cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A least-squares method for second order noncoercive elliptic partial differential equations

In this paper, we consider a least-squares method proposed by Bramble, Lazarov and Pasciak (1998) which can be thought of as a stabilized Galerkin method for noncoercive problems with unique solutions. We modify their method by weakening the strength of the stabilization terms and present various new error estimates. The modified method has all the desirable properties of the original method; indeed, we shall show some theoretical properties that are not known for the original method. At the same time, our numerical experiments show an improvement of the method due to the modification.
Use of computational fluid dynamics studies in predicting aneurysmal degeneration of acute type B aortic dissections

Objective Whereas uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissections are often medically managed with good outcomes, a subset develop subacute or chronic aneurysmal dilation. We hypothesized that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations may be useful in identifying patients at risk for this complication. Methods Patients with acute type B dissection complicated by rapidly expanding aortic aneurysms (N = 7) were compared with patients with stable aortic diameters (N = 7). Three-dimensional patient-specific dissection geometries were generated from computed tomography angiography and used in CFD simulations of pulsatile blood flow. Hemodynamic parameters including false lumen flow and wall shear stress were compared. Results Patients with rapid aneurysmal degeneration had a growth rate of 5.3 ± 2.7 mm/mo compared with those with stable aortic diameters, who had rates of 0.2 ± 0.02 mm/mo. Groups did not differ in initial aortic diameter (36.1 ± 2.9 vs 34.4 ± 3.6 mm; P = .122) or false lumen size (22.6 ± 2.9 vs 20.2 ± 4.5 mm; P = .224). In patients with rapidly expanding aneurysms, a greater percentage of total flow passed through the false lumen (78.3% ± 9.3% vs 56.3% ± 11.8%; P = .016). The time-averaged wall shear stress on the aortic wall was also significantly higher (12.6 ± 3.7 vs 7.4 ± 2.8 Pa; P = .028). Conclusions Hemodynamic parameters derived from CFD simulations of acute type B aortic dissections were significantly different in dissections complicated by aneurysm formation. Thus, CFD may assist in predicting which patients may benefit from early stent grafting.
Effects of total nonstructural carbohydrates and nitrogen balance on voluntary intake of goats and digestibility of gamagrass hay harvested at sunrise and sunset

Abstract We evaluated differences in composition of Iuka gamagrass ( Tripsacum dactyloides L.) hay harvested at 06:00 (AM harvest) or 18:00 h (PM harvest), and measured how protein supplementation and time of harvest interact to affect the voluntary intake, digestibility, and N balance of goats. Boer cross wethers ( n = 28; 24 kg) were randomly assigned to be fed supplement (310 g/kg of crude protein (CP), fed at 110 g/kg of dry matter (DM) intake, 14 goats) or no supplement (14 goats). Within supplemented or not supplemented groups, goats were randomly assigned to a crossover design of AM harvest (seven goats) or PM harvest (seven goats), and housed individually in metabolism crates with free access to water and mineral blocks. They were fed twice daily, with supplement offered 30 min prior to the morning feedings. After a 7-d adaptation, voluntary intake (goats were offered 1100 g/kg of previous day's intake) was measured for 14 d, followed by a 4-d adjustment phase to equalize DM offered between periods, and finally a 5-d digestion and balance phase. After Period 1, goats were switched to their new hay harvest times, and the protocol was repeated. Compared to the AM harvest, the PM harvest had higher (P versus 59.0 g/kg DM), monosaccharides (37.0 g/kg DM versus 28.6 g/kg DM), di- and polysaccharides (18.5 g/kg DM versus 15.4 g/kg DM) and less neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 700 g/kg versus 710 g/kg). Crude protein (79 g/kg DM) and starch (15.2 g/kg DM) were similar for the PM and AM harvest. Dry matter digestibility was higher (P versus AM harvests (555 g/kg DM versus 531 g/kg DM) and for supplemented versus not supplemented (563 g/kg DM versus 522 g/kg DM). Voluntary gamagrass DM intake (550 g/d versus 548 g/d) and calculated total digestible DM intake (327 g/d versus 313 g/d) were similar for the PM and AM harvest. However, total digestible DM intake during the digestion and balance phase was higher (P versus AM harvest (317 g/d versus 299 g/d). Time of harvest did not affect N intake, digestion, or calculated retention. Compared to no supplementation, the supplement improved (P versus 3.7 g/d) and retention (2.2 g/d versus 1.1 g/d). The PM harvest increased DM digested, largely TNC and digestible DM intake by goats due to increased TNC and not because of a 2% increase in DM intake. Providing a protein supplement had very limited effects on intake and digestibility of gamagrass.
Temperature Dependence of Glucose Concentration in Toadfish Blood

Temperature dependence of glucose concentration in toadfish blood was studied. Toadfish maintained at the same environmental temperature during the fall and winter showed no seasonal blood sugar change. Toadfish groups kept at four different environmental temperatures during winter exhibited increasing blood sugar levels with decreasing temperature and a disproportionately large rise in blood glucose at 6 and 0 C. Weight and length were shown to have no influence on the fish’s blood sugar level. A mechanism by which temperature exerted its effect on blood sugar is hypothesized.
The effect of prostaglandin E1 on liver adenine nucleotides and cytoplasmic enzymes in a porcine model of normothermic hepatic ischemia

The liver has been judged relatively resistant to ischemia, but prolonged inflow occlusion at normothermic conditions can produce evidence of reversible or irreversible hepatocellular damage. Cytoprotective agents have been used both experimentally and clinically to afford extended viability of hepatocytes under reduced perfusion. One agent, prostaglandin E1, has been described clinically as effective in sustaining liver function under ischemic conditions. We have sought to verify this observation in an experimental model using prolonged normothermic inflow occlusion. Twenty miniature pigs were anesthetized and subjected to subtotal normothermic hepatic inflow occlusion (portal vein, hepatic artery, choledochal vessels) to allow for sufficient splanchnic decompression. Half of the animals received pretreatment with prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil) 500 micrograms intravenously. Inflow occlusion was maintained for 2 hours followed by reperfusion and killing 24 hours later. As a measure of functional preservation, the tissue adenine nucleotides adenosine monophosphate, diphosphate, and triphosphate (AMP, ADP, ATP) were measured in ischemic liver by freeze-clamping and high-performance liquid chromatography during occlusion and after reperfusion. Cytosolic enzyme determinations (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase) were also made before occlusion and after reperfusion. As a possible indicator of cellular injury, blood ionized Ca++ was measured before inflow occlusion and after reperfusion. Although no difference was found in levels of AMP and ADP between prostaglandin E1 and control animals, ATP levels rose significantly higher during recovery in prostaglandin E1 animals at 60 minutes and 24 hours after reperfusion (13.97 +/- 1.29 and 13.60 +/- 0.91 mumoles/gm dry weight prostaglandin E1 vs. 9.25 +/- 0.97 and 9.80 +/- 0.85 mumoles/gm dry weight co control, P < .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The p21 inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases controls DNA replication by interaction with PCNA

The p53 tumour-suppressor protein controls the expression of a gene encoding the p21 cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) regulator. Levels of p21 protein are increased in senescent cells and p21 overexpression blocks the growth of tumour cells. In normal human cells, but not in many tumour cells, p21 exists in a quaternary complex with a cyclin, a CDK, and the proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). p21 controls CDK activity, thereby affecting cell-cycle control, whereas PCNA functions in both DNA replication and repair. Here we use simian virus 40 DNA replication in vitro to show than p21 directly inhibits PCNA-dependent DNA replication in the absence of a cyclin/CDK. Furthermore, p21 blocks the ability of PCNA to activate DNA polymerase delta, the principal replicative DNA polymerase. This regulation results from a direct interaction between p21 and PCNA. Thus, during p53-mediated suppression of cell proliferation, p21 and PCNA may be important for coordinating cell-cycle progression, DNA replication and repair of damaged DNA.
The anthropology of American life is in need of the cross‐cultural perspective

Joseph G. Jorgensen and Marcello Truzzi, eds. Anthropology and American Life. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1974. xi + 522 pp. Tables and bibliography. $6.95 (paper).
Melatonin for Sleep in Children with Autism: A Controlled Trial Examining Dose, Tolerability, and Outcomes

Supplemental melatonin has shown promise in treating sleep onset insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Twenty-four children, free of psychotropic medications, completed an open-label dose-escalation study to assess dose-response, tolerability, safety, feasibility of collecting actigraphy data, and ability of outcome measures to detect change during a 14-week intervention. Supplemental melatonin improved sleep latency, as measured by actigraphy, in most children at 1 or 3 mg dosages. It was effective in week 1 of treatment, maintained effects over several months, was well tolerated and safe, and showed improvement in sleep, behavior, and parenting stress. Our findings contribute to the growing literature on supplemental melatonin for insomnia in ASD and inform planning for a large randomized trial in this population.
Thermodynamic budget of the five day wave over the Saharan Desert during summer

A spectral analysis of the domain averaged height field at 1000 hPa surface over the Sahara using ECMWF data reveals a major oscillation of about five days. A composite analysis technique has then been developed which permits to emphasize the major characteristics of the evolution of the thermal low over the Sahara during a five day period in the summer season. This analysis shows that the composite structure of the termal field reveals a well mixed layer with an almost constant potential temperature and specific humidity from the surface up to about 650 hPa.
CoCo: An experiment in infrared coronagraphy at the IRTF

Imaging planets, brown dwarfs and disks around nearby stars is a challenging endeavor due to the required scene contrast. Success requires imaging down to m equals 20-25 within arcseconds of stars that are 4th-6th magnitude. Light scattered and diffracted from a variety of sources increases the background flux in the area of interest by orders of magnitude masking the target objects. As first shown by M. B. Lyot in 1939 masks can be placed in the focal pane and pupil planes of a camera to occult the bright central source making it possible to image the faint extensions around it. CoCo is an experiment in using a coronagraphic camera, for IR observations, on a large telescope in an effort to understand how a coronagraph can help and how to properly design one of the new generation of large telescopes. Recent result with CoCo show a factor of 5-10 reduction in background levels in the area from 2-7 arcseconds from the central object. This paper will describe those result and summarize what has been learned towards building coronagraphic cameras for today's large telescopes.
Responses of infant monkeys to pictorial representations of a learned visual discrimination

Rhesus monkeys (5–150 days old) transferred learned discriminations between flat and solid objects (e.g., squares and cubes) to photographs and to systematically varied line drawings of these objects. The degree of transfer was inversely related to the degree of stimulus impoverishment. It was not possible in this experiment to differentiate between perceptual and learning variables.
Identifying hypothalamic pathways controlling food intake, body weight, and glucose homeostasis.

The past decade has greatly increased our understanding and appreciation of the ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to regulate food intake and body weight. This was spearheaded by the discovery of key molecules regulating body weight homeostasis. It is now also apparent that the CNS, especially the hypothalamus, plays a primary role in directly regulating glucose homeostasis, independently of effects on body weight. These discoveries are important given the increasing incidences of obesity and type II diabetes in Western societies. In this article, we will highlight recent data from genetically modified mice. These data and other models have helped to dissect the CNS pathways regulating body weight and glucose homeostasis. Finally, although these studies have been illustrative, they also underscore our relative lack of knowledge and highlight the need for more definitive approaches to unravel the functional significance of these pathways. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:63–71, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regulation of ERK2 phosphorylation by histamine in splenocytes.

Histamine is implicated in allergic disease and asthma and ERK1/2 is involved in allergic inflammation including Th2 differentiation and proliferation. This study was designed to study the effects of histamine on ERK1/2 phosphorylation in splenocytes. C57/BL6 splenocytes were treated with different concentrations of histamine (10−4 to 10−11 M). Histamine (10−4 M) increased ERK2 phosphorylation. There was, however, no significant effect seen at other concentrations (10−11 to 10−6 M). Surprisingly, H1 receptor agonist β-histine (10−5 M), H2 agonist amthamine (10−5 M), H3 agonist methimepip (10−6 M), and H4 agonist 4-methyl histamine (10−6 M), all increased ERK2 phosphorylation. H1R antagonist pyrilamine (10−6 M), H2R antagonist ranitidine (10−5 M), H3/H4R antagonist thioperamide (10−6 M), and H3R antagonist clobenpropit (10−5 M) inhibited histamine-mediated ERK2 phosphorylation suggesting that all four histamine receptor subtypes played some role in this phosphorylation. Because tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF...
DDT contamination in selected estuarine and coastal marine finfish and shellfish of New Jersey

Analysis of DDT contamination in selected finfish and shellfish species from estuarine and coastal marine waters of New Jersey (USA) reveals consistently highest organochlorine pesticide levels in samples from the north and northeast regions of the state. The mean concentrations of DDT and its metabolites, DDE and DDD, in bluefish, striped bass, weakfish, and blue crabs collected at 27 stations throughout the state between 1988 and 1991 ranged from 300 μg/kg wet weight (wet wt). Gas chromatographic analysis of 175 tissue samples from these four species showed that the highest levels of DDTs (DDT plus DDE and DDD), exceeding 300 μg/kg wet wt, occurred in blue crabs (hepatopancreas) from the Hudson—Newark—Raritan Bay complex in the northeast region. Lower mean concentrations of DDTs (<200 μg/kg wet wt) were recorded in tissue samples of these species from all other regions of the state. The lowest levels of DDT contamination (mean <110 μg/kg wet wt) were found in samples from the south coast region. The greatest impact of DDT contamination is nearby metropolitan areas of the state, although the total concentrations of DDT in tissue samples from these areas are far less than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level of 5,000 μg/kg wet wt for this contaminant.
Laboratory Investigation of the Spectral Exponent Effect on Scintillation in Non-Kolmogorov Turbulence

A laboratory setup involving a spatial light modulator is described for examining the dependence of scintillation on the spectral index of non-Kolmogorov turbulence. A comparison of laboratory results with simulation and existing theory is discussed.
Functional Outcomes of Augmentation Cystoplasty in the non-Neurogenic Patient

Augmentation cystoplasty is a procedure that is used to improve bladder capacity and compliance. While most commonly performed in patients with neurogenic conditions, this procedure can also be performed in selected patients with non-neurogenic conditions with good success. For example, augmentation cystoplasty has been reported in patients with refractory overactive bladder, end-stage bladders requiring renal transplantation, and infectious and inflammatory disorders such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Advances in surgical techniques and bioengineering research continue to improve surgical outcomes and move the procedure in exciting new directions.
Overlooked scientific issues in assessing hypothesized greenhouse gas warming

Abstract This paper presents several issues related to the greenhouse gas global warming hypothesis which should be satisfactorily addressed before costly control requirements are imposed on society. The questions which need to be answered include the importance of other anthropogenic influences such as landscape changes and enhanced atmospheric aerosol loading. Controls such as conservation and improved energy efficiency, of course, which are benefits to society should be implemented regardless of global climate change.
Decay of 100Sr and a "pairing-free" K pi =1(+) rotational band in odd-odd 100Y.

The decay of /sup 100/Sr (193 ms) to the low-spin /sup 100/Y isomer (735 ms) was studied from mass-separated activity produced in thermal neutron fission of /sup 235/U. ..gamma.. singles and ..gamma..-..gamma.. coincidence measurements resulted in the placement of 67 ..gamma.. transitions in a decay scheme with 26 levels below 2 Mev. The multipolarities of low-energy transitions were determined from internal conversion electron measurements. Logft values were deduced using an absolute ..gamma..-ray intensity determination for the A = 100 decay chain. The 1/sup +/ levels in /sup 100/Y at 10.70 and 974.61 keV each receive --40% of the ..beta.. feeding from /sup 100/Sr. A K/sup ..pi../ = 1/sup +/ rotational band (with 1/sup +/, 2/sup +/, and 3/sup +/ levels at 10.70, 76.15, and 172.03 keV) is proposed which can be characterized as a nearly ''pairing-free'' band. Other levels in /sup 100/Y are discussed in terms of two-quasiparticle Nilsson orbitals.
Statistics of breakdown

A derivation is given for the statistics of breakdown, including the effect of defects. The particular case where breakdowns are random in time and defects are randomly distributed is considered in detail. Results are obtained that are applicable to any kind of breakdown test. It is shown how relationships between the breakdown distributions for various breakdown tests and for different conditions in a particular test are generated. These relations are given for life tests (constant field) and for ramp tests (field proportional to time). It is found that an ordering of defect types according to their susceptibility to breakdown is not unique, but generally depends on the test conditions. This implies that the fields and temperatures used in screening procedures must be chosen with care.
Structural biology: a 'funny' cyclic dinucleotide receptor.

Deciphering the molecular basis of HCN channel regulation by cGMP leads to the serendipitous discovery of cyclic dinucleotides as potent inhibitors of If current in the heart.
The effects on corn and on a rhodic paleudult soil of 17 annual Cu and Zn sulfate additions

A long-term field experiment was established in 1967 and continued through 1983 to evaluate the response of corn (Zea mays L.) and the loading capacity of a Davidson clay loam soil (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudult) to yearly additions of Cu and Zn sulfates. By 1983, the 17 annual additions of Cu and Zn resulted in cumulative totals up to 280 kg Cu and 560 kg Zn ha−1. These Cu and Zn additions, either alone or together, did not cause any grain or stalk yield decreases. The DTPA extractant separated most of the soil treatment levels for both Cu and Zn. The sevenfold increase in DTPA extractable Cu and eighteenfold increase in DTPA extractable Zn followed linear relationships to treatment levels. Copper concentrations in the blades and grain were not related to soil additions of Cu or Zn. However, Zn concentrations in blades and grain were directly related to each other, to soil Zn treatment levels and to DTPA Zn. Increasing blade Zn concentrations were accompanied by decreasing blade Mn concentrations.
Status of opioid addicts 5 years after admission to drug abuse treatment.

A sample of 2,099 Black and White male daily opioid drug users admitted to drug abuse treatment programs located across the United States were followed up 5 to 6 years after admission. Follow-up interviews focused on posttreatment behavioral functioning, including drug and alcohol use, treatment reentry, criminality, and employment. The sample included Black and White males in the nationally oriented Drug Abuse Reporting Program (DARP) who were admitted to methadone maintenance (MM), therapeutic community (TC), outpatient drug-free (DF), and outpatient detoxification (DT) programs; in addition, intake-only (IO) who never returned to receive treatment in the DARP were included as a comparison group. This study examined the status of these former addicts during the year immediately before the follow-up interview. It was found that 60% of the total sample reported no opioid drug use and 78% reported no daily use. Furthermore, over one-third had no illicit drug use at all during the year, as well as no arrest...
Transfer factor therapy in a case of pemphigus vegetans associated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis

Abstract A 19-year-old white male with both pemphigus vegetans and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis was treated with transfer factor (TF) based on possible common pathophysiologic relationships between these disorders and immune abnormalities. He was incompletely responsive to treatment with prednisolone, methotrexate, and topical micronazole. During 77 weeks of TF therapy, the patient showed gradual but continuous improvement of both diseases characterized by periods of complete remission and occasional mild exacerbations. Administration of other drugs was not necessary. When TF was withheld both diseases flared but regressed after reinstituting TF injections. Thus, TF may be therapeutically beneficial in some patients with the milder forms of pemphigus, and a relationship between cellular immune abnormalities correctable by TF and pemphigus is suggested.
Negotiating Eternity: Energy Policy, Environmental Justice, and the Politics of Nuclear Waste

Arguing that a crisis is upon us, the Bush Administration has proposed an energy strategy remarkable in its scope and audacity. While much criticism has been directed towards the plan’s ecological impacts, it also guarantees the continuing collapse of communities tha stand in the way of the full realization of the current energy economy. This situation is best understood reference to evolving notions of environmental justice. Unfortunately, the variety of meanings attributable to environmental justice often times come into conflict when applied to specific cases. Until a way is found to reconcile the idea’s many diverse meanings and to prevent one or another to be used in a specific institutional context to the exclusion of all others, environmental justice will, in a perverse way, be turned into yet another means to disregard society’s most vulnerable members.
Literacy, education and health development: annotated bibliography.

The focus of this bibliography is education’s effect on health status in developing countries. Some of the most relevant articles have been cited and annotated. The annotations are not summaries of the articles, but rather provide specific reference to the empirical evidence or, in some cases, lack of evidence for linking education with health status. The bibliography has been divided into four sections: Studies citing evidence of an empirical association between education and mortality, studies focusing on education’s effect on malnutrition and morbidity in children, studies in the United States which support the relationship between education and health status, and studies which focus on the mechanisms of interaction between education and health status. A more inclusive bibliographic list follows the annotations.
Retinal pigment epithelium rescues vascular endothelium from retinoic acid-induced apoptosis.

Purpose To determine whether retinoids are capable of inducing vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and whether the presence of an intact RPE monolayer can block retinoid-induced vascular endothelial cell death. Methods Confluent fetal bovine aortic endothelial (FBAE) cells were incubated with various concentrations of all-trans or 9-cis retinoic acid (an analogue of 11-cis retinoic acid). Apoptosis rates were determined at 24 hours, and the effect of inhibition of protein synthesis and activation of protein kinase C on apoptosis was investigated by supplying culture medium with 0.1 mg/mL cycloheximide and 10 nM phorbol myristate acetate. To investigate the impact of RPE on retinoid-induced apoptosis, confluent FBAE cells were cultured with a confluent layer of RPE in inserts where retinoids were added to the upper compartment. A confluent bovine corneal endothelium monolayer was used as the control. The permeabilities of the RPE and bovine corneal endothelium monolayers to fluorescein (20 microg/mL) and 9-cis retinoic acid (3 x 10(-4) M) were also determined. Results 9-cis Retinoic acid induced higher rates of apoptosis in FBAE cells than did all-trans retinoic acid and the control (P = 0.004). This effect was dose-dependent, with an ED(50) of 1.4 microM (r = 0.99, P = 0.004). Cycloheximide did not inhibit 9-cis retinoic acid-induced apoptosis, but phorbol myristate acetate significantly decreased the apoptosis rate (P = 0.005). The presence of a confluent RPE monolayer reduced the 9-cis retinoic acid-induced apoptosis rate (P = 0.002), but the presence of a bovine corneal endothelial monolayer did not (P > 0.05). Both cell types established a similar diffusion barrier against fluorescein and 9-cis retinoic acid. Conclusions 9-cis Retinoic acid is an important mediator of vascular endothelial apoptosis. A confluent monolayer of RPE can prevent endothelial cell apoptosis, and this effect is not due simply to establishment of a diffusion barrier by the RPE.
Microspectrophotometric measurements of visual pigments in two species of turtle, Pseudemys scripta and Chelonia mydas

Abstract Determination of visual pigment content of turtle outer segments allows arguments concerning colored oil drop function in color vision to be more satisfactorily evaluated. Our microspectrophotometric measurements detect in Pseudemys scripta elegans : P518 2 in rods and P450 2 , P518 2 or P620 2 in cones. In Chelonia mydas mydas we find: P502 1 in rods, P440 1 , P502 1 and P562 1 in cones. These findings rule out the simple theory that turtles see color through the use of a single detector visual pigment coupled with a number of differently colored discriminator filters. In each animal, a pigment that would naively be expected to occur in rods only, was found in 3 types of receptor-rods, oil-drop-bearing cones and oil-drop-free cones. The finding of Vitamin A 1 derived pigments in a sea turtle and Vitamin A 2 derived pigments in a fresh water turtle is reminiscent of the distribution of visual pigments among fresh and sea water fish.
Approximations for linear betatron oscillations

Approximation methods for calculating the characteristic exponent of extended Hill equations are derived and applied to the computation of linear betatron oscillations.
Minimal quantities of FSHβ subunit are released by rat anterior pituitary cells in primary culture

FSHβ in the medium and extracts of cultured rat anterior pituitary cells was quantitated with a heterologous radioimmunoassay utilizing anti-rFSHβ and hFSHs as the standard and tracer. After 4 days in culture, extracts were prepared from washed cells, cells incubated for 6 h or 24 h in fresh medium or cells incubated for 6 h in the presence of 10−7 M GnRH. FSHs/rFSH molar ratios were approximately 0.05, 0.04, 0.21 and 0.35, respectively. The elevation in FSHs/rFSH molar ratios in 24 h basal and GnRH-teated cultures was due in part to an increase in intracellular FSHs. Both unstimulated and GnRH-treated cultures contained non-detectable quantities of FSHs in the medium (< 0.063 ng/100000 cells; FSHs/rFSH molar ratio < 0.024). Thus, it appears that cultured rat anterior pituitary cells contain a small amount of uncombined FSHs but that minimal quantities are released. Furthermore, GnRH may increase intracellular quantities of FSHs but does not induce its release.
Direct effects of ionizing radiation unique to macromolecules

Abstract Radiation studies of macromolecules have revealed several effects which are not describable by classical radiation physics and are not observed in radiation studies of simple diatomic gases: (1) the radiation damage to macromolecules depends on the temperature at which irradiation was performed; (2) polymeric molecules suffer radiation damage throughout the chain no matter where the primary ionization occurred; (3) there is only minimal appearance of radiation damage in other chains which are not covalently linked to the one suffering the primary ionization. These effects have been observed in radiation studies of all synthetic polymers and biologic macromolecules including proteins and nucleic acids. Data implicating free radicals in the temperature effects and studies concerning energy transfer in irradiated macromolecules provide a basis for the mechanisms involved in these effects.
Does meeting standards affect charitable giving? An empirical study of New York metropolitan area charities

Charitable donations constitute a significant revenue source for many nonprofit organizations. To help donors decide which nonprofits to support, watchdog organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance have developed standards to promote wise giving. The effectiveness of these guides in channeling limited resources to the best-managed nonprofits is not widely studied. This research attempts to empirically investigate the effects of standards on public giving, controlling for factors that have documented effects on donations. Specifically, it regresses public support on the extent to which local nonprofits meet the standards of the Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York, Mid-Hudson and Long Island Regions, controlling for organization size, board size, service category, government funding, fundraising expense, and giving price. The study found that BBB standards have a positive effect on giving behavior. Meeting BBB standards is associated with higher levels of public support. Participating in assessment programs and striving to meet the standards are recommended for nonprofits seeking to improve funding through charitable contributions. Further study that extends the search for the mechanism that links meeting standards to improved donations is recommended.
Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE): the role of the computing science honor society in computer science programs

It is the role of the university and programs in computer science to provide a quality education in the computing sciences. These activities clearly imply the need to expose the students to the professional societies, such as ACM, IEEE-CS, and DPMA, as appropriate. But in addition, recognition for outstanding scholarship is a must. While other major areas, such as engineering, mathematics, and business have societies through which outstanding students may be recognized for a number of years, the computer science honor society is relatively new.The purpose of this paper is to present not only the general features and organization of the honor society, but, most importantly, to demonstrate the impact of the society on the daily activities of computing science students.
Short-Lived 1,5-Biradicals Formed from Triplet 1-Alkoxy- and 1-(Benzyloxy)-9,10-anthraquinones

The cyclopropylmethyl and (trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl)methyl radical clocks were used to estimate the lifetimes of triplet state biradicals formed from substituted 1-alkoxy-9,10-anthraquinones by photoexcitation and subsequent 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer. Irradiation (350 nm) of 1-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (1cp) in argon-purged methanol generated the primary anthrahydroquinone product (2). Upon exposure to air, 2 was rapidly converted to cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde and 1-hydroxy-2-X-9,10-anthraquinone (3). In contrast, irradiation of 1-{(trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl)methoxy}-2-benzyl-9,10-anthraquinone (1pcp) under similar conditions produced only small amounts of 3 and the corresponding aldehyde, trans-(2-phenylcyclopropyl)carboxaldehyde. In addition, products resulting from rearrangement of the 1,5-biradical to a homoallylic 1,8-biradical were also obtained. Using the known rate constant for the rearrangement of the phenylcyclopropylmethyl radical to the homoallylic radical and the obse...
Climate: History, periodicity and predictability

Only a few years ago, extraterrestrial forcing of the earth's climate machine was considered a model of last resort, to be used only when all other mechanisms, internal or stochastic, failed. With the general acceptance of the Milankovich orbital model of climate fluctuations on the 104- to 105-year time scale has come a lessening of the reluctance to discuss external mechanisms as factors in climate change. This was apparent at a recent conference entitled Climate: History, Periodicity, and Predictability (in honor of Rhodes W. Fairbridge on his 70th birthday) held May 21–23, 1984, at Barnard College of Columbia University, New York City, which brought together 80 specialists from at least 12 countries. At this conference, discussions of causal mechanisms ranged from the purely terrestrial to those involving the sun and moon, the dynamics of the solar system, and even the rhythms of the galaxy.
Robust multipoint identical-by-descent mapping for affected relative pairs.

The genetic mapping of complex traits has been challenging and has required new statistical methods that are robust to misspecified models. Liang et al. proposed a robust multipoint method that can be used to simultaneously estimate, on the basis of sib-pair linkage data, both the position of a trait locus on a chromosome and its effect on disease status. The advantage of their method is that it does not require specification of an underlying genetic model, so estimation of the position of a trait locus on a specified chromosome and of its standard error is robust to a wide variety of genetic mechanisms. If multiple loci influence the trait, the method models the marginal effect of a locus on a specified chromosome. The main critical assumption is that there is only one trait locus on the chromosome of interest. We extend this method to different types of affected relative pairs (ARPs) by two approaches. One approach is to estimate the position of a trait locus yet allow unconstrained trait-locus effects across different types of ARPs. This robust approach allows for differences in sharing alleles identical-by-descent across different types of ARPs. Some examples for which an unconstrained model would apply are differences due to secular changes in diagnostic methods that can change the frequency of phenocopies among different types of relative pairs, environmental factors that modify the genetic effect, epistasis, and variation in marker-information content. However, this unconstrained model requires a parameter for each type of relative pair. To reduce the number of parameters, we propose a second approach that models the marginal effect of a susceptibility locus. This constrained model is robust for a trait caused by either a single locus or by multiple loci without epistasis. To evaluate the adequacy of the constrained model, we developed a robust score statistic. These methods are applied to a prostate cancer–linkage study, which emphasizes their potential advantages and limitations.
Forest Floor Decomposition Following Hurricane Litter Inputs in Several Puerto Rican Forests

Hurricanes affect ecosystem processes by altering resource availability and heterogeneity, but the spatial and temporal signatures of these events on biomass and nutrient cycling processes are not well understood. We examined mass and nutrient inputs of hurricane-derived litter in six tropical forests spanning three life zones in northeastern Puerto Rico after the passage of Hurricane Georges. We then followed the decomposition of forest floor mass and nutrient dynamics over 1 year in the three forests that experienced the greatest litter inputs (moist, tabonuco, and palm forests) to assess the length of time for which litter inputs influence regeneration and nutrient cycling processes. The 36-h disturbance event had litterfall rates that ranged from 0.55 to 0.93 times annual rates among the six forests; forest floor ranged between 1.2 and 2.5 times prehurricane standing stocks. The upperelevation forest sites had the lowest nonhurricane litterfall rates and experienced the lowest hurricane litterfall and the smallest relative increase in forest floor standing stocks. In the three intensively studied forests, the forest floor returned to prehurricane values very quickly, within 2‐10 months. The palm forest had the slowest rate of decay (k 0.74 0.16 y ‐1 ), whereas the tabonuco forest and the moist forest had similar decay rates (1.04 0.12 and 1.09 0.14, respectively). In the moist forest, there were short-term increases in the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in litter, but in the other two forests nutrient concentrations generally decreased. The rapid disappearance of the hurricane inputs suggests that such pulses are quickly incorporated into nutrient cycles and may be one reason for the extraordinary resilience of these forests to wind disturbances.
Genes expressed in the mouse pituitary corticotrope AtT-20/D-16v tumor cell line.

The pituitary corticotrope AtT-20 stable cell line has been used as a model system to study peptide secretion, glucocorticoid regulation, and several other processes. In order to better understand this model cell line, a phage cDNA library was generated from AtT-20/D-16v cell mRNA and cDNA sequences were obtained for 317 clones repre- senting 203 known genes and 48 novel cDNAs. The sequenc- ing results revealed the prevalence of the mouse leukemia virus in this cell line and also identified a number of puta- tively secreted molecules that were not previously recog- nized as being secreted from AtT-20/D-16v cells or pituitary corticotropes. Nine completely novel cDNAs and 39 cDNAs homologous to known ESTs were also identified. A listing of other genes known to be expressed in AtT-20/D-16v cells is also provided.
Surgical Anatomy of the Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus.

Background: Brachial plexus exploration is performed in infants when addressing birth palsies and in children and adults following trauma. The upper trunk is most often injured. Traditional drawings of the brachial plexus depict the suprascapular nerve as a branch of the midportion of the upper trunk, with the more lateral branch of the upper trunk as the anterior division. We have not found this orientation to be accurate in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the branching patterns of the upper trunk and to delineate nerve orientations at the level of the divisions. Methods: Bilateral brachial plexus dissections were performed on eight adult cadavers. The length of the upper trunk and distance of the takeoff of the suprascapular nerve from the anterior and posterior divisions was measured. The native positions of the divisions and of the suprascapular nerve from lateral to medial were recorded across all trunks. Results: In six (38%) of the sixteen specimens, a trifurcation was found at the level of the upper trunk. The suprascapular nerve was the most lateral structure at the clavicular level in all specimens, followed by the posterior division and then the anterior division. The mean distance of the takeoff of the suprascapular nerve was 4 mm proximal to the branch point of the divisions; however, in two specimens, the nerve was found to take off from the posterior division proper. Conclusions: These findings differ from the standard illustrations and descriptions of the brachial plexus. A thorough understanding of the course of the upper trunk and its branches, such as the suprascapular nerve, is vital to performing nerve transfer surgery or neuroma excision and grafting.
Incentives for Efficiency and Equity in the School System

: Recently available evidence emphasizes the role of cognitive skills in determining not only individual earnings but also national growth rates. While prior studies concentrated on just school attainment as a measure of human capital, the availability of more refined quality measures using student achievement assessments demonstrates the inadequacies of these pure quantity measures of schooling. Improving cognitive skills, such as those measured by PISA, has, however, proved difficult. The only viable approach appears to be improving the incentives for higher performance. But particularly the reactions to demand-side incentives indicate a requirement to focus incentives carefully on achievement.
Measurement of ultra-thin film fracture by nano-indentation: a numerical study

As the individual layers of interconnect structures decrease in size, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine the fracture toughness, and hence the reliability, of these layers. After a layer is thinner than ~500nm, it becomes difficult to determine the fracture toughness directly with traditional methods. Using nano-indentation, it is possible to extract the cohesive and adhesive fracture energies of these films without elaborate experimental setups. There are, however, several issues with this approach. Nanoindentation creates cracks both within the film (the cohesive cracks) and between the film and the substrate (the adhesive cracks) as well as significant plastic deformation of the film and substrate. Using SIMULA Abaqus Standard, a commercial finite element analysis tool, 2D and 3D models were created to examine the deformation characteristics associated with the nano-indentation process. The models either have pre-existing stationary cracks, or simulated by cohesive zone surfaces to account for crack nucleation and growth. The 2D model is axi-symmetric and only accounts for the adhesive crack. It is used primarily as a test the cohesive zone model and to begin to determine experimental testing limits. The 3D model is a one sixth slice of the area indented. Both cohesive and adhesive cracks are modeled and the interaction between the two cracks is investigated. While there are many parameters controlling the crack initiation and propagation process, several trends were identified. The domain of practical testing should be between one and three film thickness, so as to avoid the confluence of the indenter plastic process zone on the propagating crack front. When excursion on the load-indentation depth happens, the fracture energy is about 20% of the associated work done by the indenter (or the area under the excursion segment). The FEM simulation showed the general role of film thickness, toughness and modulus on the initiation and propagation of both cohesive and adhesive cracks. Though, there remains to be many other geometric attributes of the thin film fracture process that requires additional investigations.
Annual stability in the use of coves near inlets as settlement areas for winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Coves near an ocean inlet in Little Egg Harbor in southern New Jersey may be important settlement areas for winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), based on the high abundance of small postlarval individuals. During 1994–1996 we sampled in two coves and adjacent areas of this same estuary to determine if this pattern was annually consistent. Collections in spring and early summer indicated that small, recently-settled winter flounder (10–45 mm TL) were abundant in the coves from May to mid-June in every year with maximum mean densities ranging from 1.5–2.5 ind m−2 and that these same size individuals were never collected at these densities in other habitats in the same estuary. Densities in the coves declined soon after settlement, usually by late June to early July in each year. In order to determine factors that may influence these high settlement rates we examined aspects of habitat quality by determining habitat-specific growth rates in cages for recently-settled individuals (17.5–38.3 mm TL) both inside and outside the coves during 1995. These rates (3.7–9.1 wt d−1) overlapped those of other estuarine habitats (3.1–10.5 wt d−1) suggesting that habitat quality, based on growth, does not differentiate the coves from other potential settlement habitats. Mark/recapture experiments for recently settled individuals (range 13–70 mm TL) in 1994 and 1996 had low recapture rates (1% in both years) suggesting that dispersal from the cove occurred soon after settlement. This pattern confirms that these coves are used as settlement areas but they are probably not used as nurseries because winter flounder, at least in this system, do not settle and stay and, as a result, use other habitats as primary nursery areas.
Effective Approaches for Managing Aging Effects in BWR Reactor Coolant System Components for License Renewal

This paper discusses management of aging effects for reactor coolant pressure boundary components in boiling water reactors (BWRs): loss of fracture toughness due to thermal aging and neutron irradiation embrittlement of vessel internals made of cast austenitic stainless steel; cracking of the top guide due to irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking; cracking of the core shroud and reactor coolant system piping due to intergranular stress corrosion cracking; cracking of the small bore piping due to high-cycle thermal fatigue; and loss of preload in the pressure boundary bolting. The applicants for license renewal of BWR plants have proposed different approaches for managing these aging effects such that the intended functions of the affected components will be maintained, consistent with the current licensing basis, for the period of extended operation. The NRC staff has performed safety evaluation of these approaches and found them acceptable for adequately managing the aging effects during the period of extended operation. The technical bases for the acceptance are presented in this paper.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
How specialised must natural enemies be to facilitate coexistence among plants

The Janzen-Connell hypothesis proposes that plant interactions with host-specific antagonists can impair the fitness of locally abundant species and thereby facilitate coexistence. However, insects and pathogens that associate with multiple hosts may mediate exclusion rather than coexistence. We employ a simulation model to examine the effect of enemy host breadth on plant species richness and defence community structure, and to assess expected diversity maintenance in example systems. Only models in which plant enemy similarity declines rapidly with defence similarity support greater species richness than models of neutral drift. In contrast, a wide range of enemy host breadths result in spatial dispersion of defence traits, at both landscape and local scales, indicating that enemy-mediated competition may increase defence-trait diversity without enhancing species richness. Nevertheless, insect and pathogen host associations in Panama and Papua New Guinea demonstrate a potential to enhance plant species richness and defence-trait diversity comparable to strictly specialised enemies.