Antiinflammatory 2-benzyl-4-sulfonyl-4H-isoquinoline-1,3-diones: novel inhibitors of COX-2

A series of 2-benzyl-4-sulfonyl-4H-isoquinoline-1,3-diones was prepared. Members of this series are potent and selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in both microsomal and cellular assays. Two representatives demonstrated activity in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats upon oral administration.     

A survey of advanced trauma life-support training for trainees in acute surgical specialties

There have been few published data describing the demand for and amount of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) training received by trainees in acute surgical specialties. We undertook a survey on aspects of ATLS training, questioning all senior house officers in accident and emergency (A & E) medicine, general surgery and orthopaedic surgery in the west of Scotland in January 1995. More general surgical trainees were ATLS trained than orthopaedic or A & E trainees. Ninety-seven per cent of respondents felt ATLS was essential training for FRCS. There were few problems gaining study leave for the courses, but concern was expressed regarding the long waiting lists. ATLS training is therefore thought to be essential for surgical trainees, and the number of ATLS courses needs to be increased to cope with the demand.     

Dimensional control of sub-half-micron polysilicon gate structures at DUV exposure

Results of dimensional control of sub-half-micron polysilicon gates which pass over LOCOS egdes are presented. Calculations, at duv exposure, using a chemically amplified resist, with and without top and bottom anti-reflective coatings, are performed using SOLID. Results are presented in terms of “swing curves” so that a range of dimensions may be predicted for any linewidth.     

Optimizing the level of renewable electric R&D expenditures using real options analysis

One of the primary objectives of the United States’ federal non-hydro renewable electric R&D program is to promote the development of technologies that have the potential to provide consumers with stable and secure energy supplies. In order to quantify the benefits provided by continued federal renewable electric R&D, this paper uses “real option” pricing techniques to estimate the value of renewable electric technologies in the face of uncertain fossil fuel prices. Within the real options analysis framework, the current value of expected future supply from renewable electric technologies, net of federal R&D expenditures, is estimated to be $30.6 billion. Of this value, 86% can be attributed to past federal R&D efforts, and 14% can be attributed to future federal R&D efforts, assuming continued federal R&D funding at $300 million/yr. In addition, real options analysis shows that the value of renewable electric technologies increases as current and future R&D funding levels increase. This indicates that the current level of federal renewable electric R&D funding is sub-optimal.     

Identifiability of errors in variables dynamic systems

There has been substantial research carried out on the errors in variables (EIV) identifiability problem for dynamic systems. These results are spread across a significant volume of literature. Here, we present a single theorem which compactly summarizes many of the known results. The theorem also covers several cases which we believe to be novel. We analyze single input single output systems using second order properties. We also extend the results to a class of multivariable systems.     

Housing supply in Ghana: a study of Accra, Kumasi and Berekum

This is a study of housing supply in three urban areas in Ghana: Accra the capital city, Kumasi, the most important provincial city, and Berekum, a small town. The sample of over 1600 households is divided into renters, recent owners, and longer established owners. The last group is divided into those who have and those who have not extended their home in the previous 6 years. The data provides an insight into who is supplying houses (and extensions), what sort of housing they are building, their reasons for building and the problems encountered in achieving ownership. The study shows that house ownership is available to much lower income households than expected, especially when traditional compounds are built; that owners are relatively old, have large households and occupy considerably more rooms than renters, and build houses larger than they need and let the remainder to tenants or relatives. There is a great need for housing finance because land is currently inappropriate for collateral against a building loan. Research is needed to develop a means by which land could be used as collateral for a loan without unravelling the customary non-marketability of land.     

Water Corrodes Copper

According to a current concept, copper canisters of thickness 0.05 m will be safe for nuclear waste containment for 100,000 years. We show that more than 1 m copper thickness might be required for 100,000 years durability based on water exposures of copper for 20 h, 7 weeks, 15 years, and 333 years. An observed evolution of hydrogen which involves heterogeneous catalysis of molecular hydrogen, first principles simulations, thermodynamic considerations and corrosion product characterization provide further evidence that water corrodes copper resulting in the formation of a copper hydroxide. These findings cast additional doubt on copper for nuclear waste containment and other important applications.     

Simulation of SiC Deposition in a Fiber Coating CVD Reactor

A simulation was carried out to study the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of SiC on a thin cylindrical substrate in a hot wall reactor. The results of this simulation are expected to apply to the process of fiber coating for interface control in fiber reinforced composites. The reactant in this study is methyltrichlorosilane (CH₃SiCl₃) in a background of hydrogen. The simulation was carried out using a commercial code (FLUENT). The simulation results compared well with experimental data from a hot wall reactor. It was determined that the temperature profiles tend to be uniform in the radial direction, and the deposition process is dominated by reaction kinetics.     

Career progression in a Fortune 500 company: examination of the“glass ceiling”

This study examines the relationships of gender and race with the career progress of 2508 employees in the technical division of a Fortune 500 company: 1354 employees with bachelor's degrees (Level One) and 1154 employees with master's degrees (Level Two) in engineering and computer science. Using company records to measure employee promotions and controlling for level of education, female and nonwhite employees received fewer promotions than males or whites. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses found that gender differences in promotions could be explained by work-related variables, primarily organizational tenure. However, race added significant predictive ability for Level One (not Level Two) employees' current job level after controlling for work experience, tenure, job performance, and gender. Unexpectedly, marital status predicted the current job level for Level Two employees, with single employees receiving fewer promotions than married employees. These findings are discussed in light of theory and research