cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of consciousness II

A mechanism that allows the conscious experience of ‘pain’ to be a modifier of behavior and hence a factor in evolutio-nary development, is proposed in a previous paper. There are a number of other experiences called ‘anchor’ experiences that perform the same function. Several of these are identified and distinguished from non-anchor experiences.
A one-dimensional copper(II) phenyl-ene-diphospho-nate: catena-poly[[(1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')copper(II)]-μ(3)-[m-phenyl-enediphospho-nato-κO:O':O'']].

The title compound, [Cu(1,3-HO3PC6H4PO3H)(C12H8N2)]n, is a coordination polymer of the metal–diphospho­nate family. The chain structure is constructed from `4+1' square-py­rami­dally coordinated copper(II) atoms bonded to chelating phenanthroline (phen) ligands and linked through 1,3-phenyldihydrogendiphospho­nate ligands. The basal plane of the Cu(II) site is defined by the phen nitro­gen donors and phospho­nate oxygen atoms from two diphospho­nate ligands, while the apical position is occupied by an oxygen donor from a third diphospho­nate ligand. The chains propagate along the a-axis direction. Inversion-related phen groups engage in π-π stacking with a mean distance of 3.376 (2) A between the ring planes. O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions between the protonated {P—OH} groups of one chain and the {P=O} groups of adjacent chains stabilize the crystal packing.
Hamiltonian Decomposition of the Rectangular Twisted Torus

We show that the 2a\times a rectangular twisted torus introduced by Camara et al. [5] is edge decomposable into two Hamiltonian cycles. In the process, the 2a × a × a prismatic twisted torus is edge decomposable into three Hamiltonian cycles, and the 2a × a × a prismatic doubly twisted torus admits two edge-disjoint Hamiltonian cycles.
Impact of physical properties and accumulation rate on pore close-off in layered firn

Abstract. Investigations into the physical characteristics of deep firn near the lock-in zone through pore close-off are needed to improve understanding of ice core records of past atmospheric composition. Specifically, the permeability and microstructure profiles of the firn through the diffusive column influence the entrapment of air into bubbles and thus the ice age–gas age difference. The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of pore closure processes at two polar sites with very different local temperatures and accumulation rates. Density, permeability, and microstructure measurements were made on firn cores from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide, a site that has moderate accumulation rates with a seasonal climate archive, and Megadunes in East Antarctica, a site that is a natural laboratory for accumulation rate effects in the cold low-accumulation desert. We found that the open pore structure plays a more important role than density in predicting gas transport properties, throughout the porous firn matrix. For firn below 50 m depth at both WAIS Divide and Megadunes, finer-grained layers experience close-off shallower in the firn column than do coarser-grained layers, regardless of which grain size layer is the denser layer at depth. Pore close-off occurs at a critical open porosity that is accumulation rate dependent. Defining pore close-off at a critical open porosity for a given accumulation rate as opposed to a critical total porosity accounts for the pore space available for gas transport. Below the critical open porosity, the firn becomes impermeable despite having small amounts of interconnected pore space. The low-accumulation sites, with generally coarse grains, close off at lower open porosities (~ 10%) of high-accumulation sites that have generally finer grains. The microstructure and permeability even near the bottom of the firn column are relic indicators of the nature of accumulation when that firn was at the surface. The physical structure and layering are the primary controlling factors on pore close-off. In contrast to current assumptions for polar firn, the depth and length of the lock-in zone is primarily dependent upon accumulation rate and microstructural variability due to differences in grain size and pore structure, rather than the density variability of the layers.
Pancreatic α-Cell Specific Deletion of Mouse Arx Leads to α-Cell Identity Loss

The specification and differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cell populations (α-, β-, δ, PP- and e-cells) is orchestrated by a combination of transcriptional regulators. In the pancreas, Aristaless-related homeobox gene (Arx) is expressed first in the endocrine progenitors and then restricted to glucagon-producing α-cells. While the functional requirement of Arx in early α-cell specification has been investigated, its role in maintaining α-cell identity has yet to be explored. To study this later role of Arx, we have generated mice in which the Arx gene has been ablated specifically in glucagon-producing α-cells. Lineage-tracing studies and immunostaining analysis for endocrine hormones demonstrate that ablation of Arx in neonatal α-cells results in an α-to-β-like conversion through an intermediate bihormonal state. Furthermore, these Arx-deficient converted cells express β-cell markers including Pdx1, MafA, and Glut2. Surprisingly, short-term ablation of Arx in adult mice does not result in a similar α-to-β-like conversion. Taken together, these findings reveal a potential temporal requirement for Arx in maintaining α-cell identity.
CHEMISTRY OF THIAMINE DEGRADATION: 4‐Methyl‐5‐(β‐Hydroxyethyl) Thiazole from Thermally Degraded Thiamine

A compound isolated from thiamine solutions brought to pH 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 with IN NaOH or with O.1M phosphate buffer and heated in a boiling water bath open to air or in sealed tubes, or autoclaved at 121°C for 30 min, has been identified as 4-methyl-5-(β-hydroxyethyl) thiazole. Infrared, NMR and mass spectral data of this compound are presented and discussed.
Genetic linkage of the human apolipoprotein AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster and the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) gene

The genes encoding apolipoproteins AI, CIII, and AIV, three plasma proteins involved in lipid metabolism, are clustered within a 15-kb DNA segment (apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster) located on human chromosome 11 at band q23. The gene encoding the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell recognition during morphogenesis, is also located on chromosome 11, band q23. In this report, 12 previously described restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster were tested for cosegregation with a newly identified BamHI RFLP in the NCAM gene using 13 families. The results show that the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster and the NCAM gene loci are linked with a maximum lod score of 15.9 at a recombination fraction of 0.028. In addition, an approach for the most efficient use of the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster polymorphisms, based on the evaluation of their individual and cumulative heterozygosities, is presented.
Contrasting exotic Solenopsis invicta and native Forelius pruinosus ants as mutualists with Catalpa bignonioides, a native plant

Abstract. 1. The suitability of the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren and a native ant Forelius pruinosus (Roger) as participants in a food-for-protection mutualism with a native nectaried tree Catalpa bignonioides Walter was compared. 2. The mean mortality of folivore larvae of Ceratomia catalpae Boisduval was similar for S. invicta and F. pruinosus although S. invicta attacked fewer caterpillar aggregations and was a devastating pupal predator. Solenopsis invicta also differed from the native ant in that it attacked the parasitoid Cotesia congregata Say, another plant mutualist, and visited extrafloral nectaries less frequently. 3. Habitats invaded by S. invicta are characterised by a scarcity of both herbivores and of beneficial insects that visit extrafloral nectaries. The plants do not require protection, and extrafloral nectaries are visited rarely. Although plants are defended incidentally by S. invicta, the insect-plant mutualism therein is greatly simplified or defunct.
TM and TE frequencies of the lens waveguide

The electromagnetic frequencies (both TM and TE) are determined for the simple lens waveguide, which is bounded by two symmetric circular arcs. The Ritz method is shown to be efficient and accurate. It is found that the 5:1 aspect ratio separates the modes better than the 2:1 aspect ratio. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 918–920, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22317
The Geochemistry of Lake Joyce, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Lake Joyce is one of the least studied lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Similar to other lakes in this region, Lake Joyce is a closed-basin, permanently ice-covered, meromictic lake. We present here a detailed investigation of major ions, nutrients, and dissolved trace elements for Lake Joyce. Specifically, we investigate the role of iron and manganese oxides and hydrous oxides in trace metal cycling.Lake Joyce is characterized by fresh, oxic waters overlying an anoxic brine, primarily Na–Cl. Surface waters have a maximum nitrate concentration of 26 μM with a molar dissolved inorganic nitrogen to phosphorus ratio of 477. The supply of nitrogen is attributed to atmospheric deposition, possibly from polar stratospheric clouds. Dissolved phosphorus is scavenged by hydrous iron oxides. The pH is highest (10.15) just beneath the 7-m thick ice cover and decreases to a minimum of 7.29 in the redox transition zone. Dissolved Al exceeds 8 μM in surface waters, and appears to be controlled by equilibrium with gibbsite. In contrast, concentrations of other trace elements in surface waters are quite low (e.g., 5.4 nM Cu, 0.19 nM Co, 3 O 4 ). Co tracks the Mn profile closely, suggesting Co(III) is bound in the lattice of Mn oxides, whereas the Ce profile is similar, yet the Ce anomaly suggests oxidative scavenging of Ce. Release of Cu, Ni, Cd and trivalent REE appears to be controlled by pH-induced desorption from Fe and Mn oxides, although Cu (and perhaps Ni) may be scavenged by organic matter in surface waters.
The influence of eye movements and illumination on auditory localization

A critical analysis of a recent paper by Shelton and Searle (1980) on the visual facilitation of auditory localization is presented. The author claims that Shelton and Searle fail to make the relevant distinction between Warren’s (1970) frame of reference hypothesis and Jones’s (1975) spatial memory hypothesis. Shelton and Searle’s claim that they have demonstrated the existence of two distinct forms of visual facilitation is questioned. Data from an experiment in which auditory localization was tested under two levels of illumination (light and dark) and with two kinds of eye movement instructions (fixed and movement) are presented. The results show that facilitation occurs only when eye movements take place in a lighted environment. This is interpreted as supporting Warren’s frame of reference hypothesis.
Bone necrosis and tumor induction following experimental intraoperative irradiation.

Abstract The bone of the lumbar vertebrae of 153 dogs was examined 2 and 5 years after intraoperative irradiation (IORT), fractionated external beam irradiation (EBRT), or the combination. Groups of dogs received 15 to 55 Gy IORT only, 10 to 47.5 Gy IORT combined with 50 Gy EBRT in 2 Gy fractions or 60 to 80 Gy EBRT in 30 fractions. Six MeV electrons were used for IORT, and EBRT was done using photons from a 6 MV linear accelerator. The paraaortic region was irradiated and the ventral part of the lumbar vertebrae was in the 90% isodose level. Two years after irradiation, the dose causing significant bone necrosis as determined by at least 50% empty lacunae in the vertebral cortex was 38.2 Gy IORT alone and 32.5 Gy IORT combined with EBRT. Five years after irradiation, the dose causing 50% empty lacunae was 28.5 Gy IORT only and 14.4 Gy IORT combined with EBRT. The ED 50 for lesions of the ventral vertebral artery was 21.7 Gy IORT only and 20.1 Gy IORT combined with 50 Gy EBRT 2 years after irradiation and 27.0 Gy IORT only and 20.0 Gy IORT combined with 50 Gy EBRT 5 years after irradiation. All lesions after EBRT only were mild. Eight dogs developed osteosarcomas 4 to 5 years after irradiation, one at 47.5 Gy IORT only and the remainder at 25.0 Gy IORT and above combined with 50 Gy EBRT. In conclusion, the extent of empty lacunae, indicating bone necrosis, was more severe 5 years after irradiation than after 2 years. The effect of 50 Gy EBRT in 2 Gy fractions was equivalent to about 6 Gy IORT 2 years after irradiation and to about 14 Gy 5 years after irradiation. Based on these estimates, IORT doses of 10 to 15 Gy have an effect 5 times or greater than that amount given in 2 Gy fractions. Osteosarcomas occurred in 21% of dogs which received doses greater than 25 Gy IORT. Doses of 15 to 20 Gy IORT in combination with 50 Gy EBRT in 2 Gy fractions may be near the tolerance level for late developing bone injury.
Back-propagation neural networks for nonlinear self-tuning adaptive control

A back-propagation neural network is applied to a nonlinear self-tuning tracking problem. Traditional self-tuning adaptive control techniques can only deal with linear systems or some special nonlinear systems. The emerging back-propagation neural networks have the capability to learn arbitrary nonlinearity and show great potential for adaptive control applications. A scheme for combining back-propagation neural networks with self-tuning adaptive control techniques is proposed, and the control mechanism is analyzed. Simulation results show that the new self-tuning scheme can deal with a large unknown nonlinearity. >
Understanding hospice--an underutilized option for life's final chapter.

Dr. Gail Gazelle writes that hospice care is now considered part of mainstream medicine, as evidenced by growing patient enrollment and Medicare expenditures. But despite its increased use, many aspects of hospice care are still misunderstood by both physicians and patients. Timothy Quill discusses U.S. hospice programs, patients' and physicians' attitudes toward such care, and the “open-access” option for combining disease-directed treatment with hospice services. Dr. Quill is director of the Center for Ethics, Humanities, and Palliative Care at the University of Rochester.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma induces pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis.

Abstract Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) decreases the growth of certain cancer cells. In the present study, we found that six different human pancreatic cancer cell lines (AsPC-1, BxPC-3, Capan-2, HPAF-II, MIA PaCa-2, and PANC-1) expressed PPAR-γ m-RNA and synthesized the protein. The endogenous and exogenous PPAR-γ ligands 15-deoxy-d12,14-prostaglandin J 2 (15-PGJ 2 ) and ciglitazone decreased cell number, cell viability, and increased floating/attached ratio, in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. 15-PGJ 2 increased intracellular nucleosome concentration after 6 h, but did not increase caspase-3 activity even after 96 h. Combined treatment with both 15-PGJ 2 and the caspase-3 inhibitor DEVD-CHO had no effect on cell viability, but the general caspase inhibitor ZVAD-FMK reduced 15-PGJ 2 -induced apoptosis. We concluded that the six human pancreatic cancer cells tested all expressed PPAR-γ receptor, and treatment with PPAR-γ agonists decreased cell viability and growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These effects were partially mediated by induction of caspase-3 independent apoptosis.
Differential Effects of Aging on Two Verbal Fluency Tasks

The effect of age on verbal fluency was studied in 84 healthy volunteers, ages 45 to 91 years, who performed letter-fluency and semantic-fluency tasks. Older subjects (75 to 91 yr.) performed as well as younger (50 to 64 yr.) on letter fluency but did significantly worse on semantic category fluency. This pattern is similar to that observed in Alzheimer-type dementia.
The Singing Behaviour of Yellow Warblers

Yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia aestiva), like other wood-warblers (Parulinae), use different songs in different circumstances. Analysis of recordings of 28,697 songs from 17 wild male yellow warblers from 1983 to 1988 at Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.A., showed a consistent pattern of singing behaviour. I found that each male yellow warbler has a repertoire of songs divided into a single Type I song and a group of Type II songs. The patterns of song use are standardized, but the song types used as Type I and Type II songs are not; some males' Type I songs were similar to others males' Type II songs. Type I songs are sung relatively slowly in long runs of the song during daylight, are used near females, and, as demonstrated by mate removal experiments, are used more by unmated than by mated males. Type II songs are used in a dawn song bout, are sung relatively rapidly with much switching among song types, and are used in interactions with other males. Type I songs seem to have higher frequencies of modal intensity, especially in the initial phrase, and to have a greater increase in amplitude at the start of the song than do Type II songs. There may be some minor variation in the ways individual males use Type I and Type II songs, but the overall pattern of use is similar among males. Types I and II songs seem to be male-female and male-male signals, respectively. Thus, female response to song may have selected for a relatively simple signal with a high frequency of modal intensity, while male response to song may have selected for a relatively complex, low frequency signal.
Technologies of difference: Reading the virtual age through sexual (in)difference

Abstract In this article, I use disparate parts of Luce Irigaray’s philosophical, psychological, and metaphorical writings about man’s desire to control woman, the Other. In our current system of sexual (in)difference, men use technology in two distinct ways: to distance themselves from their bodies and to consume technology, making their bodies one with technology. The article pieces together a poststructuralist vision of technology by looking at the desire to control the Other and at the desire to control technology—man’s desire to control technology and/or woman. By examining representations of technology through Irigarian lenses, the article concludes that the sexual revolution has not even begun, much less been completed.
Hormone profiles in humans experiencing military survival training

Background: Clinical models of the human response to intense, acute stress have been limited to laboratory settings or cross sectional characterizations. As a result, data about the sensitivity of the human neuroendocrine activation to realistic stressors of varying magnitudes are limited. The U.S. Army survival course offers a unique opportunity to examine, in a controlled manner, the human response to acute, realistic, military stress. Methods: Salivary data were collected in 109 subjects at baseline during four stress exposure time points and at recovery. Serum data was collected at baseline and recovery in 72 subjects and at baseline and during stress exposure in a subgroup of subjects (n = 21). Results: Cortisol significantly increased during the captivity experience and was greatest after subjects’ exposure to interrogations. Cortisol remained significantly elevated at recovery. Testosterone was significantly reduced within 12 hours of captivity. Reductions of both total and free T4 and of total and free T3 were observed, as were increases in thyrotropin. Conclusions: The stress of military survival training produced dramatic alterations in cortisol, percent free cortisol, testosterone, and thyroid indices. Different types of stressors had varying effects on the neuroendocrine indices. The degree of neuroendocrine changes observed may have significant implications for subsequent responses to stress.
Crystal orientation effects on electronic and optical properties of wurtzite ZnO/CdZnO quantum well lasers

Abstract The study of electronic and optical properties of ZnO/CdZnO quantum well (QW) structures, considering the crystal orientation dependence and Gaussian line shape function for optical gain are explored including many body effects and spontaneous-piezoelectric built-in field. Results are confronted with those for GaN-based QW structures. The effect of internal field in the c-plane oriented ZnO/CdZnO QW structure is relatively small compared to that of GaN/InGaN QW structure and thus, a larger optical gain is shown while it disappears in the a- and m-planes for both QW structures where the optical gain as a result is match larger. Energy dispersion, transition strength and the average hole effective masses are anisotropic in non-polar structures. The bandgap transition wavelength of the QW structure with a-plane orientation is smaller than that of m-plane orientation by 2 nm in ZnO/CdZnO QW while it is 10 nm in the case of GaN/InGaN QW structure.
Dealing with the over-pessimism in ASIC physical design flow

A multi-million instance ASIC design with clocks frequencies up-to 1GHz, employing automatic synthesis & layout methods, looks for every accuracy improvement in optimization and timing verification. This paper introduces two techniques to improve this accuracy. The first technique is the delay derate method. In this method, the implementation tool is provided with a global multiplier that reduces the interconnect delay of all interconnect timing arcs in the design. This technique helps to improve the design timing by reducing the number of buffers/inverters in the design. The additional advantages are reduction in the run time, area and power. The second technique improves accuracy in the timing verification by employing signoff STA (Static Timing Analysis) tool in the early stages of the physical design. The method provides an average timing improvement of 30% per cell stage, a significant performance boost for the critical timing paths.
Liberal Values and Independence

A. K. Sen argues in [5] and [6] that the Pareto principle is inconsistent with liberal values, the latter taking the form that for each individual there is a pair of alternatives regarding which his own preference is adopted socially. This liberal assumption is justified when the difference between the two alternatives concerns only the individual. The context of the discussion is very similar to that of an Arrow social welfare function, from which it differs in that the social preference pattern is not required to be an ordering but only to be free of cyclic preferences. Thus the inconsistency is the more impressive. Sen claims not to have imposed Arrow's condition of " the independence of irrelevant alternatives ". This is undoubtedly true, in the sense that the condition contains a large number of assertions, of which only a few are invoked. I shall suggest, however, that the condition was used in a significant way, and that this is at the heart of the paradox. I then argue that the independence component of Sen's liberalism is unjustifiably strong in terms of its rationale, and I offer weaker versions, with discussions of their consistency or inconsistency with the Pareto principle. One of the results will show, incidentally, the critical need for an unrestricted domain. The main theme of this paper is the role of independence. This powerful condition, used fully or sparely, together with any non-trivial restriction on the social preference pattern, forces connections between different pairwise decisions. The technique was invented by Arrow [1]. These remarks do not detract from the interest of Sen's striking theorem, but they perhaps soften the suggested conflict between liberalism and the Pareto principle.
Examples of evolution of microstructure in ceramics and composites

In this article we describe a number of studies involving the direct observation of microstructural evolution. In general these investigations were carried out to establish the mechanistic paths involved. The materials studied range from fibers being evaluated for use in high-temperature ceramic composites to energetic materials used as propellants. In particular we discuss the room temperature imaging of materials difficult to image by conventional means and the use of the chamber atmosphere to influence microstructural evolution. Imaging of hydroxyapatite formed by chemical means is briefly described as an example of a difficult microstructure. Microstructural evolution during calcium aluminate cement hydration relies on the chamber atmosphere to control moisture loss from the hydrating specimens. In some instances microstructural evolution with heating occurred independently of the chamber atmosphere. Grain growth in PZT films formed by sol-gel processes depends strongly on temperature but does not appear to depend on the chamber atmosphere. This is also the case for the combustion of nitroamine propellants in that their combustion does not depend on access to an external source of oxygen. In other studies, the chamber atmosphere played an indirect role in determining microstructure. However, the mechanistic path driving microstructural evolution in copper-based inks used as conductive paths on electronic substrates is atmosphere dependent. These inks are formulated from copper powder, glass, and an organic binder, and the interaction of the binder with an oxidizing atmosphere allows it to be burned out before significant interaction occurs between the copper powder and the glass. Finally, the microstructural variations during the oxidation of structural composites at high temperature were used to allow assessments of their likely failure mechanisms. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Temporal trends of magnetic dissolution in the pelagic realm: gauging paleoproductivity?

Abstract Magnetic hysteresis data from the western equatorial Pacific suggest that the preservation of magnetic remanence in pelagic carbonates is controlled by paleoproductivity. Hysteresis excursions (100 k.y. intervals) are linked here to greater magnetic dissolution associated with increased glacial organic carbon supply. Changes in the redox boundary coupled to glacial terminations result in anomalous magnetic features which are preserved in the sedimentary record. These high-frequency variations are superimposed on a longer term signal of magnetic dissolution which may reflect decreased productivity since the Miocene.
Molecular weight of frog rhodopsin.

RECENT studies have suggested that bovine1–4, rat4 and frog4,5 rhodopsins all have molecular weights close to 28,000. We have now determined the molecular weight of frog (Rana catesbeiana) rhodopsin using several different techniques and obtain a value for the maximum molecular weight of approximately 40,000. Our previous report5 was incorrect because of an error in the calibration of the amino-acid analyser used. These results, together with those of Cavanagh and Wald on cattle rhodopsin6, suggest that the lower values may be in error.
Maturation of the rabbit alveolar macrophage during animal development. II. Biochemical and enzymatic studies.

Summary: Alveolar macrophages (AMs) obtained from 1-day-old rabbits showed high levels of phospholipid, protein, UNA, and RNA compared to those obtained from 7-day-old, 28-day-old, or adult rabbits. The surfactant material released in alveoli during the perinatal period is extensively phagocytosed by AMs, and appears to be primarily responsible for high phospholipid content of these cells. The high protein, UNA, and KNA levels of AMs may result from phagocytosis of cellular debris.
Auditory and visual evoked potentials in Huntington's disease

Auditory and visual evoked potentials elicited by acoustic click (AEP) and checkerboard pattern flash (VEP) were recorded from 15 locations in 21 patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and 21 controls matched for age and sex. Peak latencies were approximately the same for both groups, except that AEP peak N100 appeared earlier in HDs. The main deviation in HDs consisted of generally reduced amplitude of VEP and AEP components; these deviations can be considered non-specific. Early VEP and AEP peaks contained no specific abnormalities comparable to those found in early somatosensory evoked potentials, as previously reported for the same subjects. VEP and AEP amplitudes were lower in medicated than in unmedicated HD patients, but amplitudes for both medicated and unmedicated HDs deviated from normal. Drugs may act to further diminish the already lower than normal amplitudes in HDs.
Modeling of Electromigration Failure Distribution of Cu Vias: Critical Current Density Effects and Reliability Extrapolation Procedures

The ever increasing demand for higher performance integrated circuits has led to the introduction of Cu / low-k interconnects. Electromigration failure of Cu interconnects is one of the major reliability concerns for circuits because dual damascene vias are inherently susceptible to void formation. Moreover, technology scaling leads to increased current carrying requirements, and this together with smaller critical geometries (i.e. smaller volumes of material associated with failure) presents an increasing challenge to ensure the long-term reliability of interconnects. The development of predictive models of via electromigration failure is an essential aspect of continued circuit reliability assurance. One significant challenge to the development of reliability models is the existence of multiple voiding modes in Cu vias. Development of accurate models requires a fundamental understanding of these voiding morphologies as a function of stress conditions, conductor geometry and processing, together with knowledge of void nucleation and growth kinetics.
Magadi-Type Chert in Jurassic and Eocene to Pleistocene Rocks, Wyoming

Magadi-type chert, that is, chert which is believed to have formed from a hydrous sodium-silicate precursor such as magadiite, has been identified in eight formations, ranging in age from Jurassic to Pleistocene. The chert indicates the recurrence of rather distinctive geochemical conditions, such as those that exist in alkaline lakes, from at least the Jurassic to Pleistocene.
Radiosensitivity of larval and adult amphibia in relation to temperature during and subsequent to irradiation.

Summary1. Survival of larval R. cates-biana is not affected by regulation of body temperature (to 3°C or 23°C) during whole-body irradiation; prolonged refrigeration subsequent to irradiation foste...
The United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI)

Since 1991 the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs has been conducting a series of workshops on basic space science under its United Nations Programme on Space Applications. Up to 2004 the workshops focussed on capacity building efforts in basic space science, in particular for the benefit of developing countries. From 2005 onwards the workshops and their related activities contributed to the celebration of the International Heliophysical Year 2007. Together these activities and workshops constitute the United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. This paper reflects on the achievements and outcomes of the Initiative and informs about considerations for its future evolution.
EXPRESSION AND IMPRINTING OF THE INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR II GENE IN NEONATAL MOUSE CEREBELLUM

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) plays significant roles in the growth and development of mammals through the regulation of mitogenesis and cell survival. Previously, IGF-II mRNA transcripts within the CNS were detected in the choroid plexus and leptomeninges (DeChiara et al., 1991). The objective of this study was to determine the expression pattern of IGF-II mRNA in different cell types of the cerebellum during development. We report here that the IGF-II gene is transcribed in granule and glial cells within the cerebellar parenchyma at various times during the early postnatal period in mice. IGF-II gene expression is further regulated by parent-specific imprinting such that only the paternal IGF-II allele is expressed in granule cells. In contrast, choroid plexus and leptomeninges express IGF-II mRNAs biallelically, indicating that cell type-specific regulation of genomic imprinting occurs within the mammalian CNS.
Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility in adult patients with masseter muscle rigidity.

We sought to determine the incidence of malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptibility in adult patients with a previous episode of masseter muscle rigidity (MMR). The medical records and in vitro contracture test results of all patients over 15 years of age tested for MH because of previous MMR from 1985 to 1988 were reviewed. The number of children (age < 16 yr) tested for MH because of previous MMR was also determined for the same four-year period, for comparison of coincidence rates. Six of 24 adult patients (25 per cent) were proved MH-susceptible by in vitro contracture testing. No clinical sign associated with the episode of MMR was predictive of MH-susceptibility. Two of six MH-susceptible patients developed acute MH following MMR. In the same four-year period, 75 children were tested for MH-susceptibility because of previous MMR; 44 (59 per cent) had a positive in vitro contracture test. We conclude that the coincidence of MMR and MH-susceptibility is lower in adults than children. Episodes of acute MH do occur after MMR, but the onset of MH may be delayed. Conservative management of MMR in adult patients is recommended.
Low-energy ion irradiation effects on hydrogen absorption and desorption in carbon nanotubes

Abstract Due to their unique structure, which provides a large ratio of surface area to volume, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may prove to be ideal materials for hydrogen storage. Typically, hydrogen is stored in CNTs by exposure of the material to a high-pressure H2 atmosphere at various temperatures. The maximum hydrogen concentrations stored following this method and measured using Ion Beam Analysis do not exceed 1 wt.%. Introduction of defects by ion irradiation prior to high-pressure H2 treatment, offers an alternative method to activate H adsorption and enhance the chemisorption of hydrogen. In this work, a low-energy H− beam at 13.5 keV was used to irradiate single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) and to produce defects in SWNTs to enhance hydrogen adsorption. Hydrogen desorption measurements are presented, which compare the behavior in irradiated and as-prepared SWNTs after hydrogen storage treatment. These desorption measurements showed a large enhancement of hydrogen desorption for irradiated samples.
Apoptosis of adherent cells by recruitment of caspase-8 to unligated integrins

Integrin-mediated adhesion promotes cell survival in vitro, whereas integrin antagonists induce apoptosis of adherent cells in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that cells adherent within a three-dimensional extracellular matrix undergo apoptosis due to expression of unligated integrins, the β subunit cytoplasmic domain, or its membrane proximal sequence KLLITIHDRKEF. Integrin-mediated death requires initiator, but not stress, caspase activity and is distinct from anoikis, which is caused by the loss of adhesion per se. Surprisingly, unligated integrin or β integrin tails recruit caspase-8 to the membrane, where it becomes activated in a death receptor–independent manner. Integrin ligation disrupts this integrin–caspase containing complex and increases survival, revealing an unexpected role for integrins in the regulation of apoptosis and tissue remodeling.
The Obituary of a Face: Lucy Grealy, Death Writing and Posthumous Harm

On 12 December 2002, the New York Times published an obituary of Lucy Grealy: `Lucy Grealy, 39, who wrote a memoir on her disfigurement’. Without saying so directly, the obituary implied that Grealy committed suicide because of continued, or increasing, unhappiness about her disfigurement. It is hard to imagine an obituarymore at odds with the book that made her famous (and thus earned her a New York Times obituary), The autobiography of a face. In her memoir Grealy chronicles a lifelong struggle to accept her face. Christopher Lehmann-Haupt’s obituary reconstructs her life in terms of the tritest script of disability ± that of triumph over adversity ± and then characterizes its ending as a tragic reversal of that presumed triumph. Although it is rarely discussed as a significant form of life writing, the obituary is probably the genre most familiar to and most commonly consumed by the public. As such it is worthy of attention, and its implications are perhaps most interesting when it both depends on, and departs from, the self-written life of its subject, as this one does. Joel Feinberg’s theory of posthumous harm holds that, although it may be impossible (in some sense) to harm the dead since the dead are no longer persons=subjects, it is possible to harm their surviving interests. If one accepts Feinberg’s argument, then Lucy Grealy’s obituary can be seen as a particularly ironic example of death writing inflicting posthumous harm on its subject.
Arbitration Outcomes in the Service Sector: An Empirical Assessment

While labour arbitration is established as the final stage of dispute resolution in virtually every collective bargaining agreement, there has been no attention focusing on its role in the service sector. Relying on five years of arbitration data, examines the categories in which arbitration cases arise as well as their outcomes. Finds that disciplinary issues pertaining to absenteeism, dishonesty, drug/alcohol abuse, and insubordination comprised the majority of cases arbitrated for the service sector firms examined.
Analysis of equiangular spiral antennas

In this work, equiangular spiral antennas are analyzed with the well-known method of moments in conjunction with triangular patch modeling. In particular, the analysis focuses on the validity of several generic guidelines hitherto available for designing such antennas. In our study, numerical results indicate that increasing the number of spiral arm turns broadens the radiation pattern (i.e., the axial ratio increases), but that tapering the outermost portion of the arms has little effect. Furthermore, as a spiral is wrapped tighter, the radiation pattern broadens and the gain increases. We also show that the useful frequency range of the spiral antenna depends not only on the spiral arm length and the inner radius near the spiral center, but also on the wrap tightness. Finally, numerically determined input impedance differed considerably from the 188-Ω impedance expected for these self-complementary type antennas. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Long-term recovery of Wyoming big sagebrush after four treatments

Abstract Long-term recovery of Wyoming big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Beetle and Young) after four treatments was investigated. Treatments at a south-western Montana site were spraying with 2,4-D, plowing and rotocutting, all applied in 1963, and burning applied in 1964. The treatments and an experimental control (no treatment) were replicated four times. Sagebrush canopy cover was determined after treatment for each of 10 years from 1964 to 1993. Temporal differences in sagebrush recovery among treatments were estimated. Burning had the longest-term effect on sagebrush cover, but growth eventually returned to levels not significantly different ( P 0·025) from untreated areas. The other three treatments exceeded untreated levels over the long term. Sagebrush that was sprayed, plowed and rotocut equalled the untreated areas after 18·1, 10·4 and 18·1 years, respectively. The exclusion of grazing for 30 years had no effect on sagebrush canopy in the untreated plots. Our findings clarify successional trends following disturbances in Wyoming big sagebrush habitat types. This information should enhance management opportunities of this important vegetative type for a variety of resources.
IDENTIFYING AND INCORPORATING SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR INLAND RESPONSE/CONTINGENCY PLANNING

ABSTRACT The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) requires the Environmental Protection Agency to have oil storage facilities develop response and contingency plans. One of the purposes of the plans is avoidance and minimization of risk and injury to sensitive environments from a potential discharge of oil at the facility. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are collaborating with the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt and modify NOAA's coastal identification and mapping of sensitive environments protocol for inland areas. This will encourage identification and mapping consistency between the two areas and can be applied to other OPA 90 mandated plans.
An order-invariant real-to-integer conversion sum

Abstract This paper describes a technique for obtaining sums of floating point values that are independent of the order-of-operations, and thus attractive for use in global sums in massively parallel computations. The basic idea described here is to convert the floating point values into a representation using a set of long integers, with enough carry-bits to allow these integers to be summed across processors without need of carries at intermediate stages, before conversion of the final sum back to a real number. This approach is being used successfully in an earth system model, in which reproducibility of results is essential.
The Effects of Whey and Yeast on Digestibility of Nutrients in Feather Meal

Abstract At 4% of diets, dried whey (when added to a 28% protein corn-soybean meal diet) caused increases in weight gain, nitrogen retention, protein digestibility and fat digestibility and improved feed conversion of poults to 4 weeks of age. From 4 to 8 weeks of age, poults gained weight and utilized feed similarly, regardless of the presence or absence of dried whey in the diets. Dried brewers’ yeast did not affect weight gain, feed efficiency, nitrogen retention or protein digestibility. Feather meal, replacing a portion of the soybean meal in a 28% corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with methionine and lysine, was a good protein source for turkey poults between 4 and 8 weeks of age. In this period, diets with up to 10% feather meal promoted as good weight gain, feed conversion, nitrogen retention, protein digestibility and fat digestibility as did the corn-soybean meal diets. Additions of dried whey or dried brewers’ yeast to the diets during this period did not alter these responses. For poults between 1 and 4 weeks of age, feather meal in the diet at 5% was used efficiently in the presence of 4 to 5% of whey. Feather meal caused reduced weight, poor feed conversion, decreased nitrogen retention, and reduced protein and fat digestibility when included in the diet at more than 5%.
Turbidity enhances feeding abilities of larval Pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi

Fishes inhabiting estuaries, rivers, and embayments are subject to turbid conditions. Larvae of many fishes utilize estuaries as nursery areas. For visual plankton feeders such as larval fishes, turbidity may reduce search and reaction distances, resulting in lowered feeding abilities. In this study feeding Pacific herring larvae, Clupea harengus pallasi, were exposed to suspensions of estuarine sediment and Mount Saint Helens volcanic ash at concentrations ranging from 0 mg · l−1 to 8 000 mg · l−1. In all experiments, maximum feeding incidence and intensity occurred at levels of suspension of either 500 mg · l−1 or 1000 mg · l−1 with values significantly greater than controls (0 mg · l−1). Feeding decreased at greater concentrations. The suspensions may enhance feeding by providing visual contrast of prey items on the small perceptive scale used by the larvae. Larval residence in turbid environments such as estuaries may serve to reduce predation from larger, visual planktivores, while searching ability in the small larval perceptive field is not decreased.
Serum opsonic activity and opsonic response to pneumococcal vaccination in splenectomized children

The risk of life-threatening pneumococcal bacteremia is increased following splenectomy, and there have been conflicting reports regarding serum opsonic activity in these patients. We measured the opsonic activity in serum from 20 children splenectomized because of trauma. Serum was obtained before and one month after vaccination with polyvalent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Opsonic activity was also measured in a non-vaccinated control group of 78 non-splenectomized children. Pneumococcal opsonic activity was determined by incubating 3H-thymidine labeled S. pneumoniae types 6, 7 and 23 in patient serum and measuring kinetics of uptake by normal human leukocytes. Alternative pathway (AP) opsonic activity was determined by incubating labeled S. typhimurium in patient serum chelated with MgEGTA. While 2 splenectomized children showed mildly depressed AP opsonic activity for salmonella, all 20 showed normal opsonic activity for the 3 pneumococcal types. Thus, the predilection of splenectomized patients for pneumococcal bacteremia is not due to a specific pneumococcal opsonic defect. Following vaccination, 18 children showed increased opsonic activity for at least one of the pneumococcal types; 10 children responded to 2 types, and 4 responded to all 3 types. Thus, serum pneumococcal opsonic activity can be enhanced in splenectomized patients by vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide.
Nuclear localization sequence of FUS and induction of stress granules by ALS mutants

Mutations in fused in sarcoma (FUS) have been reported to cause a subset of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases. Wild-type FUS is mostly localized in the nuclei of neurons, but the ALS mutants are partly mislocalized in the cytoplasm and can form inclusions. We demonstrate that the C-terminal 32 amino acid residues of FUS constitute an effective nuclear localization sequence (NLS) as it targeted beta-galactosidase (LacZ, 116 kDa) to the nucleus. Deletion of or the ALS mutations within the NLS caused cytoplasmic mislocalization of FUS. Moreover, we identified the poly-A binding protein (PABP1), a stress granule marker, as an interacting partner of FUS. Large PABP1-positive cytoplasmic foci (i.e. stress granules) colocalized with the mutant FUS inclusions but were absent in wild-type FUS-expressing cells. Processing bodies, which are functionally related to stress granules, were adjacent to but not colocalized with the mutant FUS inclusions. Our results suggest that the ALS mutations in FUS NLS can impair FUS nuclear localization, induce cytoplasmic inclusions and stress granules, and potentially perturb RNA metabolism.
Collapse of void arrays under stress wave loading

The interaction of an array of voids collapsing after passage of a stress wave is studied as a model problem relevant to porous materials, for example, to energy localization leading to hotspot formation in energetic materials. Dynamic experiments are designed to illuminate the hydrodynamic processes of collapsing void interactions for eventual input into device-scale initiation models. We examine a stress wave loading representative of accidental mechanical insult, for which the wave passage length scale is comparable with the void and inter-void length scales. A single void, two-void linear array, and a four-void staggered array are studied. Diagnostic techniques include high-speed imaging of cylindrical void collapse and the first particle image velocimetry measurements in the surrounding material. Voids exhibit an asymmetrical collapse process, with the formation of a high-speed internal jet. Volume and diameter versus time data for single void collapse under stress wave loading are compared with literature results for single voids under shock-wave loading. The internal volume history does not fall on a straight line and is in agreement with simulations, but in contrast to existing linear experimental data fits. The velocity field induced in the surrounding material is measured to quantify a region of influence at selected stages of single void collapse. In the case of multiple voids, the stress wave diffracts in response to the presence of the upstream void, affecting the loading condition on the downstream voids. Both collapse-inhibiting (shielding) and collapse-triggering effects are observed.