cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Segmental metachronous adenoma rate as a metric for monitoring incomplete resection in a colonoscopy screening program.

Background and Aims Polypectomy technique has been shown to vary among colonoscopists, and interval colorectal cancer may result from incomplete resection of an adenoma. Methods to monitor polypectomy quality and the size of polyps resected to monitor have not been well defined. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of metachronous adenoma attributable to incomplete resection in polyps 6 to 9 mm versus polyps 10 to 20 mm. Methods The segmental metachronous adenoma rate attributable to incomplete resection (SMAR-IR) was calculated by subtracting the rate of metachronous neoplasia (MN) in segments without adenoma from segments with adenoma. The primary outcome of the study was the SMAR-IR in polyps 6 to 9 mm and 10 to 20 mm found on index colonoscopy. Results Of 337 patients included in the analysis, 146 patients had a tubular adenoma (TA) 10 to 20 mm in size and 191 patients a TA 6 to 9 mm in size as the most advanced lesion. For cases in which an index 10- to 20-mm TA was resected, the SMAR in segments with adenoma was 21.0% and in segments without adenoma 9.6%, so the SMAR-IR was 11.4% (95% confidence interval, 4.5-18.3). For cases in which an index 6- to 9-mm TA was resected, the SMAR in segments with adenoma was 22.0% and in segments without adenoma 8.8%, so the SMAR-IR was 13.2% (95% confidence interval, 7.2-19.4). Among 6 colonoscopists, the SMAR-IR ranged between 7.0% and 15.5% for polyps 6 to 20 mm. Conclusions MN rates in segments with a TA 10-20 mm and a TA 6-9 mm are higher than the MN rates in segments without index neoplasia. Incomplete resection of neoplasia appears to be a significant risk factor for MN in 6- to 9-mm lesions as well as larger ones.
Flow-assembled chitosan membranes in microfluidics: recent advances and applications

The integration of membranes in microfluidic devices has been extensively exploited for various chemical engineering and bioengineering applications over the past few decades. To augment the applicability of membrane-integrated microfluidic platforms for biomedical and tissue engineering studies, a biologically friendly fabrication process with naturally occurring materials is highly desired. The in situ preparation of membranes involving interfacial reactions between parallel laminar flows in microfluidic networks, known as the flow-assembly technique, is one of the most biocompatible approaches. Membranes of many types with flexible geometries have been successfully assembled inside complex microchannels using this facile and versatile flow-assembly approach. Chitosan is a naturally abundant polysaccharide known for its pronounced biocompatibility, biodegradability, good mechanical stability, ease of modification and processing, and film-forming ability under near-physiological conditions. Chitosan membranes assembled by flows in microfluidics are freestanding, robust, semipermeable, and well-aligned in microstructure, and show high affinity to bioactive reagents and biological components (e.g. biomolecules, nanoparticles, or cells) that provide facile biological functionalization of microdevices. Here, we discuss the recent developments and optimizations in the flow-assembly of chitosan membranes and chitosan-based membranes in microfluidics. Furthermore, we recapitulate the applications of the chitosan membrane-integrated microfluidic platforms dedicated to biology, biochemistry, and drug release fields, and envision the future developments of this important platform with versatile functions.
The Trump Executions

In the final six months of Donald Trump’s presidency, the federal government executed thirteen people. For perspective, there were three federal executions in the prior fifty-seven years—and none since 2003. Among other things, this Article is a historical record of the “Trump Executions,” constructed largely from primary-source material. The Article also offers a framework for organizing the unique legal issues that the Trump Executions presented, and discusses their crucial implications. I proceed in three parts. Part I places the Trump Executions in historical context. For politicians and bureaucrats who embrace the death penalty, the Trump Executions were a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Part I explains the Bureau of Prisons’ lengthy struggle to identify and implement a lawful execution protocol—which was largely responsible for the growth of federal death row, and the pent-up desire to clear it. Part I also presents a four-year timeline of the Trump Executions, which grounds the balance of the Article. Part II organizes, into four useful categories, the legal disputes that were largely unique to the Trump Executions. These were over: (1) the pentobarbital-only lethal injection sequence, (2) a federal “parity” provision requiring alignment between federal and state death penalty implementation; (3) a statutory savings clause allowing prisoners to bypass otherwise-applicable restrictions on post-conviction relief; and (4) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Issues belonging to a residual category receive abbreviated treatment.) Surprisingly, when the litigation was complete, the judiciary had clarified little about federal death penalty law. Part III considers the implications of the Trump Executions. The Supreme Court, which undertook unprecedented intervention by way of its “shadow docket,” plainly worked to ensure that the Joe Biden administration had no say in sentence implementation. The significance of the presidential transition was quite real, as the Trump Executions went forward on the backs of political and bureaucratic outliers that coincide only infrequently. Ironically, the Trump Executions will most durably affect other institutional practices that depend on emergency adjudication—including pandemic responses, elections, and capital punishment in the states.
Transcriptional fidelity enhances cancer cell line selection in pediatric cancers

Abstract Multi-omic technologies have allowed for comprehensive profiling of patient-derived tumor samples and the cell lines that are intended to model them. Yet, our understanding of how cancer cell lines reflect native pediatric cancers in the age of molecular subclassification remains unclear and represents a clinical unmet need. Here we use Treehouse public data to provide an RNA-seq driven analysis of 799 cancer cell lines, focusing on how well they correlate to 1,655 pediatric tumor samples spanning 12 tumor types. For each tumor type we present a ranked list of the most representative cell lines based on correlation of their transcriptomic profiles to those of the tumor. We found that most (8/12) tumor types best correlated to a cell line of the closest matched disease type. We furthermore showed that inferred molecular subtype differences in medulloblastoma significantly impacted correlation between medulloblastoma tumor samples and cell lines. Our results are available as an interactive web application to help researchers select cancer cell lines that more faithfully recapitulate pediatric cancer.
Endogenous RD Investment and Market Structure: A Case Study of the Agricultural Biotechnology Industry

Over the past three decades, the agricultural biotechnology sector has been characterized by rapid innovation, market consolidation, and a more exhaustive definition of property rights. The industry attributes consistently identified by the literature and important to this analysis include: (i) endogenous sunk costs in the form of expenditures on RD (ii) seed and agricultural chemical technologies that potentially act as complements within firms and substitutes across firms; and (iii) property rights governing plant and seed varieties that have become more clearly defined since the 1970s. This paper adds to the stylized facts of the agricultural biotechnology industry to include the ability of firms to license technology, a phenomenon observed only recently in the market as licensing was previously precluded by high transactions costs and “anti -stacking” provisions. We extend Sutton‟s theoretical framework of endogenous sunk costs and market structure to incorporate the ability of firms to license technology under well-defined property rights, an observed characteristic not captured in previous analyses of the sector. Our model implies that technology licensing leads to lower levels of industry concentration then what would be found under Sutton‟s model, but that industry concentration remains bounded away from perfect competition as market size becomes large.
Effect of gain bandwidth on active filter time-domain properties

In this paper we investigate the effects of operational amplifier gain bandwidth on the time-domain step response properties of active filters. A development is given of different methods that may be used to determine the rise time, delay time, and peak overshoot ratio. These methods are then applied to an evaluation of the properties of a typical active filter. >
Bordetella pertussis culture having only species factor 1.

Abstract Eldering, Grace (Michigan Department of Public Health, Grand Rapids), Jack Holwerda, and Julia Baker. Bordetella pertussis culture having only species factor 1. J. Bacteriol. 91:1759–1762. 1966.—Preston's description of Bordetella pertussis 353-Z as a culture possessing only factor 1 was confirmed by agglutination and agglutinin-adsorption tests. The ld50 values of this culture for mice inoculated by the intracerebral route were approximately the same as that of B. pertussis 18-323, the challenge culture in mouse potency tests of pertussis vaccine. In mouse protection tests, vaccine prepared with the factor 1 culture protected as well against challenge with B. pertussis 18-323, which has a broad antigenic pattern, as did vaccines made with cultures possessing factors 2, 3, 4, and 5 in addition to factor 1. When two groups of similarly immunized mice were challenged with 353-Z and 18-323, respectively, much lower ed50 values were obtained with the animals challenged with 353-Z. This was true whether a factor 1 vaccine or a vaccine with factors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 was tested.
The influence of the transition zone water filter on convective circulation in the mantle

[1] The “transition zone water filter” model of mantle convection attempts to reconcile geochemical evidence for isolated mantle reservoirs with geophysical evidence for whole mantle circulation by decoupling incompatible elements from bulk mantle circulation via a melt layer above the 410 km discontinuity. This would result in a stratified heating distribution similar to layered convection models, but would permit bulk mass and heat transfer across mantle interfaces. Here we test the basic effect of the water filter mechanism on mantle flow, in particular to see whether it induces layered convection and/or strong upwelling plumes above strongly heated layers. We investigate the influence of ten likely heating distributions on the planform of convection. Excepting an extreme case where all heating occurs in the transition zone, convection is not significantly influenced by the heating distribution. For Earth-like internal heating, the flow is dominated by downwellings which extend across the entire model mantle, as in uniformly internally heated layers.
A Cost Analysis of Preoperative Breast MRI Use for Patients with Invasive Lobular Cancer

Whereas the impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast on the surgical management of breast cancer patients is well documented, less is known about its effect on health care costs. This study aimed to evaluate whether MRI use for women with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) significantly changes the cost of care. Patients with ILC were recruited to a prospective registry study of breast MRI. Women who met the same inclusion criteria but had not undergone breast MRI were retrospectively identified for comparison. A micro-costing analysis using institutional billing records was conducted. Nonparametric bootstrapping was used to compare the unadjusted cost differences between the patients receiving MRI and those receiving no MRI. Of the patients in this study, 51 had preoperative MRI, and 60 did not. Method of diagnostic biopsy, disease stage, oncologic procedure, and rates of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy were similar between the two groups. The patients in the MRI group were younger (median age 55 vs. 64 years; p = 0.01) and more likely to undergo reconstruction (45.1 vs. 25 %; p = 0.03). The median costs of care were significantly higher in the MRI group ($24,781 vs. $18,921; p 1; p < 0.01), and use of reconstruction (p < 0.01). Preoperative breast MRI increases the median total cost of care per patient. However, the contribution to the overall cost of care is modest compared with the cost of other interventions.
An Unusual Case of Asystole following Penetrating Neck Trauma and Anoxic Brain Injury

Bradycardia and transient asystole are well-described sequelae of a myriad of neurologic insults, ranging from focal to generalized injuries. Increased vagal tone also predisposes many individuals, particularly adolescents, to transient neurally mediated bradyarrhythmia. However, prolonged periods of sinus arrest without junctional or ventricular escape are quite rare, even after significant neurologic injury. We describe the case of a 17-year-old man who presented with anoxic brain injury secondary to hemorrhagic shock from a stab wound to the neck. His recovery was complicated by prolonged periods of sinus arrest and asystole, lasting over 60 seconds per episode. This case illustrates that sustained asystolic episodes may occur following significant neurologic injury, and may continue to recur even months after an initial insult. Pacemaker implantation for such patients should be strongly considered.
Noise, negative transfer, and meaningfulness

Two studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that the presence of noise, which Ss were instructed to ignore, would facilitate performance on a negative-transfer learning paradigm but not performance on a control learning paradigm. The effect of noise on two levels of item meaningfulness for each paradigm was also studied. In both experiments, negative transfer was successfully generated for low-meaningful items and the predicted interaction between learning paradigms and treatments was obtained. In neither experiment was significant negative transfer generated for high-meaningful items, and the predicted interaction between paradigms and treatments was not obtained.
Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase bound to membranes: surface and microenvironment effects on activity and stability

The enzyme, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, was adsorbed to porous nitrocellulose and nylon membranes. The two membranes provide different surface chemistries as indicated by the results of the streaming potential, enzyme adsorption, and fluorescein isothiocyanate adsorption experiments. The stability of the enzyme, as determined by continually measuring the extent of coenzyme reduction as a function of time, appeared to be much less for the enzyme adsorbed to the positively charged membrane surface. Moreover, the enzyme adsorbed to the positively charged membrane was the least responsive to pulses of the reducing agent, dithiothreitol, and appeared to exhibit the highest transition temperature when subjected to differential scanning calorimetry analysis. These results indicate that the entropically spreading process observed for other adsorbed proteins may be occurring and the process is more rapid and extensive when enzyme is adsorbed to the nylon than the nitrocellulose membrane. In addition to the relative stability of the enzyme on two different surfaces being examined, the effect of the microenvironment on modulating the activity of the enzyme was investigated by using the reversibility of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction as a probe of the average local environment of the enzyme. It was found that a threshold buffer concentration existed that, once exceeded, the effect of proton production by the reaction could be suppressed.
Application of GPS Tensors to Fiber Reinforced Composites

In this paper we propose a pair of two new tensors called GPS tensors S and D for the concentric cylindrical inclusion problem. GPS tensor S relates the strain in the inclusion constrained by the matrix of finite radius to the uniform transformation strain (eigenstrain), whereas tensor D relates the strain in the matrix to the same eigenstrain. The tensorial form of relationship to the inclusion problem allows us to derive explicit expressions for a larger class of transformation problems, including thermal residual stress problems. Since GPS tensors take the fiber volume fraction into account explicitly, we are able to study the effect of matrix properties and fiber volume fraction on the spatial distribution of thermal residual stress. GPS tensors are also used in the evaluation of effective material properties by using the self-consistent method. Very good agreement between analytical results using GPS tensors and experimental data is observed for graphite/epoxy and glass/epoxy composites.
Using microscope observations of thin sections to estimate soil permeability with the Kozeny–Carman equation

Abstract In this study we used the Kozeny–Carman (K–C) equation as a semi-physical model for estimating the soil permeability using data derived from microscope observations. Specific surface areas and porosities were obtained from two-point correlation functions derived from scanning electron microscope images of thin sections using a magnification of 50 and a resolution of 1.88 μm pixel−1. Permeabilities were predicted using two published (‘Ahuja’ and ‘Berryman’) and one generalized variant of the K–C equation. The latter model was similar to the Berryman variant, but used a free parameter C rather than a porosity dependent formation factor. All K–C model variants were optimized on measured permeabilities. The Ahuja and Berryman K–C models performed relatively poorly with R2 values of 0.36 and 0.57, respectively, while the generalized model attained R2 values of 0.91. The parameter C was strongly related to texture and, to a lesser extent, particle density. The general model still required measured surface area and porosity. However, we showed that it was possible to estimate these parameters from texture resulting in an R2 of 0.87. A fully empirical model that did not assume K–C concepts performed slightly worse (R2=0.84). The results indicate that after developing the model using microscope information, only macroscopic data are necessary to predict permeability of soils in a semi-physical manner with the K–C equation.
Measurements of carbon dioxide in an Oregon metropolitan region

Abstract Ambient concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) are reported for the Portland, Oregon (USA) metropolitan region for the late July through December, 2009 period. Three stationary locations were established: a downtown location on the campus of Portland State University; a residential site in southeast Portland; and a rural station on Sauvie Island, located ∼30 km northwest of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. Continuous measurements of CO2 at each site average 403–408 ppm and show considerable variability at each site (360–610 ppm) due to CO2 sources, sinks and meteorological variability. Within this variability, a marked 20–30 ppm diurnal cycle is observed due to photosynthetic activity and variations in the planetary boundary layer. In-city CO2 concentrations are on average enhanced by 5–6 ppm over the Sauvie Island site during upgorge wind conditions, a difference which is greatest in the afternoon. Measurements of the 13C/12C ratio of CO2 in downtown Portland are significantly depleted in 13C relative to 12C compared with background air and suggest that regional CO2 is dominated by petroleum sources (75–80%). High degrees of relationship between CO2 variability and primary air pollutants CO and NO (r2 = 0.80 and 0.77), measured by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at the Southeast Portland location, corroborate this finding and illustrate the importance of traffic emissions on elevated ambient CO2 concentrations.
Travel times from central Pacific nuclear explosions and inferred mantle structure

Abstract Travel time data, from widely recorded nuclear detonations in the Eniwetok and Bikini atolls of the central Pacific, have been compiled and are presented. Although a number of stations recorded ten or more events from each atoll, the resulting data may be considered as from a single point source, precisely known in time and place. Composite P-wave travel times are presented in a graphical form and, in the distance range from 3 to 102 degrees, are represented as eight near straight-line segments. P-wave speeds in the top of the mantle average about 8.2 km/sec to distances beyond 17 degrees, and a sharp discontinuity at 19.5 degrees is indicated. There is no evidence for or against a low-speed layer in the upper mantle nor for a regional shadow zone. A mantle model consisting of a number of discrete spherical shells has been constructed. A core depth of 2,870 km, 30 km short of the accepted value, is calculated from PcP arrival times at Matsushiro and College, which are 2.5 and 3.5 sec. earlier than are indicated in the Jeffreys-Bullen tables.
National Institutes of Health support for research and training: future of pediatrician scientists.

Stiehm, in articles from 1985 1 and 1996, 2 raised an alarm that there were so few National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants awarded to Departments of Pediatrics that medical students could easily complete their training without having contact with a single NIH― funded pediatrician scientist. He showed that successful NIH funding of pediatrician scientists depended on a number of variables, but that most NIH grants were held in a limited number of Departments of Pediatrics. In his 1996 report, 2 Stiehm demonstrated that NIH funding had increased in the decade since his initial study in 1985, 1 Current information from the NIH web site (available at http://www.nih.gov/grants/award/trends94/ and http://silk.nih.gov/public/cbz2sn3; accessed July 20 and July 7, 1997, respectively) shows a slight increase in research dollars compared with that reported by Stiehm (1996), but a relatively stable share of NIH funding for Departments of Pediatrics. However, what is even more concerning is that it may be difficult for Departments of Pediatrics to maintain, let alone improve, their current level of NIH funding due to limited support for training of pediatrician researchers.
Implicit boundary method for finite element analysis using non-conforming mesh or grid

In the finite element method (FEM), a mesh is used for representing the geometry of the analysis and for representing the test and trial functions by piece-wise interpolation. Recently, analysis techniques that use structured grids have been developed to avoid the need for a conforming mesh. The boundaries of the analysis domain are represented using implicit equations while a structured grid is used to interpolate functions. Such a method for analysis using structured grids is presented here in which the analysis domain is constructed by Boolean combination of step functions. Implicit equations of the boundary are used in the construction of trial and test functions such that essential boundary conditions are guaranteed to be satisfied. Furthermore, these functions are constructed such that internal elements, through which no boundary passes, have the same stiffness matrix. This approach has been applied to solve linear elastostatic problems and the results are compared with analytical and finite element analysis solutions to show that the method gives solutions that are similar to the FEM in quality but is less computationally expensive for dense mesh/grid and avoids the need for a conforming mesh. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient calculation of resonance positions and widths using doubled Chebyshev autocorrelation functions

We demonstrate in this work that two recently proposed doubling schemes for computing damped Chebyshev autocorrelation functions provide accurate information about both the positions and widths of resonances. Low-lying resonances of HN2 and DN2 have been studied using the two efficient methods. The numerical effectiveness of the two methods was found to be comparable. In addition, the HN2 and DN2 resonances have been assigned and analyzed in some detail.
A redox study of the electron transport pathway responsible for generation of the slow electrochromic phase in chloroplasts

Abstract The amplitude of the slow phase of the electrochromic bandshift and the dark redox state of cytochrome b6, as well as its flash-induced turnover, have been measured as a function of ambient redox potential between +200 and −200 mV. Formation of a quinol-like donor with an Em,7 = +100 ± 10 mV is required for generation of the slow phase. 80–100% of the amplitude of this signal with a t 1 2 = 3−4 ms is observed at −200 mV where cytochrome b6 was almost fully reduced (Em,7 of dark and flash-induced photoreduction was −30 mV and −75 mV, respectively). The change in the photoreduction of cytochrome b6 above 0 mV had an Em,7 of +50 mV, about 50 mV more negative than the midpoint at this pH for the onset of the slow electrochromic change. At potentials below −140mV the amplitude of b6 photoreduction becomes small or negligible. The nature of the cytochrome b6 photoresponse is changed at potentials below −140 mV from a net photoreduction with a t 1 2 = ≲ 1 ms to a photooxidation with a t 1 2 = 15−20 ms that is substantially slower than the electrochromic band-shift with a t 1 2 = 3−4 ms . It is concluded that the slow electrochromic phase probably does not arise from a mechanism involving a turnover of cytochrome b6. From consideration of the possible flash-induced electron-transfer steps and alternative mechanisms for generation of the slow phase, it is suggested that it may arise from a redox-linked H+ pump involving the high potential iron-sulfur protein.
Surgical treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

The author has reviewed a series of 19 patients with unruptured aneurysms treated surgically during a 5-year period from 1976 to 1981. Unruptured aneurysms found in patients with multiple aneurysms and subarachnoid haemorrhage due to ruptured aneurysms are not included in this series. Literature on this subject is reviewed. There was no mortality and results were excellent in 7 patients with asymptomatic aneurysms. In 12 patient with symptomatic aneurysms there was no mortality and results were good to excellent in 9 patients. In 2 the results were unsatisfactory.
Cell therapies for the central nervous system: How do we identify the best candidates?

Purpose of review Central to the obstacles to be overcome in moving promising cell-based therapies from the laboratory to the clinic is that of determining which of the many cell types being examined are optimal for repairing particular lesions. Recent findings Our studies on astrocyte replacement therapies demonstrate clearly that some cells are far better than others at promoting recovery in spinal cord injury and that, at least in some cases, transplanting undifferentiated precursor cells is far less useful than transplanting specific astrocytes derived from those precursor cells. But further comparison between different approaches is hindered by the difficulties in replicating results between laboratories, even for well defined pharmacological agents and bioactive proteins. These difficulties in replication appear most likely to be due to unrecognized nuances in lesion characteristics and in the details of delivery of therapies. Summary We propose that the challenge of reproducibility provides a critical opportunity for refining cell-based therapies. If the utility of a particular approach is so restricted that even small changes in lesions or treatment protocols eliminate benefit, then the variability inherent in clinical injuries will frustrate translation. In contrast, rising to this challenge may enable discovery of refinements needed to confer the robustness needed for successful clinical trials.
Wide dynamic range APS star tracker

Design considerations and description of a CMOS Active Pixel image sensor (APS) star tracker are reported. APS technology has been thought of being most appropriate for guidance and navigation. However, making APS useful for future star tracker missions means a few challenges have to be overcome. A wider dynamic range is required, while fill factor ought to be high and simple geometry of the pixel active area is desired. These requirements are analyzed and tradeoff considerations are explained for a practical future celestial tracker. A 64 X 64 element CMOS APS array with individual pixel reset is described.
The restrained torsional response of open section carbon fibre composite beams

Abstract The analysis procedure outlined in this paper essentially makes use of the existing isotropic theories of torsion suitability modified to account for the non isotropic nature of typical carbon fibre composite material. The warping and St Venant torsional stiffnesses of the beams are determined using the appropriate equivalent engineering elastic constants of the composite material which correspond to the membrane and bending modes of action respectively. The differential equation governing the constrained torsional equilibrium of the open section beams is solved exactly in the paper for Z and channel sections with some emphasis being given to the influence of ply stacking sequence. Theoretical results are presented in graphical form and these depict the variations in warping displacement, warping shear flow and longitudinal or axial constraint force intensity with applied torque for the cantilever beam condition with torque applied at the free end. The paper also gives details of finite element studies of the composite beams and of an experimental programme of work pertaining solely to the behaviour of composite Z beams. Comparisons between theory, finite element and experiment are presented and these are seen to give exceptionally close agreement. It is clearly indicated that fibre orientation significantly influences the restrained torsional behaviour of thin-walled open-section composite beams. It is also clear that the use of the appropriate equivalent engineering elastic material constants in the theory is able to closely predict actual behaviour.
Identification of Urinary Biomarkers from X-Irradiated Mice Using NMR Spectroscopy

Abstract In a major radiological event, rapid screening of radiation-exposed individuals for possible medical intervention is critical. Here we suggest a high-throughput, non-invasive approach to identify radiation biomarkers in urine and demonstrate a proof of principle in mice. Mice were whole-body irradiated (8 Gy X rays), and urine samples were collected from both irradiated and control mice for 7 days after exposure. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of all the urine samples were acquired on a spectrometer operating at a proton frequency of 600 MHz. The multivariate data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). The resulting biomarkers revealed a broad range of metabolism changes, including creatine, succinate, methylamine, citrate, 2-oxoglutarate, taurine, N-methyl-nicotinamide, hippurate and choline. The temporal dependence of several biomarkers on radiation exposure was also explored. Combining several metabolomic biomarkers with different temporal dependence could provide an...
Consultation and interprofessional collaboration: Modeling for the future

Consultation and interprofessional collaboration by psychologists occur with individuals, groups, programs, and organizations. The practice of consultation and interprofessional collaboration involves interdisciplinary relationships, preparation, and advanced skill development within specialty areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling, industrial-organizational, and school). The Workgroup on Consultation and Interdisciplinary Relationships engaged in a planning process at the Competencies Conference: Future Directions in Education and Credentialing in Professional Psychology to address fundamental issues regarding consultation and interprofessional collaboration in professional psychology. The Workgroup articulated working definitions, consensus points about psychologists as consultants and interprofessional collaborators, a consulting and interprofessional competency blueprint for preparation and assessment strategies, and future directions. This is one of a series of articles published in this issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology Several other articles that resulted from the Competencies Conference will appear in Professional Psychology: Research and Practice and The Counseling Psychologist.
Neurokinin-1 receptor and substance P messenger RNA levels increase during intraabdominal adhesion formation.

Background. Intraabdominal peritoneal adhesions are a significant cause of postoperative morbidity and remain one of the major long-term complications associated with abdominal surgery. Adhesion formation at the molecular level involves a complex interaction of cytokines, growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, and neuropeptides, as well as many other factors secreted by cells proximate to the traumatized area. Limited studies exist which investigate the molecular processes involved in adhesion formation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the pattern of gene expression for substance P, the neurokinin-1 receptor, and downstream mediators of substance P action during the early stages of adhesion formation in the rat. Methods. Four ischemic buttons were created on one side of the peritoneum in male Wistar rats. Animals were sacrificed at 3, 6, and 12 h and 1, 3, 5, and 7 days following surgery. Peritoneal tissue from ischemic buttons and from the opposite sidewall was harvested for total RNA isolation. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to measure changes at the transcript level for the neurokinin-1 receptor, substance P, TGFβ-1, and the cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Results. Messenger RNA levels for substance P, neurokinin-1 receptor, TGFβ-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were significantly increased in peritoneal tissue taken from ischemic button sites (P < 0.05) when compared with controls. In the peritoneal tissues taken from the opposite sidewall, there was a significant (P < 0.05) early increase in substance P mRNA levels. TGF-β1, neurokinin-1 receptor, and ICAM-1 mRNA levels were also significantly (P < 0.05) increased when compared to controls, while the mRNA levels for VCAM-1 did not change. Conclusions. The increased levels of mRNA for substance P, the neurokinin-1 receptor, and the downstream mediators of substance P action, TGF-β1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, in peritoneal tissue associated with intraabdominal adhesions support a role for substance P in adhesion formation.
The Educational Researcher Defined: What Will Future Researchers Be Trained to Do?

Researchers have conducted studies of curriculum for doctoral students in various disciplines and subdisciplines. In this study, the authors examined methods (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods) requirements for doctoral programs in education. Such requirements operationalize visions about the meaning of educational research and the functions that educational researchers should be able to perform. Findings also provide implications about (a) the history of educational research and (b) in which direction it seems to be moving. Approximately 72% of doctoral programs that the authors observed required at least 1 quantitative course, 42% required at least 1 qualitative course, and the mean number of required research methods courses was 2.6 (Mdn = 2.0, SD = 2.2).
Assessing depression in medical patients.

Suicidal ideation is an intensely personal matter, and many patients may be alarmed by questions about it. A less threatening approach is described.
Stochastic-Dynamic Prediction of Three-Dimensional Quasi-Geostrophic Flow

Abstract This paper concerns the problem of predicting the variance of a large ensemble of predictions evolving from an ensemble of slightly incorrect initial states, randomly distributed around a “most probable” initial state. Starting with the vorticity and thermodynamic energy equations for three-dimensional quasi-geostrophic flow, we derive evolution equations for the ensemble-averaged potential vorticity, the variance of deviations from that average, and the mean transport of those deviations. Under the assumption that the ensemble of initial error fields is statistically isotropic and homogeneous in horizontal planes, the resulting stochastic equations comprise a complete system with second-moment closure. Those equations provide the basis for a simple method of predicting the spatial distribution of the probable error of predictions. Whether the local error-variance grows or decays is crucially dependent on the detailed structure and “local” scale of the “true” field of potential vorticity, relativ...
Uptake in brain and neurophysiological activity of two lipid esters of γ-aminobutyric acid

Abstract Two lipid esters of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 1-linolenoyl-2,3-bis(4-aminobutyryl) propane-1,2,3-triol and 1,2-dilinolenoyl-3-(4-aminobutyryl)propane-1,2,3-triol, were found to have brain uptake indices of greater than 30% using the single-pass carotid artery injection technique. Both compounds produced dose-dependent inhibition of the evoked population spike in slices of rat hippocampus maintained in vitro . This effect was blocked reversibly by plcrotoxin. The magnitude of the inhibition produced by the lipid esters of GABA was comparable to that of similar doses of GABA, but for both compounds the duration of the effect was at least 10 times longer than that produced by GABA. These data are consistent with the idea that the lipid esters of GABA can effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier and act as prodrugs for the delivery of GABA to the central nervous system.
Pause Insertions During Cyclic In Vivo Loading Affect Bone Healing

Fracture repair is influenced by the mechanical environment, particularly when cyclic loads are applied across the fracture site. However, the specific mechanical loading parameters that accelerate fracture healing are unknown. Intact bone adaptation studies show enhanced bone formation with pauses inserted between loading cycles. We hypothesized pause-inserted noninvasive external loading to mouse tibial fractures would lead to accelerated healing. Eighty mice underwent tibial osteotomies with intramedullary stabilization and were divided into four loading protocol groups: (1) repetitive loading (100 cycles, 1 Hz); (2) pause/time-equivalent (10 cycles, 0.1 Hz); (3) pause/cycle-equivalent (100 cycles, 0.1 Hz); and (4) no load control. Loading was applied daily for 2 weeks. Healing was assessed using histology, biomechanical bending tests, and microcomputed tomography. The pause-inserted, cycle-equivalent group had a greater percentage of osteoid present in the callus cross-sectional area compared with no-load controls, indicating more advanced early healing. The pause-inserted, cycle-equivalent group had a failure moment and stiffness that were 37% and 31% higher than the controls, respectively. All three loaded groups had smaller overall mineralized callus volumes than the control group, also indicating more advanced healing. At an early stage of fracture healing, pause-inserted loading led to more histologically advanced healing.
Permanent His-bundle pacing is feasible, safe, and superior to right ventricular pacing in routine clinical practice.

Background Right ventricular pacing (RVP) has been associated with heart failure and increased mortality. His-bundle pacing (HBP) is more physiological but requires a mapping catheter or a backup right ventricular lead and is technically challenging. Objective We sought to assess the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of permanent HBP in an unselected population as compared to RVP. Methods All patients requiring pacemaker implantation routinely underwent attempt at permanent HBP using the Select Secure (model 3830) pacing lead in the year 2011 delivered through a fixed-shaped catheter (C315 HIS) at one hospital and RVP at the second hospital. Patients were followed from implantation, 2 weeks, 2 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Fluoroscopy time (FT), pacing threshold (PTh), complications, heart failure hospitalization, and mortality were compared. Results HBP was attempted in 94 consecutive patients, while 98 patients underwent RVP. HBP was successful in 75 patients (80%). FT was similar (12.7 ± 8 minutes vs 10 ± 14 minutes; median 9.1 vs 6.4 minutes; P = .14) and PTh was higher in the HBP group than in the RVP group (1.35 ± 0.9 V vs 0.6 ± 0.5 V at 0.5 ms; P 40% ventricular pacing (>60% of patients), heart failure hospitalization was significantly reduced in the HBP group than in the RVP group (2% vs 15%; P = .02). There was no difference in mortality between the 2 groups (13% in the HBP group vs 18% in the RVP group; P = .45). Conclusion Permanent HBP without a mapping catheter or a backup right ventricular lead was successfully achieved in 80% of patients. PTh was higher and FT was comparable to those of the RVP group. Clinical outcomes were better in the HBP group than in the RVP group.
Analysis of venous access for therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with neurological disease.

We retrospectively analyzed our 2-year experience with venous access for 363 therapeutic plasma exchanges in 46 patients with neurological disease, including acute Guillain-Barre syndrome (N = 20), myasthenia gravis (N = 17), and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (N = 9). Twenty-three patients (50%) completed the planned course of therapy using only peripheral venous access, and 28 central venous catheters were placed in the remaining 23 patients. Patients utilizing central venous access did not undergo a greater number of procedures, but they were more likely to have acute Guillain-Barre syndrome (P < 0.02) or to be hospitalized in a medical intensive care unit (P < 0.01). Three types of central catheters were used, and although our experience was predominantly with 1 type, differences were noted. Only 3% of procedures (3 of 96) done with a Quinton-Mahurkar catheter were associated with a catheter failure, compared to 27% (4 of 15, P < 0.01) with a Hickman catheter and 67% (2 of 3) with a triple-lumen catheter. Life-threatening complications occurred with 3 of 28 (11%) central catheters. To optimize the success of therapeutic plasma exchange using central access, it is critical that hemapheresis personnel advise each patient's primary physician regarding the type of central venous catheter required. Currently, we recommend use of a Quinton-Mahurkar or other dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter.
Conclusions: Adolescents' Preparation for the Future

The future of societies depends on their success in providing pathways whereby young people develop and prepare themselves to be contributing adults to their communities. When these pathways are well marked, stable, supported by the community, and inviting to adolescents, a society can be confident that new generations will join the ranks of adulthood well prepared. When these paths are hazardous, unpredictable, uninviting, or ill fitted to the demands of adulthood in that society, the future is insecure, both for adolescents and for society. This volume and the additional two volumes of this study group (Brown, Larson, && Saraswathi, 2002; Mortimer && Brown, 2002) suggest the following observations about the experiences of youth and how well they are being prepared for adulthood in the 21st century.
Concurrent multiresponse non-linear screening: Robust profiling of webpage performance

Abstract Profiling engineered data with robust mining methods continues attracting attention in knowledge engineering systems. The purpose of this article is to propose a simple technique that deals with non-linear multi-factorial multi-characteristic screening suitable for knowledge discovery studies. The method is designed to proactively seek and quantify significant information content in engineered mini-datasets. This is achieved by deploying replicated fractional-factorial sampling schemes. Compiled multi-response data are converted to a single master-response effectuated by a series of distribution-free transformations and multi-compressed data fusions. The resulting amalgamated master response is deciphered by non-linear multi-factorial stealth stochastics intended for saturated schemes. The stealth properties of our method target processing datasets which might be overwhelmed by a lack of knowledge about the nature of reference distributions at play. Stealth features are triggered to overcome restrictions regarding the data normality conformance, the effect sparsity assumption and the inherent collapse of the ‘unexplainable error’ connotation in saturated arrays. The technique is showcased by profiling four ordinary controlling factors that influence webpage content performance by collecting data from a commercial browser monitoring service on a large scale web host. The examined effects are: (1) the number of Cascading Style Sheets files, (2) the number of JavaScript files, (3) the number of Image files, and (4) the Domain Name System Aliasing. The webpage performance level was screened against three popular characteristics: (1) the time to first visual, (2) the total loading time, and (3) the customer satisfaction. Our robust multi-response data mining technique is elucidated for a ten-replicate run study dictated by an L9(34) orthogonal array scheme where any uncontrolled noise embedded contribution has not been necessarily excluded.
A direct transmissibility formulation for experimental statistical energy analysis with no input power measurements

Abstract An experimental statistical energy analysis method is proposed that requires neither input power measurements nor strong restrictive hypothesis on the nature of coupling between subsystems. Coupling loss factors are obtained from direct or blocked energy transmissibilities provided that total or internal loss factors are known, for instance, from application of the energy decay rate method. In turn, direct transmissibilities are computed from standard measurable energy transmissibilities, following the ideas of the direct transfer approach to transmission path analysis. The theoretical background of the proposed formulation is presented together with a numerical example to indicate how it could be applied in a practical case.
An operator approach to weighted cross sections

Abstract A formalism is developed for expressing annihilation cross sections directly in terms of the vacuum expectation values of certain time-ordered products. This necessitates the introduction of a class of operators defined as spatial of multilocal products of fields. The formalism is used to study qualitatively the effects of a dilute gas of instantons on weighted cross sections, and also to rederive results on the cancellation of mass divergences.
A new method for designing shock-free transonic configurations

A new method for the design of shock-free supercritical airfoils, wings, and three-dimensional configurations is described. Results illustrating this procedure in two and three dimensions are given. They include modifications to part of the upper surface of an NACA 64A410 airfoil that will maintain shock-free flow over a range of Mach numbers for a fixed lift coefficient, and the modifications required on part of the upper surface of a swept wing with an NACA 64A410 root section to achieve shock-free flow. While the results are given for inviscid flow, the same procedures can be employed iteratively with a boundary layer calculation in order to achieve shock-free viscous designs. With a shock-free pressure field the boundary layer calculation will be reliable and not complicated by the difficulties of shock-wave boundary-layer interaction.