cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel physiological features-assisted architecture for rapidly distinguishing health problems from hardware Trojan attacks and errors in medical devices

Malicious Hardware Trojans (HTs) that are inserted during chip manufacturing can corrupt data which if undetected may cause serious harm in medical devices. This paper presents a novel physiological features-assisted architecture to detect and distinguish attacks by ultra-small HTs from actual health problems in health monitoring applications. Our threat scenario considers attacks that pass undetected using other HT detection methods such as ones that use side-channel analysis and digital systems test. The key to our detection approach is to embed multiple signature generation and testing techniques, some of which are based on physiology, deep in the hardware and close to the origin of data generation. Our experimental results show that our proposed techniques are able to distinguish unhealthy physiology from functionality altering HT attacks anywhere inside a state-of-the-art medical chip including the chip's primary inputs with minimal performance and area overhead.
Design and Implementation of a Scalable, Automated, Semi-permanent Seismic Array for Detecting CO2 Extent During Geologic CO2 Injection

Abstract A proof-of-concept demonstration using a scalable, automated, semipermanent, seismic array (SASSA) is being conducted to test a novel seismic method for detecting and tracking an injected CO2 plume as it traverses discreet points within a reservoir in southeastern Montana at Bell Creek oil field which is undergoing commercial CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR). This document serves to describe the technical design of the project infrastructure, the operational approach, corresponding data collection, and data-processing activities.
An ecological study of skin biopsies and skin cancer treatment procedures in the United States Medicare population, 2000 to 2015.

Background Analyses of skin cancer procedures adjusted for population changes are needed. Objective To describe trends in skin cancer–related biopsies and procedures in Medicare beneficiaries. Methods An ecological study of Medicare claims for skin biopsies and skin cancer procedures in 2000 to 2015. Results Biopsies increased 142%, and skin cancer procedures increased 56%. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) utilization increased on the head/neck, hands/feet, and genitalia (increasing from 11% to 27% of all treatment procedures) but was low on the trunk/extremities (increasing from 1% to 4%). Adjusted for increased Medicare enrollment (+36%) between 2000 and 2015, the number of biopsies and MMS procedures performed per 1000 beneficiaries increased (from 56 to 99 and from 5 to 15, respectively), whereas the number of excisions and destructions changed minimally (from 18 to 16 and from 19 to 18, respectively). Growth in biopsies and MMS procedures slowed between each time period studied: 4.3 additional biopsies per year and 0.9 additional MMS procedures per year per 1000 beneficiaries between 2000 and 2007, 2.2 and 0.5 more between 2008 and 2011, and 0.5 and 0.3 more between 2012 and 2015, respectively. Limitations Medicare claims–level data do not provide patient-level or nonsurgical treatment information. Conclusions The increased number of skin cancer procedures performed was largely the result of Medicare population growth over time. MMS utilization increased primarily on high- and medium-risk and functionally and cosmetically significant locations where tissue sparing and maximizing cure are critical.
Operant conditioning methodologies to investigate infant learning

This article describes operant conditioning methodologies that have been essential to furthering our understanding of infant learning processes. We discuss diverse procedures and assessments that h...
Childbirth as a Lens of Medicalization on a Guatemalan Plantation

This chapter provides a longitudinal perspective of the continuity and changes that have occurred in local childbirth practices and biomedical practices on a Guatemalan plantation (finca) and a highland village in Guatemala over a period of 40 years. These include midwives’ incorporation of biomedical practices through addition or substitution, as well as their resistance to or rejection of such practices. During this period, changes have also occurred in the biomedical system. In this chapter, the author analyzes the problems produced by these changes through a series of illustrative examples. These include beliefs and practices of traditional Maya midwives and mothers that have changed, been modified, or persisted over the 40-year period of research on a finca in Guatemala and in the highland aldeas (hamlets or settlements) of Chuchexic and El Novillero of Santa Lucia Utatlan. We will look at how these changes have been either addressed or ignored in the government midwifery training programs, which are in turn influenced by international organizations, such as WHO, PAHO, and USAID and their health policies. We also examine the response of the midwives and mothers to these changes. In the process of medicalization of traditional births in Guatemala, midwives may have changed some of their former indigenous practices; ironically, these same traditional practices are now recommended by biomedicine and acknowledged as beneficial.
CD8+ T-cell density imaging with 64Cu-labeled cys-diabody informs immunotherapy protocols

Purpose: Noninvasive and quantitative tracking of CD8+ T-cells by positron emission tomography (PET) has emerged as a potential technique to gauge response to immunotherapy. We apply an anti-CD8 cys-diabody, labeled with 64Cu, to assess the sensitivity of PET imaging of normal and diseased tissue. Experimental Design Radiolabeling of an anti-CD8 cys-diabody (169cDb) with 64Cu was developed. The accumulation of 64Cu-169cDb was evaluated with PET/CT imaging (0, 5, and 24 hours) and biodistribution (24 hours) in wild-type mouse strains (n = 8 per group studied with imaging and immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry) after intravenous administration. Tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-cells in tumor bearing mice treated with CpG and aPD-1 were quantified and mapped (n = 6-8 per group studied with imaging and immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry). Results We demonstrate the ability of immunoPET to detect small differences in CD8+ T-cell distribution between mouse strains and across lymphoid tissues, including the intestinal tract of normal mice. In FVB mice bearing a syngeneic HER2-driven model of mammary adenocarcinoma (NDL), 64Cu-169cDb PET imaging accurately visualized and quantified changes in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-cells in response to immunotherapy. A reduction in the circulation time of the imaging probe followed the development of treatment-related liver and splenic hypertrophy and provided an indication of off-target effects associated with immunotherapy protocols. Conclusion 64Cu-169cDb imaging can spatially map the distribution of CD8+ T-cells in normal organs and tumors. ImmunoPET imaging of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells detected changes in T-cell density resulting from adjuvant and checkpoint immunotherapy protocols in our pre-clinical evaluation.
Generating relevant explanations: natural language responses to questions about database structure

The research described here is aimed at unresolved problems in both natural language generation and natural language interfaces to database systems. How relevant information is selected and then organized for the generation of responses to questions about database structure is examined. Due to limited space, this paper reports on only one method of explanation, called "compare and contrast". In particular, it describes a specific constraint on relevancy and organization that can be used for this response type.
Scenario-based teaching and technology in mathematics education

I have been engaged in a variety of curricular reform programs that deals with developmental mathematics, calculus, business mathematics, and differential equations. These curricular reform programs address interactive tools, technology, and a variety of real life applications and needs of different areas that are served by mathematics. Traditionally, mathematics courses introduce the basic skills and needed mathematical concepts followed by some applications related to a certain field of study. In this paper, I share my experience in using a variety of curricular reform programs that are scenario -based, and supported by multimedia and technology. I will demonstrate the new material and technology, discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching using these programs, and convey my role of introducing some of these courses to the university core curriculum program.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy based spectral biomarkers of metastasized breast cancer progression.

Abstract Breast cancer is a global health issue and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Breast cancer tends to migrate to bone and causes bone metastases which is ultimately the cause of death. Here, we report the use of FTIR to identify spectral biomarkers of cancer progression on 3D in vitro model of breast cancer bone metastasis. Our results indicate that the following spectral biomarkers can monitor cancer progression, for example, lipids (CH2 asymmetric/CH2 symmetric stretch), Amide I/Amide II, and RNA/DNA. Principal component analysis also confirmed the involvement of protein, lipids and nucleic acids in cancer progression on sequential culture. The collective observations from this study suggest successful application of FTIR as a non-invasive and accurate method to identify biochemical changes in cancer cells during the progression of breast cancer bone metastasis.
Abstract 132: The Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Regulates Platelet Integrin Activation, Aggregation, and Ischemic Stroke

Rationale: Platelets are critical cellular effectors in the development of ischemic stroke. Translational control pathways, such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), are active in platelets...
When Should a Non-gastrointestinal Cause of Nausea and Vomiting Be Considered?

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms present in many disease processes. Unfortunately, the lack of specificity of these symptoms means that their presence does not rule in or rule out any specific etiology. The clinician must conduct a thorough history and physical exam in an attempt to determine whether a cause outside of the gastrointestinal system should be considered. The history and physical are the best tools to guide further diagnostic testing and may frequently lead to the ultimate diagnosis in patient with nausea and vomiting.
Evaluation of the ELITe InGenius PCR Platform for Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

ABSTRACT Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia in persons of all ages. Due to the fastidious nature of this bacterium and the necessary specialized growth media, nucleic acid amplification testing is currently the most reliable means for patient diagnostics. Analytical sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and clinical performance of the ELITe InGenius automated PCR platform with its MGB Alert M. pneumoniae real-time PCR research use only reagents (ELITechGroup, Inc., Bothell, WA) were compared with those of a laboratory-developed real-time PCR assay targeting repMp1 for detection of M. pneumoniae. The ELITe InGenius PCR assay successfully detected 31 distinct M. pneumoniae clinical isolates and reference strains, and there was no cross-reactivity with other mollicutes, Gram-positive bacteria, or Gram-negative bacteria. In testing 223 clinical samples, the ELITe InGenius PCR showed 95.79% and 99.22% positive and negative agreement with the repMp1 assay, respectively. Additionally, the ELITech platform showed 98.91% positive and 96.95% negative predictive values, and there was no significant difference detected between the two assays (McNemar’s test, P = 0.375). The ELITe InGenius PCR assay limit of detection was 0.16 CFU/PCR test or 4.16 genome copies (GCs)/test. Accuracy, instrument ease-of-use, and decreased hands-on time make the ELITe InGenius platform suitable for detection of M. pneumoniae directly from clinical specimens.
Palliative Care Consults in an Inpatient Setting for Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Background:Limited data about the frequency and outcomes of palliative care (PC) specialty consultations for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are available.Methods:This study was a...
Plant–soil interactions limit lifetime fitness outside a native plant’s geographic range margin

Plant species' distributions are often thought to overwhelmingly reflect their climatic niches. However, climate represents only a fraction of the n-dimensional environment to which plant populations adapt, and studies are increasingly uncovering strong effects of non-climatic factors on species' distributions. We used a manipulative, factorial field experiment to quantify the effects of soil environment and precipitation (the putatively overriding climatic factor) on plant lifetime fitness outside the geographic range boundary of a native California annual plant. We grew plants outside the range edge in large mesocosms filled with soil either from within or outside the range, and plants were subjected to either a low (ambient) or high (supplemental) spring precipitation treatment. Soil environment had large effects on plant lifetime fitness that were similar in magnitude to the effects of precipitation. Moreover, mean fitness of plants grown with within-range soil in the low-precipitation treatment approximated that of plants grown with beyond-range soil in the high-precipitation treatment. The positive effects of within-range soil persisted in the second, wetter year of the experiment, though the magnitude of the soil effect was smaller than in the first, drier year. These results are the first we know of to quantify the effects of edaphic variation on plant lifetime fitness outside a geographic range limit and highlight the need to include factors other than climate in models of species' distributions.
In Vitro Fertilization: A Pastoral Taboo?

Scholars have shown how the moral limitations and caveats that many religions pose against new assisted reproductive technologies have hindered women’s medical help-seeking. In the context of reproductive medicine, Catholics, compared to other religious groups (Evans and Hudson 2007), are more likely to disapprove in vitro fertilization (IVF). This article explores, through a qualitative empirical study, the absence of dialogue between Catholic congregants and their priests about IVF. On the one hand, parishioners primarily spoke about infertility issues in a very general manner, but would barely enter into any details. On the other hand, members of the clergy wouldn’t mention IVF’s prohibition unless they were specifically questioned on that matter. This article proposes explanations for this silence.
Drones, Development, and Discovery

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, offer significant potential benefits for development. This is especially true in environments where transportation is costly, such as mountainous regions or areas with poor infrastructure. We discuss the benefits of drones for development with specific focus on Africa. We then consider the implications for regulatory policy and offer some general guidelines that can be used when formulating policies regarding commercial drones.
Stress-induced cortisol response is associated with right amygdala volume in early childhood.

Abstract Rodent research suggests that dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the resulting cortisol stress response can alter the structure of the hippocampus and amygdala. Because early-life changes in brain structure can produce later functional impairment and potentially increase risk for psychiatric disorder, it is critical to understand the relationship between the cortisol stress response and brain structure in early childhood. However, no study to date has characterized the concurrent association between cortisol stress response and hippocampal and amygdala volume in young children. In the present study, 42 young children (Mage = 5.97, SD = 0.76), completed a frustration task and cortisol response to stress was measured. Children also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), providing structural scans from which their hippocampal and amygdala volumes were extracted. Greater cortisol stress response was associated with reduced right amygdala volume, controlling for whole brain volume, age, sex, and number of cortisol samples. There were no significant associations between cortisol stress response and bilateral hippocampus or left amygdala volumes. The association between right amygdala volume and cortisol stress response raises the non-mutually exclusive possibilities that the function of the HPA axis may shape amygdala structure and/or that amygdala structure may shape HPA axis function. As both cortisol stress response and amygdala volume have been associated with risk for psychopathology, it is possible that the relationship between cortisol stress response and amygdala volume is part of a broader pathway contributing to psychiatric risk.
Piezopermittivity for capacitance-based strain/stress sensing

Abstract Piezopermittivity refers to the reversible change of the electric permittivity (the main material property that describes the dielectric behavior) with the elastic strain. This paper addresses the emerging field of piezopermittivity, which provides the basis for capacitance-based strain/stress sensing, including self-sensing in case of structural materials. Piezopermittivity differs from piezoresistivity, which allows resistance-based strain/stress sensing. It also differs from the direct piezoelectric effect, which does not require the permittivity to change. In order to establish piezopermittivity, this paper presents the piezopermittivity theory, sensing methodology, and piezopermittivity-related materials science. Piezopermittivity stems from the effect of strain on the microstructure, which affects the permittivity. It is exhibited by electrical conductors (metals, carbons, and carbon fiber polymer-matrix and carbon-matrix composite) and nonconductors (perovskite ceramic and 3D-printed polymer), which are comparably effective for capacitance-based sensing, as shown at frequencies ≤2 kHz. All materials are unpoled. Poling of the perovskite ceramic does not alter the piezopermittivity behavior. The magnitude of the fractional change in permittivity much exceeds the strain magnitude, as expected for piezopermittivity. The sensing effectiveness, as described by the fractional change in permittivity per unit strain, is positive for positive piezopermittivity and negative for negative piezopermittivity. The majority of the materials exhibit positive piezopermittivity. The sensing effectiveness is +1.99×103 and -4.81×102 for uncoated and nickel-coated carbon fibers, respectively. The value for the uncoated carbon fiber is close to the value of +1.21×103 for a perovskite ceramic. For a 3D-printed polymer, the value is -2.87×106 in the direction perpendicular to the printed layers. Capacitance-based sensing is advantageous to the widely reported resistance-based sensing in that it does not require intimate contact of the electrodes with the specimen. The measurement of the capacitance of a conductive material using an LCR meter requires a dielectric film between the electrode and specimen.
Extremity dose exposure for dispensing of PET radiopharmaceuticals

1556 Objectives To analyze extremity dose equivalent data for the Mayo PET Radiochemistry Facility (MPRF) over 10 years operation. Methods Shallow dose equivalent to the dominant extremity (HS-Ext) was measured by thermo-luminescent dosimeter (TLD). Exposure data were collected for 2000-2009 and evaluated in correlation with dispensed drugs. Results The number of 18FDG doses increased annually at a rate of 10%. 8,188 doses of 18FDG were dispensed in 2009. 18FDG comprised ~83% of total doses dispensed (TDD) whereas 13N, 11C and other PET drugs account for 12%, 4% and Conclusions The 70% decrease in CHS-Ext from 2004 to 2006 is attributed to addition of an upgraded isolator and automated dose dispenser and also termination of commercial distribution. Growth since 2006 is accompanied by a proportional rate of increase in TDD. The individual with an EDR of 0.27 mSv/dose is the only current staff responsible for hot-cell intervention. The EDR of the other 4 staff are similar, 0.07-0.10 mSv/dose. Average monthly dose for 2009 is above the ALARA II level for all current staff. We expect actions in place or to be taken (without addition of staff) will reduce exposures below the ALARA II level in 2010
Suspected Subterfuge in Proposing Kidney Donor

A 49 year old Indonesian high ranking military officer on peritoneal dialysis because of renal failure due to a congenital horseshoe kidney arrives in the United States with two blood type-identical young men — aged 23 and 25 years old — who are said to be his cousins from another Island. Neither potential donor speaks English and both carry documents stipulating that they are related to the patient. After preliminary testing, both donors are found medically acceptable with two and three antigen matches respectively (equivalent to a closely related sibling). Uneasy over the actual relationship of patient and donors, the transplant nephrologist discusses the matter with the Indonesian counsel who advises that there is no way to clarify the issue. “In our country,” he advises, “any high placed person can get whatever papers he needs.” Upset over what appears to be fakery, the senior surgical resident declines to scrub on the scheduled transplant operation.
Interactive Science Publishing: A joint OSA-NLM project

Interactive Scientific Publishing (ISP) has been developed by the Optical Society of America with support from the National Library of Medicine at NIH. It allows authors to publish papers which are linked to the referenced 2D and 3D original image datasets that can then be viewed and analyzed interactively by the reader. ISP provides the software for authors to organize and publish source data while offering readers the viewing and analysis tools. The ultimate goal of ISP is to improve learning and understanding of the information being presented. The results reported here are intermediate in reaching the ultimate goals. Goals: Implement and evaluate online user access to interactive datasets that complement online scientific papers. Methods: Software development; website evaluation, including web log data monitoring, online user survey. Results: An expert group of respondents found the interactive data component to have positive impacts on understanding and discovery. However a significant minority reported that the software interface, instructions, and/or download presented a barrier to effective use of the interactive data functionality. Conclusions: This exploratory study indicates that interactive datasets offer potential benefits as a complement to published papers, but that further software improvements and more in-depth evaluation are needed to best discern future directions.
Z-Pinch plasma instability experiments on the UM linear transformer driver

Experiments are underway on the 1-MA, 100-kV MAIZE linear transformer driver (LTD) z-pinch experiment to explore the characterization and stabilization of the magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) and electrothermal instabilities (ETI)1. Instability experiments at UM utilize 400 nm thick, planar Al foil loads and Al-backed Mylar foils. Theory has shown that axial magnetic fields and magnetic shear can reduce the growth rate of MRT2. To test effects of axial magnetic fields, pseudo-helical return current electrodes are substituted in place of planar electrodes. Instability growth is measured by sub-ps laser shadowgraphy viewing across the foil plasma, perpendicular to the current.
Chemical and volatile organic compounds composition of whey protein concentrate

Abstract Commercial whey protein concentrate (WPC) typically contain 2–5% and 3–7% lactose and lipids, respectively, that make them susceptible to off-flavor production during storage. This research was undertaken to compare the formation of volatile off-flavor compounds by dynamic headspace analysis (DHA) in control WPC with that in partially delactosed and delipidized WPC produced by chemical pretreatment (CP) and microfiltration (MF) processing of Swiss cheese whey during accelerated storage (AS). Forty five volatile compounds were recovered from AS WPC. Experimental MF WPC that contained lowest lipid concentration, exhibited the lowest production of volatile compounds during AS.
Assessing the President's Role as Party Agent in Congressional Elections

Presidents have become their parties' chief fund-raisers and thus have the capacity to further their parties' collective fortunes by imposing a more efficient distribution of campaign resources than might otherwise prevail. In order to succeed, presidents must, first, accurately target their efforts where they will best improve candidates' prospects for winning seats, and second, either directly or indirectly (through signaling to other donors) generate sufficient new resources to affect the election outcome. Analyses of Bill Clinton's extensive fund-raising efforts during the 1999-2000 election cycle confirm that presidents can indeed use their unmatched fund-raising ability to help their parties win congressional contests they might otherwise lose. But analysis of the Clinton record also shows that presidential fund-raising activities may be shaped by other purposes that lead to a distribution of effort that is suboptimal for the party.
Case-Control Studies

1. Case-control studies work backwards, first identifying diseased and nondiseased individuals, and then ascertaining the frequency of previous exposures. 2. Ideal characteristics for selecting cases: a. Use a specific definition of the disease b. Select individuals who have incident disease 3. Ideal characteristics for selecting controls: a. Controls should derive from the same underlying population as the cases b. Controls should have the opportunity to be counted as cases if they develop disease 4. Case-control studies have certain advantages: a. Can be useful for studying rare outcomes and those with long latency periods b. Can be useful for evaluating multiple risk factors for a disease 5. Case-control studies have certain disadvantages: a. Observational design: other factors may be responsible for observed associations b. Recall bias may distort associations 6. Case-control studies can estimate only the relative risk of disease; the incidence and attributable risk cannot be determined from case-control data alone. 7. The primary measure of effect in a case-control study is the odds ratio. 8. Odds ratios approximate relative risks when the outcome is rare.
Low-Temperature Food Preservation and Characteristics of Psychrotrophic Microorganisms

The use of low temperatures to preserve foods is based on the fact that the activities of foodborne microorganisms can be slowed at temperatures above freezing and generally stopped at subfreezing temperatures. The reason is that all metabolic reactions of microorganisms are enzyme catalyzed and that the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reactions is dependent on temperature. With a rise in temperature, there is an increase in reaction rate. The temperature coefficient (Q10) may be generally defined as follows: $${Q_{10}} = \frac{{\left( {Velocity\;at\;a\;given\;tem. + {{10}^o}} \right)}} {{Velocity\;at\;T}}$$ The Q 10 for most biological systems is 1.5–2.5, so that for each 10°C rise in temperature within the suitable range, there is a twofold increase in the rate of reaction. For every 10°C decrease in temperature, the reverse is true. Because the basic feature of low-temperature food preservation consists of its effect on spoilage organisms, most of the discussion that follows will be devoted to the effect of low temperatures on foodborne microorganisms. It should be remembered, however, that temperature is related to relative humidity (R.H.) and that subfreezing temperatures affect R.H. as well as pH, and possibly other parameters of microbial growth as well.
Protocol validation tools as test case generators

A method is proposed to transform a test case generation problem to a protocol validation problem. Protocol validation has been studied for years and many validation tools are available. By transforming a test case generation problem into a protocol validation problem, a protocol validation tool can be used to generate test cases. The method can be implemented in a very short period of time. The complexity of the proposed method in searching for a test case is O(n), where n is the number of system states in the specification.
Humoral immunostimulation. X. Cytochalasin B stimulates complement-dependent calcium uptake in antibody-treated cells.

Abstract Cytochalasin B exerted a biphasic effect upon the uptake of calcium in L cells treated with anti-L-cell antibody and complement. At a high concentration (1 × 10 −4 M ), cytochalasin B inhibited the antibody- and complement-induced stimulation of calcium uptake into L cells; whereas, at a lower concentration (1 × 10 −6 M ), the drug enhanced uptake. Cytochalasin B-induced stimulation of calcium uptake was exclusively dependent upon the concentration of the antibody-antigen-activated complement system since the drug did not enhance calcium uptake in cells treated with antibody alone nor in cells treated with antibody and heat-inactivated complement. Moreover, when special serums deficient or depleted of certain complement components were used as sources of complement, there was a loss of the enhancement of calcium uptake. Thus, guinea pig serums deficient in C4 or C3-C9, human serums deficient in Cl r , C2, C2,4 or C4, and rabbit serums deficient in C3-C9 or C6 all failed to permit enhanced calcium uptake in antibody-treated cells in the presence of 1 × 10 −6 M cytochalasin B in contrast to normal guinea pig, human, or rabbit serums. Stimulation of calcium uptake in antibody- and complement-treated cells by cytochalasin B was exquisitely dependent upon cellular energy sources since the stimulation was abrogated when uptake studies were performed in the presence of the metabolic inhibitors, dinitrophenol and iodoacetate. Enhanced calcium uptake by cytochalasin B was not due to simple increased intracellular volume of treated cells nor to increased antibody (IgG) binding. Likewise, antibody and complement did not alter either high- or low-affinity binding of Cytochalasin B to cells. Substrate saturation studies suggested that the enhanced calcium uptake in the presence of cytochalasin B was due to an increase in the V max of transport with utilization of the same K m . CB did not appear to produce this effect upon calcium transport through its well-known effects upon glucose transport since CB augmented calcium uptake in the absence as well as in the presence of glucose. In summary, it appears that cytochalasin B modulates calcium uptake in antibody-treated L cells via interaction with an intact complement pathway and that the effect is due to an energy-requiring activation of the components of a transport system.
Tension Distribution to the Five Digits of the Hand by Neuromuscular Compartments in the Macaque Flexor Digitorum Profundus

The macaque flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) consists of a muscle belly with four neuromuscular regions and a complex insertion tendon that divides to serve all five digits of the hand. To determine the extent to which compartments within FDP act on single versus multiple digits, we stimulated the primary nerve branch innervating each neuromuscular region while recording the tension in all five distal insertion tendons. Stimulation of each primary nerve branch activated a distinct region of the muscle belly, so that each primary nerve branch and the muscle region innervated can be considered a neuromuscular compartment. Although each neuromuscular compartment provided a distinct distribution of tension across the five distal tendons, none acted on only one digital tendon. Most of the distribution of tension to multiple digits could be attributed to passive biomechanical interactions in the complex insertion tendon, although for the larger compartments a wider distribution resulted from the broad insertion of the muscle belly. Nerve ligations excluded contributions of spinal reflexes or distal axon reflexes to the distribution of tension to multiple digits. We conclude that the macaque FDP consists of four neuromuscular compartments, each of which provides a distinct distribution of tension to multiple digits.
Atmospheric extinction in the infrared

Atmospheric extinction due to Rayleigh, water vapor, and mixed gases is discussed. Particular emphasis is given to water vapor absorption. A method for determining the amount of precipitable water vapor, calibrating it using LOWTRAN, and calculating the atmospheric transmission has been in use at Mount Laguna Observatory for five years. This method and the results from it are discussed.
Quality of Instruction: Examining Discourse in Middle Schoo Mathematics Instruction

According to the NCTM reform suggestions, when teachers are orchestrators of student interactions, students adopt a more active role in explaining and learning mathematics. This research, which mapped the nature and role of meaningful mathematical discourse, provides insights into discursive practices that lead to rich mathematical interactions. We observed, coded, and analyzed middle school algebra, number, and data lessons using a grounded theory approach. We organized the observed paths that emerged into a map depicting actual paths for mathematics discourse. The results indicated that communication pathways between the teacher and students occur in many ways, and certain student-initiated questions may trigger predictable teaching patterns. Conversation that originates with the teacher often results in dialogue that is one-dimensional, mostly provides factual information, and rarely results in rich, meaningful mathematical dialogue. However, when students engage in the teacher's conversation or they a...
Controlling the costs of health care for the elderly--fair means and foul.

The prospect of a Medicare Trust Fund bankrupt by 2001 and of staggering deficits in the decades thereafter, as the baby-boom generation retires, is bound to preoccupy everyone, young and old. The options will be a nightmare for politicians, who will be forced to present nasty choices to younger taxpayers (pay higher taxes or watch benefits for your parents and grandparents decline) and no less unpleasant ones to older people (pay still more out of pocket or accept a sharp reduction in benefits). It will be no less a bad dream for those providing health care to the elderly: the . . .
No News Is Good News: Human Rights Coverage in the American Print Media, 1980–2000

Several studies have analyzed media representations of human rights practices, but none has systematically examined whether those representations lead to skewed perceptions of repression or abuse. This phenomenon, referred to in the literature as the “information paradox,” poses serious problems for scholars attempting to gauge the extent of human rights violations or to evaluate measures taken to remediate them. This article considers whether increased awareness of and attention to human rights practices in fact distorts perceptions of abuse with an analysis of human rights coverage in two major American newspapers, the New York Times and the Washington Post, between 1980 and 2000. Multivariate regression analyses are employed to identify the characteristics of countries that are mentioned in conjunction with human rights in these newspapers. Results show that human rights coverage tends to be negative, with repressive countries garnering the most attention. However, human rights reporting appears not to...
Calcium and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D: inverse relation in cows with parturient paresis.

Recent work suggests a role for 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in inhibiting mobilization of bone. This study was undertaken to investigate its possible role in the etiology of parturient paresis, a hypocalcemic condition of dairy cows occurring at the onset of lactation. This metabolic disease was chosen to serve as a model of impaired mineral homeostasis. The animals examined were parturient Holstein cows with (N=6) and without (N=7) parturient paresis. Determinations of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, serum 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and serum calcium were used to evaluate the 2 groups. The hormones were isolated using methylene chloride:methanol extraction, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quantitation was by competitive protein binding assays. Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels of affected cows were not significantly different from those of normal cows. The 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels of paretic cows (3.48±0.27 ng/ml) were significantly higher than in the normal cows (2.03±0.34 ng/ml) (p<0.01). Linear regression analysis of the data from the paretic cows revealed an inverse relationship between serum calcium and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (r=−0.94). This negative correlation between serum 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and serum total calcium in a naturally occurring hypocalcemic disease of dairy cattle may provide evidence that this metabolite is of significance in the etiology and pathogenesis of this syndrome.
Compositional and temperature dependence of void swelling in model Fe–Cr base alloys irradiated in the EBR-II fast reactor

Abstract A series of annealed and aged Fe– x Cr, Fe–12Cr– y C and Fe–12Cr–0.1C– z Mo model alloys were irradiated in EBR-II at eight temperatures between 400°C and 650°C and dose levels ranging from 35 to 131 dpa. Swelling-induced density changes observed in the binary alloys generally peaked at mid-chromium levels, with the chromium and temperature dependence expressed primarily in the duration of the transient regime. The steady-state swelling rate at the lower irradiation temperatures was much higher than previous estimates, reaching ∼0.2%/dpa and possibly still climbing at higher neutron exposures. The dependence of swelling on molybdenum and carbon was more complex, depending on whether the temperature was relatively low or high. At temperatures of 482°C and above, the effect of carbon additions was very pronounced with swelling of Fe–12Cr jumping dramatically from near zero at 0.002% C to 6–10% at 0.1% C. This indicates that the major determinant of the composition and temperature dependence probably lies in the duration of the nucleation-dominated transient regime of swelling and not primarily in the steady-state swelling rate as previously envisioned. This raises the possibility that significant swelling may occur earlier in fusion and spallation neutron spectra where high gas generation rates may assist void nucleation.
Connectionism and the causal theory of action explanation

Abstract It is widely assumed that common sense psychological explanations of human action are a species of causal explanation. I argue against this construal, drawing on Ramsey et al.’s paper, “Connectionism, eliminativism, and the future of folk psychology”. I argue that if certain connec‐tionist models are correct, then mental states cannot be identified with functionally discrete causes of behavior, and I respond to some recent attempts to deny this claim. However, I further contend that our common sense psychological practices are not committed to the falsity of such connectionist models. The paper concludes that common sense psychology is not committed to the identification of mental states with functionally discrete causes of behavior, and hence that common sense psychology is not committed to the causal account of action explanation.
What we need around here is more aliasing (computer graphics)

A brief tutorial is given on what aliasing means. Plots of some relevant functions are shown. Some of the conventional wisdom about aliasing is described, and why that wisdom may not be so wise is explained. Aliasing is actually an image processing phenomenon involving the Fourier transform, convolution and the convolution theorem. >
Uncoupling of RNA and DNA synthesis after plasma stimulation of G0-arrested Balbc-3T3 cells

Abstract The addition of whole serum to G0-arrested, confluent Balb c -3 T 3 cells induces them to progress through G1 and synthesize DNA after a 12-h lag period. Prior to the onset of DNA synthesis, RNA is synthesized and RNA content increases. Serum has been fractionated into two sets of growth factors: a platelet-derived growth factor present in heat-treated (100°C) platelet extracts and platelet-poor plasma. Addition of whole serum, platelet-derived growth factor or platelet-poor plasma induces quiescent cells to increase their cytoplasmic RNA content, but the cells treated with platelet-poor plasma do not synthesize DNA. Messenger RNA content increases within 2 h after stimulation with whole serum or platelet-poor plasma, and after 18 h, mRNA has accumulated to a greater degree than rRNA.
BLOOD VELOCITY TELEMETERED FROM UNTETHERED ANIMALS.

THE magnitude of the change in frequency of sound back-scattered in moving blood is a measure of the velocity of the blood1,2. We have used this principle to design a system for telemetry of blood flow information from the major vessels of healthy, active, totally unrestrained animals.
The Stability of Dimensional Preference Following Oddity Training.

Abstract First- and second-grade children were randomly assigned to either the Method of Triads or an Object-Choice Dimensional Preference test. Of the 107 Ss tested, 32 color dominant and 32 form dominant Ss were selected to take part in the study. Ss were randomly assigned to an oddity training condition, with their preferred dimension either relevant or irrelevant. Following criterion, Ss were required to verbalize the oddity solution and then overtrained for 50 trials. Immediately following the termination of overtraining, Ss were tested on an Oddity Optional Shift task, where the correct solution was to respond to either color oddity or form oddity. No differences due to age or dimensional preference assessment techniques were revealed. Dimensional preference was seen to be a powerful determinant of oddity acquisition efficiency. Form dominant Ss were superior to color dominant Ss in attaining the oddity solution. Furthermore, form dominant Ss tended to maintain their preference for the form dimension on the optional-shift task, but color dominant Ss tended to display inconsistent response preferences in this task. An interpretation of the results was considered which suggested that preference for color may represent a “diagnostic indication of poor problem-solving ability” in children of this age. However, weaknesses in the methods of dimensional preference classification indicated the need for further research before such an interpretation could be accepted.
Consensus software: robustness and social good

In this column I explore some far-reaching issues of software development that lie at the intersection of robust software and sociopolitical systems. These two areas might seem unrelated-and most software developers would likely be horrified to have politics intrude on their programming efforts-but the intersection occurs through these premises: software systems administer and control much of our societal infrastructure; people would appreciate and better accept that control if they had input into the nature of the control and the systems' behavior; designers can make software systems more robust through redundancy, in which different versions of software components might cover for each other's mistakes and limitations; and if many people could contribute software to societal control systems, the systems might be more robust and better represent people's interests. The need for redundancy and the need for widespread participation can be mutually satisfying.
Defects in Synapse Structure and Function in a Fly Model of FUS-Related ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease that leads invariably to fatal paralysis. Although most cases of ALS are sporadic, about 10% are familial. One gene associated with familial ALS encodes the DNA/RNA binding protein Fused in Sarcoma (FUS). There exists a Drosophila model of ALS, in which human FUS with ALS-causing mutations is expressed in motor neurons. These flies exhibit motor neuron degeneration, larval locomotor defects and early death. Similar phenotypes are observed in flies null for the gene Cabeza (Caz), the fly homolog of FUS. We have examined evoked and spontaneous synaptic transmission at the larval neuromuscular junction, larval motor neuron cell body excitability, and presynaptic active zone structure in these fly models of ALS. The amplitude of evoked synaptic currents is decreased by more than 80% in larvae in which human mutant FUS (R521C) is expressed in motor neurons. A similar decrease in evoked synaptic transmission is seen in Caz1 null flies. Furthermore, the frequency of spontaneous miniature synaptic currents is decreased dramatically in FUS-R521C expressing flies. In marked contrast, recordings from motor neuron cell bodies demonstrate that both wild type and mutant FUS expressing neurons can fire normal action potentials, and the voltage-dependent inward and outward currents in the cell bodies are indistinguishable in wild type and mutant FUS motor neurons. Although confocal microscopic analysis of the larval neuromuscular junction does not reveal gross abnormalities, examination of synapses using super-resolution STED microscopy suggests that presynaptic active zones are aberrantly organized in larvae in which FUS-R521C is expressed in the motor neurons. The results are consistent with the idea that defects in synaptic structure and function precede, and may contribute to, the later motor neuron degeneration that is characteristic of ALS.