cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-6, Produced by Resident Cells of the Central Nervous System and Infiltrating Cells, Contributes to the Development of Seizures following Viral Infection

Cells that can participate in an innate immune response within the central nervous system (CNS) include infiltrating cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs], macrophages, and natural killer [NK] cells) and resident cells (microglia and sometimes astrocytes). The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced by all of these cells and has been implicated in the development of behavioral seizures in the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)-induced seizure model. The assessment, via PCR arrays, of the mRNA expression levels of a large number of chemokines (ligands and receptors) in TMEV-infected and mock-infected C57BL/6 mice both with and without seizures did not clearly demonstrate the involvement of PMNs, monocytes/macrophages, or NK cells in the development of seizures, possibly due to overlapping function of the chemokines. Additionally, C57BL/6 mice unable to recruit or depleted of infiltrating PMNs and NK cells had seizure rates comparable to those of controls following TMEV infection, and therefore PMNs and NK cells do not significantly contribute to seizure development. In contrast, C57BL/6 mice treated with minocycline, which affects monocytes/macrophages, microglial cells, and PMNs, had significantly fewer seizures than controls following TMEV infection, indicating monocytes/macrophages and resident microglial cells are important in seizure development. Irradiated bone marrow chimeric mice that were either IL-6-deficient mice reconstituted with wild-type bone marrow cells or wild-type mice reconstituted with IL-6-deficient bone marrow cells developed significantly fewer behavioral seizures following TMEV infection. Therefore, both resident CNS cells and infiltrating cells are necessary for seizure development.
An Evaluation of Interventions to Facilitate Algebra Problem Solving.

Three participants were trained on 6 target algebra skills and subsequently received a series of 5 instructional interventions (cumulative practice, tiered feedback, feedback plus solution sequence instruction, review practice, and transfer training) in a multiple baseline across skills design. The effects of the interventions on the performance of 5 problem-solving tasks that required novel combinations of 2 or more of the target skills were evaluated. Results showed that cumulative practice of the skills and a combination of feedback with solution sequence instruction led to limited performance increases on some of the problem-solving tasks, with one task meeting the mastery criterion following the solution sequence intervention. The introduction of the transfer training resulted in more consistent improvements across tasks such that participants achieved the performance criterion on all remaining problem-solving tasks during a final baseline condition. The findings suggest that a structured intervention designed to transfer stimulus control from previously established discriminative stimuli to more complex, novel stimuli can facilitate problem solving without extensive direct instruction on the higher-level skills.
Production of a novel class of polyreactive pathogenic autoantibodies in BXD2 mice causes glomerulonephritis and arthritis.

Objective The BXD2 mouse strain spontaneously develops glomerulonephritis and erosive arthritis. The goal of this study was to identify the antigenic target proteins and epitopes and to unravel the mechanisms by which the related conditions arise in BXD2 mice. Methods Individual hybridomas isolated from the spleen of a 10-month-old BXD2 mouse were injected intraperitoneally into nonautoimmune mice for evaluation of pathogenicity of each autoantibody. Autoantigens were immunoprecipitated with the pathogenic autoantibody L3A4. Autoantigens were identified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem MS. Antigenic epitopes were determined using a high-throughput epitope mapping method. Results The production of autoantibodies in BXD2 mice occurred in an orderly progression, with peak levels of autoantibodies to nitrotyrosine (NT)–modified enolase, Ro, α-actin, and heat-shock proteins (HSPs) preceding peak levels of antihistone, anti-DNA, and rheumatoid factor. Two monoclonal autoantibodies, L3A4 and T56G10, were identified that could induce immune complexes, renal disease, and/or arthritis. Both L3A4 and T56G10 were polyreactive, and each reacted with separate sets of autoantigens. The antigenic targets of L3A4 consisted of NT-modified enolase, ATP5b, α-actin, and Hsp70 family proteins including Hspa5 and Hsp74. The antigenic epitopes of NT-modified enolase and Hspa5 exhibited sequence homology and cross-reactivity, suggesting that epitope spreading may occur through a molecular mimicry mechanism. Conclusion The polyreactivity of autoantibodies that target a novel class of autoantigens may enable these autoantibodies to induce erosive arthritis or glomerulonephritis either by direct pathogenic mechanisms or indirectly via Fc or immune complex deposition.
The metabolism of chylomicron remnants by isolated perfused rat liver

Abstract When whole chylomicrons containing radiolabeled lipids were added to the perfusate of an isolated liver, virtually no cholesterol ester or triacylglycerol was removed during the first hour, while a small amount of free cholesterol disappeared. After 3 h, 40% of the cholesterol ester was removed by the liver. In contrast, when chylomicron remnants, prepared by incubation of chylomicrons with post heparin plasma and containing the same amount of cholesterol, were added to the perfusate, 76 ± 7% of the cholesterol ester was removed in the first hour. Moreover, free cholesterol and triacylcerol disappeared from the perfusate at the same rate as the cholesterol ester and during the early phase of the perfusion, the total perfusate cholesterol content declined by the same amount as the radioactive cholesterol content. These results suggest a specific removal of the intact lipoprotein particle. Of the cholesterol ester removed, 42% was hydrolyzed to free cholesterol after three hours. When whole chylomicrons, containing the same amount of cholesterol, were injected into rats in vivo, 71 ± 4% of the cholesterol ester was removed by the liver in three hours and 53% of this was hydrolyzed. Finally, the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, increased during liver perfusion with plasma-free, or chylomicron-containing perfusate while addition of chylomicron remnants to the perfusate significantly diminished the effect. It is concluded that the chylomicron remnant is the lipo-protein of alimentary origin which regulates hepatic cholesterol synthesis, and that its metabolism by isolated liver appears to reflect the hepatic component of chylomicron metabolism in vivo.
Rehabilitation of persons with central nervous system tumors

A tumor that affects the central nervous system can have a dramatic impact on the individual affected, as well as his or her family and friends. The tumor, regardless of extent or location, may affect the physical, social, vocational, and emotional capabilities of the individual. Basic aspects of rehabilitation for patients with tumors affecting the brain and spinal cord are reviewed in this article. The authors have found that the same principles of neurorehabilitation applied to persons with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and traumatic spinal cord injury are equally appropriate for persons with brain and spinal cord tumors. These principles include the prevention of medical complications; the treatment of medical problems such as pain, spasticity, and neuropathic bowel and bladder; and the improvement of patients' mobility and activities of daily living. Rehabilitation specialists can help prevent complications, maximize function, and improve the quality of life for patients with central nervous system tumors.
Giant dipole resonances in excited Er isotopes

The shape evolution of $^{160}\mathrm{Er}$ at high excitation energies was studied by measuring the giant dipole resonance following the heavy ion fusion reaction $^{19}$F${+}^{141}$Pr at excitation energies of 59.2, 61.2, 74.3, and 90.3 MeV. The data analysis yields prolate, oblate, and triaxial solutions and without theoretical systematics none of them can be ruled out. Detailed comparison with theoretical predictions favor the prolate solution with a deformation decreasing from \ensuremath{\beta}=0.28 at 59.2 MeV to 0.24 at 90.3 MeV. No phase transition from a prolate to an oblate deformation was found in the temperature range (T\ensuremath{\sim}1.1\char21{}1.5 MeV) covered by this experiment.
Evidence of the indirect predissociation of the F 1Δ state of HCl

Abstract The intensity loss in the REMPI spectrum of the F 1Δ(ν=0) state of HCl was shown to be caused by indirect predissociations. The predissociation hypothesis was verified by a pump-and-probe experiment which revealed that the action spectrum of the Cl photofragment has the same rotational state dependence as the intensity loss in the HCl REMPI spectrum. A deperturbation analysis shows that the intensity loss of the F 1Δ state is caused by L-uncoupling and spin—orbit perturbations by the predissociated C 1Π(v′=2) and b 3Π(v′=3) states.
Diagrammatic Icons and Historical Processes in Belau

In this paper I analyze the relationship between diagrammatic representations of social relations and historical processes in Belau (formerly Palau), Micronesia. Four diagrams, linear paths, balanced sides, quadripartition, and graded series, are discussed in terms of their lexical labels, schematic arrangements, prototypical embodiments, and semantic fields. Ethnographic and historical examples presented reveal the differential historical vulnerability of social institutions modeled by these diagrams. The use of Peirce's typology of signs is demonstrated to be an important corrective to the structuralist notion of transformation.
Drug-Binding Proteins in Liver Transplant Patients

Liver disease impairs the absorption, plasma protein binding, and metabolism of numerous drugs.1,2 Orthotopic liver transplantation is an accepted therapeutic option for patients with terminal liver failure.3 The liver is the primary site of plasma protein synthesis. Since a major determinant of the extent of drug binding to plasma proteins is the concentration of the drug-binding proteins, our objective was to measure the concentrations of two primary drug-binding proteins, albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoproteins (AAG), in stable liver transplant patients.
Detailed Core Design and Flow Coolant Conditions for Neutron Flux Maximization in Research Reactors

Following the design of the German research reactor, FRM-II, which delivers high thermal neutron fluxes, we have already developed an asymmetric compact cylindrical core with an inner and outer reflector. The goal was to maximize the maximum thermal flux to power ratio, which is a desirable characteristic of a modern research reactor. This design, for a 10 MW power, was analyzed using MCNP, ORIGEN2 and MONTEBURNS codes, considering a homogeneous mixture for the core material. Promising results showed that with standard fuel material of low enrichment uranium, high thermal fluxes are delivered by this core in the outer reflector. In addition, the life cycle, which is a limiting parameter regarding the compactness of the core, was calculated to be 41 days. In this paper, we report the results of recent developments in the design of this core. A detailed modeling of a suitable fuel element is performed with MCNP. Neutron fluxes are recalculated to assure that the same levels are achieved with this more detailed description. In this regard, three different zones with different flux levels were identified: a high neutron flux zone (4.0 E14 n m{sup -2}s{sup -1}), a moderate thermal neutron flux zone (2.5 E14 n m{sup -2}s{supmore » -1}), and a low thermal flux zone (1.0 E14 n m{sup -2}s{sup -1}). Heat deposition in the cladding, coolant and fuel material is also calculated to determine coolant flow rate, coolant outlet temperature and maximum fuel temperature for safe operating conditions. (authors)« less
NMDA receptors and associated signaling pathways: a role in knee joint blood flow regulation.

Abstract Blood flow changes in response to N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation were assessed using a laser Doppler flowmeter. Treatment of the joint with NMDA (1 mM; 0.1 ml) resulted in a significant increase in blood flow while the control phosphate buffer (PB) injection (0.1 M; pH 7.4) had no effect. Blocking NMDA receptors with the antagonist MK 801 (0.1 mM) prevented the increase in blood flow observed following NMDA injection, suggesting specificity of action. The NMDA-evoked vasodilation has been shown to be mediated through activation of several intracellular signaling transduction molecules, namely nitric oxide, release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and CAM kinase II. Blocking actions of these molecules with l -NAME (10 mg/ml), CGRP 8–37 (0.01 mM) and KN-93 (1 μM), respectively, prevented the increase in blood flow induced by NMDA in the present study. These results provide new evidence implicating NMDA receptors in knee joint inflammatory responses.
Atmospheric Deposition of Nitrogen Oxides onto the Landscape Contributes to Coastal Eutrophication in the Northeast United States

Recently compiled data document a 3−8-fold increase in nitrate fluxes from 10 watersheds in the Northeast United States since the early 1900s. During this period, nitrogen oxide emissions from combustion sources have increased about 5-fold. For 17 large watersheds with relatively minor agricultural or urban influences, riverine nitrogen fluxes from 1990 to 1993 were highly correlated with atmospheric deposition onto their landscapes and also with nitrogen oxide emissions into their airsheds. These relationships provided two methods of estimating riverine nitrogen export directly from either deposition or emission fluxes. For 10 benchmark watersheds with good historical data, about 36−80% of the riverine total nitrogen export, with an average of 64%, was derived directly or indirectly from nitrogen oxide emissions. Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen represented only about 25% of the airshed emissions with the remaining 75% transported out of the airshed. Nitrogen is the element most responsible for eutroph...
Equation-of-state modeling of confined-fluid phase equilibria in nanopores

Abstract Perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) is coupled with Young–Laplace equation to investigate and represent fluid-phase equilibria in nanosize pores. The calculated pure-substance properties at capillary condensation (critical temperature, critical pore radius, surface tension, condensed-phase equilibrium pressure, and saturated densities) are found to be consistent with experimental data, theoretical models, and molecular simulation. The information obtained for pure substances can then be applied to predict the phase equilibria of fluid mixtures in porous mediums. The promising results presented in this work establish a strong platform for further development of an effective model toward engineering applications in real settings of confined fluids such as chemical systems encountered in unconventional reservoirs (e.g., shale oil and shale gas).
Structural and magnetic properties of FeB microfibers

Structural and magnetic properties of FeB microfibers, obtained by electroless deposition on cellulose fibers, were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the presence of an amorphous phase. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) studies confirmed an amorphous-like structure with the nearest coordination numbers around Fe atom to be 8.7 for Fe and 3.5 for B. The magnetic moment of 2.12 Bohr magnetons/Fe atom is consistent with composition obtained from EXAFS measurements.
The measurement of water deficits in broadleaf plants

A review of past work and a comparison of the well-known disk technique with Stocker's whole leaf method for determining water deficit of some hardwood trees reveals confusion in existing terms and methods. The water relations of leaf disks cut from broadleaf trees cannot be assumed to be the same as whole leaves, since the excised disk usually requires more water per unit weight to saturate. Stocker's term wasser defizit (WD) and the whole leaf method, when modified to allow shorter equilibration schedules, remain the best way to express and measure water deficits in forest trees.
Use of small-diameter capillaries for increasing peptide and protein detection sensitivity in capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

The use of small ID capillaries is shown to provide a substantial increase in sensitivity for capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (CE-ESI/MS). In a comparison using capillaries ranging from either 100 to 10 microns or 50 to 5 microns ID and chemically modified with aminopropylsilane, a 25- to 50-fold increase in sensitivity was observed for both peptide and protein mixtures. This enhanced solute sensitivity allowed the detection of approximately 150 attomoles of melittin (2845 Da) with selected ion monitoring and 600 attomoles of carbonic anhydrase (29,157 Da) while scanning for CE-MS with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. For the protein mixture, mass spectra of sufficient quality for precise molecular weight determination (< or = 0.05%) were obtained for 600 attomole injections using a 5 microns ID capillary. The increase in sensitivity with small capillary diameters can be primarily attributed to a reduced mass flow rate of buffer and other background constituents into the electrospray source, which allows for greater sample ionization efficiency. A model that qualitatively accounts for the results is presented, but quantitative agreement is precluded due to difficulties in accounting for contributions due to a liquid sheath flow used with the electrospray source. The model accounts for the observation that the ESI/MS appears to function as a concentration-sensitive detector under many conditions using large-diameter capillaries. A transition occurs, however, to a regime where the ESI/MS functions as a mass flow-sensitive detector for small-diameter capillaries, where the ESI current is limited by the rate of delivery to the ESI source of charge carrying species in solution. These results suggest peptide and protein analysis at low attomole and subattomole levels should be obtainable with alternative types of mass spectrometers.
Unravelling the paradoxical effects of ganglia ablation.

In 1973, Lazzara et al1 described 2 clusters of nerve bodies called ganglionated plexi (GP) adjacent to the sinus node and AV junction; high-frequency electric stimulation, which did not excite the underlying atrium, induced heart rate or AV conduction slowing, respectively. We are indebted to Randall et al2 who spent the next several decades delineating the anatomy and physiology of the intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system consisting of GP located at several sites in the atria and ventricles. Carrying on the legacy of Dr Randall,2 Armour and Ardell3,4 produced numerous publications and books, providing a hierarchical construct of the neural innervation of the heart, starting at the nuclei and axonal fields in the brain (extrinsic autonomic nervous system) followed by the spinal cord (intrathoracic) ganglia and axons and their connections to the intrinsic cardiac autonomic system with its GP and their axons of passage. The last part of this interconnected chain (the atrial neural network) was delineated anatomically by Armour et al5 and Pauza et al6 and functionally by Hou et al.7 Article see p 711 The overall function of the intrinsic autonomic nervous system consisting of the GP and the atrial neural network was summarized by Ardell,8 “… the intrinsic cardiac nerve plexus ( GP and neural network ) acts as more than a simple relay station for extrinsic autonomic projections to the heart…modulating…extrinsic and local cardio-cardiac reflexes. The intrinsic cardiac nerve plexus contains a heterogeneous population of cell types, including parasympathetic and sympathetic efferent neurons as well as afferent neurons.” Furthermore, as pointed out by Ardell,8 these afferent neurons participate in reflex loops between and within the various levels of the extrinsic, intrathoracic, and intrinsic systems, yet each level when disconnected from the other would retain independent functionality. From …
Ribosomal protein S21 is required for full activity in the initiation of protein synthesis

The role of the 30 S ribosomal protein S 21 in ribosome function, specifically in relation to the initiation of polypeptide synthesis, was studied. Reconstituted particles using 16 S RNA and all purified 30 S proteins, but omitting S21. The reconstituted particles ([-S 21] particles) sedimented at 30 S and contained all the 30 S proteins except S 21 in approximately the same concentration as control reconstituted particles ([Σ Si] particles). In several functional assays including AUG-directed fMet-tRNA binding, [-S 21] particles were only 33 to 44% as active as complete particles. The addition of pure S 21 to [-S 21] particles showed 2 to 3 fold stimulation in AUG-directed fMet-tRNA binding using purified initiation factors IF 1 and IF2, assayed either in the presence or absence of 50 S subunits. Maximum stimulation was observed when approximately 0.5 to 1.0 mole of S 21 per mole of [-S 21] particles were added. We conclude that, contrary to the report of van Duin et al. (1972), S 21 does not inhibit AUG-directed fMet-tRNA binding, and that S 21 is required for full activity of the ribosomes in the initiation of polypeptide synthesis. Thus, the results published by van Duin et al. cannot be taken to support the postulated heterogeneity of the ribosome population in vivo. Possible reasons for the discrepancy between our conclusion and that of van Duin et al. are discussed.
The order effect in human abductive reasoning: an empirical and computational study

Belief revision, a process in which one revises one's current belief in the light of new information, is an essential component of human abductive reasoning. The order effect, a phenomenon in which the final belief is significantly affected by the temporal order of information presentation, is a robust empirical finding that is not compatible with normative theories such as Bayes’ theorem. In this article we explore, both empirically and computationally, how and why the order effect occurs. Both a tactical abductive reasoning task and a learning paradigm (the UECHO model) show that although a recency effect occurs at the beginning of the training, it decreases and disappears as the training continues. We conclude that when little is known about the uncertainty and the dynamics of the environment, the order effect results from one's coherently and dynamically adaptive expectations of the statistical properties of the environment.
The CONSORT Statement: Will It Lead to Improved Reporting of Clinical Trials in Ophthalmology?

JAMA Beyond CONSORT: Need for Improved Reporting Standards for Clinical Trials Curtis L. Meinert, PhD. The increasing use of trials as vehicles for choosing among treatments has fueled drives for standardizing the way trials are reported. These drives have been propelled by editors, frustrated readers, and meta-analysts desiring the same basic information and counts. There is no doubt that all of these groups would benefit from better reporting of trials and by analyses subsumed under the headinganalysis by treatment assignmentoranalysis by intention to treat. To that end, there are reasons to applaud the efforts of biomedical journals to support the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement. Content suggestions and checklists are useful in preparing reports of trials. Hence, the CONSORT checklist is useful. A worthwhile addition to the list would be an item on treatment effects monitoring, since monitoring is part and parcel of most randomized trials. Reprints:Curtis L. Meinert, PhD, Johns Hopkins University Center for Clinical Trials, 615 N Wolfe St, Room 5010, Baltimore, MD 21305 (e-mail:cmeinert@jhoph.edu). Arch Ophthalmol 1999;117:677-680
Towards Social Leverage of Sport Events

Despite the predominant policy focus on event economic impact, event organisers and host community residents are calling for attention to be paid to the social value of events. Anthropological work on events demonstrates that their celebratory nature engenders a liminoid space that can foster social value, particularly through a sense of communitas. In order to enable and amplify liminality and communitas, event organisers and host community planners should foster social interaction and prompt a feeling of celebration by enabling sociability among event visitors, creating event-related social events, facilitating informal social opportunities, producing ancillary events, and theming widely. The resulting narratives, symbols, meanings, and affect can then be leveraged to address social issues, build networks, and empower community action. These may be furthered when the arts are used to complement sport, and when commercial elements support social leverage. Future research should explore and examine the st...
The iatromechanical background of Lagrange's theory of animal heat.

Why did the Italian mathematician Joseph Louis de Lagrange become involved in the controversy over the site of animal heat production in the 1790s? Contemporaries knew Lagrange as a pure mathematician who considered such excursions into physics and physiology a waste of time.' We have known that Lagrange read medical books as a diversion and out of concern for his own health,2 but until now there has been no evidence that he wasted his time in experiments or discussions of physiological problems related to respiration before his rejection, about 1791, of the theory of Lavoisier and Laplace that respiration is a slow combustion in the lungs. Lagrange reflected that
TAR RNA decoys inhibit Tat-activated HIV-1 transcription after preinitiation complex formation

The ability of the HIV-1 Tat protein to trans -activate HIV-1 transcription in vitro is specifically inhibited by a circular TAR RNA decoy. This inhibition is not overcome by adding an excess of Tat to the reaction but is partially overcome by adding Tat in combination with nuclear extract, suggesting that TAR RNA might function by interacting with a complex containing Tat and cellular factor(s). A cell-free transcription system involving immobilized DNA templates was used to further define the factor(s) that interact with TAR RNA. Preinitiation complexes formed in the presence or absence of Tat were purified on immobilized templates containing the HIV-1 promoter. After washing, nucleotides and radiolabelled UTP were added and transcription was measured. The presence of Tat during preinitiation complex formation resulted in an increase in the level of full-length HIV-1 transcripts. This Tat-activated increase in HIV-1 transcription was not inhibited by circular TAR decoys added during preinitiation complex formation but was inhibited by circular TAR decoys subsequently added during the transcription reaction. These results suggest that TAR decoys inhibit Tat-activated HIV-1 transcription after preinitiation complex formation, perhaps by interacting with components of transcription complexes.
Gradual Diagnostic Test Generation and Observation Point Insertion Based on the Structural Distance Between Indistinguished Fault Pairs

The size of a diagnostic test set is significantly larger than the size of a fault detection test set. As a result, fault detection test sets may be used for initial defect diagnosis, and diagnostic tests may be added as needed to narrow down a set of candidate defect sites. Between a fault detection test set and a full diagnostic test set there is a large range of test sets that can be used for improved (initial) diagnosis. This paper describes a diagnostic test generation process that produces such a range of test sets. The process is based on a ranking of the indistinguished fault pairs according to the importance of distinguishing them. The ranking is based on the structural distance between faults. This allows failure analysis to explore fewer and more localized areas of the circuit as the size of the diagnostic test set is increased. This paper also discusses the insertion of observation points to distinguish fault pairs that remain indistinguished by a diagnostic test set. Observation point insertion uses the ranked list of indistinguished fault pairs to ensure that a limited number of observation points will address the fault pairs that are the most important to distinguish.
Characteristics of Social and Administrative Sciences graduate programs and strategies for student recruitment and future faculty development in the United States

Abstract Background The rising demand of faculty in Social and Administrative Sciences (SAS) in pharmacy in the United States heightens the need to increase the number of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates in SAS who choose to pursue an academic career. Objectives To describe the characteristics of SAS graduate programs and graduate students and identify strategies for student recruitment and future faculty development. Methods An Internet survey (phase I) with key informants (graduate program officers/department chairs) and semistructured telephone interviews (phase II) with phase I respondents were used. Items solicited data on recruitment strategies, number of students, stipends, support, and other relevant issues pertaining to graduate program administration. Descriptive statistics were tabulated. Results Of the 40 SAS graduate programs identified and contacted, 24 completed the Internet survey (response rate [RR] = 60.0%) and, of these, 16 completed the telephone interview (RR = 66.7%). At the time of the survey, the median number of graduate students with a U.S.-based PharmD degree was 3. An average annual stipend for graduate assistants was $20,825. The average time to PhD degree completion was 4.57 years, and approximately 31% of PhD graduates entered academia. Various strategies for recruitment and future faculty development were identified and documented. Conclusions Findings allow SAS graduate programs to benchmark against other institutions with respect to their own achievement/strategies to remain competitive in student recruitment and development. Additional research is needed to determine the success of various recruitment strategies and identify potential new ones.
Arterial thrombosis complicates myeloma

Patients with MM have a high risk of VTE.[1][1] The relationship between MM and ATE is less clear. In this issue of Blood , Libourel and colleagues report a high incidence of ATE in MM patients undergoing chemotherapy.[2][2] Patients with hematologic malignancies are known to be at a higher risk
Comparative Experimental Measurements of Viscosity‐Temperature Relations of an Oxide and Slightly Nitrided Glasses

Viscosity-temperature profiles were experimentally measured by the rotating spindle technique for oxide and oxy nitride glassmelts from =800° to 1200° C. Nitriding of the oxide glassmelts increases the viscosity over the temperature range studied.
Endocytosis and endosomes at the crossroads of regulating trafficking of axon outgrowth-modifying receptors

In neurons, many receptors must be localized correctly to axons or dendrites for proper function. During development, receptors for nerve growth and guidance are targeted to axons and localized to growth cones where receptor activation by ligands results in promotion or inhibition of axon growth. Signaling outcomes downstream of ligand binding are determined by the location, levels and residence times of receptors on the neuronal plasma membrane. Therefore, the mechanisms controlling the trafficking of these receptors are crucial to the proper wiring of circuits. Membrane proteins accumulate on the axonal surface by multiple routes, including polarized sorting in the trans Golgi network, sorting in endosomes and removal by endocytosis. Endosomes also play important roles in the signaling pathways for both growth-promoting and -inhibiting molecules: signaling endosomes derived from endocytosis are important for signaling from growth cones to cell bodies. Growth-promoting neurotrophins and growth-inhibiting Nogo-A can use EHD4/Pincher-dependent endocytosis at the growth cone for their respective retrograde signaling. In addition to retrograde transport of endosomes, anterograde transport to axons in endosomes also occurs for several receptors, including the axon outgrowth-promoting cell adhesion molecule L1/NgCAM and TrkA. L1/NgCAM also depends on EHD4/Pincher-dependent endocytosis for its axonal polarization. In this review, we will focus on receptors whose trafficking has been reported to be modulated by the EHD4/Pincher family of endosomal regulators, namely L1/NgCAM, Trk and Nogo-A. We will first summarize the pathways underlying the axonal transport of these proteins and then discuss the potential roles of EHD4/Pincher in mediating their endocytosis.
Investigating Synchrophasor Data Quality issues

Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) installed across North America, compute and store synchrophasor data at select locations. However, the efforts to process the synchrophasor data to meet very high operator trust expectations has been challenging. This paper describes Synchrophasor Data Quality (SDQ) Activity, Trustworthy Cyber Infrastructure for the Power Grid (TCIPG) Project efforts to investigate synchrophasor data archived from American Transmission Company's system including both observations from the field to characterize synchrophasor data quality.
THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF NONPECUNIARY BENEFITS

Several important contributions to the property rights literature develop the point that different institutional arrangements lead to differences in the relative cost of income in pecuniary form versus income in nonpecuniary form. This analytical framework is rich in positive content, although few attempts have been made to measure directly the exchange value of nonpecuniary income. This paper posits a simple method for approximating the exchange value of nonpecuniary rewards and offers some estimates of this value for a particular occupational category: namely, scientists in the United States. The results of this estimation indicate that nonpecuniary benefits are an important component of total remuneration in government employment relative to private sector employment for this occupational group.
Optimization of separations of alkyl-substituted phenolate anions by capillary zone electrophoresis

Anions of alkylphenols have very similar electrophoretic mobilities in CZE owing to their very small differences in size and the narrow range of their pKa values. By studying electrophoretic mobility as a function both of pH and of the amount of acetonitrile in the electrolyte solution, optimum separation conditions were determined. It was possible to separate a group of methyl-substituted phenols, including several positional isomers. Mixtures containing n-propyl and isopropyl phenols and 1°, 2°, and 3° butylphenols could be resolved.
Passive Position Feedback over Packet-Switching Communication Network with Varying-Delay and Packet-Loss

We propose a novel framework - passive set-position modulation - which enables us to utilize the explicit position feedback over packet-switching communication network (e.g. Internet) with significant varying-delay and packet-loss, while enforcing energetic passivity at the same time. The proposed modulation framework is flexible (i.e. can accommodate varying data update-rate and intermediate data processing such as smoothing/reconstructuring); local and decentralizable (i.e. performance can be locally tuned without consulting other sides over the communication), thus, scalable; and relies only on the position signal, rather than often-inaccurate/noise-contaminated numerical integration/differentiation. We believe that this proposed passive set- position modulation would be useful for varying-rate haptics and bilateral teleoperation over the Internet.
Variable aberration correction using axially translating phase plates

Aerodynamic requirements on airborne optical system have brought about the need to develop lower drag conformal domes. Because these domes typically deviate greatly from spherical surface descriptions, large amounts of aberrations are induced which vary with line of sight through the dome. Several solutions to this problem have been investigated, one of which is the use of translating phase plates to dynamically dial in the appropriate amount of aberration correction. Axially translating phase plates can be described as two nominally plane parallel phase plates with matched aspheric surfaces on their inner surfaces. When placed in contact, they behave as a single plane parallel plate, but when an axial separation is introduced, the optical ray passing through the first plate intersects the second plate at a different location resulting in both a change in optical path length and a set of induced aberrations. A mathematical derivation of the aberrations generated is performed for Zernike polynomial surfaces in the presence of both converging and collimated beams. Code V is used to verify the derived expression and the theory is used to describe the results of a previous conformal optics aberration correction technique.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Analysis of simulated annealing for optimization

Simulated annealing is a popular Monte Carlo algorithm for combinatorial optimization. The annealing algorithm simulates a nonstationary finite state Markov chain whose state space ? is the domain of the cost function to be minimized. We analyze this chain focusing on those issues most important for optimization. In all of our results we consider an arbitrary partition optimization {I, J} of ? important special cases are when I is the set of minimum cost states or a set of all states with sufficiently small cost. We give a lower bound on the probability that the chain visits I at some time ? k, for k = 1,2, .... This bound may be useful even when the algorithm does not converge. We give conditions under which the chain converges to I in probability and obtain an estimate of the rate of convergence as well. We also give conditions under which the chain visits I infinitely often, visits I almost always, or does not converge to I, with probability 1.
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Preferences for the Diastereoselective Oxidative Addition of H2 to trans-Ir(P*R3)2(CO)Cl: Monodentate Chiral Phosphines May Impart Exceptional Degrees of Diastereoselectivity

Studies on square planar iridium complexes of the type trans-Ir(P*R3)2(CO)Cl, where P*R3 is PhP[(C5Me4)]2, PhP[Me2C4H6], or PhP[Pri2C4H6], demonstrate that monodentate chiral phosphines impart exceptional degrees of diastereoselectivity in the oxidative addition of H2. Thus, the oxidative addition of H2 to the two faces of the meso isomer (R,S)-trans-Ir(P*R3)2(CO)Cl proceeds with a kinetic diastereoselectivity which exceeds that for related square planar iridium complexes employing bidentate chiral phosphine ligands. Furthermore, the kinetically favored dihydride is not favored thermodynamically, and the magnitude of the inversion of the kinetic and thermodynamic selectivities is greater than has previously been observed using bidentate phosphines.
Enhanced light focusing in self-assembled optoplasmonic clusters with subwavelength dimensions.

sions of a few to tens of micrometers and are, therefore, still too large as building blocks of subwavelength plasmonic circuits. [ 23 ] In this Communication, we develop a rational fabrication approach for optoplasmonic clusters with truly subdiffraction limit dimensions and demonstrate their ability to harness electromagnetic interactions between the building blocks. We will demonstrate that discrete hybrid clusters of defi ned geometry represent a viable approach not only to increase the enhancement of the electric (E-) fi eld in the hot-spots located between the metallic NPs but also in the surrounding ambient medium. Furthermore, we will demonstrate that optical vortices sustained by the complex phase landscape in hybrid metallo-dielectric clusters facilitate a signifi cant enhancement and redistribution of the magnetic (H-) fi eld.
Uncertainty and compliance of robot manipulators with applications to task feasibility

The uncertainty and compliance of a robot manipulator used to perform a task are considered. A formula is derived for the efficient computation of a tight bound on the uncertainty of the end effector, given the uncertainty in the kinematic pa rameters of the robot. It is shown that the total uncertainty is the Minkowski difference of the manipulator uncertainty and the task position uncertainty. Simulations are performed in which the results are used to determine configurations of a robot for which the total uncertainty is within a specified tolerance.The suitability of the compliance of a manipulator for performing a planar peg-in-hole type assembly task is also studied. Manipulators are modeled as having rigid links and compliant joints, following experimental results. It is shown that given any symmetric positive semidefinite compliance, a robot manipulator of the above type can be constructed that will realize this compliance at some point in its work space. A new condition on the stiffness is propose...
Pain Scores Are Not Predictive of Pain Medication Utilization

Objective. To compare Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores with overall postoperative pain medication requirements including cumulative dose and patterns of medication utilization and to determine whether VAS scores predict pain medication utilization. Methods. VAS scores and pain medication data were collected from participants in a randomized trial of the utility of phenazopyridine for improved pain control following gynecologic surgery. Results. The mean age of the 219 participants was 54 (range19 to 94). We did not detect any association between VAS and pain medication utilization for patient-controlled anesthesia (PCA) or RN administered (intravenous or oral) medications. We also did not detect any association between the number of VAS scores recorded and mean pain scores. Conclusion. Postoperative VAS scores do not predict pain medication use in catheterized women inpatients following gynecologic surgery. Increased pain severity, as reflected by higher VAS scores, is not associated with an increase in pain assessment. Our findings suggest that VAS scores are of limited utility for optimal pain control. Alternative or complimentary methods may improve pain management.
CLASSIFICATION OF CAR IN LANE USING SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES

Support Vector Machines (SVMs) have become popular due to their accuracy in classifying sparse data sets. Their computational time can be virtually independent of the size of the feature vector. SVMs have been shown to out perform other learning machines on many data sets. In this paper, we use SVMs to detect a car in a lane of traffic. Digital pictures of various driving situations are used. The results from the SVM algorithm are compared to results from a standard neural network approach.
Identification of novel dioxin-responsive genes by representational difference analysis

Representational difference analysis (RDA) was employed on dioxin-stimulated Hepa-1 mouse hepatoma cells (human breast cancer) MCF-7 cells, mouse liver, and mouse thymocytes in order to identify novel responder genes to dioxin. In addition to several clones representing known dioxin-inducible genes, several clones were isolated that represented genes that were previously not known to be inducible by dioxin, including B94 (also known as tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 2 (Tnfaip2), Seven in absentia homologue 2 (Siah2), the mouse homologue of Bob/Gpr15, and S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase (Sahh, Ahcy). Induction of these genes by dioxin in Hepa-1 cells was rapid. Furthermore, induction occurred in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, indicating that in each case induction is a primary response.
Properties of chromosomal proteins of human leukemic cells.

Summary Purified chromatin isolated from lymphocytic cells derived from patients with acute leukemia, or other lymphoproliferative disorders has been compared with chromatin isolated from normal human lymphocytic cells by gel electrophoresis and differential gradient ultracentrifugation. Thermal denaturation studies showed higher Tm values for chromatin from leukemic cells, as compared to that of lymphocytic cells from normal donors or patients with infectious mononucleosis, reflecting the diverse complexity of these chromatins with respect to their varying chemical compositions. There are significant differences in the ratios of DNA :RNA :protein, as well as in the ratios of chromatin-associated histone and non-histone proteins ; although chromatin-associated histones were more homogeneous than were the non-histone proteins, as adjudged by amino acid analyses and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. These differences in chromatin structure may relate to the differences in gene expression characteristic of these lymphocytic cells. The chromosomal acidic proteins isolated from the purified chromatin of human leukemic cells greatly stimulated the template activity of the chromatin in in vitro RNA synthesis. The non-histone proteins selectively interact with chromatins and influence the RNA polymerase reactions, indicating that there is selective tissue specificity of non-histone proteins.
Cholecystokinin produces conditioned place-aversions, not place-preferences, in food-deprived rats: Evidence against involvement in satiety

The net reinforcing/aversive properties of cholecystokinin (CCK) were measured using a conditioned place-preference paradigm. Both sated and food-deprived rats showed a dose dependent aversion to an environment previously paired with CCK that was correlated with the effects of CCK on feeding. In contrast, all rats showed a conditioned preference for an environment previously paired with food. These results demonstrate the aversive properties of CCK and suggest that the decrease in feeding that follows peripheral administration of CCK results from a CCK-induced malaise.