cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postanesthetic Care of the Neurosurgical Patient

Summary Apart from unforeseen intraoperative complications, the elective neurosurgical patient should be extubated and upon emergence from anesthesia soon achieve the same or better neurologic status he exhibited preoperatively. Any departure should be evaluated thoroughly without delay. Although pain must be controlled, excessive sedation should be avoided to prevent obscuring any signs of deterioration and hypoventilation. All patients require supplemental oxygen; close monitoring of respiration, temperature and electrocardiogram; and frequent neurologic evaluation. Good cooperation with a well-trained nursing staff is essential in assuring the best outcome.
Optimization Design of Medium-Voltage Modular Converter with Terminal Transient Response Constraint

In medium-voltage power distribution systems, power electronics converters are widely used. As an alternative to designing separate power electronics converters for different applications, a universal power processing unit concept known as the power electronics building block (PEBB), was proposed in the late 1990s by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to achieve an overall improvement in system cost, efficiency, weight, and size. These universal power processing units are used to construct power electronics systems of different functions and various voltage and power ratings; thus, applying optimization techniques to achieve a compact design for PEBBs is desired. As a commonly encountered load type, the presence of a step load in the power conditioning system can result in an undesired transient response across the internal buses. For the PEBB-based system to be optimized, it is important to guarantee that the resulted design satisfies the transient response constraints of the system; this calls for the need to embed the terminal constraint requirements into the optimization process. In this paper, a hierarchical optimization method is applied in the design process of the PEBB's main power stage, which takes into account the terminal transient response constraint. Later in the paper, it is illustrated that the design spaces for the converter-level design variables are reshaped due to the presence of design constraints.
Gadolinium Augmentation of Myocardial Tissue Heating During Radiofrequency Ablation.

Abstract Objectives This study hypothesized that a metal already commonly used in medical procedures, gadolinium (Gd), will augment radiofrequency (RF) thermal injury and affect cardiac ablation lesions. Background Enhancement of RF ablation using metallic particles has been proposed for ablation of tumors. Methods A series of ablation lesions were delivered at variable power using an ex vivo model. Tissue temperatures and lesion characteristics were analyzed. Ablation in a porcine in vivo model after direct needle injection of the myocardium with Gd or after systemic administration of Gd encased in heat sensitive liposomes was also performed and compared to control values. Results Ablation after Gd infiltration of myocardial tissue resulted in significantly larger lesions at both low- and high-power settings. Larger impedance changes were observed during ablation of Gd-treated myocardium. In vivo ablation using a force-sensing irrigated tip catheter resulted in enhanced lesion sizes after Gd injection without a higher incidence of steam pops or perforation. Systemic administration of liposomal Gd with local release by RF heating did not result in larger ablation sizes. Conclusions Gd can be used to enhance RF ablation lesions. In both ex vivo studies with a 4-mm ablation catheter under power control and in vivo findings with an irrigated tip catheter, ablation of myocardium infiltrated with Gd resulted in larger lesions, with altered RF electrical and thermal characteristics. More research is needed to refine the potential for Gd facilitation of RF ablation. The use of systemic heat-sensitive liposomes containing Gd with targeted release by RF heating did not affect lesion size.
The Queenmother, Matriarchy, and the Question of Female Political Authority in Precolonial West African Monarchy:

Several years ago, anthropologist Ronald Cohen (1977, pp. 14-30) wrote a thought-provoking article the focus of which was the phenomenon of the African queenmother. Female title-holders placed in the highest levels of the political order were a common feature of ancient and later precolonial African political systems. Wherever these political systems have managed to survive colonialism and into the postcolonial era, through being accorded "traditional" status, female title-holders have often survived with them. This broad collection of female titles has been brought together by anthropologists and others, and is considered to be varied expressions of the same institution: the institution of queenmother. Focusing on the institution as it exists today within the traditional political system of the Pabir people of northern Nigeria, but also drawing on examples from elsewhere on the African continent, Cohen attempts to explain why the office of queenmother was so prevalent in precolonial African state systems. He concludes his explanation with a hypothesis on the origins of African queenmothership. The thrust of Cohen's argument is that the office of queenmother was, in general, essentially of a ceremonial character and that it served as a center around which the "opposition" or potential opposition to the king could be safely and nondivisively collected.
Towards a Brighter Fourth Amendment: Privacy and Technological Change

This Article seeks to solve the problem of technological change eroding privacy by developing a framework of bright line Fourth Amendment rules. As technologies such as digitalization and the internet become increasingly important in our daily lives, we come to expect less privacy in many areas of life. Since the Fourth Amendment protects citizens’ reasonable expectations of privacy against unreasonable government intrusions, the Fourth Amendment provides increasingly less protection as technology diminishes privacy expectations. Moreover, law enforcement agencies continually develop more sophisticated surveillance technology to spy on private conduct. However, courts are unable to keep up with these rapid technological developments because technology changes too quickly for judicially created rules, and judges often misunderstand the underlying technological issues. Similarly, technology changes too quickly even for statutory rules, and legislatures are lobbied by law enforcement agencies to weaken privacy protections. Although law enforcement agencies could regulate themselves to protect privacy, they have little incentive to do so. Therefore, the only way to adequately protect privacy against government surveillance is for courts to adopt bright line Fourth Amendment rules. Given the strictness of such rules, they should only be initially adopted for homes and human bodies, uncontroversial areas that have received longstanding, heightened legal protection. Bright line rules provide clear boundaries to law enforcement, thereby ensuring that current Fourth Amendment doctrine does not become increasingly empty. They also encourage police to adopt technologies that do not infringe on protected areas of privacy. Once courts have established the bright line rule framework, it can later be expanded to include new areas, such as email or automobiles, based on technological change and social use.
Threshold and revocation cryptosystems via extractable hash proofs

We present a new unifying framework for constructing noninteractive threshold encryption and signature schemes, as well as broadcast encryption schemes, and in particular, derive several new cryptosystems based on hardness of factoring, including: - a threshold signature scheme (in the random oracle model) that supports ad-hoc groups (i.e., exponential number of identities and the set-up is independent of the total number of parties) and implements the standard Rabin signature; - a threshold encryption scheme that supports ad-hoc groups, where encryption is the same as that in the Blum-Goldwasser cryptosystem and therefore more efficient than RSA-based implementations; - a CCA-secure threshold encryption scheme in the random oracle model; - a broadcast encryption scheme (more precisely, a revocation cryptosystem) that supports ad-hoc groups, whose complexity is comparable to that of the Naor-Pinkas scheme; moreover, we provide a variant of the construction that is CCA-secure in the random oracle model. Our framework rests on a new notion of threshold extractable hash proofs. The latter can be viewed as a generalization of the extractable hash proofs, which are a special kind of non-interactive zero-knowledge proof of knowledge.
Countering statistical disclosure with receiver-bound cover traffic

Anonymous communications provides an important privacy service by keeping passive eavesdroppers from linking communicating parties. However, using long-term statistical analysis of traffic sent to and from such a system, it is possible to link senders with their receivers. Cover traffic is an effective, but somewhat limited, counter strategy against this attack. Earlier work in this area proposes that privacy-sensitive users generate and send cover traffic to the system. However, users are not online all the time and cannot be expected to send consistent levels of cover traffic, drastically reducing the impact of cover traffic. We propose that the mix generate cover traffic that mimics the sending patterns of users in the system. This receiver-bound cover helps to make up for users that aren't there, confusing the attacker. We show through simulation how this makes it difficult for an attacker to discern cover from real traffic and perform attacks based on statistical analysis. Our results show that receiver-bound cover substantially increases the time required for these attacks to succeed. When our approach is used in combination with user-generated cover traffic, the attack takes a very long time to succeed.
Jâtaka Stories in Theravâda Buddhism: Narrating the Bodhisatta Path

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Naomi Appleton Year: 2010 Pages: 176 Publisher: Ashgate Publishing ISBN: 978-1-409-41092-8 (hard cover).
Controversial Role of GPOs in Healthcare‐Product Supply Chains

This paper examines the controversial role that Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) play in the supply chains for healthcare products. Among the controversies, perhaps the most fundamental one is whether or not GPOs reduce purchasing costs for their members. However, the fiercest controversy is around the “contract administration fees (CAFs)” that GPOs charge to manufacturers. We examine these and other controversies using a Hotelling duopoly model. Among our conclusions: GPOs increase competition between manufacturers and lower prices for healthcare providers. However, GPOs reduce manufacturers' incentives to introduce innovations to existing products. We also demonstrate that the existence of lower off-contract prices is not, per se, evidence of anticompetitive behavior on the part of GPOs. Indeed, we demonstrate that, under certain circumstances, the presence of a GPO lowers off-contract prices. We also examine the consequences of eliminating the “safe harbor” provisions that permit healthcare GPOs to charge CAFs to manufacturers, and conclude that it would not affect any party's profits or costs.
Intrasexual competition facilitates the evolution of alternative mating strategies in a colour polymorphic fish.

Intense competition for access to females can lead to males exploiting different components of sexual selection, and result in the evolution of alternative mating strategies (AMSs). Males of Poecilia parae, a colour polymorphic fish, exhibit five distinct phenotypes: drab-coloured (immaculata), striped (parae), structural-coloured (blue) and carotenoid-based red and yellow morphs. Previous work indicates that immaculata males employ a sneaker strategy, whereas the red and yellow morphs exploit female preferences for carotenoid-based colours. Mating strategies favouring the maintenance of the other morphs remain to be determined. Here, we report the role of agonistic male-male interactions in influencing female mating preferences and male mating success, and in facilitating the evolution of AMSs. Our study reveals variation in aggressiveness among P. parae morphs during indirect and direct interactions with sexually receptive females. Two morphs, parae and yellow, use aggression to enhance their mating success (i.e., number of copulations) by 1) directly monopolizing access to females, and 2) modifying female preferences after winning agonistic encounters. Conversely, we found that the success of the drab-coloured immaculata morph, which specializes in a sneak copulation strategy, relies in its ability to circumvent both male aggression and female choice when facing all but yellow males. Strong directional selection is expected to deplete genetic variation, yet many species show striking genetically-based polymorphisms. Most studies evoke frequency dependent selection to explain the persistence of such variation. Consistent with a growing body of evidence, our findings suggest that a complex form of balancing selection may alternatively explain the evolution and maintenance of AMSs in a colour polymorphic fish. In particular, this study demonstrates that intrasexual competition results in phenotypically distinct males exhibiting clear differences in their levels of aggression to exclude potential sexual rivals. By being dominant, the more aggressive males are able to circumvent female mating preferences for attractive males, whereas another male type incorporates subordinate behaviours that allow them to circumvent male aggression and female mating preferences. Together, these and previous results indicate that exploiting different aspects of social interactions may allow males to evolve distinct mating strategies and thus the long term maintenance of polymorphisms within populations.
Sanctions for Sex Offenders: Fear and Public Policy

This study investigated public attitudes regarding sex offender sanctions through telephone surveys (n = 703). The greatest support was for residency and work restrictions. There was less support for publication of names in a newspaper, curfews, life in prison, and castration. Support for nonsevere sanctions correlated with socioeconomic status, being a parent of a school or preschool aged child, and a fear of sex offenders. Support for severe punishments for sex offenders positively correlated with fear and being a parent of a preschool-aged child. Education and income were negatively correlated with both severe and non-severe sanctions for offenders.
Antimutagenic activity of tea towards 2-hydroxyamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline: effect of tea concentration and brew time on electrophile scavenging.

Green tea and black tea inhibit colon carcinogenesis in rats exposed to the cooked meat-derived mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline (IQ). The present study compared the inhibitory activities of green tea and black tea towards a direct-acting mutagenic metabolite of IQ, namely 2-hydroxyamino-3-methylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline (N-hydroxy-IQ), under various brewing conditions. The following observations were made: (a) green tea (Sencha midoriiro) and black tea (English Breakfast tea) brewed at concentrations of 1. 25%, 2.5% or 5.0% (w/v) dose-relatedly inhibited the mutagenic activity of N-hydroxy-IQ in the Salmonella assay, (b) most of the antimutagenic components were released from the teas within 1-2 min of brewing, (c) under identical brewing conditions, green tea was significantly more effective than black tea, and (d) fractionation of green tea by HPLC revealed that most of the antimutagenic activity co-eluted with the compounds epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), both of which are known for their anti-oxidant properties. These results suggest that catechins in tea might protect against such diverse reactive intermediates as free radicals and electrophiles formed during the metabolic activation of carcinogens and mutagens.
l-selectin and α4β7 integrin, but not ICAM-1, regulate lymphocyte distribution in gut-associated lymphoid tissue of mice

Background Adhesion molecules on lymphocytes ( l -selectin and α4β7) and endothelium (MAdCAM-1 and ICAM-1) direct lymphocytes into the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of mice. Parenteral nutrition and MAdCAM-1 blockade reduce GALT cell mass. This study examined the effects on GALT cell mass of blockade of l -selectin, α4β7, and ICAM-1 with saturating doses of monoclonal antibodies. Methods In experiment 1, l -selectin and α4β7 expression were measured by flow cytometry in chow-fed mice. In experiment 2, 49 mice randomly received chow, parenteral nutrition, chow + intravenous (IV) anti-CD62L, chow + IV anti-LPAM-1, or chow + IV isotype control antibody. After 4 days, lymphocyte yields in GALT and respiratory and intestinal IgA levels were measured. In experiment 3, 27 mice randomly received chow, parenteral nutrition, chow + IV anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody, or chow + IV isotype control antibody for 5 days. Lymphocyte counts and IgA levels were determined as in experiment 2. Results Some 80% of all circulating lymphocytes were positive for l -selectin and α4β7. Lymphocyte counts in the Peyer's patches, lamina propria, and intraepithelial space were lower in the l -selectin and α4β7 blockade groups (3.1, 1.8, and 0.9 × 10 6 and 2.1, 1.9, and 0.7 × 10 6 , respectively) than in the chow group (5.9, 3.0, and 1.7 × 10 6 ; P l -selectin group and P P Conclusion Most circulating lymphocytes have GALT homing potential. Their distribution into GALT is hindered by blockade of l -selectin or α4β7, but not by ICAM-1.
On general multiple linear-quadratic control problems

General multiple linear-quadratic control problems are studied, where the overall objective is a nonlinear function of multiple quadratic performance indices. A multilevel solution procedure is proposed to obtain an analytical linear control law for this nonseparable control problem. The auxiliary Lagrangian problem formulated at the lower level is of a parametric linear-quadratic structure, in which the weighting vector is adjusted by the upper level until a derived optimal condition is met. >
Accumulation of potassium anaerobically by renal medullary slices.

Potassium accumulation occurred in leached slices of the inner medulla of the dog kidney incubated under anaerobic conditions at 37°C with glucose as substrate, but was blocked by inhibitors of glycolysis. Aerobically, only slight accumulation occurred with succinate as substrate at 37°C, and this was blocked by dinitrophenol. These findings were in contrast to those obtained with kidney cortex slices under the same conditions.
The laparoscopic repair of suprapubic ventral hernias

The complexity of dissection and the close proximity of the hernia to bony, vascular, nerve, and urinary structures make the laparoscopic repair of suprapubic hernias (LRSPH) a formidable operation. We performed a prospective evaluation of the outcomes of patients undergoing LRSPH. The study population comprised 36 patients undergoing LRSPH from July 1996 to January 2004. Patient demographics, hernia sizes, mesh types and sizes, perioperative outcomes, and recurrences were documented. After our early experience with this operation, the repair evolved to include transabdominal suture fixation to the pubic bone, Cooper’s ligament, and above the iliopubic tract. There were 26 women and 10 men. They had a mean age of 55.9 years (range, 33-76) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 31.0 kg/m2 (range, 22-67). Twenty-two (61%) of the repairs were for recurrent hernias, with an average of 2.3 previously failed open repairs each (range, 1-11). The mean hernia size was 191.4 cm2 (range, 20-768), and the average mesh size was 481.4 cm2 (range, 193-1,428). All repairs were performed with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh. Mean operating time was 178.7 min (range, 95-290). Mean blood loss was 40 cc (range, 20-100). One patient undergoing her fifth repair required conversion due to adhesions to a polypropylene mesh. Hospital stay averaged 2.4 days (range, 1-7). Mean follow-up was 21.1 months (range, 1-70). Complications (16.6%) included deep venous thrombosis (n = 1), prolonged pain for >6 weeks (n = 1), trocar site cellulitis (n = 1), ileus (n = 1), prolonged seroma (n = 1), and Clostridium difficile colitis (n = 1). Hernias recurred in two of our first nine patients, for an overall recurrence rate of 5.5%. Since we began using the technique of applying multiple sutures directly to the pubis and Cooper’s ligament (in the subsequent 27 patients), no recurrences have been documented. Although technically demanding and time-consuming, the LRSPH is safe and technically feasible. Moreover, it results in a low recurrence rate and is applicable to large or multiply recurrent hernias. Transabdominal suture fixation to the bony and ligamentous structures produces a more durable hernia repair.
Chromosome Translocation t(14;22) and Oncogene (c-sis) Variant in a Pedigree with Familial Meningioma

MANY cases of familial cancer have been reported, but relatively few inherited cancers have been shown to be associated with specific known genes or specific chromosome regions. Meningioma is an un...
Experimental test results of pattern placement metrology on photomasks with laser illumination source designed to address double patterning lithography challenges

Double Patterning Lithography techniques place significantly greater demand on the requirements for pattern placement accuracy on photomasks. The influence of the pellicle on plate bending is also a factor especially when the pellicle distortions are not repeatable from substrate to substrate. The combination of increased demand for greater accuracy and the influence of pellicle distortions are key factors in the need for high resolution through-pellicle in-die measurements on actual device features. The above requirements triggered development of a new generation registration metrology tool based on in-depth experience with the LMS IPRO4. This paper reports on the initial experimental results of DUV laser illumination on features of various sizes using unique measurement algorithms developed specifically for pattern placement measurements.
Edgeworth expansions in state perturbation estimation

A formal asymptotic Hermite series expansion is developed for the conditional state density in a scalar estimation problem which differs from the standard Kalman filtering context only by the addition of a small quadratic term in the dynamicss. This case is one that might result from a higher order description of perturbations in a more general state estimation situation. The parameters of the expansion here are generated recursively from the measurement data by an initial value system of 3 n ordinary differential equations for an expansion of n th order asymptotic accuracy in the coefficient of the above quadratic term. To at least third order, this expansion has the special form of the standard Edgeworth expansion of corresponding order for the conditional state density, and its parameters can be expressed in terms of this density's cumulants, which are generated by a simpler set of recursive equations.
VARIABILITY IN THE BINDING OF ANTI-MAG AND ANTI-SGPG ANTIBODIES TO TARGET ANTIGENS IN DEMYELINATING NEUROPATHY AND IGM PARAPROTEINEMIA

Densitometry of immunostained Western blots or thin layer chromatograms and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to compare the relative strengths of IgM binding to myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), P0 glycoprotein, peripheral myelin protein-22 (PMP-22), sulfate-3-glucuronyl paragloboside (SGPG), and other potential target antigens in a series of eleven patients with sensory or sensorimotor demyelinating neuropathy and IgM paraproteinemia. The IgM from all patients exhibited reactivity with both MAG and SGPG, and there was a statistically significant correlation between the overlay assays and ELISAs for measuring the strength of IgM binding to MAG and to SGPG. However, the data revealed variations in the relative strengths with which the antibodies bound to the potential target antigens and heterogeneity in their fine specificities. First, there was a poor correlation between the strength of binding to MAG and to SGPG, respectively. Second, reactivity with MAG or SGPG in a few of the patients was only detected by one of the two assay systems. Third, about one-third of the patients' IgM absolutely required the sulfate on SGPG for reactivity, whereas the others retained some reactivity after removal of the sulfate. Fourth, IgM from two of the patients exhibited unusually strong reactivity with the proteins of compact myelin, P0 and PMP22. These relative differences in strengths of antibody binding to the potential antigens were compared with the patients' clinical presentations and with their responses to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy in a clinical trial in which they participated. For the most part, these variations did not correlate with clinical presentation, which was relatively homogeneous in this series of patients. However, an inverse relationship was noted between degree of reactivity to MAG by ELISA and response to IVIg. Two of the patients who responded had only mild elevations of IgM antibodies to nerve glycoconjugates and exhibited some unusual immunochemical and clinical characteristics in comparison to the other patients. The results demonstrate differences in the relative strengths with which anti-MAG and anti-SGPG IgM antibodies from different patients bind to potential neural target antigens which may affect pathogenic mechanisms and response to therapy.
Structure Sensitivity in the Partial Oxidation of Styrene, Styrene Oxide, and Phenylacetaldehyde on Silver Single Crystals

The partial oxidation of styrene, styrene oxide, and phenylacetaldehyde were investigated on the Ag(110) surface by temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy. The reactions of these species appear to proceed through the oxametallacycle intermediate. In contrast to the formation of styrene oxide observed on Ag(111) and Ag(100), the production of styrene oxide from the oxametallacycle via ring closure is clearly inhibited on the Ag(110) surface. The competing reaction pathways following the formation of the oxametallacycle lead to the production of phenylacetaldehyde (545 K), phenylketene (550 K), benzene (600−605 K), benzoic acid (590 K), and phenylacetic acid (600 K). Phenylacetaldehyde and phenylketene are formed via C−H bond activation, while benzoic acid and phenylacetic acid are derived via the nucleophilic attack of oxygen atoms at the electron-deficient carbonyl carbon. These results have important implications for catalytic partial oxidation of olefins by silver-based catalysts.
Validation of a nomogram to predict disease progression following salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy: results from the SEARCH database

OBJECTIVE To externally validate the nomogram published by Stephenson et al. (termed the 'Stephenson nomogram') to predict disease progression after salvage radiotherapy (SRT) among patients with prostate cancer from the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analysed data from 102 men treated with SRT for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure after prostatectomy, of whom 30 (29%) developed disease progression after SRT during a median follow-up of 50 months. The predicted 6-year progression-free survival (PFS) was compared to the actuarial PFS using calibration plots. The accuracy of the nomogram to risk-stratify men for progression was assessed by the concordance index. RESULTS The median PSA and PSA doubling time before SRT was 0.6 ng/mL and 10.3 months, respectively. The 6-year actuarial disease-free progression after SRT was 57% (95% confidence interval 42-69%). The overall concordance index of the Stephenson nomogram was 0.65. The nomogram predicted failure more accurately at the extremes of risk (lowest and highest) but in intermediate groups, the accuracy was less precise. Of the 11 variables used in the nomogram, only negative margins and high PSA level before SRT were significantly associated with increased disease progression. CONCLUSION The Stephenson nomogram is an important tool to predict disease progression after SRT following radical prostatectomy. It adequately predicted progression in SEARCH with reasonable accuracy. Also, in SEARCH, disease progression was predicted by similar disease characteristics. However, the overall modest performance of the model in our validation cohort indicates there is still room for improvement in predictive models for disease progression after SRT.
Runoff tributary to storage-reservoirs on upper San Joaquin River

The Edison Company's Big Creek hydroelectric development is served by three storage-reservoirs, namely, Huntington, Florence, and Shaver lakes, having a combined capacity of 288,523 acre-feet. These three reservoirs impound the runoff of Bear Creek, Mono Creek, South Fork San Joaquin River, Big Creek, Pitman Creek, and Stevenson Creek. The combined area of the six drainage-basins is 450 square miles, 45 per cent of which is above an elevation of 10,000 feet. Using the direct method of forecasting, we predicted a runoff of 836,000 acre-feet on March 1, 1941, and a runoff of 745,000 acre-feet on April 1, 1941. The actual runoff received between November 1 and July 31 was 810,000 acre-feet, indicating an error of +3.2 per cent as of March 1 and an error of −8.0 per cent as of April 1 for our forecasts for 1941.
Needle track seeding of papillary thyroid carcinoma from fine needle aspiration biopsy. A case report.

Background Dissemination of tumor cells from needle biopsy has been observed in a wide range of tumor types. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy has become accepted as the first-line test in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Local recurrence of thyroid cancer from needle track seeding is an extremely rare complication of thyroid FNA. Case A 59-year-old woman developed local recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma three years after FNA of the primary cancer. Local metastases developed in the skin and sternocleidomastoid muscle. The location of the recurrent cancer and the linear relationship of the metastases indicated that local recurrence was due to needle track seeding at the time of FNA. Conclusion Needle track seeding has been recognized as a possible, albeit rare, complication of FNA of thyroid cancer. Although proper FNA technique can reduce the potential for needle track seeding, its occurrence is an unavoidable complication of FNA evaluation of thyroid malignancies.
Epithelial cells associated with the development of dental plaque

Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to study desquamated epithelial cells in the developing and mature dental plaque. Epithelial cells were found attached to enamel as early as one hour after clean enamel cylinders were placed in the mouth, and they were seen in great numbers after two days. These cells generally had bacteria attached to their surfaces. Epithelial cells adsorbed to the surface of the enamel appeared to alter their morphology, and mineralization of these structures was also observed. Desquamated epithelial cells could play a role in the initial bacterial colonization of tooth enamel since it is known that bacteria selectively adsorb onto their surfaces. Hydroxyapatite may affect the morphologic alteration of epithelial cells adsorbed to tooth enamel. From the observation of developing and mature plaque samples, it seems that certain suprasurface pelliclelike structures might be epithelial cells.
Herpes zoster and varicella infections in children with hodgkin's disease. An analysis of contributing factors

181 children with Hodgkin's disease were analyzed with respect to the occurrence of herpes zoster and varicella (HZ-V) infections, possible contributing factors, and prognostic significance. The overall frequency of HZ-V was 34.8%. The occurrence in stage I was significantly lower than in other stages. Previous splenectomy was not found to increase significantly the risk of infection. High-risk patients were those receiving extensive radiotherapy plus combination chemotherapy; 56% developed HZ-V infections in this group. The frequency with extensive field radiotherapy alone was 23.8%. 80% of infections occurred during the first year after completion of treatment. Their occurrence was not a poor prognostic sign in terms of relapse or fatality, even when occurring late. The high frequency of disseminated infection (27%) with its subsequent morbidity should lead toward a better understanding of the immunologic deficiencies in these patients and the possible role of prophylactic measures, in patients undergoing extensive radiotherapy in combination with multiagent chemotherapy.
Purification and characterization of two glycoproteins from oligodendroglial plasma membranes

Abstract Two major glycoproteins of 99 kDa and 77 kDa have been purified from oligodendroglial plasma membranes. These two glycoproteins exhibit intense binding to the lectin, wheat germ agglutinin. The 99-kDa and 77-kDa glycoproteins were purified by Sephadex LH-60 chromatography, wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide pore gradient gel electrophoresis. Re-electrophoresis of excised gel slices containing the two glycoproteins demonstrated their apparent homogeneity. The isoelectric points of the 99-kDa and 77-kDa glycoproteins were 6.15 and 6.00, respectively. Peptide mapping revealed structural differences between the two glycoproteins. Lectin binding studies with radiolabeled succinylated wheat germ agglutinin demonstrated that the binding of the 99-kDa and 77-kDa glycoproteins to wheat germ agglutinin was due to N- acetyl- d -glucosamine residues in the oligosaccharide side-chains.
Notes on the use of plant hallucinogens in Amazonian Brazil.

Amazonian Indian use of hallucinogens has been known for a long time (Spruce 12), but the plants used have only recently become the subject of close attention. Schultes et al. (6, 7, 9, 10, 11) have summarized the present knowledge of the plants used, and since these publications Ather workers have added further informaLion. My experience in Brazil (most recently n 1968-9) has been primarily as a taxon)mist making systematic collections of herbarium specimens. While engaged in Field work in various areas of the Amazon region, I encountered utilization of two known hallucinogens in two new localities and was able to make notes about their use rnd collect botanical specimens of the source plants. Some of this account will duplicate what has already been written (e.g., Schultes et A. 5, 6, 7, 9, 10). It may also be somewhat limited, because I was engaged in taxonomic field work rather than ethnobotanical research. I hope, nevertheless, that these notes will stimulate other field workers to add to ethnobotanical knowledge by observing primitive uses of plants, recording details, and collecting material adequate to identify the plants accurately.
Development and utilization of constant‐level balloons

Controls have been developed to keep plastic nonextensible balloons at selected pressure levels in the troposphere and low stratosphere for long periods of time. These controlled balloon systems have also been used to hold instruments at constant levels. Tests have been made to check dynamic theory by plotting long period balloon trajectories at constant pressure altitude. Altitude, load limits, flight duration, and constancy are discussed, and present and future applications are considered.
Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency-associated liver disease progresses slowly in some children.

Background A prospective nationwide screening study initiated more than 20 years ago in Sweden has shown that clinically significant liver disease develops in only 10% to 15% of alpha1-antitrypsin (AT)-deficient children. This study provides information about 85% to 90% of those children, many of whom had elevated serum transaminases in infancy but have no evidence of liver injury by age 18 years. However, there is relatively limited information about the course of alpha1-AT-deficient children who have cirrhosis or portal hypertension. Based on several anecdotal experiences, we have been impressed by the relatively slow progression and stable course of the liver disease in some of these children. Methods We reviewed the course of patients with homozygous PIZZ alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency seen at this institution since establishing a patient database 16 years ago. Results Of 44 patients with alpha1-AT deficiency, 17 had cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or both. Nine of the 17 patients with cirrhosis or portal hypertension had a prolonged, relatively uneventful course for at least 4 years after the diagnosis of cirrhosis or portal hypertension. Two of these patients eventually underwent liver transplantation, but seven are leading relatively healthy lives for up to 23 years while carrying a diagnosis of severe alpha1-AT deficiency-associated liver disease. Patients with the prolonged stable course could be distinguished from those with a rapidly progressive course on the basis of overall life functioning but not on the basis of any other more conventional clinical or biochemical criteria. Conclusions These data provide further evidence for the variable severity of liver disease associated with alpha1-AT deficiency and indicate that some patients have chronic, slowly progressing or nonprogressing cirrhosis.
Ribonuclease V of Escherichia coli requires ribosomes and is inhibited by drugs.

Ribonuclease V, a candidate for the agent of messenger RNA degradation in whole cells, requires both 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits, and is inhibited by drugs that interfere with ribosome-dependent GTPase or with protein synthesis.
Use of the mechanistic–empirical pavement design guide and CalME to mitigate rutting in asphalt overlays of concrete pavements

This paper describes the development of an approach for the prediction of rutting of newly constructed composite pavements and asphalt overlays of existing concrete pavements [asphalt concrete over portland cement concrete (AC-PCC)]. The rutting model of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) and the CalME procedure being developed by the California Department of Transportation and the University of California Pavement Research Center are investigated, and a procedure for incorporating the CalME rutting model into the MEPDG framework is introduced. The goal is to provide pavement engineers with a procedure for rutting in AC-PCC design and analysis that does not require uncommon inputs and does not force the user outside the MEPDG framework. The paper describes the procedure's validation with experimental data from the Pavement Research Center and from the Minnesota Road Research Facility. A brief sensitivity analysis of the procedure for rutting in AC-PCC is presented.
Origin and racial distribution of glandular tissue in the anterior compartment of the prostate: an autopsy study.

BACKGROUND We previously reported that African-American men (AAM) have tumors located in the anterior compartment more often than American Caucasian men (ACM) in radical prostatectomy specimens [Tiguert et al.: Prostate 37:230–235, 1998]. In this study, we evaluated the distribution of glandular tissue in the anterior compartment of normal prostate specimens, with specific attention to the anterior fibromuscular area, in order to determine the frequency and origin of glands in this region. METHODS We analyzed 94 prostatectomy specimens obtained from autopsied men between ages 20–30 years. Men in this age group were chosen because few pathological changes are present in the prostate in this age range. The anterior compartment of the prostate was defined by drawing a horizontal line, anterior to the urethra, through the midpoint of the anterior-posterior diameter parallel to the rectal surface. In each slide, anterior compartment prostatic tissue was identified and characterized as peripheral zone, transitional zone, and fibromuscular stroma. Any glandular elements identified in the anterior prostatic compartment were recorded in terms of zonal origin and number of glands. RESULTS Prostates from 76 AAM and 18 ACM were examined. Overall, prostatic glands were absent in the anterior compartment in only 2% of cases. Glands were derived from the peripheral zone only in 6 (6.5%) cases, peripheral zone and transitional zone in 53 (56.5%), transitional zone only in 13 (14%), and anterior fibromuscular stroma in 20 (21%). There was no difference between the two races in terms of the number of glands present. The morphology of the peripheral zone was not different between the two races, with glands from the peripheral zone joining in the anterior compartment in 33% of AAM compared to 56% of ACM (P = 0.123). CONCLUSIONS Anterior prostatic glands can arise from the peripheral zone, transitional zone, or fibromuscular stroma. There are no racial differences in terms of the number of anterior glandular elements, and also in the architecture of the peripheral zone. Prostate 39:310–315, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estimating the spatial distribution of snow water equivalence in a montane watershed

An approach to model distributed snow water equivalence (SWE) that merges field measurements of depth and density with remotely sensed snow-covered area (SCA) is described. In 1993, two teams conducted an intensive snow survey in the 92. 8k m 2 Blackcap Basin of the Kings River. Snow depth was measured at 709 points and density in five snow pits and along five transects using a Federal Sampler. Sample locations were chosen to be representative of the range of elevation, slope and aspect of the basin. Regression tree models showed that net radiation, elevation and slope angle account for 60‐70% of the variance in the depth measurements. Density was distributed over the basin on a 30 m grid with a multiple linear regression model that explained 70% of the observed variance as a function of the same three variables. The gridded depth estimates, combined with modelled density, produced spatially distributed estimates of SWE. An unsupervised spectral unmixing algorithm estimated snow cover fractions from Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper data acquired at the time as the snow survey. This method provides a snow cover fraction estimate for every pixel. This subpixel map was used as the best estimate for SCA and, combining it with the SWE map, allowed computation of the SWE volume. The estimated volume using the subpixel SCA map was compared with several SCA maps produced with simulations of binary SCA mapping techniques. Thresholds of 40, 50 and 60% fractional cover were used to map binary cases of full snow cover or no snow cover. The diAerence in basin SWE volume was up to 13% depending on the threshold used to classify snow-covered versus snow-free areas. The percentage diAerences in volumes show a significant correlation to the percentage diAerences in SCA between the methods. #1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three-dimensional structure of magnetic reconnection in a laboratory plasma

[1] The local three-dimensional structure of magnetic reconnection has been measured for the first time in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) laboratory plasma at the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment. An array of 600 magnetic probes which resolve ion inertial length and MHD time scale dynamics on a single shot basis measured the magnetic structure of partial spheromak merging events. Counter-helicity spheromaks merge rapidly, and reconnection activity clearly self-generates a local component of B which breaks the standard 2D symmetry at the ion inertial scale. Consistent with prior results, no reconnection is observed for co-helicity merging.
Why Do Corrupt Governments Maintain Public Support

This article addresses an issue often neglected by the current literature on political corruption: Why do citizens support corrupt governments? The authors argue that people in countries where gove...
Examining separated symphysis pubis

Separated symphysis pubis (SSP) is a rare condition that results in a separation of the symphysis pubis bone in late pregnancy or during delivery and occurs in otherwise healthy pregnancies as a result of hormonal and/or biomechanical factors. Several researchers have examined the issue in the Scandinavian countries, where it appears to be more prevalent possibly due to a genetic link. Symptoms range from mild discomfort to total debilitation. Differential diagnosis includes exclusion of more serious medical conditions. The nurse midwife's role is prompt diagnosis, medical consultation, support, and education.
Using Lidar to Measure Perfluorocarbon Tracers for the Verification and Monitoring of Cap and Cover Systems

Waste site cover systems used to prevent rainfall from reaching the waste need to remain intact throughout the lifetime of the waste site. Monitoring of these covers is needed to ascertain the performance and to determine if any degradation has occurred. Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have used gaseous perfluorocarbon tracers (PFTs) to monitor the integrity of caps and covers for waste disposal sites. Detection of the PFTs currently uses gas chromatography techniques developed at BNL. This paper presents a potential approach to this wide-area screening problem by replacing conventional gas chromatography analysis with laser-based, lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) detection of the PFTs. Lidar can be used to scan the surface of the cover system, looking for fugitive PFTs. If successful this would enable the departure from soil gas analysis and instead look for PFTs in the air just above the soil surface. The advantages of using a lidar platform are multi-fold and include the elimination of soil monitoring ports.
Incompressible Fluid Flow Through Pipes Packed With Spheres at Low Dimension Ratios

This study extends the range of predictability of incompressible flow through pipes packed with spheres by obtaining and correlating experimental data for values of D/d between 1.40 and 1.08
Trust in supervisors and trust in customers: Their independent, relative, and joint effects on employee performance and creativity.

We examined the relations for hairstylists between trust and routine and creative performance and the extent to which these service employees trust their supervisors and customers. We also investigated whether psychological safety mediated these trust–performance relations. Results suggested that trust in supervisors and trust in customers made significant, independent, and joint contributions to employees' creative performance; however, only trust in supervisors was related to routine performance. Moreover, psychological safety mediated the trust in supervisor–performance links, but did not mediate the trust in customer influence.
Caged rhesus macaques voluntarily work for ordinary food

Eight single-caged adult rhesus macaques were given the choice of freely collecting their standard food ration, i.e. 33 biscuits, from an ordinary food box or working for its retrieval from a custom-made food puzzle. During a one-hour observation session following the simultaneous distribution of biscuits in both feeders, individuals spent on average a total of 32 sec retrieving 29.0 biscuits from the food box, and 673 sec retrieving 11.3 biscuits from the food puzzle. It was inferred that the animals voluntarily worked for ordinary food, with the expression of foraging activities serving as its own reward.
Interstitial pregnancy complicated by rectal bleeding

Abstract An interstitial pregnancy complicated by rectal bleeding is described. Despite modern imaging modalities, confounding features made preoperative diagnosis difficult. The pregnancy ruptured into the ileum. Ossified fetal skull bones and degenerated placental tissue were the only remains from the pregnancy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:1373-5.)