Computer program documentation: ISOCLS iterative self-organizing clustering program, program C094

The author has identified the following significant results. This program implements an algorithm which, ideally, sorts a given set of multivariate data points into similar groups or clusters. The program is intended for use in the evaluation of multispectral scanner data; however, the algorithm could be used for other data types as well. The user may specify a set of initial estimated cluster means to begin the procedure, or he may begin with the assumption that all the data belongs to one cluster. The procedure is initiatized by assigning each data point to the nearest (in absolute distance) cluster mean. If no initial cluster means were input, all of the data is assigned to cluster 1. The means and standard deviations are calculated for each cluster

Cultural Orientations of sport managers

Various interpretations of sport management are cultural constructs underpinned by core assumptions and values held by members of professional communities. Sport managers world wide share common problems, but differ in how they resolve them. These universal differences emerge from the relationships they form with other people, and their attitude to time, activities and the natural environment. This paper examines the role of sport managers’ cultural orientations in the interpretation and practice of sport management. Using a multiple dimension model (Hampden-Turner and Trompenaars, 2000) it sketches the cultural profiles of fifteen sport managers from seven countries. A combination of methods was employed including questionnaires, interviews and participant observation. It is contended that the culture of sport management concerns a social process by which managers get involved in reconciling seven fundamental cultural dilemmas in order to perform tasks and achieve certain ends. Thus, a knowledge of the cultural meaning of sport management in a particular country would equip sport managers with a valuable tool in managing both the cultural diversity of their own work forces and in developing appropriate cross-cultural skills needed for running international events, marketing campaigns, sponsorship deals and joint ventures

High affinity single-chain variable fragments are specific and versatile targeting motifs for extracellular vesicles

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that mediate cell-to-cell communication by transferring biological cargo, such as DNA, RNA and proteins. Through genetic engineering of exosome-producing cells or manipulation of purified exosomes, it is possible to load exosomes with therapeutic molecules and target them to specific cells via the display of targeting moieties on their surface. This provides an opportunity to exploit a naturally-occurring biological process for therapeutic purposes. In this study, we explored the potential of single chain variable fragments (scFv) as targeting domains to achieve delivery of exosomes to cells expressing a cognate antigen. We generated exosomes targeting the Her2 receptor and, by varying the affinity of the scFvs and the Her2 expression level on recipient cells, we determined that both a high-affinity anti-Her2-scFv (KD ≤ 1 nM) and cells expressing a high level (≥106 copies per cell) of Her2 were optimally required to enable selective uptake. We also demonstrate that targeting exosomes to cells via a specific cell surface receptor can alter their intracellular trafficking route, providing opportunities to influence the efficiency of delivery and fate of intracellular cargo. These experiments provide solid data to support the wider application of exosomes displaying antibody fragments as vehicles for the targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules

The Interstellar Environment of our Galaxy

We review the current knowledge and understanding of the interstellar medium of our galaxy. We first present each of the three basic constituents - ordinary matter, cosmic rays, and magnetic fields - of the interstellar medium, laying emphasis on their physical and chemical properties inferred from a broad range of observations. We then position the different interstellar constituents, both with respect to each other and with respect to stars, within the general galactic ecosystem.Comment: 39 pages, 12 figures (including 3 figures in 2 parts

Compliance with guidelines is related to better local recurrence-free survival in ductal carcinoma in situ

The aim was to study the effect of compliance with guidelines on local recurrence (LR)-free survival in patients treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). From January 1992 to December 2003, 251 consecutive patients had been treated for DCIS in two hospitals in the North Netherlands. Every case in this two-hospital sample was reviewed in retrospect for its clinical and pathological parameters. It was determined whether treatment had been carried out according to clinical guidelines, and outcomes in follow-up were assessed. In addition, all patients treated for DCIS in this region (n=1389) were studied regarding clinical parameters, in order to determine whether the two-hospital sample was representative of the entire region. In the two-hospital sample, 31.4% (n=79) of the patients had not been treated according to the guidelines. Positive margins were associated with LR (hazard ratio (HR)=4.790, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.696–13.531). Breast-conserving surgery and deviation from the guidelines were independent predictors of LR (HR=7.842, 95% CI 2.126–28.926; HR=2.778, 95% CI 0.982–6.781, respectively). Although the guidelines changed over time, time was not a significant factor in predicting LRs (HR=1.254, 95% CI 0.272–5.776 for time period 1992–1995 and HR=1.976, 95% CI 0.526–7.421 for time period 1996–1999). Clinical guidelines for the treatment of patients with DCIS have been developed and updated from existing literature and best evidence. Compliance with the guidelines was an independent predictor of disease-free survival. These findings support the application of guidelines in the treatment of DCIS

Magnetic fields in supernova remnants and pulsar-wind nebulae

We review the observations of supernova remnants (SNRs) and pulsar-wind nebulae (PWNe) that give information on the strength and orientation of magnetic fields. Radio polarimetry gives the degree of order of magnetic fields, and the orientation of the ordered component. Many young shell supernova remnants show evidence for synchrotron X-ray emission. The spatial analysis of this emission suggests that magnetic fields are amplified by one to two orders of magnitude in strong shocks. Detection of several remnants in TeV gamma rays implies a lower limit on the magnetic-field strength (or a measurement, if the emission process is inverse-Compton upscattering of cosmic microwave background photons). Upper limits to GeV emission similarly provide lower limits on magnetic-field strengths. In the historical shell remnants, lower limits on B range from 25 to 1000 microGauss. Two remnants show variability of synchrotron X-ray emission with a timescale of years. If this timescale is the electron-acceleration or radiative loss timescale, magnetic fields of order 1 mG are also implied. In pulsar-wind nebulae, equipartition arguments and dynamical modeling can be used to infer magnetic-field strengths anywhere from about 5 microGauss to 1 mG. Polarized fractions are considerably higher than in SNRs, ranging to 50 or 60% in some cases; magnetic-field geometries often suggest a toroidal structure around the pulsar, but this is not universal. Viewing-angle effects undoubtedly play a role. MHD models of radio emission in shell SNRs show that different orientations of upstream magnetic field, and different assumptions about electron acceleration, predict different radio morphology. In the remnant of SN 1006, such comparisons imply a magnetic-field orientation connecting the bright limbs, with a non-negligible gradient of its strength across the remnant.Comment: 20 pages, 24 figures; to be published in SpSciRev. Minor wording change in Abstrac

An unusual case of autoimmune pancreatitis presenting as pancreatic mass and obstructive jaundice: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare chronic inflammatory pancreatic disease that is increasingly being diagnosed worldwide. As a result of overlap in clinical and radiological features, it is often misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer. We report the case of a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis that was initially misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 31-year-old Caucasian man presented to our hospital with epigastric pain, jaundice and weight loss. His CA 19-9 level was elevated, and computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound revealed a pancreatic head mass abutting the portal vein. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography showed narrowing of the biliary duct and poor visualization of the pancreatic duct. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy revealed atypical ductal epithelial cells, which raised clinical suspicion of adenocarcinoma. Because of the patient's unusual age for the onset of pancreatic cancer and the acuity of his symptoms, he was referred to a tertiary care center for further evaluation. His immunoglobulin G4 antibody level was 365 mg/dL, and repeat computed tomography showed features typical of autoimmune pancreatitis. The patient's symptoms resolved with corticosteroid therapy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare disease with an excellent response to corticosteroid therapy. Its unique histological appearance and response to corticosteroid therapy can reduce unnecessary surgical procedures. A thorough evaluation by a multidisciplinary team is important in rendering the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.</p