cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistent seroma after intraoperative placement of MammoSite for accelerated partial breast irradiation: incidence, pathologic anatomy, and contributing factors.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of, and possible factors associated with, seroma formation after intraoperative placement of the MammoSite catheter for accelerated partial breast irradiation. Methods and Materials: This study evaluated 38 patients who had undergone intraoperative MammoSite catheter placement at lumpectomy or reexcision followed by accelerated partial breast irradiation with 34 Gy in 10 fractions. Data were collected regarding dosimetric parameters, including the volume of tissue enclosed by the 100%, 150%, and 200% isodose shells, dose homogeneity index, and maximal dose at the surface of the applicator. Clinical and treatment-related factors were analyzed, including patient age, patient weight, history of diabetes and smoking, use of reexcision, interval between surgery and radiotherapy, total duration of catheter placement, total excised specimen volume, and presence or absence of postprocedural infection. Seroma was verified by clinical examination, mammography, and/or ultrasonography. Persistent seroma was defined as seroma that was clinically detectable >6 months after radiotherapy completion. Results: After a median follow-up of 17 months, the overall rate of any detectable seroma was 76.3%. Persistent seroma (>6 months) occurred in 26 (68.4%) of 38 patients, of whom 46% experienced at least modest discomfort at some point during follow-up. Of these symptomatic patients, 3 required biopsy or complete cavity excision, revealing squamous metaplasia, foreign body giant cell reaction, fibroblasts, and active collagen deposition. Of the analyzed dosimetric, clinical, and treatment-related variables, only body weight correlated positively with the risk of seroma formation (p 0.04). Postprocedural infection correlated significantly (p 0.05) with a reduced risk of seroma formation. Seroma was associated with a suboptimal cosmetic outcome, because excellent scores were achieved in 61.5% of women with seroma compared with 83% without seroma. Conclusion: Intraoperative placement of the MammoSite catheter for accelerated partial breast irradiation is associated with a high rate of clinically detectable seroma that adversely affects the cosmetic outcome. The seroma risk was positively associated with body weight and negatively associated with postprocedural infection. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. Accelerated partial breast irradiation, MammoSite, Seroma, Radiotherapy, Breast cancer.
Genetic markers for the production of US country hams.

Summary The objective of this study was to determine the effect of candidate genes on processing quality traits of US country hams. A total of 321 fresh hams of unknown breed and sex were examined and data on quality and physical traits were collected. The hams were then processed following typical US commercial dry-curing procedures for ham and data on additional traits were collected from the cured hams. Several genes involved in biological processes affecting dry-cured ham production were selected. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) tests were designed for each of the genes where polymorphisms were discovered and association analyses between each marker and the traits collected were performed. Results showed that two genetic markers were significantly associated with cured weight and yield: (i) a gene from the cathepsin family (cathepsin F) and (ii) the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (delta-9-desaturase) gene, involved in lipid metabolism. Moreover, markers that significantly affected colour traits and those having a significant impact on pH and lipid percentage were also identified. These markers could be used for screening and sorting of carcasses prior to ham processing and, eventually in pig improvement programmes designed to select animals possessing genotypes more suitable for the production of dry-cured hams.
Optimal timing of appendectomy in the pediatric population.

Abstract Background No consensus has been reached on optimal timing for performing appendectomies. We compared immediate and delayed appendectomies in pediatric patients presenting with suspected acute appendicitis to determine differences in postsurgical complications and perforation rates. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed of all children who underwent appendectomy during a 4-y period. Cutoffs used were 6, 8, and 12 h from admission to operating room (OR). The Student t -tests and chi-square tests were performed to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. A logistic regression model was fitted to determine predictors of appendiceal perforation. P values Results Analysis included 484 patients with mean elapsed time from admission to OR of 394 min, with 262 subjects in the immediate and 222 subjects in the delayed >6 h groups. Surgical site infections (SSIs), perforations, and small bowel obstructions were similar between groups, and no statistically significant differences were found for SSIs in the nonperforated delayed versus immediate groups ( P = 0.964). Time from admission to the OR did not predict perforation ( P = 0.921), although white blood cell count at the time of admission was a significant predictor of perforation (odds ratio, 1.08; P Conclusions For suspected acute appendicitis, delaying appendectomy after admission for >6 h demonstrated no differences in SSI or perforation rates compared with immediate appendectomy. Waiting to perform an appendectomy until the following day has equal outcomes to immediate surgical procedure and may improve overall quality of patient care by limiting surgeon fatigue.
Mitochondria and mitochondrial enzymes. A comparative study of localization in the cat's brain stem.

The cytological distribution and the frequency of mitochondria in certain nuclei of the cat's brain stem was compared with the histochemical reactions for succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase, which are known to be mitochondrial enzymes. The distribution of mitochondria was found to be identical with that of the above oxidative enzymes. The significance of these findings for the understanding of the regional chemistry and metabolism of the brain is indicated.
Crafting Threads of Diblock Copolymer Micelles via Flow-Enabled Self-Assembly

Hierarchically assembled amphiphilic diblock copolymer micelles were exquisitely crafted over large areas by capitalizing on two concurrent self-assembling processes at different length scales, namely, the periodic threads composed of a monolayer or a bilayer of diblock copolymer micelles precisely positioned by flow-enabled self-assembly (FESA) on the microscopic scale and the self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymer micelles into ordered arrays within an individual thread on the nanometer scale. A minimum spacing between two adjacent threads λmin was observed. A model was proposed to rationalize the relationship between the thread width and λmin. Such FESA of diblock copolymer micelles is remarkably controllable and easy to implement. It opens up possibilities for lithography-free positioning and patterning of diblock copolymer micelles for various applications in template fabrication of periodic inorganic nanostructures, nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, magnetic devices, and biotechnology.
[Determination of epichlorohydrin in drinking water by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

Objective To establish a method for determination of the epichlorohydrin in drinking water by isotope dilution gas chromatography-nass spectrometry(GC-MS).Methods The internal standard solution D5-epichlorohydrin was added in drinking water sample.The epichlorohydrin was firstly collected by active carbon,and the adsorbent was then centrifuged at 2739 × g for 10 min to remove water.Finally,the epichlorohydrin was desorbed by dipping the active carbon in 1.0 ml acetone for 1 h.The desorbed solution was tested by GC-MS and quantified with isotopic internal standards.The detection limit,precision and accuracy of the assay were evaluated.This method was adopted to detect the epichlorohydrin in drinking water for 25 batches in a city.Results The determination method of epichlorohydrin represented a good linear relationship in the range of 0.0645-3.8700 μg/L,the linear regression equation was Y =2.828X + 4.91 ×10-2 (r ＞ 0.999).When the epichlorohydrin concentration were 0.0806,0.3230 and 3.2300 μg/L,the relative standard deviations (RSD) were 7.9％,4.7％ and 3.1％,respectively.The average recoveries were from 95.7％ to 98.7％.The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.015 μg/L,limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.052 μg/L.The content of epichlorohydrin in the 25 cases of drinking water was under the limit of detection.Conclusion The method is more simple than the national standard method,with high sensitivity,accuracy and good reproducibility,which is suitable for detection of the trace amounts of epichlorohydrin in drinking water. Key words: Cyclopropanes ; Charcoal ; Gas-chromatography and mass-spectrometry ; Isotope dilution method; Drinking water
Qigong/Tai Chi Easy for fatigue in breast cancer survivors: Rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Introduction Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) often report fatigue that persists for years following treatment. Despite a growing body of evidence for meditative movement practices to improve symptoms among BCSs, few studies have explored using Qigong/Tai Chi to reduce fatigue. Additionally, few have examined the biological mechanisms through which fatigue may be reduced using Qigong/Tai Chi. Methods/study design We will recruit 250 fatigued, post-menopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 0-III), between 6 months and 5 years past primary treatment and randomize to a standardized Qigong/Tai Chi Easy (QG/TCE) intervention, a “sham” Qigong group (movements without a focus on the breath and meditative state) (SQG), or an educational support (ES) group. The primary outcome (fatigue), secondary outcomes (anxiety, depression, sleep quality, cognitive function, physical activity), and a biomarker of HPA axis dysregulation (diurnal cortisol) will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 6 months postintervention, and biomarkers of inflammation (IL1ra, IL6, TNFα and INFᵧ) at pre/post-intervention. We hypothesize that QG/TCE will reduce fatigue (and improve other symptoms associated with fatigue) in BCSs experiencing persistent cancer-related fatigue more than SQG and ES. Biomarkers will be examined for relationships to changes in fatigue. Conclusions Findings from this study may reveal the effects of the unique mind-body aspects of QG/TCE on fatigue in BCSs with a complex design that separates the effects of low-intensity physical activity (SQG) and social support/attention (ES) from the primary intervention. Further, results will likely contribute greater understanding of the biological mechanisms of these practices related to improved symptoms among BCSs.
Pathogenic Mutations in Cancer-Predisposing Genes: A Survey of 300 Patients with Whole-Genome Sequencing and Lifetime Electronic Health Records

Background It is unclear whether and how whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data can be used to implement genomic medicine. Our objective is to retrospectively evaluate whether WGS can facilitate improving prevention and care for patients with susceptibility to cancer syndromes. Methods and Findings We analyzed genetic mutations in 60 autosomal dominant cancer-predisposition genes in 300 deceased patients with WGS data and nearly complete long-term (over 30 years) medical records. To infer biological insights from massive amounts of WGS data and comprehensive clinical data in a short period of time, we developed an in-house analysis pipeline within the SeqHBase software framework to quickly identify pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. The clinical data of the patients who carried pathogenic and/or likely pathogenic variants were further reviewed to assess their clinical conditions using their lifetime EHRs. Among the 300 participants, 5 (1.7%) carried pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 5 cancer-predisposing genes: one in APC, BRCA1, BRCA2, NF1, and TP53 each. When assessing the clinical data, each of the 5 patients had one or more different types of cancers, fully consistent with their genetic profiles. Among these 5 patients, 2 died due to cancer while the others had multiple disorders later in their lifetimes; however, they may have benefited from early diagnosis and treatment for healthier lives, had the patients had genetic testing in their earlier lifetimes. Conclusions We demonstrated a case study where the discovery of pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline mutations from population-wide WGS correlates with clinical outcome. The use of WGS may have clinical impacts to improve healthcare delivery.
Which causes more ergonomic stress: Laparoscopic or open surgery?

There is increasing awareness of potential ergonomic challenges experienced by the laparoscopic surgeon. The purpose of this study is to quantify and compare the ergonomic stress experienced by a surgeon while performing open versus laparoscopic portions of a procedure. We hypothesize that a surgeon will experience greater ergonomic stress when performing laparoscopic surgery. We designed a study to measure upper-body muscle activation during the laparoscopic and open portions of sigmoid colectomies in a single surgeon. A sample of five cases was recorded over a two-month time span. Each case contained significant portions of laparoscopic and open surgery. We obtained whole-case electromyography (EMG) tracings from bilateral biceps, triceps, deltoid, and trapezius muscles. After normalization to a maximum voltage of contraction (%MVC), these EMG tracings were used to calculate average muscle activation during the open and laparoscopic segments of each procedure. Paired Student’s t test was used to compare the average muscle activation between the two groups (*p < 0.05 considered statistically significant). Significant reductions in mean muscle activation in laparoscopic compared to open procedures were noted for the left triceps (4.07 ± 0.44% open vs. 2.65 ± 0.54% lap, 35% reduction), left deltoid (2.43 ± 0.45% open vs. 1.32 ± 0.16% lap, 46% reduction), left trapezius (9.93 ± 0.1.95% open vs. 4.61 ± 0.67% lap, 54% reduction), right triceps (2.94 ± 0.62% open vs. 1.85 ± 0.28% lap, 37% reduction), and right trapezius (10.20 ± 2.12% open vs. 4.69 ± 1.18% lap, 54% reduction). Contrary to our hypothesis, the laparoscopic approach provided ergonomic benefit in several upper-body muscle groups compared to the open approach. This may be due to the greater reach of laparoscopic instruments and camera in the lower abdomen/pelvis. Patient body habitus may also have less of an effect in the laparoscopic compared to open approach. Future studies with multiple subjects and different types of procedures are planned to further investigate these findings.
Human interactive machine learning for trust in teams of autonomous robots

Unmanned systems are increasing in number, while their manning requirements remain the same. To decrease manpower demands, machine learning techniques and autonomy are gaining traction and visibility. One barrier is human perception and understanding of autonomy. Machine learning techniques can result in “black box” algorithms that may yield high fitness, but poor comprehension by operators. However, Interactive Machine Learning (IML), a method to incorporate human input over the course of algorithm development by using neuro-evolutionary machine-learning techniques, may offer a solution. IML is evaluated here for its impact on developing autonomous team behaviors in an area search task. Initial findings show that IML-generated search plans were chosen over plans generated using a non-interactive ML technique, even though the participants trusted them slightly less. Further, participants discriminated each of the two types of plans from each other with a high degree of accuracy, suggesting the IML approach imparts behavioral characteristics into algorithms, making them more recognizable. Together the results lay the foundation for exploring how to team humans successfully with ML behavior.
Global extent of rivers and streams

The turbulent surfaces of rivers and streams are natural hotspots of biogeochemical exchange with the atmosphere. At the global scale, the total river-atmosphere flux of trace gasses such as carbon dioxide depends on the proportion of Earth's surface that is covered by the fluvial network, yet the total surface area of rivers and streams is poorly constrained. We used a global database of planform river hydromorphology and a statistical approach to show that global river and stream surface area at mean annual discharge is 773,000 ± 79,000 square kilometers (0.58 ± 0.06%) of Earth's nonglaciated land surface, an area 44 ± 15% larger than previous spatial estimates. We found that rivers and streams likely play a greater role in controlling land-atmosphere fluxes than is currently represented in global carbon budgets.
Leadership in MMOGS: Emergent and Transformational Leadership Candidates.

Player-founded organizations, or guilds, within massively multiplayer online games (MMOG) are complex social entities with organizational forms that mirror real-world companies. These guilds require leaders who possess a diverse array of skills. Examples of the skills required read like the introductory course of a business management degree – mediating conflict, planning, controlling, motivating. These skills are important just as with real-world companies, failures on the part of leaders may explain the high degree of guild failures witnessed. Within popular MMOGs, the game mechanics allow the promotion of regular guild members to officer status. This begs the question, how might potential leaders be identified? Drawing from the emergent leadership literature, we discuss a mixed-methods study which attempts to identify potential leaders and their attributes by examining a multi-year database which represents one guild’s activities within the MMOG Everquest. Follow-up interviews with guild leadership provides a rich understanding of skills and attributes potential leaders require in coordinating a heterogeneous workforce within synchronous, non-collocated, entirely computer-mediated environments where the workforce serves on a voluntary basis. These interviews suggest these characteristics related to transformational leadership are highly sought after.
Characteristics, content, and significance of the popular health periodicals literature.

Abstract An analysis of the content of sixty popular health periodicals covered in 1986 by the Consumer Health & Nutrition Index was made to identify the characteristics and concerns of popular health magazines and newsletters. The literature mirrors the health values and anxieties of the American public. While some of the literature diverges from mainstream allopathic medicine, most popular publications succeed in presenting coherent, reasoned, and documented viewpoints. Because there is no consensus on many medical problems, it is important that individuals have the freedom to read dissenting and alternative points of view and consider multiple options before making informed and reasoned health decisions. The popular literature is a valuable yet inexpensive source of reliable information on topics of current concern. The publications are not as well known as they deserve to be because they have not been adequately indexed, while they have not been indexed because they are not well known. The Consumer Health & Nutrition Index now provides expanded subject access to sixty health-related periodicals plus all health-related articles in sixteen general interest magazines.
Building and Maintaining Clinical Programs

This paper describes the basic elements of practice development and management within the academic medical setting. These include assessment of the market environment, both in the community and within the medical setting, product development, marketing, budget basics, quality, managed care negotiations, and finding time to do research in a financially-driven health care system.
Digestibility and feeding value of pearl millet as influenced by the brown-midrib, low-lignin trait.

Our objectives were to determine the intake and digestibility of pearl millet as influenced by the brown-midrib (BMR), low-lignin trait and to determine the relative acceptability of BMR pearl millet in relation to its normal counterpart. Two field replicates of brown-midrib pearl millet and its normal counterpart were harvested as hay at the boot to heading stage twice during the growing season (2 genotypes x 2 cuttings x 2 field replicates). Twenty-four wethers had ad libitum access to a total forage diet (pearl millet forage), water and trace mineralized salt. The experimental period was 21 d (14 d for adjustment and 7 d for sample collection). Lignin was 23% lower (P less than or equal to .01) and in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) was 4% higher (P less than or equal to .01) in BMR vs normal genotype forages. Wethers preferred first-cutting millet to second-cutting millet, as evidenced by 62% higher (P less than or equal to .01) DMI for first-cutting forages. Dry matter intake of second-cutting forages was higher (P less than or equal to .10) for BMR pearl millet forage than for normal pearl millet (2.0 vs 1.5% of BW), but first-cutting forages were similar in DMI (2.9% of BW). In an acceptability trial of pearl millet regrowth (4 wk), grazing lambs with access to both genotypes displayed a marked preference (P less than .01) for the BMR genotype, spending an average of 2.6 min on plots containing the brown-midrib pearl millet for every minute spent on the normal genotype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Electronics Below 10 nm

Publisher Summary The aim of this chapter is to review the prospects for the development and practical introduction of ultra small electron devices, including nanoscale field-effect transistors (FETs) and single-electron transistors (SETs), as well as new concepts for nanometer-scalable memory cells. Lithographically defined SETs can hardly be a panacea, since the critical dimension of such transistor for the room temperature operation should be below 1 nm. Due to the finite yield of molecular devices and their sensitivity to randomly charged impurities, this approach requires a substantial revision of integrated circuit architectures, ranging from defect-tolerant versions of memory matrices and number crunching processors to more radical solutions like hardware-implemented neuromorphic networks capable of advanced image recognition and more intelligent information processing tasks.
Going beyond HbA1c to understand the benefits of advanced diabetes therapies

The gold standard for monitoring overall glycemia is HbA1c. However, HbA1c has several important limitations, giving more weight to the prior 2 to 3 months rather than short-term glycemic control. In addition, the level of the HbA1c does not reflect the important interpersonal differences in its relationship with mean glucose, and HbA1c is affected by many common clinical conditions (anemia, uremia) that can interfere with the accuracy of its measurement in the laboratory. The development and refinement of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), a glucose- and patient-centric technology, over the past two decades have permitted the creation of new single and composite metrics, such as the percentage of time in range and the glucose pentagon, respectively, which provide clinically relevant insights into short-term glycemic control. In addition, CGM creates new outcome metrics for clinical management and investigational studies (percentage of time in hypoglycemia, percentage of time in target range) that can accurately and meaningfully report the effects of an intervention, whether that is a drug, a device, or a psychosocial program, and CGM provides the key input to drive algorithm-based insulin delivery. Finally, CGM linked with artificial intelligence permits real-time feedback to patients about modifiable patterns of glycemic excursions.
Quantified water intake in laboratory cats from still, free-falling and circulating water bowls, and its effects on selected urinary parameters:

ObjectivesThe study objectives were to determine if the method of water presentation (still [S], circulating [C] or free-falling [FF] bowl systems) influences daily water consumption in cats in a c...
Local regulatory responses during a regional housing shortage: An analysis of rezonings in Silicon Valley

Abstract Scholars have partially blamed high housing prices in many metropolitan areas on residential density restrictions. Santa Clara County is the geographic heart of California’s Silicon Valley and is one of the most expensive counties in the U.S. for renters and homebuyers. This research answers two questions about how municipalities change their zoning. First, how common are rezonings? Second, what are the determinants of density-increasing “upzonings” and density-decreasing “downzonings”? This is the first study to analyze rezonings across neighboring municipalities and expands our limited explanations of rezonings. The three largest cities in Santa Clara County are analyzed using a parcel dataset with zoning at two time periods: 2006–2016 for San Jose and Sunnyvale, and 2012–2016 for the city of Santa Clara. Multinomial logistic regression models are used to compare the relative risk of a parcel being upzoned or downzoned compared with no zoning change. Little land was upzoned in the three cities. San Jose increased allowable residential densities on 0.6% of its parcel land area on average per year, while Santa Clara averaged 0.3% and Sunnyvale averaged 0.1% per year. Downzoning was less common and tended to involve small reductions in allowable density. San Jose decreased allowable residential densities on 0.5% of its land area per year, and Santa Clara and Sunnyvale engaged in almost no downzoning. The main findings are: (1) regulatory changes were more likely in San Jose, the central city, than in the neighboring smaller municipalities; (2) there was little upzoning or downzoning, regardless of a neighborhood’s homeownership rate; and (3) rezonings tended to be small-scale and initiated by property owners rather than through large-scale municipal actions.
Geologic CO2 sequestration and permeability uncertainty in a highly heterogeneous reservoir

Abstract To understand the implications of permeability uncertainty in basalt-hosted CCS reservoirs, this study investigates the feasibility of industrial-scale CCS operations within the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG). It is generally accepted that plausible constraints on in situ fracture-controlled permeability distributions are unknowable at reservoir scale. In order to quantify the effects of this permeability uncertainty, stochastically generated and spatially correlated permeability distributions are used to create 50 synthetic reservoir domains to simulate constant pressure CO2 injections. Results from this research illustrate that permeability uncertainty at the reservoir-scale significantly impacts both the accumulation and distribution of CO2. After 20 years of injection the total volume of CO2 injected in each simulation ranges from 2.4 MMT to 40.0 MMT. Interestingly, e-type calculations show that the mean CO2 saturation over the ensemble of 50 simulations is concentric around the injection well, however, ensemble variance shows an ellipse of uncertainty that trends parallel to the long axis of CRBG permeability correlation (N40°E). These results indicate that a priori knowledge of permeability correlation structure is an important operational parameter for the design of monitoring, measuring, and verification strategies in highly heterogeneous CCS reservoirs.
Theoretical analysis of on-chip linear quantum optical information processing networks

We present a quantum optical analysis of waveguides directionally coupled to ring resonators, an architecture realizable using silicon nanophotonics. The innate scalability of the silicon platform allows for the possibility of “on-chip” quantum computation and information processing. In this paper, we briefly review a comprehensive method for analyzing the quantum mechanical output of such a network for an arbitrary input state of the quantized, traveling electromagnetic field in the continuous wave (cw) limit. Specifically, we briefly review a recent theoretical result identifying a particular device topology that yields, via Passive Quantum Optical Feedback (PQOF), dramatic and unexpected enhancements of the Hong-Ou-Mandel Effect, an effect central to the operation of many quantum information processing systems. Next, we extend the analysis to our proposal for a scalable, on-chip realization of the Nonlinear Sign (NS) shifter essential for implementation of the Knill-Laflamme-Milburn (KLM) protocol for Linear Optical Quantum Computing (LOQC). Finally, we discuss generalizations to arbitrary networks of directionally coupled ring resonators along with possible applications is the areas of quantum metrology and sensitive photon detection.
On the Sixth Generation: Preliminary Speculations about Chinese Politics after Xi

Contrary to the current tendency to extrapolate China’s future trajectory from its current retrenchment, it is argued that China has changed substantially in the past and is likely to continue to c...
Effect of Ni Dopant on Furan Activation over Mo2C Surface: Insights from First-Principles-Based Microkinetic Modeling

The role of Ni dopant in a molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) catalyst for butadiene and propyne production from furan is investigated by using a Mo2C(001) surface model and first-principles-based microkine...
Proximal Tibiofibular Dislocation Repaired with Syndesmotic Suture Buttons: A Case Report.

Introduction Dislocations of the proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) are a relatively rare orthopedic injury. They are often repaired with open reduction internal fixation utilizing a transfixation screw. Limited data are available concerning alternative repair methods. Case report This report details a 46-year-old male who presented with an open Type IIIA comminuted mid-shaft tibia and segmental fibula fractures after being struck by a car traveling 70mph. Computed tomography confirmed comminuted and displaced tibia and fibula fractures with PTFJ dislocation as well as air tracking through the anterior compartment of the leg communicating with the knee joint. He underwent open reduction internal fixation with intramedullary nailing of his tibial shaft fracture and PTFJ syndesmosis repair with two suture buttons. X-ray at post-operative follow-up 2 years later showed complete healing without evidence of failure or hardware loosening. Conclusion This case illustrates a patient treated with suture buttons, which provides an alternative option in treating PTFJ dislocations with a reported decreased likelihood of hardware removal and faster return to work.
Investigating Roleplaying and Identity Transformation in a Virtual Reality Narrative Experience

In this paper we describe the design and evaluation of The Next Fairy Tale (TNFT) VR, a theatrical interactive storytelling system created in virtual reality and informed by performing arts theories. TNFT was designed to produce opportunities for interactors to experience role-taking and character identification using design principles drawn from actor training and theatrical performance. We report the results of a pilot qualitative study of interactors using TNFT to explore the elements of the design that supported or hindered roleplaying behavior. We identify four design patterns that supported roleplaying in the system: (1) using explicit roles to set player expectations, (2) embracing the "mask and the mirror" effect, (3) attending to visual and interactional details, and (4) easing the player gently into the roleplaying experience. These patterns speak to a broader need to support roleplay through explicit scaffolding of desired player behaviors in digital narrative experiences.
Abstract TP175: To Study the Correlation of Environmental and Physical Factors With Cerebral Collateral Circulation

Introduction: Presence of functional leptomeningeal collaterals has been found to be one of the key determinants of good outcomes. We evaluated the effects of certain environmental and physical fac...
The Blind Teacher in the Educational Job Market.

After a brief assessment of the educational job market, the role of agencies for the blind in publicizing the abilities of blind workers to combat stereotypes and negative attitudes is discussed. S...
Support vector machine (SVM) based liver classification: fibrosis, steatosis, and inflammation

An SVM based liver classifier was developed to differentiate liver conditions, including normal, fibrosis with low fat, fibrosis with high fat, and inflammation. An in-vivo study was performed with 35 rats under normal conditions or after carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or concanavalin A (ConA) dosing to induce fibrosis with varying degrees of steatosis, and inflammation, respectively. These livers were imaged in-vivo by an ultrasound, and approximately 30 frames for each rat were acquired. Therefore, a total of 998 ultrasound images were analyzed and used for training a SVM classifier. Each image has three measured parameters: H-scan scattering classification, estimated attenuation coefficient, and B-scan intensity. These parameters were assigned as inputs to the SVM. A liver diagnosis system based on the SVM and H-scan was produced. The clusters representing each state of liver are provided in two- and three- parameter space. From these, the SVM generates decision planes to classify the liver conditions. The classification accuracy is 92.2% with the three features. Therefore, these results provide the beginning of a coherent framework for determining the scattering signatures or clustering in multi-parametric space, of the normal liver compared with diseased livers.
Interparental Conflict, Emotional Insecurity, and Parent–Adolescent Communication:

Destructive conflict within the marital relationship has been shown to negatively impact the family system. Exposure to destructive interparental conflict may be particularly detrimental to adolesc...
Understanding the Metacognitive

This article builds upon our prior work, contributing to the growing literature addressing development of metacognitive skills in law students. Metacognitive skills include knowledge of strategies that impact thinking and learning, and regulation of thinking and learning related to specific learning tasks. Metacognitive skills are important for learning in law school as well as for successful lawyering. Herein we describe an empirical study of first-year law students that addresses four primary research questions: (1) What level of metacognitive knowledge and regulation do law students demonstrate when they enter law school? (2) Do law students’ metacognitive knowledge and regulation change during the first semester of law school? (3) Is there a relationship between law students’ academic performance and metacognitive knowledge and regulation? (4) Does instructional intervention impact law students’ metacognitive knowledge and regulation? In addressing these questions, we refined the qualitative instruments from our prior study to better capture the interplay between metacognitive knowledge and regulation. In so doing, a metacognitive “space” emerged that provides a visual tool for other researchers interested in assessing student metacognitive skills. We posit that the metacognitive “space” may further serve as a tool for instructors to promote development of metacognitive skills in students, and for students to self-reflect and intentionally regulate their learning. We found that most students enter law school lacking metacognitive knowledge but with some metacognitive regulation skills. The majority of students ended their first semester with knowledge. However, metacognitive knowledge was not associated with course performance nor was there an effect of instructional intervention on metacognitive knowledge. Metacognitive regulation, specifically use of strategies identified as most effective in law school, was associated with course performance, as was overall level of metacognitive regulation. While there was no effect of instructional intervention on the level of metacognitive regulation, intervention did result in more students reporting use of strategies such as fact patterns, hypotheticals, and working practice problems, strategies supporting both success in law school and successful lawyering. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the work for legal education and future directions for study and practice of metacognition. NOTE: Appendices are available upon email request from the authors.
Spectral signature and behavioral consequence of spontaneous shifts of pupil-linked arousal in human.

Arousal levels perpetually rise and fall spontaneously. How markers of arousal - pupil size and frequency content of brain activity - relate to each other and influence behavior in humans is poorly understood. We simultaneously monitored magnetoencephalography and pupil in healthy volunteers at rest and during a visual perceptual decision-making task. Spontaneously varying pupil size correlates with power of brain activity in most frequency bands across large-scale resting-state cortical networks. Pupil size recorded at prestimulus baseline correlates with subsequent shifts in detection bias (c) and sensitivity (d'). When dissociated from pupil-linked state, prestimulus spectral power of resting state networks still predicts perceptual behavior. Fast spontaneous pupil constriction and dilation correlate with large-scale brain activity as well but not perceptual behavior. Our results illuminate the relation between central and peripheral arousal markers and their respective roles in human perceptual decision-making.
Dwarf gecko as a model for studying retinal neurogenesis (P1.9-012)

Objective: To develop a novel model for retinal neurogenesis in vitro. Background: The fovea is a photoreceptor-dense specialization of the human neural retina that is responsible for high acuity color vision. Foveate model organisms are limited. Lizards such as the dwarf gecko possess a fovea. Thus, the gecko may provide a more accessible platform for studying foveal diseases than primate models due to its simple rearing. Hence, we sought to develop an in vitro model of neurogenesis in the gecko Lygodactylus picturatus. Design/Methods: From the distal 2mm tail of one male and one female gecko, we derived a primary fibroblast cell line. Growth of cells was optimized by considering variable culture conditions, including temperature. Sendai virus transduction efficiency was assessed at different cell densities with the CytoTune EmGFP Sendai Fluorescence Reporter. Reprogramming with Yamanaka factors (OCT3/4. KLF4, cMYC and SOX2) was performed using Cytotune 2.0 Sendai virus system. Characterization of pluripotent stem cells is being performed by morphometry, immunohistochemistry, and differentiation potential. Results: Primary fibroblasts were derived from gecko tail and successfully cultured at 31°C. Compared to human fibroblasts, gecko fibroblasts have a higher cytoplasmic:nuclear ratio and a slower growth rate, with passage rate occurring approximately every 12–14 days. Fibroblasts displayed a smaller diameter, compared to human primary fibroblasts. Efficient transduction with GFP-expressing Sendai virus (MOI = 5) was observed at multiple cell densities (2 ×106, 2.5 ×106 and 3 ×106). Transduction with Sendai virus containing human Yamanaka factors resulted in rounded colony formation. Cell morphology from suspected colonies demonstrate a high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio with decreased polarity. Characterization via immunohistochemical and differentiation testing is underway. Conclusions: By establishing a cell line in vitro from L. picturatus, we can study the conservation across species of genes involved in human retinal neurogenesis and potentially model neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease states. Disclosure: Dr. Mendez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wegerski has nothing to disclose. Dr. Li has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fufa has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hufnagel has nothing to disclose.
QoS-Driven Load Shedding on Data Streams

In this thesis, we are working on the optimized execution of very large number of continuous queries defined on data streams. Our scope includes both classical query optimization issues adapted to the stream data environment as well as analysis and resolution of overload situations by intelligently discarding data based on application-dependent quality of service (QoS) information. This paper serves as a prelude to our view of the problem and a promising approach to solve it.
Motor Learning and Performance as Related to Age and Sex in Two Measures of Balance Coordination

Abstract Learning curves of ten groups of male subjects and ten groups of females (16 cases of constant age within each group) were obtained on two large muscle motor coordination tasks. One of these required the maintenance of immobility of a stabilometer; the other involved climbing a free-standing ladder. The theoretical curves fitted to the data were of the exponential type, yielding mathematical coefficients for rate as well as amount of learning in addition to measures of initial skill and plateau level. Variance analyses showed that rate of learning was not influenced by age or sex over the range 6 to 26 years. The amount of learning was unrelated to sex; it was observed to increase during the adolescent period. Performance level (skill) varied considerably with age and was relatively poor in postadolescent females.
Harassment of Female Farmworkers - Can the Legal System Help?

This paper provides an in depth and highly textured description of "sexual harassment" as experienced by female farmworkers in California. It explains how the harassment is affected by the extremity of the consequences she faces if she does not comply with the harassment; the structural difficulties in the reporting of and response to these incidents of sexual harassment; the sexualization of migrant women; the cultural factors that influence the harassment; and the fluidity of her workplace. It then critiques both current legal doctrine and current feminist theories of sexual harassment as inadequate to address these workers' concerns. It suggests an alternative, contextual approach to "sexual harassment" that would better help female farmworkers, as well as provide a more satisfactory theoretical framework for all female workers. This paper will appear as a chapter in the book Multiple Voices: Reworking Women's Labor in the Global Economy, edited by Sharon Harley and Lynne Bolles, and to be published by Rutgers University Press.
Electrodeposition of Transition Metal-Aluminum Alloys from Chloroaluminate Molten Salts

Abstract : The electrodeposition of transition metal aluminum alloys was investigated in the room temperature chloroaluminate ionic liquid, aluminum chloride-1-methyl-3 -ethylimidazolium chloride. Alloys that were investigated include the binary systems, Cu-Al, Ag-Al, Al-Ti, Al-V, Al-Mo, Al-Zr, Al-Nb, and Al-W, and the ternary system Al-Mo-Mn. Those alloys in which the transition metal predominates, Ag-Al and Cu-Al, were thermodynamically unstable in the plating bath and did not form chloride-free, compact coatings during electrodeposition. However, those alloys in which the transition metal was a minor component, e.g., Al-Ti, Al-V, Al-Mo, Al-Zr, Al-Nb, and Al-W, were electrodeposited as compact, nearly specular films. Many of these alloys, notably Al-Mo and Al-W, exhibited outstanding resistance to chloride-induced pitting corrosion, making them useful corrosion protective coatings for Air Force applications in high-salt environments.
Introduction to animal- and nature-assisted therapies: a service-learning model for rural social work.

This teaching note details the teaching philosophy and practices of an innovative university service-learning course in nature- and animal-assisted therapies. The course took place at a wildlife rehabilitation center, and students engaged as counselors, putting academic theories into action by facilitating an “animal camp” for 25 at-risk children. The course represented a “best practice” in rural social work given its intensive focus upon social work’s ecological and person-in-environment perspectives; multidisciplinary, collaborative community-based partnerships; and evocation of a rural schoolhouse model.
Gapless Local Alignment of Multiple Sequences

Martin C. Frith Joel H. Graber mfrith@bu.edu jhgraber@bu.edu Zhiping Weng John L. Spouge zhiping@bu.edu spouge@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 1 Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, U.S.A. 2 Biomedical Engineering Department, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, U.S.A. 3 National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Building 38A, Bethesda, MD 20894, U.S.A.
Observational data on the effects of infection by the copepod Salmincola californiensis on the short- and long-term viability of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) implanted with telemetry tags

Fish movements are often studied using radio or acoustic tags assuming the handling and tagging procedures have little effect on the behavior of the animal. Indeed, many studies provide guidelines for acceptable methods. However, these studies generally assume the fish are otherwise healthy but this may not always be the case. One example is the infection of juvenile salmon in the western USA by the naturally-occurring parasitic copepod Salmincola californiensis, for which little is known about the effects on results from tagged animals. We report on observational data from juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) surgically implanted with telemetry tags relative to the numbers of S. californiensis within their branchial cavities and on their bodies to determine if the intensity of infection resulted in differences in mortality shortly after tagging or post-release activity in a reservoir over a period of about 4 months. The data indicate a negative effect of copepods in the branchial cavities on short-term mortality (within 24 h of tagging) and suggest negative effects on movements after release into the reservoir. Short-term mortalities were infrequent and, due to the observational nature of the data, few tagged fish had more than three copepods in their branchial cavities, although surveys of fish in the reservoir indicate much greater infection intensities are common. Copepod numbers on the body did not appear to be associated with short-term mortality or movements after release. The number of copepods on the body was unrelated to the number within the branchial cavities, indicating site-specific counts are needed to assess the infection. Infection with Salmincola californiensis is common in juvenile Chinook salmon in western USA reservoirs and may affect the viability of fish used in studies of telemetered animals. Our limited assessment suggests infection by Salmincola californiensis affects the short-term morality of tagged fish and may affect long-term viability of tagged fish after release; however, the intensity of infection in the sample population did not represent the source population due to the observational nature of the data. We suggest these results warrant further study into the effects of infection by Salmincola californiensis on the results obtained through active telemetry and perhaps other methods requiring handling of infected fish.
An insulin-like substance in the blood of the slug Prophysaon foliolatum (Arionidae) in the course of tail regeneration

Abstract 1. 1. Studies have been carried out to search for the presence of insulin-like substances (ILS) in a terrestrial slug, Prophysaon foliotatum (Arionidae), which has the unusual capacity to autotomize and regenerate the terminal section (tail) of the body. 2. 2. An ILS in Prophysaon blood was revealed by a radioimmunoassay developed for salmon insulin. The ILS levels were elevated 8 weeks after autotomy (means 231–300% of control values). 3. 3. Since the tail is a major site of glycogen storage, the results may indicate a role of Prophysaon ILS in glycogen metabolism and/or growth and regeneration.