cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unpacking the age at initial internationalization-performance relationship: A meta-analytic investigation

Abstract The relationship between a firm’s age when it initiates internationalization and performance has spurred significant theoretical development but also yielded mixed empirical results. Applying the capabilities perspective of age at initial international entry to these mixed empirical results, we use meta-analytic methods leveraging results from 121 studies and find that an earlier age at entry is associated with improved firm performance. Yet, this effect is strongest when firms begin internationalizing at intermediate stages of their development and is mediated by the extent to which firms increase international sales (international intensity). We extend prior research by explaining how and how much age at entry matters as well as when it matters most, unpacking the pathways and timing by which age at entry matters, and we offer avenues to continue advancing work on the capabilities perspective of age at initial international entry.
Upholding Language Assessment Quality during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Some Final Thoughts and Questions

Responding to the challenge of delivering valid assessments during the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly not easy. However, the efforts will undoubtedly lead to development...
The AbC-19 Rapid Test had 85% sensitivity and 99% specificity for detecting previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SOURCE CITATION: Mulchandani R, Jones HE, Taylor-Phillips S, et al. Accuracy of UK Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC) "AbC-19 Rapid Test" for detection of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in key workers: test accuracy study. BMJ. 2020;371:m4262. 33177070.
Secondary Burn Progression Mitigated by an Adenosine 2A Receptor Agonist.

BACKGROUND Current burn therapy is largely supportive with limited therapies to curb secondary burn progression. Adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR) agonists have anti-inflammatory effects with decreased inflammatory cell infiltrate and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Using a porcine comb burn model, we examined whether A2AR agonists could mitigate burn progression. STUDY DESIGN Eight full-thickness comb burns (4 prongs with 3 spaces per comb) per pig were generated with the following specifications: temperature 115° C, 3 kg force, and 30 second application time. In a randomized fashion, animals (4 per group) were then treated with A2AR agonist (ATL-1223, 3 ng/kg/min, intravenous infusion over 6 hours) or vehicle control. Necrotic interspace development was the primary outcome and additional histologic assessments were conducted. RESULTS Analysis of unburned interspaces (72 per group) revealed that ATL-1223 treatment decreased the rate of necrotic interspace development over the first 4 days following injury (p<0.05). Treatment significantly decreased dermal neutrophil infiltration at 48 hours following burn (14.63±4.30 vs 29.71±10.76 neutrophils/high-power field, p=0.029). Additionally, ATL-1223 treatment was associated with fewer interspaces with evidence of microvascular thrombi through post-burn day 4 (18.8% vs 56.3%, p=0.002). Two weeks following insult, the depth of injury at distinct burn sites (adjacent to interspaces) was significantly reduced by ATL-1223 treatment (2.91±0.47 vs 3.28±0.58 mm, p=0.038). CONCLUSION This work demonstrates the ability of an A2AR agonist to mitigate burn progression through dampening local inflammatory processes. Extended dosing strategies may yield additional benefit and improve cosmetic outcome in those with severe injury.
Acoustics at the nanoscale (nanoacoustics): A comprehensive literature review. Part II: Nanoacoustics for biomedical imaging and therapy

Abstract In the past decade, acoustics at the nanoscale (i.e., nanoacoustics) has evolved rapidly with continuous and substantial expansion of capabilities and refinement of techniques. Motivated by research innovations in the last decade, for the first time, recent advancements of acoustics-associated nanomaterials/nanostructures and nanodevices for different applications are outlined in this comprehensive review, which is written in two parts. As part II of this two-part review, this paper concentrates on nanoacoustics in biomedical imaging and therapy applications, including molecular ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging, ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and therapy, and photoacoustic drug delivery and therapy. Firstly, the recent developments of nanosized ultrasound and photoacoustic contrast agents as well as their various imaging applications are examined. Secondly, different types of nanomaterials/nanostructures as nanocarriers for ultrasound and photoacoustic therapies are discussed. Finally, a discussion of challenges and future research directions are provided for nanoacoustics in medical imaging and therapy.
Reconstruction of Congenital Arhinia With Stereolithographic Modeling: Case Correlate and Literature Review:

Complete congenital arhinia is a rare defect of embryogenesis leading to the absence of the external nose and airway. We report our novel multistaged reconstructive approach and literature review. ...
Museum specimens tell the history of rhinoceroses.

Rhinoceroses are facing an uncertain future due to human-induced population-size reductions. In this issue of Cell, Liu et al. analyze rhinoceros genomes to study their past and find support for an early divergence between African and Asian species, signatures of past hybridization, and evidence of loss of genetic diversity.
Engineering Social Learning: Information Design of Time-Locked Sales Campaigns for Online Platforms

Many online platforms offer time-locked sales campaigns, whereby products are sold at fixed prices for prespecified lengths of time. Platforms often display some information about previous customer...
The Forum: Reflections and Reassessments on the Early Work and Ideas of J. David Singer

The four essays in this forum consider the influence of J. David Singer's initial views and analyses dating from the 1960s and 1970s on topics that continue to hold great importance today. Three essays consider the implications of these early works and decisions on the subsequent study of war, as well as their continuing wisdom (or not) in light of subsequent research. The fourth essay examines Singer's policy prescriptions in light of subsequent decisions and choices. In some cases, the ideas continue to have resonance with contemporary conflict research and policy issues, but in other instances there are grounds for reevaluation and the adoption of new research and data collection strategies or policy perspectives.
Intermetallic Solutes in Liquid Ammonia

23Na and 14N Knight shift and e.s.r. measurements have been carried out for lead-sodium in ammonia solutions. The local field at 23Na for lead saturated solutions was found to be independent of the concentration for mole ratios R — [NH3]/[Na] of 50 to 400 and temperatures t = −40° to 21°, k(23Na) =0.33±0.04 × 10-4 relative to 23Na+(aq.) at room temperature. The 14N Knight shift relative to pure NK3 was negligible. For a non-saturated solution of r = [Na]/[Pb] = 2 and R= [NH3]/[Na] = 200, k(23Na) = 0.78±0.01 × 10-4 was found to be almost the same as for a reference sample containing no lead with k (23Na) = 0.81±0.01 × 10−4 at room temperature. The e.s.r. absorptions of a lead saturated solution and for r — 2 are comparable at room temperature.
Propagation of measurement errors through the DFT

The objective of this research was to determine how magnitude and/or phase errors on frequency domain signal components affect the temporal signal components. The Lindeberg form of the central limit theorem was utilized to prove that the temporal signal components are asymptotically normal with known mean and variance. Further, these results are extended to show that the temporal signals are approximately normal with a known mean and variance, if the signal length N is large enough. Simulation results are included which confirm the theoretical results. >
Forced-Choice Thresholds Using an Ascending Method of Limits

This exercise demonstrates a simple method for assessing the detection threshold for a substance using a group or panel of untrained persons. It also introduces an example of a standard practice from a professional organization (ASTM International) as well as an alternative analysis not found in the standard.
Biochemical and clinical predictors of long-term outcome in patients with nonspecific chest pain and nondiagnostic electrocardiograms.

Background There are few data assessing the relative value of clinical factors and sensitive cardiac markers in determining the long-term prognosis of patients with chest pain. Likewise, little information exists about the long-term outcome of patients with chest pain who have negative markers of myocardial cell necrosis. This study addresses these issues in a cohort of patients with nonspecific chest pain and nondiagnostic electrocardiograms (ECGs).Methods Eligible subjects (n = 501) had experienced >15 minutes chest pain at rest during the previous 24 hours, but were found to be at low-risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by means of a well-validated clinical algorithm. Cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase MBmass, myoglobin, and myosin light chain-1 were collected at presentation and 3, 6, and 12 hours later. Patients were observed for a median of 31 months. The composite end point was death or AMI subsequent to the index admission.Results Cardiac troponin I was the best single biochemical predictor of outcome (risk ratio 2.34, 95% CI 1.31-4.17, P = .004), but was of less independent prognostic value than age and an abnormal presenting ECG. It was also inferior to a combination strategy, using all 4 markers tested (risk ratio 2.37, 95% CI 1.44-3.91, P < .001). Fifty of 428 patients (12%) with a cardiac troponin I level ≤0.2 ng/mL and 25 of 287 patients (9%) without elevation of any marker tested sustained an adverse event during follow-up.Conclusions Cardiac troponin I is the most useful single biochemical predictor of long-term outcome, but the best determinants are age, an abnormal presenting ECG, and an “any marker positive” strategy. Patients without elevated cardiac markers have an adverse event rate of approximately 10% in the subsequent 31 months. (Am Heart J 2003;145:88-94.)
Deconvolution with supersmooth distributions

Nonparametric deconvolution problems require one to recover an unknown density when the data are contaminated with errors. Optimal global rates of convergence are found under the weighted Lp-loss (1 ≤ p ≤ ∞). It appears that the optimal rates of convergence are extremely low for supersmooth error distributions. To resolve this difficulty, we examine how high the noise level can be for deconvolution to be feasible, and for the deconvolution estimate to be as good as the ordinary density estimate. It is shown that if the noise level is not too high, nonparametric Gaussian deconvolution can still be practical. Several simulation studies are also presented. Lorsque l'on desire estimer une densite a partir d'observations sujettes a des erreurs, on fait face a un probleme de deconvolution nonparametrique. On s'interesse ici au taux global de convergence lorsqu'une fonction de perte de type Lp ponderee est utilisee. Le taux de convergence optimal est tres lent pour des distributions d'erreurs tres lisses. Pour bien cemer cette difficulte, on examine quel niveau de bruit peut tout de měme permettre une estimation par deconvolution qui soit aussi bonne que celle donnee par l'estimation usuelle d'une densite. On montre que si le niveau de bruit n'est pas trop important la deconvolution nonparametrique gaussienne peut ětre utilisee. Plusieurs simulations sont presentees.
Sequential dependencies regulate sensory evoked responses of single units in the rat hippocampus.

Unit activity from 3 major types of hippocampal cells were recorded from the CA1, CA3 and dentate granule cell layers of the hippocampus in awake freely moving rats. Units were classified as complex spike (ComSp), theta (θ) and dentate granule cells (G-cell) based on their spontaneous and stimulus-evoked firing characteristics. Single trial records for each cell type were collected during criterion performance of a two-tone discrimination task. Results showed that: (1) tone-evoked discharges of θ- and G-cells, but not ComSp cells, were influenced by the reward status of the tone presented; (2) the firing tendency of all cell types was significantly influenced by the preceding trial sequence; (3) different types of preceding trial sequences including single and double alternation and runs of positive or negative trials significantly affected the firing tendency of all 3 cell types; (4) the pattern of θ- and G-cell discharges differed with respect to latency to peak discharge and the duration of the discharge following long runs of similar trials. These effects were similar to previously described sequential influence on synaptically identified sensory evoked potentials in the dentate gyrus.
Absence of seroconversion following treatment with hepatitis B immune globulin containing antibody to human immunodeficiency virus

Recent studies have demonstrated that commercial preparations of hepatitis B immune globulin often contain antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus. The presence of this antibody has aroused concerns that treatment with hepatitis B immune globulin might passively induce human immunodeficiency virus antibody seropositivity, leading to incorrect diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus exposure. We studied a group of 16 normal volunteers who received an intramuscular dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (0.06 ml per kg) which was later discovered to contain human immunodeficiency virus antibody. None of the subjects had human immunodeficiency virus antibody before receiving hepatitis B immune globulin. Serum specimens collected at 1 to 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks after the injection were consistently negative for human immunodeficiency virus antibody. There was no detectable human immunodeficiency virus antibody in any specimen from any subject. We conclude that intramuscular therapy with hepatitis B immune globulin in the recommended dose does not appear to place patients at risk of passive seroconversion to human immunodeficiency virus antibody positivity, despite the presence of antibody in the injected material.
Chapter 5: Technology’s Contribution to Teaching and Policy: Efficiency, Standardization, or Transformation?:

T he dramatic influx of technology into America's schools since the 1990s prompts the question of technology's role as a lever for policy. We begin this chapter with a brief sketch of alternative perspectives on the ways in which technology can support education policy and practice. We will suggest that the connection between technology and policy is looser than that between policy and the other mechanisms described in this volume (such as standards or state assessments) and that technology's potential for profound influences on instruction is yet to be realized. After the introduction to alternative ways in which policymakers have viewed technology's role, we focus on emerging areas of classroom use of technology where prospects for significant changes in teaching and learning seem strongest. Our selection of particular technology uses for more extended treatment reflects our choice of teaching and learning at the classroom level as our central focus.1 In an education system as decentralized as that of the United States, teachers have considerable latitude-even in these days of increased accountability-in interpreting and implementing policies developed at higher levels of the education system. The view of instruction underlying our thinking concerning the policy-technology connection is congruent with Cohen and Ball's (1999) description of instructional capacity as the product of complex interactions among teachers, students, and instructional content. In this view, instructional materials or regimens are not fixed entities with entirely predictable effects. Rather, "teachers mediate instruction: their interpretation of educational materials affects curriculum potential and use, and their understanding of students affects students' opportunities to learn" (p. 4). Students, in turn, respond to teachers and materials in ways that influence subsequent teacher actions. Cohen and Ball caution policymakers against assuming that addressing a single aspect of this complex system (even an aspect that is as strong a policy driver as curriculum materials or assessments) can in fact have the intended effect on the system as
Correlation of electrical current influx with nuclear position and division in Funaria caulonema tip cells

Ionic currents around caulonema tip cells of the filamentous protonema of the mossFunaria hygrometrica were examined using a nonintrusive vibrating microelectrode to map electrical current before and during mitosis. Tip cells in interphase generate inward electrical currents that are maximal at the nuclear region. These currents remain concentrated over the nucleus as it migrates forward maintaining a constant distance from the growing tip. Just prior to mitosis this inward current increases twofold. During mitosis and cytokinesis current at the nuclear zone increases to four times the resting level and fluctuates, falling to zero after cell plate fusion with parental walls. The locus of outward current could not be dectected. These results suggest that plasma membrane ion currents may regulate both nuclear positioning and subsequent temporal and spatial control of cell division.
The verbal transformation effect: Auditory illusions as an index of lexical processing and homolog activation

Abstract A technique of inducing auditory illusions was used so that 192 undergraduates heard through headphones either three asynchronous dichotic versions of the same repeating word, at each of three auditory locations (left, center, and right), or only one single repeating word, monaurally or diotically, at each location. Independent illusory changes at each location were reported. Subjects' reports of lexical illusions, but not nonlexical illusions, were fewer at the right ear for threevs. one-signal listening. These results support the homolog activation hypothesis ( Boles, 1990 ) in which disruption of interhemispheric communication occurs for the hemisphere least capable of processing lexical information. In the current experiment homolog activation led to loss of lexical information when received from auditory positions other than the right, when three signals are presented. Lexical illusions (Verbal Transformations) may be the result of the misapplication of lexical knowledge in an ambiguous situation, listening to a recycling word without stabilizing syntactic or semantic context.
Effects on bone of oral hormone replacement therapy initiated 2 years after ovariectomy in young adult monkeys

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of oral estrogen replacement therapy with conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), alone or in combination with continuous medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), on lumbar spine bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) and on serum chemistries in ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys when therapy is initiated following a 2 year hypoestrogenic period. Study design was done in the form of a randomized, placebo-controlled, nonhuman primate paraclinical trial. Monkeys were subjects in an experiment designed to study the effects of a lipid-lowering diet combined with hormone replacement therapy on atherosclerosis. Initially, they were ovariectomized and fed a high-fat diet for 24 months. They were then were allocated to three treatment groups by stratified randomization and were fed a diet containing reduced dietary fat for an additional 28 months. Treatment groups consisted of: (1) an untreated group (ovx, n = 24); (2) a CEE-treated group (CEE, n = 19); and (3) a CEE plus continuous MPA group (CEE + MPA, n = 20). Lumbar spine BMC and BMD values were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 4, 10, 16, 22, and 28 months of treatment. Serum chemistries were relevant to bone metabolism at 22 and 28 months. Rates of gain in BMC and BMD were greater (p < 0.05) in hormone-supplemented animals (groups 2 and 3) than in untreated ovx animals during the first 16 months of treatment, resulting in increased BMC and BMD measurements in these groups. Serum markers of bone metabolism were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the hormone-treated groups (groups 2 and 3) compared with ovx animals after 22 and 28 months of treatment, indicating reductions in bone turnover rate. Oral estrogen replacement with CEE at doses similar to those taken by women leads to significantly increased BMC and BMD in monkeys, even when therapy is begun 2 years after ovariectomy. Most of the increase occurred during the first 16 months of treatment. The addition of MPA to the CEE regimen provided no additional benefit.
A Monte Carlo study of correlations between impurity scattering events in a two dimensional electron gas giving rise to inhomogeneous magnetoresistance

Abstract In a recent experiment, the low temperature linear response magnetoresistance of an InGaAs quantum well patterned into a Hall bar exhibited strikingly different behavior when measured between different voltage probes of the Hall bar. This anomaly was explained as being caused by subtle correlations between impurity scattering events (in the presence of a magnetic field) which are beyond Fermi's Golden Rule. In this paper, we present a Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport in which these correlations are captured by retaining information about the impurity configuration, i.e. the precise locations of the scattering centers within the sample. The results of the calculation agree qualitatively with the experimental data.
Isolation, purification and cultivation of conjunctival melanocytes

The purpose of the present study was to develop methods for isolation, purification and cultivation of human conjunctival melanocytes. Conjunctiva excised from donor eyes or corneal rims was subjected with various enzyme digestion methods or by the enzyme-microdissection method. Cells were cultured with F12 medium supplemented by fetal bovine serum, basic fibroblast growth factor, isobutylmethylxanthine and cholera toxin. Contaminant cells were eliminated by a selective cytotoxic agent, geneticin. Both trypsin digestion and dispase-microdissection methods provided pure conjunctival melanocyte cultures with high cell yields, good viability and rapid growth rate. Melanocytes isolated with dispase-microdissection method showed better viability and growth capacity. Cells grew well, could be passaged for 5-10 generations and divided 20 times in vitro. They maintained a constant melanin content per cell and produced measurable amounts of melanin in vitro. Melanogenesis correlated with the degree of pigmentation of the eyes (iris color). This method provides a valuable source of large numbers of human conjunctival melanocytes, which can be used to study their biological behavior, to compare with the epidermal and uveal melanocytes; and to compare them to their malignant counterparts in the exploration of the pathogenesis of conjunctival melanoma.
Thrombolysis enhanced by dual-frequency highintensity focused ultrasound

It has been demonstrated that high-intensity focused ultrasound can be an efficient method to induce thrombolysis. Excessive thermal effect on neighboring tissue is however a concern. The goal of this work is to test the efficacy of dual-frequency ultrasound-induced thrombolysis, with the aim to reduce the acoustic power required to achieve the same lysis rate (mass loss of blood clots over time) as single-frequency ultrasound. In vitro clots of mouse blood were prepared and placed at the focus of two piezoelectric ultrasound transducers (center frequencies were 0.95 MHz and 1.5 MHz, respectively). 0.65 W ultrasound waves with 10% duty cycle were employed in both single- and dual-frequency ultrasound exposures. The mass losses of the clots were recorded to obtain the lysis rate after each test. It was found that dual-frequency results in more efficient thrombolysis. Cavitation bubble modeling was also conducted for both single- and dual-frequency ultrasound to explain the experimental founding.
Urban growth and manufacturing change in the United States-Mexico borderlands: A conceptual framework and an empirical analysis

This article is a contribution to the study of urban and manufacturing evolution that develops and applies the author's concept of the urban-manufacturing life cycle. This concept relates internal characteristics and external impacts of the urban manufacturing base to the process of urban growth by considering the most significant variables and their changes over time. Emphasis is also placed on process-oriented evolution and general relevance rather than outcomes. An application to the general study of border cities with distinct levels of development follows a review of the urban and regional growth literature, as an initial contribution to the development of an evolutionary theory of borders. Empirical analyses with longitudinal data for five major United States and Mexican border urban clusters then evaluate the general assumptions of the concept. Growth trends in urban population, sectoral employment shares, urban industrial structure, employment, and number of manufacturing plants are examined in each of the cities and urban clusters considered. The study concludes that the empirical analyses generally verify the assumptions of the urban-manufacturing life cycle.
Canadian Agriculture and the Development of a Carbon Trading and Offset System

plan is the development of a domestic emission trading (DET) system that would include an offset system. The offset system provides an incentive for sectors not involved in the DET system to develop projects that can reduce or remove GHG emissions. These projects would be registered, reviewed, and verified before offset credits would be assigned.These can then be sold in the DET system. The Climate Change Plan (Plan) identified three sectors: forestry, agriculture, and landfills as having potential for supplying GHG reductions or removals through the offset system. In particular, land management activities in the agricultural sector can increase the amount of carbon
Abstract 5565: Differential changes of proteome profiles in the dorsal-lateral vs. ventral prostate of during TRAMP carcinogenesis

The transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model is being widely used in the field of prostate cancer chemoprevention. As is understood today, the TRAMP represents at least two models of prostate carcinogenesis in the dorsal-lateral prostate (DLP, epithelial) and ventral prostate (VP, neuroendocrine). However, the molecular basis for the two lobe-specific lineages of carcinogenesis is poorly defined. To this end, we profiled concurrently the proteomes of DLP and VP lobes from the prostate of both TRAMP and wild type littermate C57BL/6 mice at the age of 17-18 weeks by 2D LC-MALDI-TOF/TOF with iTRAQ labeling. Totally 748 proteins were identified. In wild-type mice, 84 proteins were found to have different expression levels (cut-off 20%) between DLP and VP, including experimental autoimmune prostatitis antigen 2 (EAPA2), beta-tropomyosin, heat shock protein 5 (GRP78) and clusterin. In TRAMP mice, 118 proteins were found to be significantly changed in DLP and/or VP during TRAMP carcinogenesis. Among these 118 proteins, 55 and 36 proteins were uniquely changed in DLP or VP lobe, respectively, and 27 proteins in both DLP and LP lobe. 24 of the 27 proteins shared the same trend, albeit the extent of change was not exactly the same. Those shared changes such as up-regulation of HMGB 1&2 and down-regulation of calponin-1 indicated possible common molecular events associated with TRAMP carcinogenesis. The other three proteins, clusterin, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor and aldose reductase went in opposing directions in DLP versus VP during carcinogenesis. Those three proteins, as well as other proteins changed only in DLP or VP (e.g. EAPA2 in DLP and alpha-2-macroglobulin in VP), are more likely related to lobe-specific mechanisms of carcinogenesis. The lobe-specific and TRAMP-related expression patterns of GRP78 and clusterin were further validated by western blot. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified 14-3-3 zeta/delta (up-regulated only in DLP), epidermal growth factor (EGF, up-regulated only in DLP) and NF-κB as distinct inferred network nodes in TRAMP carcinogenesis in DLP lobe, whereas ERK1/2 and FGF2 were recognized as network nodes in VP lobe during carcinogenesis. Additional experiments confirmed lobe-specific expression patterns of NF-κB p65 and FGF2 in both wild type and TRAMP mice. Overall our data-sets highlight different mechanisms were likely involved in modifying carcinogenesis in DLP and VP. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5565. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5565
Automated in situ gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of ppt level volatile organic trace gases using multistage solid-adsorbent trapping

Abstract A fully automated sampling/injection system for the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of volatile organic compounds at tropospher
Technique for 1-dimensional VLSI layout generation

The layout and synthesis system RESCUE presented by Shaw et al. is briefly reviewed. It is a system for implementing random logic using an array layout style. RTL equations are realised by a horizontal row of cells which may contain both static and dynamic circuits. Signals are carried by polysilicon lines in horizontal rows. Algorithmic improvements are suggested in three areas. First, the mincut algorithm is proposed for the cell-assignment problem. Secondly, a new algorithm is presented which determines a placement for the polysilicon lines in a way that allows narrower cells to be designed. Another algorithm based on a technique developed by authors is proposed for designing cells so as to optimise their areas. The complexity of the final set of algorithms is O(E log E) where E is the number of RTL equations. Improvements range from 5.5% to 50%.
Intelligent Robot With Adaptive Compliance Using Sensory Feedback Control

A sensor-based intelligent robot may be used for moving objects, moving levels or knobs, assembly parts, driving screws, etc. However, for many task environments some constraints in task space generally exist. In these cases, neither pure position nor pure force control is appropriate. There is a need to develop a hybrid controller to accommodate various task environments. Previous development for a hybrid controller requires a definition of constraints prior to proceeding, i.e., the task environment must be predefined. It is still far removed from those desired by the manufacturing industry for full-fledged manufacturing implementations. We have developed a new approach for enhancing the current hybrid control techniques. The major contribution of this proposed hybrid position/force controller is its capability for accommodating the compliance selection vector both in position and force with the task environment adaptively. The derivation of an adaptive selection vector by the use of minimum energy and parameter identification algorithms is described in detail. The illustrative example and simulation results will be presented.
Computed tomography evaluation of posttraumatic pulmonary pseudocysts

Two cases of posttraumatic pulmonary pseudocyst are reported. The characteristic thin-walled cystic lesions with air-fluid level were demonstrated in both cases by computed tomography but in only one case by conventional chest radiography. It is predicted that more such pseudocysts would be identified by using computed tomography with patients with blunt chest trauma.
Massive edema induced by thioridazine (Mellaril): an unusual complication.

: A case of massive edema apparently due to thioridazine (Mellaril) therapy is reported for the first time. On three occasions the 39-year-old male patient showed a marked weight gain and edema while taking thioridazine, but prompt diuresis and marked weight loss when the drug was discontinued.
Olfactory adaptation and recovery in man as measured by two psychophysical techniques

Olfactory adaptation and recovery was investigated in man, using two psychophysical procedures: modified category scaling and threshold detection. Both procedures yielded similar qualitative information regarding loss and recovery of olfactory sensitivity as a function of time and concentration of adapting stimuli. However, quantitative differences were observed that could be partially attributed to artifacts inherent in each procedure. Often more than 50% adaptation (and recovery) occurred within the first 2 min with either test procedure. In all experiments the rate of adaptation and recovery was greater at the higher of two adapting concentrations (10 × and 20 × the detection threshold It). Recovery occurred more rapidly than adaptation. The usefulness of both techniques is discussed in terms of the overall problem of characterizing the olfactory adaptation and recovery process in man.
Comparison of upper parts of some piston cores with simultaneously collected open-barrel cores

Abstract Although some marine geologists have reported that open-barrel gravity cores are shortened relative to the upper sections of simultaneously collected piston cores, the opposite relationship is shown by virtually all correlatable pairs of the two types of cores collected in recent years by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. This inconsistency is apparently due to slight differences in the coring apparatus of technique used by the various workers. Because of these differences, no simple correction factors can be used to convert measured lengths in recovered cores to in situ distances below the sediment surface. The effects of the coring process on the mass physical properties of the sediments in three simultaneously collected open-barrel gravity and piston core-pairs are evaluated.
On assertive behavior: A brief note

After spelling out four specific components of assertive behavior, it is emphasized that the bulk of the literature devotes undue attention to the negative aspects of anger and attacking behaviors, while ignoring the virtues of positive reinforcement in this context. The importance of training clients to emit loving and caring responses is underscored.
Complications of head injury.

AbstractManagement of head injury is based on two concepts, proper treatment of the acute insult and the prevention and treatment of secondary insults. The head injured patient is subject to both intracranial and extracranial secondary insults. This paper will review complications related to the central nervous system as well as the pulmonary, infectious, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric complications frequently seen following traumatic brain injury. Complications following head trauma lead to significant acute and chronic morbidity and mortality. It is essential that clinicians be able to recognize and treat these complications in order to more effectively manage head trauma, improve outcome, and care for patients. [Neurol Res 2001; 23: 227-236]
Evaluation of Experimentally Measured and Model-Calculated pH for Rock-Brine-CO2 Systems under Geologic CO2 Sequestration Conditions

Abstract Reliable pH estimation is essential for understanding the geochemical reactions that occur in rock–brine–CO 2 systems when CO 2 is injected into deep geologic formations for long-term storage. Due to a lack of reliable experimental methods, most laboratory studies of CO 2 –rock–brine interactions conducted under geologic CO 2 sequestration (GCS) conditions have relied on thermodynamic modeling to estimate pH; however, the accuracy of these model predictions is typically uncertain. In this study, we expanded the measurement range of a spectrophotometric method for pH determination, and we applied the method to measure the pH in batch-reactor experiments at 75 °C and 100 atm utilizing rock samples from five ongoing GCS demonstration projects. A combination of color-changing pH indicators, bromophenol blue and bromocresol green, was shown to enable measurements over the pH range of 2.5–5.2. In-situ pH measurements were compared with pH values calculated using geochemical models. Calculations with four different thermodynamic databases resulted in a maximum difference of 0.16 pH units. Among these databases, the Phrqpitz database generally provided the most accurate pH predictions for rocks comprised of carbonate, siltstone, and sandstone. With Phrqpitz, the differences between measured and calculated pH values were within 0.03 pH units for these three rocks. However, for basalt, significant differences (0.10–0.25 pH units) were observed even with Phrqpitz. These discrepancies may be due to the models' failure to fully account for certain proton consuming and producing reactions that occur between the basalt minerals and CO 2 -saturated brine solutions.
REGULATION OF NEONATAL GLUCONEOGENESIS: PHOSPHOENOL- PYRUVATE CARBOXYXINASE (GTP)-FERROACTIVATOR DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE GUINEA PIG

REGULATION OF NEONATAL GLUCONEOGENESIS: PHOSPHOENOL- PYRUVATE CARBOXYXINASE (GTP)-FERROACTIVATOR DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE GUINEA PIG
Elastic constants of a polycrystal with an orthorhombic texture

Herein we describe a self-consistent method on eigenstrain, by which we obtain a formula for the effective elasticity stiffness tensor pertaining to an orthorhombic aggregate of cubic crystallites. This formula, given in a closed form, delineates the effect of crystallographic texture on elastic response. A simpler form of the formula, which is obtained by truncating a Taylor expansion, is expected to be applicable to aggregates of crystallites with weak texture or to materials such as aluminum whose single crystal has weak anisotropy.
Two devices facilitating spectrometry in the far infrared

In spectrometric investigations in the infrared two principal difficulties are the extremely small energy available in the long waves, and the relatively great intensity of the near infrared. This latter is of particular importance in using an echlette grating which reflects the short waves with great intensity in high orders. The arrangement here described was devised to overcome both of these inconveniences.
Arterial Compliance and Its Pressure Dependence in Hypertension and Vasodilation

Arterial compliance has been recognized to be pressure-dependent. Its variation due to changing systolic and diastolic blood pressures in hypertension and subsequent vasodilation has not been investigated. The authors examined this aspect by combining an animal experiment and a recently established nonlinear windkessel model of the arterial system that incorporates a pressure-dependent arterial compliance, C(P). Aortic pressure and flow were simultaneously measured in experimental dogs during control and during methoxamine-induced hypertension and nitroprusside-induced vasodilation. A numerical procedure was implemented to compute the nonlinear compliance and account for the pressure dependence. Results show that within the cardiac cycle, C(P) reached its maximum at end-systole and increased in diastole when diastolic aortic pressure decayed. The magnitude of C(P) and its variation within the cardiac cycle was larger at low pressures, while the reverse was found when blood pressure was high. C(P) decreased significantly in hypertension and increased during subsequent vasodilation.
An Abelian Limit Approach to a Singular Ergodic Control Problem

We consider an ergodic stochastic control problem for a class of one-dimensional Itoˆ processes where the available control is an added bounded variation process. The corresponding infinite horizon discounted control problem was solved in [A. Weerasinghe, SIAM J. Control Optim., 44 (2005), pp. 389-417]. Here, we show that as the discount factor approaches zero, the optimal strategies derived in [A. Weerasinghe, SIAM J. Control Optim., 44 (2005), pp. 389-417] “converge” to an optimal strategy for the ergodic control problem. Under different assumptions, two types of optimal strategies were derived. Also, the Abelian limit relationships among the ergodic control problem, the infinite horizon discounted control problem, and the finite time horizon control problem are established here. A solution to a constrained optimization problem is obtained as an application.
P-108 - The effectiveness of two smoking cessation interventions targeted for residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods and smokers with other addictions and co-morbidities

Introduction Smoking cessation has been less effective among low SES smokers and those with other addictions/co-morbidities. There are few studies assessing different service delivery models through rigorous scientific methods while engaging the community. Objectives/aims To assess the utilization and effectiveness of smoking cessation group versus individual counseling interventions among economically disadvantaged clients through a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). Methods A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach in conjunction with RCT methodology were used to compare the effectiveness of a behavior change communication intervention and pharmacotherapy through group vs. individual counseling models. Participants were recruited from a low-income urban setting in mid Atlantic area (n = 348), and randomized to either an individual or group-based intervention. Participants received training according to the Fresh Start curriculum on their 12 weekly sessions and followed for nine months after the termination of the program. Results After the intervention, the overall cessation rate was 10% with no significant difference between the two arms. The Cessation rate among participants who attended 6 to 12 sessions was significantly higher (p Conclusions Although individual and group counseling cessation appear to be equally effective, the group counseling is more cost-effective and feasible approach for low SES smokers and those with other co-morbidities. The effectiveness of the intervention can significantly improve with better retention and motivational enhancement strategies. Acknowledgement NCMHD 5-R24-MD002803.
Modeling and Simulation of Robotic System for Servicing Hubble Space Telescope

This paper addresses modeling, simulation and controls of a robotic servicing system for the Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions. The simulation models of the robotic system include flexible body dynamics, control systems and geometric models of the contacting bodies. These models are incorporated into MDA's simulation facilities, the multibody dynamics simulator "Space Station Portable Operations Training Simulator (SPOTS)". Three simulation examples of the robotic servicing operations are presented: (1) capture of the Hubble Space Telescope, (2) berthing the Hubble Space Telescope to the Hubble Robotic Vehicle and (3) inserting the Wide Field Camera into the Hubble Space Telescope.
Physiologic Responses of Men 49 to 65 Years of Age to Endurance Training

: A study was made of the effects of training for 30 minutes, three days a week for 20 weeks on certain physiologic measures of sedentary men between 49 and 65 years of age. Twenty-two subjects volunteered for the experimental group, and 8 others for the control group. Exercise sessions were conducted on a quarter-mile track and consisted of continuous bouts of walking and jogging. The average daily energy expenditures progressed from 228 to 365 kilocalories between weeks 4 and 20. For the same period, average exercise heart rates (HRs) progressed from 149 beats/minute (83 per cent maximum HR) to 155 beats/minute (91 per cent maximum HR). The experimental group showed significant increases in maximum oxygen intake (VO2 max) from 2.47 to 2.90 liters/minute (18 per cent) and in maximum pulmonary ventilation (VE max) from 105 to 121 liters/minute (BTPS), and decreases in resting HR, diastolic blood pressure, body weight, skinfold fat, and abdominal girth. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and heart volume remained unchanged. The control subjects showed no significant changes. Regression analysis, with use of age as a covariate, showed a small but significant inverse relationship with changes in VO2 max. It was concluded that men of the 49–65 age group respond favorably to endurance exercise and show a magnitude of change similar to that found in previous investigations of similar design with younger subjects.
Medical Clearance and the Last Hurdle

Excerpt To the editor: It is common practice to require "medical clearance" of any patient presenting to an emergency department with delirium or acute psychosis before psychiatric evaluation. This...
The NASA Langley Scramjet Test Complex

The NASA Langley Scramjet Test Complex consists of five propulsion facilities which cover a wide spectrum of supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) test capabilities. These facilities permit observation of the effects on scramjet performance of speed and dynamic pressure from Mach 3.5 to near-orbital speeds, engine size from Mach 4 to 7, and test gas composition from Mach 4 to 7. In the Mach 3.5 to 8 speed range, the complex includes a direct-connect combustor test facility, two small-scale complete engine test facilities, and a large-scale complete engine test facility. In the hypervelocity speed range, a shock-expansion tube is used for combustor tests from Mach 12 to Mach 17plus. This facility has recently been operated in a tunnel mode, to explore the possibility of semi-free-jet testing of complete engine modules at hypervelocity conditions. This paper presents a description of the current configurations and capabilities of the facilities of the NASA Langley Scramjet Test Complex, reviews the most recent scramjet tests in the facilities, and discusses comparative engine tests designed to gain information about ground facility effects on scramjet performance.