inhibitors of PilD.
Large zenith angle observations with the high-resolution GRANITE III camera

The GRANITE III camera of the Whipple Cherenkov Telescope at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins, Arizona (2300 m a.s.l.) has the highest angular resolution of all cameras used on this telescope so far. The central region of the camera has 379 pixels with an individual angular diameter of 0.12 degrees. This makes the instrument especially suitable for observations of gamma-induced air-showers at large zenith angles since the increase in average distance to the shower maximum leads to smaller shower images in the focal plane of the telescope. We examine the performance of the telescope for observations of gamma-induced air-showers at zenith angles up to 63 degrees based on observations of Mkn 421 and using Monte Carlo Simulations. An improvement to the standard data analysis is suggested.
Tracheostomy and weaning

No hypothesis relating to respiratory care in the intensive care unit has proved more difficult to study in an objective fashion than the commonly held belief that tracheostomy hastens weaning from ventilatory support. Tracheostomy might facilitate weaning by reducing dead space and decreasing airway resistance, by improving secretion clearance, by reducing the need for sedation, and by decreasing the risk of aspiration. Available evidence indicates that dead space and airway resistance are in fact reduced, although whether the magnitude of these reductions explains the clinical observation of more rapid weaning after tracheotomy is less certain. Most of the data on this subject come from laboratory experiments and short-term physiologic studies on clinically stable patients, and the available evidence from clinical trials with weaning as a primary end point is scant. One large multicenter trial showed no advantage to early tracheotomy but demonstrated how difficult it is to get clinicians to manage their patients with regimens that go against their strongly held opinions. The most recent clinical trial found that percutaneous dilational tracheotomy performed in the first 2 days in patients projected to need > 14 days of ventilatory support greatly reduced ventilator and intensive care unit days, and decreased both the incidence of pneumonia and overall mortality, in comparison with tracheostomy done after day 14. Conducting such trials is difficult because of investigator and clinician bias, the inability to predict which patients will actually require prolonged mechanical ventilation, and several other factors discussed in this article. Tracheotomy probably does aid in liberating some patients from ventilatory support, but this may be as much from its effect on clinician behavior as from any physiologic impact.
Other Anthropological Traditions: Japan

Kegare no minzokushi: Sabetsu no bunkateki yoin (Anthropology of impurity: Cultural bases of social discrimination). Noboru Miyata. Tokyo: Jinmon Shoin. 1996.
Therapy of staphylococcus epidermidis: infections associated with cerebrospinal fluid shunts.

This study describes cure rates for 93 different courses of treatment for 28 hydrocephalic patients with V-A shunts and 31 separate infections due to Staphylococcus epidermidis. Systemic treatment alone was effective two out of 39 times (9%). The addition of antibiotics via the intraventricular route (with or without partial shunt revision) cured three with nine trials (33%). All 19 patients, 18 with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures, were cured by complete removal of all shunt elements with replacement in another anatomic site (CSR) combined with high does, specific systemic antibiotic therapy. One of 35 (3%) of those with positive shunt CSF cultures and one of 21 (5%) of those with positive shunt and ventricular CSF cultures responded to systemic treatment without CSR. When infection is widespread, the treatment of choice is appropriate systemic and intraventricular antibiotics and complete replacement of the shunt in a new site.
Academic operations research programs structured on a user command language

Twelve deterministic and probabilistic Operations Research BASIC computer programs, useful in academic and research environments, are described. All accept identical conversational instructions in a unified user command language. Each program has help and examples messages, and built-in sets of data useful for illustration. It accepts commands for retrieving, displaying, changing, and saving the data, and for computing and optimization. Three programs also accept simulation commands. The availability of the source code and detailed documentation allows users to modify the programs, delete or add algorithms, change dimensions, and to translate the programs into other languages.
What is "formal" analysis?

There are two main traditions in Western philosophy: a line of dualistic arguments resting on the form–matter dichotomy and the long historical accumulation of ideas related to it, and a line of skeptical arguments resting on an expanding idea of experience and an accumulation of ways to produce and reproduce it. The idea of “formal analysis” has mainly been associated with the former, in which formal analysis is substantially the same thing as imposing the conceptual framework of the analyst. The argument here is that it can be much more fruitfully framed in the latter. Form is not something that one must impose—it can be found. The form of a thing or system is that which holds its parts together. This always devolves into a set of mutual relationships. Such relationships can be observed and characterized and, because they usually involve simple, repeated elements such characterizations commonly take on a schematic or mathematical character.
In vitro stimulation of ovarian tumour-associated lymphocytes with a peptide derived from HER2/neu induces cytotoxicity against autologous tumour.

The proto-oncogene HER2/ neu encodes for a 185 kDa transmembrane protein with extensive homology to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. We have previously shown a correlation between HER2/ neu expression and the level of in vitro cytotoxicity of tumour-associated lymphocytes (TAL) versus autologous tumour. In addition, we have recently demonstrated that tumour-associated cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) from ovarian and breast cancer patients can recognize a HER2/ neu derived peptide epitope when presented in the context of HLA-A2. Since repeated tumour stimulation of CTL enhances both proliferation and cytotoxicity against autologous tumour, we hypothesized that repeated peptide antigen stimulation would have a similar effect. To be therapeutically useful, the peptide antigen must meet the following conditions: (1) the peptide must be immunogenic and cause a proliferation of CTL to adequate therapeutic numbers, and (2) the peptide-specific CTL which are generated must be cytotoxic against autologous tumour. To test our hypothesis, T-lymphocytes isolated from the ascites of four consecutive HER2/ neu + ovarian cancer patients were initially stimulated with solid phase anti-CD3 antibody and divided into three groups: (1) treatment with recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) alone, (2) IL-2 plus weekly stimulation with irradiated autologous tumour cells, and (3) IL-2 plus weekly stimulation with a HER2/ neu derived peptide. Peptide-stimulated and tumour-stimulated CTL showed similar increases in proliferation with both groups consistently reaching therapeutic numbers. Peptide-stimulated CTL demonstrated significantly enhanced cytotoxicity against autologous tumour in 4-h chromium release assays as compared to the IL-2 alone group. This cytotoxicity appeared to be HLA-A2 restricted as peptide-stimulated CTL from HLA-A2 + patients had significantly increased cytotoxicity against allogeneic HLA-A2 + tumour cells as compared with allogeneic HLA-A2 − tumour cells. In addition, the cytotoxicity of peptide-stimulated CTL against autologous tumour was blocked with an anti-HLA-A2 monoclonal antibody, BB7.2. These findings have potential clinical applicability in that an unlimited amount of synthetic peptide could be available for repeated CTL stimulation when culturing cells for adoptive immunotherapy. This could be especially beneficial when adequate amounts of tumour cells for stimulation are unavailable. In addition, the identification of tumour-associated antigens which can be recognized by autologous CTL may ultimately be useful in the development of antitumour vaccine therapy.
Absence of respiration modulation of carotid sinus nerve inputs to nucleus tractus solitarius neurons receiving arterial chemoreceptor inputs

Abstract The reflex responses to activation of the arterial chemoreceptors are dependent upon when in the respiratory cycle the chemoreceptor stimulus is given. To determine if the respiratory modulation of the chemoreflex occurs within the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), intracellular recordings were obtained in pentobarbital-anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated cats, from 22 non-respiratory NTS cells which were depolarized following activation of the ipsilateral carotid body chemoreceptors (by close arterial injection of 0.12, Wilxocon signed-rank test). The results suggest that there is no respiratory modulation of arterial chemoreceptor inputs by either central respiratory drive or lung stretch receptor afferent inputs at this early stage of the reflex arc.
A Comparison of the Portrayal and Frequency of Hispanics and Whites in English Language Television Advertising

Abstract The numerical and economic importance of the U.S. Hispanic population continues to increase. To reach the Hispanic market, a major role can be played by English-language television advertising. The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which this is being done and the manner in which Hispanics are portrayed in comparison to Whites. The findings revealed that the frequency of Hispanic appearance was less than their proportion of the population. Further, there were differences in the ways in which Hispanics were portrayed in comparison to White portrayals. This suggests that advertisers may need to rethink their usage of Hispanics in mainstream television advertising.
Using higher dimensionalities to identify abnormal behavior in noisy data sets

In cluster analysis, distinguishing abnormal behavior from noise is an important problem that has remained unresolved for many years. This paper presents a general approach for distinguishing abnormal behavior from noise and for identifying abnormal behavior in noisy data sets. The approach is an application of a new, complete linkage hierarchical clustering method for n·(n−1) over 2 + 1-level hierarchical sequences and a means for finding meaningful levels of such hierarchical sequences prior to performing a cluster analysis. These technologies were designed with small-n, large-m data sets in mind. Based on four broadly applicable assumptions, the approach uses higher dimensionalities to reveal inherent structure in noisy data sets and find meaningful levels in the corresponding hierarchical sequences. The new clustering method is used to construct only the cluster sets that correspond to these levels. Results from a first experiment show how the effects of noise are attenuated as the dimensionality of the data points increases. Results from a second experiment show how meaningful cluster sets can have real world meanings that are useful for identifying abnormal behavior.
MAXIMUM-LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATES OF A US MULTIREGIONAL HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SYSTEM

This paper applies the maximum-likelihood equation to a model that produces US regional household expenditure estimates using national-level data on average expenditures by type of household and regional data on the number of households by type. Empirical results follow the analytical properties of the model and demonstrate an impressive capacity to recover regional statistics. These findings are useful in applied regional studies since they demonstrate a general framework to assess the input data and the overall estimation model.
Food, Feeding Behavior and Feeding Ecology of Nemerteans

The feeding biology of nemerteans is reviewed, new information is presented, and the role of nemerteans in natural communities is discussed and evaluated. Most nemerteans are carnivorous, the majority feeding on live, often specific, prey, while some are scavengers. Macrophagous feeding is found in the Palaeonemertea, Heteronemertea and some of the Hoplonemertea; the more specialized suctorial feeding is limited to five of the hoplonemertean families, and suspension feeding (omnivorous diet) occurs only in the highly specialized symbiotic monogeneric Bdellonemertea. Feeding adaptations seem to be related to the nature and employment of the proboscis, the dilatability of the mouth, and the structure of the anterior part of the digestive tract. The transport of dissolved organic materials from seawater has been demonstrated, but its role in nemertean nutrition is just being contemplated. Present meager information on predation has shown nemerteans to have actually and potentially large effects on prey populations and thus on the communities in which they live. As the feeding biology of only a relative handful of species has been studied, much basic comparative research is needed before we can corroborate or refute our present ideas concerning the ecological roles of nemerteans.
An introduction to concept mapping for planning and evaluation.

Concept mapping is a type of structured conceptualization which can be used by groups to develop a conceptual framework which can guide evaluation or planning. In the typical case, six steps are involved: (1) Preparation (including selection of participants and development of focus for the conceptualization); (2) the Generation of statements; (3) the Structuring of statements; (4) the Representation of Statements in the form of a concept map (using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis); (5) the Interpretation of maps; and, (6) the Utilization of maps. Concept mapping: encourages the group to stay on task; results relatively quickly in an interpretable conceptual framework; expresses this framework entirely in the language of the participants; yields a graphic or pictorial product which simultaneously shows all major ideas and their interrelationships; and often improves group or organizational cohesiveness and morale. This paper describes each step in the process, considers major methodological issues and problems, and discusses computer programs which can be used to accomplish the process.
KIT Expression Reveals a Population of Precursor Melanocytes in Human Skin

Human skin is believed to harbor a reservoir population of precursor melanocytes. It has been difficult to identify these putative cells experimentally, because they lack phenotypic features that define mature melanocytes. We have evaluated expression of the KIT tyrosine kinase receptor, which is critical for melanocyte development, as a possible marker of these cells. Sections of human skin were evaluated with single- and double-immunolabeling techniques. KIT-reactive dendritic cells were identified in the basal layer of the epithelia and were most numerous in the follicular infundibula and the rete ridges. These cells were located on the epithelial side of the basement membrane and lacked expression of cytokeratin and mast cell tryptase. The location of the KIT-reactive cells was distinctly different from that of Langerhans cells (identified with anti-CD1a) or Merkel cells (identified with CAM 5.2). Within the epidermis and upper follicular infundibulum the majority of the KIT-reactive dendritic cells also coexpressed TRP-1, a marker present in differentiated melanocytes. In the deeper follicular regions, the coexpression of TRP-1 in the KIT-reactive cells was absent. Throughout the epidermis and follicle, however, the KIT-reactive cells coexpressed BCL-2, a marker known to be increased in melanocytes. Thus, KIT expression reveals a population of intraepithelial cells that have immunophenotypic characteristics of mature melanocytes within the upper epithelial regions, but lack the differentiated Melanocytic phenotype within the deeper follicular regions. We propose that these KIT(+), BCL-2(+), and TRP-1(−) cells constitute a precursor melanocyte reservoir of human skin.
Biosynthesis and secretion of antibodies by chicken lymphoid cells—I: Biosynthetic assay of specific antibodies☆

Abstract A biosynthetic assay to quantitatively isolate specific antibodies both in intracellular and secreted proteins has been described using in vitro cultures of immune spleen cells with radiolabeled amino acids and immune adsorption to Sepharose beads attached with immunizing antigens. It has further been shown that this technique can be widely used to study biosynthesis and secretion of antibodies during antigen-driven differentiation of B-lymphocytes.
Inhaled nitric oxide augments nitric oxide transport on sickle cell hemoglobin without affecting oxygen affinity

Nitric oxide (NO) inhalation has been reported to increase the oxygen affinity of sickle cell erythrocytes. Also, proposed allosteric mechanisms for hemoglobin, based on S-nitrosation of β-chain cysteine 93, raise the possibilty of altering the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease by inhibiting polymerization or by increasing NO delivery to the tissue. We studied the effects of a 2-hour treatment, using varying concentrations of inhaled NO. Oxygen affinity, as measured by P50, did not respond to inhaled NO, either in controls or in individuals with sickle cell disease. At baseline, the arterial and venous levels of nitrosylated hemoglobin were not significantly different, but NO inhalation led to a dose-dependent increase in mean nitrosylated hemoglobin, and at the highest dosage, a significant arterial-venous difference emerged. The levels of nitrosylated hemoglobin are too low to affect overall hemoglobin oxygen affinity, but augmented NO transport to the microvasculature seems a promising strategy for improving microvascular perfusion.
Antibiotic utilization based on primary treatment of pediatric empyema.

Abstract Background Chemical fibrinolysis has been shown to be as effective as surgical debridement for the treatment of pediatric empyema. However, no studies effectively evaluate antibiotic treatment. We evaluated antibiotic utilization among different treatments of pediatric empyema. Methods This is a retrospective review of 169 empyema patients who underwent chemical and/or mechanical fibrinolysis at a dedicated children's hospital from 2005–2013. Data points included duration of therapy, cultures, presence of necrosis or abscess, and adverse drug reactions. Immunocompromised patients and those with additional foci of infection were excluded. Results Twenty-seven patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), 123 had chemical fibrinolysis via tube thoracostomy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and 19 had tPA followed by VATS. The mean (±standard deviation) duration of total antibiotic therapy was 25.7 ± 6.5 d; following a 24 h afebrile period of 19.4 ± 6.3 d. Patients who had tPA had a significantly shorter duration of parenteral antibiotic therapy when compared with primary VATS (9.2 ± 3.6 d versus 11.6 ± 5.5 d, P = 0.04) and VATS following tPA (9.2 ± 3.6 d versus 14.3 ± 8.1 d, P n = 26) had an increased total duration of antibiotics (29.3 ± 5.7 d versus 25.1 ± 6.4 d, P Conclusions Patients with empyema currently receive a protracted variable course of antibiotic therapy influenced by primary treatment and the presence of necrosis or abscess. With a high incidence of adverse reactions, a standardized protocol with truncated treatment duration should be considered.
Monte Carlo computation of nonequilibrium flow in a hypersonic iodine wind tunnel

The nonequilibrium flow formed by the interaction of a freejet of iodine vapor impinging on a blunt body is investigated using numerical and experimental techniques. The computational approach employs the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. The experimental measurements consist of rotational temperature obtained along the flow axis and include portions of both the freejet expansion and blunt-body shock for four different stagnation conditions. Direct comparisons of the numerical results and the experimental data are quite successful at moderate temperatures. Hence, the rotational collision time of iodine is estimated in the temperature range of 100-500 K. At higher temperatures, the agreement between simulation and measurement is less satisfactory. This demonstrates the requirement for the development of a more detailed approach to simulating rotational nonequilibrium in high-temperature flows of diatomic species. 20 refs.
The topology of force-free magnetic field near bipolar sunspots

The topological character of a new type of solution representing a force-free magnetic field near bipolar sunspots is examined. It is shown that some of the observed topological features of chromospheric fibrils and filaments in Hα can be interpreted in terms of the configuration of the magnetic lines of force of the present solution. In particular, by the examples considered the observed twisted S-shape topology of lower lying fibrils and the orientation of prominences (higher filaments) associated with sunspots are successfully reproduced.
Cerebellar reaggregate and explant transplants contain Bergmann glial fibers

In mammalian cerebellum, granule cells are believed to migrate from the external germinal layer to the internal granular layer on radially oriented arrays of Bergmann glial fibers. It has been shown that similar arrays of Bergmann fibers are present in intact cerebellar transplants in rats. In the present study radial, parallel arrays have been observed in reaggregate and explant transplants in rats. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that Bergmann fibers are involved in migration of granule cells and/or other aspects of formation of the trilaminar cortical pattern in cerebellar transplants.
Effects of nanostructured back reflectors on the external quantum efficiency in thin film solar cells

Hydrogenated amorphous Si ( α-Si:H) is a promising material for photovoltaic applications due to its low cost, high abundance, long lifetime, and non-toxicity. We demonstrate a device designed to investigate the effect of nanostructured back reflectors on quantum efficiency in photovoltaic devices. We adopt a superstrate configuration so that we may use conventional industrial light trapping strategies for thin film solar cells as a reference for comparison. We controlled the nanostructure parameters via a wafer-scale self-assembly technique and systematically studied the relation between nanostructure size and photocurrent generation. The gain/loss transition at short wavelengths showed red-shifts with decreasing nanostructure scale. In the infrared region the nanostructured back reflector shows large photocurrent enhancement with a modified feature scale. This device geometry is a useful archetype for investigating absorption enhancement by nanostructures.
Selective inhibitors of human lactate dehydrogenases and lactate dehydrogenase from the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Derivatives of the sesquiterpene 8-deoxyhemigossylic acid (2,3-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-1-naphthoic acid) were synthesized that contained altered alkyl groups in the 4-position and contained alkyl or aralkyl groups in the 7-position. These substituted dihydroxynaphthoic acids are selective inhibitors of human lactate dehydrogenase-H (LDH-H) and LDH-M and of lactate dehydrogenase from the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum (pLDH). All inhibitors are competitive with the binding of NADH. Selectivity for LDH-H, LDH-M, or pLDH is strongly dependent upon the groups that are in the 4- and 7-positions of the dihydroxynaphthoic acid backbone. Dissociation constants as low as 50 nM were observed, with selectivity as high as 400-fold.
Vaginally administered misoprostol for outpatient cervical ripening in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objective: To compare the use of vaginally administered misoprostol to placebo for outpatient labor induction in patients with diabetes. Study Design: In this double-masked, controlled clinical trial, pregnant women with diabetes and gestational age of >38½ weeks were randomized to receive 25 μg misoprostol or placebo vaginally on days 1 and 4 of a 7-day outpatient cervical ripening period. If necessary, inpatient labor induction was managed by using a standard protocol. Results: Of 120 women included in the study, 57 received misoprostol and 63 received placebo. Most of the women had been diagnosed with gestational (Class A) diabetes. Similar numbers of misoprostol and placebo-treated women delivered within 7 days of the first dose (31/57 [54%] vs 36/63 [57%], P =.63). The mean (±SEM) interval from induction to delivery was similar (8530.5 minutes ±1439.7 minutes vs 6712.5 minutes ±606.4 minutes, P =.23). Conclusion: Vaginally administered misoprostol was no more effective than placebo in reducing the need for inpatient labor induction or the induction-delivery interval. Outpatient cervical ripening with use of vaginally administered misoprostol was well tolerated. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:916-9.)
How much can we learn from success

Executive Overview Managers often wish to extract useful information from studies of successful companies, processes, products, personnel or other entities. In this article, we argue that unless a number of critical questions about study methodology are addressed, serious blunders may occur from using study results. This is especially true when studies are to be used as an aid in predicting success or developing guidelines for action. Studies may be useful in benchmarking levels of success or identifying new strategies but studies of successful firms can stumble, even when predicting short-run success.
Bio-Inspired Electric Cilia Development for Biomedical Applications : Use of Ionic Electro Active Polymer, Nanowire Arrays, and Micro-Stereo-Lithography

This presentation demonstrates the fabrication of bio-inspired electric cilia structures using bottom-up hetero-nanowires and ionic electro active polymer on flexible polyimide substrates. In order to obtain sensing function of fluid velocity in meso-scale vessels and minimally disturb original flow condition, parallel arrays of "electronic cilium" with the size of few micrometers in length and few hundreds nanometers in diameter are vertically fabricated on a thin flexible film. For active layers, ionic electro active polymer has been applied on hetero-structured nanowires, which provide low Young's modulus and sensitive to bending moment by lateral force in fluid. This research works include the characterization of electro active polymer fabrication processes on nanowires and their mechanical properties by atomic force microscopy and electrochemical analysis tools. In addition, a three-dimensional microfluidic channel fabrication method using micro-stereo-lithography (MSL) is introduced in this presentation, which is an efficient method to simulate fluid conditions in blood vessels.
Advanced signaling strategies for the Hybrid MIMO Phased-Array Radar

The Hybrid MIMO Phased Array Radar, or HMPAR, is a notional concept for a multisensor radar architecture that combines elements of traditional phased-array radar with the emerging technology of Multiple-Input Multiple Output (MIMO) radar. A HMPAR comprises a large number, MP, of T/R elements, organized into M subarrays of P elements each. Within each subarray, passive elementlevel phase shifting is used to steer transmit and receive beams in some desired fashion. Each of the M subarrays are in turn driven by independently amplified phase-coded signals. This paper proposes new transmit signal selection strategies based on the observation that some MIMO signal sets, such as those proposed by us previously, cause a very rapid sequential or raster scan across some field of view. Exploiting this property allows one to create and process multiple beams simultaneously. Furthermore, there exists a range-angle coupling in the transmit and receive signals that may lead to high-resolution target localization.
Direct visualization of organelle movement along actin filaments dissociated from characean algae

A system has been developed in which organelle transport can be studied without the influence of an organized cellular cytoplasm. Binding and continuous unidirectional movement of organelles along isolated cellular transport cables were directly visualized by video light microscopy after the dissociation of the cytoplasm of characean algae cells in a Ca2+-free buffer containing adenosine triphosphate. Individual organelles had more than one attachment site and moved at mean rates of 11.2 or 62.1 micrometers per second along multiple parallel pathways on each cable. Electron microscopy of these cables after direct freezing demonstrated that they consist of compact bundles of actin filaments. Under these conditions, characteristics of organelle movement should reflect directly the underlying molecular processes of binding and force generation.