AI-AUGMENTED DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS: APPLICATION IN MARITIME DECISION MAKING UNDER CONDITIONS OF METOC UNCERTAINTY

The ability for a human to overlay information from disparate sensor systems or remote databases into a common operational picture can enhance rapid decision making and implementation in a complex environment. This thesis focuses on operational uncertainty as a function of meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) effects on maritime route planning. Using an existing decision support system (DSS) with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms developed by New Jersey Institute of Technology and University of Connecticut, cognitive load and time to decision were assessed for users of an AI-augmented DSS, accounting for METOC conditions and their effects, and users of a baseline, 'as is,' DSS system. Scenario uncertainty for the user was presented in the relative number of Pareto-optimal routes from two locations. Key results were (a) users of an AI-augmented DSS with a simplified interface completed assigned tasks in significantly less time than users of an information-dense, complex-interface AI-augmented DSS; (b) users of simplified, AI-augmented DSS arrived at decisions with lower cognitive load than baseline DSS and complex-interface AI-augmented DSS users; and (c) users relied mainly on quantitative data presented in tabular form to make route decisions. The differences found in user performance and cognitive load between levels of AI augmentation and interface complexity serve as a starting point for further exploration into maximizing the potential of human-machine teaming.Office of Naval ResearchMajor, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite

Efectividad de la Escala de WOMAC para evaluar los resultados funcionales de los pacientes sometidos a Artroplastía total de Rodilla por diagnostico de Gonartrosis primaria grado III y IV de la Clasificación de Kallgren y Lawrence en el Centro Médico Lic. Adolfo López Mateos

El tratamiento para los grados III y IV de gonartrosis primaria de la clasificación de Kellgren y Lawrence es mediante la artroplastia total de rodilla. Actualmente los avances en el campo de la ingeniería y la mejora de los materiales han permitido desarrollar nuevos implantes de rodilla, que pretenden reproducir con mayor exactitud la cinemática de la rodilla sana y de esta forma alcanzar una máxima función por lo que es fundamental una evaluación postquirúrgica mediante un método práctico y eficaz como lo es, la escala de WOMAC. Objetivo: Presentar una forma sencilla práctica y económica para la valoración de la función de la rodilla, posterior a una artroplastia total. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio Transversal, observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo, que incluyó a 39 pacientes que fueron sometidos a reemplazo articular total de rodilla primaria de más de 3 meses a 3 años de post operados de marzo 2012 a febrero 2013, se valoró la funcionalidad de acuerdo a la escala de WOMAC (Puntuación del Índice de Osteoartritis Western Ontario y Macmaster). Resultados: Se observó de acuerdo a la escala, 22 pacientes (56.4%) obtuvieron buenos resultados, con una media de 19 puntos, mediana de 20.3, moda de 15 - 24 puntos. Excelentes resultados en 14 pacientes (35.8%) con una media de 10.4 puntos, mediana de 11, moda de 3, los resultados aceptables 2 pacientes (5.1%) y un mal resultado que es un 2.5%. Conclusiones: La escala de WOMAC es un instrumento útil para evaluar los resultados funcionales de los pacientes post operados de artroplastia total de rodilla primaria, al ser una herramienta práctica reproducible, económica, sin requerir de estudios especiales, la cual se puede aplicar a distintos niveles de atención, identificar las complicaciones e incidir en ellas oportunamente y mejorar los resultados

Highly nondegenerate four-wave mixing and gain nonlinearity in a strained multiple-quantum-well optical amplifier

Highly nondegenerate four-wave mixing was investigated in a 1.5 µm compressively strained multi-quantum-well semiconductor traveling-wave optical amplifier at detuning frequencies up to 600 GHz. A gain nonlinearity with a characteristic relaxation time of 650 fs was determined from the data, and the nonlinear gain coefficient was estimated to be 4.3×10^–23 m^3. Dynamic carrier heating is believed to be the major source of nonlinear gain in this device at the wavelengths investigated

Combined antiproliferative activity of imatinib mesylate (STI-571) with radiation or cisplatin in vitro

Little is known about the interaction of novel anticancer drugs with other treatment modalities. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of combining imatinib mesylate (STI-571) with radiation or cisplatin on the survival of two human solid tumor cell lines – SKNMC cells derived from Ewing sarcoma and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Methods: Cell proliferation was determined using the sulphorodamine B cytotoxicity assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed with flow cytometry. Apoptosis was determined using a commercial cell death ELISA plus kit. Phosphorylated AKT, which has been suggested to be involved in radiation resistance, was detected by Western blot analysis. Results: Exposure of SKNMC cells to STI-571 resulted in a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect and a decrease in phosphorylated AKT expression. There was no evidence of apoptosis. The combination of STI-571 with radiation or cisplatin had an additive antiproliferative effect in SKNMC cells (60% reduction in cell number). A similar effect was observed in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Conclusion: STI-571 improves the outcome of cisplatin or irradiation treatment in vitro. AKT pathway may play a role in the additive effect of STI-571 and irradiation.Цель: оценить антипролиферативный эффект иматиниба (STI-571) в комбинации с облучением или цисплатиной по отношению к двум клеточным линиям – клеткам линии SKNMC, полученным из саркомы Эвинга, и клеткам рака молочной железы человека линии MCF-7. Методы: для оценки пролиферации клеток применяли метод анализа цитотоксичности с использованием сульфородамина B. Для анализа распределения клеток по фазам клеточного цикла применяли метод проточной цитометрии, апоптоза – с применением коммерческого набора для проведения ИФА. Уровень фосфорилированной киназы АКТ, предположительно связанной с радиорезистентностью, определяли методом Вестерн-блот анализа. Результаты: инкубация клеток SKNMC STI-571 приводила к дозозависимому антипролиферативному эффекту и снижению фосфорилирования AKT, но не апоптозу клеток. Комбинированное применение STI-571 и обления или цисплатины оказывало дополнительное антипролиферативное воздействие на клетки линии SKNMC (60% уменьшения количества клеток). Аналогичные эффекты отмечали на клетках линии MCF-7. Выводы: обработка опухолевых клеток STI-571 усиливает эффект обления и цисплатины in, причем таковой может быть опосредован сигнальным каскадом AK

Nitrous Oxide sedation for intra-articular injection in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intra-articular corticosteroid injection in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is often associated with anxiety and pain. Recent reports advocate the use of nitrous oxide (NO), a volatile gas with analgesic, anxiolytic and sedative properties.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of NO analgesia for intra-articular corticosteroid injection in JIA, and to assess patients and staff satisfaction with the treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>NO was administered to JIA patients scheduled for joint injection. The patient, parent, physician and nurse completed visual-analog scores (VAS) (0–10) for pain, and a 5-point satisfaction scale. Change in heart rate (HR) during the procedure was recorded in order to examine physiologic response to pain and stress. Patient's behavior and adverse reactions were recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>54 procedures (72 joints) were performed, 41 females, 13 males; 39 Jewish, 13 Arab; mean age was 12.2 ± 4.7 year. The median VAS pain score for patients, parents, physicians and nurses was 3. The HR increased ≥ 15% in 10 patients. They had higher VAS scores as evaluated by the staff. The median satisfaction level of the parents and staff was 3.0 and 5.0 respectively. Adverse reactions were mild.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>NO provides effective and safe sedation for JIA children undergoing intra-articular injections.</p

Prevalence of alternative treatments in patients in the oncology area in northeastern Mexico

Background: The treatment against cancer depends of the type of cancer and the stadium that is found, the treatment consist in the application of one or various methods, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, the principals methods used are the following: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, driven therapy, hormonal therapy, mother cells transplant, biomarker test, etc. Mexico has more than 4500 medicinal plants, and only 11% of those plants had chemical, pharmacological and biomedical efficacy. For the above, in the country stands out the use of herbalist treatment for different types of cancer, however, the published articles in this topic are scarce. The present abstract becomes important since there is no study of this type in the northern region of Mexico. Methods: This study is observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and prolective. A non-probabilistic sampling was carried out. The study included 100 patients who attended the oncology area of the Hospital de Alta Especialidad de Ciudad Victoria “Bicentenario 2010” during the study period and who met the selection criteria indicated for this research. Results: 100 surveys were carried out on cancer patients, of which 55% were female. This population has an average age of 48.2 years. Regarding the origin of the patients, 67% reside in Ciudad Victoria. The range of educational level among the interviewees oscillated between high school and middle school, who belong to the middle class. There is a prevalence of 82% in the use of alternative treatments to treat the pathology, of which 76% employ the use of herbal medicine as an adjuvant in the different diseases that are treated in the hospital. The main plants used are: 45% Cannabis sativa, 23% Morinda citrifolia and 12% Arctium lappa. Conclusions: The use of complementary alternative medicine is common in cancer patients, highlighting herbal medicine. Due to the above, understanding the dynamics of the implementations of alternative therapies such as herbalism will allow understanding and guiding the patient in their oncological cycle process and minimizing side effects

The miR-17 similar to 92 cluster collaborates with the Sonic Hedgehog pathway in medulloblastoma

Medulloblastomas (MBs) are the most common brain tumors in children. Some are thought to originate from cerebellar granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) that fail to undergo normal cell cycle exit and differentiation. Because microRNAs regulate numerous aspects of cellular physiology and development, we reasoned that alterations in miRNA expression might contribute to MB. We tested this hypothesis using 2 spontaneous mouse MB models with specific initiating mutations, Ink4c(-/-); Ptch1(+/-) and Ink4c(-/-); p53(-/-). We found that 26 miRNAs showed increased expression and 24 miRNAs showed decreased expression in proliferating mouse GNPs and MBs relative to mature mouse cerebellum, regardless of genotype. Among the 26 overexpressed miRNAs, 9 were encoded by the miR-17 similar to 92 cluster family, a group of microRNAs implicated as oncogenes in several tumor types. Analysis of human MBs demonstrated that 3 miR-17 similar to 92 cluster miRNAs (miR-92, miR-19a, and miR-20) were also overexpressed in human MBs with a constitutively activated Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway, but not in other forms of the disease. To test whether the miR-17 similar to 92 cluster could promote MB formation, we enforced expression of these miRNAs in GNPs isolated from cerebella of postnatal (P) day P6 Ink4c(-/-); Ptch1(+/-) mice. These, but not similarly engineered cells from Ink4c(-/-); p53(-/-) mice, formed MBs in orthotopic transplants with complete penetrance. Interestingly, orthotopic mouse tumors ectopically expressing miR-17 similar to 92 lost expression of the wild-type Ptch1 allele. Our findings suggest a functional collaboration between the miR-17 similar to 92 cluster and the SHH signaling pathway in the development of MBs in mouse and man

Encephalitozoon cuniculi

This is the first confirmed report of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in farm meat rabbits located in Northern Mexico. Eighty young rabbits exhibited clinical signs of this zoonotic emerging disease, like torticollis, ataxia, paresis, circling, and rolling. Samples of brain, kidney, and liver were examined for histology lesions. For the first time the lesions caused by E. cuniculi were graded according to their severity (I, II, and III) and the size of the granulomas (Types A, B, and C). The main cerebral injuries were Grade III, coinciding with the presence of Type C granulomas. The cerebral lesions were located in the cortex, brain stem, and medulla. The renal lesions were also Grade III distributed throughout cortex and renal medulla, with no granuloma formation. The involvement of hypersensitivity Types III and IV is suggested. All of the rabbits were seropositive to E. cuniculi by CIA testing, suggesting that this zoonotic and emerging pathogen is widely distributed among animals intended for human consumption. We believe this work could be used as a guide when examining E. cuniculi and will provide direction to confirm the diagnosis of this pathogen

Telomere shortening may be associated with human keloids

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Keloids are benign skin tumors that are the effect of a dysregulated wound-healing process in genetically predisposed patients. They are inherited with an autosomal dominant mode with incomplete clinical penetrance and variable expression. Keloids are characterized by formation of excess scar tissue beyond the boundaries of the wound. The exact etiology is still unknown and there is currently no appropriate treatment for keloid disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed sample tissues were obtained from 20 patients with keloid skin lesions and normal skin was obtained from 20 healthy donors. The telomeres were measured by Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) analysis and Real-Time PCR assay. Quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR analysis of hTERT gene expression was performed and intracellular ROS generation was measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we determined whether telomeric shortening and the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) occurs in keloid patients. Using Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) analysis and Real-Time PCR assay, we detected a significant telomere shortening of 30% in keloid specimens compared to normal skin. Using quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR, telomerase activity was found absent in the keloid tissues. Moreover, an increase in ROS generation was detected in fibroblasts cell cultures from keloid specimens as more time elapsed compared to fibroblasts from normal skin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Telomere shortening has been reported in several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. We found that telomere shortening can also be associated with human keloids. Chronic oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathophysiology of several chronic inflammatory diseases. Here we found increased ROS generation in fibroblasts from keloid fibroblasts cell cultures when compared to normal skin fibroblasts. Hence we conclude that oxidative stress might be an important modulator of telomere loss in keloid because of the absence of active telomerase that counteracts telomere shortening.</p