cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 4 – Oxidation and Oxides

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the formation of titanium (Ti) oxides, its influences on the biological process. The crystal structures of Ti oxides are also discussed. Ti is a highly reactive metal and reacts within microseconds to form an oxide layer when exposed to the atmosphere. Due to strong chemical affinity to oxygen, it easily produces a compact oxide film, ensuring high corrosion resistance of the metal. The TiO2 oxide forms readily as it has one of the highest heats of reaction known. Adhesion and adhesive strength of Ti oxide to substrates are controlled by oxidation temperature and thickness of the oxide layer as well as the significant influence of nitrogen on oxidation in air. The excellent corrosion resistance of Ti materials is due to the formation of a dense, protective, and strongly adhered film—called a passive film. Such a surface situation is referred to as passivity or a passivation state. The “natural” oxide film on Ti ranges in thickness from 2 to 7 nm, depending on parameters such as—the composition of the metal and surrounding medium, the maximum temperature reached during the working of the metal, and the surface finish.
A Zero Standby Power MEMS Switch-based Infrared Sensor with Frequency Output

This paper reports on the first demonstration of an Infrared (IR) sensor based on a micromechanical photoswitch (MP) with frequency-based IR power measurement capability. By leveraging the event-driven narrowband infrared (IR) sensing capability of an MP and an integrated thermal feedback mechanism, we show for the first time a zero standby power IR sensor that can not only detect above-threshold IR power levels (> 600 nW), but also generate a pulse waveform whose frequency (range: 0.58 Hz to 5.34 Hz) is a function of the incident IR power level. The unique capability of zero power detection and variable AC waveform generation from a DC input signal (IR radiation) without additional electronics paves the way for a new class of long-lasting, maintenance-free microdevices with potential applications in large-scale remote IoT sensor networks, biomedical implants and microrobotics.
Do Investors Respond to CEO Facial Expressions of Anger During Television Interviews

Televised media interviews with public company CEOs occur nearly every trading day. During these interviews, investors observe visual cues in addition to hearing the verbal information managers disclose. Building on findings in the psychology and communications literature, we ask whether investors learn from CEO facial expressions. Using a sample of 959 interviews on CNBC from 2014-2018, we focus on CEO expressions of anger, an emotion generally associated with negative outcomes. We find that CEOs are more likely to show facial expressions of anger when the CEO is more expressive generally, when the journalist shows an angry facial expression, and when recent stock returns are lower. We also find that investors respond negatively to CEO facial expressions of anger and that CEO anger can nullify the benefits of a positive message from journalists.
Implementation and assessment patient cases using the SBAR method to teach patient quality of life issues.

Abstract Background and purpose Quality of life (QoL) preferences are an important consideration with respect to the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP) and should be assessed prior to implementing a patient-centered plan. The objectives of this intervention were to determine if the design of a QoL activity impacts student performance, and to discern student perceptions of an innovative, case-based activity. Educational activity and setting Two cohorts of students in their second professional year were asked to present an article that included a QoL consideration. The two student cohorts were asked to complete the activity using a case report and modified SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) format. Presentations were graded using a rubric, and scores were assessed retrospectively. An unpaired t-test was used to examine differences. The final cohort of students was also asked to complete a survey to gather their perspectives. Results were described using descriptive statistics; thematic analyses were also performed. Findings Students who completed the SBAR activity (N = 71) performed significantly better than those who completed the article (N = 98) presentation (95.62 ± 5.47 vs. 86.30 ± 16.54, P Summary The PPCP requires that students must consider the patient's QoL in order to develop an optimal patient-centered plan. Activities such as this may improve student understanding of QoL implications.
Anomalous Coronary Arteries

Coronary artery anomalies are a heterogenous group of rare malformations of the coronary arteries, which can occur at its origin, course, intrinsic anatomy, branches, or termination. These anomalies have variable clinical presentation, ranging from asymptomatic to congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Cardiac CT is increasingly used for the diagnosis and post-intervention follow-up of coronary artery anomalies as cardiac CT offers excellent resolution of the coronary artery origin and course. The preferred cardiac CT technique for coronary artery evaluation is retrospective gated cardiac CT using modern dual-source multidetector CT scanners.
Legal Aspects of Letters of Credit and Related Secured Transactions

credit, an instrument which was extensively used from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century, only embodies the liability of the issuer, who is not, incidentally, the instrument's paymaster.1 As indicated by its name, the traveler's letter of credit was designed to provide a traveler with funds in a foreign country. The instrument's paymaster or payor was usually a foreign nominee who was not liable on the instrument as he had neither co-signed it nor accepted the issuer's order or request of payment. Payment of the travelers' letter of credit then could not be enforced by its beneficiary-payee against the payor-nominee, but only against the issuer. If sued as the issuer's agent, the payor-nominee could validly defend himself by alleging that the issuer had failed to provide him with funds. The old or traveler's letter of credit, therefore, could not be an instrument involved in a very significant percentage of international, national, and local trade transactions.
Deletion of p16 and p15 Genes in Brain Tumors

Abstract We have used molecular genetic methods to examine the status of cell cycle-inhibitory genes in human brain tumors. We found that p16 and a neighboring gene, p15, were often homozygously deleted in glioblastoma multiformes but not in medulloblastomas or ependymomas. The deletions occurred in both primary tumors and their derived xenografts, but no intragenic mutations in either of the two genes were found. The p15 gene was expressed in a more widespread pattern in normal tissues than p16, but the products of both genes had similar capacities to bind to cyclin D-dependent kinases 4 and 6. These data suggest that the target of deletion in glioblastoma multiforme includes both p15 and p16 genes. The reason that homozygous deletions, rather than intragenic mutations, are so common in these tumors may be that deletion is a more efficient mechanism for simultaneous inactivation of both genes.
Significance and Uses of Fine-Grained Synchronization Relations

In a distributed system, high-level actions can be modeled by nonatomic events. Synchronization relations between distributed nonatomic events have been proposed to allow applications a fine choice in specifying synchronization conditions. This paper shows how these fine-grained relations can be used for various types of synchronization and coordination in distributed computations.
A Structural Analysis of the Changing Image of China in the New York Times from 1949 through 1988

This research paper has explored the image of China portrayed in the New York Times from 1949 through 1988. The study has shown that the image of China has changed in accordance with the changes in the U.S. foreign policy toward China over the past forty years. The changes were discussed in the historical context of Sino-U.S. relations. In addition, this paper has explored some methodological issues relating to Q-analysis. This methodology, different from Q-sort technique, is proven particularly powerful in this study for describing semantical structures in a cluster of news stories.
The Embryo of a Dialogue

Embryology, Epigenesis, and Evolution Taking Development Seriously. by Jason Scott Robert. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2004. 174 pp. $60, £40. ISBN 0-521-82467-2. Studies in Philosophy and Biology. This contribution to the Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Biology explores development in the context of recent evo-devo research and work on biological theory and practice.
Atrial natriuretic factor and cyclic guanosine monophosphate: ion transport in rat colon in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract The role of atrial natriuretic factor receptors in the colon is uncertain. Accordingly, the effects of atrial natriuretic factor in vivo and in vitro were studied. In vivo perfusion of the colon in Sprague-Dawley rats was used to measure Na + , K + , Cl − , and water transport, while atrial natriuretic factor was infused into the jugular vein at 0.5 or 1.0 μg · kg −1 · min −1 . In vitro experiments in Ussing chambers measured short-circuit current and ion fluxes before and after atrial natriuretic factor administration. Because cyclic guanosine monophosphate is thought to be a second messenger for atrial natriuretic factor, shortcircuit current was also determined before and after exposure to 8-Br-cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor (atriopeptin III) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. The in vivo transport of water, sodium, and chloride and the secretion of potassium were not altered by atrial natriuretic factor infusion. In vitro studies showed no change in Na + or Cl − transport or change in short-circuit current. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor concentrations increased from 139 ± 55 pg/mL to 1385 ± 396 pg/mL during infusion, and urine output increased from 12.6 ± 0.5 μL/min to 37.4 ± 2.9 μL/min ( P P = 0.0004) increase in short-circuit current from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 2.9 ± 0.3 μEq · cm −2 · h −1 .
The Decline of Arrest Clearances For Criminal Homicide: Causes, Correlates, and Third Parties

The percent of offenders arrested for murder in the United States has declined in all reporting cities from 92% in 1960 to 66% in 1997. This paper evaluates three sources of evidence that account f...
Epiglottis cross-sectional area diminishes with increased severity of obstructive sleep apnea (LB70)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition characterized by episodic upper airway collapse with continued diaphragmatic efforts during sleep. Significant cardiovascular and neurophysiological defects may result from brain injury accompanying repeated epochs of hypoxia. The majority of occlusions in OSA patients occur at the soft palate and uvula of the oropharynx. However, the extent of cross-sectional area at the level of the epiglottis, between the oropharynx and hypopharynx, remains unclear. Morphological aspects at lower regions of the oropharynx, with different cranial nerve innervation from upper airway regions, may also contribute to obstruction. Using a 3.0 Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, we collected two high-resolution T1-weighted image series and measured axial cross-sectional areas and oropharyngeal airway lengths for 13 mild or moderate OSA (mean age ± SD: 48.24 ± 8.28; AHI 5-29.9 events/hr; 6 male), 11 severe OSA (48.81 ± 8.31; AHI 蠅 30 events/hr; 8 male) and 50 contr...
Cytokine Profiling of Prostatic Fluid From Cancerous Prostate Glands Identifies Cytokines Associated With Extent of Tumor and Inflammation

Background Cytokines are key mediators of inflammation that may relate to prostate cancer initiation and progression, and that may be useful markers of prostatic neoplasia and related inflammation. In order to better understand the relationship between cytokines and prostate cancer, we profiled cytokines in prostatic fluids obtained from cancerous prostate glands and correlated them to both cancer status and inflammatory grade. Methods Prostatic fluid was collected from fresh radical prostatectomy specimens and analyzed by cytokine antibody microarray. For comparison, cases were selected from patients with either minimal or extensive cancer volume on final pathology. Among the cytokines with the greatest difference between the tumor volume groups, eight had their levels quantitated by ELISA. In addition, the grade of prostatic inflammation by neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes was scored for each case and examined for correlations with cytokine levels. Results Among 174 cytokines analyzed, HGF was the most increased (6.57-fold), and along with IL18Bpa was significantly elevated in patients with extensive disease compared to those with minimal disease. IL17, GITR, and ICAM-1 were elevated in specimens with significant neutrophilic inflammation into gland lumina, and IL18Bpa, IL17, GITR, and ICAM-1 were elevated in specimens with significant lymphocytic inflammation in prostatic stroma. Conclusions Prostatic fluid cytokines were identified that may be useful for early cancer detection and prognostication efforts and for assessment of prostatic inflammation, particularly if they can be found not only in prostatic fluids obtained ex vivo, but in expressed prostatic secretions or urine samples from men with prostates still in situ. Prostate 68:872–882, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Petrographic and geochemical study of the formation of chert around the Thornton reef complex, Illinois

The dolomitized reefs in the Middle and Upper Silurian carbonate rocks of the upper midwest of the United States have a low silica content and are nearly devoid of chert. The surrounding interreef is highly siliceous and cherty. Two periods of chert formation occurred in the interreef. The first period took place early in the history of the sediment, as indicated by the presence of well-preserved soft-bodied microorganisms in chert nodules, by high strontium contents (as high as 1,900 ppm), and by high CaCO3/MgCO3 ratios (up to 5.8) of carbonate remnants in the chert. Strontium contents decrease to about 90 ppm, and the CaCO3/MgCO3 ratio decreases to 1.2 toward the edges of the chert, suggesting that the chert grew during diagenesis and dolomitization of the surrounding sediment. The second episode of chert formation in the interreef formed a fringe of partial chert, around the nodules of the first chert episode. Because the partial chert has a lower strontium content (85 to 230 ppm) and contains very little organic material and virtually no fossils, it is concluded that diagenesis was much more advanced when the second chert episode occurred. The strontium content of the dolomite of the interreef is about 55 to 100 ppm. The strontium content of both the dolomite and the chert of the reef flank is lower than in the interreef. This is probably caused by introduction of fresh water through the reef into the interreef during the late Niagaran emergence. Siliceous organisms provided an adequate supply for the deposition of chert between the Silurian reefs. It is likely that fresh meteoric water filtered down through the reef at the time of chertification and kept chert from forming in most of the Thornton reef while the surrounding interreef was partly chertified.
Effect of partial decreases in exercise work load on radionuclide indexes of ischemia

This study assessed the effects of partial reductions in exercise work load on radionuclide angiographic indexes of ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease. Left ventricular function was measured by first pass radionuclide angiography in 43 male patients at rest, during an ischemic response to symptom-limited exercise and immediately after a partial reduction in work load. To assess the sensitivity of exercise-induced left ventricular dysfunction to reductions in work load, the effects of moderate (50%; Group 1) and small (200 kilopond-meters/min; Group 2) reductions in work load were analyzed. In Group 1, ejection fraction decreased from 49 ± 18% (mean ± standard deviation) at rest to 43 ± 16% at symptom-limited exercise, and then increased to 52 ±21% during work load reduction (p In patients who develop ischemia during symptom-limited exercise, small decreases in work load which are accompanied by minor hemodynamic changes may result in a rebound increase in left ventricular function and significant reduction in the diagnostic sensitivity of the exercise radionuclide angiogram.
The corporate culture as a tool for technology management

Abstract The development of corporate strategy was a key management tool developed in the 1970s. However, corporate strategies are difficult to implement within large technologically based firms. Thus, the focus has shifted to the structuring of the organization to accomplish the corporate strategies. Managers are shifting their energies to arranging a corporate culture that will provide a climate for the achievement of the goals of the organization. The concept of a corporate culture is reinforced by noting that eminently successful companies have a strong internal culture that is widely understood and adopted by their employees (Peters and Waterman, 1982). It is the purpose of this paper to examine the elements of a corporate culture and consider several outstanding examples of successful technological companies that have well developed corporate cultures. Finally, the potential for reshaping the culture of a firm is examined.
Differential body condition and vulnerability to predation in snowshoe hares

Summary 1 Selection of prey in poor body condition allegedly is a widespread phenomenon in predator–prey systems. Yet, it remains unclear to what extent such selection reflects impeded prey escape ability due to severe malnutrition and/or state-dependent risk taking following lesser changes in prey body condition. In systems where prey food availability is adequate, few individuals should be severely malnourished and thus condition-sensitive predation should be related principally to changes in nutritional status that occur irrespective of an individual's absolute body condition. 2 I studied predation in snowshoe hares ( Lepus americanus , Erxleben) when food was abundant, to test the prediction that change in body condition would contribute, more than would absolute body condition, to vulnerability to predation. Hares ( n = 618) were radio-marked and monitored for survival while body condition was indexed during bimonthly livecaptures. A subsample of animals ( n = 36) was equipped with motion-sensitive transmitters and activity patterns were examined in relation to the body condition index and vulnerability to predation. 3 Manipulation of hare nutritional status via food supplementation improved hare body condition but did not affect vulnerability to predation; reduction of nematode parasite numbers did not improve hare condition but reduced predation among female hares. Reproductive status affected predation in both sexes, with recently pregnant females and non-scrotal males being less vulnerable to predation. Heavier males also tended to experience lower predation rates. 4 Predation rates for both female and male hares were higher among individuals having recently experienced condition deterioration but not among animals considered to be in poor absolute condition. Yet, the parameter representing change in condition was the last to enter survival models, indicating a relatively modest effect of this factor on hare vulnerability to predation. Mammalian but not avian predators tended to kill hares in declining condition, and hare activity patterns were not correlated either to change in condition or to survival. 5 These findings indicate that nutritional status may influence vulnerability to predation even when food is abundant, but that such effects occur indirectly through changing body condition. This implies that hares are likely to forage in a risk-prone manner when subject to worsening condition.
Mice Deficient in Surfactant Protein A (SP-A) and SP-D or in TLR2 Manifest Delayed Parturition and Decreased Expression of Inflammatory and Contractile Genes

Previously we obtained compelling evidence that the fetus provides a critical signal for the initiation of term labor through developmental induction of surfactant protein (SP)-A expression by the fetal lung and secretion into amniotic fluid (AF). We proposed that interactions of AF macrophage (Mϕ) Toll-like receptors (TLRs) with SP-A, at term, or bacterial components, at preterm, result in their activation and migration to the pregnant uterus. Herein the timing of labor in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice was compared with mice homozygous null for TLR2, SP-A, SP-D, or doubly deficient in SP-A and SP-D. Interestingly, TLR2(-/-) females manifested a significant (P < 0.001) delay in timing of labor compared with WT as well as reduced expression of the myometrial contraction-associated protein (CAP) gene, connexin-43, and Mϕ marker, F4/80, at 18.5 d postcoitum (dpc). Whereas in first pregnancies, SP-A(-/-), SP-D(-/-), and SP-A/D(-/-) females delivered at term (∼19.5 dpc), in second pregnancies, parturition was delayed by approximately 12 h in SP-A(-/-) (P = 0.07) and in SP-A/D(-/-) (P <0.001) females. Myometrium of SP-A/D(-/-) females expressed significantly lower levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and CAP genes, connexin-43, and oxytocin receptor at 18.5 dpc compared with WT. F4/80(+) AF Mϕs from TLR2(-/-) and SP-A/D(-/-) mice expressed significantly lower levels of both proinflammatory and antiinflammatory activation markers (e.g. IL-1β, IL-6, ARG1, YM1) compared with gestation-matched WT AF Mϕs. These novel findings suggest that the pulmonary collectins acting via TLR2 serve a modulatory role in the timing of labor; their relative impact may be dependent on parity.
Chaos and algorithmic complexity

Our aim is to discover whether the notion of algorithmic orbit-complexity can serve to define “chaos” in a dynamical system. We begin with a mostly expository discussion of algorithmic complexity and certain results of Brudno, Pesin, and Ruelle (BRP theorems) which relate the degree of exponential instability of a dynamical system to the average algorithmic complexity of its orbits. When one speaks of predicting the behavior of a dynamical system, one usually has in mind one or more variables in the phase space that are of particular interest. To say that the system is unpredictable is, roughly, to say that one cannot feasibly determine future values of these variables from an approximation of the initial conditions of the system. We introduce the notions of restrictedexponential instability and conditionalorbit-complexity, and announce a new and rather general result, similar in spirit to the BRP theorems, establishing average conditional orbit-complexity as a lower bound for the degree of restricted exponential instability in a dynamical system. The BRP theorems require the phase space to be compact and metrizable. We construct a noncompact kicked rotor dynamical system of physical interest, and show that the relationship between orbit-complexity and exponential instability fails to hold for this system. We conclude that orbit-complexity cannot serve as a general definition of “chaos.”
Large Space Optics: from Hubble to JWST and Beyond

If necessity truly is the mother of invention, then advances in lightweight space mirror technology have been driven by launch vehicle mass and volume constraints. In the late 1970 s, at the start of Hubble development, the state of the art in ground based telescopes was 3 to 4 meter monolithic primary mirrors with masses of 6000 to 10,000 kg - clearly too massive for the planned space shuttle 25,000 kg capability to LEO. Necessity led Hubble to a different solution. Launch vehicle mass constraints (and cost) resulted in the development of a 2.4 meter lightweight eggcrate mirror. At 810 kg (180 kg/m2), this mirror was approximately 7.4% of HST s total 11,110 kg mass. And, the total observatory structure at 4.3 m x 13.2 m fit snuggly inside the space shuttle 4.6 m x 18.3 m payload bay. In the early 1990 s, at the start of JWST development, the state of the art in ground based telescopes was 8 meter class monolithic primary mirrors (16,000 to 23,000 kg) and 10 meter segmented mirrors (14,400 kg). Unfortunately, launch vehicles were still constrained to 4.5 meter payloads and 25,000 kg to LEO or 6,600 kg to L2. Furthermore, science now demanded a space telescope with 6 to 8 meter aperture operating at L2. Mirror technology was identified as a critical capability necessary to enable the next generation of large aperture space telescopes. Specific telescope architectures were explored via three independent design concept studies conducted during the summer of 1996 (1). These studies identified two significant architectural constraints: segmentation and areal density. Because the launch vehicle fairing payload dynamic envelop diameter is approximately 4.5 meters, the only way to launch an 8 meter class mirror is to segment it, fold it and deploy it on orbit - resulting in actuation and control requirements. And, because of launch vehicle mass limits, the primary mirror allocation was only 1000 kg - resulting in a maximum areal density of 20 kg/m2. At the inception of JWST in 1996, such a capability did not exist. A highly successful technology development program was initiated resulting in matured and demonstrated mirror technology for JWST (2, 3). Today, the JWST 6.5 meter primary mirror has an areal density of 25 kg/m2 for a total mass of 625 kg or 9.6% of the total JWST observatory mass of 6,500 kg. Looking into the future, science requires increasing larger collecting apertures. Ground based telescopes are already moving towards 30+ meter mirrors. The only way to meet this challenge for space telescopes is via even lower areal density mirrors or on-orbit assembly or larger launch vehicles (4). The planned NASA Ares V with its 10 meter fairing and 55,000 kg payload to L2 eliminates this constraint (5).
Habitat use and nest success of scrub-shrub birds in wildlife and silvicultural openings in western Massachusetts, USA

Many conservationists are concerned about reports of declining populations of scrub-shrub birds. Wildlife opening management, involving repeatedly burning or mechanically treating early-successional stands, is one strategy for creating habitat for these species, but this practice is costly. Some silvicultural treatments also create scrub-shrub habitat and have the advantage of potentially generating revenue, but the relative effectiveness of wildlife opening management and silviculture for creating bird habitat is not known. During 2004 and 2005, we compared scrub-shrub bird abundance, nest success, and habitat characteristics between wildlife and silvicultural openings in western Massachusetts to determine whether the habitats created by these practices are equivalent for birds. We recorded 1927 detections of 31 scrub-shrub bird species during the course of the study and monitored 368 nests. We found that although most species were present in both treatments, many differed in abundance between wildlife and silvicultural openings, including several species of high conservation concern. These differences were attributable to differences in habitat characteristics between treatments. The overall probability of a nest surviving to fledging was 0.43, and did not differ between wildlife and silvicultural openings. Our results indicate that the habitat quality of wildlife and silvicultural openings is not equivalent for scrub-shrub birds, but the two management approaches serve as complementary strategies for maintaining these declining species.
Patterns, acts, and self-control: Rachlin's theory

Regarding Rachlin's behavioral act/pattern theory of self-control, it is argued that some cases of self-control involve pattern/ pattern conflicts rather than merely act/pattern conflicts and that – if all cases of self-control are to be accounted for – some patterns must be viewed as internal representational states of mind (plans) rather than merely as patterns of actual overt behavior.
Role for PKC in Fenretinide-Mediated Apoptosis in Lymphoid Leukemia Cells

The synthetic Vitamin A analog fenretinide is a promising chemotherapeutic agent. In the current paper, the role of PKC 𝛿 was examined in fenretinide-induced apoptosis in lymphoid leukemia cells. Levels of proapoptotic cleaved PKC 𝛿 positively correlated with drug sensitivity. Fenretinide promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The antioxidant Vitamin C prevented fenretinide-induced PKC 𝛿 cleavage and protected cells from fenretinide. Suppression of PKC 𝛿 expression by shRNA sensitized cells to fenretinide-induced apoptosis possibly by a mechanism involving ROS production. A previous study demonstrated that fenretinide promotes degradation of antiapoptotic MCL-1 in ALL cells via JNK. Now we have found that fenretinide-induced MCL-1 degradation may involve PKC 𝛿 as cleavage of the kinase correlated with loss of MCL-1 even in cells when JNK was not activated. These results suggest that PKC 𝛿 may play a complex role in fenretinide-induced apoptosis and may be targeted in antileukemia strategies that utilize fenretinide.
Rheology Study of Wafer Level Underfill

As a special epoxy resin material used in the electronics packaging, wafer level underfill (WLU) is studied using a chemorheology approach to provide a fundamental understanding of its reaction dependent rheology behaviors. In this work, the relationship between the molecular weight (M w ) and the viscosity of the epoxy resins at fixed temperatures has been established. Subsequently an Arrhenius-Erying equation was used to fit the relationship between viscosity and temperature for given molecular weight epoxies. By combining the two relationships, the viscosity could be modeled as a function of temperature and molecular weight. To obtain the viscosity change of the WLU during the reflow process, the molecular weight change of the underfill was calculated from the degree of curing through the kinetics modeling. A semi-empirical model was developed to predict the viscosity of the underfill as a function of time and temperature during the curing process. Modeled predictions were compared with experimental data under isothermal and ramping temperatures during curing experiments. The model showed good agreement with the experiments in the early stage of curing reaction. The critical viscosity of the underfill for solder wetting was obtained by wetting experiments, which can be used as the criteria to determine the flowability of the wafer level underfill.
FORMATION OF FIRST STARS TRIGGERED BY COLLISIONS AND SHOCK WAVES: PROSPECT FOR HIGH STAR FORMATION EFFICIENCY AND HIGH IONIZING PHOTON ESCAPE FRACTION

We show that large, high-redshift (z > 10) galaxies with virial temperature in excess of 104 K may be composed mostly of cold atomic clouds that were formerly minihalos. These clouds move at a speed of ~15-30 km s-1 and may collide with one another on an average time interval of ~107 yr. The supersonic collisions may result in spatially distributed and efficient star formation. Most of the subsequent star formation in cold atomic clouds may be triggered by shock waves launched from the first stars formed in colliding clouds. Those shock-wave-compressed clouds may be more widespread spatially, because of the large imparted velocities, and some may escape into the intergalactic medium. The resultant widespread star formation would allow the possibility of a much higher ionizing photon escape fraction. These favorable conditions may form a physical basis to enable the standard cosmological model to produce a reasonably high Thomson optical depth τe = 0.11-0.14. Furthermore, a chain reaction of star formation in minihalos in the intergalactic space may be triggered by explosions in intergalactic medium, if minihalos are strongly clustered. In this case, a still higher τe would be achievable.
The unbreakable stone

A case of a failed percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy is reported as an unusual occurrence.
When overlap leads to competition: Effects of phonological encoding on word duration

Some accounts of acoustic reduction propose that variation in word duration is a reflection of the speaker’s internal production processes, but it is unclear why lengthening within a word benefits planning. The present study examines whether variability in word length is partly attributable to phonological encoding. In an event-description task, speakers produced words with longer durations when the word shared part of its phonology with a previously articulated word than when it did not. More importantly, lengthening was greater when the overlap was word-initial than when it was word-final. These differences in duration are in line with predictions of serial phonological competition models, which claim that words that overlap in onsets create more competition than words that overlap in offsets and are thus more difficult to produce. That word duration is sensitive to differences in production difficulty suggests a link between speakers’ duration choices and phonological encoding. We propose that lengthening provides the production system with the necessary processing time to produce a word’s sounds.
On the use of genetic programming for automated refactoring and the introduction of design patterns

Maintaining an object-oriented design for a piece of software is a difficult, time-consuming task. Prior approaches to automated design refactoring have focused on making small, iterative changes to a given software design. However, such approaches do not take advantage of composition of design changes, thus limiting the richness of the refactoring strategies that they can generate. In order to address this problem, this paper introduces an approach that supports composition of design changes and makes the introduction of design patterns a primary goal of the refactoring process. The proposed approach uses genetic programming and software engineering metrics to identify the most suitable set of refactorings to apply to a software design. We illustrate the efficacy of this approach by applying it to a large set of published models, as well as a real-world case study
Degranulation of the stannius corpuscles of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in response to lonic changes in vitro

Abstract Stannius corpuscles of the coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch , were maintained in organ culture in defined media containing various concentrations of calcium. Standard [Ca 2+ ] (1.5 m M ) or lower levels do not induce degranulation. Degranulation and concomitant increase in rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi systems were seen after high [Ca 2+ ] (3 and 6 m M ) in both cell types beginning as early as 2 hr after the start of incubation. Degranulation occurred as a result of exocytosis. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid blocked the effect of high [Ca 2+ ]. [Mg 2+ ] had no effect whereas [Sr 2+ ] had an effect if some Ca 2+ was present. The calcium ionophore, A23187, at concentrations above 10 −5 M in the presence of standard [Ca 2+ ], induced exocytosis in both cell types. Low [Na + ] (50 and 100 m M ) with Ca 2+ present caused moderate to high degranulation and high [Na + ] (225 m M ) caused moderate degranulation with a [Ca 2+ ] (3 m M ) that typically caused high degranulation. These results indicate that the secretory activity of the cells of the Stannius corpuscles may be directly affected by plasma ion levels, especially Ca 2+ .
Synthesis and characterization of chromium and tungsten tetracarbonyl bound to the bridging ligand 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (DPP)

The synthesis, electronic absorption, infrared and 13C NMR spectra, and electrochemistry of [Cr(CO)4]dpp and [W(CO)4]dpp (dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) are reported. Electronic absorption spectra in different solvents show solvatochromic behavior and indicate the metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited state is lower in energy than the ligand field (LF) excited state. Electrochemical results show the [Cr(CO)4]dpp complex undergoes semi-reversible one electron oxidation, while [W(CO)4]dpp undergoes irreversible one electron oxidation. 13C NMR spectra of both complexes show all carbons in the metal-bound dpp ring shift downfield. The amount of downfield shift for the series [M(CO)4]dpp (M = Cr, Mo, W) is interpreted as indicating better M dπ → dpp pπ backbonding occurs for Mo and W than for Cr.
Usage of Cellular Telephones: An Informal Look:

Summary.-The growth in the usage of cellular telephones by motor vehicle operators appears to be happening in the absence of any companion governmental operating directives. The result is a state of the world wherein driven are mandated to be securely fasrened to the seats of defect-free vehicles, yet are permitted to drive with one hand on the steering wheel, while dividing their attention between road conditions and an interactive conversation. To help reduce the number of people killed and injured in motor vehicle accidents, many states have enacted legislation requiring drivers to wear seat belts. However, there are generally no companion specific regulations requiring the thus secured drivers to keep both hands on the steering wheel. In the absence of such directives operators, who are now firmly fastened in place, are still free to use one hand to steer the vehicle and the other to do something else-in increasing measure that something else might well be the operation of a cellular telephone. In 1989, the sixth year of the cellular telephone industry's existence, there were approximately 3.5 million subscribers. By the year 1998, it is estimated that the industry will have grown to over 30 million subscribers (1). Technological progress, coupled with a declining price for hardware and service, is rapidly advancing cellular from simply a car phone for business people in major metro areas, to a device for regular use in such fields as emergency services, law enforcement, voice mail, and facsirmle messaging. To gather some insight as to the number of drivers who might now be driving while operating a hand-held cellular telphone, an informal study was conducted in the fall and winter of 1989-90 in a large city in the northeast having about 210,000 cellular subscribers (2, p. 68). Note was made of vehicles moving along a major thoroughfare to assess the number, if any, of drivers holding a telephone. A total of 25 convenience citings were conducted between 0815 to 0915 and 1815 to 1915 hours, Monday through Friday, of vehicles moving north on a four-lane one-way avenue. The flow of traffic, which was progressing at a rate of about 1600 vehicles per hour, was controlled by a sequenced traffic signal: 40 sec. green, 3 sec. orange, and 47 sec. red. Vehicle type was about equally divided between private and commercial.
Green’s Functions for Infinite and Semi-infinite Anisotropic Thin Plates

This paper presents fundamental solutions of an anisotropic elastic thin plate within the context of the Kirchhoff theory. The plate material is inhomogeneoous in the thickness direction. Two systems of problem's with non-self-equilibrated loads are solved. The first is concerned with in-plane concentrated forces and moments and in-plane discontinuous displacements and slopes, and the second with transverse concentrated forces. Exact closed-form Green's functions for infinite and semi-infinite plates are obtained using the recently established octet formalism by the authors for coupled stretching and bending deformations of a plate. The Green functions for an infinite plate and the surface Green functions for a semi-infinite plate are presented in a real form. The hoop stress resultants are also presented in a real form for a semi-infinite plate.
Role of a Hippocampal Src-Family Kinase-Mediated Glutamatergic Mechanism in Drug Context-Induced Cocaine Seeking

Glutamatergic neurotransmission in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) is necessary for drug context-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in an animal model of drug relapse. Furthermore, in vitro studies suggest that the Src family of tyrosine kinases critically regulates glutamatergic cellular functions within the DH. Thus, Src-family kinases in the DH may similarly control contextual cocaine-seeking behavior. To test this hypothesis, rats were trained to lever press for un-signaled cocaine infusions in a distinct context followed by extinction training in a different context. Cocaine-seeking behavior (non-reinforced active lever pressing) was then assessed in the previously cocaine-paired and extinction contexts after AP5 (N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) antagonist; 0.25 or 2.5 μg/0.5 μl/hemisphere), PP2 (Src-family kinase inhibitor; 6.25 or 62.5 ng/0.5 μl/hemisphere), Ro25-6981 (NR2B subunit-containing NMDAR antagonist; 0.2 or 2 μg/0.5 μl/hemisphere), or vehicle administration into the DH. Administration of AP5, PP2, or Ro25-6981 into the DH dose-dependently impaired drug context-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior relative to vehicle, without altering instrumental behavior in the extinction context or food-reinforced instrumental responding and general motor activity in control experiments. Cocaine-seeking behavior during the first 20 min of the test session in the cocaine-paired context was associated with an increase in NR2B subunit activation, and intra-DH PP2 pretreatment disrupted this relationship. Together, these findings suggest that Src-family kinase activation, NMDAR stimulation, and likely Src-family kinase-mediated NR2B subunit-containing NMDAR activation in the DH are necessary for incentive motivational and/or memory processes that promote contextual cocaine-seeking behavior.
Histopathological changes in resistant (rhm) corn inoculated with Helminthosporium maydis race O

Seedlings of an inbred line of male-fertile corn possessing the gene rhm for resistance to Southern corn leaf blight were inoculated with conidia of Helminthosporium maydis race O. Histological observations at 1 day revealed that lesions were comprised of several dead mesophyll cells bordered by a pair of vascular bundles. By 4 days, lesions had only spread to a width of three vascular bundles. Ultrastructural observations revealed that although mesophyll cells degenerated at an early stage, bundle sheath and phloem cells remained intact even in 4-day-old lesions. It appears that the gene rhm imparts a resistance to bundle sheath and phloem cells against toxic substances released by the fungus. Addition key words: Zea mays L., ultrastructure, gene rhm, Southern corn leaf blight.
Dynamical stabilization of cubic ZrO 2 by phonon-phonon interactions: Ab initio calculations

Cubic zirconia exhibits a soft phonon mode $({X}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ which becomes dynamically unstable at low temperatures. Previous ab initio investigations into the temperature-induced stabilization of the soft mode treated it as an independent anharmonic oscillator. Calculations presented here, using the self-consistent ab initio lattice-dynamical method to evaluate the phonons at 2570 K, show that the soft mode should not be treated independently of other phonon modes. Phonon-phonon interactions stabilize the ${X}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ mode. Furthermore, the effective potential experienced by the mode takes on a quadratic form.
Positronium hydride formation in collisions of positrons with molecular hydrogen

The feasibility of observing the threshold for the formation of positronium hydride, PsH, in collisions of low-energy positrons with hydrogen molecules in a mass spectrometric application is considered. The expected count rate of the signature ion H+ using existing positron beams depends upon the cross section for a dissociative attachment reaction. The estimation of this cross section relies on knowledge of certain potential energy curves and leptonic wave functions. This knowledge does not yet exist. The curves are roughly estimated by considering the binding of a positron to the ionicB state of H2. Methods of calculating the wave functions are briefly considered.
Children in Relation: Rethinking Early Childhood Education.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC, 1986; Bredekamp, 1987) has published guidelines which define "developmentally appropriate" practice for all children birth through eight. These guidelines have now come under criticism, however, for a variety of reasons. Researchers have argued that they present a false impression of consensus (Walsh, 1991), that they are premised on a developmental theory characterized by ethnocentric bias (Bowman & Stott, 1994), and that they represent cultural values that are not universally shared (Jipson, 1991; Wiliiams, 1994; Phillips, 1994). This article holds likewise that the promulgation of guidelines based on universalist assumptions places racial, ethnic, and linguistic "minority" children and parents at a disadvantage and contributes to the very processes that early childhood educators seek to remedy. After reviewing an extensive research literature which shows children from traditionally disadvantaged groups in relation, the article concludes that the poor scholastic performance of disproportionate numbers of children should be attributed to interactional and relational factors rather than to innate capabilities or to parental "inadequacy." In 1986 the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) published a series of guidelines which detailed how young children aged four and five were to be reared in day care centers, preschools, and schools throughout the nation. The guidelines were later expanded and published in an edited volume which defined practice for children birth through eight. This monograph (Bredekamp, 1987) has come to be known within the field of early childhood education as "the guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice (DAP)" or, commonly, "the green bible." By 1992, over 300,000 copies had been sold. The guidelines essentially argue that all children develop in the same way and that a common child-rearing practice is therefore warranted: "The principles guiding developmentally appropriate programs are universally applicable" (Kostelnik, 1992, p. 22); "DAP is for all children" (Bredekamp & Rosegrant, 1992, p. 5). The position statement for developmentally appropriate programs (Brede
A highly integrated analog front-end for 3G

This paper describes a reconfigurable analog front-end (AFE) and audio codec IC supporting the wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) standard. The chip is fabricated on Intel's 0.18-/spl mu/m (SOC) flash+logic+analog (FLA) process technology using a 0.35-/spl mu/m feature size analog transistor. The transmit path contains a 10-bit segmented rail-to-rail digital-to-analog converter, automatically tunable active RC filter, and programmable gain amplifier (PGA) with self-tuning gain and offset correction circuit. The receive path incorporates a PGA, active RC filter, and an 8-bit analog-to-digital converter with built-in offset correction. The AFE operates at 2.7 V with a current consumption of 55 mA and total active area of 15 mm/sup 2/.
Methods for the analysis of hazardous wastes

Abstract This review covers the analytical methods for water and contaminated soils at hazardous waste sites. The different methods needed for rapid screening, target compound analysis and in-depth investigations, are presented. Field techniques, which are becoming commonplace, are also discussed.