cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The association between excise tax structures and the price variability of alcoholic beverages in the United States

Recent tobacco taxation research suggests that excise tax structure plays an important role in the effectiveness of increasing taxes in reducing consumption. However, evidence on excise tax structures of alcoholic beverages is scarce. We linked price variability measures for beer, wine, and liquor in the US derived using Economist Intelligence Unit city data from 2003 to 2016 with state-level excise tax structures from the Alcohol Policy Information System. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were performed to assess the associations between excise tax structures and price variability, for beer, wine, and liquor (spirits), respectively. Results suggest that, compared with a specific excise beer tax structure based on volumes, a mixed structure with both specific and ad valorem components was associated with 38% (p≤0.01) greater beer price variability. In addition, a mixed excise tax structure for liquor was associated with 60-77% (p≤0.01) greater liquor price variability. However, these associations do not imply a causal link between tax structures and price variability. In summary, a mixed excise tax structure is associated with greater variability in beer and liquor prices, an indicator for tax avoidance opportunities. Future research is needed to identify the causal impact of tax structures on price variability.
The Sensitivity of Cells and Tissues to Weak Electromagnetic Fields

The question of whether or not weak environmental or therapeutic electromagnetic fields (EMF) can affect the behavior of living cells and tissues remains controversial. The biophysical community often maintains that basic physical principles cannot explain EMF bioeffects (Adair, 1991). Some clinicians, epidemiologists and biological scientists, on the other hand, are thoroughly convinced that there are real bioeffects caused by specific weak EMF (Savitz, 1988; Blackman, 1985). The physical argument against the possibility of an EMF bioeffect is usually based upon the ratio of the induced transmembrane voltage signal to the root mean square (RMS) thermal noise voltage. This signal to noise ratio (SNR) is usually calculated by assuming that the EMF target is a spherical cell of 10 µm radius. These calculations often lead to SNR«1 for low frequency environmental EMF in the mG amplitude range. In this study, it is shown that, by evaluating SNR for connected cells in real tissues, sensitivity to exogenous EMF may be several orders of magnitude higher than previously thought.
Real-Time Aircraft Structural Monitoring Using Acoustic Emission

Advanced design of aircraft structures may incorporate areas inaccessible for in-service inspection. It is important to monitor high stress intensity substructures on aircraft to assure the integrity of aircraft structures and to decrease life-cycle cost of advanced military aircraft. Acoustic emission (AE) provides an ideal means for real-time structural monitoring. Acoustic emission is the stress wave generated by rapid release of energy from localized sources within a stressed material. Acoustic sensors combined with an effective signal processor can be used to detect acoustic emission events related to structural damages and serve as a real-time nondestructive evaluation (NDE) tool.
Dendrochronology of a fire-scarred ponderosa pine.

Historical fire frequency in a stand of southwestern ponderosa pine has been doc- umented in a master fire chronology developed for a prescribed burning study area in Arizona. One of the 12 specimens used to assemble this chronology was a small, suppressed tree that contained 42 fire scars. Standard crossdating techniques were used to date the fire scars accurately, locate missing and locally absent rings, and identify special problems relating to analysis and dating of this unusual specimen. Mean fire interval for the study area was about 2 years; mean fire interval for the individual specimen was 4 years for the 178-year period, 1722-1900. FOREST SCI. 30:238-247.
Septic Arthritis and Osteomyelitis

The pathophysiology, bacteriology, diagnosis, and treatment of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis are presented. Possible complications are reviewed and illustrated.
Association of official analytical chemists: 1964-1988

In 1964, William Horowitz published the history of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC), of which he was the chief executive officer (Horwitz 1964). At that time the AOAC had existed for 80 years and had ventured very little beyond its stated purpose of validating and publishing standardized methods of analysis for substances important to agriculture and the public health through a highly structured system of interlaboratory testing and review. In the ensuing quarter of a century, however, the AOAC not only changed its name to Association of Official Analytical Chemists but also underwent a striking expansion and transformation. The highlights of that transformation are the subject of this account.
Abstract 3531: Glycolysis inhibition and its effect in doxorubicin resistance in neuroblastoma

Most cancer cells exhibit increased glycolysis and use this metabolic pathway to generate ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) as the main source of their energy supply. This phenomenon is known as the Warburg effect and is considered a fundamental metabolic alteration during malignant transformation. Increased glycolysis results in elevated production of lactate, which leads to acidification of tumor tissue and provides a microenvironment that promotes and selects cellular resistance to drugs. Thus, inhibition of glycolysis may lead to more effective treatment strategies for dealing with drug resistance. 3-Bromopyruvate (3-BrPA), an inhibitor of hexokinase II and an inhibitor of glycolysis, has been shown to be a potent chemotherapeutic agent. Despite many studies showing the efficacy of 3-BrPA against various cancer cells, there have been relatively few studies examining the effects of 3-BrPA on the anti-cancer effects of doxorubicin (Dox) in doxorubicin-resistant (DoxR) human neuroblastoma. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of 3-BrPA upon DoxR human neuroblastoma cells to treatment with doxorubicin. In present study, we have found that 3-BrPA enhances the response of DoxR neuroblastoma to treatment with Dox and this enhancement exists in both normoxic conditions as well as hypoxic conditions. The results also suggested that this increased response of DoxR cells to treatment with Dox is mediated through decreased intracellular levels of ATP. Additionally the lactate assay revealed that intracellular lactate levels were decreased in neuroblastoma lines when glycolysis was inhibited with 3-BrPA. In order to determine if 3-BrPA, either alone or in combination with cytotoxic drugs, will lead to maximal efficacy of treating of drug-resistant tumor xenografts in vivo. Animal experiments were carried out to study the effects of 3-BrPA in drug-resistant neuroblastoma in nude mice. We have found that 3-BrPA combined with doxorubicin provided significant reduction in tumor size and the rate of tumor growth in mice. The efficacy of doxorubicin itself (88% reduction in tumor volume) overshadowed any effect of cotreatment with 3-BrPA on the Wild type tumors. However, in the DoxR tumors, doxorubicin alone had no efficacy as expected, but co-treatment with 3-BrPA suppressed tumor growth with an 80% reduction in tumor volume. These studies pave the way to determine whether inhibition of glycolysis may be an effective strategy to kill neuroblastoma cells and overcome drug resistance associated with hypoxic conditions. This novel approach may have broad applications in cancer treatment, considering the prevalent Warburg effect observed in a wide array of human cancers. Citation Format: Fei Chu, Yiyong Qiu, Sandra Clark, Kathryn Solka, Mary Beth Madonna. Glycolysis inhibition and its effect in doxorubicin resistance in neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3531.
Band-collision gel electrophoresis

Electrophoretic mobility shift assays are widely used in gel electrophoresis to study binding interactions between different molecular species loaded into the same well. However, shift assays can access only a subset of reaction possibilities that could be otherwise seen if separate bands of reagent species might instead be collisionally reacted. Here, we adapt gel electrophoresis by fabricating two or more wells in the same lane, loading these wells with different reagent species, and applying an electric field, thereby producing collisional reactions between propagating pulse-like bands of these species, which we image optically. For certain pairs of anionic and cationic dyes, propagating bands pass through each other unperturbed; yet, for other pairs, we observe complexing and precipitation reactions, indicating strong attractive interactions. We generalize this band-collision gel electrophoresis (BCGE) approach to other reaction types, including acid-base, ligand exchange, and redox, as well as to colloidal species in passivated large-pore gels. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays are widely used in gel electrophoresis to study binding interactions between different molecular species, but these assays access only a subset of reaction possibilities. Here, the authors develop a band-collision gel electrophoresis (BCGE) approach that demonstrates a much wider variety of reaction types.
A Model Crypto-Asset Regulatory Framework

A stylized ‘crypto-asset’ regulatory framework (‘Framework’) is presented. It is designed to capture the regulatory permutations and implications of the most prevalent and evolving forms of tradable value created through the use of evolving cryptographically-based (‘crypto’) schemes, as well as their stylized position in a financial ecosystem. The most prevalent of these value-based schemes are based on what is now known as distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), with the main type of DLT in use known as ‘blockchain’ technology. Value-based applications that can be derived or generated from use of DLTs are known in this Framework as (private) crypto-assets. They can be distinguished from (public) applications of crypto-based value such as those planned by sovereign states for use as legal tender. The main focus of the Framework is on these evolving ‘private’ use of crypto-assets and their representation as cryptographically-secure and traceable ‘tokens’ of value. These tokenized assets can be traded – that is transferred or exchanged - within regulated or unregulated exchanges, or directly, securely and independently between parties without the need for a centralized exchange. Together they form what could be termed the ‘crypto-economy.’ All these developments challenge the four corners of existing legal and regulatory frameworks with, as yet, no global unanimity as to which regulators have oversight over all or some components of these crypto-assets. The overall goal of any regulation would be to fasten the activities of the most proximate regulators to particular asset classes or value transfer/exchange mechanisms so as to avoid regulatory arbitrage. Where there are no proximate regulations to do so, regulatory sandboxes by the most proximate regulators could be employed. The model Framework presented is designed to systematize the evolving asset types.
t-Tree: The Tokyo toolbox for large-scale combinatorial auction experiments

Abstract This paper provides a brief introduction to t-Tree , a general auction software package that implements single-unit auctions, Vickrey–Clarke–Groves auctions (“VCG auctions”), Simultaneous Multiple Round Auctions (“SMRA”), and Combinatorial Clock Auctions (“CCA”) used in transportation, logistics, procurements, and spectrum allocation. The critical contribution of t-Tree is that it can handle computational complexities of the winner determination problem in large-scale combinatorial auctions by natively implementing Zhong et al. (2004)’s combinatorial optimization algorithms. Thus researchers can study large-scale combinatorial auction mechanisms off the shelf using t-Tree .
Accelerating Photovoltaic Market Entry with Module Replacement

Summary Today’s approach to deploying solar photovoltaics (PV) implicitly assumes that module technology is fixed. Solar panels are installed and expected to operate for the system life of 30 years or more. However, many PV technologies are improving rapidly along several dimensions, including cost, power conversion efficiency, and reliability. Periodic module replacement or planned repowering takes advantage of this technological improvement and counteracts predictable degradation. Here, we show that a module replacement strategy allows a competitive levelized cost of electricity to be achieved with an initial module lifetime of less than 15 years, assuming backward compatibility with the original system design. We also assess the life-cycle environmental impacts of module replacement and find that all commercial PV technologies offer benefits in the majority of impact categories, regardless of the replacement strategy, compared to today’s electric generation mix. Module replacement can thus accelerate the market introduction and decarbonization impact of emerging PV technologies that have achieved a competitive module efficiency (≥20%), cost (≤$0.30/W), and lifetime (≥10 years) and have the potential to improve further on all three metrics but lack decades-long field deployment experience.
PEAK HIP MUSCLE TORQUE MEASUREMENTS ARE INFLUENCED BY SAGITTAL PLANE HIP POSITION

BACKGROUND An optimal position for strength testing of the hip musculature has not been identified. However, sagittal plane hip position during testing has been shown to influence hip external rotation strength. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare hip extension, external rotation, and abduction isometric torque at positions with differing degrees of hip flexion using a handheld dynamometer. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional laboratory study. METHODS Twenty-nine healthy and physically active females participated in this study. Peak isometric contractions were measured with a handheld dynamometer secured with a non-elastic strap and then converted to torque using segment lengths. Hip external rotation and extension were tested at 0°, 30°, and 90° of hip flexion. Hip abduction was tested at 0° and 30° of hip flexion and 5° of extension. Testing was randomized and counterbalanced. Repeated measures ANOVAs with Sidak's test for multiple comparisons were used for statistical analysis. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS Significant main effects were found for hip extension (p<0.001) and external rotation (p<0.027), but not for abduction (p=0.085). Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences between all three testing positions for hip extension torque (0°v30° : p<0.001, 0°v90° : p<0.001, 30°v90°: p=0.002). Extension torque was highest in 90° of flexion (1.43 ± 0.50 Nm/kg*m) and lowest in 0° of flexion (0.83 ± 0.30 Nm/kg*m). Comparisons of hip external rotation torque tested at 0°v90° (p=0.096) and 30°v90° (p=0.080) were not significantly different but did have medium effect sizes. External rotation torque was highest in 90° of flexion (0.29 ± 0.13 Nm/kg*m). CONCLUSIONS Direct comparisons of torque values of hip extension and external rotation tested at different sagittal plane positions should be cautioned due to differences. Hip extension and external rotation should be measured in consistent sagittal plane positions across examiners and testing sessions. Test position will be dependent upon the goals of strength testing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2b.
Uniformly Isochronous Quartic Systems

We show that the order of a fine focus of a uniformly isochronous quartic system is at most 8. Moreover, the system has a center if and only if it satisfies the composition condition. In particular, we prove a recent conjecture about these systems.
An Integrating Analysis Reveals Key Regulatory Networks in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed with women in the United States. Treatment of the disease has been substantially improved in recent years. However, the 5-year survival rate of patients with distant metastatic breast cancer is still below 30%. The transcription factors (TFs) regulate the expression of many genes and are commonly mutated in cancer. It has been shown that targeting transcript factor activity is effective in cancer treatment. In this study, we performed a large-scale integrative analysis to reveal the TFs that play essential regulatory roles in disease development. We first constructed expression networks based on gene expression correlation patterns in normal and tumor tissues. Incorporating the Bayesian analysis, TF and target interactions and methylation analysis with the expression networks, we identified a total of 19 regulatory networks consisting of differentially expressed genes. Gene set enrichment analysis of TF targets further revealed four core regulatory networks that were mainly controlled by 10 transcription factors. The dysregulated gene networks and their major TF regulators inferred by our study provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of breast cancer and offer new therapeutic targets.
School-based treatment for children and adolescents with social anxiety disorder

Abstract Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is highly prevalent and impairing in adolescents. Research has demonstrated that adolescents with social anxiety show deficits in social skills, which contribute to difficulty with interpersonal relationships and peer victimization. They also often avoid social situations, many of which take place at school, thus limiting their social skill development and creating a cycle of anxiety and avoidance. Thus, it is essential for interventions for social anxiety to target social skills enhancement and discourage social avoidance. SASS is a group-based, cognitive-behavioral intervention that emphasizes social skills training and exposures to overcome social fears. It was designed for delivery by school counselors in schools. Controlled clinical trials have documented the effectiveness of SASS for decreasing social anxiety and improving interpersonal functioning. There is great promise in extending SASS across multitiered systems of supports (MTSS) as well as in using technology to increase the ease of SASS delivery and school counselor training. Further research should be conducted to broaden SASS usability across adolescent populations of diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Signaling Activation Antagonizes Autophagy To Facilitate Zika Virus Replication.

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus, is linked to microcephaly and other neurological defects in neonates and Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults. The molecular mechanisms regulating ZIKV infection and pathogenic outcomes are incompletely understood. Signaling by the mechanistic (mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is important for cell survival and proliferation, and viruses are known to hijack this pathway for their replication. Here, we show that in human neuronal precursors and glial cells in culture, ZIKV infection activates both mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. Inhibition of mTOR kinase by Torin1 or rapamycin results in reduction in ZIKV protein expression and progeny production. Depletion of Raptor, the defining subunit of mTORC1, by small interfering RNA (siRNA) negatively affects ZIKV protein expression and viral replication. Although depletion of Rictor, the unique subunit of mTORC2, or the mTOR kinase itself also inhibits the viral processes, the extent of inhibition is less pronounced. Autophagy is transiently induced early by ZIKV infection, and impairment of autophagosome elongation by the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) enhances viral protein accumulation and progeny production. mTOR phosphorylates and inactivates ULK1 (S757) at later stages of ZIKV infection, suggesting a link between autophagy inhibition and mTOR activation by ZIKV. Accordingly, inhibition of ULK1 (by MRT68921) or autophagy (by 3-MA) reversed the effects of mTOR inhibition, leading to increased levels of ZIKV protein expression and progeny production. Our results demonstrate that ZIKV replication requires the activation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2, which negatively regulates autophagy to facilitate ZIKV replication.IMPORTANCE The re-emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) and its association with neurological complications necessitates studies on the molecular mechanisms that regulate ZIKV pathogenesis. The mTOR signaling cascade is tightly regulated and central to normal neuronal development and survival. Disruption of mTOR signaling can result in neurological abnormalities. In the studies reported here, we demonstrate for the first time that ZIKV infection results in activation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 to promote virus replication. Although autophagy is activated early in infection to counter virus replication, it is subsequently suppressed by mTOR. These results reveal critical roles of mTOR signaling and autophagy in ZIKV infection and point to a possible mechanism underlying ZIKV-induced pathogenesis. Elucidating the role of mTOR signaling in ZIKV infection will provide insights into the mechanisms of ZIKV-induced neurological complications and potential targets for therapeutic approaches.
How the West Was Lost: The Decline of a Myth and the Search for New Stories: by Ben Ryan, London, Hurst, 2019, 332 pp., $33.95 (hardcover), ISBN: 9781787381933

The notion that the West is in decline is not new but remains topical. It is the backdrop of disappointment in the vaunted post-Cold War “Peace Dividend,” the shock of 9/11, and the trajectories of...
Financial Aid Policy: Lessons from Research

In the nearly fifty years since the adoption of the Higher Education Act of 1965, financial aid programs have grown in scale, expanded in scope, and multiplied in form. As a result, financial aid has become the norm among college enrollees. The increasing size and complexity of the nation's student aid system has generated questions about effectiveness, heightened confusion among students and parents, and raised concerns about how program rules may interact. In this article, we review what is known and what is not known about how well various student aid programs work. We find evidence that lowering costs can improve college access and completion, but this general rule is not without exception. For example, the complexity of program eligibility and delivery appears to moderate the impact of aid, and for students who have already decided to enroll, grants that link financial aid to academic achievement appear to boost college outcomes more than do grants with no strings attached. Future research is likely to focus on several issues: the importance of program design and delivery, whether there are unanticipated interactions between programs, and to what extent program effects vary across different types of students.
Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death in the Pediatric Population: Improving Utilization of the American Heart Association 14 Element Guideline to Preparticipation Evaluation

Background: In 1996 the American Heart Association released a 14-element guideline for preparticipation evaluation (PPE) to screen young competitive athletes for risk of sudden cardiac death, which has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This provides a standardized and proven approach to screening patients, ensuring them a thorough evaluation prior to participating in sports. A recent survey of local general pediatricians found that only 34% of practitioners were aware of the guidelines, and of those only 22% were compliant with them. This raises concern that student-athletes are not receiving …
The effects of MDR/RR-TB treatment on HIV disease: A systematic review of literature.

Background Multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection are a deadly combination. While evidence on the effects of HIV co-infection on MDR/RR-TB treatment outcomes is well-documented, little published evidence describes the effects of MDR/RR-TB treatment on HIV disease. Methods We conducted a review of literature published prior to June 2020. We searched Pubmed, CINAHL, and EMBASE using variations of the terms “multidrug-resistant tuberculosis,” “HIV,” and either “CD4” or “viral load.” Two reviewers independently completed title and abstract screening, full-text screening, article evaluation, and data extraction. We also included five published articles evaluated as evidence by the World Health Organization (WHO) in preparation for the 2019 MDR/RR-TB treatment guideline update. Results A total of 459 references were returned, with 362 remaining after duplicate removal. Following article screening, six manuscripts were included. Articles reported CD4 count and/or viral load results for MDR/RR-TB and HIV co-infected patients during and/or after MDR/RR-TB treatment. The additional five references identified from the WHO guideline revision did not report HIV disease indicators after MDR/RR-TB initiation. Conclusion There is a paucity of evidence on HIV disease indicators following MDR/RR-TB treatment. Researchers should report longitudinal HIV disease indicators in co-infected patients in publications.
The Problems and Potentials of VR for Documentary Storytelling

A primary goal of many VR documentaries is to foster empathy with others. Unfortunately, some of the very qualities that make viewers’ experiences in the new medium unique and compelling, including the freedom to look around, also compromise its effectiveness as a means of genuinely understanding the experiences of others. This essay explores the question of whether the VR medium may have other compensatory advantages for documentary storytelling. It does this by considering social and psychological differences between third-person storytelling, which includes popular movies, first-person storytelling, as in many video games, and second-person storytelling, which is a common feature of documentaries. A key conclusion is that, even though VR is never likely to be a particularly effective instrument for creating empathy with others, through special forms of second-person storytelling, it does have some unique and effective means of engendering caring for others.
The Organization of the Tribunals

This chapter examines the basic structure of the hybrid tribunals, their organizational structure, composition, and some of their operations including the distribution of authority among the various bodies. It focuses on the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), the Special Panel for Serious Crimes (SPSC) for East Timor, the courts for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), and the Bosnia War Crimes Chamber (BWCC). The ECCC consists in three bodies: the Judicial Chamber (consisting of a Pre-Trial Chamber, a Trial Chamber, and an Appellate Chamber), the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP), which work with two co-investigating judges (CIJs) to investigate and prosecute suspected war criminals from among the Khmer Rouge (KR). The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the Chambers along with the Victims Support Section (VSS) are responsible for disseminating information about events at the ECCC. This chapter also discusses the co-prosecutor’s strategy in this case including the decision to indict Kaing Guek Eav (a.k.a. Duch) as well as Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan, and Ieng Thirith. The SCSL had a similar structure, with American David Crane serving as head prosecutor. Crane’s prosecutorial strategy consisted in three separate trials for the leaders of the major groups in the Sierra Leone conflict: the Revolutionary United Front (RUF—Issa Sesay, Morris Kallon, and Augustine Gbao), the Civil Defense Forces (CDF—Sam Hinga Norman, Moinina Fofana, and Allieu Kondewa) and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC—Alex Tamba Brima, Santigie Borbo Kanu, and Brimay Bazzy Kamar). In East Timor, the chapter discusses the relationship between the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the SPSC, the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) and the Defense Lawyers Unit (DLU). Further, it examines the early prosecutions of the massacres following East Timor’s independence referendum. The chapter also discusses the place of the war crimes tribunals in UNMIK’s structure as well as the role of the judiciary as authority was transferred from UNMIK to the European Union’s Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). Finally, the chapter examines the BWCC’s structures in relation to the broader Bosnian government, including the phasing out of the court’s international presence and the Bosnian Ministry of Justice’s “National War Crimes Strategy.”
Creating a sustainable online instructor observation system: A case study highlighting flaws when blending mentoring and evaluation

Quality and accountability mandates require institutions to monitor online instruction in a uniform and complete manner. In many institutions, instructor training is sparse and faculty evaluation occurs only through end-of-course student evaluations that may or may not yield adequate information on how the instructor performs online. Consequently, the online instructor evaluation system (OIES) was developed to ensure the finest quality educational experience for online students via a systematic approach to faculty training, mentoring, and evaluation. Research has shown that combining mentoring and evaluation is not feasible, and therefore another approach is warranted.
Accruals as a Determinant of Debt Covenant Tightness

This paper examines the use of accrual information by commercial lenders in setting debt covenants. Tests of the relation between accruals and debt covenant tightness indicate that lenders do not use the information in accruals in setting debt covenants. However, further tests show that lenders extract compensation for the risk of lending to firms with extreme accruals by charging higher interest rates.
Should We End Life Support for Death Taxes

This was the question posed at the Herman Goldman Memorial Lecture, held at the Bar Association of the City of New York on the evening of May 22, 2000. Its topicality, given the Ways and Means Committee's decision to repeal the federal estate and gift tax, is obvious. Taking the affirmative, and presenting the case for the repeal, was Edward McCaffery, Maurice Jones Jr. Professor of Law, University of Southern California. Taking the negative, and presenting the case against repeal, was Charles Davenport, Professor of Law, Rutgers University-Newark. Judge James Halpern, United States Tax Court, presided (although he did not enter judgment); and Willard Taylor, Chair of the Herman Goldman Lecture Committee, introduced the speakers. No transcript was made of the debate, but the speakers have set out (in the paper) a summary of their arguments, and Judge Halpern has provided his comments. Attached at the end is a selective bibliography of the literature relating to the repeal of the federal estate and gift tax.
Health communication inquiry and health outcomes

This article examines the applications of health communication research to enhancing the delivery of care and the promotion of health. Health communication scholars have the opportunity to inform the work of health care providers and health promotion practitioners to help them accomplish their complex health goals. There are many complex health promotion efforts that might benefit from definitive health communication research, yet are more often guided by good intentions, precedent, and expedience than by strong evidence. The complexity of achieving desired health communication goals, such as influencing health behaviors and guiding health-related decision making, demand strategic guidance from relevant and rigorous research. This article examines strategies for promoting the application of the best health communication research to guide development, implementation, and institutionalization of evidencebased health communication programs, policies, and practices.
Fecal microbiota transplantation: current clinical efficacy and future prospects

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has gained mainstream attention with its remarkable efficacy in treating recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (RCDI) when there are no other effective therapies. Methods of selecting donors and routes of administration vary among studies, but there are now randomized controlled trials showing efficacy of FMT in treating RCDI. Ongoing trials of FMT for other disease such as inflammatory bowel disease are underway; this therapy should not be used for these conditions unless there is strong evidence for efficacy. Long-term safety data are sorely needed, as well as clarification of regulatory concerns.
Inhibition of Glutamine Synthetase Decreases Proliferation of Cultured Rat Intestinal Epithelial Cells

The importance of glutamine synthetase (GS) for cell proliferation was examined in rat intestinal crypt cells (IEC-6) by inhibiting its activity with 10 mmol/L methionine sulfoximine (MS) at varying extracellular glutamine (Q) concentrations. In uninhibited cultures, cell number, protein, and DNA accumulation and synthesis showed a dependence on extracellular Q over a concentration range of 0.06 to 1.06 mmol/L, with apparent half-maximal responses of 0.46 mmol/L extracellular Q. In contrast, proliferation of GS-inhibited cultures required >/=1.06 mmol/L extracellular Q, with an apparent half-maximal response of 2 mmol/L. MS inhibited GS activity >97% in extracts of washed cells and appeared to be specific because its effects on proliferation were overcome by 4.06 mmol/L Q and were reversible. The increased dependence of IEC-6 cells on extracellular Q when GS was inhibited suggests that Q derived from GS (GS-Q) contributes importantly to cell proliferation at physiologic levels of extracellular Q (0.6 mmol/L). The unexpectedly high concentration of extracellular Q required to rescue maximal proliferation during GS-inhibition, relative to a reported Km for Q-transport into the cell, indicates that intracellular Q derived from the extracellular medium (exo-Q) is inefficiently utilized. In a previous study, we found that GS-protein and mRNA are concentrated in the proliferative crypt region of the small intestine in vivo, and predicted that GS activity is important for crypt cell proliferation. Here, we show that enzyme activity is important for cell proliferation at physiologic concentrations of Q in this cell culture model. Finally, we speculate that exo-Q and GS-Q are utilized differently in the cell.
Precision Force Spectroscopy of Bacteriorhodopsin

Single-molecule force spectroscopy studies have produced rich insights into the unfolding of individual proteins and nucleic acid structures. In a typical force spectroscopy experiment, an AFM tip is coupled to a surface-adsorbed protein by pressing the tip into it. Force-extension curves are then generated by retracting the tip at a constant velocity using a piezoelectric (PZT) stage. Force is measured by cantilever deflection. Extension, or more precisely tip-sample separation, is deduced from the PZT stage position used to control the vertical tip position. Thus, this deduced extension is sensitive to the vertical mechanical drift of the AFM assembly (∼10 nm/min). We have previously developed an ultrastable AFM in which the tip and the sample positions are independently measured by, and stabilized with respect to, a pair of laser foci in three dimensions. These lasers establish a local reference frame that is insensitive to long-term mechanical drift of the AFM assembly. This new measurement of position is complementary to the cantilever deflection sensing, which measures force. We have now extended the ultrastable AFM capabilities into liquid and can routinely mechanically unfold proteins at slow pulling velocities (2 nm/s), which allows averaging to increase precision. We can also stop pulling altogether and hold the molecule at constant force while independently measuring tip-sample separation (σ = 0.2 nm, Δf = 1-50 Hz). Alternatively, we can stabilize tip-sample separation and measure force (σ = 5 pN, Δf = 1-50 Hz) over 100s of seconds . Using these techniques, we are studying the unfolding and re-folding of bacteriorhodopsin (BR), a model transmembrane protein.
Analysis of treatment response data without the joint distribution of potential outcomes

In this paper we show how it is possible to develop a Bayesian framework for analyzing structural models for treatment response data without the joint distribution of the potential outcomes. That this is possible has not been noticed in the literature. We also discuss the computation of the model marginal likelihood and present recipes for finding relevant treatment effects, averaged over both parameters and covariates. As compared to an approach in which the counterfactuals are part of the prior-posterior analysis (as in the work to date), the approach we suggest is simpler in terms of the required prior inputs, computational burden and extensibility to more complex settings.
Crystal Structure of Proteus mirabilis Lipase, a Novel Lipase from the Proteus/Psychrophilic Subfamily of Lipase Family I.1

Bacterial lipases from family I.1 and I.2 catalyze the hydrolysis of triacylglycerol between 25–45°C and are used extensively as biocatalysts. The lipase from Proteus mirabilis belongs to the Proteus/psychrophilic subfamily of lipase family I.1 and is a promising catalyst for biodiesel production because it can tolerate high amounts of water in the reaction. Here we present the crystal structure of the Proteus mirabilis lipase, a member of the Proteus/psychrophilic subfamily of I.1lipases. The structure of the Proteus mirabilis lipase was solved in the absence and presence of a bound phosphonate inhibitor. Unexpectedly, both the apo and inhibitor bound forms of P. mirabilis lipase were found to be in a closed conformation. The structure reveals a unique oxyanion hole and a wide active site that is solvent accessible even in the closed conformation. A distinct mechanism for Ca2+ coordination may explain how these lipases can fold without specific chaperones.
Synthesis and characterization of two new molybdenum(0) σ-aryl complexes of the type [N(PPh3)2][Mo(C6F5)L(CO)2{P(OMe)3}2]: x-ray crystal structure of bis(triphenylphosphine)imminium pentafluorophenyl(mer-tricarbonyl) trans-bis(trimethylphosphite)molybdate(0)

Abstract The complex [ cis-mer -Mo(C 6 F 5 )(CO) 2 {P(OMe) 3 } 3 ] − reacts with the π-acid ligands CO and t BuNC to yield the substitution products [Mo(C 6 F 5 )L(CO) 2 {P(OMe) 3 } 2 ] − , both isolated as the N(PPh 3 ) 2 + salts. Both new complexes have been fully characterized by IR, 1 H and 31 P NMR, and elemental analysis. The electrochemistry of all three complexes has also been examined. The structure of [N(PPh 3 ) 2 ][ mer-trans -MO(C 6 F 5 )(CO) 3 {P(OMe) 3 } 2 ] has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The compound displays essentially octahedral geometry about the molybdenum atom. Averaged important bond distances and angles are: MoC(O) = 1.99(3); CO = 1.18(1); MoP = 2.418(1); PO(C) = 1.614(9); OC = 1.440(11); NP = 1.578(9); P  C(ring) = 1.805(4) A ; and MoPO = 119(4)°; POC = 120.9(7)°; NPC(ring) = 111(2)° .
Novel 4-aminoquinoline analogs highly active against the blood and sexual stages of Plasmodium in vivo and in vitro

New drugs to treat malaria must act rapidly and be highly potent against asexual blood stages, well tolerated, and affordable to residents of regions of endemicity. This was the case with chloroquine (CQ), a 4-aminoquinoline drug used for the prevention and treatment of malaria. However, since the 1960s, Plasmodium falciparum resistance to this drug has spread globally, and more recently, emerging resistance to CQ by Plasmodium vivax threatens the health of 70 to 320 million people annually. Despite the emergence of CQ resistance, synthetic quinoline derivatives remain validated leads for new drug discovery, especially if they are effective against CQ-resistant strains of malaria. In this study, we investigated the activities of two novel 4-aminoquinoline derivatives, TDR 58845, N1-(7-chloro-quinolin-4-yl)-2-methyl-propane-1,2-diamine, and TDR 58846, N1-(7-chloro-quinolin-4-yl)-2,N2,N2-trimethylpropane-1,2-diamine and found them to be active against P. falciparum in vitro and Plasmodium berghei in vivo. The P. falciparum clones and isolates tested were susceptible to TDR 58845 and TDR 58846 (50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50s] ranging from 5.52 to 89.8 nM), including the CQ-resistant reference clone W2 and two multidrug-resistant parasites recently isolated from Thailand and Cambodia. Moreover, these 4-aminoquinolines were active against early and late P. falciparum gametocyte stages and cured BALB/c mice infected with P. berghei. TDR 58845 and TDR 58846 at 40 mg/kg were sufficient to cure mice, and total doses of 480 mg/kg of body weight were well tolerated. Our findings suggest these novel 4-aminoquinolines should be considered for development as potent antimalarials that can be used in combination to treat multidrug-resistant P. falciparum and P. vivax.
REGIME-SWITCHING RECOMBINING TREE FOR OPTION PRICING

In this paper we develop an efficient tree approach for option pricing when the underlying asset price follows a regime-switching model. The tree grows only linearly as the number of time steps increases. Thus it enables us to use large number of time steps to compute accurate prices for both European and American options. We present conditions that guarantee the positivity of branch probabilities. We numerically test the sensitivity of option prices to the choice of a key parameter for tree construction. As an interesting application, we develop a regime-switching model to approximate the Heston's stochastic volatility model and then employ the tree approach to approximate the option prices. Numerical results are provided and compared.
Restrictions on the semiclassical approximation

Abstract The semiclassical approximation for two coupled harmonic oscillators is discussed. The range of validity of the approximation is obtained.
On the use of multiple hops in next generation wireless systems

Traditional cellular networks provide a centralized wireless networking paradigm within the wireless domain with the help of fixed infrastructure nodes such as Base Stations (BSs). On the other hand, Ad hoc wireless networks provide a fully distributed wireless networking scheme with no dependency on fixed infrastructure nodes. Recent studies show that the use of multihop wireless relaying in the presence of infrastructure based nodes improves system capacity of wireless networks. In this paper, we consider three recent wireless network architectures that combine the multihop relaying with infrastructure support - namely Integrated Cellular and Ad hoc Relaying (iCAR) system, Hybrid Wireless Network (HWN) architecture, and Multihop Cellular Networks (MCNs), for a detailed qualitative and quantitative performance evaluation. MCNs use multihop relaying by the Mobile Stations (MSs) controlled by the BS. iCAR uses fixed Ad hoc Relay Stations (ARSs) placed at the boundaries to relay excess traffic from a hot cell to cooler neighbor cells. HWN dynamically switches its mode of operation between a centralized Cellular mode and a distributed Ad hoc mode based on the throughput achieved. An interesting observation derived from these studies is that, none of these architectures is superior to the rest, rather each one performs better in certain conditions. MCN is found to be performing better than the other two architectures in terms of throughput, under normal traffic conditions. At very high node densities, the variable power control employed in HWN architecture is found to be having a superior impact on the throughput. The mobility of relay stations significantly influences the call dropping probability and control overhead of the system and hence at high mobility iCAR which uses fixed ARSs is found to be performing better.
Aplysia behavioral biology: II. Induced burrowing in swimming A. brasiliana by burrowed conspecifics.

This study demonstates that burrowing can be induced in a swimming Aplysia brasiliana by placing it into an aquarium containing a burrowed conspecific. When Burrowers (Efficient Burrowers as defined in Aspey and Blankenship, 1976) are removed from their burrows, they consistently reburrow with the latency to reburrow decreasing over 10 trials. When induced burrowers (Nonburrowers) are removed from the sand after being induced to burrow, they do not reinitiate burrowing. Although burrowing differs qualitatively and quantitatively in Burrowers and large swimming Nonburrowers induced to burrow, Burrowers and Nonburrowers are as likely to accept food when removed from the sand. However, Burrowers only partially consume the food and reburrow, whereas Nonburrowers consume the entire food ration within several minutes and do not reburrow. The occurrence of induced burrowing in Nonburrowers suggests pheromonemediated behavior since the probability of spontaneous burrowing occurring while an Aplysia is swimming approaches zero. Since Burrowers consistently reinitiate burrowing following removals from the sand, and Nonburrowers do not, it appears as if some internal physiological state may be necessary to maintain the behavior.
Acute alcohol exposure, acidemia or glutamine administration impacts amino acid homeostasis in ovine maternal and fetal plasma

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a significant problem in human reproductive medicine. Maternal alcohol administration alters maternal amino acid homeostasis and results in acidemia in both mother and fetus, causing fetal growth restriction. We hypothesized that administration of glutamine, which increases renal ammoniagenesis to regulate acid–base balance, may provide an intervention strategy. This hypothesis was tested using sheep as an animal model. On day 115 of gestation, ewes were anesthetized and aseptic surgery was performed to insert catheters into the fetal abdominal aorta as well as the maternal abdominal aorta and vena cava. On day 128 of gestation, ewes received intravenous administration of saline, alcohol [1.75 g/kg body weight (BW)/h], a bolus of 30 mg glutamine/kg BW, alcohol + a bolus of 30 mg glutamine/kg BW, a bolus of 100 mg glutamine/kg BW, alcohol + a bolus of 100 mg glutamine/kg BW, or received CO2 administration to induce acidemia independent of alcohol. Blood samples were obtained simultaneously from the mother and the fetus at times 0 and 60 min (the time of peak blood alcohol concentration) of the study. Administration of alcohol to pregnant ewes led to a reduction in concentrations of glutamine and related amino acids in plasma by 21–30 %. An acute administration of glutamine to ewes, concurrent with alcohol administration, improved the profile of most amino acids (including citrulline and arginine) in maternal and fetal plasma. We suggest that glutamine may have a protective effect against alcohol-induced metabolic disorders and FAS in the ovine model.
Common Core State Standards, Writing, and Students with LD: Recommendations

This article examines the Common Core State Standards as they apply to writing and students with learning disabilities (LD). We first consider why the implementation of these standards is advantageous to writing instruction for students with LD as well as the challenges in implementing them. Next, we make the following four recommendations in terms of their implementation: (1) increase general and special education teachers’ knowledge about writing development; (2) create a writing environment in which students with LD can thrive; (3) employ evidence-based writing practices in general education classes (where most students with LD are taught); and (4) use evidence-based writing practices effective with students with LD. We conclude by considering research that still needs to be undertaken to help educators maximize the probability that students with and without LD meet the writing benchmarks proposed in these Standards.