cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tax Expenditures and Employee Benefits: Estimates from the FY 2011 Budget

The federal government supports the provision of employee benefits through preferential tax treatment in the Internal Revenue Code. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344) requires that a list of “tax expenditures” (federal tax revenue forgone due to preferential provisions) be included in the budget. The concept of “tax expenditures” has always been controversial, particularly as it relates to programs that are “tax deferred” (such as retirement plans, under which tax revenue ultimately will be collected) rather than “tax exempt” (meaning programs in which no revenue will ever be collected). For the next fiscal year (2011), all employee benefits-related tax expenditures ($380.83 billion) will account for 36.0 percent of the $1.06 trillion tax expenditures in the budget. Tax-favored employment-based health insurance benefits will account for the largest tax expenditure presented in the budget ($176.96 billion, or 16.7 percent of the total amount and 46.5 percent of all employee benefits-related tax expenditures), followed by employment-based retirement plans ($111.69 billion, or 10.6 percent of the total amount and 29.3 percent of all employee benefit related tax expenditures). This paper includes a listing of the employee benefit tax expenditures, as published in President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget, prepared by the White House Office of Management and Budget, using a methodology that is flawed but mandated by Congress.The PDF for the above title, published in the April 2010 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another April 2010 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: “The Use of Health Savings Accounts for Health Care in Retirement.”
Loratadine for Paclitaxel-Induced Myalgias and Arthralgias.

Background:Seventy percentage of patients who receive paclitaxel have diffuse, refractory myalgias, and arthralgias. Based on anecdotal reports, this study explored whether loratadine, an antihista...
Integration of Pulsed Electric Bus Fleet Charging Profiles Through Coordinated Control of Hybrid Microgrids

This paper investigates the often-overlooked electric bus fleets charging needs. Current electric bus models have short ranges and need to recharge during stops and loading, and each bus can instantaneously consume the same amount of power as one commercial building. With many and often ON/OFF charging switchings, the overall demand profile is pulsed and could cause many issues regarding to reliability, stability, and protection. Thus, this paper proposes to integrate the pulsed bus charging demand with coordinated control of community hybrid AC/DC microgrids to regulate and smooth pulsed electric bus fleet needs. Hybrid battery-capacitor energy storage systems distributed in multiple networked microgrids (which model major bus stations)are controlled in a coordinated manner to share resource and support the pulsed electric bus charging need.
Smoking Behavior in Low- and High-Income Adults Immediately Following California Proposition 56 Tobacco Tax Increase

Objectives. To compare the association of California Proposition 56 (Prop 56), which increased the cigarette tax by $2 per pack beginning on April 1, 2017, with smoking behavior among low- and high-income adults.Methods. Drawing on a sample of 17 206 low-income and 21 324 high-income adults aged 21 years or older from the 2012 to 2018 California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, we explored 2 outcomes: current smoking prevalence and smoking intensity (average number of cigarettes per day among current smokers). For each income group, we estimated a multivariable logistic regression to analyze the association of Prop 56 with smoking prevalence and a multivariable linear regression to analyze the association of Prop 56 with smoking intensity.Results. Although we observed no association between smoking intensity and Prop 56, we found a statistically significant decline in smoking prevalence among low-income adults following Prop 56. No such association was found among the high-income group.Conclusions. Given that low-income Californians smoke cigarettes at greater rates than those with higher incomes, our results provide evidence that Prop 56 is likely to reduce income disparities in cigarette smoking in California.
The role of microstructure and strain rate on the mechanical behavior of Ti-6Al-4V produced by powder metallurgy

Abstract Hydrogen sintering and phase transformation (HSPT), a powder metallurgy process, has been previously shown to produce desirable microstructures in Ti-6Al-4V components with corresponding excellent static and fatigue tensile properties. In the current study, three microstructures produced by HSPT and one produced by traditional wrought processing were tested under compression at strain rates of 0.001, 0.1, and > 1000 s−1. The wrought condition exhibited the best toughness at 0.001 s−1, but had the worst performance at both 0.1 and > 1000 s−1 strain rates. The HSPT condition with a globularized microstructure performed the best at 1000 s−1. From microstructural analyses, it is shown that the wrought condition had strong macroscopic texture consistent with hot rolling above the β-transus temperature. It is proposed that this macrotexture made the wrought material susceptible to relatively early-onset shear banding at all but the lowest strain rate. Being a powder metallurgical process with no mechanical working, this macrotexture does not form during the HSPT process.
Progress of cardial troponin and the injury after transcatheter closure of congenital heart disease

That thranscatheter therapy of congenital heart disease (CHD) can cause myocardial injury is one of the focal points of attention in disciplines. Cardiac troponin (cTn) with its high specificity and sensitivity becomes special myocardial injury measure indicators. The types of CHD, the sizes of defect and occluder, the degree of stenosis, and the patients age and body weight, with their influence due to the concentrations of cTn,can be tested as associated risk factors of the myocardial injury. Key words: Congenital heart diease; Myocardial injury; Cardiac troponin Ⅰ
Correlates of Physical Activity Engagement among Pregnant Women with Overweight and Obesity

Abstract Background Excess weight during pregnancy increases risk for adverse obstetrical outcomes. Physical activity (PA) may buffer these effects, although it is unclear what factors are associated with PA in women who begin pregnancy with overweight/obesity. The present study sought to characterize the demographic and psychological correlates of PA among women with prepregnancy overweight/obesity. Methods Pregnant women (N = 249; mean age, 28.48 ± 5.48 years; mean body mass index, 34.13 ± 7.07 kg/m2) at 12–20 weeks of gestation (mean, 15.68 ± 2.44 weeks of gestation) completed ratings of perceived stress and depressive symptoms and were interviewed using the pregnancy version of the Eating Disorders Examination. The Paffenbarger Physical Activity Survey was administered via interview to estimate energy expenditure. Continuous outcomes were evaluated via linear regression, while logistic regression was conducted to assess likelihood of meeting PA guidelines. Results Mean weekly duration of moderate to vigorous PA was 109.50 ± 248.17 minutes, with 21% of women meeting federal PA guidelines of 150 minutes or more. Higher perceived stress (β = –0.217; p = .02) and eating psychopathology (β = –0.213; p Conclusions Pregnant women with overweight/obesity engage in modest amounts of PA early in pregnancy, although few meet PA guidelines. Greater perceived stress and eating psychopathology were associated with lower PA engagement. These factors should be monitored by obstetrics providers to identify women who may particularly benefit from counseling about PA during pregnancy.
Multi-parameter Diagnostic Model of the Technical Conditions Changes of Ship Diesel Generator Sets

The article proposes a multi-parameter diagnostic model that relates the temperature mode, operating conditions, electrical and mechanical load parameters of ship diesel generator sets. We performed the analysis of variance and correlation analysis of registration temperature parameters of marine diesel generator sets in their long-term operation, as well as deviations from the diagnostic statistical model. An improvement of methods for monitoring and analyzing the technical conditions of marine diesel generator sets for use in technical diagnostic systems is proposed with the aim of increasing the reliability of diagnostic conclusions.
How You and Your Family Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Reducing our carbon footprint is an important way that we can cut back our greenhouse gas emissions. There are a number of carbon calculators that consider a range of greenhouse gases we produce and convert them into a single carbon equivalent based upon data we input. Using this number, we can set goals for reductions. In our home, the key sources of greenhouse gases are home heating and cooling, water heating, and general electricity use. Outside of the home, our transportation choices are responsible for another major source. In addition, we produce a significant amount of secondary greenhouse gases through our food use and waste production. Suggestions are made as to how we can make simple, hard and/or expensive, and innovative or life-changing choices to reduce our personal carbon footprint in our home, via our transportation choices, and through how we manage our food and waste.
Implications of Mexican-origin youth's work experiences for relationships with fathers.

OBJECTIVE To illuminate family implications of youth's work, we examined longitudinal links between the work experiences of Mexican-origin youth in late adolescence and young adulthood and father-youth relationships. METHOD Using data from 187 Mexican-origin youth and their employed fathers, we tested youth's (52.4% female; Mage = 19.64, SD = 1.78) work hours and workplace discrimination as predictors of paternal acceptance two years later (Time 1 paternal acceptance controlled), and tested moderation by youth gender and maternal employment. RESULTS Multivariate multilevel models revealed a curvilinear association between youth workplace discrimination and father-reported acceptance. Moderation effects of youth gender and mother employment in linear links between youth work experiences and youth-reported acceptance also emerged. Work hours were stronger negative predictors of paternal acceptance for sons than daughters and youth with employed compared to nonemployed mothers. Workplace discrimination was a positive predictor of paternal acceptance of daughters but not sons. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight complex patterns in links between youth's work and family relationships, an understudied area. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Population-specific neuromodulation prolongs therapeutic benefits of deep brain stimulation

Symptoms of neurological diseases emerge through the dysfunction of neural circuits whose diffuse and intertwined architectures pose serious challenges for delivering therapies. Deep brain stimulat...
Ornithine decarboxylase activity in relation to growth of rat liver: Effects of partial hepatectomy, hypertonic infusions, celite injection or other stressful procedures

Abstract The specificity of association between ornithine decarboxylase activity and growth of rat liver as indicated by incorporation of labeled thymidine into DNA was studied in animals subjected to a variety of experimental conditions. 1. 2. Major elevations of the enzyme (25–70 times normal) were produced by partial hepatectomies ranging from 9 to 77%, cross circulation of a normal with a 77%-hepatectomized rat, large infusions of hypertonic glucose or mannitol, or intraperitoneal injection of Celite. 2. 3. Minor elevations (2–9 times normal) resulted from fasting and refeeding, fasting and sham hepatectomy, cross circulation of normal-to-normal or normal-to-Celite-injected partners, smaller hypertonic infusions, injection of albumin, epinephrine or norepinephrine, or confinement in restraining cages. 3. 4. While enhanced ornithine decarboxylase activity was an early feature of liver growth in these experiments, stimuli not inducing growth also caused the enzyme to increase; furthermore, the extent of enzyme augmentation was not necessarily proportional to the rate of growth when it did occur. 4. 5. Although putrescine formation seems not to be directly linked to DNA replication, it may be involved with some earlier step in the growth process, perhaps enhancement of RNA synthesis or function.
Expert systems and the arts

Summary form only given. Two expert systems are used to demonstrate how expert system technology can support arts applications. ARTCRITIC is a prototype of a large-scale system designed to contain a knowledge base about the basis for a detailed critical analysis of a work of visual art. The second expert system demonstrated is GLUE. GLUE contains a knowledge base covering several dozen adhesives that would be most appropriate to use in reconstructuring, consolidating, and stabilizing damaged wooden objects of art. >
Failure to demonstrate an effect of dietary fatty acid composition on body weight, body composition and parameters of lipid metabolism in mature rats

The objectives of the present study were to examine the effects of dietary fatty acid composition on body composition and on several parameters of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and to assess the ease of weight loss with restricted dietary intake. Rats were fed diets containing 14% fish oil, safflower oil or beef fat plus 2% corn oil. These diets were fed ad libitum for 4 wk (first phase). A number of the animals from each group were killed, and the others were fed 50% of their first-phase food intake for an additional 4 wk (second phase). The diets used in the second phase contained 3% of the above fats plus 2% corn oil. Food consumption, food efficiency and body weights were monitored. After the rats were killed, fatty acid composition of epididymal fat pads was examined. In addition, in vivo lipolysis and in vitro lipogenesis in epididymal fat pads were examined. The results indicate that dietary fatty acid composition had no effect on body weight, food consumption, in vivo lipolysis and in vitro lipogenesis in epididymal fat pads. In addition, although dietary fatty acid manipulation resulted in alteration in adipose tissue fatty acid composition, it had no effect on the rate of weight loss, body composition, in vivo lipolysis and in vitro lipogenesis in epididymal fat pads. It is concluded that dietary fatty acid composition does not play a role in body composition and in lipid metabolism in adipose tissue of mature rats.
CONVERGENCE OF TWO INDEPENDENT ROADS LEADS TO COLLABORATION BETWEEN EDUCATION AND NEUROSCIENCE

Collaboration is the foundation for innovative discoveries, as individuals with different backgrounds come together and combine their unique expertise. In the current article, an educational researcher and two neuroscientists relate their experiences in establishing a successful collaborative effort. The marriage of neuroscientific findings with educational research has begun to further advance educational approaches. Initial functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings indicate that direct interplay between educational interventions and brain-based measures of sensory, motor, and cognitive processes provides an important link among cognitive processing and psychometric measures. If neuroimaging results support existing theoretical constructs of brain organization, then testable hypotheses may be designed to determine which educational interventions will be effective. The neuropsychological approach may provide school psychologists and teachers with an extensive array of fMRI-based, developmentally appropriate instructional strategies for enhancing the functional organization of the developing brain of children. Promising suggestions and strategies for educational researchers, school psychologists, and neuroscientists are included.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH—ENDOCRINOLOGY: Two Years of Testosterone Therapy Associated with Decline in Prostate-Specific Antigen in a Man with Untreated Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction Testosterone (T) therapy has long been considered contraindicated in men with prostate cancer (PCa). However, the traditional view regarding the relationship of T to PCa has come under new scrutiny, with recent reports suggesting that PCa growth may not be greatly affected by variations in serum T within the near-physiologic range. Aim This report details the clinical and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response of a man with untreated PCa treated with T therapy for 2 years. Methods Measurements of serum PSA, total and free T concentrations were obtained at regular intervals at baseline and following initiation of T therapy. Main Outcome Measure Serum PSA during T therapy. Results An 84-year-old man was seen for symptoms of hypogonadism, with serum total T within the normal range at 400 ng/dL, but with a reduced free T of 7.4 pg/mL (radioimmunoassay [RIA], reference range 10.0–55.0). PSA was 8.5 ng/mL, and 8.1 ng/mL when repeated. Prostate biopsy revealed Gleason 6 cancer in both lobes. He refused treatment for PCa, but requested T therapy, which was initiated with T gel after informed consent regarding possible cancer progression. Serum T increased to a mean value of 699 ng/dL and free T to 17.1 pg/mL. PSA declined to a nadir of 5.2 ng/mL at 10 months, increased slightly to 6.2 ng/mL at 21 months, and then declined to 3.8 ng/mL at 24 months after addition of dutasteride for voiding symptoms. No clinical PCa progression was noted. Conclusion A decline in PSA was noted in a man with untreated PCa who received T therapy for 2 years. This case provides support for the notion that PCa growth may not be adversely affected by changes in serum T beyond the castrate or near-castrate range. Morgentaler A. Two years of testosterone therapy associated with decline in prostate-specific antigen in a man with untreated prostate cancer. J Sex Med 2009;6:574–577.
“We do not want to be ruled by foreigners”: Oral Histories of Nationalism in Colonial Zimbabwe

African nationalism is a feeling among the African people. It is not only a feeling against something, but also for something. . . . It is this feeling which has excited the emotions of the African...
Acquired Tricuspid Valve Stenosis Associated with Two Ventricular Endocardial Pacing Leads in a Dog

Acquired tricuspid valve stenosis (TVS) is a rare complication of endocardial pacing lead implantation in humans that has only been described once previously in the veterinary literature in a dog with excessive lead redundancy. A 12 yr old terrier presented with right-sided congestive heart failure 6 mo after implantation of a second ventricular endocardial pacing lead. The second lead was placed due to malfunction of the first lead, which demonstrated abnormally low impedance. Transthoracic echocardiography identified hyperechoic tissue associated with the pacing leads as they crossed the tricuspid valve annulus as well as a stenotic tricuspid inflow pattern via spectral Doppler interrogation. Medical management was ultimately unsuccessful and the dog was euthanized 6 wk after TVS was diagnosed. The authors report the first canine case of acquired TVS associated with two ventricular endocardial pacing leads.
Amino-Terminal Sequence of the Tryptophan Synthetase α Chain of Bacillus subtilis

The sequence of the 46 NH2-terminal residues of the tryptophan synthetase α chain of Bacillus subtilis was determined and compared with the corresponding sequences of Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhimurium, Aerobacter aerogenes, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas putida. A deletion of six residues was found at the NH2-terminal end of the α chain of B. subtilis.
Effect of flow on prostaglandin E2 and inositol trisphosphate levels in osteoblasts

Osteoblasts in culture respond to mechanical strains. Fluid flow has been shown to increase intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate levels in cultured osteoblasts, and this response is m...
Dose response effects of hypertonic saline and dextran on cardiovascular responses and plasma volume expansion in sheep

ABSTRACTDespite the established efficacy of 7.5% NaCl/6% dextran-70 in the treatment of hypovolemia, the optimal formulation of a hyperosmotic/hyperoncotic small volume resuscitation solution has yet to be defined. The present study investigates the cardiovascular effects of hypertonic saline rangin
Evaluation of the optimal positioning of subcutaneous butterfly when administering injectable opioids in cancer patients.

Background and aims. The increasing number of cancer patients, together with the development of new palliative care services in Romania, warrants the evaluation of nursing strategies meant to improve the level of comfort of patients who are suffering from advanced cancer. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the optimal positioning of the subcutaneous (sc) butterfly, in accordance with its resistance in the insertion tissue, the local complications that may occur, and the evaluation of the time of resistance at the insertion site (puncture) with the daily frequency of injectable opioid administration. Methods. A prospective experimental pilot study was designed and conducted between January and May 2011. Patients admitted to the Hospice Casa Sperantei (Brasov, Romania) with moderate or severe cancer pain, who were receiving subcutaneously opioids, over the age of 18, with normal body index ranging from 18.5 – 22.0, were assigned randomly to one of two groups, after signing the informed consent. In group one, the butterfly was positioned with the needle bevel up – this was considered to be the control group as this modality of inserting the needle is considered standard practice; in group two the butterfly was positioned with the needle bevel down – experimental group. The drugs used for pain relief were sc tramadol for moderate pain and sc morphine for severe pain. Results. Our research supported the hypothesis that the occurrence of local complications coincides with the decrease of sc butterfly resistance in time at the place of insertion, and the sc butterfly has a higher rate of resistance in time at the insertion site if the frequency of injectable opioids administration is lower (twice per day). Conclusion. The positioning of the butterflies with the bevel down (experimental group) is associated with a longer resistance in time at the site of insertion, and causes fewer local complications compared to the sc butterflies positioned with the bevel up (control group).
Gratitude, nostalgia and what now? Knowledge acquisition and learning a decade later

We look at the development of absorptive capacity, organizational learning and IJV research literatures since 1996, using our 1996 JIBS paper as our ‘centering point’. Taking stock of the timing and patterns of citations to this paper opened up a unique window across time, venues and topics. This permitted us to more clearly position the paper vis-a-vis the contemporary corpus of the different literatures that provided the original context and impetus for us in the early 1990s. The paper has been embraced and carried forward by the burgeoning community of international business (IB) scholars on transitional economies and on IJVs. Although the Hungarian setting circa 1989–early 1990s was one we tended to view as a context to address and test theory-based issues and assumptions from a broader management literature, most indications of ‘outward’ diffusion of our ideas beyond the IB community have been recent. Indeed, over half the citations have occurred after 2003. We project our take on the current landscape toward the future, providing suggestions about research opportunities.
Utilizing FDI to Stay Ahead: The Case of Singapore

A country of 5 million people in 710 km2, Singapore has built itself into an integral part of global markets with living standards that are among the highest in the world. The purpose of this article is to apply a capabilities-based approach to understand how a small, resource-scarce country dependent on global markets has done so well. The core of Singapore’s success has been the continuous updating and expanding of domestic social capabilities to meet the needs of foreign companies. Government policies were hypersensitive to providing conditions for foreign firms to be successful. Foreign firms investing in Singapore by now have helped close the income gap with advanced economies and are on the way to closing the innovation gap. Singapore demonstrates that with deliberate attention to building skills, institutions and infrastructure, it is possible for a small country to upgrade skills and to move up the production-value chain with primary reliance on foreign direct investment (FDI). Cultivation of private Singaporean firms has been secondary but may be the next step needed to sustain progress, both to respond to increased competition from China and others, and to build a knowledge-based economy.
Left Heart Catheterization by the Transseptal Route A Description of the Technic and Its Applications

Experiences with left heart catheterization by the transseptal route in 130 patients are presented. The instruments and technics employed are described in detail and some of the applications in diagnosis and clinical investigation of the method are illustrated. The advantages of transseptal left heart catheterization, which indicate its superiority over other technics, are discussed.
6S RNA: a small RNA regulator of transcription.

Appreciation for the prevalence and diversity of noncoding, small RNAs (sRNAs) has grown enormously in the past decade. A major role for sRNAs in all organisms is to regulate gene expression, often at the level of mRNA translation or stability. However, a few sRNAs have been shown to function by regulating transcription. The bacterial 6S RNA was the first sRNA shown to inhibit transcription by binding directly to the housekeeping holoenzyme form of RNA polymerase (i.e. σ70-RNA polymerase in E. coli). It resides within the active site of RNA polymerase, blocks access to promoter DNA and, surprisingly, is used as a template for RNA synthesis. 6S RNA regulation of transcription leads to altered cell survival, perhaps by redirecting resource utilization under nutrient-limiting conditions.
Acid phosphatase changes associated with response to foreign tissue in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

Abstract 1. 1. Levels of acid phosphatase were analyzed in autografted, xenografted and sham-operated Lumhricus terrestris (earthworm), at different times post-grafting. At 5 days post-grafting, acid phosphatase levels within coelomocytes and in cell-free coelomic fluid were essentially the same for all groups, although levels in coelomic fluid were somewhat elevated in the autografted and sham-operated groups. 2. 2. At 14 days, when xenograft rejection was entering its final stages, acid phosphatase levels in cell-free coelomic fluid, but not the intracellular levels, of grafted worms were greater than in ungrafted worms. This suggests the accumulation of released enzyme in response to the presence of grafted tissue.
On the formation of Al4N12H24 from triethylaluminum and ammonia: A pathway to crystalline AlN with the Wurtzite structure

Abstract A mechanism for the formation of the target compound Al4N12H24 from triethylaluminum and ammonia is proposed and studied theoretically at both the PM3 and RHF/6-31G(d,p)//PM3 levels. The highest activation energy during the course of the reactions is about 40 kcal/mol at both levels of theory. Ammonia molecules are shown to play a crucial role in the formation of the target molecule and the reactions are expected to speed up with increased concentration of ammonia, based on the mechanism proposed in this paper. On the other hand, a high concentration of NH3 molecules may increase the concentration of defects and undesired products containing fused rings.
Reference Base, Wb, of Growing Steers Determined by Relating Forage Intake to Body Weight,

Abstract Data were analyzed for computation of the correct reference unit, W b , from 108 forage intake trials using 13 steers (147 to 488kg). Dry matter intakes ranged from 4.02 to 8.75kg per day and the average daily weight gain per animal was 0.65kg. The regression of log Y on log X yielded, in exponential form, the linear equation Y = 0.297 X 0.54 where Y is dry matter intake per day (kg) and X is body weight (kg). The coefficient of variation was 13%, and the coefficient of correlation was 0.77. The standard error of the regression coefficient, 0.54, was 0.04. When the exponent 0.75 was forced upon the data, the equation changed to Y = 0.091 X 0.75 with a coefficient of variation of 14%. When dry matter intakes were estimated for varying animal sizes using each equation, the 0.54 equation allowed greater dry matter intakes to the smaller animals and less to the larger animals. The cross-over point was at 300kg body weight. For growing steers W 0.54 was a more effective reference unit for equating the intake of dry matter which contains 48% or more cell-wall constituents than was the W 0.75 used for mature animals.
Entity matching in heterogeneous databases: A logistic regression approach

This paper examines a widely-encountered data heterogeneity problems-often faced in real-world decision support situations-called the entity heterogeneity problem, which arises when the same real-world entity type is represented using different identifiers in different applications. Supporting real-world decisions often requires one to identify which entity in one application is the same as another in a second application. Previous research has proposed decision models to resolve this problem. However, the implementation of those models requires either the estimation of probability parameters by manually matching a large sample of the existing data or the estimation of a distance measure based on user-specified weights. This paper proposes an alternative technique based on logistic regression for estimating the matching probabilities to be used in the matching decision model. This approach has been implemented and tested on real-world data. Comparison of the results with those from earlier approaches indicate that the proposed approach performs quite well and is certainly a viable approach in practical situations.
Peptide bond formation is all about proximity

Peptide bond formation by the ribosome is central to the expression of genetic information, yet its precise mechanism has resisted elucidation for decades. Two recent studies indicate that substrate orientation is the sole driving force behind the ribosome-catalyzed reaction.
A controlling role for the air−sea interface in the chemical processing of reactive nitrogen in the coastal marine boundary layer

The lifetime of reactive nitrogen and the production rate of reactive halogens in the marine boundary layer are strongly impacted by reactions occurring at aqueous interfaces. Despite the potential importance of the air−sea interface in serving as a reactive surface, few direct field observations are available to assess its impact on reactive nitrogen deposition and halogen activation. Here, we present direct measurements of the vertical fluxes of the reactant−product pair N2O5 and ClNO2 to assess the role of the ocean surface in the exchange of reactive nitrogen and halogens. We measure nocturnal N2O5 exchange velocities (Vex = −1.66 ± 0.60 cm s−1) that are limited by atmospheric transport of N2O5 to the air−sea interface. Surprisingly, vertical fluxes of ClNO2, the product of N2O5 reactive uptake to concentrated chloride containing surfaces, display net deposition, suggesting that elevated ClNO2 mixing ratios found in the marine boundary layer are sustained primarily by N2O5 reactions with aerosol particles. Comparison of measured deposition rates and in situ observations of N2O5 reactive uptake to aerosol particles indicates that N2O5 deposition to the ocean surface accounts for between 26% and 42% of the total loss rate. The combination of large Vex, N2O5 and net deposition of ClNO2 acts to limit NOx recycling rates and the production of Cl atoms by shortening the nocturnal lifetime of N2O5. These results indicate that air−sea exchange processes account for as much as 15% of nocturnal NOx removal in polluted coastal regions and can serve to reduce ClNO2 concentrations at sunrise by over 20%.
Polymer Chain Configurations In Constrained Geometries: Ultrathin Polymer Films For Microlithography

Ultrathin (0.9 nm - 15.3 nm) poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) films prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique have been explored as high-resolution electron beam resists. One-eighth micron lines-and-spaces patterns have been achieved by using a Perkin Elmer MEBES I pattern generation system as the exposure tool. The etch resistance of films with thicknesses greater than 4.5 nm is sufficient to allow patterning of chromium film suitable for photomask fabrication. Monolayer PMMA films containing 5 mol% pyrenedodecanoic acid (PDA) as a probe were prepared by transfer to the substrate at different surface pressures and characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy. The ratio of excimer to monomer emission intensity (Ie/Im) has a maximum value at ~ 10 dyn/cm, which may be related to a structural rearrangement in the film. Intrinsic bilayer LB PMMA films prepared at 1 and 19 dyn/cm have also been examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The wrinkle-like surface topography observed in the 19 dyn/cm sample and not in the 1 dyn/cm sample suggests that the structure of the LB PMMA film depends on the transfer pressure.
Peer Victimization and Social Anxiety in Adolescents: Prospective and Reciprocal Relationships

This study used a 2-month prospective research design to examine the bi-directional interplay between peer victimization and social anxiety among adolescents. Participants included 228 adolescents (58% female) in grades 10-12. Three types of peer victimization were examined: overt (physical aggression or verbal threats), relational (malicious manipulation of a relationship, such as by friendship withdrawal), and reputational (damaging another's peer relationships, such as through rumor spreading). Adolescents' self-reported feelings of social anxiety and peer victimization experiences were assessed at two time points, in November and January of the same school year. Peer victimization was strongly related to adolescents' social anxiety, and relational victimization explained additional unique variance. Moreover, peer victimization was both a predictor and consequence of social anxiety over time, with the most robust results found for relational victimization. Limited support was obtained for gender as a moderating variable. Findings highlight the deleterious effects of peer victimization, especially relational victimization, and suggest avenues for future research and clinical intervention for adolescents experiencing such victimization.
Saddle-points in the twisted reduced chiral model

Abstract It is shown that the abnormal behaviour found in numerical simulations of twisted reduced SU(N→∞) chiral model in two dimensions results from fluctuations around a non-trivial extremum of the action. The possible role of such saddle-points in the crossover to the strong coupling regime is discussed.
Reclassification of clinical sleep disorders using traditional models of syndromic, neuroanatomic, pathophysiological and etiological diagnosis

Existing classifications of central nervous system sleep disorders do not often provide tools to diagnose the majority of patients complaining of sleep-related symptoms, nor always guide effective treatment. I present a novel classification system that completely separates clinical syndromes from anatomical localization, pathophysiology, and etiology. The clinical syndrome I present can describe the majority of patients, but can be fractionated into individual subgroups for further study. By then separating the anatomy and physiology from the symptoms, an avenue of research becomes available to study the different possible structures that regulate sleep, that may be damaged and cause syndromes of sleep dysfunction. Some of these may produce symptoms that overlap with narcolepsy and some may be distinct. Because the clinical syndrome should be distinguished from anatomy or physiology, I have proposed the term narcoleptiform syndrome for the clinical syndrome. The model also clearly separates etiology from anatomy in a classical neurological manner. This allows etiology, localization and symptoms to be studied separately. It is likely that different etiologies may produce damage in areas that produce similar syndromes. For example, in this model, different causes of damage to the orexin nucleus would result in the same clinical syndrome. This reinforces the concept of studying anatomy, symptoms and etiology separately. By studying the relationship of syndromes or symptoms to anatomic localization and pathophysiology, it should be possible to test novel approaches to treatment based on different underlying structure or function. For example, patients with lesions in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus or the thalamic intralaminar nuclei may both present with insomnia symptoms but need different treatment; or they might present with symptoms overlapping narcolepsy (a narcoleptiform syndrome) yet need different treatment. In some cases, a single treatment may cross over more than one location, and the best predictor might be symptoms. These are issues that need to undergo careful study on a syndromic, anatomic and physiological bases. This novel model opens up new avenues for understanding central nervous system sleep disorders, providing testable hypotheses regarding diagnosis and treatment.
Imaging ligand-gated ion channels with quantum dots

In this paper we report two different methodologies for labeling ligand-gated receptors. The first of these builds upon our earlier work with serotonin conjugated quantum dots and our studies with pegilated quantum dots to reduce non specific binding. In this approach a pegilated derivative of muscimol was synthesized and attached via an amide linkage to quantum dots coated in an amphiphillic polymer derivative of poly acrylamide. These conjugates were used to image the GABAC receptor in oocytes. An alternative approach was used to image tissue sections to study nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the neuro muscular junction with biotinylated Bungerotoxin and streptavidin coated quantum dots.
“Henry the Eighth, I Am, I Am”: An Introduction

The Social Studies, with this issue, celebrates—if this is the correct word—the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII of England's ascension to the throne. He was born in 1491, a year before Columbu...
“A Framework for Understanding Parental Well-Being”

Is being a parent prudentially good for one – that is to say, does it enhance one’s well-being? The social-scientific literature is curiously divided when it comes to this question. While some studies suggest that being a parent decreases most people’s well-being, other studies suggest that being a parent increases most people’s well-being. In this paper I will present a framework for thinking about the prudential benefits and costs of parenthood. Four elements are central to this framework: (a) affect, (b) friendship (i.e., deep personal relationships), (c) accomplishment, and (d) perspective. In presenting this framework I have two main goals. One is to help us to gain some insight into why the social-scientific literature regarding parental well-being is divided in the way that it is, and the other is to provide those who are deciding whether to become parents with a helpful way of thinking through what is prudentially at stake.
Selective decontamination of digestive tract in intensive care patients leads to fewer in-hospital deaths

Abstract Question Does selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) of people in intensive care (ICU) reduce mortality and infection by drug-resistant bacteria? Study design Unblinded randomised controlled trial. Main results In the ICU, SDD lowered mortality compared with usual care (69 deaths vs. 107 deaths; RR 0.65 95% CI 0.49–0.85, p =0.002). SDD decreased overall hospital mortality compared with usual care (113 vs. 146; p =0.02). Acquired infections of resistant Gram-negative aerobic bacteria were lower for SDD compared with usual care (16% vs. 26%, RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.46–0.81). There were no differences in vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infections between groups ( p =1.0). No methicillin-resistant S. aureus were found in either group. The usual care unit was colonised with significantly more ceftazidime-resistant enterobacteriaceae compared with the SDD unit ( p Authors’ conclusions SDD decreased colonisation with vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, and reduced in-hospital mortality.
Mechanism of Cell-Specific Stimulation of Hoxa-5 Gene Expression by Retinoic Acid in Fetal Mouse Lung Fibroblasts and MLE12 Cells

Mechanism of Cell-Specific Stimulation of Hoxa-5 Gene Expression by Retinoic Acid in Fetal Mouse Lung Fibroblasts and MLE12 Cells
The thermal load of tubes in radiation heaters

In the tubes of radiation heaters, which are under high thermal loads, apart from stresses caused by the pressure of the working medium also thermal stresses are produced. Owing to the nonuniform irradiation over the tube periphery, these thermal stresses have to be determined taking into account the radial and tangential temperature gradients in the tube wall. It is shown by the example of the pulverized-coal-fired heater of a closed-cycle gas turbine plant to what extent thermal stresses are caused, assuming linearly elastic behaviour of the tube material, and how the method of fixing the tube ends influences the total stress.
Chalcopyrite leaching at moderate temperature and ambient pressure in the presence of nanosize silica

Leaching of chalcopyrite occurs at modest temperature (less than 100 °C) and atmospheric pressure when nanosize silica is added to the system. Important parameters in the system are chalcopyrite particle size, oxidant type and concentration, nanosilica concentration, pulp density and temperature. Electron micrographs and EDX spectra are presented showing the chalcopyrite surface covered with sulfur after leaching in the absence of nanosilica whereas the chalcopyrite surface is covered with nanosilica (with little sulfur) after leaching in the presence of nanosize silica.
A model of transluminal flow of an anti-HIV microbicide vehicle: Combined elastic squeezing and gravitational sliding

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication over soft substrates is of importance in a number of biomedical problems: From lubrication of the eye surface by the tear film, to lubrication of joints by synovial fluid, to lubrication between the pleural surfaces that protect the lungs and other organs. Such flows are also important for the drug delivery functions of vehicles for anti-HIV topical microbicides. These are intended to inhibit transmission into vulnerable mucosa, e.g., in the vagina. First generation prototype microbicides have gel vehicles, which spread after insertion and coat luminal surfaces. Effectiveness derives from potency of the active ingredients and completeness and durability of coating. Delivery vehicle rheology, luminal biomechanical properties, and the force due to gravity influence the coating mechanics. We develop a framework for understanding the relative importance of boundary squeezing and body forces on the extent and speed of the coating that results. A single dimensionless number, independent of viscosity, characterizes the relative influences of squeezing and gravitational acceleration on the shape of spreading in the Newtonian case. A second scale, involving viscosity, determines the spreading rate. In the case of a shear-thinning fluid, the Carreau number also plays a role. Numerical solutions were developed for a range of the dimensionless parameter and compared well with asymptotic theory in the limited case where such results can be obtained. Results were interpreted with respect to trade-offs between wall elasticity, longitudinal forces, bolus viscosity, and bolus volume. These provide initial insights of practical value for formulators of gel delivery vehicles for anti-HIV microbicidal formulations.
Oxidative stress indices in IDDM subjects with and without long-term diabetic complications

Background: Numerous animal and population studies of diabetes have identified markers of oxidative stress. However, for most markers that have been measured the results are not consistent. In addition, it is less clear whether oxidative stress is related to the development of diabetic complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate a series of plasma markers and leukocyte markers to test the hypothesis that type 1 Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) subjects experience oxidative stress. A related question was whether markers of oxidative stress are higher in IDDM subjects who have developed long-term complications. Methods: The study population consisted of 22 IDDM subjects with diabetic complications and 22 IDDM subjects without complications, both groups matched by age and gender and with similar HbA1c levels, and 16 nondiabetic control subjects. Plasma levels of organoperoxides were determined by the ferrous oxidation/xylenol orange (FOX) assay, malondialdehyde by the thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) assay, and vitamin E by HPLC. Mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear cells were analyzed for ascorbic acid by HPLC and for glutathione (GSH) by enzymatic recycling. In addition, GSH peroxidase, GSH transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels were determined in both cell fractions. Results: Plasma organoperoxides were significantly elevated in the IDDM subjects compared to controls (p = 0.02) while TBARS and vitamin E levels were not significantly different. In the IDDM subjects, mononuclear cell levels of ascorbic acid were significantly lower (p < 0.02) and levels of GSH were lower, approaching significance (p = 0.07), compared to controls. Ascorbic acid and GSH levels in polymorphonuclear cells were not significantly different between IDDM subjects and controls, nor were enzyme levels different. In addition, the plasma and intracellular indices of oxidative status in IDDM subjects were not different when IDDM subjects with complications were compared to IDDM subjects without complications. Conclusion: Demonstration of oxidative stress in IDDM subjects depends upon which markers are measured. This is in agreement with previous studies of oxidative stress in various disease states including diabetes. Plasma levels of organoperoxides may be the most reliable indicators of oxidative stress. However, it is unclear whether elevated plasma organoperoxides indicate a generalized systemic stress or are produced in localized areas. By comparison, oxidative stress indices determined with isolated blood cells may provide a clearer picture. Depressed levels of ascorbic acid and GSH were observed only in mononuclear cells, which are mainly long-lived T lymphocytes. Mononuclear cells antioxidant status may reflect systemic oxidative stress. In this study, neither plasma markers nor intracellular markers of oxidative stress were different in IDDM subjects with long-term diabetic complications compared to subjects without complications.