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20-carboxy-arachidonic acid (20-COOH-AA) is a metabolite of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), an eicosanoid produced from arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 (CYP) omega-oxidases. Alcohol dehydrogenases convert 20-HETE to 20-COOH-AA, and we now find that a microsomal preparation containing recombinant human CYP4F3B converts arachidonic acid to 20-HETE and 20-COOH-AA. Studies with transfected COS-7 cell expression systems indicate that 20-COOH-AA activates peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and PPARgamma. 20-COOH-AA was twice as potent as either 20-HETE or ciglitazone in stimulating PPARgamma-mediated luciferase expression. While 20-COOH-AA also was more potent than 20-HETE in increasing PPARalpha-mediated luciferase expression, the increase was only half as much as that produced by Wy-14643. 20-COOH-AA did not increase PPARalpha or PPARgamma expression in the transfected cells. Radiolabeled 20-COOH-AA was detected intracellularly when the COS-7 cells were incubated with either [3H]20-COOH-AA or [3H]20-HETE, and binding studies indicated that [3H]20-COOH-AA bound to the isolated ligand binding domains of PPARalpha (Kd=0.87+/-0.12 microM) and PPARgamma (Kd=1.7+/-0.5 microM). These findings suggest that 20-COOH-AA, a relatively stable metabolite of 20-HETE, might function as an endogenous dual activator of PPARalpha and PPARgamma.

Introduction Swine farmers interested in enrolling in the growing niche markets for alternatively-reared pigs must usually farrow during the winter. The niche markets have a shortage of winter-born pigs because it is the most difficult time to meet the standards of no farrowing crates, use of bedding, and no antibiotics. The purpose of this study is to document alternative winter farrowing on four farms in southern Minnesota.

A deep bedded hoop confinement building was constructed at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm in Southwest Iowa in 2004. The building consists of three pens. Shortly after the completion of construction a preliminary study was initiated to compare performance, carcass characteristics, and bedding and labor use to that of a conventional semi-confinement system. The cattle used in this study were steer and heifer calves from the ISU McNay Research Farm. Performance and carcass measurements appeared similar comparing the two systems. However, the hoop building cattle used more bedding and appeared to have lower mud scores. Labor use may have favored the hoop building compared to the conventional system. In 2005, a three year study was initiated to compare the systems with yearling steers. Two turns of yearling cattle will be fed each year, one in summer and one in winter.

It was previously demonstrated that SOI MOSFET devices are more robust with respect to plasma process charging damage than bulk MOSFET devices. In this work, charging damage to the gate dielectric of an SOI device is induced by attaching different-area interconnect antennas to the gate and the diffusion nodes, and/or by attaching identically configured, but widely separated antennas to the nodes.

A 3-year study was conducted in Iowa to evaluate the feasibility of using composting for emergency disposal of cattle mortalities. During the study, 49 metric tons of 450 kg cattle carcasses were composted in 27 replicated unturned windrow test units constructed during three different seasons of the year. Each test unit contained 1.8 metric tons of carcasses enveloped in one of 5 different materials: corn silage, ground cornstalks, straw/manure, leaves, or a soil/compost blend. Due to their water absorbing capacity and ability to evaporate absorbed water, the volume of leachate released into the soil was generally less than 5% of the 500-600 mm of precipitation that fell on the test units. Chemical analysis of 1.2 m deep soil cores collected from beneath the composting test units prior to and following composting showed statistically significant increases in chloride concentrations at all depths beneath composting test units constructed from silage, cornstalks, straw, and the soil/compost blend. Statistically significant increases in % total carbon (silage test units only) and % total nitrogen (silage, cornstalk, straw/manure test units) were limited to the top 15 cm of soil. Increases in these pollutants were moderate, amounting to less than 5X, 0.2X and 0.4 X respectively of chloride, % total carbon, % total N concentrations prior to composting. Statistically significant increases in total ammonia-nitrogen were noted at depths of up to 90 cm beneath test units constructed with silage or leaves, and at 30 cm and 15 cm depths respectively beneath test units constructed with straw/manure and cornstalks. The ammonia-nitrogen increases were large, ranging from 40-160 X of pre-composting levels of ammonia in the topsoil. When compared with the groundwater pollution potential of carcass burial, however, the estimated total mass of N contained in the composted cattle carcasses was 4-10 X the increases in total N measured in the soil beneath the composting test units.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), lipid mediators synthesized from arachidonic acid by cytochrome P-450 epoxygenases, are converted by soluble epoxide hydrolase (SEH) to the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). Originally considered as inactive degradation products of EETs, DHETs have biological activity in some systems. Here we examined the capacity of EETs and DHETs to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα). We find that among the EET and DHET regioisomers, 14,15-DHET is the most potent PPARα activator in a COS-7 cell expression system. Incubation with 10 μM 14,15-DHET produced a 12-fold increase in PPARα-mediated luciferase activity, an increase similar to that produced by the PPARα agonist Wy-14643 (20 μM). Although 10 μM 14,15-EET produced a threefold increase in luciferase activity, this was abrogated by the SEH inhibitor dicyclohexylurea. 14-Hexyloxytetradec-5( Z)-enoic acid, a 14,15-EET analog that cannot be converted to a DHET, did not activate PPARα. However, PPARα was activated by 2-(14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoyl)glycerol, which was hydrolyzed and the released 14,15-EET converted to 14,15-DHET. COS-7 cells incorporated 14,15-[3H]DHET from the medium, and the cells also retained a small amount of the DHET formed during incubation with 14,15-[3H]EET. Binding studies indicated that 14,15-[3H]DHET binds to the ligand binding domain of PPARα with a Kdof 1.4 μM. Furthermore, 14,15-DHET increased the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, a PPARα-responsive gene, in transfected HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that 14,15-DHET, produced from 14,15-EET by the action of SEH, may function as an endogenous activator of PPARα.

20-Carboxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-COOH-AA) is a bioactive metabolite of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), an eicosanoid that produces vasoconstriction in the cerebral circulation. We found that smooth muscle (MSMC) and endothelial (MEC) cultures obtained from mouse brain microvessels convert [3H]20-HETE to 20-COOH-AA, indicating that the cerebral vasculature can produce this metabolite. The [3H]20-COOH-AA accumulated primarily in the culture medium, together with additional radiolabeled metabolites identified as the chain-shortened dicarboxylic acids 18-COOH-18:4, 18-COOH-18:3, and 16-COOH-16:3. N-Heptylformamide, a potent inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), decreased the conversion of [3H]20-HETE to 20-COOH-AA by the MSMC and MEC and also by isolated mouse brain microvessels. Purified mouse and human ADH4, human ADH3, and horse liver ADH1 efficiently oxidized 20-HETE, and ADH4 and ADH3 were detected in MSMC and MEC by Western blotting. N-Heptylformamide inhibited the oxidation of 20-HETE by mouse and human ADH4 but not by ADH3. These results demonstrated that cerebral microvessels convert 20-HETE to 20-COOH-AA and that ADH catalyzes the reaction. Although ADH4 and ADH3 are expressed in MSMC and MEC, the inhibition produced by N-heptylformamide suggests that ADH4 is primarily responsible for 20-COOH-AA formation in the cerebral microvasculature.

A high performance 65 nm SOI CMOS technology is presented featuring 35 nm gate length, 1.05 nm gate oxide, performance enhancement from dual stress nitride liners (DSL), and 10 wiring levels with low-k dielectric offered in the first 8 levels. DSL enhancement is shown to scale well to 65 nm with larger enhancement seen than at 90 nm design rules. A high performance 0.65/spl mu/m/sup 2/ SRAM cell is also presented. SOI allows the SRAM cell to use Metal 1 instead of Metal 2 for bit-line wiring, which lowers the capacitance and improves access times. A functional dual-core microprocessor test chip containing 76Mb SRAM cache and key execution units has been fabricated.

Summary Background and objective: Prospective longitudinal studies now indicate that cognitive dysfunction following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is both common and persistent. This dysfunction is due in part to the inflammatory response and cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion, with nitric oxide (NO) as an important mediator of both. We hypothesized that a clinically significant association exists between plasma concentrations of nitrate/nitrite (NO 3 − /NO 2 − ) and cognitive dysfunction after CABG. Methods: Cognitive assessment was performed on 36 adult patients the day before CABG, on the fourth postoperative day and 3 months postoperatively. Patient spouses ( n = 10) were also studied. Results: A new cognitive deficit was present in 22/36 (62%) 4 days postoperatively and in 16/35 (49%) of patients, 3 months postoperatively. Patients who had cognitive dysfunction 3 months postoperatively were more likely to have cognitive dysfunction and increased plasma NO 3 − /NO 2 − concentrations compared to the non-deficit group preoperatively (22.6 (9.2) vs. 27.6 (8.4)) ( P = 0.002). Plasma NO x (NO 3 − plus NO 2 − ) concentrations were greater in patients with cognitive dysfunction 3 months postoperatively, 2 h (24.2 (6.3) vs. 19.1 (5.2)) ( P = 0.002), and 12 h postoperatively (24.8 (7.6) vs. 18.8 (5.6)) ( P = 0.001). There was, however, a time course similarity in NO x elevations for both deficit and non-deficit groups. Conclusions: Perioperative plasma NO x concentrations do not serve as an effective biomarker of cognitive deficit after CABG.

Summary Background and objective: Propofol is an intravenous (i.v.) anaesthetic agent that possesses many of the qualities of an ideal anaesthetic agent. The most significant side-effect associated with propofol is pain on injection. Despite optimal therapy, the incidence of pain on propofol injection remains a problem. This prospective, randomized, double blinded study evaluated the effect of three different treatment strategies in decreasing pain on propofol injection. Methods: We studied 102 adult, ASA I–II patients, scheduled for elective surgical procedures. Combination of i.v. lidocaine and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) in oxygen (O 2 ) inhalation pre-treatment was compared with either treatment alone in the prevention of pain on propofol injection. A standard propofol injection technique and scoring system, to measure the pain on injection was used. Results: Demographic variables were similar between the groups. The incidence of no pain on propofol injection was similar in the lidocaine and N 2 O groups (63.6% vs. 57.5%) (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17–0.29, P = 0.61). Combination therapy was associated with a greater incidence of no pain on injection (84% vs. 63.6%) (95% CI: 0.06–0.48, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Combination of i.v. lidocaine and N 2 O in O 2 inhalation pre-treatment is more effective than either treatment alone in decreasing pain on propofol injection.

The combination of low k dielectric material application and aggressive scaling in advanced interconnects creates new challenges for thermal and electromigration solutions. The complexity and difficulty are discussed for modeling and evaluating thermal and EM interactions in circuit designs. A few examples are given to show quantitatively the impact of different dielectric materials on maximum allowed current density and scaling in Cu lines.

Changes in neutrophil and endothelial adhesion molecule expression occur during perioperative ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. We investigated the effects of lidocaine on neutrophil-independent changes in neutrophil and endothelial adhesion molecule expression associated with tourniquet-induced I/R.Plasma was obtained from venous blood samples (tourniquet arm) taken before (baseline), during, 15 min, 2 and 24 h following tourniquet release in seven patients undergoing elective upper limb surgery with tourniquet application. Isolated neutrophils from healthy volunteers (n = 7) were pretreated in the presence or absence of lidocaine (0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 mg mL(-1) for 1 h, and then incubated with I/R plasma for 2 h. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated in the presence or absence of lidocaine (0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 mg mL(-1)) for 1 h, and then incubated with the plasma for 4 h. Adhesion molecule expression was estimated using flow cytometry. Data were analysed using ANOVA and post hoc Student-Newman-Keuls tests.I/R plasma (withdrawn 15 min following tourniquet release) increased isolated neutrophil CD11b (P = 0.03), CD18 (P = 0.01) and endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (P = 0.008) expression compared to baseline. CD11b, CD18 and ICAM-1 expression on lidocaine (0.005 mg mL(-1)) treated neutrophils was similar to control. CD11b (P0.001), CD18 (P = 0.03) and ICAM-1 (P = 0.002) expression on lidocaine (0.05 mg mL(-1)) treated neutrophils and HUVECs was less than that on controls.Increased in vitro neutrophil and endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression on exposure to plasma obtained during the early reperfusion phase is diminished by lidocaine at greater than clinically relevant plasma concentrations.

Endothelial cells play a key role in ischemia reperfusion injury. We investigated the effects of lidocaine on activated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. HUVECs were pretreated with different concentrations of lidocaine (0 to 0.5 mg/mL) for 60 min, thereafter tumor necrosis factor-alpha was added at a concentration of 2.5 ng/mL and the cells incubated for 4 h. Supernatants were harvested, and cytokine concentrations were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelial ICAM-1 expression was analyzed by using flow cytometry. Differences were assessed using analysis of variance and post hoc unpaired Student's t-test where appropriate. Lidocaine (0.5 mg/mL) decreased IL-1beta (1.89 +/- 0.11 versus 4.16 +/- 1.27 pg/mL; P = 0.009), IL-6 (65.5 +/- 5.14 versus 162 +/- 11.5 pg/mL; P < 0.001), and IL-8 (3869 +/- 785 versus 14,961 +/- 406 pg/mL; P < 0.001) concentrations compared with the control. IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations in HUVECs treated with clinically relevant plasma concentrations of lidocaine (0.005 mg/mL) were similar to control. ICAM-1 expression on lidocaine-treated (0.05 mg/mL) HUVECs was less than on controls (198 +/- 52.7 versus 298 +/- 50.3; Mean Channel Fluorescence; P < 0.001). Activated endothelial IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations and ICAM-1 expression are attenuated only by lidocaine at concentrations larger than clinically relevant concentrations.

A facility at Iowa State University was constructed to evaluate the impact diet modification has on air emissions. The facility was designed and constructed to have the unique ability to investigate emissions from cattle, poultry and swine by incorporating interchangeable penning and watering systems. Excreta and manure volumes can be measured for group-housed animals. Gas emissions are determined by measuring airflow rates through each of the eight animal chambers and multiplying airflow by the change in contaminate concentration between the effluent and influent ventilation air for each chamber. Chambers are monitored sequentially, for 15 min each, with incoming air gas concentrations subtracted from chamber gas concentrations, providing 10-11 observations per chamber each day. Each chamber is independently heated or air conditioned based on a temperature setpoint, with air delivered from a central plenum into chamber-specific variable air volume boxes. Data acquisition is coordinated through software control, including an emergency alarm system should ventilation problems arise. Findings from the first swine study conducted in the facility indicate that this facility can discriminate between emissions from animals fed diets that are modified to reduce nutrient excretions while maintaining animal performance. A brief laying hen study followed to challenge the sensitivity of the system to small dietary changes.

Introduction There is growing demand in Iowa for pigs raised outdoors or in a deep-bedded system without the use of antibiotics, growth promotants, or animal by-products. Currently, most producers selling naturally raised pork market their animals to a company that requires adherence to the Animal Welfare Institute’s (AWI) Animal Welfare Standards. One of the key components of these standards is the prohibition of farrowing crates. While a pasture farrowing system is effective during spring, summer, and fall, an alternative system is needed to farrow pigs in the winter for the naturally raised pork market.

Moisture affects the physical and biological properties of compost and other solid state fermentation matrices. Aerobic microbial systems experience different respiration rates (oxygen uptake and CO2 evolution) as a function of moisture content and material type. In this study the microbial respiration rates of 13 compost-bulking materials were measured by a pressure sensor method at 6 different moisture levels. The experimentally determined respiration quotient (RQ) values were used to calculate CO2 respiration rates from O2 consumption. The RQ values of all materials were around 1.0 except for silage, oat straw and leaves which were about 1.5. A wide range of respiration and heat production rates were observed for different materials, with alfalfa hay, silage, oat straw, and turkey litter having the highest values. These four compost-bulking agents may be particularly suitable for improving internal temperature and pathogen destruction rates for disease-related mortality composting. Optimum moisture content was determined based on measurements across a range that spans the maximum respiration rate. A mechanistic model of moisture kinetics was also used to predict the optimum moisture levels. There was good agreement between experimental observations and modeled optimum moisture content. The optimum moisture content of each material was observed near WHC, which ranged from near 65 to over 85% on a wet basis for all materials except a highly stabilized yard waste compost (optimum around 30% w.b.). This study demonstrates the importance of moisture content on the biodegradability of organic materials and specific respiration rates of each material. The results can be used to develop moisture management and process control strategies to maintain compost and cover materials in an acceptable range.

Accurate specification of design groundrules for interconnect systems requires knowledge of the thermal behavior of the systems. A key parameter that characterizes the thermal behavior is the thermal conductivity of the inter-level dielectric (ILD). In practical VLSI applications, the metal interconnects are fully embedded in a stacked, composite ILD media, which presents difficult challenges for the accurate determination of thermal conductivity. In this paper, we propose the concept of an "effective thermal conductivity" to model such complicated, composite media, and introduce a simple methodology to accurately measure effective and bulk thermal conductivities of various thin dielectric layers in integrated circuits. We present measured effective conductivities of several composite media, including various Cu/low-k dielectric configurations such as Cu/SiCOH, Cu/SiLK/sup /spl reg//, Cu/fluorinated silicate glass (FSG), and a hybrid stack with Cu lines in SiLK/sup /spl reg// and Cu vias in un-doped silicate glass (USG). Measurements were recorded in the temperature range from 30/spl deg/C to 120/spl deg/C using a unique combination of fully embedded Cu lines as heater/thermometers, wafer-level temperature vs. power (TVP) measurements, and the Harmon-Gill (H-G) quasi-analytical heat conduction model. The thermal conductivities of all the films studied here were observed to increase with rising substrate temperature.

TAN resistors are commonly used in RFIC applications and are gaining acceptance in traditional CMOS designs. TAN materials, frequently used in fabrication of Cu interconnects can easily be applied to the fabrication of thin film resistors. Deposition and integration of the films may be well controlled to produce a high precision resistor, and the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) characteristics of the film make it ideally suited for application across a large temperature range. While the time zero characteristics of the device are well understood, of equal importance are the device reliability properties. In this paper traditional film characteristics such as resistance distributions and TCR characteristics are presented. A voltage ramp stress is employed to identify the critical current A constant voltage stress at high temperature is utilized for reliability evaluation. Based on the stress results, a reliability degradation model is derived to express the relationship between stress condition, resistance change, and lifetime. The results demonstrate that the TAN thin film resistor is reliable over traditional IC operating ranges. While TAN resistors are robust, application conditions of the resistor typically result in significant resistive joule heating. The joule heating effects on the resistor are included in the resistor degradation model. The effects of the joule heating on reliability for neighboring structures must also be considered. The effective result is that the maximum allowed use current of the resistor might be dictated by the resistive joule heating and not necessarily the resistor reliability itself. The effect of the joule heating on neighboring structures is a subject itself and will not be covered in this paper.

We investigated the effects of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibition on epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) metabolism in intact human blood vessels, including the human saphenous vein (HSV), coronary artery (HCA), and aorta (HA). When HSV segments were perfused with 2 μmol/l 14,15-[3H]EET for 4 h, >60% of radioactivity in the perfusion medium was converted to 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DHET). Similar results were obtained with endothelium-denuded vessels. 14,15-DHET was released from both the luminal and adventitial surfaces of the HSV. When HSVs were incubated with 14,15-[3H]EET under static (no flow) conditions, formation of 14,15-DHET was detected within 15 min and was inhibited by the selective sEH inhibitors N, N′-dicyclohexyl urea and N-cyclohexyl- N′-dodecanoic acid urea (CUDA). Similarly, CUDA inhibited the conversion of 11,12-[3H]EET to 11,12-DHET by the HSV. sEH inhibition enhanced the uptake of 14,15-[3H]EET and facilitated the formation of 10,11-epoxy-16:2, a β-oxidation product. The HCA and HA converted 14,15-[3H]EET to DHET, and this also was inhibited by CUDA. These findings in intact human blood vessels indicate that conversion to DHET is the predominant pathway for 11,12- and 14,15-EET metabolism and that sEH inhibition can modulate EET metabolism in vascular tissue.

In this paper we show that the SOI FET is conductive during processing, and also that a FET shunted across the gate and source/drain of another transistor does in fact protect that device against charging damage.

Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA), an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist, causes potent vasodilation in the cerebral circulation through an endothelial-dependent or -independent mechanism. We have investigated the processing of [3H]AEA in cultured mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (MEC) in order to better understand its mechanism of action in the cerebral vasculature. These cells took up anandamide very quickly, reaching a maximum value in 5 min and remaining at that level for at least 8 h. Analysis of the cell lipids demonstrated that, in addition to free anandamide, radioactivity was incorporated into phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in a time-dependent manner. Analysis of the hydrolyzed cell lipids indicated that anandamide was converted to arachidonic acid, a process that was inhibited by the selective fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor oleyl trifluoromethyl ketone (OTMK). Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolysis of the PC, PI, and PE fractions indicated that the arachidonic acid formed from anandamide was esterified predominately into sn-2 position of the endothelial phospholipids. Furthermore, anandamide and arachidonic acid were released when the cells were incubated with A23187. These results suggest that the biological activity of anandamide might be regulated by its rapid uptake and calcium-dependent release in endothelial cells, and conversion of anandamide to arachidonic acid might serve as an inactivation process in the cerebral microcirculation.

Introduction Development of systems enabling producers to capture premiums offered by niche markets is of great interest to many Iowa farmers. Of key concern is a winter farrowing system that is both economical to operate and meets the criteria of natural pork buyers. This report details the results from the alternative winter farrowing system demonstrated at the ISU Allee Demonstration Farm near Newell during the winter of 2002/2003.

The effects of swine gestation housing on sow and litter performance were evaluated at the Iowa State University Lauren Christian Swine Research and Demonstration Farm near Atlantic, IA. The gestation housing systems were 1) individual gestation crates in a mechanically ventilated, partially slatted floor, manure flush confinement building (CRATE); and 2) group pens in deep-bedded, naturally ventilated hoop structures (HOOP). The HOOP sows were fed with individual feed stalls. The sows were artificially inseminated in a confinement breeding barn with slatted floors and were later moved to their assigned gestation housing treatment. Sows continued in the same gestation housing their entire time at the farm. All first-litter gilts were gestated in individual gestation crates to minimize sow size differential in the groups. There were 35 sows per group in the HOOP barns. Farrowing occurred every 2 weeks on a year-round basis. All sows were fed 4.5 lb/day and increased to 6 lb/day during the last trimester of gestation. During the winter HOOP sows were fed 25% more and CRATE sows were fed 5% more. Reproductive performance was summarized for 433 litters during the period March 2001 through September 2002. This is a progress report of a continuing study. Preliminary trends were a shorter wean-to-breed interval, fewer still born and mummified pigs (combined), one more live pig born per litter, two more pigs weaned/sow/year, and much lower sow culling and mortality rates for HOOP sows compared to CRATE sows. The preliminary data suggest that gestating sows can be successfully housed in deepbedded hoop barns equipped with individual feeding stalls.

Physical and biological parameters of corn stalks, silage, and oat straw were determined and the variation of airflow characteristics and biological activity were evaluated under varying

Twenty-seven replicated windrow-type composting test units containing approximately 49 metric tons of 450 kg cattle carcasses have been monitored to evaluate the effectiveness (rate and extent of decay), environmental impacts (air, soil, water quality), and bio-security (containment and inactivation of viral organisms) of mortality composting practices that might need to be used in the event of a livestock disease emergency in Iowa. To evaluate the year-round performance of composting, test units are constructed under three seasonal conditions: hot/dry weather (summer), cold weather (winter), and cool/wet weather (spring). Three cover materials that are likely to be available in an emergency: corn silage; ground cornstalks; and manure capped with ground straw; have been tested extensively. Temporary excavation of unturned test units shows that internal organs and soft tissues (but not skeletal remains) are fully decayed in 180 days or less using any of the three cover materials. Corn silage consistently produces the highest internal temperatures (> 60 °C ), while cornstalks typically exhibit the lowest temperatures. Although high internal temperatures are often equated with rapid microbial activity and high rates of decay, observation of equivalent decay in silage and cornstalk test units suggests that decay rates in the cornstalk units are equally good and that heat is being lost convectively as air moves through the relatively permeable cornstalks. This idea is supported by oxygen concentration data which consistently shows higher O2 concentrations in cornstalk test units than in units constructed with corn silage. Threshold odor data for air samples collected from the surface of test units show that 30-45 cm of cover material is effective at containing odorous gases released during carcass decay. Immune system responses in less than 2% of caged sentinel poultry stationed near composting test units seeded with avian vaccine viruses indicate that this depth of cover material is also effective in retaining viral pathogens. With one exception NDV and AE virus samples contained within dialysis cassettes were inactivated within all test units in less than seven days.

Performance of finishing pigs in hoop structures or confinement during winter and summer was evaluated in Iowa. Hoops are large, tent-like shelters with cornstalks or straw for bedding. During summer and winter seasons for 3 yr (1998 to 2001), six trials were conducted using three hoop barns (designed for 150 pigs per pen, one pen per hoop) or a mechanically ventilated confinement barn with slatted floors (designed for 22 pigs per pen, six pens in the barn). A total of 3,518 pigs started the trials. Summer trials were June through October, and winter trials were December through April. Target stocking density was 1.11 m2/pig in hoops and 0.74 m2/pig in confinement. Identical corn-based diets were fed ad libitum from 16 to 118 kg for 127 d. Pigs were scanned before harvest for backfat and loin muscle area. When seasons were merged (season x housing interaction, Por = 0.05), hoop-fed pigs had more backfat (21.8 +/- 0.3 vs 20.8 +/- 0.2 mm; P0.001), smaller loin muscle area (41.3 +/- 0.3 vs 43.0 +/- 0.2 cm2; P0.001), less lean percentage (51.1 +/- 0.2 vs 52.1 +/- 0.1%; P0.001), and less yield (74.9 vs 75.8 +/- 0.1%; P0.001) than confinement-fed pigs. When season x housing type interactions were observed (P0.004), summer hoop-fed pigs had greater ADG (834 +/- 5 vs 802 +/- 3 g/d; P0.001), required fewer days to 113 kg (174.9 +/- 0.9 vs 178.5 +/- 0.6 d; P0.01), had similar ADFI (2.40 +/- 0.03 vs 2.35 +/- 0.02 kg/d, as-fed basis) and gain:feed (G:F; 348 +/- 4 vs 342 +/- 3 g/kg) compared with confinement-fed pigs. Lean gain/day and efficiency of lean gain did not differ between housing systems. During winter, hoop-fed pigs had similar ADG (794 +/- 5 vs 801 +/- 3 g/ d), required more days to 113 kg (176.7 +/- 0.9 vs 172.9 +/- 0.6 d; P0.01), had greater ADFI (2.54 +/- 0.03 vs 2.35 +/- 0.02; P0.001), less G:F (313 +/- 4 vs 341 +/- 3; P0.001), less lean gain/day (312 +/- 2 vs 322 +/- 1 g/d; P0.01), and less efficiency of lean gain (130 +/- 2 vs 144 +/- 1 g lean gain/kg feed; P0.01) than confinement-fed pigs. Percentage of mortalities and culls did not differ between housing systems. During summer, there was a trend for fewer light pigs at marketing (100 kg) from hoops (0.8 vs 1.7%; P = 0.10). During winter, there were more light pigs at marketing from hoops (3.9 vs 1.3%; P = 0.01) than from confinement. Bedding use in hoops was 92 and 122 kg/pig for summer and winter, respectively. Performance of finishing pigs in bedded hoop structures depends in part on thermal environment.

The authors present data from a 0.13 /spl mu/m technology, in which the thickest oxide is 5.2 nm and the thinnest 1.7 nm, with a 2.2 nm oxide provided simultaneously. Our results indicate that dielectric integrity is affected for the 2.2 nm oxide, threshold voltage shift is important only for the 5.2 nm oxide, but that the 1.7 nm oxide is virtually immune to charging damage by any measure applied here (threshold voltage, gate leakage, TDDB, SILC). Qualitatively similar results are obtained for NFETs and PFETs.

In a prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial, we evaluated the efficacy of IV (a) dexamethasone 8 mg, (b) ondansetron 8 mg, and (c) dexamethasone 8 mg plus ondansetron 4 mg for the prevention of postoperative nausea, vomiting (PONV), and pruritus in 130 (ASA physical status I to III) patients undergoing elective major orthopedic surgery after spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine and intrathecal morphine. After spinal anesthesia, patients were randomized to one of three groups. Failure of PONV prophylaxis in the 24-h postoperative period occurred more frequently in patients who received dexamethasone alone (29 of 40; 73%) compared with those who received either ondansetron alone (23 of 47; 49%) (P = 0.02) or dexamethasone plus ondansetron together (19 of 43; 44%)(P = 0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of failure of prophylaxis of pruritus (70%, 72%, and 70% in dexamethasone 8 mg, ondansetron 8 mg, and dexamethasone 8 mg plus ondansetron 4 mg, respectively) (P0.1) in the 24-h postoperative period. We conclude that the administration of dexamethasone 8 mg with ondansetron 4 mg has no added benefit compared with ondansetron 8 mg alone in the prophylaxis of PONV and pruritus.Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and pruritus are common side effects after spinal opioid administration. In this study, dexamethasone 8 mg plus ondansetron 4 mg was as effective as ondansetron 8 mg. The administration of dexamethasone alone was associated with a frequent incidence of PONV, demonstrating a lack of efficacy. This has important cost implications.

When intrathecal and epidural opioids are administered, pruritus occurs as an unwanted and troublesome side effect. The reported incidence varies between 30% and 100%. The exact mechanisms of neuraxial opioid-induced pruritus remain unclear. Postulated mechanisms include the presence of an "itch center" in the central nervous system, medullary dorsal horn activation, and antagonism of inhibitory transmitters. The treatment of intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus remains a challenge. Many pharmacological therapies, including antihistamines, 5-HT(3)-receptor antagonists, opiate-antagonists, propofol, nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs, and droperidol, have been studied. In this review, we will summarize pathophysiological and pharmacological advances that will improve understanding and ultimately the management of this troublesome problem.

Previous investigations into thermal characteristics of embedded interconnects produced a wafer level technique for measurement of the thermal conductance, as well as a quasi-analytical model for predicting the results (Harmon, Gill and Sullivan, IRW 1998). In this paper, measurements of the thermal characteristics of embedded interconnects with underlying insulator thicknesses from 1.0 to 0.1 /spl mu/m are presented. These measurements indicate the thermal conductance for thin insulators is significantly less than that predicted by the quasi-analytical model. Through finite element modeling, this discrepancy is shown to be due to localized substrate heating. An "effective conductivity" method is presented to extend the quasi-analytical model to include substrate-heating effects. This same approach is proposed for analysis of composite insulator structures including low K dielectrics. The methodology is assessed by comparing modeled and measured fuse current densities for embedded interconnects of varying width and underlying insulator thickness.

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) High-Level Waste (HLW) Program is responsible for storage, treatment, and immobilization of HLW for disposal. The Salt Processing Program (SPP) is the salt (soluble) waste treatment portion of this effort. The overall SPP encompasses the selection, design, construction and operation of treatment technologies to prepare the salt waste feed material for the site’s Saltstone Facility and vitrification facility (Defense Waste Processing Facility). Major constituents that must be removed from the salt waste include actinides, strontium, cesium, and entrained sludge. In fiscal year (FY) 2002, research and development (R&D) on the actinide and strontium removal and Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) processes transitioned from technology development for baseline process selection to providing input for conceptual design of the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF), a key component at the SRS SPP. This work included laboratory studies, bench-scale tests, and prototype equipment development. To implement the salt waste treatment technologies, DOE initiated a competitive procurement process to select Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors for design of the SWPF. The Department awarded EPC contracts to Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group, Inc. and Foster Wheeler USA Corporation for preparation of conceptual designs (Phase I) for the SWPF. The two EPC contractors began conceptual design activities in September 2002 and are scheduled to complete this work in January 2004. After evaluation of the conceptual designs, DOE will down select one EPC contractor to continue with final design, construction, and hot commissioning (Phase II). Hot startup of the SWPF is targeted for December 2009.

Carcass degradation rate, environmental impacts, and bio-security of windrow-type composting test units were monitored in replicated seasonal trials to assess the feasibility of using composting for emergency disposal of cattle and other large livestock carcasses. Internal temperatures were highest in test units constructed with corn silage. Test units constructed with ground cornstalks or straw and manure were generally 10-20 °C cooler. O2 concentrations in the core of ground cornstalk test units typically exceeded 15%, while those in corn silage and straw/manure test units were in the 5-10% range during the initial weeks of the trials. Despite differences in core temperature and O2 concentration, soft tissue degradation rates were the same in all test units, taking 4-6 months in units constructed during warm weather, and 8-10 months during cold-weather. It is believed that the less favorable (lower) temperatures in the cornstalks may have been offset by significantly higher O2 concentrations which favor rapid aerobic decomposition. Thirty to 45 cm of cover material proved effective in absorbing and retaining odorous gases and leachate. Odors samples collected from the surface of the mortality composting piles typically had low threshold values (< 1500) that differed little from odors emitted by stockpiles of the cover material alone. Leachate volumes were

Accurate prediction of temperatures in metal wiring for integrated circuits is essential to the evaluation of electromigration reliability for high-frequency applications and electrical overload as well as for wafer-level die testing. Accurate prediction requires knowledge of the thermal conductivity of the surrounding dielectric and the heating effect of applied currents. Both quasi-analytical and numerical models for line heating as a function of applied current are presented for the case of lines fully embedded in a dielectric. Heat loss and current density at the melting point are projected as a function of linewidth, line thickness, underlying insulator thickness and insulator thermal conductivity. As intuitively expected, these projections indicate the allowed current density decreases with increasing linewidth, line thickness and insulator thickness, and also decreases as thermal conductivity decreases. Furthermore, the models are found to match heat loss measurements for isolated lines in SiO/sub 2/ and return a value of 1.07 W/m-/spl deg/K for the thermal conductivity of the oxide.

We assessed the effect of cuff inflation of the laryngeal mask airway at removal on sore throat, pharyngeal morbidity and airway complications.In a prospective randomized trial, we used a standardized technique of anesthesia and of laryngeal mask insertion in 126 consecutive day-case patients. Postoperatively, on eye opening, the masks were removed either inflated (Group A) or deflated (Group B) and examined for blood by a blinded observer. Episodes of coughing, gagging, laryngospasm, hiccups and retching, and symptoms of sore throat and hoarseness were recorded by the same observer.Demographics were similar. Bloodstaining occurred in 21% of patients in Group A (n = 63) vs 13% in Group B (n = 63; P = 0.23); the incidence of sore throat was identical (19%). Group A experienced more hoarseness (22% vs 9%; P = 0.05). Overall airway complications did not differ between groups (19% vs 11%; P = 0.21).We conclude that removal of the laryngeal mask airway inflated does not reduce the incidence of sore throat, pharyngeal morbidity or airway complications.

Astrocytes convert n-6 fatty acids primarily to arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), whereas n-3 fatty acids are converted to docosapentaenoic (22:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) acids. The utilization of 20-, 22- and 24-carbon n-3 and n-6 fatty acids was compared in differentiated rat astrocytes to determine the metabolic basis for this difference. The astrocytes retained 81% of the arachidonic acid ([(3)H]20:4n-6) uptake and retroconverted 57% of the docosatetraenoic acid ([3-(14)C]22:4n-6) uptake to 20:4n-6. By contrast, 68% of the eicosapentaenoic acid ([(3)H]20:5n-3) uptake was elongated, and only 9% of the [3-(14)C]22:5n-3 uptake was retroconverted to 20:5n-3. Both tetracosapentaenoic acid ([3-(14)C]24:5n-3) and tetracosatetraenoic acid ([3-(14)C]24:4n-6) were converted to docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and 22:5n-6, respectively. Therefore, the difference in the n-3 and n-6 fatty acid products formed is due primarily to differences in the utilization of their 20- and 22-carbon intermediates. This metabolic difference probably contributes to the preferential accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid in the brain.

Chemical and physical property studies of Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) have been continued to provide fundamental data for process knowledge and design activities. The overall conclusion of the FY02 physical and chemical property studies is that the CSSX solvent meets all of the performance requirements within the bounding conditions defined by the Savannah River Site waste. These studies also showed that the chemical and thermal degradation under the operating conditions of the process is slow relative to the goal of one annual solvent replacement. This work also supported other tasks in addressing the radiation-stability risk, providing analytical and performance data showing that the solvent can withstand the dose equivalent of several years without the need for solvent washing.

Objectives: To determine if placement of urethral suspension stitches during radical retropubic prostatectomy improves postoperative urinary continence. Methods: Between January 1997 and January 1998 we performed radical retropubic prostatectomy on 50 men. The first 25 consecutive men had their surgery without urethral suspension stitches while the next 25 received placement of two anastomotic urethral suspension stitches anchored to the lower portion of the pubic bone. Patients were interviewed six months postoperatively and each underwent valsalva leak-point pressure measurement. Patients were categorized as either completely continent (requiring no pads and having no measurable valsalva leak point), socially continent (zero or one pad per day), or incontinent (two or more pads per day). Results: In the urethral suspension group, 8/25 (32%) patients were completely continent and did not have a measurable valsalva leak-point pressure while 3/25 (12%) without urethral suspension were completely continent. Of the remaining patients in the urethral suspension group, 13/17 (76%) patients were socially continent while 4/17 (24%) were incontinent. The mean valsalva leak-point pressure in the 17 patients with suspension stitches was 89.6 ± 21.6 cm H2O. In the patients without urethral suspension, there were 22 patients who had some degree of incontinence. Among non-stitch patients, 13/22 (59%) were socially continent while 9/22 (41%) were incontinent. The average valsalva leak-point pressure in these patients was 74.0 ± 16.7 cm H2O, which was significantly lower than those with the suspension (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Placement of anastomotic urethral suspension stitches during radical retropubic prostatectomy may increase the likelihood of complete postoperative urinary continence. The urethral suspension stitches also increase valsalva leak-point pressure, which may improve the percentage of patients with socially acceptable incontinence.

An unvented liquid propane–gas (LP) space heater, often used in animal housing, was modified to provide automated variable heat output. As manufactured, the heater had manually–adjusted output settings between 14.7 and 29.3 kW (50,000 and 100,000 Btu/h). The heater was modified by adding a stepper motor and speed reducer to the manual proportioning valve to provide continuous and automated heater output adjustment between 14.7 and 29.3 kW. Experiments were conducted to compare animal occupied zone (AOZ) velocities, AOZ temperatures, and fuel consumption using on/off and automated variable control modes. These experiments were conducted using inside set point and ambient air temperature differences of 14 and 28 C (25 and 50 F). All experiments were conducted in the Air Dispersion Laboratory at Iowa State University. Adding automated variable control reduced the AOZ temperature fluctuations from 5.3 C (on/off) to 1.1 C (9.5 to 2.0 F). In the AOZ, the standard deviation across the entire test room was reduced from 1.4 C (on/off) to 0.3 C (2.6 to 0.5 F). The AOZ airspeed fluctuations were reduced from 10 cm/s (on/off) to 2 cm/s (20 to 4 ft/min). No differences were found in fuel consumption. Results indicate a need for heaters capable of continuous adjustment to even lower energy output levels.