cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secretion of ACTH by Isolated Anterior Pituitary Cells: Kinetics of Stimulation by Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and of Inhibition by Corticosterone1

Addition of an extract of hypothalamic median-eminence tissue (HME-CRF) (amount equivalent to 0.08 of a piece of HME tissue) to isolated anterior pituitary cells induced a greater increase in ACTH secretion by cells from adrenalectomized than by cells from intact rats. Secretion was induced with little or no latency and rate of secretion was constant over 45 min. Addition of corticosterone to the incubation medium (0.1 µg/ml) inhibited HME-CRF-induced secretion of ACTH in the case of both types of cells, but the onset of the inhibition was more prompt and the degree of inhibition more profound for cells from intact rats. In a second set of experiments, addition of HMECRF to aliquots of isolated pituitary cells from intact and from adrenalectomized rats was progressively delayed after 100 min in vitro exposure of the cells to corticosterone (0.1 µg/ml). ACTH secretion in response to HME-CRF progessively increased with time postwashout of steroid. Estimates of decay of inhibitory action of the steroid are p...
N-player stochastic differential games

The paper presents conditions which guarantee that the control strategies adopted by N players constitute an efficient solution, an equilibrium, or a core solution. The system dynamics are described by an Ito equation, and all players have perfect information. When the set of instantaneous joint costs and velocity vectors is convex, the conditions are necessary.
Is stickiness profitable for electronic retailers

Introduction Is stickiness the Holy Grail for e-tailing? In general, stickiness refers to the amount of time a person spends on a Web site during a visiting session (such as, session stickiness) or over a specified time period (such as, site stickiness). Zauberman equates stickiness and "within-site lock-in" and uses it to approximate visitors' loyalty to a Web site. The conventional wisdom suggests that stickiness is crucial and can contribute to e-tailers' bottom lines considerably. However, the direct economic impacts of stickiness have not been duly examined empirically, particularly from the perspective of consumers' within-session visiting behaviors. E-tailing offers an exciting global virtual channel for marketing and exchanges. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the e-retailing industry has grown at a 29% compounded annual rate between 2000 and 2004, amounting to $81 billion in sales in 2005 and projected to reach $144 billion by 2010. Accompanied by this impressive growth is the increasingly fierce market competition that results from greatly reduced search costs, diminished product/service differentiation, and rapidly eroding customer loyalty. To survive and excel in this highly competitive market, e-tailers must be effective in converting their Web site visitors into paying customers. Such conversions are challenging, as manifested by the dismal conversion rate (for example, estimated at 2.3% by e-tailing.com) that is likely to continue to decline. Stickiness serves as a common indicator of customer loyalty to e-tailers. Accordingly, firms have focused on effective Web site design and business strategies to "lock in" visitors by making their Web sites increasingly sticky. Despite the salient beliefs about the business value of stickiness in e-tailing, empirical evidence of its direct economic impacts is surprisingly limited. Moe and Fader discuss the importance of stickiness for business profits and advocate the use of visiting behaviors to investigate the relationship. Straub et al. also highlight the importance of analyzing prominent visitors' behaviors and particularly suggest the use of click-stream data to examine the effects of essential visiting behaviors on business outcomes, such as online purchases. However, few (if any) studies have examined these effects empirically. In this study, we use within-session visiting behaviors, recorded by a designated client-side monitoring program, to examine the relationship between stickiness and conversion, an outcome metric directly affecting e-tailers' bottom lines. We respond to the call by Moe and Fader by examining session stickiness through analyses of visitors' within-session behaviors. We measure session stickiness using both visiting session duration and total number of pages accessed during a visiting session. We empirically test whether stickiness significantly affects conversion, and further investigate whether product category moderates the focal stickiness--conversion relationship.
Dimensions of Executive Functioning in Schizophrenia and Their Relationship With Processing Speed

Context: The nature of executive dysfunction in schizophrenia is nebulous, due to inconsistencies in conceptualizing and operationalizing the construct, and the broader question of whether schizophrenia is best characterized in terms of specific vs generalized cognitive deficits. The current study aimed to determine whether executive functions represent unitary vs diverse constructs in schizophrenia. Methods: Participants included 145 community-dwelling individuals with schizophrenia. Executive functions were measured with the Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System (D-KEFS). We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal axis factoring, as well as parallel analyses to examine the latent constructs underlying the D-KEFS tasks, a second EFA on weighted residuals of the D-KEFS tasks (after accounting for processing speed measured with the Digit Symbol task), and bivariate correlations to examine relationships between the D-KEFS components and relevant demographic and clinical variables, crystallized verbal knowledge, and functional capacity. Results: EFA of the D-KEFS tasks yielded 2 factors (cognitive flexibility/timed tests and abstraction). EFA of the processing speed-weighted D-KEFS residuals also yielded 2 factors (cognitive flexibility and abstraction). Cognitive flexibility was negatively correlated with psychopathology. Better abstraction was associated with higher education, shorter illness duration, and better functional capacity. Both factors were positively correlated with crystallized verbal knowledge. Conclusions: Executive functions in schizophrenia could be parsed into 2 partially related but separable subconstructs. Future efforts to elucidate functional outcomes as well as neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia may be facilitated by attending to the distinction between cognitive flexibility and abstraction.
DRIP: A framework for purifying trojaned kernel drivers

Kernel drivers are usually provided in the form of loadable kernel extensions, which can be loaded/unloaded dynamically at runtime and execute with the same privilege as the core operating system kernel. The unrestricted security access from the drivers to the kernel is nevertheless a double-edged sword that makes them susceptible targets of trojan attacks. Given a benign driver, it is now easy to implant malicious logic with existing hacking tools. Once implanted, such malicious logic is difficult to detect. In this paper we propose DRIP, a framework for detecting and eliminating malicious logic embedded in a kernel driver through iteratively eliminating unnecessary kernel API invocations from the driver. When provided with the binary of a trojaned driver, DRIP generates a purified driver with benign functionalities preserved and malicious ones eliminated. Our evaluation shows that DRIP successfully eliminates malicious effects of trojaned drivers in the system, with the purified drivers maintaining or even improving their performance over the trojaned drivers.
Common 30-day multiple in gestation time of terrestrial placentals.

Weekly, twice-monthly, and monthly lunar related rhythms have been alleged for various animal reproductive processes. Herein gestation times of 213 types of terrestrial placental mammals were analyzed for best-fit integer multiples approximating length of any of the above lunar related rhythms. At the same time numeric controls were constituted of a completely random, a block randomized, and a sequential set of numbers spanning the data set. Among test integers 6 through 33, the number 30, approximating the 29.53-day lunar-synodic month, was consistently and statistically a best-fit multiple to the data. This might suggest a once-monthly lunar illumination, but not a twice-monthly gravitational or near-weekly tidal, influence upon animal reproduction. As for a receptor mechanism, the tapetum, or reflective layer of the retina, present in most land mammals, but absent in humans, enhances dim illumination. A suggestion is that because of this visual enhancer, cycling moonlight might be a circa-lunar physiol...
Output hazard-free transition tests for silicon calibrated scan based delay testing

Architectural restrictions of scan greatly limit the effectiveness of traditional scan based delay tests. It has been recently shown that additional testing for delays on short paths using fast clocks can significantly lower DPM. However, accurately obtaining the needed timing information for such tests from simulation is extremely difficult. The simulations must not only accurately account for the effects of process parameter variations, but also power supply noise and crosstalk from the excessive switching activity of scan tests. We suggest that learning signal timing information on silicon to "calibrate" such tests can be much more accurate and cost effective. However, such an approach requires that the outputs of the applied tests be hazard free to avoid learning incorrect timing due to a glitch at the output. Simulation results presented here indicate that such output hazard free test can be obtained with an average coverage only about 10% below the transition delay fault coverage for both launch-on-shift (LOS) and launch-on-capture (LOG) modes.
Low Speed Projectile Impact Damage Prediction and Propagation in Woven Composites

This paper presents a novel multiscale framework to analyze low speed impact damage in woven fiber composites. The three length scales considered were micro, meso and macro. At the microscale, the individual constituents of the yarn were modeled using the Generalized Method of Cells to predict the elastic properties and strengths. At the mesoscale, a double homogenization technique was employed to determine the strengths and elastic properties as a function of the microscale results. At the macroscale, an explicit finite element model developed to investigate the response of various weaves under impact loading. The developed procedure has been used to obtain the strength and elastic properties of various woven fiber composites.
The CDF layer 00 detector

The CDF Layer 00 detector consists of single-sided silicon sensors assembled on the beampipe, forming the innermost of eight silicon layers in the CDF detector for Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron. Radiation tolerant p-in-n silicon with 25(50) {micro}m implant(readout) pitch are mounted on a lightweight, cooled support structure and connect to electronics outside the tracking volume via long, fine-pitch cables. Layer 00 will significantly improve the impact parameter resolution and enhance the longevity of the silicon system, benefiting a large portion of the physics program for Run II.
Re: Age-Specific Incidence of Breast Cancer Subtypes: Understanding the Black–White Crossover

Background Breast cancer incidence is higher among black women than white women before age 40 years, but higher among white women than black women after age 40 years (black–white crossover). We used newly available population-based data to examine whether the age-specific incidences of breast cancer subtypes vary by race and ethnicity. Methods We classified 91908 invasive breast cancers diagnosed in California between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2009, by subtype based on tumor expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)—together referred to as hormone receptor (HR)—and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Breast cancer subtypes were classified as ER or PR positive and HER2 negative (HR+/HER2−), ER or PR positive and HER2 positive (HR+/HER2+), ER and PR negative and HER2 positive (HR−/HER2+), and ER, PR, and HER2 negative (triple-negative). We calculated and compared age-specific incidence rates, incidence rate ratios, and 95% confidence intervals by subtype and race (black, white, Hispanic, and Asian). All P values are two-sided. Results We did not observe an age-related black–white crossover in incidence for any molecular subtype of breast cancer. Compared with white women, black women had statistically significantly higher rates of triple-negative breast cancer at all ages but statistically significantly lower rates of HR+/HER2− breast cancers after age 35 years (all P < .05). The age-specific incidence of HR+/HER2+ and HR−/HER2+ subtypes did not vary markedly between white and black women. Conclusions The black–white crossover in breast cancer incidence occurs only when all breast cancer subtypes are combined and relates largely to higher rates of triple-negative breast cancers and lower rates of HR+/HER2− breast cancers in black vs white women.
Genetic Classification of Porosity Formation and Destruction in Carbonate Rocks: ABSTRACT

For a proper evaluation of the reservoir potentialities of carbonate rocks the exact causes of porosity formation and destruction need to be known. Such a genetic approach to a classification has to be practical enough to be applicable at the well site, yet sophisticated enough to allow meaningful interpretations. All old attempts at classification of porosity have been either descriptive or insufficiently accurate. For example, the term "leaching" is meaningless, unless it is specified if it pertains to subaerial leaching, or leaching accompanying recrystallization, or leaching resulting from dolomitization. An attempt is made herein to propose a genetic classification which has been tested in its applicability, both at the well site and in the laboratory. There are basically 2 types of porosity--primary and secondary. Primary porosity developments were formed at time of deposition prior to diagenetic alterations of the sediment. Secondary porosity formations are introduced after deposition by early or late or even post-diagenetic activity. Primary porosity may be subdivided into intergrain and intragrain porosity. Secondary porosity formation may represent the following types: (1) subaerial leaching of the grains (moldic porosity) or the carbonate mud matrix; (2) recrystallization porosity, based primarily on (a) leaching accompanying the recrystallization process, (b) rearrangement of the crystal fabric (interstitial porosity), and (c) preservation of primary porosity by fast diagenetic hardening; (3) dolomitization porosity, based primarily on (a) leaching resulting from the dolomitization process, (b) volume reduction caused by a slight density difference between calcite and dolomite, (c) preservation of the primary porosity by fast diagenetic hardening, and (d) interstitial porosity created by dolomitization and subsequent recrystallization; (4) fracture porosity, either by itself or furthe enlarged by subsequent leaching. Partial or complete porosity destructions in carbonates result primarily from (a) fibrous calcite wall linings, (b) sparry calcite precipitation, (c) sparry dolomite precipitation, (d) anhydrite and gypsum infills, (e) infilling by other evaporites, (f) infill by clay, silt, or sand, (g) infill by carbonate mud, (h) infill by isolated dolomite rhombohedra, and (i) collapse of the former depositional fabric. End_of_Article - Last_Page 154------------
Underuse of evidence-based therapies.

Cardiovascular specialists have been leaders in medicine because of our willingness to study major clinical issues by means of randomized clinical trials. Consequently, the evidence supporting many cardiovascular treatments is substantial, especially when the results of multiple large clinical trials are consistent in showing strong benefits. Cardiovascular professional societies also have been at the forefront in forging consensus among clinical experts and codifying best practice into practice guidelines. It is reasonable to expect that a treatment demonstrated to be effective in clinical trials and strongly endorsed by professional guidelines will be adopted by practicing physicians and consistently used in day-to-day patient care. See p 724 Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have followed this pathway of building evidence and professional consensus. Many randomized clinical trials have clearly shown that ACE inhibitors reduce mortality and morbidity rates among patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Pooled data from 5 large trials1 showed the odds of death of patients randomized to ACE inhibitors were reduced by 26% compared with placebo, translating into roughly 6 fewer deaths per 100 patients …
A conditional predictive p-value to compare a multinomial with an overdispersed multinomial in the analysis of T-cell populations

SUMMARY Immunological experiments thatrecordprimarymolecularsequences ofT-cellreceptorsproducemoderate to high-dimensional categorical data, some of which may be subject to extra-multinomial variation caused by technical constraints of cell-based assays. Motivated by such experiments in melanoma research, we develop a statistical procedure for testing the equality of two discrete populations, where one population delivers multinomial data and the other is subject to a specific form of overdispersion. The procedure computes a conditional-predictive p-value by splitting the data set into two, obtaining a predictive distribution for one piece given the other, and using the observed predictive ordinate to generate a p-value. The procedure has a simple interpretation, requires fewer modeling assumptions than would be required of a fully Bayesian analysis, and has reasonable operating characteristics as evidenced empirically and by asymptotic analysis.
Physiological Time Model of Scirpophaga incertulas (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Rice in Guandong Province, People’s Republic of China

Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is autochthonous and monophagous on rice, Oryza spp., which favors the development of a physiological time model using degree-days (°C) to establish a well defined window during which adults will be present in fields. Model development of S. incertulas adult flight phenology used climatic data and historical field observations of S. incertulas from 1962 through 1988. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate 5,203 prospective models with starting dates ranging from 1 January (day 1) to 30 April (day 121) and base temperatures ranging from −3 through 18.5°C. From six candidate models, which shared the lowest standard deviation of prediction error, a model with a base temperature of 10°C starting on 19 January was selected for validation. Validation with linear regression evaluated the differences between predicted and observed events and showed the model consistently predicted phenological events of 10 to 90% cumulative flight activity within a 3.5-d prediction interval regarded as acceptable for pest management decision making. The degree-day phenology model developed here is expected to find field application in Guandong Province. Expansion to other areas of rice production will require field validation. We expect the degree-day characterization of the activity period will remain essentially intact, but the start day may vary based on climate and geographic location. The development and validation of the phenology model of the S. incertulas by using procedures originally developed for pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig, shows the fungibility of this approach to developing prediction models for other insects.
Hiatal Hernia in the Dog: A Clinical Report of Four Chinese Shar Peis

Four Chinese shar pei littermate puppies were presented for vomiting, regurgitation, hypersalivation, and poor growth. Diagnosis of hiatal hernia was made for each of the four dogs based on survey radiographs and barium esophagram studies. All dogs initially underwent medical therapy, to which only one dog responded. All dogs underwent surgical treatment, which included manual hernia reduction followed by phrenoplasty, esophagopexy, and left incisional gastropexy, 5 to 40 days following initiation of medical therapy. The three surgical techniques described eliminated the need to enter the pleural cavity and offered excellent long-term results with no recurrence of clinical signs following surgery.
The Effect of Reading on the Acquisition of English Relative Clauses

49 adult acquirers of English as a second language took two tests probing restrictive relative clause competence. The amount of reported pleasure reading done by subjects were the only significant predictor of both measures. Neither years of formal study nor length of residence in the United States was a significant predictor. These results are consistent with the input hypothesis.
Pulmonary resection in the management of high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pulmonary resection in the management of high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Methods Patients who underwent pulmonary resection as part of their treatment for chemotherapy-resistant high-risk GTN from 1986 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had received 1 or more multiagent chemotherapy regimens preoperatively. Patient and disease characteristics were evaluated with respect to outcome. Results Fifteen (26%) of 58 patients treated for high-risk GTN underwent pulmonary resection with curative intent. Mean age of patients was 29 years (range, 19–37 years). International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was III in 12 and IV in 3. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics scores ranged from 5 to 20 (mean, 10). Antecedent pregnancy was nonmolar in 11 patients (73%). Adjuvant surgical procedures other than pulmonary resection were performed in 8 patients (53%). Preoperative chemotherapy regimens ranged from 1 to 10 (median, 4) and courses numbered from 2 to 32 (median, 14). Preoperative human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels ranged from 2 to 2786 mIU/mL (median, 177 mIU/mL). Pulmonary wedge resections or lobectomies were performed via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (11) or thoracotomy (4). Two patients underwent pulmonary resections on 2 separate occasions. No patient had complications as a result of these procedures. Eleven patients (73%) were cured. In these 11 patients, hCG levels decreased to less than 2 mIU/mL within 6 to 52 days (mean, 22 days) postoperatively. Conclusions Pulmonary resection of chemotherapy-resistant GTN was an important component of treatment in 26% of high-risk patients, 73% of whom were cured. Ideal candidates have disease isolated to the lungs and low hCG levels.
Optimal Quadrature Points for Approximating Integrals When Function Values are Observed with Error

(1984). Optimal Quadrature Points for Approximating Integrals When Function Values are Observed with Error. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 57, No. 5, pp. 284-290.
Pyramid Comet Sampler (PyCoS)

Future sample retuns missions from comets and small bodies require a sample acquisition system that can deal with a range of material strength and still satisfy a mimimum sample volume. To address these two requirements, Honeybee Robotics developed a piercing-style sampling system called Pyramid Comet Sampler (PyCoS). PyCoS falls into a family of sample capture systems that use piercing blades. Such systems could potentially include 2 or more blades. The ‘piercing blades’ systems are used every day as posthole diggers and tree spades. During our research we investigated a number of blade designs for 3 (Tetrahedron) and 4 blade (Pyramid) geometries. We designed and built experimental fixtures for a single shot and percussive approach of driving blades into subsurface. Test results demonstrate that it is possible to penetrate >10 cm depth in materials as strong as 4 MPa with energies per blade that can be generated by a Rosetta harpoon pyrotechnic device. Percussive systems, on the other hand, cannot penetrate 4 MPa materials with 2.5 J/blow hammer energy. Therefore, a single, high energy impact is the most robust approach to sample capture using piercing blades approach.
The Radiomycetaceae (Mucorales; Zygomycetes). III : a new species of Radiomyces, and cladistic analysis and taxonomy of the family; with a discussion of evolutionary ordinal relationships in Zygomycotina

The family Radiomycetaceae, which includes two genera, Hesseltinella and Radiomyces, is based, in part, on the production of a unique sporangiolum-bearing structure consisting of a once-septate stalk terminated by a vesicle bearing one or many uni- or multispored sporangiola. Zygospores, where known, have in common a smooth zygosporangial wall and opposed, appendage-bearing suspensors. Hesseltinella vesiculosa, the only known species of the genus, produces its stalked sporangiolum-bearing structures in lateral, subterminal, or terminal clusters. Only one sporangiolum is formed per fertile vesicle; sporangiolar appendages are acicular with flattened, hexagonal bases, and zygospores are unknown. The fungus is presumably heterothallic. In Radiomyces the sporangiolum-bearing branches always arise terminally on the enlarged apex of the sporangiophore and many sporangiola are formed per fertile vesicle; sporangiolar appendages are capitate or spathulate; zygospores are as described above, and the taxa are homothallic. A new species, Radiomyces mexicana, is described. This species resembles R. embreei but differs in having: 1) somewhat smaller spore-bearing structures, 2) globose to obpyriform (not sphaeroidal) fertile vesicles, 3) relatively thick-walled sporophore vesicles and fertile vesicles, 4) a slower rate of sporangiospore germination, and 5) a lower upper temperature range for good growth. On certain media a variable percentage of zygosporangia are ovoid to ellipsoid and the sporophore often has a pronounced subsporangial constriction. A cladistic analysis revealed that the genera of Radiomycetaceae and the family are each monophyletic. Radiomyces embreei and R. mexicana are more closely related to one another than to R. spectabilis because they are unispored (a synapomorphy). Radiomyces embreei and R. mexicana are characterized by autapomorphies and are considered monophyletic. Keys to the genera and species are provided.
An Epidemiological Investigation on Post-exposure Prophylaxis after Biting by Dogs and Other Animals in the Rabies Endemic Area,Cixi City.

Objective To better understand the treament effect of postexposure after biting by dogs and other animals in,Cixi city,and to provide evidence for rabies control.Methods The people,who were bitten by dogs and other animals,were investigated.All related information was collected such as the date and site of bite,animal species,postexposure treatment including vaccination and anti-rabies serum or human anti-rabies immune globulin.Results Total 21,504 cases had received the postexposure treatment from January to September in 2007.Among 21,504 people,95% were attributed to dog bites.62% of people had received the treatment within 12 hours after exposure.All people had received five doses of vaccine.Total 783 people had been administered anti-rabies serum.Furthermore,no sever side effect and rabies cases occurred among these people.Conclusions The injury caused by dogs was still a major potential factor to cause rabies in the rabies endemic area.The timely and correct postexposure treatment with good quality of vaccine could prevent from rabies.
Case 22-1988: A 13-Year-Old Girl with Secondary Amenorrhea, Obesity, Acanthosis Nigricans, and Hirsutism

Presentation of Case A 13-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital because of amenorrhea and hirsutism. Her previous medical history was unremarkable. At the age of 10 years the menarche occurred, with generally regular cycles; each menstrual period was associated with cramps for one or two days and moderate flow for four or five days. During the year before entry she had a weight gain of 9 kg and noticed increasing hair growth on her face and nipples. Six months before entry a typical menstrual period occurred and lasted for five days; thereafter she was amenorrheic. Six weeks before admission . . .
Prostate cancer in rural communities and its effect upon African American men

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among men in the world However men of African American or African descent are disproportionately affected with mortality rates twice that of white males Factors that contribute to prostate cancer are an increase in age and genetic factors Currently there is research being done on the link between prostate cancer and poor diet However this causal link has not been made African American men face higher rates of mortality due to prostate cancer because of a lack of education pertaining to prostate cancer a distrust of the healthcare system and infrequent visits to their physician These factors are then compounded by being located in a rural location where access to healthcare is scarce With a robust educational intervention targeting this population many of these deaths can be prevented via secondary prevention i e prostate specific antigen PSA screenings and digital rectal exams DRE acirc euro trade s
Determination of Plastic Zone at Crack Tip Using Laser Speckle Decorrelation

Speckle patterns from a metallic surface vary as a function of plastic deformation the material experiences and hence may be used to detect the plastic zone size. The speckle patterns are recorded and compared using cross correlation analysis based on an image processing system. This technique, which has the merits of being non-contact, remote sensing, and high sensitivity, is applied to measuring the size of plastic zone around a hole in an aluminum plate with finite width. A comparison with theoretical and finite element results is presented.
Left Phrenic Nerve Pacing From the Left Subclavian Vein Novel Method to Monitor for Left Phrenic Nerve Injury During Catheter Ablation

A 44-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy was referred for radiofrequency catheter ablation of recurrent sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia refractory to sotalol and mexiletine. The recurrent ventricular tachycardia led to multiple appropriate implantable cardioverter–defibrillator interventions. A preprocedural cardiac magnetic resonance showed subepicardial delayed gadolinium enhancement in the basal-lateral left ventricle (Figure [A]). Programmed ventricular stimulation up to 4 extrastimuli from multiple right and left ventricular sites failed to induce any sustained ventricular tachycardia. High-density left ventricular endocardial voltage map showed normal bipolar voltages, with a focal area of unipolar abnormalities (cut-off value 8.3 mV) in the basal-lateral left ventricle, consistent with the area of late gadolinium enhancement at cardiac magnetic resonance. Percutaneous subxiphoid pericardial access was obtained, and epicardial voltage map confirmed a small area of late and fragmented low-voltage electrograms at the basal-lateral left ventricle, opposite to the area of unipolar abnormalities (Figure [B]). Repeat programmed ventricular stimulation from the epicardium also failed to induce any ventricular tachycardia, and decision was made to perform substrate-based ablation targeting the epicardial late potentials. Intraprocedural coronary angiogram revealed no proximity to the coronary arteries. High-output pacing (20 mA, 2-ms pulse width), however, demonstrated intermittent …
Integration and Evaluation of Substance Abuse Research Education Training (SARET) into a Master of Social Work program

ABSTRACTBackground: The Substance Abuse Research and Education Training (SARET) program is funded by the National Institutes of Drug Abuse in 2006 as a novel approach to spark interest in substance abuse research among medical, dental, nursing, and social work graduate students through a Web-based curriculum and research mentorships. This report presents the initial integration of the intervention in a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, the components of the program, and the mixed-methods evaluation of its effect on students' attitudes towards substance abuse research and treatment. Methods: SARET comprises 2 main components: stipend-supported research mentorships and a Web-based module series, consisting of 6 interactive, multimedia modules addressing core SA research topics, delivered via course curricula and in the research mentorships. An initial evaluation was designed to assess SARET's acceptability and short-term impact on participants' interest in SA research. The components of this Web-based cu...
Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI detects changes in vascular transport rate constants following treatment with thermally-sensitive liposomal doxorubicin.

Abstract Temperature-sensitive liposomal formulations of chemotherapeutics, such as doxorubicin, can achieve locally high drug concentrations within a tumor and tumor vasculature while maintaining low systemic toxicity. Further, doxorubicin delivery by temperature-sensitive liposomes can reliably cure local cancer in mouse models. Histological sections of treated tumors have detected red blood cell extravasation within tumors treated with temperature-sensitive doxorubicin and ultrasound hyperthermia. We hypothesize that the local release of drug into the tumor vasculature and resulting high drug concentration can alter vascular transport rate constants along with having direct tumoricidal effects. Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) coupled with a pharmacokinetic model can detect and quantify changes in such vascular transport rate constants. Here, we set out to determine whether changes in rate constants resulting from intravascular drug release were detectable by MRI. We found that the accumulation of gadoteridol was enhanced in tumors treated with temperature-sensitive liposomal doxorubicin and ultrasound hyperthermia. While the initial uptake rate of the small molecule tracer was slower (k 1 = 0.0478 ± 0.011 s − 1 versus 0.116 ± 0.047 s − 1 ) in treated compared to untreated tumors, the tracer was retained after treatment due to a larger reduction in the rate of clearance (k 2 = 0.291 ± 0.030 s − 1 versus 0.747 ± 0.24 s − 1 ). While DCE-MRI assesses a combination of blood flow and permeability, ultrasound imaging of microvascular flow rate is sensitive only to changes in vascular flow rate; based on this technique, blood flow was not significantly altered 30 min after treatment. In summary, DCE-MRI provides a means to detect changes that are associated with treatment by thermally-activated particles and such changes can be exploited to enhance local delivery.
The Effect of the Relevance and Number of Training Dimensions on Concept Identification Performance

Concept identification performance was compared as a function of training on relevant (R), irrelevant (IR), or neutral (C) dimensions. The training was on either one or two dimensions and S made either a verbal and motor or just a motor response to each training stimulus. It was found that: (a) R training facilitates concept identification performance, (b) training on two dimensions facilitates performance irrespective of the relevance of the training dimensions, and (c) overt verbalization has no differential effect on performance in the transfer task.
A Framework for analyzing AR/VR Collaborations: An initial result

The recent advances in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) research have enabled investigations into collaborative efforts that equip participants with heterogeneous technological configurations in various degrees of immersion. Results from this work are interesting and may seem futuristic which can cause challenges in understanding the underlying impacts and gaining insights. This paper describes an attempt in identifying the fundamental elements of a digital interaction and remote collaboration; and proposes the Cross Reality Collaboration Framework (CRCF) to provide a unified platform for discussing, comparing, and contrasting these efforts. Though in an early stage of development, the current iteration of CRCF is capable of analyzing configurations that are based on drastically different technologies (e.g., an AR application vs. a location aware mobile application), comparing them, and revealing insights. This paper demonstrates the potentials of CRCF by applying it to analyze popular technological configurations and identifying opportunities for investigations. The paper then describes a prototype solution addressing the identified opportunity and presents results from a testing environment involving four collaborators with distinct technological configurations.
Evaluation of the use of CubeSats in atmospheric profiling

The atmospheric science community is interested in using small satellites called CubeSats to provide new capabilities for global observations of temperature, humidity, clouds and precipitation. The use of CubeSats is steadily increasing and offers a less expensive (compared to traditionally-sized satellites) means of collecting atmospheric data to augment existing weather observations and provide additional global data to increase the fidelity of existing climate models. Due to the increased use of CubeSats, and the importance of the atmospheric data they are designed to collect, the risks need to be well understood and mitigated to the maximum extent possible. The atmospheric science community's interest in using CubeSats poses the question of what size CubeSat is sufficient to collect the required atmospheric data. The benefits and risks involved in using different sizes of CubeSats was analyzed along with representative cloud and precipitation data to confirm that system-level instrument requirements are achievable within a CubeSat form factor.
Limited evidence for CO2 -related growth enhancement in northern Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine populations across climate gradients

Forests sequester large amounts of carbon annually and are integral in buffering against effects of global change. Increasing atmospheric CO2 may enhance photosynthesis and/or decrease stomatal conductance (gs ) thereby enhancing intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), having potential indirect and direct benefits to tree growth. While increasing iWUE has been observed in most trees globally, enhanced growth is not ubiquitous, possibly due to concurrent climatic constraints on growth. To investigate our incomplete understanding of interactions between climate and CO2 and their impacts on tree physiology and growth, we used an environmental gradient approach. We combined dendrochronology with carbon isotope analysis (δ13 C) to assess the covariation of basal area increment (BAI) and iWUE over time in lodgepole pine. Trees were sampled at 18 sites spanning two climatically distinct elevation transects on the lee and windward sides of the Continental Divide, encompassing the majority of lodgepole pine's northern Rocky Mountain elevational range. We analyzed BAI and iWUE from 1950 to 2015, and explored correlations with monthly climate variables. As expected, iWUE increased at all sites. However, concurrent growth trends depended on site climatic water deficit (CWD). Significant growth increases occurred only at the driest sites, where increases in iWUE were strongest, while growth decreases were greatest at sites where CWD has been historically lowest. Late summer drought of the previous year negatively affected growth across sites. These results suggest that increasing iWUE, if strong enough, may indirectly benefit growth at drier sites by effectively extending the growing season via reductions in gs . Strong growth decreases at high elevation windward sites may reflect increasing water stress as a result of decreasing snowpack, which was not offset by greater iWUE. Our results imply that increasing iWUE driven by decreasing gs may benefit tree growth in limited scenarios, having implications for future carbon uptake potential of semiarid ecosystems.
Combining high power ultrasound pre-treatment with malaxation oxygen control to improve quantity and quality of extra virgin olive oil

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate high power ultrasound (HPU) treatment before malaxation and control of oxygen during malaxation on extraction efficiency and quality of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). HPU treatment (150 W and 20 kHz, 13.5 kJ kg−1) was followed by controlling headspace oxygen concentrations (2%, 5%, 10%, and 21% (control)) during malaxation. Oil yield and various oxidative quality parameters were evaluated. The results showed that HPU treatment significantly (p
Developments in Survey Research over the Past 60 Years: A Personal Perspective

Many developments have occurred in the practice of survey sampling and survey methodology in the past 60 years or so. These developments have been partly driven by the emergence of computers and the continuous growth in computer power over the years and partly by the increasingly sophisticated demands from the users of survey data. The paper reviews these developments with a main emphasis on survey sampling issues for the design and analysis of social surveys. Design‐based inference based on probability samples was the predominant approach in the early years, but over time, that predominance has been eroded by the need to employ model‐dependent methods to deal with missing data and to satisfy analysts' demands for survey estimates that cannot be met with design‐based methods. With the continuous decline in response rates that has occurred in recent years, much current research has focused on the use of non‐probability samples and data collected from administrative records and web surveys.
Effects of Gallium Nitride (GaN) Cascode FETs on the Efficiency of an Interleaved DC-DC Converter

Increasing global demand for renewable energy systems is necessitating the application of high-efficiency power conversion. Wide-band gap (WBG) semiconductor devices such as gallium nitride (GaN) are increasing semiconductor switching performance and exceeding the limitations of current silicon (Si) devices. This paper presents a performance comparison between GaN cascode FET and Si CoolMOS power devices in an interleaved dc-dc boost converter. Switching characteristics and energy losses are measured through a double-pulse test (DPT) and analyzed at various voltages and junction temperatures. The effects of integrating GaN power devices in the converter are examined at higher switching frequencies and output power levels. The resulting total power loss and overall efficiency of the two converters are compared. The GaN power device in the converter offers better performance, lower switching loss, and more energy efficiency than the conventional interleaved boost converter with Si devices.
Constraint Effect in Brittle Fracture

Variation of apparent fracture toughness under predominantly (elastic) brittle fracture is investigated. Williams' asymptotic series solutions, including higher order terms, are used to characterize the crack tip stress and strain fields for various specimen geometries. Using a fracturing stress or a strain as the material property, it is demonstrated that a fracture event can be quantified by two mechanics parameters, K and A 3 for stress-controlled fracture or K and T for strain-controlled fracture. A set of test data that covers a wide range of T and A 3 is used to demonstrate the proposed fracture assessment procedure. Constraint-related issues such as size, crack depth, and biaxial stress effect are investigated. The material's failure locus is discussed relative to the ASTM recommended specimen geometries. It is shown that the ASTM in-plane size requirements place a finite-size window on the complete material failure locus. Since real structures may possess constraint levels either higher or lower than the ASTM standard test specimens, structures may fracture at an applied K either higher or lower than K I C . It is demonstrated that K I C determined according to ASTM E 399 and based on a linear elastic solution is not conservative when used to predict the fracture of specimens with low-constraint geometries. This trend is opposite to the corresponding constraint effect in cleavage fracture when the crack tip deformation at fracture is characterized by large-scale yielding.
Eliminating cervical cancer: A role for artificial intelligence

Cervical cancer caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), is the leading cause of mortality among women in many low-resource countries and the fourth leading cause of mortality globally. Decades of cervical cytology screening with subsequent treatment have resulted in marked declines in incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in developed regions, but resource-deprived regions lag behind because of suboptimal access to screening and treatment. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are showing promising results in early detection and prediction of cervical cancer progression with potential for future integration into screening and treatment modalities. This chapter begins with an overview of HPV infection, examines HPV pathogenesis and cervical cancer epidemiology; discusses the effectiveness of current primary and secondary prevention strategies and explores the potential role of AI technologies in improving cervical screening, diagnosis and treatment with the goal of eliminating cervical cancer.
The relationships between eating disorder pathology and relative reinforcing value of food, delay discounting, and related constructs in adolescents.

Abstract Food is a primary reinforcer that motivates behavior in the absence of learning or conditioning. Both the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of food and delay discounting are associated with weight status. While dietary restraint and disinhibition have been shown to influence the RRV of food, limited work has examined the relationships between eating disorder pathology and RRV of food and delay discounting. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how eating disorder pathology predicts RRV of food, proportion of food consumed, delay discounting, reinforcement pathology (i.e., high motivation to eat and high delay discounting), and sensitization of high energy dense food (HED; i.e., increases in RRV of HED food after daily repeated exposure). Participants were 167 adolescents ages 12–14 without obesity participating in a longitudinal study examining predictors of weight change who completed a series of laboratory assessments assessing the RRV of food of HED food, delay discounting, reinforcement pathology, sensitization of HED food, and a questionnaire assessing eating disorder pathology. Eating disorder pathology was not related to the RRV of food or delay discounting, but did predict reinforcement pathology and the sensitization of HED food. When explored by weight status, these relationships were only observed for those with overweight. There were no other significant relationships for either adolescents with normal weight or overweight. Given that weight status appeared to moderate some of the relationships between eating disorder pathology and reinforcement-related constructs, future work should examine how reinforcement pathology and eating disorder pathology are related to changes in weight status over time.