cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Axial Ring-Cusp Hybrid (ARCH) plasma discharge: an approach to highly efficient miniature-scale ion sources

The miniaturization of conventional direct-current ion sources is predominantly restricted by efficiency limitations associated with the increased surface area-to-volume ratio of smaller-scale discharge chambers—reducing the effective confinement length of the high-energy 'primary' electrons that is necessary for efficient plasma generation. The Axial Ring-Cusp Hybrid (ARCH) plasma discharge addresses this scaling limitation by using a new approach that combines magnetic and electrostatic confinement to decouple the primary and plasma electrons loss mechanisms. Simulated ion thruster performance measurements show that the ARCH discharge may be capable of achieving a discharge loss and a propellant mass utilization of 175 eV/ion and 0.87, respectively. These estimates are supported by full internal maps of the plasma properties, including the electron energy distribution function, inside the discharge chamber. The measurements show highly effective confinement of the primary electrons, high average plasma electron temperatures of ~5 eV, and low plasma sheath potential relative to the anode—attributes generally found only in efficient conventional-scale discharges with good overall plasma confinement. As such, the new ARCH discharge design approach may allow miniature ion thrusters to achieve the performance and efficiency levels similar to those of highly efficient conventional ion thrusters.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography Shows Increased Arterial Blood Supply Associated with Murine Mammary Cancer

Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Western women. Tumor neoangiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, may be used as a prognostic marker for cancer progression. Clinical practice uses dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to detect cancers based on increased blood flow and capillary permeability. However, DCE-MRI requires repeated injections of contrast media. Therefore we explored the use of noninvasive time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography for serial studies of mouse mammary glands to measure the number and size of arteries feeding mammary glands with and without cancer. Virgin female C3(1) SV40 TAg mice (n=9), aged 18-20 weeks, were imaged on a 9.4 Tesla small animal scanner. Multislice T2-weighted (T2W) images and TOF-MRI angiograms were acquired over inguinal mouse mammary glands. The data were analyzed to determine tumor burden in each mammary gland and the volume of arteries feeding each mammary gland. After in vivo MRI, inguinal mammary glands were excised and fixed in formalin for histology. TOF angiography detected arteries with a diameter as small as 0.1 mm feeding the mammary glands. A significant correlation (r=0.79; p< 0.0001) was found between tumor volume and the arterial blood volume measured in mammary glands. Mammary arterial blood volumes ranging from 0.08 mm3 to 3.81 mm3 were measured. Tumors and blood vessels found on in vivo T2W and TOF images, respectively, were confirmed with ex vivo histological images. These results demonstrate increased recruitment of arteries to mammary glands with cancer, likely associated with neoangiogenesis. Neoangiogenesis may be detected by TOF angiography without injection of contrast agents. This would be very useful in mouse models where repeat placement of I.V. lines is challenging. In addition, analogous methods could be tested in humans to evaluate the vasculature of suspicious lesions without using contrast agents.
Cyber Bullying Among Female College Students: An Exploratory Study

Background and Purpose: Cyber bullying is often assumed to only occur in grades K-12, yet reports of such behaviors on college campuses and in the workplace are increasing. The U.S. Federal Government has recently called for policy development regarding cyber bullying to occur in higher education. This study explored perceptions of frequency and severity of cyber bullying among college students. Consequences of cyber bullying and the need for resources on college campuses were also explored. Methods: In 2011, a total of 18 undergraduate women participated in three focus groups, each lasting approximately 75 minutes. Results: Emergent themes revealed participants do not consider cyber bullying to be a significant issue currently, but likely will increase in prevalence among the college population. Many participants were familiar with the cyber bullying term but were unaware of its definition, nor could they provide examples. Further, the majority of participants were unaware of resources for victims of cyber bullying. Implications: Findings from this study reveal the need for educational programs geared toward college students about the meaning and consequences of cyber bullying. Further, resources for victims of cyber bullying should be made available on college campuses.
Comment on “Peculiarities in the gravitational field of a filamentary ring” [Am. J. Phys. 87, 384–394 (2019)]

In a recent article, the dynamics of a particle in the gravitational field of a uniform ring in the plane of the ring was examined. Parts of this work duplicate the results of previous work by West et al. in a paper published in this journal in 1998, and additional work extending those results in a paper by Tobin and West in 2006.In a recent article, the dynamics of a particle in the gravitational field of a uniform ring in the plane of the ring was examined. Parts of this work duplicate the results of previous work by West et al. in a paper published in this journal in 1998, and additional work extending those results in a paper by Tobin and West in 2006.
Temporal trends in oncology product approvals in the United States, 1986–2005

6131 Background: No systematic examination of temporal trends in oncology approvals in the United States (US) has been conducted. Methods: Internal databases at the US Food and Drug Administration ...
Worldwide Access to Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe and effective technology that can address a variety of neurosurgical conditions, but in many parts of the world, access remains an issue. Although the technology is increasingly available in the United States, Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia, poor access to central nervous system (CNS) imaging and inadequate treatment equipment in other parts of the world limit the availability of radiosurgery as a treatment option. In addition, epidemiologic data about cancer and CNS metastases in low-income countries are sparse and much less complete than in more developed countries, and the need for radiosurgery may be underestimated as a result. Current radiosurgical platforms can be expensive to install and require a substantial amount of personnel training for safe operation. Socioeconomic and political forces are relevant to limitations to and opportunities for improving access to care. Here we examine the current barriers to access and propose areas for future efforts to improve global availability of radiosurgery for neurosurgical conditions.
Later is better: Corticosteroids selectively suppress early memory T cells

Systemic corticosteroid therapy selectively affects low-affinity memory CD8+ T cells and may alter the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade.
Gaze Direction Visualization Techniques for Collaborative Wide-Area Model-Free Augmented Reality

In collaborative tasks, it is often important for users to understand their collaborator’s gaze direction or gaze target. Using an augmented reality (AR) display, a ray representing the collaborator’s gaze can be used to convey such information. In wide-area AR, however, a simplistic virtual ray may be ambiguous at large distances, due to the lack of occlusion cues when a model of the environment is unavailable. We describe two novel visualization techniques designed to improve gaze ray effectiveness by facilitating visual matching between rays and targets (Double Ray technique), and by providing spatial cues to help users understand ray orientation (Parallel Bars technique). In a controlled experiment performed in a simulated AR environment, we evaluated these gaze ray techniques on target identification tasks with varying levels of difficulty. The experiment found that, assuming reliable tracking and an accurate collaborator, the Double Ray technique is highly effective at reducing visual ambiguity, but that users found it difficult to use the spatial information provided by the Parallel Bars technique. We discuss the implications of these findings for the design of collaborative mobile AR systems for use in large outdoor areas.
Design and In-Water Testing of a Fault-Detection System for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Actuators

We discuss the design of a fault-detection system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) actuator and present the results of in-water testing. We first discuss the design of the system, then its integration onto the UUV, the in-water testing sequence, and finally the analysis of the test results –- missed detection and false-alarm rate. This system serves as a platform for UUV fault detection and isolation research, enabling the development of system requirements, and providing the opportunity to compare the merits of the centralized vs decentralized fault-detection design approaches.
An Exploration of Advanced SLW Modeling Approaches in Comprehensive Combustion Predictions

Recent work demonstrated the integration of the Spectral Line Weighted-Sum-of-Gray-Gases (SLW) model for advanced modeling of gas radiation in high temperature gases in a comprehensive combustion m...
National trends, 90-day readmission and subsequent knee surgery following multi-ligament knee reconstruction.

Abstract Introduction/background Given the uncommon nature of the multi-ligament injured knee, a better understanding of its outcomes may be achieved by contemporary evaluation of a national administrative database. We aim to identify risk factors for 90-day major complications, 90-day readmissions, and subsequent knee surgery after a multi-ligament knee reconstruction. Methods The Humana Claims Database was queried for all patients undergoing a multi-ligament knee reconstruction procedure from 2007 to 2016 using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 procedure codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Outcomes of interest included Center of Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)- reportable 90-day complications, 90-day readmission and subsequent ligament reconstruction or total knee arthroplasty. Predictive factors studied included demographics (ie. age, sex, tobacco use) comorbidity burden and operative factors (ie. surgical setting, diagnosis of knee dislocation, concomitant meniscal repair or meniscectomy). Results 588 multi-ligament knee reconstruction procedures were identified. The 90-day readmission rate 8.3%. The rate of subsequent ligament surgery was 7.1%. On multivariate regression analysis, a diagnosis of knee dislocation was associated with a four times greater likelihood of readmission and a two and a half greater likelihood of subsequent ligament surgery. Concomitant meniscectomy was associated with higher likelihood of subsequent total knee arthroplasty (9.1, 1.4–67.0) and outpatient setting of surgery compared to inpatient hospital setting was associated with reduced likelihood of readmission. Conclusion While uncommon, the patient population undergoing multi-ligament knee surgery is relatively diverse. Understanding common factors predisposing this population to adverse events following surgery may assist in improved outcomes.
Tri-trophic interactions are resilient to large shifts in precipitation levels in a wheat agroecosystem

Abstract Changing climatic conditions can fundamentally alter the interactions between species with important implications for agriculture. The impacts of shifts in precipitation on trophic interactions have been understudied relative to other climate drivers. We carried out field experiments to examine how precipitation, attack by parasitoid wasps (Bracon cephi (Gahan))(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and their potential interaction affect the performance of a major pest of wheat, Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), and its impact on wheat yield. We independently manipulated insects (no insects, +C. cinctus, or +C. cinctus and B. cephi) and precipitation (-50% to -70%, ambient, +70%) in a factorial design in each of two growing seasons. Crop-herbivore-parasitoid interactions were remarkably robust to our precipitation manipulations with no significant changes in C. cinctus infestation, survival or levels of parasitism observed in the first (wetter) year of the study. Despite slight declines in pest infestation and percent parasitism under precipitation addition relative to reduction in the second year, both insects had strong and significant impacts on crop yield. These effects were consistent across precipitation manipulations, as evidenced by the lack of a significant interaction between insect and precipitation treatments. The results suggest that natural enemy benefits to crop production in this system can be substantial, and are likely to be robust across a relatively wide range of precipitation levels. While rare, studies that examine climate influences within a tri-trophic context are critical to predicting how pest insects will ultimately impact crop production under changing climatic conditions.
NIX initiates mitochondrial fragmentation via DRP1 to drive epidermal differentiation

The epidermis regenerates continually to maintain a protective barrier at the body's surface composed of differentiating keratinocytes. Maturation of this stratified tissue requires that keratinocytes undergo wholesale organelle degradation upon reaching the outermost tissue layers to form compacted, anucleate cells. Through live imaging of organotypic cultures of human epidermis, we find that regulated breakdown of mitochondria is critical for epidermal development. Keratinocytes in the upper layers initiate mitochondrial fragmentation, depolarization, and acidification upon upregulating the mitochondrion-tethered autophagy receptor NIX. Depleting NIX compromises epidermal maturation and impairs mitochondrial elimination, whereas ectopic NIX expression accelerates keratinocyte differentiation and induces premature mitochondrial fragmentation via the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) DRP1. We further demonstrate that inhibiting DRP1 blocks NIX-mediated mitochondrial breakdown and disrupts epidermal development. Our findings establish mitochondrial degradation as a key step in terminal keratinocyte differentiation and define a pathway operating via the mitophagy receptor NIX in concert with DRP1 to drive epidermal morphogenesis.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Versus Open Reduction Internal Fixation for Proximal Humerus Fractures in the Elderly.

Background Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of proximal humerus fractures in elderly individuals (age >70) carries a relatively high short-term complication and reoperation rate but is generally durable once healed. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) for fractures may be associated with superior short-term quality of life but carries the lifelong liabilities of joint replacement. The tradeoff between short and long-term risks, coupled with disparities in quality of life and cost, makes this clinical decision amenable to cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods A Markov state-transition model was constructed with a base case of a 75 year-old patient. Reoperation rates, quality of life values, mortality rates, and costs were based upon published literature. The model was run until all patients had died to simulate the accumulated costs and benefits. Results RTSA was associated with greater quality of life (7.11 QALYs) than ORIF (6.22 QALYs). RTSA was cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $3,945/QALY and $27,299/ QALY from payor and hospital perspectives, respectively. RTSA was favored and cost-effective at any age above 65 and any Charlson Score. The model was sensitive to the utility of both procedures. Conclusion RTSA resulted in a higher quality of life and was cost-effective in comparison to ORIF for elderly patients.Level of Evidence: III.
Determining the Best Time to Integrate Opioid Use Disorder Training into the Curriculum Based on Student Perceptions.

PURPOSE The clinical phase of physician assistant (PA) education has been reported to be the best time period to deliver opioid prescribing education (OPE) and opioid addiction education (OAE); however, there are no current published studies that evaluate the timing of OPE and OAE instruction in PA curricula. METHODS This pilot study compared didactic and clinical phase cohorts' perceived confidence in their ability to evaluate patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) after receiving identical training at different time points within the curriculum. RESULTS As expected, clinical phase students displayed high confidence levels in their abilities both before and after implementation of OUD-focused patient simulations. Interestingly, didactic phase students' confidence levels were comparable to clinical phase students' confidence levels after participating in the patient simulations. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that students can benefit from this training in both phases of the curriculum, which may encourage and help PA programs to insert this important and timely information into their curriculum.
A Pilot Study Using Frequent Inpatient Assessments of Suicidal Thinking to Predict Short-Term Postdischarge Suicidal Behavior.

Importance The weeks following discharge from psychiatric hospitalization are the highest-risk period for suicide attempts. Real-time monitoring of suicidal thoughts via smartphone prompts may be more indicative of short-term risk than a single, cross-sectional assessment. Objective To test whether modeling dynamic changes in real-time suicidal thoughts during psychiatric hospitalization can improve predictions of postdischarge suicide attempts vs using only baseline (ie, admission) data or using the mean level of real-time suicidal thoughts during hospitalization. Design, Setting, and Participants In this prognostic study, 83 adults recruited from the inpatient psychiatric unit at Massachusetts General Hospital completed ecological momentary assessment surveys of suicidal thinking 4 to 6 times per day during hospitalization as well as brief follow-up surveys assessing suicide attempts at 2 and 4 weeks after discharge. Participants completed at least 3 real-time monitoring surveys. Inclusion criteria included hospitalization for suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors and English fluency. Data were collected from January 2016 to December 2018 and analyzed from January to December 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was suicide attempt in the month after discharge. Results Of 83 participants (mean [SD] age, 38.4 [13.6] years; 43 [51.8%] male participants; 69 [83.1%] White individuals), 9 (10.8%) made a suicide attempt in the month after discharge. Mean cross-validated AUC for elastic net models revealed predictive accuracy was fair for the model using baseline data (area under the curve [AUC], 0.71; first to third quartile, 0.55-0.88), good for the model using the mean level of real-time suicidal thoughts during hospitalization (AUC, 0.81; first to third quartile, 0.67-0.91), and best for the model using dynamic changes in real-time suicidal thoughts during hospitalization (AUC, 0.89; first to third quartile, 0.81-0.97); this pattern of results held for other classification metrics (eg, accuracy, positive predictive value, Brier score) and when using different cross-validation procedures. Features assessing rapid fluctuations in suicidal thinking emerged as the strongest predictors of posthospital suicide attempts. A final set of models incorporating percentage missingness further improved both the mean (mean AUC, 0.93; first to third quartile, 0.90-1.00) and dynamic feature (mean AUC, 0.93; first to third quartile, 0.88-1.00) models. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, collecting real-time data about suicidal thinking during the course of hospitalization significantly improved short-term prediction of posthospitalization suicide attempts. Models including dynamic changes in suicidal thinking over time yielded the best prediction; features that captured rapid changes in suicidal thoughts were particularly strong predictors. Survey noncompletion also emerged as an important predictor of posthospitalization suicide attempts.
An emerging role of transcription in chromosome segregation: Ongoing centromeric transcription maintains centromeric cohesion

Non-coding centromeres, which dictate kinetochore formation for proper chromosome segregation, are extremely divergent in DNA sequences across species but are under active transcription carried out by RNA polymerase (RNAP) II. The RNAP II-mediated centromeric transcription has been shown to facilitate the deposition of the centromere protein A (CENP-A) to centromeres, establishing a conserved and critical role of centromeric transcription in centromere maintenance. Our recent work revealed another role of centromeric transcription in chromosome segregation: maintaining centromeric cohesion during mitosis. Interestingly, this role appears to be fulfilled through ongoing centromeric transcription rather than centromeric transcripts. In addition, we found that centromeric transcription may not require some of the traditional transcription initiation factors, suggestive of "uniqueness" in its regulation. In this review, we discuss the novel role and regulation of centromeric transcription as well as the potential underlying mechanisms.
Evaluation of Composite Resin Materials for Maxillomandibular Fixation in Cats for Treatment of Jaw Fractures and Temporomandibular Joint Luxations

Objective: To identify a method of composite application for maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) in cats that ensures the material will remain bonded during convalescence but be easy to remove with a low complication rate. Study Design: Experimental study Sample Population: Feline cadavers (n=88). Methods: MMF was applied using composite to 4 groups of 22 feline cadaver heads each. The protocols were: group CR: acid etch and composite resin; group CR+: acid etch, bonding agent, and composite resin; group FR50: partial surface acid etch and flowable composite resin; group FR100: complete surface acid etch and flowable composite resin. Removal time and complication rate were noted. Load to failure was determined by tensile loading. Results: Load to failure was similar for groups CR and CR+ and for groups FR50 and FR100; however, load to failure for groups FR50 and FR100 was higher than groups CR and CR+ (P<.01). Time for material removal for group FR100 was longer (P<.01) and the complication rate was higher (P<.01) compared with the groups CR, CR+, and FR50, with no significant differences in removal times and complication rate between the latter groups. The most frequent complication during material removal in group FR100 was crown fracture. Conclusions: Partial coronal surface acid etch before use of flowable composite maintained a strong bond, yet resulted in easy material removal with a low complication rate.
Test of Motor Ability for College Men

Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop an easily administered test of motor ability for college men. Expert opinion was used in the validation process and eight factors of motor ability and 29 items measuring those factors were chosen. The selected tests were administered to 222 college men and statistical analysis covered item reliability, objectivity, correlations with the criterion, and intercorrelations. Through use of the Doolittle technique multiple correlations and regression equations were computed for a number of combinations. Two test batteries including one short indoor test were recommended. Scoring tables, norms, score card, profile, and directions for administering are included in a test manual.
Uncertainty Quantification for Airframes: Current Status, Needs, and Suggested Directions

Widespread interest in uncertainty quantification methods for airframe design and certification is driven by the desire to realize acquisition and operational cost savings through increased reliance on analysis, the goal being to design and produce more robust airframes. General sources of uncertainty are described that complicate airframe design and testing, thereby contributing to the high cost of airframes. Recent applications of uncertainty quantification are reviewed with the objective of highlighting promising research and transition applications. Finally, several challenges and needs are explored to suggest future steps that must be completed to enable practical application of uncertainty quantification in airframe design and certification.
Lincoln President‐Elect: Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860–1861 – By Harold Holzer

Covering the four months from Lincoln's 1860 election to his March 4, 1861, inauguration, this narrative, from a prominent Lincoln scholar, contributes significantly to “Lincolniana” on at least tw...
Substance P differentially stimulates IL-8 synthesis in human corneal epithelial cells.

PURPOSE. To determine whether substance P (SP), a neuropeptide with proinflammatory properties, specifically interacts with human corneal epithelial cells to stimulate synthesis of the chemokines interleukin (IL)-8, monocyte chemo-attractant protein (MCP)-1, and regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) protein. METHODS. Primary cultures of human corneal epithelial cells were established from human corneas. Expression of the SP receptor neurokinin (NK)-1 was determined by both the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and radiolabeled saturation binding experiments. Synthesis of chemokine-specific RNA in cells stimulated with SP was analyzed by RT-PCR, and quantitation of chemokine protein synthesis was achieved by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS. Human corneal epithelial cells expressed NK-1 mRNA and bound SP with a K d characteristic of NK-1. Exposure of cells to SP had no effect on IL-8-specific mRNA synthesis, whereas it increased the half-life of IL-8 transcripts by more than twofold, resulting in significant enhancement of IL-8 synthesis. The capacity of SP to bind to corneal epithelial cells and to induce IL-8 synthesis was abrogated in the presence of a specific NK-1 receptor antagonist. In contrast to IL-8, exposure of cells to SP did not stimulate synthesis of MCP-1 or RANTES. CONCLUSIONS. The results suggest that human corneal cells express NK-1 receptors that specifically bind SP and induce IL-8 synthesis by stabilizing the chemokine's transcripts.
Gravitational shock waves from tachyons

The gravitational field predicted by general relativity for a tachyon is in many ways similar to the shock wave produced by an object moving faster than the signal velocity in a medium. It is an intense wave and for a dense macroscopic tachyon it is capable of exciting Weber’s gravitational radiation detection apparatus across astronomical distances.
Regulation of tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate-induced responses in NIH 3T3 cells by GAP, the GTPase-activating protein associated with p21c-ras.

Abstract Proteins of the ras family of oncogenes have been implicated in signal transduction pathways initiated by protein kinase C (PKC) and by tyrosine kinase oncogenes and receptors, but the role that ras plays in these diverse signalling systems is poorly defined. The activity of ras proteins has been shown to be controlled in part by a cellular protein, GAP (GTPase-activating protein), that negatively regulates p21c-ras by enhancing its intrinsic GTPase activity. Thus, overexpression of GAP provides a tool for determining the step(s) in signal transduction dependent on p21c-ras activity. In this paper, we report that overexpression of GAP blocks the phorbol ester (tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate [TPA])-induced activation of p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p42mapk), c-fos expression, and DNA synthesis. GAP overexpression did not block responses to serum or fluoroaluminate. Moreover, not all biochemical events elicited by TPA were affected by GAP overexpression, as increased glucose uptake and phosphorylation of MARCKS, a major PKC substrate, occurred normally. Reduction of GAP expression to near normal levels restored the ability of the cells to activate p42mapk in response to TPA. These findings suggest that ras and GAP together play a key role in a PKC-dependent signal transduction pathway which leads to p42mapk activation and cell proliferation.
Camden Yards Spices: An Instructional Case for Learning Activity-Based Costing

This short case enables students to understand the fundamentals of activity-based costing (ABC) and profitability analysis using ABC. It has been designed to serve as an effective introductory case for students in undergraduate or graduate cost accounting or managerial accounting course. It can also be used in seminars and workshops for accountants, managers, and other professionals. This focused case minimizes the amount of time required to learn ABC fundamentals, and it fosters a discussion of wide-ranging issues relating to ABC. Use of this case should eliminate the need to use a longer case in the course to explain ABC.Camden Yards is a fictional manufacturer that employs a traditional absorption costing system for determining product costs. It allocates manufacturing overhead using a predetermined manufacturing overhead rate that is based on direct labor cost. A summer intern suggests that the company could improve the accuracy of costing for individual products if it assigned manufacturing overhead using activity-based costing. Students calculate total production costs using activity-based costing (ABC), and then compare the ABC costs for each product to the company’s “official” product costs that are presented at the beginning of the case. Students learn that assigning overhead costs based on traceable consumption of resources generally leads to better accuracy than allocating overhead costs arbitrarily. End-of-case questions also lead students to explore reasons for large differences in reported product costs between the two methods.Using the case, students will learn the following:• ABC is a costing system that assigns costs to products (or other cost objects) based on traceable consumption of resources; • ABC provides new insights regarding product costs and profitability; • They will understand why ABC is an improvement over traditional absorption costing systems that arbitrarily “allocate” manufacturing overhead costs to products;• They will learn methods of calculating ABC costs; • They will learn to challenge the conventional wisdom that manufacturing overhead costs are “indirect” costs;• They will understand how to explain the design flaws that are inherent in traditional absorption product costing systems, and the perils in relying on their reported costs for making decisions.
Metabolic Mapping of the Effects of Cocaine during the Initial Phases of Self-Administration in the Nonhuman Primate

Because most human studies of the neurobiological substrates of the effects of cocaine have been performed with drug-dependent subjects, little information is available about the effects of cocaine in the initial phases of drug use before neuroadaptations to chronic exposure have developed. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to define the substrates that mediate the initial effects of cocaine in a nonhuman primate model of cocaine self-administration using the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method. Rhesus monkeys were trained to self-administer 0.03 mg/kg per injection (N = 4) or 0.3 mg/kg per injection (N = 4) cocaine and compared with monkeys trained to respond under an identical schedule of food reinforcement (N = 4). Monkeys received 30 reinforcers per session, and metabolic mapping was conducted at the end of the fifth self-administration session. Cocaine self-administration reduced glucose utilization in the mesolimbic system, including the ventral tegmental area, ventral striatum, and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition, metabolic activity was increased in the dorsolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, as well as in the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus. These latter effects are distinctly different from those seen after the noncontingent administration of cocaine, suggesting that self-administration engages circuits beyond those engaged merely by the pharmacological actions of cocaine. The involvement of cortical areas subserving working memory suggests that strong associations between cocaine and the internal and external environment are formed from the very outset of cocaine self-administration. The assessment of the effects of cocaine at a time not readily evaluated in humans provides a baseline from which the effects of chronic cocaine exposure can be investigated.
Chemical and nuclear magnetic resonance studies of 3,3-diphenyltetrahydrofuran derivatives

Pyrolytic cyclization of a- and β-methadol methiodides afforded cis and trans isomers of 2-ethyl-3,3-diphenyl-5-methyltetrahydrofuran, respectively. Catalytic hydrogenation of 2-ethyli-dene-3,3-diphenyl-5-methyltetrahydrofuran yielded the cis and trans isomers in a 2:1 ratio. The nmr spectra of these and structurally related compounds have been analyzed in terms of a half-chair conformation for 2-ethyl-5-methyl, 2-ethyl, and 5-methyl derivatives. An envelope conformation has been suggested for the compounds containing a double bond at C-2.
Legislating love: Norwegian family reunification law as a racial project

Love is often portrayed as helping us overcome racism and other forms of prejudice, yet this article argues that imperatives towards love and romance-based marriage in Norwegian family reunification law constitute a racial project. Through a detailed reading of the 2004 Green Paper on a new Immigration Act, and a particular focus on the use of immigration law to combat forced marriages evident there, the centrality of romantic love in constructions of national subjects is considered. These constructions are seen to render some groups of Norwegian citizens simultaneously invisible as national subjects and hyper-visible as objects of national management.
Colocalization of enkephalin and glycine in amacrine cells of the chicken retina

The present double-label study combines enkephalin immunocytochemistry with either autoradiography of glycine high-affinity uptake or glycine immunocytochemistry to investigate the coexistence of glycine in enkephalin-amacrine cells of the chicken retina. A regional analysis revealed that the percentage coexistence of glycine high-affinity uptake in enkephalin-amacrine cells did not vary appreciably throughout the retina. Overall, 54.9% of enkephalin-amacrine cells exhibited high-affinity glycine uptake. Double-label immunofluorescence cytochemistry revealed that 52.5% of enkephalin-amacrine cells expressed glycine immunoreactivity. These double-immunolabeled cells were observed throughout the center and periphery of the retina. The present study reveals a similar percentage of chicken enkephalin-amacrine cells expressing either glycine high-affinity uptake (54.9%) or glycine immunoreactivity (52.5%) and therefore, provides supportive evidence for identifying these cells as glycinergic. The present study also suggests a functional diversity in the population of enkephalin-amacrine cells in the chicken retina relative to their coexisting/non-coexisting relationship with glycine.
“Redistribution” of myocardial thallium-201 without reperfusion: Implications regarding absolute quantification of perfusion

Abstract Thallium-201 scintigraphy is often used clinically to detect regions of ischemia. In clinical and experimental studies, such regions exhibit defects (cold spots) in initial scintigrams that resolve with time, even when normal flow is not reestablished. To characterize the basis for this apparent redistribution, 29 isolated hearts were perfused retrograde with erythrocyte-enriched modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer solution. Myocardial tracer time-activity curves were obtained after bolus injections of thallium-201 with the use of a pair of scintillation probes, from which the residual fraction (the fraction of tracer remaining in the heart after a bolus injection) and the biologic half time (the time at which 50 percent of initially extracted tracer is lost) were calculated. Under control conditions, the residual fraction was 81 ± 7 percent (mean ± standard deviation) and half-time 22 ± 2 minutes. When hearts were subjected to low flow (with flow decreased from a control value of 1.4 to 0.6 ml/g per min) the residual fraction increased and half-time was prolonged (94 ± 4 percent and 44 ± 17 minutes, respectively; probability [p]
Conformational Technique for Non-Anatomic Resection of Liver Lesions

Safe margin-negative hepatic resection with maximal preservation of normal liver parenchyma is the primary operative objective in treating patients with metastatic or primary liver malignancies. A technique to perform non-anatomic liver resection(s) for large lesions that may involve major hepatic vascular structures is herein described. This technique employs linear cutting stapler technology and specific mobilization of the liver to perform single or multiple large spherical resections of liver lesions.
Synthesis of phenols from metal-carbynes and diynes

Abstract Metal-carbynes RCM(CO)4Br with diacetylenes give specific phenols in good yield. The reactions take only a few minutes at or below room temperature.
Baffled membrane modules made with hollow fiber fabric

Abstract A baffled membrane module of hollow fiber fabric can supply both countercurrent contacting and flow perpendicular to well spaced hollow fibers. the countercurrent contacting increases the number of transfer units involved in a given separation, and the perpendicular flow gives mass transfer coefficients typically five times larger than those available with other modules. The performance of such modules can be accurately predicted by a simple model verified by numerical simulation and by physical experiments. This performance is routinely better than that in more conventional designs.
Safety of long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in hypertensive patients.

Abstract Issues raised recently concerning the safety of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) prompted an analysis of the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death in the Pfizer Inc. hypertension clinical trial databases for amlodipine (Norvasc) and nifedipine in the gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) formulation (Procardia XL). Prospectively defined analyses of data from comparative and noncomparative trials of amlodipine and nifedipine GITS were conducted. Outcome measures included cardiovascular and noncardiovascular deaths, and adverse cardiovascular events including new/worsened angina, myocardial infarction (MI), serious arrhythmia, stroke, congestive heart failure, and bleeding. Among all amlodipine-treated patients (n = 32,920), the incidence rates for all-cause death, MI, and new/worsened angina were 3.0, 3.3, and 1.6/1,000 patient-years of exposure, respectively. Among those in comparative trials alone (n = 4,126), the all-cause death rate was 4.1/1,000 patient-years, which was comparable to that of other non-CCB agents and significantly less than that of other CCBs (23.8/1,000 patient-years, p = 0.015), although the difference in rates represents only 2 deaths. Among all nifedipine-GITS–treated patients (n = 2,645), the rate of all-cause death was 4.1/1,000 patient-years, of MI 6.5/1,000 patient-years, and of new/worsened angina 5.7/1,000 patient-years. The incidence rates for MI and other cardiac events were low in these hypertension trials, and did not differ among treatment groups in either the amlodipine or nifedipine GITS comparative analyses. In the clinical trial databases analyzed, there is no signal suggesting excessive risk of death or cardiovascular events for hypertensive patients treated with amlodipine or nifedipine GITS.
Automated single cell microbioreactor for monitoring intracellular dynamics and cell growth in free solution

We report an automated microfluidic-based platform for single cell analysis that allows for cell culture in free solution with the ability to control the cell growth environment. Using this approach, cells are confined by the sole action of gentle fluid flow, thereby enabling non-perturbative analysis of cell growth away from solid boundaries. In addition, the single cell microbioreactor allows for precise and time-dependent control over cell culture media, with the combined ability to observe the dynamics of non-adherent cells over long time scales. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, we used the platform to observe dynamic cell growth, gene expression, and intracellular diffusion of repressor proteins while precisely tuning the cell growth environment. Overall, this microfluidic approach enables the direct observation of cellular dynamics with exquisite control over environmental conditions, which will be useful for quantifying the behaviour of single cells in well-defined media.
Families of origin of homeless and never-homeless women.

Naturalistic inquiry was used to compare the characteristics of families of origin of homeless women with never-homeless women. The women’s experiences in their families of origin were explored during in-depth interviews using Lofland and Lofland’s conceptions of meanings, practices, episodes, roles, and relationships to guide the analysis. The two groups were similar with respect to family abuse history, transience, and loss. The never-homeless women had support from an extended family member who provided unconditional love, protection, a sense of connection, and age-appropriate expectations, as contrasted with homeless women who described themselves as being without, disconnected, and having to be little adults in their families of origin. The experience of family love and connection seemed to protect never-homeless women from the effects of traumatic life events in childhood. These findings provide support for the influence of a woman’s family of origin as a precursor to homelessness.
Tagetitoxin affects plastid development in seedling leaves of wheat.

Ultrastructural and biochemical approaches were used to investigate the mode of action of tagetitoxin, a nonhost-specific phytotoxin produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis (Hellmers) Young, Dye and Wilkie, which causes chlorosis in developing — but not mature — leaves. Tagetitoxin has no effect on the growth rate or morphology of developing leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. Its cytological effects are limited to plastid aberrations; in both light-and dark-grown leaves treated with toxin, internal plastid membranes fail to develop normally and plastid ribosomes are absent, whereas mitochondrial and cytoplasmic ribosomes are unaffected. The activity of a plastid stromal enzyme, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase, EC 4.1.1.39), which is co-coded by nuclear and chloroplast genes, is markedly lower in extracts of both light-and dark-grown toxin-treated leaves, whereas the activity of another stromal enzyme, NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-G-3P-DH, EC 1.2.1.13), which is coded only by the nuclear genome, is significantly lower in extracts of light-grown, but not of dark-grown, treated leaves. The mitochondrial enzymes fumarase (EC 4.2.1.2) and cytochrome-c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) are unaffected by toxin in dark-grown leaves, but fumarase activity is reduced in light-grown ones. Four peroxisomal enzyme activities are lowered by toxin treatment in both light- and dark-grown leaves. Light- and dark-grown, toxintreated leaves contain about 50% and 75%, respectively, of the total protein of untreated leaves. There are threefold and twofold increases in free amino acids in light-grown and dark-grown treated leaves, respectively. In general, the effects of tagetitoxin are more extensive and exaggerated in light-grown than in dark-grown leaves. We conclude that tagetitoxin interferes primarily with a light-independent aspect of chloroplast-specific metabolism which is important in plastid biogenesis.
Alpheus inca : a new snapping shrimp (Caridea: Alpheidae) from western South America

ABSTRACT Alpheus inca, new species, is described from shallow rocky subtidal zones of Chile and Peru. This member of the macrocheles species group can be recognized by the locking notch of the dactyl in the palm of the major chela. The species lacks spines on the distal margins of the merus of the third pereiopods.
Part II: Cardiac drug and psychotropic drug interactions: significance and recommendations

Understanding cardiac drug interactions with concurrent psychotropic prescriptions is essential for the practicing cardiologist and primary care physician, as well as for the psychiatrist. There has been an explosive use of new drugs in both psychiatry and cardiology without widespread knowledge of their potential interactions. The increasing tendency toward poly-pharmacy, the use of psychotropic medications by cardiologists and primary care physicians caring for cardiac patients, and the growth of the aging population present major challenges for the practitioner. Finally, there is a need to have models/paradigms for predicting potential drug interactions--e.g., the Cytochrome p450 schema. This paper describes a method to identify, understand, and codify the interactions between psychotropic and cardiac drugs, a systematic approach for updating this key database and specific cardiac-psychotropic drug interactions. Specifically, this paper 1) details the interactions, 2) addresses the level of their clinical significance, 3) describes the potential mechanism(s) of the interactions, and 4) offers recommendations to the clinician. Since the majority of the original clinical trials, either for cardiac medications or psychotropic drugs, do not include studies comparing these two drug domains contemporaneously, their interactions often become known only with their combined use in the clinical arena, using the patient as "guinea pig," and through subsequent reporting.
Over-expression, purification and characterization of the oligomerization dynamics of an invertebrate mitochondrial creatine kinase

Mitochondrial creatine kinase (MtCK) plays a central role in energy homeostasis within cells that display high and variable rates of ATP turnover. Vertebrate MtCKs exist primarily as octamers but readily dissociate into constituent dimers under a variety of circumstances. MtCK is an ancient protein that is also found in invertebrates including sponges, the most primitive of all multi-cellular animals. We have cloned, expressed, and purified one of these invertebrate MtCKs from a marine polychaete worm, Chaetopterus variopedatus (CVMtCK). Size exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to characterize oligomeric state in comparison with that of octameric chicken sarcomeric isoform (SarMtCK). At protein concentrations >1 mg/ml, CVMtCK was predominantly octameric (>90%). When diluted to 0.1 mg/ml, CVMtCK dissociated into dimers much more rapidly than SarMtCK when observed under identical conditions. The rate of dissociation for both MtCKs increased as temperature rose from 2 to 28 °C, and in CVMtCK, fell at higher incubation temperatures. The fraction of octameric CVMtCK at equilibrium increased with temperature and then fell. Temperature transition studies showed that octamers and dimers were rapidly interconvertible on a similar time scale. Importantly, when CVMtCK was converted to the transition state analog complex (TSAC), both size exclusion chromatography and DLS showed that there was minimal dissociation of octamers into dimers while SarMtCK octamers were highly unstable as the TSAC. These results clearly show distinct differences in octamer stability between CVMtCK and SarMtCK, which could impact function under physiological circumstances. Furthermore, the large yield of recombinant protein and high stability of CVMtCK in the TSAC suggest that this protein might be a good target for crystallization efforts.
How terror-proof is your economy?

Scientists can help to develop a financial safety net by providing transparent market data and loss-impact analysis, says Erwann Michel-Kerjan.