bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating Business Schools' Intentions About Offering E‐Commerce Education Using an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior*
Authors: Dodor Jean Baptiste K. , Rana Dharam S. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThis study investigates business schools' intentions about offering e‐commerce education (ECE) using an extended theory of planned behavior (ETPB). The need for an adequate match between future supply and demand of e‐commerce skills constitutes the main motivation for the study. The results show that most business schools consider ECE important for an adequate preparation of their students for today's competitive labor market. In addition, the proposed ETPB fits well the empirical data and predicts 65.2% of the variances in the schools' intentions about offering ECE. The results can help business schools in their curriculum decisions in at least two ways: (1) through the likely effect of social contagion and (2) through the constructs in the ETPB. First, institutional theory clearly indicates that organizations tend to adopt a new behavior when there is evidence that other organizations in their population have adopted or are likely to adopt that behavior. Having provided such evidence for ECE, this study is likely to promote the adoption of this educational product innovation. Second, the fact that the postulated ETPB fits well the empirical data suggests that administrators of business schools may pay attention to the key constructs when making curriculum decisions. Overall, the study has both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it contributes to a growing literature on the adoption of innovative educational products like ECE. Practically, it provides valuable insights that administrators of business schools can use in their strategic curriculum decision making.
Proctored Versus Unproctored Online Exams: Studying the Impact of Exam Environment on Student Performance
Authors: Hollister Kimberly K. , Berenson Mark L. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTIncreasing numbers of universities are offering courses in online and hybrid formats. One challenge in online assessment is the maintenance of academic integrity. We present a thorough statistical analysis to uncover differences in student performance when online exams are administered in a proctored environment (i.e., in class) versus an unproctored environment (i.e., offsite). Controlling for student grade point average (GPA), no significant differences in mean overall course performance or exam performance between the two groups were found, nor were there any differences in the mean vectors of individual exam scores. The study reveals that the group taking online exams in the unproctored environment has significantly more variation in their performance results. In examining potential causes of the greater variation, analyses were performed to assess whether an increased level of possible cheating behavior could be observed from performance results for students in the unproctored section. No evidence of cheating behavior was found.
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Authors: LOW PHILLIP A. , SANDRONI PAOLA , JOYNER MICHAEL , SHEN WIN‐KUANG 
Published: January 2009

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. Introduction: POTS is defined as the development of orthostatic symptoms associated with a heart rate (HR) increment ≥30, usually to ≥120 bpm without orthostatic hypotension. Symptoms of orthostatic intolerance are those due to brain hypoperfusion and those due to sympathetic overaction.
Methods:
We provide a review of POTS based primarily on work from the Mayo Clinic.
Results:
Females predominate over males by 5:1. Mean age of onset in adults is about 30 years and most patients are between the ages of 20–40 years. Pathophysiologic mechanisms (not mutually exclusive) include peripheral denervation, hypovolemia, venous pooling, β‐receptor supersensitivity, psychologic mechanisms, and presumed impairment of brain stem regulation. Prolonged deconditioning may also interact with these mechanisms to exacerbate symptoms. The evaluation of POTS requires a focused history and examination, followed by tests that should include HUT, some estimation of volume status and preferably some evaluation of peripheral denervation and hyperadrenergic state. All patients with POTS require a high salt diet, copious fluids, and postural training. Many require β‐receptor antagonists in small doses and low‐dose vasoconstrictors. Somatic hypervigilance and psychologic factors are involved in a significant proportion of patients.
Conclusions:
POTS is heterogeneous in presentation and mechanisms. Major mechanisms are denervation, hypovolemia, deconditioning, and hyperadrenergic state. Most patients can benefit from a pathophysiologically based regimen of management. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 20, pp. 352‐358, March 2009)
Clinical Significance of Complete Conduction Block of the Left Lateral Isthmus and Its Relationship with Anatomical Variation of the Vein of Marshall in Patients with Nonparoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: CHOI JONG‐IL , PAK HUI‐NAM , PARK JAE HYUNG , CHOI EUN JEONG , KIM SOOK KYOUNG , KWAK JAE JIN , JANG JIN KUN , HWANG CHUN , KIM YOUNG‐HOON 
Published: January 2009

Background: The vein of Marshall (VOM), which exists along the left lateral isthmus (LLI), constitutes a muscular connection between the coronary sinus (CS) and the left atrium (LA). We hypothesized that anatomical variation of the VOM affects the bidirectional block of LLI and the clinical outcome in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (NPAF). Methods: Among 73 patients with NPAF, 54 patients (47 male, 54.1 ± 10.4 years old) with a clearly visible VOM (74.0%) were included. After circumferential antral ablation, double linear endocardial ablation of LLI was performed along the VOM. Unless LLI block was achievable by endocardial ablation, the ablation was performed inside the CS. Results: LLI block was achievable in 35 patients (64.8%; 11.1% by endocardial ablation vs 53.7% by additional inside CS ablation; P < 0.01). In patients with failed LLI block, the VOM was significantly longer (P < 0.05) on the right anterior oblique (RAO) view than in those with successful LLI block. LA volume or LLI length measured by CT image were not different (P = NS). During 11.4 ± 5.0 months follow‐up, early recurrences within 3 months (47.4% vs 28.6%, P = NS) and recurrences after 3 months (10.5% vs 17.7%, P = NS) were not different with or without LLI block. Conclusion: LLI block, which is more difficult to achieve in patients with a longer VOM, was achievable in 65% of patients with NPAF by linear ablation along the VOM and additional inside CS ablation, but did not affect the short‐term clinical outcome.
Electrophysiological Characteristics of Localized Reentrant Atrial Tachycardia Occurring After Catheter Ablation of Long‐Lasting Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: TAKAHASHI YOSHIHIDE , TAKAHASHI ATSUSHI , MIYAZAKI SHINSUKE , KUWAHARA TAISHI , TAKEI ASUMI , FUJINO TADASHI , FUJII AKIRA , KUSA SHIGEKI , YAGISHITA ATSUHIKO , NOZATO TOSHIHIRO , HIKITA HIROYUKI , SATO AKIRA , HIRAO KENZO , ISOBE MITSUAKI 
Published: January 2009

Background: Mapping of recurrent atrial tachycardia (AT) after extensive ablation for long‐lasting persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is complex. We sought to describe the electrophysiological characteristics of localized reentry occurring after ablation of long‐lasting persistent AF. Methods: Out of 70 patients undergoing catheter ablation of long‐lasting persistent AF, 9 patients (13%, 55 ± 8 years, 8 males) in whom localized reentry was demonstrated in a repeat ablation were studied. Localized reentry was defined as reentry in which the circuit was localized to a small area and did not have a central obstacle. The mechanism of AT was determined by electroanatomical and entrainment mapping. Results: Nine localized reentries with cycle length of 243 ± 41 ms were mapped in 9 patients. The location of AT was the left atrial appendage in 4 patients, anterior left atrium in 2, left septum in 2, and mitral isthmus in 1. In all ATs, a critical isthmus of <10 mm in width was identified in the vicinity of the prior linear lesions or ostia of isolated pulmonary veins. Ablation of the critical isthmus, which was characterized by continuous low‐voltage activity (median voltage: 0.15 mV, mean duration: 117 ± 31 ms), terminated AT and rendered it noninducible. Additionally, ablation was performed for all of inducible ATs. At 11 ± 7 months after the procedure, 8 of 9 patients (89%) were free from any arrhythmias. Conclusions: After ablation of long‐lasting persistent AF, localized reentry may arise from a site in the vicinity of the prior ablation lesions. Ablation of the critical isthmus eliminates the arrhythmia.
Detailed ECG Analysis of Atrial Repolarization in Humans
Authors: Holmqvist Fredrik , Carlson Jonas , Platonov Pyotr G. 
Published: January 2009

Introduction: Data on human atrial repolarization are scarce since the QRS complex normally obscures its ECG trace. In the present study, consecutive patients with third‐degree AV block were studied to better describe the human Ta wave. Methods and Results: Forty patients (mean age 75 years, 17 men) were included. All anti‐arrhythmic drugs were discontinued before ECG recording. Standard 12‐lead ECGs were recorded, transformed to orthogonal leads and studied using signal‐averaged P wave analysis. The average P wave duration was 124 ± 16 ms. The PTa duration was 449 ± 55 ms (corrected PTa 512 ± 60 ms) and the Ta duration (P wave end to Ta wave end) was 323 ± 56 ms. The polarity of the Ta wave was opposite to that of the P wave in all leads. The Ta peaks were located at 196 ± 55 ms in Lead Y, 216 ± 50 ms in Lead X, and 335 ± 92 in Lead Z. No correlation was found between P wave duration and Ta duration, or between Ta peak amplitude and Ta duration. The morphology of the Ta wave was similar regardless of the interatrial conduction. Conclusions: The Ta wave has the opposite polarity, and the duration is generally two to three times that, of the P wave. Although the Ta peak may occasionally be located in the PQ interval during normal AV conduction, it is unlikely that enough information can be obtained from analysis of this segment to differentiate normal from abnormal atrial repolarization. Hence, an algorithm for QRST cancellation during sinus rhythm is needed to further improve analysis.
Added Value of a Resting ECG Neural Network That Predicts Cardiovascular Mortality
Authors: Perez Marco V. , Dewey Frederick E. , Tan Swee Y. , Myers Jonathan , Froelicher Victor F. 
Published: January 2009

Background: The resting 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) remains the most commonly used test in evaluating patients with suspected cardiovascular disease. Prognostic values of individual findings on the ECG have been reported but may be of limited use. Methods: The characteristics of 45,855 ECGs ordered by physician's discretion were first recorded and analyzed using a computerized system. Ninety percent of these ECGs were used to train an artifical neural network (ANN) to predict cardiovascular mortality (CVM) based on 132 ECG and four demographic characteristics. The ANN generated a Resting ECG Neural Network (RENN) score that was then tested in the remaining ECGs. The RENN score was finally assessed in a cohort of 2189 patients who underwent exercise treadmill testing and were followed for CVM. Results: The RENN score was able to better predict CVM compared to individual ECG markers or a traditional Cox regression model in the testing cohort. Over a mean of 8.6 years, there were 156 cardiovascular deaths in the treadmill cohort. Among the patients who were classified as intermediate risk by Duke Treadmill Scoring (DTS), the third tertile of the RENN score demonstrated an adjusted Cox hazard ratio of 5.4 (95% CI 2.0–15.2) compared to the first RENN tertile. The 10‐year CVM was 2.8%, 8.6% and 22% in the first, second and third RENN tertiles, respectively. Conclusions: An ANN that uses the resting ECG and demographic variables to predict CVM was created. The RENN score can further risk stratify patients deemed at moderate risk on exercise treadmill testing.
QT Variability during Rest and Exercise in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and Healthy Controls
Authors: Haigney Mark C. , Kop Willem J. , Alam Shama , Krantz David S. , Karasik Pamela , DelNegro Albert A. , Gottdiener John S. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Increased QT Variability (QTVI) is predictive of life threatening arrhythmias in vulnerable patients. The predictive value of QTVI is based on resting ECGs, and little is known about the effect of acute exercise on QTVI. The relation between QTVI and arrhythmic vulnerability markers such as T‐wave alternans (TWA) has also not been studied. This study examined the effects of exercise on QTVI and TWA in patients with arrhythmic vulnerability. Methods: Digitized ECGs were obtained from 47 ICD patients (43 males; age 60.9 ± 10.1) and 23 healthy controls (18 males; age 59.7 ± 9.5) during rest and bicycle exercise. QTVI was assessed using a previously validated algorithm and TWA was measured as both a continuous and a categorical variable based on a priori diagnostic criteria. Results: QTVI increased with exercise in ICD patients (−0.79 ± 0.11 to 0.36 ± 0.08, P < 0.001) and controls (−1.50 ± 0.07 to −0.19 ± 0.12, P < 0.001), and QTVI levels were consistently higher in ICD patients than controls during rest and exercise (P < 0.001). The magnitude of QTVI increase from baseline levels was not larger among ICD patients versus controls (P > 0.20). Among ICD patients, elevated exercise QTVI was related to lower LV ejection fraction and inducibility of ischemia (P < 0.05). QTVI at rest correlated with exercise TWA (r = 0.54, P = 0.0004). Conclusions: QT variability increases significantly with exercise, and exercise QTVI is related to other well‐documented markers of arrhythmic vulnerability, including low ejection fraction, inducible ischemia, and TWA. Resting QTVI may be useful in the risk stratification of individuals incapable of performing standard exercise protocols.
L'emploi informel: deux questions de politique controversées
Authors: KUCERA David , RONCOLATO Leanne 
Published: January 2009

Résumé.Cet article traite de deux questions controversées, importantes en termes de politiques: les effets de la réglementation du travail sur l'emploi informel, et ce qu'il est convenu d'appeler l'emploi informel «volontaire». Les auteurs exposent brièvement les théories sur le sujet et présentent les résultats d'analyses empiriques des effets de la réglementation du travail sur l'emploi informel. Ils concluent par des commentaires sur la pertinence des quatre objectifs du travail décent de l'OIT pour l'emploi informel et le développement économique, en mettant l'accent sur l'organisation des travailleurs de l'économie informelle.
RCT of the effects of block absence for outreach placements on dental students’ finals grades
Authors: Smith M. , Lennon M. A. , Robinson P. G. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractUndergraduate dental curricula are being supplemented with primary care placements requiring periods away from the dental school. These absences may impact negatively on students’ other studies.Objective:  To compare the effect of outreach placement and traditional hospital‐based training alone on students’ final examination scores. Existing primary care placements in northern England about one year from students’ qualification.Subjects and Methods:  Analysis of secondary outcomes in a randomised controlled trial with students’ final examination marks being compared on qualification. To reduce Type I error only 4 of 24 available scores were considered and multiple testing correction applied. Five‐week block outreach placements for 25 of 49 students. Honours awarded and examination scores for children’s dentistry, overall clinical work and theory.Results:  Groups’ final exam scores were similar: children’s dentistry – outreach 64.9 (SD 2.1), hospital‐based 65.0 (3.0); overall clinical work 58.3 (3.4) cf 60.7 (4.8) and theory 54.6 (3.5) cf 56.5 (4.0). The numbers of students awarded honours (outreach 1, hospital 4) showed no significant difference (Fisher’s exact text P = 0.19).Conclusion:  Dental outreach training involving several weeks’ absence from the school had no negative impact on students’ finals scores.
Perceived sources of stress amongst Indian dental students
Authors: Kumar S. , Dagli R. J. , Mathur A. , Jain M. , Prabu D. , Kulkarni S. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIntroduction:  Dental students have to face the additional stress of their studies in addition to the stresses related to dentistry as a profession. Furthermore, increasing stress may result in declining student performance. The aim of the present study was to assess perceived sources of stress amongst dental undergraduate students at a private dental institution in India.Materials and methods:  A modified dental environment stress (DES) questionnaire which consisted of 38 questions was used to assess the levels of stress.Results:  The first major stressor for all the students was examination and grades with a mean score of 2.86 (SD 1.06) followed by full working day, receiving criticism from supervisors about academic or clinical work, amount of cheating in dental faculty, rules and regulations of the faculty and fear of unemployment after graduation. Amongst the six highest stressors in each year, at least three were dental faculty related. There was a significant difference in stress perception between genders with a predilection for males. Twelve of the 38 questionnaire items had significant differences across the year groups including clinical DES items.Conclusion:  The primary sources of stress as perceived by nearly 275 students at one private dental school in India were examinations and grades followed by full working day and receiving criticism from supervisors about academic or clinical work. It appears there is a need for the establishment of student advisors and counsellors combined with a faculty advising system in addition to student‐oriented programmes.
The European computer driving licence and the use of computers by dental students
Authors: Antonarakis G. S. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe use of computers within the dental curriculum for students is vital for many aspects of their studies. The aim of this study was to assess how dental students who had obtained the European computer driving licence (ECDL) qualification (an internationally‐recognised standard of competence) through taught courses, felt about the qualification, and how it changed their habits vis‐à‐vis computers, and information and communication technology. This study was carried out as a descriptive, one‐off, cross‐sectional survey. A questionnaire was distributed to 100 students who had successfully completed the course, with questions pertaining to the use of email, word processing and Internet for course‐works, Medline for research, computer based learning, online lecture notes, and online communication with members of staff, both before and after ECDL qualification. Scaled responses were given. The attitudes of students towards the course were also assessed. The frequencies and percentage distributions of the responses to each question were analysed. It was found that dental students who follow ECDL teaching and successfully complete its requirements, seem to increase the frequency with which they use email, word processing and Internet for course works, Medline for research purposes, computer based learning, online lecture notes, and online communication with staff. Opinions about the ECDL course varied, many dental students finding the course easy, enjoying it only a little, but admitting that it improved their computer skills.
Quenching of Singlet Oxygen by a Carotenoid–Cyclodextrin Complex: The Importance of Aggregate Formation
Authors: Kanofsky Jeffrey R. , Sima Paul D. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe Girard’s reagent P derivative of canthaxanthin ((GRP)2‐canthaxanthin), a dicationic carotenoid, forms a highly water‐dispersible complex with (2‐hydroxypropyl)‐γ‐cyclodextrin. The UV–visible light spectrum of the complex is consistent with some degree of aggregation, but the spectrum is independent of concentration from 7.5 to 750 μm. Stern‐Vomer plots for singlet‐oxygen quenching by the complex are linear over a concentration range of 0–20 μm. In the presence of 1 mm (2‐hydroxypropyl)‐γ‐cyclodextrin, the singlet‐oxygen quenching constant for the complex is 7.9 ± 0.9 × 108 m−1s−1. This is about an order of magnitude lower than the singlet‐oxygen quenching constants for (GRP)2‐canthaxanthin in various organic solvents. The properties of the complex are also compared with the properties of (GRP)2‐canthaxanthin solubilized in neat water and in water containing various detergents. The singlet‐oxygen quenching constant for (GRP)2‐canthaxanthin in micelles depends strongly on the specific detergent used, varying from 9.4 × 108 m−1s−1 for hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to 1.24 ± 0.4 × 1010 m−1s−1 for sodium dodecyl sulfate. The small quenching constant in CTAB micelles correlates with spectroscopic evidence for aggregation of the (GRP)2‐canthaxanthin in this detergent.
Isolation and characterization of 16 microsatellite loci in the humbug damselfish, Dascyllus aruanus (family Pomacentridae)
Authors: FAUVELOT C. , SMITH‐KEUNE C. , JERRY D. R. , BUSTON P. M. , PLANES S. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractHere we report on 16 microsatellite loci designed for the damselfish Dascyllus aruanus. All loci were tested on 98 individuals and were polymorphic (seven to 35 alleles). Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.705 to 0.942. Six loci showed Hardy‐Weinberg disequilibrium due to the occurrence of null alleles. Cross‐species amplifications conducted within the genus Dascyllus (D. carneus, D. strasburgi, D. trimaculatus) lead to polymorphic fragments in 32 out of 48 tests. These 16 loci will enable future research into the behavioural ecology and population ecology of Dascyllus aruanus throughout the Indo‐Pacific.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Babylonia areolata and cross‐species amplification in Babylonia formosae habei
Authors: CHEN FEI , KE CAI‐HUAN , WANG DE‐XIANG , CHEN JUN , ZHAN XIN , LUO XUAN 
Published: January 2009

AbstractNine novel microsatellite primer pairs were presented for Babylonia areolata, representing the first microsatellite markers available for this genus. Levels of polymorphism were variable with 2 to 11 alleles per locus and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.073 to 0.907 in 27 individuals of the population from which the loci were isolated. We found significant heterozygote deficit at one locus that might be attributable to null alleles. We were successful at cross‐amplifying six loci in the congeneric B. formosae habei. These markers are therefore potentially useful for conservation studies, population structure assessment, ecological analyses and linkage map construction.