cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Write-it-Yourself with the Aid of Smartwatches: A Wizard-of-Oz Experiment with Blind People

Working with non-digital, standard printed materials has always been a challenge for blind people, especially writing. Blind people very often depend on others to fill out printed forms, write checks, sign receipts and documents. Extant assistive technologies for working with printed material have exclusively focused on reading, with little to no support for writing. Also, these technologies employ special-purpose hardware that are usually worn on fingers, making them unsuitable for writing. In this paper, we explore the idea of using off-the-shelf smartwatches (paired with smartphones) to assist blind people in both reading and writing paper forms including checks and receipts. Towards this, we performed a Wizard-of-Oz evaluation of different smartwatch-based interfaces that provide user-customized audio-haptic feedback in real-time, to guide blind users to different form fields, narrate the field labels, and help them write straight while filling out these fields. Finally, we report the findings of this study including the technical challenges and user expectations that can potentially inform the design of Write-it-Yourself aids based on smartwatches.
On quadratic response functions and triple correlations in plasmas

Definitions of and relations among quadratic plasma response functions are established from Maxwell’s equations and nonlinear constitutive relations. Then from statistical mechanical perturbation theory, equilibrium triple correlations of the microscopic charge density are expressed in terms of these response functions.
Reactive Transport Modeling Approach and its Initial Saltcake Dilution Chemical Modeling

During waste retrieval, chemical reactions, waste property changes, and waste movements/mixing interact. Thus,to be accurate, a waste process assessment methodology must account for these physical and chemical waste characteristics and mechanisms. This study provides suggestions for column tests and simulation modeling efforts to investigate saltwell pumping of Hanford Tank S-112. In addition, GMIN chemical modeling was initiated for S-112 saltcake dilution with 50% and 100% water as the first step of evaluating the feasibility of the reactive transport code ARIEL as a waste retrieval assessment methodology. The chemical modeling predicted the S-112 saltcake chemistry reasonably well. Although it is too early to conclude the usefulness of this reactive transport modeling approach, it is worth further evaluating its applicability to the waste retrieval process.
Land‐Atmosphere Responses to a Total Solar Eclipse in Three Ecosystems With Contrasting Structure and Physiology

Mid-Missouri experienced up to 2 min 40 s of totality at around solar noon during the total eclipse of 2017. We conducted the Mid-Missouri Eclipse Meteorology Experiment to examine land-atmosphere interactions during the eclipse. Here, research examining the eclipse responses in three contrasting ecosystems (forest, prairie, and soybeans) is described. There was variable cloudiness around first and fourth contacts (i.e., the start and end of partial solar obscuration) at the forest and prairie; however, solar irradiance (K ↓) signals during the eclipse were relatively clean. Unfortunately, the eclipse forcing at the soybean field was contaminated by convective activity, which decreased K ↓ beginning about an hour before first contact and exposed the field to cold outflow ~30 min before second contact. Turbulence was suppressed during the eclipse at all sites; however, there was also an amplified signal at the soybean field during the passage of a gust front. The standard deviations of the horizontal and vertical wind velocities and friction velocities decreased by ~75% at the forest (aerodynamically rough), and ~60% at the prairie (aerodynamically smooth). The eddy fluxes of energy were highly coherent with the solar forcing with the latent and sensible heat fluxes approaching 0 W/m2 and changing in direction, respectively. For the prairie site, we estimated a canopy-scale time constant for the surface conductance light response of 10 min. Although the eclipse imparted large forcings on surface energy balances, the air temperature response was relatively muted (1.5-2.5 °C decrease) due to the absence of topographic effects and the relatively moist land and atmosphere.
Cough-induced costal cartilage fracture

We present two cases of atraumatic costal cartilage fracture secondary to violent coughing. Although costal cartilage fractures due to trauma and bony rib fractures due to violent coughing have been described, to our knowledge there have been no prior reported cases of cough-induced costal cartilage fracture. It is important for radiologists to consider costal cartilage fractures, which are often more subtle than osseous injuries, in patients with chest pain, and understand that they may not always be preceded by direct trauma. Identifying this injury is clinically important and will prevent patients from undergoing unnecessary examinations to rule out a cardiac cause of chest pain or a pulmonary embolism.
Severe Herpes Zoster Requiring Intravenous Antiviral Treatment in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients on Standard Acyclovir Prophylaxis.

ABSTRACT Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients are at increased risk for varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation and associated complications. The incidence, timing, and risk factors for severe herpes zoster (HZ) are not well described in the era of acyclovir (ACV) prophylaxis. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent first allogeneic HCT between October 2006 and December 2015 at our institution. Patients were followed until December 2017 for the development of severe HZ, defined as necessitating administration of i.v. antiviral medication. Out of 2163 patients who underwent allogeneic HCT, 22 (1.0%) developed severe HZ at a rate of 1 per 228 person-years, including dermatomal/multidermatomal disease (n = 5), disseminated skin disease (n = 5), HZ ophthalmicus (n = 4), meningitis/encephalitis (n = 4), pneumonia (n = 2), viremia (n = 1), and erythema multiforme (n = 1). Severe HZ infection occurred in a bimodal distribution during the early peri-HCT period and at 12 to 24 months post-HCT (median, 12.7 months). Twelve patients (54.5%) were compliant with ACV prophylaxis at the time of HZ diagnosis. Eleven patients (50%) died during the study period, only 2 of whom (9.1%) with active VZV infection. Mortality was higher in patients on immunosuppressive therapy (62.5% versus 16.7%; P = .045) and with concurrent graft-versus-host disease (75.0% versus 35.7%; P= .044). These data suggest that severe HZ remains an important consideration despite ACV prophylaxis.
Nanoparticle-Infused UHMWPE Layer as Multifunctional Coating for High-Performance PPTA Single Fibers.

High-performance fibers made of poly-(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) with high stiffness and high strength are widely used in body armor for protection due to their high degree of molecular chain alignment along the fiber direction. However, their poor mechanical properties in the transverse direction and low surface friction are undesirable for applications requiring resistance to ballistic impact. Here we provide a simple yet effective surface engineering strategy to improve both the transverse mechanical properties and the tribological property by coating PPTA fibers with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) embedded with silica nanoparticles. The coated-PPTA fiber shows remarkable enhancement in transverse mechanical properties including ~127% increase of Young’s modulus, which is attributed to both the alignment of UHMWPE chains in the transverse direction and the embeded ceramic nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the surface friction of the coated fiber increases twofold as a result of the ceramic nanoparticles. In addition, the coated fibers exhibit an enhanced chemical resistance to external harsh environment. The improved transverse mechanical properties, surface frictional characteristics, and chemical resistance demonstrate that coating with UHMWPE and ceramic nanoparticles can be used as an effective approach to enhance the performance of PPTA and other high-performance polymer fibers for body armor applications.
Physiological synchronization and entropy as measures of team cognitive load

Abstract The operating room (OR) is a high-risk and complex environment, where multiple specialized professionals work as a team to effectively care for patients in need of surgical interventions. Surgical tasks impose high cognitive demands on OR staff and cognitive overload may have deleterious effects on team performance and patient safety. The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility and describe a novel methodological approach to characterize dynamic changes in team cognitive load by measuring synchronization and entropy of heart rate variability parameters during real-life cardiac surgery. Cognitive load was measured by capturing interbeat intervals (IBI) from three team members (surgeon, anesthesiologist and perfusionist) using an unobtrusive wearable heart rate sensor and transmitted in real-time to a smartphone application. Clinical data and operating room audio/video recordings were also collected to provide behavioral and contextual information. We developed symbolic representations of the transient cognitive state of individual team members (Individual Cognitive State – ICS), and overall team (Team Cognitive State – TCS) by comparing IBI data from each team member with themselves and with others. The distribution of TCS symbols during surgery enabled us to display and analyze temporal states and dynamic changes of team cognitive load. Shannon’s entropy was calculated to estimate the changing levels of team organization and to detect fluctuations resulting from a variety of cognitive demands and/or specific situations (e.g. medical error, emergency, flow disruptions). An illustrative example from a real cardiac surgery team shows how cognitive load patterns shifted rapidly after an actual near-miss medication event, leading the team to a more organized and synchronized state. The methodological approach described in this study provides a measurement technique for the assessment of team physiological synchronization, which can be applied to many other team-based environments. Future research should gather additional validity evidence to support the proposed methods for team cognitive load measurement.
Leibniz’s Mathematical and Philosophical Analysis of Time

Leibniz understood that mathematics has a special place in the human search for wisdom because the things of mathematics are so determinate, and exhibit their determinate inter-relations so clearly. However, he also believed that the proper use of mathematics requires careful philosophical reflection. Leibniz recognized that while different sciences require different methodologies, no matter what special features different domains exhibit, all scientific investigation must move between mathematics and metaphysics. Mechanics, in particular, is best viewed as a middle term between mathematics and metaphysics, and so too Leibniz’s account of time. Of all the parameters involved in mechanics, time is the least tied to any specific content, even though it presents a determinate topic for scientific investigation. Thus a closer look at Leibniz’s account of time presents an especially ‘pure’ version of the interaction of mathematics and philosophy in the service of progressive knowledge.
Evaluation of the national implementation of the VA Diffusion of Excellence Initiative on Advance Care Planning via Group Visits: protocol for a quality improvement evaluation.

Traditionally, system leaders, service line managers, researchers, and program evaluators hire specifically dedicated implementation staff to ensure that a healthcare quality improvement effort can “go to scale.” However, little is known about the impact of hiring dedicated staff and whether funded positions, amid a host of other delivered implementation strategies, are the main difference among sites with and without funding used to execute the program, on implementation effectiveness and cost outcomes. In this mixed methods program evaluation, we will determine the impact of funding staff positions to implement, sustain, and spread a program, Advance Care Planning (ACP) via Group Visits (ACP-GV), nationally across the entire United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. In ACP-GV, veterans, their families, and trained clinical staff with expertise in ACP meet in a group setting to engage in discussions about ACP and the benefits to veterans and their trusted others of having an advance directive (AD) in place. To determine the impact of the ACP-GV National Program, we will use a propensity score-matched control design to compare ACP-GV and non-ACP-GV sites on the proportion of ACP discussions in VHA facilities. To account for variation in funding status, we will document and compare funded and unfunded sites on the effectiveness of implementation strategies (individual and combinations) used by sites in the National Program on ACP discussion and AD completion rates across the VHA. In order to determine the fiscal impact of the National Program and to help inform future dissemination across VHA, we will use a budget impact analysis. Finally, we will purposively select, recruit, and interview key stakeholders, who are clinicians and clinical managers in the VHA who offer ACP discussions to veterans, to identify the characteristics of high-performing (e.g., high rates or sustainers) and innovative sites (e.g., unique local program design or implementation of ACP) to inform sustainability and further spread. As an observational evaluation, this protocol will contribute to our understanding of implementation science and practice by examining the natural variation in implementation and spread of ACP-GV with or without funded staff positions.
The structure of information behavior dissertations 2009–2018: Theories, methods, populations, disciplines:

Dissertations can be important sources of information about the future of a research field. These publications capture the ideas, theories, methods, and populations that emerging researchers deem i...
Optimal Load Distribution Method of Hydropower Unit Considering Real-Time Correction Efficiency

The traditional optimal load distribution of hydropower units is based on the fixed efficiency curve, which fails to consider the efficiency changes and surface fitting errors after the unit installation and maintenance and long-term operation. Through the measurement parameters of the on-line monitoring system of hydropower units under stable operation conditions, the three-dimensional curved surface of "working head-load-efficiency" is calculated and fitted, and three situations are formulated for real-time dynamic correction. The data of load optimization distribution method based on the curved surface is more accurate, and the field practice proves that it can effectively reduce the water consumption of the units and improve the utilization rate of water energy.
MANIFESTLY PARITY COVARIANT FRONT-FORM QUANTIZATION

Recently, we proposed a new front-form quantization which treated both the x+ and the x− coordinates as front-form ‘times’. This quantization was found to preserve parity explicitly. In this letter we extend this construction to fermion fields in the context of the Yukawa theory. We quantize this theory using a method proposed originally by Faddeev and Jackiw. We find that P− and P+ become dynamical and that the theory is manifestly invariant under parity.
Antibiotic and Corticosteroid Treatment Effective for Acute Exacerbations of COPD.

Short-term antibiotic treatment and short-term systemic corticosteroids are both associated with a faster resolution of COPD symptoms and fewer treatment failures.
A comparison of stages of attention for social and nonsocial stimuli in schizophrenia: An ERP study

Social motivation disturbances have been long observed in people with schizophrenia, yet the underlying components that drive these impairments remain unclear. Social attention is one component of social motivation and involves stages of attentional orienting, alerting/sustained attention, and executive control. It is not known at which stage the breakdown in social attention occurs in schizophrenia. The present study examined the allocation of social versus nonsocial attention at multiple stages of processing using event related potential (ERP) components. Electroencephalography from 36 outpatients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy participants was recorded during a dot probe task while viewing social/nonsocial stimuli that assessed: (1) orienting (indexed by the N1pc), (2) sustained attention (Contingent Negative Variation, [CNV]), and (3) executive control of attention during target evaluation (P300). Additionally, we analyzed correlations between the ERPs and participants' reaction times (RT) to the targets. Schizophrenia participants oriented their attention equally to social and nonsocial stimuli (N1pc), showed greater sustained attention to social than nonsocial stimuli (i.e., larger CNV), and exerted greater executive control on social trials (i.e., larger P300) than nonsocial trials, similarly to healthy participants. However, schizophrenia participants showed diminished overall sustained attention (blunted CNV) during the task, compared with healthy participants. Furthermore, greater sustained attention (larger CNV) and greater executive control (larger P300) were associated with improved behavioral performance (faster RTs) for healthy participants, but not schizophrenia participants. Together, these findings suggest there is impaired sustained attention for both social and nonsocial stimuli in schizophrenia, and their attention may not correspond with their behavior.
Clearance of the Spine

Clearance of the spine is an essential component of the evaluation of the blunt trauma patient. There is a wide body of evidence that serves as the basis for current clinical management guidelines. Despite this evidence, controversies persist regarding best practices for certain patient populations with suspected spine injury. This article reviews the current recommended guidelines for effective spinal evaluation and clearance after blunt trauma. The article also reviews the evidence base for these guidelines, highlights key findings, and outlines a selection of recent studies that aim to determine best practices for those subjects where best practice has yet to be fully defined.
Pharmacologic Management of Shock-Induced Renal Dysfunction

Publisher Summary The progress in the prevention and clinical management of shock-induced acute renal failure (ARF) during the past two decades has been impressive. In the area of pharmacologic intervention, many ways to prevent, to ameliorate, or to reverse ARF have been tried in animal models, often with success. However, very little of this apparently promising therapy has been found useful in clinical work to date. Volume expansion is of clear benefit in the prevention of ARF. To decrease the incidence ARF in cadaveric renal allograft recipients, treatment with calcium channel blockers seems possible. Although, the use of these drugs in the prevention of radiocontrast media-induced ARF has been reported to be promising, whether this therapy is ready to be used routinely in high-risk patients has not been determined. From the available data, it is difficult to make recommendations for pharmacologic interventions in other clinical situations of shock and ARF. What is seen in experimental models of ARF may not always be reproducible in clinical practice because the nature of insults is variable and difficult to time in the human setting.
The Nature of the Anthranilic Acid Synthetase Complex of Escherichia coli

Nonsense mutants with alterations in the E or D gene of the tryptophan operon lack anthranilate synthetase activity. This activity is detected when extracts of D and E mutants are combined. The interacting component in each mutant extract has a low s value, while the active species in the mixture has a high s value and consists of both components. The s value of the complex is the same as the value obtained with wild-type anthranilate synthetase. One of the interacting components is the enzyme catalyzing the succeeding step in tryptophan biosynthesis.
Enforcing the Treaty Rights of Aliens

been stymied by a wave of political opposition. Critics argue that giving these treaties the force of domestic law would be inconsistent with constitutional values like sovereignty, democracy, federalism, and separation of powers. This Note analyzes these four critiques and demonstrates that the values critics seek to protect are not jeopardized by the extraterritorial application of treaty-based rights or the domestic enforcement of treaties that guarantee rights specific to aliens. With that discovery in mind, this Note proposes to incorporate such treaties into U.S. law in a way that both affirms constitutional values and promotes the rule of law in foreign affairs. A U T H O R. J.D. Yale Law School, 2007; A.M. Harvard University, 2000; B.A. Yale University, 1998. The author wishes to thank Paul Kahn, Bruce Ackerman, Oona Hathaway, Murad Hussain, Harold Koh, Reva Siegel, and her editor, Saumya Manohar, for their valuable input and support at various stages of this project.
Modification of Sindbis Virus Glycoprotein by Host-Specified Glycosyl Transferases

Abstract The amino acid sequence of the membrane glycoprotein of Sindbis virus is specified by the viral genome, but it has not been determined whether the carbohydrate portion of this molecule is specified by the cell or by the virus. We have examined two of the enzyme activities which catalyze transfer of monosaccharides to glycoprotein (sialyl and fucosyl transferases). Comparison of particulate enzyme preparations from infected and uninfected cells showed no difference in either the specific activity or acceptor specificity of these enzymes. This is impressive in view of the fact that the Sindbis membrane glycoprotein is the only glycoprotein synthesized in the infected cell. It was also determined that sialyl transferase from uninfected cells is capable of transferring (3H) sialic acid to acceptor prepared from Sindbis membrane glycoprotein. These results imply that at least some of the carbohydrate of the virus glycoprotein can arise by host modification.
What Is A Nonmonotonic Consequence Relation

This paper is an attempt to articulate and respond to a philosophical problem about the general idea of a nonmonotonic consequence relation. The problem concerns the clarification of the target notion that various particular nonmonotonic theories, both model-theoretic and proof- theoretic, are attempting to explicate. Two different general conceptions are contrasted. The first is based on an idea of implicit content. According to this idea, a semantic interpretation assigns to the sentences of a language an explicit content in the usual way, and also an implicit content as a function of the explicit content, ψ is a nonmonotonic consequence of p if ψ is a consequence in the classical sense of the implicit content of the implicit content of p. On this interpretation, nonmonotonic consequence is a deductive relation. According to the second idea, nonmonotonic reasoning concerns belief revision; to say that ψ is a nonmonotonic .consequence of p is to say that ψ should be accepted in a belief state that is revised to accommodate the acceptance of p. Some specific nonmonotonic theories, and some principles of nonmonotonic consequence, are considered from these two points of view.
Imaging Sacred Artifacts: Ethics and the Digitizing of Lichfield Cathedral's St Chad Gospels

This essay examines complexities that attend digitizing a cultural heritage artifact that is sacred to a contemporary community. It argues that scholars must first determine how the artifact participates in the life of its community. If this participation is integral, scholars should treat the artifact as a present-day cultural phenomenon, inseparable from its community. To explain the implications of this shift, the author turns to ethnography, which has a lengthy tradition of interacting with communities for generating research. Photographing a sacred artifact is not unlike other ethnographic research, whether tape recording stories, collecting documents, or gathering information about social practices. To guide digital work, the essay proposes ethnographic ethical principles, demonstrating their value in digitizing the 8th-century St Chad Gospels at Lichfield Cathedral, England — supporting Jamie Bianco's recent call for an "ethical turn" in the digital humanities.
Associations of Mother–Child Reminiscing about Negative Past Events, Coping, and Self‐Concept in Early Childhood

Parent–child reminiscing conversations in early childhood have received theoretical attention as a forum for children's self-concept development, but this has been little addressed in empirical work. This study examines associations between emotion reminiscing and children's self-concepts and, building from the reminiscing and personality development literatures, also explores the role of children's coping. Sixty 4- and 5-year-old children and their mothers completed reminiscing conversations about events in which the child had experienced negative emotion, children completed an age-appropriate assessment of their self-concept, and mothers and teachers reported on children's coping strategies. Children's self-perceived timidity was associated with their explanations for negative emotions during reminiscing. Children's self-perceived negative affect was associated with fewer emotion resolutions during reminiscing, and with distinctive patterns of coping. Both reminiscing and coping made unique contributions to children's self-concepts, and findings also suggest that coping may in some contexts indirectly connect reminiscing with self-concept. These findings suggest that reminiscing conversations both reflect children's characteristics and provide a context for learning about their characteristics, along with strategies for emotion management. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of solid distribution on the stiffness and strength of metallic foams

Lightweight metallic cellular materials can be used in the construction of composite plates, shells and tubes with high structural efficiency. Previous models for the mechanical performance of cellular materials have focused on their dependence on relative density, cell geometry and the properties of the solid material of which the cell faces and edges are composed. In this study, we consider the effect of the distribution of solid between the cell faces and edges on mechanical properties using finite element analysis of idealized 2D (hexagonal honeycomb) and 3D (closed-cell tetrakaidecahedral foam) cellular materials. The effects of the distribution of the solid on the stiffness and strength of these materials are presented and discussed.
Spherical precipitates in the urine of reptiles

Abstract 1. 1. Urinary precipitates produced by the kidney of several lizards and snakes are entirely in the form of spheres 2–10 μ in diameter. 2. 2. Cloacal urine, in addition to the spheres, also contains precipitates in a crystalline state characteristic of urate. This suggests that the spheres are unstable and transform to an “ordered” crystalline state. 3. 3. The spherical shape of urinary precipitates may minimize the tendency of urate to clog the kidney tubules and ureters.
Trypanosoma cruzi: comparative fatty acid metabolism of the epimastigotes and trypomastigotes in vitro.

Abstract In vitro studies on the fatty acid metabolism of the epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi showed the following: (1) Trypomastigotes demonstrated the ability to convert labeled palmitic acid to CO 2 . Epimastigotes either did not convert this fatty acid to CO 2 or did so at a very low rate. (2) Trypomastigotes incorporated palmitic acid into neutral lipids, but, at a rate less than that of the epimastigotes. (3) While epimastigotes readily incorporated palmitic acid into phospholipid lipids, trypomastigote forms seemed to lack this ability.
An Astrocyte Neuromorphic Circuit That Influences Neuronal Phase Synchrony

Neuromorphic circuits are designed and simulated to emulate the role of astrocytes in phase synchronization of neuronal activity. We emulate, to a first order, the ability of slow inward currents (SICs) evoked by the astrocyte, acting on extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) of adjacent neurons, as a mechanism for phase synchronization. We run a simulation test incorporating two small networks of neurons interacting with astrocytic microdomains. These microdomains are designed using a resistive and capacitive ladder network and their interactions occur through pass transistors. Upon enough synaptic activity, the astrocytic microdomains interact with each other, generating SIC events on synapses of adjacent neurons. Since the amplitude of SICs is several orders of magnitude larger compared to synaptic currents, a SIC event drastically enhances the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) on adjacent neurons simultaneously. This causes neurons to fire synchronously in phase. Phase synchrony holds for a duration of time proportional to the time constant of the SIC decay. Once the SIC decay has completed, the neurons are able to go back to their natural phase difference, inducing desynchronization of their firing of spikes. This paper incorporates some biological aspects observed by recent experiments showing astrocytic influence on neuronal synchronization, and intends to offer a circuit view on the hypothesis of astrocytic role on synchronous activity that could potentially lead to the binding of neuronal information.
From Ancient Altepetl to Modern Municipios: Surveying as Power in Colonial Guatemala

A key way colonists gained control of a region was through cartography. Although colonial maps have seen a great deal of study, the process of making the map through surveying has not, even though surveying of metes-and-bounds was a crucial step in establishing legal control and for making a map. The comparison of written descriptions of an eighteenth-century survey in the Izalcos region of colonial Guatemala with archaeological data illustrates that surveying was an intimately social process. The ultimate tool for implementing state hegemony was for officials to dictate an authoritative perception of the landscape, but arriving at that perception was a contested, contentious procedure. Although maps ostensibly resulted from scientific, objective measurement, stakeholders negotiated among themselves about the truth of measurements and values, the perception of the landscape. Surveys could be so contentious that no one drew a map. This eighteenth-century survey is one example of how the people enacted the state in their lives, and this process was by no means straightforward, even when following standard practices critical for the maintenance of state power.
Longitudinal analysis of symptoms reported by patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) illness duration and onset type on the likelihood of reporting a symptom during successive follow-up periods. METHODS: In 1997, a two-phase RDD survey in Wichita, Kansas, was conducted to estimate the prevalence of CFS. Phase I identified 56,154 respondents 18–69 years of age and screened for severe fatigue, extreme tiredness or exhaustion lasting for 1 month or longer. In phase II an equal number of fatigued (n = 7,176) and randomly selected non-fatigued subjects were asked about 8 CFS and 13 non-CFS symptoms, as well as the presence of specific medical and psychiatric conditions. Eligible respondents were clinically evaluated to establish CFS diagnosis. Phase II respondents were re-contacted at 12- (n = 4,331) and 24-months (n = 4,266) for additional follow-up and diagnosis. In this study we considered symptoms reported as being present most of the time during each successive observation period. Generalized estimating equations were used to model symptoms over time and to address study questions. Such a model accounts for correlations among repeated symptoms for each subject. We used an auto-regressive structure for the correlation matrix, assuming the correlations between each pair of repeated symptoms should decrease as the time between symptoms increased. RESULTS: There were 74 CFS patients who had been ill for 1 to 20 years (median = 6.3 years). Among these, 46 reported gradual and 28 reported sudden onset. Symptoms fluctuated over the course of illness. However, only stomach pain (non-CFS symptom) was more likely to be reported as duration of illness increased (p < 0.05). There was no association between onset type and the likelihood of reporting a symptom during an interview, except that chills and severe headaches were more likely to be reported by sudden cases. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of expressing CFS and non-CFS symptom “most of the time” is the same across years of illness. More analyses are warranted to consider expression of symptoms for ⩾6 months and severe symptoms.
Comparison of intravascular ultrasound, external ultrasound and digital angiography for evaluation of peripheral artery dimensions and morphology.

Abstract Validation of catheter-based intravascular ultrasound imaging has been based on comparisons with histology and digital angiography, each of which may have limitations in the assessment of arterial size and morphology. External, high-frequency ultrasound can accurately determine vessel dimensions and morphology and because, like intravascular ultrasound, it also provides cross-sectional arterial ultrasound images, it may be a more appropriate technique for the in vivo comparison of arterial dimensions and morphology determined by intravascular ultrasound. Thus, intravascular ultrasound, external 2-dimensional ultrasound, Doppler color-flow imaging and digital angiography were compared for assessment of arterial dimensions and wall morphology at 29 femoral artery sites in 15 patients. Intravascular ultrasound and the other 3 imaging modalities correlated well in determination of lumen diameter (2-dimensional, r = 0.98, standard error of the estimate [SEE] = 0.14; Doppler color flow, r = 0.91, SEE = 1.11; angiography, r = 0.95, SEE = 0.91) and cross-sectional area (2-dimensional, r = 0.97, SEE = 0.04; Doppler color flow, r = 0.92, SEE = 0.14; angiography, r = 0.96, SEE = 0.08). However, lumen size measured by Doppler color flow was consistently smaller than that measured by the other 3 imaging modalities. Intravascular ultrasound detected arterial plaque at 15 sites, 5 of which were hypoechoic (soft) and 10 hyperechoic with distal shadowing (hard). Plaque was identified at 12 of 15 sites by 2-dimensional imaging (p = 0.30 vs intravascular ultrasound), but at only 6 of 15 sites by angiography (p = 0.003 vs intravascular ultrasound), only 1 of which was thought to be calcified plaque. These data indicate that arterial dimensions determined by intravascular ultrasound correlate well with both external ultrasound and angiography in normal and minimally diseased peripheral arteries. Doppler color flow underestimates true lumen size. Angiography is often discordant with both intravascular and external ultrasound in determining the presence and composition of arterial plaque.
P02-118 - Psychopathologic aspects of obesity: Psychodiagnostic evaluations of bariatric surgery applicants

Introduction Psychiatrists play an important role as members of the bariatric surgery team. A preoperative psychiatric evaluation is considered as part of a mandatory workup before approving surgery. Aims This evaluation focuses on the identification of any pre-existing psychiatric disorders among candidates for TOGa[1], a new experimental technique of bariatric surgery, and their correlations with post surgical weight loss. Method 45 obese patients underwent a psychiatric interview and several psycho diagnostic questionnaires (SCL-90; HAM-D; HAM-A; EDI; TAS). A follow-up was set each 3 months. Results We found that 34.1% of surgery candidates had a current diagnosis of depression; the majority showed anxiety symptoms. We also documented dissatisfaction about body shape, desire of slimness, fear of maturity, perfectionism, bulimia and binge eating disorder. Other frequent psychiatric symptoms were somatization, sensitivity, obsession and compulsion. After 3 months from surgery we found that the best weight loss was associated to low score in HAM-A, high score in hanger-hostility item (SCL-90) and low score in sensitiveness item (SCL-90). Conclusion The diagnosis of a psychiatric pathology during the pre-surgical evaluation can be considered a predictive negative factor for the outcome of the surgery. The predictive positive factors are firstly the nonexistence of psychiatric symptoms, secondly the high score in sensitiveness-insight item (SCL-90) and the high score in the ability to express feelings. [1] (TransOral Gastroplasty)
Simscape design flow for memristor based programmable oscillators

In this paper a design optimization flow is proposed for memristor-based oscillators using the Gravitational Search Algorithm. This paper presents for the first time a memristor behavioral model in the Simscape physical modeling language. Using this model, a memristor based Wien oscillator is characterized within the Simscape framework. The oscillation frequency and power consumption of the oscillator for different configurations are explored.
Low support for separate species within the redpoll complex (Carduelis flammea–hornemanni–cabaret) from analyses of mtDNA and microsatellite markers

Abstract The redpoll complex, consisting of three currently recognized species (Carduelis flammea, C. hornemanni and C. cabaret), is polytypic in biometry, morphology, physiology and behaviour. However, previous genetic work has not revealed any indications of genetic differentiation. We analysed sequence variation in the mtDNA control region, and allele frequencies of supposedly faster evolving microsatellites (n = 10), in an attempt to detect molecular genetic support for the three species, as well as two subspecies of C. flammea (ssp. flammea and rostrata), within this complex. We used samples from two subspecies of the twite (Carduelis flavirostris, ssp. flavirostris and rufostrigata) as outgroup. We found no structure among redpoll individuals in mtDNA haplotypes or microsatellite allele frequencies, and only marginal differences between redpoll taxa in analyses of molecular variance (AMOVAs) of predefined groups. In contrast, the two twite subspecies constituted two well-supported monophyletic groups. Our study thus strengthens previous indications of low genetic support for current redpoll taxa. Two major alternative interpretations exist. Either redpolls form a single gene pool with geographical polymorphisms possibly explained by Bergmann’s and Gloger’s rules, or there are separate gene pools of recent origin but with too little time elapsed for genetic differentiation to have evolved in the investigated markers. Future studies should therefore examine whether reproductive isolation mechanisms and barriers to gene flow exist in areas with sympatric breeding.
Quasi-localizations of ℤ

Motivated by the categorical notion of localizations applied to the quasi-category of abelian groups, we call a homomorphism α: A → B a quasi-localization of abelian groups if for each ϕ ∈ Hom(A,B) there is an n ∈ ℕ and a unique ψ ∈ End(B) such that nϕ = ψ ∘ α. In this case we call B a quasi-localization of A. In this paper we investigate quasi-localizations of the integers ℤ. While it is well-known that localizations of ℤ are just the E-rings, quasi-localizations of ℤ are much more abundant; an injection α: ℤ → M with M torsion-free, is a quasi-localization if and only if, for R = End(M), one has $$R \subseteq M \subseteq \mathbb{Q} \otimes _\mathbb{Z} R$$ . We call R the ring of the quasi-localization M. Some old results due to Zassenhaus and Butler show that all rings with free additive groups of finite rank are indeed rings of quasi-localizations of ℤ. We will extend this result and show that there are also rings of infinite rank with this property. While there are many realization results of rings R as endomorphism rings of torsion-free abelian groups M in the literature, the group M is usually not contained in the divisible hull of R +, as is required here. We will use a particular case of a category of left R-modules M with a distinguished family $$\mathcal{F}$$ of submodules and thus $$(M,\mathcal{F})$$ . We will restrict our discussion to the case M = R such that $$(R,\mathcal{F}) = R$$ , and in this case we call the family $$\mathcal{F}$$ of left ideals E-forcing, not to be confused with the notion of forcing in set theory. We will provide many examples of quasi-localizations M of ℤ, among them those of infinite rank as well as matrix rings for various rings of finite rank.
The evolution of brachiation in ateline primates, ancestral character states and history.

This study examines how brachiation locomotion evolved in ateline primates using recently- developed molecular phylogenies and character recon- struction algorithms, and a newly-collected dataset including the fossils Protopithecus, Caipora, and Cebu- pithecia. Fossils are added to two platyrrhine molecular phylogenies to create several phylogenetic scenarios. A generalized least squares algorithm reconstructs ateline and atelin ancestral character states for 17 characters that differentiate between ateline brachiators and non- brachiators. Histories of these characters are mapped out on these phylogenies, producing two scenarios of ate- line brachiation evolution that have four commonalities: First, many characters change towards the Ateles condi- tion on the ateline stem lineage before Alouatta splits off from the atelins, suggesting that an ateline energy-maxi- mizing strategy began before the atelines diversified. Sec- ond, the ateline last common ancestor is always recon- structed as an agile quadruped, usually with suspensory abilities. It is never exactly like Alouatta and many charac- ters reverse and change towards the Alouatta condition after Alouatta separates from the atelins. Third, most char- acters undergo homoplastic change in all ateline lineages, especially on the Ateles and Brachyteles terminal branches. Fourth, ateline character evolution probably went through a hindlimb suspension with tail-bracing phase. The ate- lines most likely diversified via a quick adaptive radiation, with bursts of punctuated change occurring in their postcranial skeletons, due to changing climatic condi- tions, which may have caused competition among the atelines and between atelines and pitheciines. Am J Phys Anthropol 137:123-144, 2008. V
Glucose stimulates alginate production and algD transcription in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A previous study [DeVault et al. (1991) Mol. Microbiol. 5, 2503–2509] suggested that growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in glucose-containing medium represses algD gene transcription. In this study, growth of P. aeruginosa in rich medium containing glucose or gluconate increased alginate production and algD transcription at concentrations ranging from 1 to 5%.
Hypocapnia-induced ventilation/perfusion mismatch: a direct CO2 or pH-mediated effect?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the increased ventilation/perfusion (VA/Q) mismatch caused by hypocapnic hyperventilation in dogs (J. Appl. Physiol. 1993; 74:1306-1314) is a direct CO2 or a pH-mediated effect. From an initial state of hyperventilated respiratory alkalosis (FIO2 = 0.21, VT = 18 ml/kg, RR = 35), we studied the changes in VA/Q distributions, respiratory gas exchange, and hemodynamics when the acid-base status of the dogs was manipulated by combinations of acid or alkali infusion with or without CO2 inhalation. In this manner, we studied respiratory alkalosis (high pH, low PCO2), normalized acid-base status (normal pH, normal PCO2), metabolic acidosis (low pH, normal PCO2), metabolic alkalosis (high pH, normal PCO2), and a mixed respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis (normal pH, low PCO2). Gas exchange was evaluated using the multiple inert gas elimination technique. PaO2 was reduced and VA/Q heterogeneity was increased in all conditions defined by a high pH, independ...
Delayed Reperfusion Alters Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity and Fibronectin mRNA Expression in the Infarct Zone of the Ligated Rat Heart

Abstract Delayed reperfusion has a beneficial effect on prognosis, independent of infarct size. One potential mechanism to explain this observation may be an effect on infarct healing. In this study, the impact of delayed reperfusion on two aspects of the healing process was examined, the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes and the expression of fibronectin (FN) mRNA. The rat model of coronary artery ligation was used and rats were randomly assigned to delayed reperfusion (150 min following coronary ligation) or permanent ligation. Animals were subsequently killed 1, 2, 3 and 7 days following infarction. Infarct tissue was harvested for MMP activity (zymography), FN mRNA (RNase protection analysis) and protein (immunofluorescence microscopy and Western analysis), and collagen content (hydroxyproline concentration). Infarction produced marked activation of MMP-1, -2, and -9. Reperfusion significantly attenuated the activity of these enzymes (50% reduction in MMP-1, P =0.03 and 60% reduction in MMP-2 at 7 days, P =0.001; 55% reduction in MMP-9 at 24 h and 84% reduction at 48 h, P =0.01 and 0.002, respectively). Delayed reperfusion also produced a trend toward a greater increase in FN mRNA 24 h following infarction and immunofluorescent staining suggested the presence of more FN protein at this point. These data demonstrate that delayed reperfusion alters matrix metalloproteinase activity and fibronectin mRNA expression in the infarct zone. The impact of these changes on infarct healing and their association with the improved prognosis of a patent infarct vessel following infarction will require further study.
Farmers' Preferences for Crop Insurance Attributes

Utilizing survey data from corn and soybean farmers in the Midwest, this study assesses the relative importance of different features of crop insurance products. Conjoint analysis results indicate that farmers' preferences for flexibility dominate both type of insurance and coverage level. Revenue insurance demand is greater by those who are larger, younger, and farm in more separate locations. Results are significant and consistent by size, insurance usage, leverage, and risk perception. The results permit prediction of market shares of competing insurance products within specific producer segments, and thus also provide guidance for targeting specific producer groups with new product configurations.
Reply: potential differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cell transplanted in rat corpus cavernosum toward endothelial or smooth muscle cells.

The recent article by Song et al. is scientifically sound and a welcome contribution to the innovative approach of employing cell-based therapy to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). In addition, this study underscores the particular benefits of using multi-potent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a donor graft.1 The intent of this study was to ascertain whether human MSCs (hMSCs) could engraft within the corporal tissue and differentiate into endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Fetal hMSCs were immortalized and injected into the corpora cavernosa of young rats. Following transplantation, the authors noted that the engrafted hMSCs began expressing endothelial and smooth muscle antigens. They concluded that immortalized hMSCs are able to differentiate into both endothelial and smooth muscle appearing cells. In addition, they advocated further research into whether hMSCs will respond similarly in the presence of cavernosal injury or in pathological disease states known to cause ED, such as diabetes and vascular disease.