cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chlamydia trachomatis-infected human cells convert ceramide to sphingomyelin without sphingomyelin synthases 1 and 2.

The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis proliferates in the membranous compartment inclusion formed in host cells. The host ceramide transport protein CERT delivers ceramide from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex for the synthesis of sphingomyelin (SM). Chlamydia trachomatis has been suggested to employ CERT to produce SM in the inclusion by host SM synthases (SMSs). Here, we found that C. trachomatis proliferates and produces infective progeny even in SMS1 and SMS2 double-knockout HeLa cells, but not in the SMS1/SMS2/CERT triple-knockout cells. Interestingly, infected cells convert ceramide to SM without host SMSs. These results suggest that C. trachomatis-infected cells can convert ceramide to SM without host SMSs after CERT-mediated transfer of ceramide to the inclusions.
Soccer and Mortality - Good News and Bad News.

In the general population, moderate exercise, physical activity, and participation in sports have important health benefits, including slowing cognitive decline and preventing dementia.1 Participat...
Rectus sheath hematoma following enoxaparin administration

Low-molecular-weight heparin, including enoxaparin, has efficacy comparable to that of unfractionated heparin and is considered the first-line option for thromboprophylaxis due to a decreased risk ...
Variability in influenza vaccination opportunities and coverage among privately insured children.

Abstract Background Universal influenza vaccination has been recommended since 2010, yet influenza vaccination rates among children aged 6 months to 17 years remain low compared with other routinely recommended childhood vaccines. Objective Assess in-plan vaccination coverage, opportunities, and missed opportunities during the 2016–2017 influenza season. Study Design: Retrospective analyses using 2016–2017 MarketScan® data for 2,768,799 privately insured children aged 1–17 years by the end of 2016 who were continuously enrolled in the same insurance plan during the 2016–2017 influenza season (defined as August 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017). We assessed in-plan vaccination coverage (percentage receiving ≥ 1 dose of influenza vaccine from August 2016-May 2017) and vaccination opportunities (percentage with ≥ 1 provider visit between September 2016 – May 2017). Among children who remained unvaccinated at the end of the season, those with ≥ 1 influenza vaccination opportunity between September 2016-May 2017 were determined to have a missed opportunity. Results In-plan vaccination coverage during the 2016–17 season was 67.7% in infants (born 2015), 49.5% in toddlers (born 2012–2014), 35.0% in school-aged children (born 2004–2011), and 22.3% in teenagers (born 1999–2003). Like vaccination coverage, vaccination opportunities decreased with age (infants: 97.7%, toddlers: 91.9%, school-aged children: 82.6%, teenagers: 79.3%). Among unvaccinated children, 93.1%, 84.1%, 73.6% and 73.6% of each age group had a missed opportunity for influenza vaccination. Conclusion Opportunities for and coverage with influenza vaccination vary even among privately insured children. Along with continued efforts to reduce missed opportunities, effective strategies to bring children to their doctor for annual influenza vaccination are needed, particularly for older children.
Intention, Rationality, and Irrationality

Since first writing about the explanation of behavior I have come to see a number of additional problems that the topic raises. Intentions cause behavior, but psychology is not a natural science, for psychological explanations presuppose a measure of rationality. But people do sometimes act irrationally, as for example when the agent lacks moral imagination in Werhane’s sense or perception in Aristotle’s and frames an action wrongly. We may act from social pressure but then rationalize. Our emotions may mislead us, though in some cases they may guide us better than does our attempted rationality. Aristotle offers a well-known account of how all this happens.
Entrepreneurship: A theory for no theory for now:

We discuss the impediments to theorizing about entrepreneurial activity, why these exist, and what to do about them. We do so because we believe that the evolution of theory in entrepreneurship has...
Electric-Field-Driven Assembly of Dipolar Spheres Asymmetrically Confined between Two Electrodes

Externally applied electric fields have previously been utilized to direct the assembly of colloidal particles confined at a surface into a large variety of colloidal oligomers and nonclose-packed ...
Recruiting Underrepresented Minority Students into Psychiatry Residency: a Virtual Diversity Initiative.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly hindered medical student career planning and clinical rotations. Recruitment and networking may be more influential in match outcomes than previous cycles. Medical residency training programs have significant challenges in recruiting diverse applicants. The American Psychiatric Association’s Black Caucus developed a virtual recruitment event for residency programs with robust diversity initiatives and underrepresented medical students. This article evaluates our methods, short-term results, and influence on participating medical students. The authors sent web-based invitations to all programs subscribed to the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training listserv. Programs that demonstrated intention and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion were selected. The authors used various social media platforms and the Black Caucus listserv to advertise to medical students. Student participants received an online feedback survey consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Thirty-six programs and one hundred seven medical students participated in the 2-day diversity fair. Seventy-six students completed the following survey, which is a response rate of 71%. A majority of students reported that this event strongly influenced their interest in a program (71.05) and are actively considering a residency program they had not previously considered (69.74). A majority of medical students (89.47) strongly agreed that program representatives treated them with professionalism and respect. This event improved communication between highly valued underrepresented minority students applicants and residency programs. A notable majority of participants found the program overwhelmingly beneficial.
Investigation of the association between gall bladder wall thickness and hypoalbuminaemia in dogs.

OBJECTIVES To assess the correlation between gallbladder wall thickness and serum/plasma albumin concentrations in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective searches of digital medical record databases were conducted to identify dogs that had either severely low serum/plasma albumin concentration ( 2 mm). Analysis of covariance models were used to analyze gallbladder wall thickness with sample type (serum vs plasma), age, etiology, albumin, and albumin ' etiology as the covariates. RESULTS A total of 216 dogs met inclusion criteria. One-hundred and forty-six dogs had a thickened gallbladder wall (Group 1). Median serum/plasma albumin concentration for dogs in this group was 2.2 g/dL (1 to 5 g/dL), and 84 dogs (57.5%) had hypoalbuminemia (<2.5 g/dL). The search for dogs with severe hypoalbuminemia (< 1.5 g/dL) identified 70 dogs (Group 2). In this group, median gallbladder wall thickness was 1.3 mm (0.2 to 6.1 mm) and 17 dogs (24.3%) had a thickened gallbladder wall. Serum/plasma albumin concentration and gallbladder wall thickness were not significantly correlated for Group 1 (r = 0.0044, p = 0.9580) or Group 2 (r = -0.1137, p = 0.3487). A moderate negative correlation (-0.64) was identified between gallbladder wall thickness and albumin concentration in dogs with immune-mediated diseases (p = 0.03). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Gallbladder wall thickness and serum/plasma albumin concentration are independent variables in dogs.
Professional development during a crisis and beyond: Lessons learned during COVID

This article reviews a virtual professional development program for STEM faculty conducted in 2020 in which, due to COVID, faculty participants had to adjust their teaching practices. The study found that the program's structure, focus, and ability to foster community helped sustain faculty members. Participants shared lessons learned through virtual workshops they led for others on their campuses.
GenLine and GenForm: Two Tools for Interacting with Generative Language Models in a Code Editor

A large, generative language model’s output can be influenced through well-designed prompts, or text-based inputs that establish textual patterns that the model replicates in its output [6]. These capabilities create new opportunities for novel interactions with large, generative language models. We present a macro system with two tools that allow users to invoke language model prompts as macros in a code editor. GenLine allows users to execute macros inline as they write code in the editor (e.g., “Make an OK button” produces the equivalent HTML). GenForm provides a form-like interface where the user provides input that is then transformed into multiple pieces of output at the same time (e.g., a description of web code is transformed into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript).
Führungsverantwortung von Großunternehmen

Es scheint mir angebracht, uber das Thema Fuhrungsverantwortung im Rahmen dieser Festschrift aus verschiedener Perspektive Stellung zu nehmen. Einmal ist der zu Ehrende, wie der Autor selbst, Praktiker gewesen und bis heute der Praxis verbunden. Zum anderen macht die derzeitige Fuhrungssituation, insbesondere von Grosunternehmen, eine kritische Analyse zwingend erforderlich. Dabei soll es jedoch in diesem Beitrag nicht bleiben. Zustand wie Moglichkeit einer Veranderung sollen gerade wegen der Praxisverbundenheit offen angesprochen werden.
A piecewise linear approximation scheme for hereditary optimal control problems

An approximation scheme based on 'piecewise linear' approximations of L2 spaces is employed to formulate a numerical method for solving quadratic optimal control problems governed by linear retarded functional differential equations. This piecewise linear method is an extension of the so called averaging technique. It is shown that the Riccati equation for the linear approximation is solved by simple transformation of the averaging solution. Thus, the computational requirements are essentially the same. Numerical results are given.
Developing a Continuous Hemodynamic Autoregulation Monitor

There arc about 1.7 million cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the U.S. annually [1]. or these, patients with moderate to severe head injurirs are typically monitored in surgical intensive care units (SICU) in order to prevent secondary injury to the brain. Treatments are only implemented to reduce intracranial hypertension (IH). Here, we aim to provide near real-time predictive information to enable informed decisions about therapies for TBI patients. In order to predict IH events, existing and newly dewloped autoregulation (AR) indices were evaluated for predictive efficacy. This study will investigate the applicability of the colllpensatory reserw index i.e. RAP - coffelation (R) between the alllfllitude (A) and mean (P) of intracranial pressure (ICP) to predict IH. Preliminary results cOlllflaring simulated amI real patient data indicate that RAP relates to ICP changes and has future potential for predicting ICP events and patient outcome.
Effect of Behavioral Intervention on Dilated Fundus Examination Rates in Older African American Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance African American individuals are at high risk of diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy but have suboptimal rates of dilated fundus examinations (DFEs). Early intervention is crucial for the prevention of diabetic retinopathy in this high-risk population. Objective To test the efficacy of behavioral activation for diabetic retinopathy prevention on rates of DFEs in older African American individuals with diabetes mellitus. Design, Setting, and Participants Masked randomized clinical trial at 2 urban medical centers from October 1, 2010, to May 31, 2014. Participants included 206 African American individuals 65 years and older with diabetes mellitus who had not obtained a DFE in the preceding 12 months. Interventions Participants were randomized to either behavioral activation for diabetic retinopathy prevention, a behavioral intervention designed to provide education, facilitate identifying and addressing health care barriers, and promote goal setting to improve rates of DFEs, or supportive therapy, a control condition. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was medical documentation of a DFE at 6 months’ follow-up. Secondary outcomes included the Risk Perceptions and Risk Knowledge Survey of Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes Self-Care Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, and National Eye Institute Vision Function Questionnaire 25 scores and hemoglobin A 1c levels. Results More participants in the behavioral activation for diabetic retinopathy prevention group (87.9%) obtained a DFE compared with those in the supportive therapy group (34.1%) by the 6-month follow-up assessment ( P P 1c levels, depression, or the Risk Perceptions and Risk Knowledge Survey of Diabetes Mellitus or National Eye Institute Vision Function Questionnaire 25 composite scores; however, both groups had improved adherence to diabetes mellitus self-care behaviors from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Conclusions and Relevance Behavioral activation for diabetic retinopathy prevention significantly increased rates of DFEs in older African American individuals with diabetes mellitus. Behavioral interventions may have the potential to positively affect screening for diabetic retinopathy in at-risk populations. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01179555
Validity and Reliability of Limits-of-Stability Testing: A Comparison of 2 Postural Stability Evaluation Devices

Context: A lack of published comparisons between measures from commercially available computerized posturography devices and the outcome measures used to define the limits of stability (LOS) makes meaningful interpretation of dynamic postural stability measures difficult. Objectives: To compare postural stability measures between and within devices to establish concurrent and construct validity and to determine test-retest reliability for LOS measures generated by the NeuroCom Smart Balance Master and the Biodex Balance System. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Controlled research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 23 healthy participants with no vestibular or visual disabilities or lower limb impairments. Intervention(s): The LOS were assessed during 2 laboratory test sessions 1 week apart. Main Outcome Measure(s): Three NeuroCom LOS variables (directional control, endpoint excursion, and movement velocity) and 2 Biodex LOS variables (directional control, test duration). Results...
APPLYING THE FULL RANGE LEADERSHIP MODEL TO MANAGING EMPLOYEES IN THE LAS VEGAS CASINO-GAMING INDUSTRY

Early researchers concluded that leaders exhibit certain qualities not found among the common man (Bass, 1990; Burns, 1978; Hernez-Broome & Hughes, 2004; Moser & vander Nat, 2003; Northouse, 2010; and Stodgill, 1948). As researchers started looking at these phenomena, they realized that leadership is an evolving process that changes from paradigm-to-paradigm; shifting as environmental values change within society (Bass, 1990). The significant growth of the casino-gaming industry over the past two decades necessitates management understanding of how leading in the 21st century could affect operational productivity and organizational performance. The purpose of this research study was to investigate and analyze employee perceptions about managerial leadership styles in the Las Vegas casino-gaming industry. This study focused on the leadership styles in the Full Range Leadership Model (FRLM) and the relationship between employee perceptions and revenue growth. Participants completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form 5X (MLQ) to communicate their perceptions about managerial leadership styles. The study discovered that employees in Las Vegas casino-gaming operations perceived their managers as following the contingent rewards transactional leadership style and that revenue growth was not a determining factor in their perceptions.
Antiferroelectric lead zirconate thin films derived from acetate precursors

Antiferroelectric lead zirconate (PbZrO3) films derived from acetate precursors have been fabricated on Pt/Ti-coated silicon wafers and fused silica at 700 °C with an automatic dip-coating process. Films formed directly on the metallized silicon wafer showed the coexistence of perovskite and pyrochlore phases. A pre-coated titania layer of about 10 nm facilitated the formation of the desired perovskite phase. Films deposited on fused silica exhibited interactions between lead and silica which inhibited the crystallization of the films. In this case, a pre-coated titania layer in the range 50–75 nm acted as a diffusion barrier layer, allowing the formation of the perovskite phase. Antiferroelectricity in the films was confirmed by X-ray superstructure, dielectric double hysteresis loops and d.c. bias behaviour at room temperature. The corresponding transverse electro-optic properties were also measured for films deposited on fused silica.
A pseudo-Bayesian method of global optimization

A method of global searching which takes some of the advantageous principles of Bayesian methods such as memory of past evaluations, yet also uses principles of genetic algorithms such as parallel structure and reduced complexity. is discussed. Results for this method are found on the basis of the number of evaluations needed to converge upon the global solution for a standard test function. The algorithm is shown to converge probabilistically as the number of evaluations approaches infinity, and is shown to have a computational complexity of O(i), where i is the number of iterations. >
Enlargement of the supraclavicular lymph nodes as the initial sign of prostatic carcinoma.

During the past 12 years, 19 patients have presented themselves with enlargement of the supraclavicular lymph nodes as the initial manifestation of previously unrecognized prostatic carcinoma. Of the 19 patients, 18 had enlargement of the left supraclavicular lymph nodes, and one had enlargement of those on the right side. This study group was compared with a control group of 100 consecutive previously untreated patients exhibiting the typical signs and symptoms of prostatic carcinoma. The histologic picture in both the lymph nodes and prostate gland of the study group was that of a less well-differentiated carcinoma than was usually observed in the control group. The disease should, therefore, be considered when metastatic adenocarcinoma is discovered in the supraclavicular lymph nodes, usually those on the left, of men over 45 years of age. Prostatic carcinoma appearing initially as metastases in supraclavicular lymph nodes does not differ significantly in its response to therapy or survival from prostatic carcinoma manifested by the typical clinical features.
Abstract 2878: Targeting the CXCL5-CXCR2-CREB signaling axis suppresses growth, survival, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The role of chemokines and chemokine receptors has been evolving in cancer. Besides their functions in the immune system, they also play a critical role in tumor initiation, promotion and progression. Since the tumor microenvironment play a critical role in cancer development and progression, the immune components of the tumor microenvironment have gained attention in the recent decades for its critical role in tumorigenesis and tumor control. Recent studies have clearly demonstrated the importance of CXCR2 in the development of lung cancer. Our recent studies showed that CXCR2 expression in tumor cells was associated with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (n=262). Analysis of gene expression profiles from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director's Challenge Cohort of in lung adenocarcinoma patients (n=442) revealed that overexpression of CXCR2 ligands and CXCR2 genes was clustered together in approximately 25% of lung adenocarcinoma patients. Expression of CXCR2 and its associated ligand gene cluster in tumor cells was associated with poor prognosis, smoking status, and poor histologic differentiation. Furthermore, CXCL5 was involved as an potent angiogenic factor in NSCLC. The objective of the current study was to establish the role of the CXCL5/CXCR2 axis in tumor growth and invasion and to determine its related molecular mechanisms. In the study, CXCL5 activated the CREB transcription factor via the pERK1/2-p90Rsk-pCREB signaling pathway. In addition, inhibitors of CXCR2 and downstream signal transduction molecules blocked the activation of pERK1/2-pRsk-pCREB signaling molecules. Blockade of the CXCR2 receptor, CXCR2-dependent signal molecules, or CREB resulted in suppression of NSCLC cell growth, survival and invasion. These results suggest that the CXCL5-CXCR2-CREB signaling axis may be a source of potential therapeutic targets in lung adenocarcinoma. . Citation Format: Hee Sun Park, Jong Woo Lee, Pierre Saintigny, Jonathan M. Kurie, Roy S. Herbst, Jaseok Peter Koo. Targeting the CXCL5-CXCR2-CREB signaling axis suppresses growth, survival, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2878. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2878
Effects of Preexisting Stress Voids on Electromigration Stress Buildup and Flux Divergence

Numerical modeling of electromigration stress buildup and flux divergence was undertaken. The objective is to provide a mechanistic understanding of the question: Do preexisting stress voids grow during later electromigration, to become potentially fatal? Conflicting experimental results have been reported. In this work the stress field in aluminum interconnects containing voids was first quantified using the finite element analysis. The averaged stress field then served as the initial condition in the one-dimensional partial differential equation of electromigration stress buildup. The finite difference method was employed to solve the evolving stress profile and the associated atomic flux and flux divergence along the conducting line. It was found that a large preexisting void suffers greater flux divergence and is therefore more prone to growth during electromigration. A single large stress void is more detrimental than populous small voids. Published experimental observations seem to support these findings.
Managing web repositories in emerging economies: Case studies of browsing web directories

Abstract Over the past decade, worldwide Internet usage has grown tremendously, with the most rapid growth in some emerging economies such as Latin America and the Middle East, where people speaking different languages actively seek information on the web. Global search engines may not adequately address local users’ needs while regional web portals may lack rich web content. Different from search engines, web directories organize sites and pages into intuitive hierarchical structures to facilitate browsing. However, high-quality web directories in users’ native languages often do not exist and their development requires much domain knowledge not readily available. In this research, we proposed a novel semi-automatic approach to facilitate web repository management. We applied the approach to developing web directories in the business and health-care domains for the Spanish-speaking and Arabic-speaking communities respectively. The two directories contain respectively 4735 and 5107 unique sites and pages with a maximum depth of 5 levels. Results of experiments involving 37 native speakers show that these directories outperformed existing benchmark directories in terms of browsing effectiveness and efficiency, providing strong implications for information professionals and multinational enterprise managers.
Electrodynamics of nearly ferroelectric superconductors

We report here the frequency-dependent optical response of a nearly ferroelectric superconductor (NFE-SC), like ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}{\mathrm{WO}}_{3},$ or $n\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}.$ From \ensuremath{\omega}=0, up to a critical frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c1},$ Meissner-like field extinction occurs as in a usual superconductor. In the ``anomalous'' region ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c1}l\ensuremath{\omega}l{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{TO}}$ (the TO frequency of the NFE) the field propagates as in a dielectric. For $\ensuremath{\omega}g{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{TO}}$ Meissner-damping recurrs, then at higher \ensuremath{\omega}, dielectriclike propagation is found. Optical anomalies (peaks in transmission) are predicted for a film of NFE-SC below the soft-mode frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{TO}}.$ These effects are due to including the contribution of the NFE displacement current in the solution of the coupled Maxwell, lattice and London equations. Quantitative calculations are given for the NFE-SC $n\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ to illustrate this.
The TREX1 double-stranded DNA degradation activity is defective in dominant mutations associated with autoimmune disease.

Mutations in TREX1 have been linked to a spectrum of human autoimmune diseases including Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome (AGS), familial chilblain lupus (FCL), systemic lupus erythematosus, and retinal vasculopathy and cerebral leukodystrophy. A common feature in these conditions is the frequent detection of antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). TREX1 participates in a cell death process implicating this major 3′ → 5′ exonuclease in genomic DNA degradation to minimize potential immune activation by persistent self DNA. The TREX1 D200N and D18N dominant heterozygous mutations were identified in AGS and FCL, respectively. TREX1 enzymes containing the D200N and D18N mutations were compared using nicked dsDNA and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) degradation assays. The TREX1WT/D200N and TREX1WT/D18N heterodimers are completely deficient at degrading dsDNA and degrade ssDNA at an expected ∼2-fold lower rate than TREX1WT enzyme. Further, the D200N- and D18N-containing TREX1 homo- and heterodimers inhibit the dsDNA degradation activity of TREX1WT enzyme, providing a likely explanation for the dominant phenotype of these TREX1 mutant alleles in AGS and FCL. By comparison, the TREX1 R114H homozygous mutation causes AGS and is found as a heterozygous mutation in systemic lupus erythematosus. The TREX1R114H/R114H homodimer has dysfunctional dsDNA and ssDNA degradation activities and does not detectibly inhibit the TREX1WT enzyme, whereas the TREX1WT/R114H heterodimer has a functional dsDNA degradation activity, supporting the recessive genetics of TREX1 R114H in AGS. The dysfunctional dsDNA degradation activities of these disease-related TREX1 mutants could account for persistent dsDNA from dying cells leading to an aberrant immune response in these clinically related disorders.
The evolution and utilization of mathematical models for drying

Abstract The development and evaluation of mathematical models have had a major influence in drying. The mathematical modelling of drying began in the 1920's based on the Fourier heat conduction equation and the Fick diffusion equation. Similar results were obtained by analogy to Newton's law of cooling of a solid. Models representing the equilibrium relationship among temperature, humidity, and moisture content for various products are now widely used. Whereas the modelling of particles being dried has taken place for some time, recent efforts have emphasized modelling of drying systems. The challenge is to develop models that faithfully represent the drying whether individual particles, liquid, or a deep layer, and which can be used to minimize cost, energy, time, and damage to the product.
The impact of career exploration and interview readiness on interview performance and outcomes

Abstract In a longitudinal study of 78 graduate business students, three aspects of career exploration—environment exploration, self-exploration, and the amount of information acquired—were examined as predictors of interview performance (interview rating and self-rating) and outcomes (call-back interviews and job offers). Environment exploration and the amount of information acquired related significantly with the recruiter's rating of interview performance and interview outcomes; self-exploration correlated with the recruiter's rating of interview performance. Interview readiness variables (perceived past performance, verbal persuasion, and feelings of self-efficacy) correlated modestly with career exploration variables, interview performance ratings, and interview outcomes.
The causes of misapplied capacity related manufacturing costs and corresponding reporting implications: A conceptual perspective

Abstract To meet external financial reporting requirements, fixed (i.e., capacity related) manufacturing overhead costs are typically applied to inventory via the use of a predetermined overhead application rate. However, textbooks do not consider all appropriate conceptual issues regarding the setting of the overhead application rate nor how these issues influence the causes of misapplied capacity costs (under/over-applied fixed manufacturing overhead) typically reported as the Production Volume Variance. Specifically, discussion is lacking related to those misapplied capacity costs potentially caused variously by the presence of capacity that is not explicitly planned to be used, capacity that is currently unused but in the longer-term is planned to be used (due to anticipated growth), and capacity that is currently unused but in the shorter term is planned to be used due to seasonality. Determining if any of these three causes are contributing to misapplied capacity costs is critical, as there are important managerial accounting and financial accounting reporting implications associated with each. And while the relevant literature to be discussed offers support for these causal constructs, this paper extends this literature by developing a parsimonious and conceptually-based approach to permit a simultaneous partitioning of misapplied capacity costs into these causal categories. Further, this paper will identify the important conceptual differences among these three causes, how these differences warrant unique approaches for the managerial and financial reporting of information related to capacity costs and utilization, and needed changes to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to facilitate more appropriate financial reporting in this area.
Quadriceps tendon anterior cruciateligament reconstruction using the all-inside technique

Abstract The all-inside anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction places a ligament substitute arthroscopically in sockets ratherthan in tunnels. The sockets are associated with lower morbidity than traditional tunnels, and anatomic fixation provides for a more stable reconstruction. The central third quadriceps tendon is the autograft of choice, offering low surgical morbidity and a minimally painful postoperative course.
Baryon number violation at high temperature in the standard model

Abstract We explore a suggestion that baryon number violation is unsuppressed in the standard model at high energies and temperatures. We find that baryon number violation is negligible in high energy scattering. On the other hand, in agreement with previous authors, we find that it is indeed unsuppressed at high temperatures. We give simple, qualitative arguments valid even in systems with many degrees of freedom. In particular, we show that there is no extra entropy suppression for production of sphaleron or soliton-antisoliton configurations. Above the weak interaction phase transition, a simple scaling argument gives the rate up to an unknown numerical factor. We also show that passage over the barrier is associated with fermion production. We illustrate the general considerations with a simple model which, for this problem, has features identical to those of the standard model. In this model it is possible to perform many computations explicitly, and a semiclassical analysis may be performed even at high temperature. In addition, we explain why certain criticisms which have been leveled at these ideas are not correct.
Biophysics: cells get in shape for a crawl.

A cell's shape changes as it moves along a surface. The forward-thinking cytoskeletal elements are all for progress, but the conservative cell membrane keeps them under control by physically opposing their movement.
Cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate stimulates the acute release of placental lactogen from human trophoblast cells.

cAMP has been shown to be a second messenger in the release of many hormones and other secretory products. To determine whether cAMP also plays a role in the mechanism of release of human placental lactogen (hPL), we examined the effects of (Bu)2cAMP, isobutyl methylxanthine, forskolin, and cholera toxin on the acute release of hPL from an enriched fraction of hPL-producing trophoblast cells. Static cultures of trophoblast cells exposed to (Bu)2cAMP (5 mM) for 2 h released 2.6 times as much hPL as control cells (P > 0.01) during the first 0.5 h of exposure. The increase in hPL release was followed by a decreased rate of release during the subsequent 1.5 h. Perifused trophoblast cells (1.5 × 106) exposed to 5 mM cAMP for 20 min released 3.2 times as much hPL as control cells. The rate of hPL increased markedly during the first 10 min of exposure, rapidly decreased toward control values during the remainder of the exposure period, and then declined to a subnormal rate for the next 30 min before returning to...
Current clinical therapeutics: dermatitis herpetiformis.

: Dermatitis herpetiformis can be treated by sulfapyridine, sulfones, and gluten-free diet, although patients with this papular-vesicular disease respond poorly to steroids. Careful monitoring is a must.
Simultaneous iteration for the matrix eigenvalue problem

Abstract Let B be a given positive definite Hermitian matrix, and assume the matrix P satisfies the “normality” condition PB −1 P H B = B −1 P H BP , where P H denotes the Hermitian of P . In this paper, we develop an accelerated version of simultaneous iteration for partial solution of the eigenproblem Px = λx . Convergence together with sharp error bounds is obtained. The results are then applied to the solution of the symmetric eigenproblem Ax = λBx , where the algorithms are shown to be improvements over existing techniques.
Radio noise of ionospheric origin.

In our recent article ("Production of Mesons by X-Rays," by Edwin M. McMillan, Jack M. Peterson, and R. Stephen White," Science, December 2), the second sentence in the last paragraph on page 581 contains a typographical error. When a negative pi(-)meson is made by a photon striking a neutron, the products are pi(-) and p(+), not pi(-) and pi(+). Also, near the center of page 580, in the third paragraph "pi=mesons" was incorrectly printed for "pi(-)mesons."
Parameterized hardware design on reconfigurable computers: an image processing case study

Reconfigurable Computers (RCs) with hardware (FPGA) co-processors can achieve significant performance improvement compared with traditional microprocessor (µP)-based computers for many scientific applications. The potential amount of speedup depends on the intrinsic parallelism of the target application as well as the characteristics of the target platform. In this work, we use image processing applications as a case study to demonstrate how hardware designs are parameterized by the co-processor architecture, particularly the data I/O, i.e., the local memory of the FPGA device and the interconnect between the FPGA and the µP. The local memory has to be used by applications that access data randomly. A typical case belonging to this category is image registration. On the other hand, an application such as edge detection can directly read data through the interconnect in a sequential fashion. Two different algorithms of image registration, the exhaustive search algorithm and the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT)-based search algorithm, are implemented on hardware, i.e., Xilinx Vertex-IIPro 50 on the Cray XD1 reconfigurable computer. The performance improvements of hardware implementations are 10× and 2×, respectively. Regarding the category of applications that directly access the interconnect, the hardware implementation of Canny edge detection can achieve 544× speedup.
Ballistic transport and Andreev resonances in Nb/In superconducting contacts to InAs and LTG-GaAs

Abstract We have formed superconducting contacts in which Cooper pairs incident from a thick In layer must move through a thin Nb layer to reach a semiconductor, either InAs or low temperature grown (LTG) GaAs. The effect of pair tunneling through the Nb layer can be seen by varying the temperature through the critical temperature of In. Several of the In/Nb–InAs devices display a peak in the differential conductance near zero-bias voltage, which is strong evidence of ballistic transport across the NS interface. The differential conductance of the In/Nb–LTG-GaAs materials system displays conductance resonances of McMillan–Rowell type. These resonant levels exist within a band of conducting states inside the energy gap, formed from excess As incorporation into the LTG-GaAs during growth. Electrons propagating in this band of states multiply reflect between the superconductor and a potential barrier in the GaAs conduction band to form the conductance resonances. A scattering state theory of the differential conductance, including Andreev reflections from the composite In/Nb contact, accounts for most qualitative features in the data.
Saturable transport of manganese(II) across the rat blood-brain barrier.

Unanesthetized adult male rats were infused intravenously with solutions containing 54Mn (II) and one of six concentrations of stable Mn(II). The infusion was timed to produce a near constant [Mn] in plasma for up to 20 min. Plasma was collected serially and on termination of the experiment, samples of CSF, eight brain regions, and choroid plexus (CP) were obtained. Influx of Mn (JMn) was calculated from uptake of 54Mn into tissues and CSF at two different times. Plasma [Mn] was varied 1,000-fold (0.076–78 nmol/ml). Over this plasma concentration range, JMn increased 123 times into CP, 18–120 times into brain, and 706 times into CSF. CP and brain JMn values fit saturation kinetics with Km (nmol/ml) equal to 15 for CP and 0.7–2.1 for brain, and Vmix (10–2 nmol · g−1· s−1) of 27 for CP and 0.025–0.054 for brain. Brain JMn except at cerebral cortex had a nonsaturable component. CSF JMn varied linearly with plasma [Mn]. These findings suggest that Mn transport into brain and CP is saturable, but transport into CSF is nonsaturable.
Adhesion formation and histologic reaction with polydioxanone and polyglactin suture.

Abstract A suture material associated with a minimal inflammatory response might be expected to induce less frequent and less severe peritoneal adhesions. A comparison between polydioxanone and polyglactin 910 suture was performed in a rabbit model. Ten sexually mature virgin female New Zealand White rabbits underwent laparotomy and bilateral incisions into the distal uterine cavities. The serosa of the left uterine horn was always reapproximated with polyglactin 910 suture whereas the right uterine horn was repaired with polydioxanone suture. All animals were put to death 28 days later. An adhesion score was given for each uterine horn. Representative sections were obtained for histologic review. Similar histologic responses were found in both groups. No significant difference was noted in adhesion scores between the two sutures. The present study cannot justify the use of one of these sutures over the other with regard to adhesion formation or tissue reaction.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Latency in the Murine Nervous System Is Associated with Oxidative Damage to Neurons

The pathological consequences of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latency in the nervous system are not well understood. To determine whether acute and latent HSV-1 infections of the nervous system are associated with oxidative damage, mice were inoculated with HSV-1 by the corneal route, and the extent of viral infection and oxidative damage in trigeminal ganglia and brain was assessed at 7, 90, and 220 days after inoculation. Abundant HSV-1 protein expression in the nervous system was observed in neurons and non-neuronal cells at 7 days after inoculation, consistent with viral replication and spread through the trigeminal and olfactory systems. Acute HSV-1 infection was associated with focal, neuronal and non-neuronal 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal- and 8-hydroxyguanosine-specific immunoreactivity, indicating oxidative damage. Rare HSV-1 antigen-positive cells were observed at 90 and 220 days after inoculation; however, widespread HSV-1 latency-associated transcript expression was detected, consistent with latent HSV-1 infection in the nervous system. HSV-1 latency was detected predominantly in the trigeminal ganglia, brainstem, olfactory bulbs, and temporal cortex. Latent HSV-1 infection was associated with focal chronic inflammation and consistently detectable evidence of oxidative damage involving primarily neurons. These results indicate that both acute and latent HSV-1 infections in the murine nervous system are associated with oxidative damage.
Conflicting needs and interests of researchers and service providers in child sexual abuse cases

A child sexual abuse research project was designed which was dependent on referrals from local departments of social services. Significant differences in needs and goals existed between the referral sources and the research team. Modifications of project designs were necessary in the areas of subject recruitment, allocation of project resources, design and measurement, and analysis and reporting. These modifications resulted in a beneficial blend of service and research and produced a useful service in the setting of competent research.
Back to goiás and minas gerais: Returnees, Geographical Imaginations and its Discontents

Migration processes to the United States are just as much about those migrants who leave Brazil as it is about those who remain, and also about those who ret...
Applications for superconductor/insulator multilayers

Superconductor/insulator (SI) superlattices may be viewed as repeated (or stacked) SIS junctions connected in series. Such superlattices have a number of promising applications which we will survey. In the weakly coupled (tunnel junction) limit the possibility of fabricating high resolution X-ray detectors is being studied. For more strongly coupled junctions involving Josephson coupling, possible applications are numerous. The suggestion of Auvil and Ketterson that an SI multilayer would function as an efficient radiation source (due to coherent radiation from the layers and an increased junction phase velocity) has yet to be studied experimentally. Rippert and Ketterson have proposed that a phonon maser might be realized involving 2(Delta) recombination phonons and internal feedback via the superlattice Bragg mirror. Lomatch et al. have suggested that the added kinetic inductance of a multilayer could be used to eliminate stripline inductors from a Josephson transmission line. Finally multilayer SI tapes have been shown to have an enhanced critical current density, Jc. The mechanisms involved in the above devices and the status of efforts to fabricate them are reviewed.
Effects of Ro 15-4513 and ethanol on operant behavior of male and female C57BL/6 mice.

Abstract Although the partial benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist, Ro 15-4513, counteracts many ethanol effects, its effect on operant behavior or on ethanol-induced changes in this behavior, remains controversial. In this study, we examined the effects of Ro 15-4513, ethanol, and their interaction on behavior maintained by an FR 20 schedule of food reinforcement. Ro 15-4513 (1.0–4.0 mg/kg) and ethanol (1.5–3.0 g/kg) reduced lever-responding of both male and female mice. The disruptive effect of Ro 15-4513 was of short duration (approximately 10 min), and was greater in male than in female mice. Under equivalent dose and time parameters, ethanol disrupted behavior of both sexes to the same extent. In spite of the disruptive effects of both drugs when given alone, when given after ethanol and prior to testing, Ro 15-4513 attenuated the disruptive effects of ethanol in male mice. The present study extends previous reports by documenting: (1) that the disruptive effect of Ro 15-4513 on mice is of very short duration and occurs at lower doses than previously reported; (2) that, in spite of being disruptive itself, Ro 15-4513 can attenuate the disruptive effects of ethanol on schedule controlled behavior; and (3) that gender is an important consideration in determining the effects of this compound.
A model for studying LCAT reaction: in vitro cholesterol esterification in pig ovarian follicular fluid.

Phosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase or LCAT; EC 2.3.1.43) activity was found to be present in pig ovarian follicular fluid (POFF), in addition to pig serum (PS). The cholesterol esterification rate in both POFF and PS is linear with incubation time up to 2 hr. The mean absolute rate of POFF-cholesterol esterification was 8.1±0.4 nmoles per ml per hr approximately one-fourth of that in PS. However, the fractional rate (percent of labeled cholesterol esterified per hr) of POFF-cholesterol esterification was similar to that observed in PS. There was little variation of absolute rate of cholesterol esterification in the fluid obtained from different sizes of follicles. Fatty acid or triacylglycerol did not participate in the reaction of cholesterol esterification in POFF. No appreciable change in enzymatic activity was found from storing POFF at 4 C for periods of time up to 24 hr or at −70 C up to 2 months, but activity was lost thereafter. On the other hand, PS showed a much longer period of stability (5 days at 4 C and 9 months at −70 C). A discrepancy between the fatty acid composition of cholesteryl esters formed by the LCAT reaction and the fatty acid composition at the C-2 position of phosphatidylcholine led us to propose a two-step mechanism for the LCAT reaction. It is concluded that the LCAT of POFF, as well as that of plasma, is specific for individual fatty acids rather than for the fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine. The fatty acid concentration of lysophosphatidylcholine decreased during prolonged incubation times (6 to 21 hr) suggesting that the increased lysophosphatidylcholine formed as a product of the LCAT reaction may be reused as substrate for the LCAT reaction or for hydrolysis by lysophosphatidylcholine hydrolase.
Elimination of plastids during spermatogenesis and fertilization in the plant kingdom.

Abstract Ultrastructural and genetic investigations involving diverse species of plants have demonstrated that plastids may be transmitted either biparentally or maternally during sexual reproduction. In species in which plastid transmission is maternal, elimination of plastids from the paternal parent may occur in a number of ways: exclusion from the male gamete during spermatogenesis, loss from the motile sperm, exclusion during fertilization, or degradation within the zygote. These diverse ways in which maternal inheritance of plastids is achieved suggest that this inheritance pattern may have evolved independently many times in response to different selective pressures in different phyletic lineages.