cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circle detection on images by line segment and circle completeness

Circle detection from digital images is a necessary operation in many robotics and computer vision tasks to facilitate shape and object recognition. We propose and analyze a novel method, based on line segment detection and circle completeness verification, to detect circles in images. The key idea is to use line segments instead of raw edge pixels to get the circle candidates followed by a verification step to measure the circle's completeness. Experimental results on several synthesized and hand-sketched as well as natural images with various complication favor the accuracy, robustness and efficiency of our approach against other well-known techniques. Our method can deal with incomplete, cocentric, discontinuous and occluded circles with noise and deformation. Moreover, in this paper, we create CDBD, the first benchmark dataset for circle detection with ground truth circles labeled by human, which will establish standard quantitative results in future research regarding circle detection.
An Organ-Centric Best Practice Assist System for Acute Care

As patient condition changes rapidly in acute care, the monitoring and treatment plan must be adapted accordingly to ensure safe and effective patient care. Most current medical monitoring systems provide little contextual information on patient state. We present best practice assist system to help medical staff assess patient state more accurately and adapt her care plan according to the best practice guidelines and community consensus. The main components of our system are 1) an efficient and clinically sound representation of patient state in the form of disease and interacting organ states 2) a best practice manager that encodes the best practice monitoring and treatment guidelines for a given patient condition. Both components are modeled using finite state machine formalism. In addition, we have implemented a patient control panel and a graphical display to simulate clinical scenarios. Using a cardiac arrest scenario, we demonstrate how our system can help medical staff with patient assessment and adherence to best practice.
Predictive Value of Lead Screening Practices

The prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and the accuracy of a lead screening questionnaire in an urban pediatric population were evaluated in the primary care clinics of 10 community health centers in the city and county of Denver, CO.
Parameter identification for nanopositioning of a 6-axis maglev stage with moving Lorentz coils

This paper presents the design, parameter identification, and control of a 6-axis magnetically-levitated (maglev) nanopositioning stage with the xy travel ranges on the order of centimeters. The maglev stage has a moving frame with Lorentz coils and a stationary Halbach magnet matrix. A new method to identify the dynamic models is developed and verified experimentally. The dimension and the mass of the moving platen are 14.3 cm × 14.3 cm and 0.75 kg, respectively. With the multi-input-multi-output system decoupled into six single-input-single-output (SISO) systems, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers are designed and tested on the 6-axis maglev stage. The achieved positioning resolutions are 10 nm in x, y, and z, 0.1 μrad in out-of-plane rotations, and 1 μrad in the rotation about the vertical axis. The achieved acceleration in the horizontal plane is 0.6 m/s2. With laser interferometers, the maximum travel range of the stage is 35 mm χ 56 mm, limited by the lengths of the precision mirrors.
Finding robust subnetwork markers that improve cross-dataset performance of cancer classification

Recent studies have shown that the utilization of additional biological information, such as pathway knowledge or protein-protein interaction data, can improve cancer classification in terms of prediction accuracy and reproducibility of the obtained biomarkers. In this study, we propose a method for identifying subnetwork markers from a human PPI network, which can be used to predict breast cancer prognosis. The proposed method utilizes a clustering algorithm based on a message passing scheme. Our experiments using two large-scale breast cancer datasets show that the identified subnetwork markers are more reliable and reproducible across datasets compared to those identified by an existing method, hence they may ultimately lead to more effective cancer classifiers.
Epidemiological patterns and risk factors associated with hepatitis B virus in Pakistani population.

Hepatitis B virus prevalence is increasing in Pakistani population. National level estimates regarding the prevalence are missing. People are unaware of the risk factors involved in HBV transmission. The objective of the study was to review the prevalence, genotypes, and risk factors associated with HBV transmission in Pakistani Population. Literature search was done by using keyword HBV prevalence, genotypes and risk factors from Pakistani population at Pubmed, PakMediNet and Google scholar. Six different studies showed that the percentage prevalence of HBV in general population was 4.61±0.73%, and 21 different studies showed the percentage prevalence of 2.33±0.46% in blood donors. High prevalence of 7.94±1.49% and 12.86±4.52% were observed in multi transfused and IDU populations. Six different studies showed that the major prevalent genotype was D. Awareness regarding various risk factors involved in-viral transmission was very low. Prevalence of HBV was very high in multitransfused populations due to non-implementations of international standards regarding blood transfusions. Barbers were unaware of the risk factors associated with their shops in viral transmission. Practices of unsterilized dental and surgical instruments and recycling of syringes were major factors in viral transmission. Massive awareness and vaccination programs are required to decrease the future burden of HBV from Pakistani population.
Highly multiplexed signal readout for a time-of-flight positron emission tomography detector based on silicon photomultipliers.

Maintaining excellent timing resolution in the generation of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)-based time-of-flight positron emission tomography (TOF-PET) systems requires a large number of high-speed, high-bandwidth electronic channels and components. To minimize the cost and complexity of a system’s back-end architecture and data acquisition, many analog signals are often multiplexed to fewer channels using techniques that encode timing, energy, and position information. With progress in the development SiPMs having lower dark noise, after pulsing, and cross talk along with higher photodetection efficiency, a coincidence timing resolution (CTR) well below 200 ps FWHM is now easily achievable in single pixel, bench-top setups using 20-mm length, lutetium-based inorganic scintillators. However, multiplexing the output of many SiPMs to a single channel will significantly degrade CTR without appropriate signal processing. We test the performance of a PET detector readout concept that multiplexes 16 SiPMs to two channels. One channel provides timing information with fast comparators, and the second channel encodes both position and energy information in a time-over-threshold-based pulse sequence. This multiplexing readout concept was constructed with discrete components to process signals from a 4×4 array of SensL MicroFC-30035 SiPMs coupled to 2.9×2.9×20 mm3 Lu1.8Gd0.2SiO5 (LGSO):Ce (0.025 mol. %) scintillators. This readout method yielded a calibrated, global energy resolution of 15.3% FWHM at 511 keV with a CTR of 198±2 ps FWHM between the 16-pixel multiplexed detector array and a 2.9×2.9×20 mm3 LGSO-SiPM reference detector. In summary, results indicate this multiplexing scheme is a scalable readout technique that provides excellent coincidence timing performance.
Substructuring of a Nonlinear Beam Using a Modal Iwan Framework, Part I: Nonlinear Modal Model Identification

This work uses a method whereby weak nonlinearity in a substructure, as typically arises due to microslip in bolted interfaces, can be captured and modeled on a mode-by-mode basis. The method relies on the fact that the modes of a weakly nonlinear structure tend to remain uncoupled so long as their natural frequencies are distinct and higher harmonics generated by the nonlinearity do not produce significant response in other modes. A single degree-of-freedom (DOF) system with an Iwan joint, which is known as a modal Iwan model, effectively captures the way in which the stiffness and damping depend on amplitude for each mode. This work presents the experiments used to generate these modal Iwan models. In a companion paper this model is assembled to another component using dynamic substructuring techniques to estimate the amplitude dependent frequency and damping of the full assembly.
Association of methylmercury intake from seafood consumption and blood mercury level among the Asian and Non-Asian populations in the United States

Abstract Background MeHg is a well-established neurotoxicant for fetal brain growth and development and has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in aging populations. In the U.S., Asian populations are of particular concern because of their seafood consumption behaviors. Objectives Our objective was to calculate the average daily MeHg intake (ADMI) from seafood and to assess the relationship between ADMI with blood methylmercury (BMeHg) concentrations, specifically among women of reproductive age (WORA) and adults ≥ 50 years of age. Methods We estimated ADMI from seafood using the 30-day fish consumption data from the NHANES 2011–2014 datasets. Using multivariable linear regression, we estimated the proportional change in mean BMeHg associated with a doubling of the ADMI. Further, correlations between ADMI and BMeHg were compared between Asians and other racial/ethnic groups. Results Our analysis found both Asian WORA and Asian adults age ≥ 50 years old had significantly higher BMeHg levels and ADMI than their Non-Asian counterparts. Correlations between ADMI from seafood and blood Hg levels were stronger among Asian WORA than among Non-Asian WORA. Key fish species that influenced the dietary MeHg intake for Asians were mackerel, tuna, and “other known/unknown fish species”. Conclusion We confirmed that Asian populations have higher MeHg intake than the Non-Asian population in the U.S. and seafood intake is a key predictor of blood Hg concentration, especially among Asian women of reproductive age. Future studies should incorporate information on other known and unknown fish species that are frequently consumed by Asian populations and different parts and fish organs eaten to better understand determinants of MeHg exposure.
Genetic Line Differences in Cytokine mRNA Expression of Peripheral Blood Leukocytes Exposed to Salmonella enteritidis In-Vitro

Three genetically diverse chicken lines were used to evaluate genetic line differences and pathogen affect on early cytokine gene expression to Salmonella enteritidis. Cytokines are communication molecules in the immune system. Early cytokine involvement is critical to a host’s ability to mount an effective immune response to S. enteritidis. Knowledge of genetic differences in cytokine expression will facilitate a greater understanding of host and pathogen dynamics, and may enable selection for enhanced disease resistance to this pathogen.
The impact of simulation education on self‐efficacy towards teaching for nurse educators

AIM The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a simulation workshop on self-efficacy towards teaching for nurse educators in India. Additionally, we sought to revise and validate a tool to measure self-efficacy in teaching for use with a global audience. BACKGROUND Simulation is an evidence-based teaching and learning method and is increasingly used in nursing education globally. INTRODUCTION As new technology and teaching methods such as simulation continue to evolve, it is important for new as well as experienced nurse educators globally to have confidence in their teaching skills and abilities. METHODS The study included (1) instrument revision, and measures of reliability and validation, (2) an 8-h faculty development workshop intervention on simulation, (3) pre- and post-survey of self-efficacy among nurse educators, and (4) investigation of relationship between faculty socio-demographics and degree of self-efficacy. RESULTS The modified tool showed internal consistency (r = 0.98) and was validated by international faculty experts. There were significant improvements in total self-efficacy (P < 0.001) and subscale scores among nurse educators after the simulation workshop intervention when compared to pre-survey results. No significant relationships were found between socio-demographic variables and degree of self-efficacy. DISCUSSION Strong self-efficacy in teaching among nurse educators is crucial for effective learning to occur. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Results indicated the simulation workshop was effective in significantly improving self-efficacy towards teaching for nurse educators using an internationally validated tool. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY The Minister of Health in India recently called for improvements in nursing education. Introducing nursing education on simulation as a teaching method in India and globally to improve self-efficacy among teachers is an example of a strategy towards meeting this call.
Infinite families of monogenic trinomials and their Galois groups

Let n ∈ ℤ with n ≥ 3. Let Sn and An denote, respectively, the symmetric group and alternating group on n letters. Let m be an indeterminate, and define fm(x) := xn + a(m,n)x + b(m,n), where a(m,n),b(m,n) are certain prescribed forms in m. For a certain set of these forms, we show unconditionally that there exist infinitely many primes p such that fp(x) is irreducible over ℚ, Galℚ(fp) = Sn, and the fields K = ℚ(&#x1d703;) are distinct and monogenic, where fp(&#x1d703;) = 0. Using a different set of forms, we establish a similar result for all square-free values of n ≡ 1(mod 4), with 5 ≤ n ≤ 401, and any positive integer value of m for which a(m,n) is square-free. Additionally, in this case, we prove that Galℚ(fp) = An. Finally, we show that these results can be extended under the assumption of the abc-conjecture. Our methods make use of recent results of Helfgott and Pasten.
A one-dimensional time-dependent model for studying oxide film growth on metallic surfaces

Corrosion resistance of industrial metals and alloys is largely imparted by the formation of a stable oxide film on the surface that kinetically limits the process of corrosion. Developing a fundamental knowledge of the processes involved in the oxide layer formation and growth is thus important for designing corrosion-resistant alloys. In this work, a model for oxide growth tracking two species (the oxygen and metal vacancies) was presented. The model accounted for species transport and interfacial chemistry. The potential profile was obtained by solving the Poisson equation without needing to invoke the typical linear assumption. Moreover, the fully time-dependent concentration and potential profiles were obtained and the oxide thickness was allowed to evolve by allowing the movement of the domain boundaries at either end. The results were analyzed and the effects of different parameters on the model were discussed.
Human Psychology’s General Features

It may seem odd for a renowned biologist such as Schneirla to have made the above statement because obviously humans do have a distinctive biological nature. Indeed, in the article in which the quotation appeared, “Psychology, Comparative” (in Schneirla, 1972, pp. 30–85), Schneirla contrasts human neuroanatomy with that of lower animals’. The absence of human nature that he refers to concerns human activities, not their biology. His point is that humans are unique in not having any specific species-wide, identifying forms of behavior.
LEFT-HANDED DNA IN CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

DNA can have both right-handed and left-handed double helical conformations. This idea has old roots and was considered shortly after the formulation of the double helix by Watson and Crick in 1953 (1). In this early period, attention was directed toward the question of whether or not the X-ray diffraction patterns of DNA fibers were consistent with the Watson and Crick formulation. Efforts spanning over a decade produced a great deal of experimental evidence which in essence stated that it was possible to modify the initial Watson-Crick right-handed helix in a number of details so that one could produce a model consistent with the experimental X-ray data (2). It was obvious to workers in the field, however, that although DNA fiber analysis generated physical data in agreement with the Watson-Crick structure, they did not unambiguously prove the structure. The X-ray diffraction patterns were limited, and far from atomic resolution. Because of the limited resolution the patterns had to be interpreted and a number of assumptions made. One assumption was that the structure was perfectly regular with an asymmetric unit consisting of one nucleotide. However, the agreement was reasonable and this led to the general adoption of the right-handed B-DNA conformation as the predominant form in biological systems. Considerable attention was paid to the fact that under certain conditions alternative conformational variants were seen. The most important of these was the A-DNA pattern which originally was produced by air-dried fibers (3). The greater wealth of diffraction data seen in the A pattern made it possible to get more information. The relative ease with which it slipped into the B pattern reinforced the idea that these were two conformational variants; it was found that both patterns could be fitted by a right-handed double helix.
Mechanical Friction and Lubrication in Automobiles

Friction and lubrication, like liberty, are not fully appreciated until there is none. Friction is defined as the resistance to motion due to sliding, and all machinery consume frictional energy because their parts slide against one another. Lubrication can control friction in some of these instances but very often, such as in engines, most mechanical energy is lost by shearing liquid lubricant films.
Enhancement of Topical Delivery with Nanocarriers

Dermatology is a unique area of medicine where topical delivery assumes primary importance in both the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical realm. Delivery means putting an active ingredient with an intended purpose on the skin surface to produce some benefit. This benefit can occur on the skin surface, which is the case with sunscreen actives where the photoprotective material is designed to remain on the skin surface to either absorb or reflect UV radiation. More common in the pharmaceutical realm is the desire to place an active substance on the skin surface for penetration into the dermis for the modification of some key element of skin disease. This is the intended role for topical corticosteroids where the desire is to ameliorate dermal inflammation causing induration, scaling, and erythema in psoriatic plaques. Here the topical corticosteroid is carried into the dermis by stratum corneum disruption achieved through penetration enhancers, such as propylene glycol. Propylene glycol damages the stratum corneum lipid bilayer literally poking holes in this protective nonliving structure to allow free access of the corticosteroid to the viable epidermis and dermis. While this is an inexpensive well-studied method of drug delivery, over time propylene glycol-induced barrier damage may hamper barrier restoration, which is necessary for disease resolution. Further, the patient may experience the noxious sensory stimuli of stinging and burning from the propylene glycol-induced damage when applying the topical medication.
Molecular Mechanics Simulations and Improved Tight-Binding Hamiltonians for Artificial Light Harvesting Systems: Predicting Geometric Distributions, Disorder, and Spectroscopy of Chromophores in a Protein Environment

We present molecular mechanics and spectroscopic calculations on prototype artificial light harvesting systems consisting of chromophores attached to a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) protein scaffold. These systems have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically, but information about the microscopic configurations and geometry of these TMV-templated chromophore assemblies is largely unknown. We use a Monte Carlo conformational search algorithm to determine the preferred positions and orientations of two chromophores, Coumarin 343 together with its linker and Oregon Green 488, when these are attached at two different sites (104 and 123) on the TMV protein. The resulting geometric information shows that the extent of disorder and aggregation properties and therefore the optical properties of the TMV-templated chromophore assembly are highly dependent on both the choice of chromophores and the protein site to which they are bound. We use the results of the conformational search as geometric parameters together with an improved tight-binding Hamiltonian to simulate the linear absorption spectra and compare with experimental spectral measurements. The ideal dipole approximation to the Hamiltonian is not valid because the distance between chromophores can be very small. We found that using the geometries from the conformational search is necessary to reproduce the features of the experimental spectral peaks.
Using Affective Computing for Proxemic Interactions in Mixed-Reality

Immersive technologies have been touted as empathetic mediums. This capability has yet to be fully explored through machine learning integration. Our demo seeks to explore proxemics in mixed-reality (MR) human-human interactions.The author developed a system, where spatial features can be manipulated in real time by identifying emotions corresponding to unique combinations of facial micro-expressions and tonal analysis. The Magic Leap One is used as the interactive interface, the first commercial spatial computing head mounted (virtual retinal) display (HUD).A novel spatial user interface visualization element is prototyped that leverages the affordances of mixed-reality by introducing both a spatial and affective component to interfaces.
The Impact of Frequency of Stay on Business Travelers’ Ratings of Hotel Attributes

Identifying the valued hotel attributes that depend on travelers’ frequency of hotel stays can provide a better understanding of travelers’ desired service patterns. In the case of work-related hotel stays, we found that business travelers’ ratings of importance of the following hotel attributes depended on their frequency of hotel stays: multi-lingual staff, hotel reputation, existence of business-related meeting rooms and business center, presence of an in-room mini-bar, value for money of food and beverage, and received an apology from staff/management. These findings indicate that on-site services that provide more business-related convenience are important to repeat business travelers.
VC-density for trees

We show that in the theory of infinite trees the VC-function is optimal. This generalizes a result of Simon showing that trees are dp-minimal.
Upfront EGFR TKI with or without brain radiotherapy (RT) in EGFR-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases.

e20614Background: The central nervous system (CNS) remains a common site of metastatic disease for NSCLC, especially in EGFR-driven disease. Surgery and RT are upfront treatment options but have po...
Birth of a Discipline: Personalized and Precision Medicine (PPM) Informatics

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the field of PPM including fundamental concepts of PPM and also established and emerging frameworks of PPM. By adopting a paradigm-based description, the book encompasses seemingly different but ultimately highly interconnected formats of workflows both for the development and deployment of PPM modalities in research and clinical settings. The chapter describes the critical ways by which informatics supports and enables PPM and sets the stage for the reader to dive into the details of the chapters to follow.
Incongruous killing: cats, nonhuman resistance, and precarious life beyond biopolitical techniques of making-live

Under traditional programmes, unclaimed cats entering animal shelters were euthanized by barbiturate injection; since the implementation of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), cats are sterilised and returne...
Primary Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Population-based Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM The aim of this study was to present the clinical characteristics, natural history and survival outcomes of primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin lymphomas (PGINHL) in the pediatric population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for patients aged 0 to 19 years with PGINHL between 1973 and 2014. RESULTS A total of 452 cases were identified [mean age 11.0 (±5.1)] years, whites 84.1%, males (76.5%). The majority of tumors were noted in the small bowel (SB) (47.6%), followed by large bowel (LB) (28.5%) and the stomach (10.0%). Overall, the most common histological subtype was Burkitt lymphoma (51.8%), followed by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (26.1%). Mean overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 33,33 years with a 5-yr, 10-yr and 30-yr survival rate of 86%, 86% and 79%, respectively. Large bowel tumors had the best long-term survival rates whereas; gastric tumors had the worst with 30-yr survival rate 84% and 74%, respectively. Overall, 328 (72.6%) patients received surgery. No significant survival difference was noted between patients who underwent surgery and those who did not. CONCLUSION This study presents the largest dataset of pediatric PGINHL and describes the clinical features and outcomes of these patients in addition to summarizing the literature.
Geobacter cytochrome OmcZs binds riboflavin: implications for extracellular electron transfer

Geobacter sulfurreducens is an important model organism for understanding extracellular electron transfer (EET), i.e. transfer of electrons from the cell's interior (quinone pool) to an extracellular substrate. This exoelectrogenic functionality can be exploited in bioelectrochemical applications. Nonetheless, key questions remain regarding the mechanisms of this functionality. G. sulfurreducens has been hypothesized to employ both multi-heme cytochromes and soluble, small molecule redox shuttles, as the final, redox-active species in EET. However, interactions between flavin redox shuttles and outer membrane, redox proteins in Geobacter have not been demonstrated. Herein, the heterologous expression and purification from E. coli of a soluble form of the multi-heme cytochrome OmcZs from G. sulfurreducens is reported. UV-vis absorption assays show that riboflavin can be reduced by OmcZs with concomitant oxidation of the protein. Fluorescence assays show that oxidized OmcZs and riboflavin interact with a binding constant of 34 μM. Furthermore, expression of OmcZs in E. coli enables EET in the host, and the current produced by these E. coli in a bioelectrochemical cell increases when riboflavin is introduced. These results support the hypothesis that OmcZs functions in EET by transiently binding riboflavin, which shuttles electrons from the outer membrane to the extracellular substrate.
Nasal delivery nanoparticles: An insight into novel Parkinson's disease therapeutics

Abstract To accomplish brain delivery of therapeutics, multifarious nanoparticles (NPs) have long been used through various routes of administration. Among the various routes of administration, nasal delivery has been found to be of considerable importance in the delivery of therapeutics and therapeutic-loaded NPs preferably to the central nervous system. This chapter discusses plethora of methods used to design NPs to enhance nasal delivery of therapeutics such as drugs and peptides. Surface functionalization of NPs with mucoadhesive chitosan and its derivatives has been explained. In addition, molecular underpinnings entailed in enhanced brain delivery of intranasally delivered therapeutics and therapeutic-loaded NPs and their efficacy in treating Parkinson's disease have been highlighted. It also emphasizes a few demerits of both nasal delivery and NPs mediated nasal delivery.
Employer Branding: What it is and Why it Matters

This technical note outlines what an employer brand is, how it relates to a consumer brand, and why it matters. It allows students to be able to put their knowledge to the test by evaluating the attribute ratings among seven different top employer brands. Finally, they will have a better understanding of how to assess, build, and enhance a company's employer brand. Excerpt UVA-M-1003 Rev. Oct. 16, 2020 Employer Branding: What It Is and Why It Matters The employer brand may be the best-kept secret in business today. Few companies are aware of the concept and even fewer are doing a good job assessing, managing, and cultivating their employer brand. However, those that do have a significant advantage over their competitors for top talent. —Tammy Garmey, senior vice president of employer branding firm TMP Imagine that you have internship offers from American Express (AMEX), Procter & Gamble (P&G), and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)—all companies ranked in the top 10 at training and developing C-level marketing leaders. Although this is a nice problem to have, how might you make a decision? What comes to mind when you think of these prospective employers? What are the positive associations that you have—and are there potentially some negative ones? When it comes to making a decision, which of these attributes matter most? . . .
Comparison of Wort Osmolyte Concentration and Malt Extract to Wort Sugars from Malting Barley Breeding Lines

In 2007 wort osmolyte concentration (OC) was introduced as a method of measuring malt quality. The OC (molar concentration of solutes) of a mash is predominantly due to the conversion of starch to ...
Posttraumatic Total Knee Arthroplasty Continues to Have Worse Outcome Than Total Knee Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis

Small studies have shown that patients who undergo TKA following a distal femur and/or tibial plateau fracture have inferior results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid-term outcomes of a large group of patients undergoing TKA following periarticular knee fractures. We identified 531 patients who underwent a TKA following a periarticular fracture from 1990 to 2012; comparing outcomes to 19,641 patients undergoing primary TKA for osteoarthritis. Periarticular fracture significantly increased the risk of revision TKA, infection and complications. There was no difference in the need for revision TKA or infection based on fracture location. Patients with TKA following a periarticular fracture have worse overall revision free survival compared to with OA, with 1 in 4 patients requiring revision TKA by 15 years.
Sox9, a marker of chondrocyte differentiation, is over-expressed in uterine malignant mixed mullerian tumor

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 5496 Background: Malignant mixed mullerian tumors (MMMT) of the uterus are poorly differentiated tumors composed of malignant epithelial and malignant mesenchymal components. MMMT are aggressive neoplasms, associated with advanced stage at diagnosis and a poor prognosis. In contrast, well-differentiated, low grade endometrioid endometrial carcinomas are typically associated with good prognosis. Significant progress has been made in defining the molecular events associated with endometrioid carcinoma. The molecular pathogenesis of non-endometrioid tumors, such as MMMT, remains poorly understood. A clue to molecular mechanisms important in MMMT is derived from careful pathologic examination of these tumors. We have observed that in most cases of MMMT, the malignant mesenchymal component closely resembles poorly differentiated, high grade chondrosarcoma. We therefore hypothesized that molecular mediators of chondrocyte biology play a role in uterine MMMT. The transcription factor Sox9 is an important regulator of chondrogenesis and has been previously demonstrated to be selectively expressed in mesenchymal chondrosarcomas. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the expression of Sox9 in uterine MMMT and compare it to expression in well-differentiated, grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma. Design: Sox9 immunohistochemistry was semi-quantitatively examined in 13 cases of benign proliferative and secretory endometrium, 13 uterine grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinomas, and 18 uterine MMMT. For the MMMT, cases were selected in which both the malignant epithelial and malignant mesenchymal components were present. Results: In all cases of normal endometrium, nuclear Sox9 expression was confined to epithelial cells of the stratum basalis, where the expression was usually weak. In biopsies of normal endometrium, in which usually the superficial endometrium is sampled, no Sox9 expression was observed. Only 3/13 (23%) of the grade 1 endometrioid tumors had diffuse (>40% of slide) Sox9 expression; the remainder had focal or no expression of Sox9. Fifty per cent (9/18) of the MMMT's had diffuse (> 40%) Sox9 expression; overall, Sox9 expression was much higher in MMMT than grade 1 endometrioid tumors. In MMMT, Sox9 was expressed in both the malignant epithelial and malignant mesenchymal components. Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that molecular mediators of chondrogenesis are over-expressed in uterine MMMT compared to low-grade endometrioid tumors. Interestingly, Sox9 was expressed in both the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components of MMMT. The Sox9 expression pattern in normal endometrium is interesting in that the basalis layer is the portion of the endometrium that is retained following cyclical menstruation; this layer likely harbors endometrial stem cells. Accordingly, Sox9 expression has been associated with stem cell compartments in other tissues.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia and nutritional management.

Purpose of review This review examines recent studies of the evaluation and treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia as well as papers investigating oropharyngeal dysphagia and nutritional management. Recent findings There continue to be difficulties in accurate diagnosis of some disorders in oropharyngeal swallow, accounting for the patient's dysphagic symptoms and in identifying optimal treatment strategies for each patient. The efficacy of new techniques for the treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia have been examined in various populations. Exercise programs have been showing increased efficacy in particular patient groups. Summary Articles in this past year have focused largely on identifying new procedures for assessment of oropharyngeal swallowing and defining treatment effects. Relatively little work has examined nutritional management in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. Most studies that have investigated nutritional management do not carefully define the patient's medical diagnosis or specific swallowing disorders. Similarly, those that study oropharyngeal dysphagia do not relate these data to nutritional management of these patients.
Algorithmic DNA self-assembly

Self-assembly is the ubiquitous process by which objects autonomously assemble into complexes. This phenomenon is common in nature and yet is poorly understood from mathematical and programming perspectives. It is believed that self-assembly technology will ultimately permit the precise fabrication of complex nanostructures. Of particular interest is DNA self-assembly. Double and triple crossover DNA molecules have been designed that can act as four-sided building blocks for DNA self-assembly. Experimental work has been done to show the effectiveness of using these building blocks to assemble DNA crystals and perform DNA computation. With these building blocks (called tiles) in mind, researchers have considered the power of the tile self-assembly model. The tile assembly model extends the theory of Wang tilings of the plane by adding a natural mechanism for growth. Informally, the model consists of a set of four sided Wang tiles whose sides are each associated with a type of glue. The bonding strength between any two glues is determined by a glue function. A special tile in the tile set is denoted as the seed tile. Assembly takes place by starting with the seed tile and attaching copies of tiles from the tile set one by one to the growing seed whenever the total strength of attraction from the glue function meets or exceeds a fixed parameter called the temperature. Algorithmic DNA self-assembly is both a form of nanotechnology and a model of DNA computing. As a computational model, algorithmic DNA self-assembly encodes the input of a computational problem into DNA patterns and then manipulates these patterns to produce new DNA patterns that encode the desired output of the computational problem. As a nanotechnology, algorithmic DNA self-assembly aims to design tiles with carefully chosen glue types on their four sides. Two tiles are said to be of different types if their sides have different glue types. Useful tile types are nontrivial to design but relatively easy to duplicate in large quantity. A key design challenge for algorithmic DNA self-assembly is to use only a small number of different tile types to assemble a target nanostructure. This talk will survey recent results in algorithmic DNA self-assembly and discuss future research directions.
Extragalactic Surveys Using NICMOS

The Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) on the Hubble Space telescope was used for several unbiased deep sky surveys at high galactic latitude. The instrument was also used for directed surveys of quiescent and starburst galaxies. Snapshot surveys of AGNs were also carried out. Of interest to the ISO community was the parallel spectroscopic survey which detected Ha emission at a rate comparable to that for ISOCAM 15μm galaxy detections.
Generating diversity: transcriptional regulation of effector and memory CD8 T-cell differentiation.

SUMMARY In response to acute infections or vaccines, naive antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells proliferate and differentiate into effector cytotoxic lymphocytes that acquire the ability to kill infected cells. While the majority of differentiated effector cells die after pathogen clearance, a small number evade terminal differentiation, downregulate active effector functions, and survive as long-lived, self-renewing memory T cells. Our understanding of how effector CD8(+) T cells adopt these different cell fates has grown greatly in recent years. In this review, we discuss the transcriptional regulators that are known to support general effector differentiation, terminal effector differentiation, and memory cell formation. We propose that the diversity of activated CD8(+) T-cell differentiation states is achieved via gradients of activity or expression of transcriptional regulators that are regulated by the level of inflammation and antigenic signaling the T cells experience during infection.
Blood lead levels in relation to cognitive function in older U.S. adults

Abstract Studies suggest that cumulative exposure to lead, as measured in the bone, is associated with accelerated cognitive decline at older age. It is presently unclear, however, whether current blood lead levels (BLLs) are adversely related to cognitive functioning in older adults. We evaluated BLLs in relation to cognition in the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The current study was limited to adults age 60 and older. We examined two measures of cognitive functioning: self-reported functional limitation due to difficulty remembering or periods of confusion (NHANES 1999–2008; n = 7277) and performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST; NHANES 1999–2002; n = 2299). We evaluated quintiles of BLL (
Influence of age on the effect of bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis on left ventricular volume, mass and ejection fraction.

Objectives. We sought to identify age-related differences in the ventricular response of patients after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (CPA) and to compare changes in the ventricular response among children Background. Pre-Fontan CPA has been advocated over a systemic to pulmonary artery shunt alone in patients with a single ventricle to facilitate ventricular volume unloading and minimize risk of the Fontan operation. Methods. Our study evaluated 23 patients who initially received a systemic to pulmonary artery shunt as an initial procedure before subsequent Fontan palliation. In eight of these patients (group I), bidirectional CPA was performed before age 3 years, and in four (group II), it was performed after age 10 years. The remaining 11 patients (group III, age and weight control group for group I) were maintained with their initial shunt until they underwent Fontan palliation. Serial echocardiographic analysis was used retrospectively to evaluate left ventricular volume and mass and systolic pump function (ejection fraction) before and after bidirectional CPA. Results. Through 10 months of follow-up, group I patients showed significant decreases in indexed end-diastolic volume both after CPA (120 ml/m1.5 body surface area vs. 78 ml/m1.5, p = 0.001) and in comparison with values in patients in groups II and III, who showed no changes in end-diastolic volume (p Conclusions. Bidirectional CPA facilitates ventricular volume unloading and promotes regression of left ventricular mass in younger children (
Isolation and partial characterization of dermatan sulfate proteoglycans from human post-burn scar tissues.

Abstract Dermatan sulfate (DS) proteoglycans (PGs) were extracted from human post-burnscar (Sc) tissues with 4M guanidinium chloride and isolated from the extracts by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and by differential ethanol precipitation. The DS.PGs were further purified by Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography. The average molecular weight (M r ) of hypertrophic scar (HSc) tissue DS.PGs was 39,000 based on sedimentation equilibrium measurements. Alkaline borohydride treatment of DS.PGs liberated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains and the presence of xylitol indicated that these chains were attached to protein core by xylosyl residues. The average M r of the DS.GAG chain from HSc and normal scar (NSc) samples were 23,500 and 20,000 respectively. After digestion of the HSc and NSc, DS.PGs with chondroitinase ABC in the presence of proteinase inhibitors, two peptide components with M r values of 21,500 and 17,000 were detected by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using reducing conditions. Analysis of the protein core fractions derived from NSc and HSc DS.PGs by Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography showed the presence of a single NH 2 -terminal amino acid (aspartic acid) and also that the fractions with different K AV values had an identical NH 2 -terminal sequence (A 1 -A S ). The A 1 -A 23 sequence of NSc DS.PG (major fraction, C) : NH 2 Asp-Glu-Ala-O-Gly-Ile-Gly-Pro-Glu-Val-Pro-Asp-Asp-Arg-Asp-Phe-Glu-Pro-Ser-Leu-Gly-Pro-Val was the same as reported for a DS.PG isolated from human fetal membrane (HFM) tissue (Brennan et al., 1984). ELISA inhibition assay using monoclonal antibodies raised in rabbit against the NH 2 -terminal peptide (containing 15 amino acids) of human fetal membrane tissue were found to cross-react with HSc and NSc DS.PGs. Monoclonal antibodies to bovine skin DS.PGs protein core (Pearson et al., 1983) did not show any cross-reactivity with scar DS.PGs. These results show that the scar DS.PGs described here are different from normal bovine skin DS.PGs in the size and type of the protein core, and that in all the samples, the peptide components have the same NH 2 -terminal amino acid sequence.
Ultrasound and gallium for the diagnosis of abdominal and pelvic abscesses.

Two hundred and twenty-two patients presented with clinical suspicion of an abdominal or pelvic abscess. Abscesses tend to locate in the perihepatic spaces or the pelvis, and these areas can easily be examined by ultrasound, using the liver or the urinary bladder as acoustic windows. Thirty-eight of 42 abdominal abscesses, and 32 of 33 pelvic abscesses were correctly diagnosed and located by ultrasound, giving a sensitivity of 93.3%. Of the 145 patients without abscesses, 143 were correctly excluded, giving a specificity of 98.6%. Thirty of these patients also underwent gallium 67 examination. This detected all 7 true negatives and all 10 abscesses, 1 of which was missed by ultrasound. Of the remaining 13 patients with positive gallium results, 10 had nonspecific uptake in diffuse inflammatory conditions, and 3 were false positives with uptake in bowel or in a surgical wound. In those patients with nonspecific gallium uptake, ultrasound was valuable in documenting the absence of an abscess cavity. Conversely, gallium detected a left subphrenic abscess missed by ultrasound. For reasons of economy, speed, and high sensitivity, we believe that ultrasound should be the initial screening procedure for patients with clinical suspicion of abdominal or pelvic abscess. Gallium should be reserved for patients with equivocal ultrasound results or those with septic foci not revealed by ultrasound.
Remote Operated Hot Uniaxial Press to Fabricate Tc-99 bearing Ceramic Waste Forms

Abstract The objective of this senior student project is to design and build a prototype construction of a machine that simultaneously provides the proper pressure and temperature parameters to sinter ceramic powders in-situ to create pellets of rather high densities of above 90% (theoretical). This HUP (Hot Uniaxial Press) device is designed specifically to fabricate advanced ceramic Tc-99 bearing waste forms and therefore radiological barriers have been included in the system. The HUP features electronic control and feedback systems to set and monitor pressure, load, and temperature parameters. This device operates wirelessly via portable computer using Bluetootḧ technology. The HUP device is designed to fit in a standard atmosphere controlled glove box to further allow sintering under inert conditions (e.g. under Ar, He, N2). This will further allow utilizing this HUP for other potential applications, including radioactive samples, novel ceramic waste forms, advanced oxide fuels, air-sensitive samples, metallic systems, advanced powder metallurgy, diffusion experiments and more.
Hunger does not motivate reward in women remitted from anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Hunger enhances sensitivity to reward, yet individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) are not motivated to eat when starved. This study investigated brain response to rewards during hunger and satiated states to examine whether diminished response to reward could underlie food restriction in AN. METHODS: Using a delay discounting monetary decision task known to discriminate brain regions contributing to processing of immediate rewards and cognitive control important for decision making regarding future rewards, we compared 23 women remitted from AN (RAN group; to reduce the confounding effects of starvation) with 17 healthy comparison women (CW group). Monetary rewards were used because the rewarding value of food may be confounded by anxiety in AN. RESULTS: Interactions of Group (RAN, CW) 3 Visit (hunger, satiety) revealed that, for the CW group, hunger significantly increased activation in reward salience circuitry (ventral striatum, dorsal caudate, anterior cingulate cortex) during processing of immediate reward, whereas satiety increased activation in cognitive control circuitry (ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, insula) during decision making. In contrast, brain response in reward and cognitive neurocircuitry did not differ during hunger and satiety in the RAN group. A main effect of group revealed elevated response in the middle frontal gyrus for the RAN group compared with the CW group. CONCLUSIONS: Women remitted from AN failed to increase activation of reward valuation circuitry when hungry and showed elevated response in cognitive control circuitry independent of metabolic state. Decreased sensitivity to the motivational drive of hunger may explain the ability of individuals with AN to restrict food when emaciated. Difficulties in valuating emotional salience may contribute to inabilities to appreciate the risks inherent in this disorder.