cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A systematic study of internal gas generation in shale source rocks using analog experiments

Abstract A two-dimensional Hele-Shaw cell was created to study and visualize hydrocarbon source rock (i.e., shale) elastic-brittle fracture and fracture network propagation mechanisms triggered by internal gas generation and gas build up during maturation of organic components. An analog immature source rock was created using a mixture of gelatin, sugar, and live yeast in pre-determined proportions. This mixture was poured into the Hele-Shaw cell and allowed to gel. The internal gas generated as a result of sugar fermentation by yeast caused pressure build up within the gel that ultimately resulted in the activation of dissipation mechanisms such as gas diffusion and deformation of the gel matrix. These mechanisms are analogous to shale maturation and fluid generation. Image analysis was employed to study and characterize key events such as fracture nucleation, propagation, and coalescence versus time. Derivative parameters such as fracture growth rate, fracture tip pressure, and fracture spatial distribution, among others, were calculated using the image-sourced data and applying Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) principles. Results showed that the experiments are repeatable within a consistent response range and additional parameters were identified to be useful input for numerical modelling, including nucleation sites, fracture merging angle, merging to nucleation ratio, and fracture connectivity. For a volume of about 100 cm3 of 11.6% wt. food-grade gelatin solution with 0.25% wt. yeast and a sugar/yeast ratio of 3, measured average total gas production was 35 cm3 (at standard conditions). On an average gelatin matrix area of 400 cm2, the average total fracture length and fracture density are 106 cm and 0.15 fractures/cm2, respectively. Average maximum calculated fracture tip pressure and maximum fracture velocity are 0.92 psi and 5.85 × 10−4 cm/s, respectively. Fracture connectivity was more frequent in the second half of the gas generation process and greater for the older and longer fractures. Average final fracture spacing was 4.42 cm. Connection angles between fractures tended to be closer to 0° than to 90°. Photoelasticity imaging techniques were applied to the experimental setup to visualize the stress field within the sample. The difference of principal stresses was estimated at 3.70 × 103 Pa for the tested material late in the maturation process. Results suggest interdependence of gas pressure, gas diffusion, and transient stress field states. The range of laboratory-scaled data are useful as benchmarking parameters for numerical modelling of source rock maturation including geomechanics.
Assessment of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) progeny and feeding damage on rice dried with infrared radiation

Abstract Infrared radiation (IR) is a method of drying grains that eliminates insect and microbial pests. It is unknown if IR could cause grains to be more susceptible to insects. Thus, the effects of IR on Rhyzopertha dominica development and feeding damage using long-grain rice varieties, Clearfield XL745 (hybrid) and CL152 (pureline), were examined. Rough rice was dried with three IR intensities: 2.15, 2.83, and 10.84 kW/m2. The number of progeny developed, feeding damage, and frass weight after IR-drying were compared with air-drying methods for rough rice and rice milled to brown rice after drying. Since R. dominica develop internally, X-ray technology was used to examine internal progeny and feeding damage. Progeny development and kernel damage appeared to be more affected by fraction (brown rice) than the cultivar of rice or intensity of IR used, with more progeny produced on brown rice than rough rice. An IR intensity of 10.84 kW/m2 increased the number of overall progeny, the amount of adults, and frass produced on CL152 brown rice. An intensity of 10.84 kW/m2 also increased the amount of larvae observed for both varieties and fractions. The intensity of 10.84 kW/m2, under the conditions of this study, is not recommended for drying rice.
Two plus four dimensions of critical literacy

This paper presents a critical analysis of the four dimensions of critical literacy (FDCL), a framework widely known among the scholars and practitioners in the field of critical literacy. It begin...
Poly (ethylene glycol) hydrogel scaffolds with multiscale porosity for culture of human adipose-derived stem cells

AbstractThree-dimensional (3 D) hydrogel scaffolds are an attractive option for tissue regeneration applications because they allow for cell migration, fluid exchange, and can be synthesized to clo...
Distribution Network Marginal Costs -- Part II: Case Study Based Numerical Findings

This two-part paper considers the day-ahead operational planning problem of a radial distribution network hosting Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Electric Vehicles (EVs). In Part I, we develop a novel AC Optimal Power Flow (OPF) model that estimates dynamic Distribution nodal Location Marginal Costs (DLMCs) of real and reactive power including transformer degradation. These all-inclusive DLMCs are key in the co-optimization of the distribution network and DER schedules. Part II discusses the implication of using DLMCs to represent the benefit of shifting real/reactive power across time and achieve optimal Distribution Network and DER operation. Moreover, it evaluates, elaborates and analyzes the novel AC OPF through extensive numerical results of actual distribution feeder-based case studies involving a wealth of future EV and PV adoption scenarios. Optimal schedules are compared to schedules that rely on apparently reasonable approaches, namely Business as Usual (i.e., do nothing), Time of Use, and traditional line loss minimization. The overwhelming evidence of extensive numerical results supports the significant benefits of internalizing short-run marginal asset - primarily transformer - degradation. Apart from optimal short-run scheduling, the proposed approach can harvest otherwise idle DER (PV/EV) reactive power compensation capabilities, increase distribution network DER (PV/EV) hosting capacity, and mitigate investments in distribution infrastructure that would be otherwise required to support distribution utilities' obligation to serve. Finally, numerical evidence on the benefits of AC OPF modeling intertemporal transformer life degradation suggests that it may be worth considering the introduction of intra-day markets.
Making strategy “Real”: Using reality television for innovating teaching approaches

Abstract Management instructors struggle to ensure that students understand and are engaged with the course material. Strategic management concepts present a particular challenge since many of them can be complex and are thus difficult to teach. We discuss how using a visual media case – a competitive reality television series – allows for more effective learning across a wide range of management topics. We demonstrate how a specific series can be used to teach multiple subjects or a single topic. Additionally, we show how inductive and deductive teaching methods can be utilized successfully. Student reactions are a valuable indicator of teaching effectiveness, so we also provide student feedback from their experience with the program.
Empirische Umsetzung: Organisationsfallstudien mit Beobachtung

Um die entwickelte theoretische Konzeption explorativ zu erproben, wurden zwei vertiefende Organisationsfallstudien durchgefuhrt. Das Herzstuck dieser Fallstudien stellt eine teilnehmende Beobachtung dar, die durch weitere Methoden erganzt wurde. Zur Vorbereitung der Organisationsfallstudien wurden Interviews mit Kommunikationsverantwortlichen von insgesamt 28 Interessenorganisationen gefuhrt.
Understanding the Effects of Process Parameters to Compensate for Substrate Warpage in Chip on Flex (CoF) Assembly Using Conventional Reflow

Abstract Mounting rigid silicon (Si) die on a flex substrate presents a unique set of challenges. Substrate surface flatness and warpage of the flex substrate before and during thermal processing b...
Lung Cancer: Clinical Findings, Pathology, and Exposure Assessment

Lung cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide and the most common cause of a cancer-related death. Tobacco smoking is the most important cause of lung cancer in most populations although occupational exposures cause an increased risk of lung cancer more than any other malignancy. This chapter will review the histomorphology and classification of carcinoma of the lung and the evidence for specific occupational exposures reported to cause lung cancer.
Critical Approaches to Credit-Bearing Information Literacy Courses . Angela Pashia and Jessica Critten, eds. Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2019. 328p. Paper, $62.00 (ISBN 978-0-8389-8947-0).

One of the more fraught adjectives in academic discourse is the word “critical.” The term “critical” as a precedent to any number of terms (“theory,” “pedagogy,” “literacy,” and “librarianship” are only a few) brings to the reader’s mind an array of scholarship, a large body of literature and criticism, as well as a spectrum of possible interpretations of meaning and consequence. At their core, each of these critical approaches represents a close examination and questioning of that which represents the consensus, the status quo, the establishment understanding of the subject. Our shared consensus understanding has developed through systemic choices, leading to an academic and larger socioeconomic environment that has centered the viewpoints of, and worked to the advantage of, predominantly white middle- and upper-class heterosexual men. A critical approach to information literacy pedagogy therefore seeks to decenter this predominant, consensus viewpoint from how we teach information literacy.
Preparation and characterization of a solid dispersion containing curcumin and octenylsuccinate hydroxypropyl phytoglycogen for improved curcumin solubility.

Abstract Curcumin (CCM) is a natural and potent bioactive compound; however, its poor water solubility limits its performances and applications. In this study, octenylsuccinate hydroxypropyl phytoglycogen (OHPP), a dendrimer-like, amphiphilic phytoglycogen derivative, was used to solubilize CCM and enable its inhibitory effect against pathogen Helicobacter pylori. The CCM-OHPP solid dispersion (CCM-OHPP SD) was prepared using spray drying and characterized for its molecular interaction (with FTIR), crystallinity (with X-ray powder diffraction), solubility, and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) against three H. pylori strains. The results showed the presence of hydrogen bonds between CCM and OHPP in CCM-OHPP SD and the transformation of CCM from crystalline to amorphous state due to its incorporation with OHPP. For CCM-OHPP SD, the soluble amount of CCM was over 16,000 times that of CCM alone, and the dissolution rate reached 60–99% in 30–60 min. Against three strains of H. pylori, MBC values of CCM were 20 μg/mL for CCM-OHPP SD, which were comparable with that of DMSO-assisted CCM solutions. Overall, the results showed that OHPP was a highly effective solubilizer of CCM to enable its inhibitory efficacy against H. pylori.
Delay in Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Increases Medical Separation Risk in the U.S. Military

Objectives:Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) remains one of the most readiness-impairing surgical conditions treated in the US Military. Greater time from the index injury to surgica...
A Novel Contraception Counseling and Shared Decision-Making Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents.

Introduction Many women of reproductive age with complex medical conditions receive primary care through an internal medicine (IM) physician rather than an obstetrician/gynecologist. Long-acting re...
Quantum interference enhances rectification behavior of molecular devices.

We present a theoretical and computational work and demonstrate that cross-conjugated molecules with electron-donating groups are efficient rectifiers with high conductance. The rectification ratios obtained are up to one order of magnitude at an applied bias voltage of 0.3 V. The use of electron-withdrawing groups to form donor–bridge–acceptor triads gives rectification ratios of the order of 102. We found that the high rectification results from localizing the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) at one end of the molecular device. When the HOMO is localized, quantum interference effects substantially enhance rectification. Our observations rely on transport calculations of linearly-conjugated and cross-conjugated molecules using Non-Equilibrium Green's Function Technique and Density Functional Theory (NEGF-DFT). Analysis of transmission functions suggests a dependency of the rectification ratio on the anti-resonance peak position near the Fermi level of the electrode, allowing the possibility to modulate molecular rectification through electrochemical gating.
Perfect Public Offering: A Process to Transfer Complete Ownership & Direction of Businesses to the Entire Public

This paper introduces a process for nonprofit universities to leverage the complete acquisition of businesses, via follow-on (or secondary) offerings - to legally structure businesses to operate in the best interests of the entire public, while ensuring prior investors reasonable returns. Nonprofit universities are well-positioned to completely own & operate businesses in their region, especially when work- and education-infrastructures are merged to subsidize costs; And when infrastructures are maintained as a byproduct of the education process. The social and economic efficiency and effectiveness of businesses owned and operated by a nonprofit university, induces logic and peer-pressures which encourage global assimilation; The mechanism relies on an iterated prisoner’s dilemma scenario established amongst global businesses, created by global externalities produced from the localized interactions of an initial group of businesses being acquired by a nonprofit university. The university uses a public enterprise resource planning (ERP) website to localize and showcase the information and activities of its group - to concentrate global understanding, trust, and support to its university and the businesses it acquires, of which are required to pay a subscription service fee and regular donation to the university. The university uses all funds to pay the operation costs of the ERP and to acquire businesses. The result of this process efficiently and effectively produces and allocates goods, services, knowledge, resources, jobs, and opportunities to its surrounding public in a sustainable manner, which resolves socioeconomic issues - which can be networked with other regions; And the process defines and corrects equity valuations by establishing an ultimate investment strategy within equity markets.
Affect-Based Problem Drinking Risk: The Reciprocal Relationship between Affective Lability and Problem Drinking.

Aims Negative affect has been implicated in risk for the development of problematic drinking behavior. Furthermore, there is evidence for reciprocal relationships between negative affect and problem drinking, such that engagement in problem drinking also predicts increases in negative affect. However, affective models of risk often fail to consider affective lability-the experience of rapidly changing mood. Although affective lability appears to increase risk for problem drinking, it is unknown if this relationship persists above and beyond other affect-related constructs (e.g. depression, anxiety) and if it is reciprocal in nature. Accordingly, we used a longitudinal survey design to examine (a) if affective lability predicts problem drinking above and beyond depression and anxiety and (b) if affective lability and problem drinking demonstrate a reciprocal relationship. Methods First-year college students (n = 358) participated in a three wave longitudinal study. We constructed a structural equation model (SEM) of a random intercept cross-lagged panel model to test our hypotheses. Results Consistent with our hypotheses, affective lability predicted increases in problem drinking while anxiety and depression did not. Problem drinking and affective lability demonstrated a reciprocal relationship in which increases in one predicted increases in the other at subsequent time points. This relationship was present beyond the predictive effects of anxiety or depression. Conclusions Affective lability appears to be an important affect-based predictor of problem drinking, and there may be a reciprocal, risk-enhancing relationship between affective lability and problem drinking.Components of negative affect, such as depression or anxiety, have been shown to predict risk for problem drinking, and vice versa. A less considered construct, affective lability, predicted problem drinking while anxiety and depression did not add any predictive power. Problem drinking and affective lability also appeared to demonstrate a reciprocal relationship.
TET2 and DNMT3A mutations and exceptional response to 4'-thio-2'-deoxycytidine in human solid tumor models.

Background Challenges remain on the selection of patients who potentially respond to a class of drugs that target epigenetics for cancer treatment. This study aims to investigate TET2/DNMT3A mutations and antitumor activity of a novel epigenetic agent in multiple human cancer cell lines and animal models. Methods Seventeen cancer cell lines and multiple xenograft models bearing representative human solid tumors were subjected to 4'-thio-2'-deoxycytidine (T-dCyd) or control treatment. Gene mutations in cell lines were examined by whole exome and/or Sanger sequencing. Specific gene expression was measured in cells and xenograft tumor samples by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. TET2/DNMT3A mutation status in 47,571 human tumor samples was analyzed at cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics. Results Cell survival was significantly inhibited by T-dCyd in breast BT549, lung NCI-H23, melanoma SKMEL5 and renal ACHN cancer lines harboring deleterious TET2 and nonsynonymous DNMT3A mutations compared to 13 lines without such mutation pattern (P = 0.007). The treatment upregulated p21 and induced cell cycle arrest in NCI-H23 cells, and dramatically inhibited their xenograft tumor growth versus wildtype models. T-dCyd administrations led to a significant p21 increase and near eradication of tumor cells in the double-mutant xenografts by histological evaluation. TET2/DNMT3A was co-mutated in human lung, breast, skin and kidney cancers and frequently in angioimmunoblastic and peripheral T cell lymphomas and several types of leukemia. Conclusions Cell and animal models with concurrent mutations in TET2 and DNMT3A were sensitive to T-dCyd treatment. The mutations were detectable in human solid tumors and frequently occur in some hematological malignancies.
Parked and Operating Loads Analysis in the Aerodynamic Design of Multi-megawatt-scale Floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Abstract. A good understanding of aerodynamic loading is essential in the design of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) to properly capture design loads and to estimate the power production. This paper presents a comprehensive aerodynamic design study for a 5 MW Darrieus offshore VAWT in the context of multi-megawatt floating VAWTs. This study systematically analyzes the effect of different, important design variables including the number of blades (N), aspect ratio (AR) and blade tapering in a comprehensive loads analysis of both the parked and operating aerodynamic loads including turbine power performance analysis. Number of blades (N) is studied for 2- and 3-bladed turbines, aspect ratio is defined as ratio of rotor height (H) and rotor diameter (D) and studied for values from 0.5 to 1.5, and blade tapering is applied by means of adding solidity to the blades towards blade root ends, which affects aerodynamic and structural performance. Analyses were carried out using a three-dimensional vortex model named CACTUS (Code for Axial and Crossflow TUrbine Simulation) to evaluate both instantaneous azimuthal parameters as well as integral parameters, such as loads (thrust force, lateral force, and torque loading) and power. Parked loading is a major concern for VAWTs, thus this work presents a broad evaluation of parked loads for the design variables noted above. This study also illustrates that during the operation of a turbine, lateral loads are on par with thrust loads, which will significantly affect the structural sizing of rotor and platform & mooring components.
Modification of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristic of zein film surfaces by contact with oxygen plasma treated PDMS and oleic acid content

Zein has been widely studied as a biopolymer due to its unique film-forming abilities. Surface properties are of high importance for certain applications which include microfluidics and tissue engineering, as they drastically affect the end result. It is important to develop techniques to modify zein surface properties without compromising bulk material properties. In this study, we developed a facile technique to change the water affinity of zein film surfaces, compatible with patterning techniques via soft lithography. This is achieved by a simple solvent casting technique onto a polydimethylsilohexane (PDMS) substrate that was exposed to oxygen plasma. Water contact angle measurements (WCA) were used to assess the hydrophillicity of zein surfaces and they reached as low as 20°. Atomic force microscopy, optical absorbance and light microscopy were used to study the characteristics of the film and its surface topography. Hydrophilic zein surfaces had higher roughness values compared to hydrophobic ones. Surface roughness, introduced by sandpaper and gratings does not have the same effect as surface chemistry. The amphiphilic nature of plasticizer oleic acid also contributed to the change in the water contact angle of the films. In conclusion, we demonstrated that zein film's surface properties can be controlled by its ability to self-assemble depending on the substrate that it is being cast on.
Modification of hepatic vitamin E stores in vivo. I. Alterations in plasma and liver vitamin E content by methyl ethyl ketone peroxide.

Abstract Since experiments with freshly isolated rat hepatocytes have shown that cellular vitamin E is consumed in response to insult by compounds that induce an oxidative stress only after cellular glutathione (GSH) concentrations have been substantially depleted, experiments were performed to determine whether this sequence of events occurred in response to oxidative insult in vivo . The role that plasma vitamin E plays in the response to chemically induced oxidative injury in vivo was also assessed. Treatments with 40 mg/kg of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) quickly induced lipid peroxidation in vivo and from one to 4 h after treatment caused a depression in the plasma content of vitamin E and the liver content of GSH, as well as signs of toxicity (elevations in serum activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases). At these time points however, the liver content of vitamin E was either indistinguishable from or slightly elevated from controls. By 12 to 24 h after treatment the liver content of vitamin E was reduced by 20–25% whereas values for all other indicators had returned toward control levels. Pretreatment of rats with l -buthionine- S,R -sulfoximine, an inhibitor of GSH synthesis that caused a 26 or 50% depletion of hepatic GSH by 4 or 24 h after treatment, did not alter the time course or extent of hepatic vitamin E depletion that was observed after treatment with MEKP. Other compounds that induce oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation to the liver, carbon tetrachloride and menadione, did not provoke an alteration in hepatic vitamin E levels as compared to controls 1 day after treatment. These findings indicate that depletion of hepatic vitamin E may not occur as an immediate consequence of oxidative insult to the liver and that the depletion of hepatic vitamin E levels may not be related to the extent of prior GSH depletion. Moreover, these findings suggest that alterations in the plasma concentration of vitamin E may not reflect concurrent alterations in hepatic vitamin E levels. A mechanism whereby liver vitamin E stores are mobilized for the maintenance of plasma vitamin E levels is proposed.
Electronic Electrostatic Potentials of Molecules, Local Hardness, Local Polarizability and Local Ionization Energy

The significance of the total molecular electrostatic potential Vtot(r) is well established. However much less attention has been given to its component due to the electrons alone, Vel(r). In this paper, we examine the features of Vel(r) for a group of six molecules, and contrast them to those of Vtot(r). We also assess a proposed relationship between |Vel(r)| and local hardness &eta(r), an index of chemical reactivity. We conclude that it is not generally valid, and that better measures of η(r) are the local ionization energy IS(r) and the inverse of the local polarizability α(r).
A study of the management of prolonged labor.

Abstract The following results were obtained in a study of 556 cases of prolonged labors, part of which were treated inactively (watchful expectancy) and the remainder treated actively (artificial rupture of the fetal membranes and/or administration of posterior pituitary extract where indicated): 1. 1. Artificial rupture of fetal membranes alone produced adequate uterine contractions resulting in the delivery of 32.7 per cent of all patients in the active series. 2. 2. Posterior pituitary extract was effective in producing satisfactory progress in 95.8 per cent of cases (161 cases) of uterine inertia which failed to respond to rupture of the membranes. Operative delivery was deemed necessary in 4.2 per cent. The effective dose varied from 1 minim (45.8 per cent) to over 4 minims (4.27 per cent). 3. 3. There were no deleterious effects upon either the fetus or mother that could be attributed to the artificial rupture of the fetal membranes or to the administration of posterior pituitary extract. Active treatment produced no obvious deleterious effect on mother or baby. 4. 4. The incidence of protracted labors was reduced in the active series; 6.4 per cent of the primiparas in the active group were in labor over 36 hours as compared to 36.4 per cent of the inactive group, and 0.9 per cent of the multiparas in the active group were in labor for over 36 hours as compared to 17.3 per cent in the inactive group. 5. 5. There was a distinct decrease in incidence of midforceps deliveries in the active series. The rate of cesarean section was higher in the active group (3.0 per cent to 1.0 per cent). 6. 6. The rate of other operative procedures (Duhrssen's incisions and craniotomies) was higher in the inactive series. 7. 7. The incidence of maternal complications was greater in the inactive series than in the active series. 8. 8. The maternal morbidity was 1.1 per cent in the active series as compared to 4.3 per cent (corrected) in the inactive series. 9. 9. The fetal mortality was 0.75 per cent in the active series as compared to 4.5 per cent in the inactive series. 10. 10. There were no maternal deaths in either series.
Recent results on Lyapunov-theoretic techniques for nonlinear stability

Establishes a converse Lyapunov function theorem useful for studying stability of systems with disturbances. The result applies to global stability with respect to closed, not necessarily compact, invariant sets, and the resulting Lyapunov functions are smooth.
Predictors of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Behçet's Disease

Background: Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem vasculitis of unknown etiology. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with BD. Methods: All adult patients diagnosed with BD from the National Inpatient Sample database using the International Classification of Diseases 9th revision (ICD-9 code 136.1) during 2009-2010 were included in the analysis. We analyzed the demographics, traditional risk factors, prevalence, and predictors of CAD in patients with BD using ICD-9 codes. Results: The prevalence of BD among adults was 0.006% (n = 2,540) of all in-hospital admissions in the USA. The mean age was 43.9 years, with women (45 years) being older than men (40 years) (p Conclusion: In patients with BD, traditional risk factors associated with CAD were similar to what is expected in the overall population. However, the young age of patients with CAD in this population suggests an accelerated course of atherosclerosis in BD.
Of Goats and Men: A Literary Relic of Gaelic Ontario

This article is an edition and translation of a Gaelic poem from early 19th-century Glengarry, Ontario, along with contextual information and a detailed analysis of the poem in as literature and Gaelic cultural expression.
The V2 Transition Ratio: A New Electrocardiographic Criterion for Distinguishing Left From Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Tachycardia Origin

Objectives We sought to develop electrocardiography (ECG) criteria for distinguishing left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) from right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) origin in patients with idiopathic outflow tract ventricular tachycardia (OTVT) and lead V 3 R/S transition. Background Several ECG criteria have been proposed for differentiating left from right OTVT origin; ventricular tachycardias (VTs) with left bundle branch block and V 3 transition remain a challenge. Methods We analyzed the surface ECG pattern of patients with OTVT with a precordial transition in lead V 3 who underwent successful catheter ablation. Sinus and VT QRS morphologies were measured in limb and precordial leads with electronic calipers. The V 2 and V 3 transition ratios were calculated by computing the percentage R-wave during VT (R/R+S) VT divided by the percentage R-wave in sinus rhythm (R/R+S) SR . Results We retrospectively analyzed ECGs from 40 patients (mean age 44 ± 14 years, 21 female) with outflow tract premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)/VT. Patients with structural heart disease, paced rhythms, and bundle branch block during sinus rhythm were excluded. The V 2 transition ratio was significantly greater for LVOT PVCs compared with RVOT PVCs (1.27 ± 0.60 vs. 0.23 ± 0.16; p 2 transition ratio ≥0.60 predicted an LVOT origin with 91% accuracy. A PVC precordial transition occurring later than the sinus rhythm transition excluded an LVOT origin with 100% accuracy. Conclusions The V 2 transition ratio is a novel electrocardiographic measure that reliably distinguishes LVOT from RVOT origin in patients with lead V 3 precordial transition. This measure might be useful for counseling patients and planning an ablation strategy.
Release of Catecholamines from Isolated Adrenal Chromaffin Granules by Endogenous ATP

By the use of ATP-regenerating systems it can be shown that the ATP leaking from adrenal chromaffin granules in vitro produces the same effects on these granules as does the addition of exogenous ATP, i.e., release of catecholamines and change in light-scattering properties.
Measuring investment performance with a stochastic parameter regression model

Abstract This paper develops a generalization of the Hildreth and Houck (1968) random coefficient model for use in evaluating the macroforecasting ability of portfolio managers. Most studies have assumed that astute managers ignore the strength of the market trend and create a binary portfolio beta with one value during up markets and a lower value during down markets. In contrast, this paper examines a model in which the superior manager adjusts beta period by period according to changing market conditions. The findings indicate that portfolio managers are not superior macroforecasters.
Preservice Teachers' School Stories and How They Matter

In this article, the author presents an analysis of 23 school stories (Clandinin & Connelly, 1996) composed by preservice teachers as part of an elective course in an undergraduate teacher preparation program. Three layers of analysis—topical, thematic, and theoretical coding—provide insight into the contribution of the school story genre towards understanding the personal practical knowledge (Clandinin, 1992) of preservice teachers. This research suggests that school stories offer generative potential for preservice teachers to make connections between their own schooling experiences and future practices. This study also recommends that teacher educators be mindful of preservice teachers' residual conflict with school personnel, systems, rules, and procedures. Strategies and practices to address these findings are included.
Inhibition of Threshold Excitation in the Human Eye

Resume L'INHIBITION DE L'EXCITATION DU SEUIL DANS L'OEIL HUMAIN Les experiences rapportees ici ont presente de l'evidence pour l'inhibition de l'excitation du seuil. L'influence des facteurs spatiaux sur les conditions de stimulation dans lesquelles cette inhibition peut ětre demontree a ete determinee pour la fovea et la peripherie de la retine. L'intensite du seuil d'une tache donnee de stimulus a ete determinee comme elle est modifiee par la proximite et l'intensite d'une tache de stimulus adjacente, simultanement presentee. Les resultats sur lesquels l'interpretation en termes de l'inhibition est basee montrent que, dans certaines conditions de la stimulation simultanee des deux aires (dans la fovea et la peripherie), la valeur du seuil pour l'aire du test est plus grande que sa valeur obtenue quand elle est presentee seule. Quand les conditions de la stimulation sont changees de sorte que la tache du test est vue dans la vision foveale avec un oeil et la tache induisante avec l'autre oeil, l'intensit...
Treating diabetes using oral agents

Diabetes is a costly disease, both in population-based treatment costs for end-organ complications, and in costs for individual patients coping with the day-to-day glycemic control. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for 95% of all diabetes. Although clinically and economically long-term glycemic control reduces morbidity and mortality, effective management of diabetes to achieve glycemic control remains a challenge for the patient as well as the practitioner. Typical doses of sulfonylureas or generic metformin cost currently about $30 per month. Alpha glucosidase inhibitors cost approximately $50 per month, meglitinides $90 per month, and thiazolidinediones $160 per month [1]. Table 1 gives dosing and cost information for available oral agents in a major chain pharmacy in the northeast United States. Adherence to prescribed oral agents (which ranges from 16% to 79% depending on the patient population studied) is a major issue. Even in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, 42% of glyburide prescriptions are not refilled when due [2]. At 1 year, persistence rates for metformin are 60% and 48% for repaglinide (a meglitinide) [3]. Careful selection of initial oral agent to minimize adverse events and cost may improve medication adherence, in turn enhancing glycemic control and thus reducing the longterm economic burden of T2DM for both individuals and society [4].
Effects of trauma-related audiovisual stimulation on cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine and corticotropin-releasing hormone concentrations in post-traumatic stress disorder

Summary Background Although elevated concentrations of both corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and norepinephrine are present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the effects of exposure to traumatic stimuli on these stress-related hormones in CSF are unknown. Methods A randomized, within-subject, controlled, cross-over design was used, in which patients with war-related PTSD underwent 6-h continuous lumbar CSF withdrawal on two occasions per patient (6–9 weeks apart). During one session the patients watched a 1-h film containing combat footage (traumatic film) and in the other a 1-h film on how to oil paint (neutral film). At 10-min intervals, we quantified CRH and norepinephrine in CSF, and ACTH and cortisol in plasma, before, during, and after symptom provocation. Subjective anxiety and mood were monitored using 100-mm visual analog scales. Blood pressure and heart rate were obtained every 10 min from a left leg monitor. Results Eight of 10 patients completed two CSF withdrawal procedures each. A major drop in mood and increases in anxiety and blood pressure occurred during the traumatic relative to the neutral videotape. CSF norepinephrine rose during the traumatic film relative to the neutral videotape; this rise directly correlated with magnitude of mood drop. In contrast, CSF CRH concentrations declined during the trauma-related audiovisual stimulus, both absolutely and relative to the neutral stimulus; the magnitude of CRH decline correlated with degree of subjective worsening of anxiety level and mood. Plasma cortisol concentrations were lower and ACTH levels similar during the stress compared with the neutral videotape. Conclusions CSF concentrations of the stress hormones norepinephrine and CRH differentially change after exposure to 1 h of trauma-related audiovisual stimulation in chronic, combat-related PTSD. While the CSF norepinephrine increase was postulated, the decline in CSF CRH levels is surprising and could be due to audiovisual stress-induced increased uptake of CSF CRH into brain tissue, increased CRH utilization, increased CRH degradation, or to an acute stress-related inhibition or suppression of CRH secretion.
Organ motion due to respiration: the state of the art and applications in interventional radiology and radiation oncology

Tracking organ motion due to respiration is important for precision treatments in interventional radiology and radiation oncology, among other areas. In interventional radiology, the ability to track and compensate for organ motion could lead to more precise biopsies for applications such as lung cancer screening. In radiation oncology, image-guided treatment of tumors is becoming technically possible, and the management of organ motion then becomes a major issue. This paper will review the state-of-the-art in respiratory motion and present two related clinical applications. Respiratory motion is an important topic for future work in image-guided surgery and medical robotics. Issues include how organs move due to respiration, how much they move, how the motion can be compensated for, and what clinical applications can benefit from respiratory motion compensation. Technology that can be applied for this purpose is now becoming available, and as that technology evolves, the subject will become an increasingly interesting and clinically valuable topic of research.
Fire scars reveal source of New England's 1780 Dark Day

Historical evidence suggests that great wildfires burning in the Lake States and Canada can affect atmo- spheric conditions several hundred miles away (Smith 1950; Wexler 1950). Several 'dark' or 'yellow' days, as such events are commonly called, have been recorded, often with anecdotal or direct evidence pointing to wildfires as the source (Plummer 1912; Ludlum 1972). One such 'dark day' occurred across New England in 1780, a year in which people were technologically unable to confirm the source of such a phenomenon. Here we combine written accounts and fire scar evidence to document wildfire as the likely source of the infamous Dark Day of 1780.
RATE CONSTANT FOR THE REACTION OF CL WITH CHCL3

The rate constant for the reaction of Cl with CHCl3 was measured relative to the Cl reaction with CH4 and CH3Cl using long path FTIR. The measured rate constant at 298 K and 1 atm total pressure was (1.21 ± 0.13) × 10−13 cm3 molecule −1s−1 (2σ) about 60% larger than the currently recommended value (although within the large error bars). The implications of the Cl + CHCl3 reaction for relative rate studies chloromethane reactivity, and tropospheric chemistry are discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dietary Change in Antebellum America

In his essay, "Height and Weight of West Point Cadets: Dietary Change in Antebellum America," John Komlos claimed that, beginning with the birth cohort of the 1820s, the heights of West Point cadets fell and that the "trend bottomed out in the [birth cohort of the] 1860s and generally reversed in the 1870s.''1 He believed that this decline reflects a general development in the American population, and that it was due to a reduction in available nutrients per capita. According to Komlos, the nutrient shortfall was in turn due to the inability of American agriculture to meet the demands placed upon it by the pronounced structural changes the economy was undergoing during this period. The case seems to me less secure than Komlos believed it to be. The next section of this note deals with the height data. The third and fourth treat Komlos's measurement and interpretation of food production and consumption, and the fifth is a brief conclusion.
Expression of the mouse lactate dehydrogenase-A promoter fused with the bacterial gpt gene in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The promoter region of the cloned mouse lactate dehydrogenase-A gene was fused with the gpt gene of Escherichia coli, and this fusion gene was shown to express in Chinese hamster ovary cells. This result demonstrates that the cloned LDH-A promoter is indeed functional.
Connectivity threshold and recovery time in rank-based models for complex networks

We study a generalized version of the protean graph (a probabilistic model of the World Wide Web) with a power law degree distribution, in which the degree of a vertex depends on its age as well as its rank. The main aim of this paper is to study the behaviour of the protean process near the connectivity threshold. Since even above the connectivity threshold it is still possible that the graph becomes disconnected, it is important to investigate the recovery time for connectivity, that is, how long we have to wait to regain the connectivity.
Phase Transformations Involving Network Phases in ISO Triblock Copolymer−Homopolymer Blends

Poly(isoprene-b-styrene-b-ethylene oxide) (ISO) triblock copolymers were blended with poly(styrene) and poly(isoprene) homopolymers at compositions close to those previously shown to produce triply periodic, multiply continuous network phases. Homopolymer molecular weights were approximately equal to the corresponding block molecular weights, and homopolymer concentrations up to 21 vol % were explored without evidence of phase separation. Three triply periodic network phases were identified: a core−shell double gyroid (Q230, Ia3d space group symmetry), an orthorhombic network (O70, Fddd space group symmetry), and an alternating gyroid (Q214, I4132 space group symmetry). Tuning the overall composition by adding homopolymer resulted in systematic phase transitions between the Q230 and O70 networks and between the Q214 and O70 networks. In addition, doping with both poly(styrene) and poly(isoprene) homopolymer induced transitions from three-domain lamellae (LAM3) to the O70 network phase. In general, phase...
Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants: Do We Have the Right Answers?

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common clinical condition in preterm infants. Preterm newborns with PDA are at greater risk for several morbidities, including higher rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), decreased perfusion of vital organs, and mortality. Therefore, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors and surgical interventions for ligation of PDA are widely used. However, these interventions were reported to be associated with side effects. In the absence of clear restricted rules for application of these interventions, different strategies are adopted by neonatologists. Three different approaches have been investigated including prophylactic treatment shortly after birth irrespective of the state of PDA, presymptomatic treatment using echocardiography at variable postnatal ages to select infants for treatment prior to the duct becoming clinically significant, and symptomatic treatment once PDA becomes clinically apparent or hemodynamically significant. Future appropriately designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to refine selection of patients for medical and surgical treatments should be conducted. Waiting for new evidence, it seems wise to employ available clinical and echocardiographic parameters of a hemodynamically significant (HS) PDA to select patients who are candidates for medical treatment. Surgical ligation of PDA could be used as a back-up tool for those patients who failed medical treatment and continued to have hemodynamic compromise.
Safety and efficacy of currently available fibrin tissue adhesives

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review preparation methods, bonding power, preparation time, and costs associated with currently available autologous and homologous fibrin tissue adhesive preparations. Methods: Two autologous fibrin tissue adhesive preparations (AFTA-A and AFTA-E), a single-donor homologous preparation, and 2 multiple-donor pooled homologous fibrin tissue adhesives, Vi-Guard and Tisseel, were evaluated and compared in relation to bonding power, preparation time, cost, bicompatability, and biodegradability. Results: Vi-Guard and Tisseel showed significantly greater bonding strengths than their single-donor counterparts. AFTA-C offers the quickest preparation time. All preparations were found to be similar in biocompatability and biodegradability in soft tissue tests. Histology showed no infection or tissue reaction from adhesive exposure in any of the preparations. Conclusion: The optimal choice of a fibrin tissue adhesive is determined by the particular clinical indication. Currently available fibrin tissue adhesives vary appreciably in their bonding strength, cost, level of exposure risk, and preparation methods and times. Autologous preparations, which offer optimal safety, lack the strength and availability characteristics found with the multiple-donor preparations. (Am J Otolaryngol 2001;22:230-235. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company)
Improved Stack Algorithm for MIMO Systems

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems could increase wireless communication system capacity enormously. The best optimal detection algorithm for MIMO systems was maximum likelihood (ML) detection algorithm, which could provide the best bit error rate (BER) performance for MIMO systems. However, the computational complexity of ML detection algorithm grew exponentially with the number of transmit antennas and the order of modulation, which resulted in difficult using for practice. A modified MIMO signal detection algorithm which combined ML detection with stack algorithm was presented in this paper. After performing QR decomposition of the channel matrix, the ML detection with length L was done firstly. The partial accumulated metrics were calculated and sorted, which produced an ordered set secondly. Based on the ordered set, stack algorithm was performed to search for the symbol with the minimum accumulated metrics. The proposed algorithm reduced the probability of look back in stack algorithm.