bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early prognostic factors for duration on temporary total benefits in the first year among workers with compensated occupational soft tissue injuries
Authors: Hogg-Johnson S , Cole D C
Published: March 2003

Aims:To develop a model of prognosis for time receiving workers’ compensation wage replacement benefits in the first year.

Methods:A prospective cohort of 907 injured workers off work because of soft tissue injuries was followed for one year through structured telephone interviews and administrative data sources. Workers were recruited at workers’ compensation claim registration. Only those still off work at four weeks post-registration were included in the analysis. Data from several domains (demographics, clinical factors, workplace factors, recovery expectations) were collected at approximately two weeks and a subset again at four weeks. Outcome was duration on total temporary wage replacement benefits. Variable selection was carried out in two steps using content experts and backward elimination with the Cox model.

Results:Body region specific functional status, change in pain, workplace offers of arrangements for return to work, and recovery expectations were independently predictive of time on benefits. Change in pain and workplace offers interacted, so the largest mutual association occurred for those whose pain was getting worse—that is, reduction in median duration from 112.5 to 32.5 days. Across observed values, widely different recovery profiles of groups of workers resulted; for example, at four months, only one third of the highest risk group had gone off benefits while over 95% of the lowest risk group had done so.

Conclusions:Focus on a relatively small set of prognostic factors should enable occupational health practitioners to triage injured workers within the first month and concentrate on those requiring additional assistance to return to work.
Relation between sick leave and selected exposure variables among women semiconductor workers in Malaysia
Authors: Chee H L , Rampal K G
Published: March 2003

Aims:To determine the relation between sick leave and selected exposure variables among women semiconductor workers.

Methods:This was a cross sectional survey of production workers from 18 semiconductor factories. Those selected had to be women, direct production operators up to the level of line leader, and Malaysian citizens. Sick leave and exposure to physical and chemical hazards were determined by self reporting. Three sick leave variables were used; number of sick leave days taken in the past year was the variable of interest in logistic regression models where the effects of age, marital status, work task, work schedule, work section, and duration of work in factory and work section were also explored.

Results:Marital status was strongly linked to the taking of sick leave. Age, work schedule, and duration of work in the factory were significant confounders only in certain cases. After adjusting for these confounders, chemical and physical exposures, with the exception of poor ventilation and smelling chemicals, showed no significant relation to the taking of sick leave within the past year. Work section was a good predictor for taking sick leave, as wafer polishing workers faced higher odds of taking sick leave for each of the three cut off points of seven days, three days, and not at all, while parts assembly workers also faced significantly higher odds of taking sick leave.

Conclusion:In Malaysia, the wafer fabrication factories only carry out a limited portion of the work processes, in particular, wafer polishing and the processes immediately prior to and following it. This study, in showing higher illness rates for workers in wafer polishing compared to semiconductor assembly, has implications for the governmental policy of encouraging the setting up of wafer fabrication plants with the full range of work processes.
Work factors as predictors of sickness absence: a three month prospective study of nurses’ aides
Authors: Eriksen W , Bruusgaard D , Knardahl S
Published: March 2003

Aims:To identify the work factors that predict sickness absence in nurses’ aides.

Methods:The sample comprised 5563 Norwegian nurses’ aides, not on leave because of illness or pregnancy when they completed a mailed questionnaire in 1999. Of these, 4931 (88.6%) completed a second questionnaire three months later. The outcome measure was the three month incidence proportion of certified sickness absence (>3 days), as assessed by self reports at follow up.

Results:Perceived lack of encouraging and supportive culture in the work unit (odds ratio (OR) 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 to 2.34), working in psychiatric and paediatric wards, having injured the neck in an accident, and health complaints were associated with higher risk of sickness absence, after adjustments for a series of physical, psychological, and organisational work factors, personal engagement in the work unit, demographic characteristics, and daily consumption of cigarettes. Having untraditional jobs (for nurses’ aides) (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.77), and engaging in aerobics or gym were associated with a lower risk of sickness absence.

Conclusions:The study suggests that the three month effects of work factors on rates of certified sickness absence are modest in nurses’ aides. The most important work factor, in terms of predicting sickness absence, seems to be perceived lack of encouraging and supportive culture in the work unit.
Neurobehavioural effects among workers occupationally exposed to organophosphorous pesticides
Authors: Farahat T M , Abdelrasoul G M , Amr M M , Shebl M M , Farahat F M , Anger W K
Published: March 2003

Aims:To identify neurobehavioural deficits among workers exposed to organophosphorous (OP) pesticides in their occupation.

Methods:This study was conducted during the period when pesticides were applied to cotton crops in the fields in Menoufiya Governorate, Egypt. Fifty two occupationally exposed male workers were compared to 50 unexposed male controls who were similar in age, socioeconomic class, and years of education (⩾12 years). All participants completed a questionnaire (assessing personal, occupational, and medical histories), general and neurological clinical examination, neurobehavioural test battery (including tests for verbal abstraction, problem solving, attention, memory, and visuomotor speed), personality assessment, and serological analysis for serum acetylcholinesterase.

Results:After correcting for confounders of age and education, the exposed participants exhibited significantly lower performance than controls on six neurobehavioural tests (Similarities, Digit Symbol, Trailmaking part A and B, Letter Cancellation, Digit Span, and Benton Visual Retention). A longer duration of work with pesticides was associated with lower performance on most neurobehavioural tests after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Although serum acetylcholinesterase was significantly lower in the exposed than the control participants, it was not significantly correlated with either neurobehavioural performance or neurological abnormalities.

Conclusions:Occupational exposure to OP pesticides was associated with deficits in a wider array of neurobehavioural functions than previously reported, perhaps because of higher exposure in this population. Moderate chronic OP exposure may not only affect visuomotor speed as reported previously, but also verbal abstraction, attention, and memory.
Health problems and psychosocial work environment as predictors of long term sickness absence in employees who visited the occupational physician and/or general practitioner in relation to work: a prospective study
Authors: Andrea H , Beurskens A J H M , Metsemakers J F M , van Amelsvoort L G P M , van den Brandt P A , van Schayck C P
Published: March 2003

Aims:To determine whether psychosocial work environment and indicators of health problems are prospectively related to incident long term sickness absence in employees who visited the occupational physician (OP) and/or general practitioner (GP) in relation to work.

Methods:The baseline measurement (May 1998) of the Maastricht Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study among 45 companies and organisations, was used to select employees at work who indicated having visited the OP and/or GP in relation to work. Self report questionnaires were used to measure indicators of health problems (presence of at least one long term disease, likeliness of having a mental illness, fatigue) and psychosocial work environment (job demands, decision latitude, social support, job satisfaction) as predictors of subsequent sickness absence. Sickness absence data regarding total numbers of sickness absence days were obtained from the companies and occupational health services during an 18 month period (between 1 July 1998 and 31 December 1999). Complete data were available from 1271 employees.

Results:After adjustment for demographics and the other predictors, presence of at least one long term disease (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.29 to 4.29) and lower level of decision latitude (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.22 to 2.38) were the strongest predictors for sickness absence of at least one month. A higher likelihood of having a mental illness, a higher level of fatigue, a lower level of social support at work, and low job satisfaction were also significant predictors for long term sickness absence, but their effect was less strong.

Conclusion:In detecting employees at work but at risk for long term sickness absence, OPs and GPs should take into account not only influence of the psychosocial work environment in general and level of decision latitude in particular, but also influence of indicators of health problems, especially in the form of long term diseases.
K-THEORY OF C*-ALGEBRAS WITH TRACIAL TOPOLOGICAL RANK k
Authors: HU SHANWEN , LIN HUAXIN , XUE YIFENG
Published: March 2003

We show that if [Formula: see text] has tracial topological rank no more than k, then [Formula: see text] and if p, q ∈ A are two projections with [p] = [q] in [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] Other results for K0(A) are also established.
EXCISION FOR SIMPLICIAL SHEAVES ON THE STEIN SITE AND GROMOV'S OKA PRINCIPLE
Authors: LÁRUSSON FINNUR
Published: March 2003

A complex manifold X is said to satisfy the Oka–Grauert property if the inclusion [Formula: see text] is a weak equivalence for every Stein manifold S, where the spaces of holomorphic and continuous maps from S to X are given the compact-open topology. Gromov's Oka principle states that if X has a spray, then it has the Oka–Grauert property. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Oka–Grauert property using homotopical algebra. We embed the category of complex manifolds into the model category of simplicial sheaves on the site of Stein manifolds. Our main result is that the Oka–Grauert property is equivalent to X representing a finite homotopy sheaf on the Stein site. This expresses the Oka–Grauert property in purely holomorphic terms, without reference to continuous maps.
Bioinspired Engineering of Exploration Systems for NASA and DoD
Authors: Thakoor Sarita , Chahl Javaan , Srinivasan M. V. , Young L. , Werblin Frank , Hine Butler , Zornetzer Steven
Published: March 2003

A new approach called bioinspired engineering of exploration systems (BEES) and its value for solving pressing NASA and DoD needs are described. Insects (for example honeybees and dragonflies) cope remarkably well with their world, despite possessing a brain containing less than 0.01% as many neurons as the human brain. Although most insects have immobile eyes with fixed focus optics and lack stereo vision, they use a number of ingenious, computationally simple strategies for perceiving their world in three dimensions and navigating successfully within it. We are distilling selected insect-inspired strategies to obtain novel solutions for navigation, hazard avoidance, altitude hold, stable flight, terrain following, and gentle deployment of payload. Such functionality provides potential solutions for future autonomous robotic space and planetary explorers. A BEES approach to developing lightweight low-power autonomous flight systems should be useful for flight control of such biomorphic flyers for both NASA and DoD needs. Recent biological studies of mammalian retinas confirm that representations of multiple features of the visual world are systematically parsed and processed in parallel. Features are mapped to a stack of cellular strata within the retina. Each of these representations can be efficiently modeled in semiconductor cellular nonlinear network (CNN) chips. We describe recent breakthroughs in exploring the feasibility of the unique blending of insect strategies of navigation with mammalian visual search, pattern recognition, and image understanding into hybrid biomorphic flyers for future planetary and terrestrial applications. We describe a few future mission scenarios for Mars exploration, uniquely enabled by these newly developed biomorphic flyers.
Reproductive cycle of the golden-striped salamander Chioglossa lusitanica (Caudata, Salamandridae) in NW Portugal
Authors: Sequeira  , Ferrand  , Crespo
Published: March 2003

The reproductive cycle of the golden-striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica, was studied in the vicinity of Porto (northwestern Portugal), in a population that breeds in a mine gallery. Salamanders (67 females and 64 males) were collected between January and November of 1998. Both sexes showed a seasonal reproductive cycle. Spermatogenesis and oogenesis took place between winter and late spring and the presence of spermatozoa and mature oocytes were observed mainly between early summer and late autumn. Gonad, liver and tail weights varied seasonally in both sexes and appear related to different phases of the sexual cycle. Average potential clutch size was 17.8 (sx = 0.8; range = 9-34). Clutch size was correlated with snout-vent length and apparently not influenced by tail-length or age.
Hatching success in salamanders and chorus frogs at two sites in Colorado, USA: effects of acidic deposition and climate
Authors: Corn Paul Stephen , Campbell Donald , Muths Erin
Published: March 2003

The snowpack in the vicinity of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area is among the most acidic in the western United States. We analyzed water chemistry and examined hatching success in tiger salamanders and chorus frogs at ponds there and at nearby Rabbit Ears Pass (Dumont) to determine whether acid deposition affects amphibians or their breeding habitats at these potentially sensitive locations. We found a wide range of acid neutralizing capacity among ponds within sites; the minimum pH recorded during the experiment was 5.4 at one of 12 ponds with all others at pH ≥ 5.7. At Dumont, hatching success for chorus frogs was greater in ponds with low acid neutralizing capacity; however, lowest pHs were > 5.8. At current levels of acid deposition, weather and pond characteristics are likely more important than acidity in influencing hatching success in amphibian larvae at these sites.
Space use, cave choice, and spatial learning in the dendrobatid frog Colostethus palmatus
Authors: Lüddecke Horst
Published: March 2003

Moving in and out of small cavelike structures is a common daily activity of Colostethus palmatus. Such sites are used for shelter and spawning. Therefore, cave quality is important to survival and reproductive success. The frogs' association with caves was studied in a 24-cave communal paludarium. Adult frogs recognised cave quality, and chose large damp caves for spawning, but large, wet and dark caves were preferred for shelter, while small ones were used less or ignored. The search time needed to find an available cave gradually shortened over trials, reaching a minimum in about eight days, indicating that frogs learned cave position. Males and females had similar search times. Frogs less familiar with the test area had longer initial search times than frogs with more experience, but achieved equally short search times after about eight days. In conjunction with previous findings the results suggest that visual cues are important in habitat choice and spatial learning, and that territorial and reproductive behaviour are intimately associated with learning performance.
Cytogenetics of a new species of Paratelmatobius cardosoi group (Anura: Leptodactylidae), with the description of an apparent case of pericentric inversion
Authors: Lourenço Luciana , Recco-Pimentel Shirlei , Garcia Paulo
Published: March 2003

The karyotype of a new species of Paratelmatobius from the P. cardosoi group is described. As with other Paratelmatobius and Scythrophrys karyotypes, Paratelmatobius sp. (aff. cardosoi) shows a diploid number of 24 chromosomes, in addition to other similarities with the former karyotypes. The Paratelmatobius sp. (aff. cardosoi) karyotype differs from that of P. cardosoi in the morphology of pair 4, the NOR location and the C-bands in pairs 3 and 8 (exclusive to Paratelmatobius sp.) and those of pairs 7 and 9 (exclusive to P. cardosoi). Both karyotypes also differ in the amount of heterochromatin in pair 1. The presence of interstitial heterochromatin in the long arm of pair 1 and the interstitial C-bands in both arms of chromosome 5 are apparently synapomorphic characters of P. cardosoi and Paratelmatobius sp. (aff. cardosoi), since they are absent in the other Paratelmatobius and Scythrophrys karyotypes. In Paratelmatobius sp. (aff. cardosoi), the nucleolus organizer region is on the short arm of a small metacentric chromosome (pair 9), an arrangement similar to the NOR-bearing chromosome pair in the karyotype of P. poecilogaster and in karyotype II of Scythrophrys. A conspicuous heteromorphism unrelated to the sex determining mechanism was also observed and probably arose from a pericentric inversion.
A new fossorial scincine lizard of the genus Pseudoacontias (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) from Nosy Be, Madagascar
Authors: Sakata Shuichi , Hikida Tsutomu
Published: March 2003

A new species of fossorial skink, the third member of the genus Pseudoacontias, is described from Nosy Be, an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar. This species most resembles P. madagascariensis in limbless body, but differs in color pattern, number of supralabials and infralabials, height of subocular, and overlap relation of primary temporal and supralabials.
Análisis de instrumentos para la medida del amor
Authors: Carreño Mercedes , Serrano Gonzalo
Published: March 2003

El objetivo del artículo consiste en el análisis psicométrico de los instrumentos de utilización más frecuente para la medida del amor, y que cuentan con un mayor apoyo conceptual y empírico. Se han considerado las escalas de Knox-Sporakowski, Rubin, Hendrick-Hendrick, Critelli, Sternberg y Hatfield. Se han administrado a una amplia muestra de sujetos, obteniéndose de cada escala sus características estructurales y psicométricas. Se presentan los resultados y se hace una evaluación de cada instrumento de medida considerado. Las escalas de Rubin, Critelli, Sternberg y Hatfield presentan una adecuada consistencia interna. Se valora la sencillez de la escala de Rubin y la capacidad de las de Critelli y Sternberg para dar una medida general del amor.
La relación entre autoestima y consumo de drogas en los adolescentes: un análisis longitudinal
Authors: Romero Estrella , Luengo M. Ángeles , Otero-López José M.
Published: March 2003

La relación entre la variable autoestima y el consumo de drogas constituye un tema particularmente controvertido dentro del campo de estudio de la desviación social. Aunque determinados modelos teóricos y múltiples programas de intervención hacen hincapié en la importancia que la autoestima adquiere en el desarrollo del consumo de drogas, la evidencia empírica tiende a mostrar que la relación entre ambas variables es una asociación más bien débil e inconsistente. En este estudio se intenta superar, en parte, las debilidades de este campo de conocimiento incorporando en un análisis longitudinal la medición de diferentes dimensiones de la autoestima. Los datos fueron recabados en una muestra de 1549 jóvenes (719 varones y 830 mujeres) con los que se contactó en dos ocasiones distanciadas por un lapso de tiempo de un año. Los resultados ponen de relieve la necesidad de tener en cuenta la naturaleza multidimensional de la autoestima a la hora de examinar la relación entre ambos constructos; asimismo, nuestros hallazgos sugieren que los efectos recíprocos autoestima-consumo de drogas son poco intensos, lo cual debe ser tenido en cuenta en el diseño de programas de intervención.
La influencia de la discusión grupal en los estados afectivos
Authors: Rodríguez Ramón , Rodríguez Armando
Published: March 2003

El presente trabajo estudia la influencia de la «discusión grupal» sobre los estados afectivos inducidos. Se esperaba que, después de inducir estados afectivos (positivo vs negativo vs neutro) mediante la visión de secuencias de películas, el contexto de discusión grupal (positivo vs negativo), acentuara o atenuara el efecto del método de inducción. Para ello, se utilizó un diseño experimental en el que participaron un total de 60 sujetos, y en el que se analizaron las respuestas de cada grupo experimental en una tarea de asociación libre de palabras. Nuestros resultados demuestran que el efecto del contexto grupal es más potente que el de la visión de películas cortas, originando un número significativamente mayor de palabras originales en el primer caso que en el segundo. Estos resultados son analizados a la luz de recientes teorías sobre cognición y afecto.
La teoría atribucional de Weiner y los sesgos atributivos: hacia la integración de un desencuentro
Authors: Navas Leandro , Sampascual Gonzalo , Castejón Juan Luis
Published: March 2003

En este estudio se plantean una serie de cuestiones críticas sobre la teoría atribucional de la motivación y la emoción de Weiner. Se propone, como medio para superar tales deficiencias, el amplio campo de estudio que ha generado el análisis de los sesgos atribucionales desde las nuevas corrientes de la psicología social europea. En una muestra de 324 alumnos-as de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria se comprueba la existencia del sesgo favorable al yo en las atribuciones y del sesgo de confirmación en las expectativas. Finalmente se sugiere que los resultados obtenidos desde las investigaciones sobre los sesgos deberían tenerse en cuenta en el modelo atribucional propuesto por Weiner.
Lysophosphatidylcholines prime the NADPH oxidase and stimulate multiple neutrophil functions through changes in cytosolic calcium
Authors: Silliman Christopher C , Elzi David J , Ambruso Daniel R , Musters Rene J , Hamiel Christine , Harbeck Ronald J , Paterson Andrew J , Bjornsen A Jason , Wyman Travis H , Kelher Marguerite , England Kelly M , McLaughlin-Malaxecheberria Nathan , Barnett Carlton C , Aiboshi Junichi , Bannerjee Anirban
Published: March 2003

A mixture of lysophosphatidylcholines (lyso-PCs) are generated during blood storage and are etiologic in models of acute lung injury. We hypothesize that lyso-PCs stimulate polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) through Ca2+-dependent signaling. The lyso-PC mix (0.45–14.5 μM) and the individual lyso-PCs primed formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) activation of the oxidase (1.8- to 15.7-fold and 1.7- to 14.8-fold; P<0.05). Labeled lyso-PCs demonstrated a membrane association with PMNs and caused rapid increases in cytosolic Ca2+. Receptor desensitization studies implicated a common receptor or a family of receptors for the observed lyso-PC-mediated changes in PMN priming, and cytosolic Ca2+ functions were pertussis toxin-sensitive. Lyso-PCs caused rapid serine phosphorylation of a 68-kD protein but did not activate mitogen-activated protein kinases or cause changes in tyrosine phosphorylation. With respect to alterations in PMN function, lyso-PCs caused PMN adherence, increased expression of CD11b and the fMLP receptor, reduced chemotaxis, provoked changes in morphology, elicited degranulation, and augmented fMLP-induced azurophilic degranulation (P<0.05). Cytosolic Ca2+ chelation inhibited lyso-PC-mediated priming of the oxidase, CD11b surface expression, changes in PMN morphology, and serine phosphorylation of the 68-kD protein. In conclusion, lyso-PCs affect multiple PMN functions in a Ca2+-dependent manner that involves the activation of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein.
Endogenous versus exogenous glucocorticoid responses to experimental bacterial sepsis
Authors: Silverstein Richard , Johnson Donald C
Published: March 2003

Although lack of adrenals dramatically reduces resistance against sepsis generally, the value of glucocorticoid levels above those normally produced by stress remains controversial. An early and long-held concept is that glucocorticoid protection against lipopolysaccharides in animal models is important. Supporting this concept, C3H/HeJ mice, lacking Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), and consequently, endotoxin hyporesponsive, have recently been shown to be resistant to glucocorticoid protection against live Escherichia coli. Effective antibiotic intervention, as an additional parameter and with concomitant administration of glucocorticoid, not only allows for expected antibiotic protection but also for glucocorticoid protection against E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus of mice sensitized to tumor necrosis factor α, regardless of the status of the TLR-4 receptor. TLRs, including but not limited to TLR-2, may be involved in glucocorticoid protective efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative sepsis. Overlapping and possibly endotoxin-independent signaling may become important considerations.
Functional modulation of dendritic cells to suppress adaptive immune responses
Authors: Woltman Andrea M , van Kooten Cees
Published: March 2003

In recent years, dendritic cells (DCs) have entered the center court of immune regulation. Dependent on their ontogeny, state of differentiation, and maturation and thereby a variable expression of membrane-bound and soluble molecules, DCs can induce immunostimulatory as well as immunoregulatory responses. This dual function has made them potential targets in vaccine development in cancer and infections as well as for the prevention and treatment of allograft rejection and autoimmune diseases. The present review is focused on the effect of immune-modulatory factors, such as cytokines and immunosuppressive drugs, and on the survival, differentiation, migration, and maturation of DC human subsets. A better understanding of DC immunobiology may lead to the development of specific therapies to prevent or dampen immune responses.
Involvement of P2Y receptors in the differentiation of haematopoietic cells
Authors: Sak Katrin , Boeynaems Jean-Marie , Everaus Hele
Published: March 2003

The effects of extracellular nucleotides are mediated by multiple P2X ionotropic receptors and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. These receptors are ubiquitous, but few physiological roles have been firmly identified. In this review article, we present a survey of the functional expression of P2Y receptors in the different haematopoietic lineages by analyzing the selectivity of these cells for the various adenine and uracil nucleotides as well as the second messenger signaling pathways involved. The pharmacological profiles of metabotropic nucleotide receptors are different among myeloid, megakaryoid, erythroid, and lymphoid cells and change during differentiation. A role of P2Y receptors in the differentiation and maturation of blood cells has been proposed: In particular the P2Y11receptor seems to be involved in the granulocytic differentiation of promyelocytes and in the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells. It is suggested that the role of P2Y receptors in the maturation of blood cells may be more important than believed so far.
Long-term patterns of use of occupant controlled office lighting
Authors: Moore T , Carter DJ , Slater AI
Published: March 2003

This paper reports daily and seasonal patterns of lighting use in offices where occupants were able to vary the level of illuminance falling on their working areas. The results show that occupants set a wide range of illuminances, many of which are significantly below CIBSE Code recommendations leading to significant energy savings throughout the year. Although users report use of controls for a variety of reasons, the results of the long-term monitoring of switching behaviour reveals that very few in fact use them for anything other than to switch on upon arrival at work, with further use of systems during the day being rare. Evidence suggests that the way in which systems are configured exerts influence over the level of electric light occupants work under. There is some evidence of an effect of daylight availability on levels set but little evidence to suggest pervasive and consistent user preferences for levels of electric light.
Shading devices and daylight quality: an evaluation based on simple performance indicators
Authors: Dubois Marie-Claude
Published: March 2003

The impact of seven shading devices on daylight quality in a south-oriented office was investigated by simulations with Radiance at three specific times on three sunny days. Daylight quality was assessed for a large number of desk positions by considering simple performance indicators: the absolute and relative work plane illuminance and the absolute and relative luminance of surfaces. The results indicated that the white awning, overhang and horizontal venetian blind provided adequate work plane illuminances for traditional office tasks but yielded high window luminances. The 45° venetian blind, white screen and blue awning provided suitable work plane illuminance for computer work and acceptable luminance ratios between the VDT, work plane and surroundings. The grey screen yielded unacceptably low illuminances and luminances, poor uniformity and unacceptable luminance ratios.
Resistance of LED and incandescent front turn signals to masking from adjacent headlamps
Authors: Sivak M , Schoettle B , Flannagan MJ
Published: March 2003

Previous research has shown that, as expected, fast-rise signals (such as LEDs and neon lamps) lead to shorter reaction time than that obtained with slower-rise signals (such as incandescent lamps). This study, in two converging experiments, investigated whether rapid rise time makes turn signals more resistant to masking from an adjacent headlamp. The first experiment used a method of limits to obtain luminous intensity thresholds for LED and incandescent turn signals in the presence of headlamp glare. In the second experiment, subjects judged the relative conspicuity of simultaneously presented LED and incandescent turn signals when they flanked an illuminated headlamp. The results of the two experiments were consistent: there was no difference between the two light sources in either detection threshold or judged conspicuity. These results suggest that faster rise time does not affect the resistance of turn signals to headlamp masking.
Daylighting in Hong Kong: potential and problems
Authors: Chung TM
Published: March 2003

Daylight availability in Hong Kong is described based on routinely measured hourly global horizontal solar radiation data and studies of luminous efficacy in Hong Kong. Frequency analysis of these derived exterior illuminance data gives the potential energy savings from daylight-linked on-off or top-up controls. An example of lighting energy savings is given based on a typical office building configuration. Effects of obstruction on the possible lighting energy savings are analysed for on-off and top-up controls. Current building regulations for the ‘rights of light’ are discussed along with existing problems in designing for daylighting buildings in Hong Kong.
Micro Effects of Macro Announcements: Real-Time Price Discovery in Foreign Exchange
Authors: Anderson Torben G , Bollerslev Tim , Diebold Francis X , Vega Clara
Published: March 2003

Using a new data set consisting of six years of real-time exchange-rate quotations, macroeconomic expectations, and macroeconomic realizations, we characterize the conditional means of U.S. dollar spot exchange rates. In particular, we find that announcement surprises produce conditional mean jumps; hence high-frequency exchange-rate dynamics are linked to fundamentals. The details of the linkage are intriguing and include announcement timing and sign effects. The sign effect refers to the fact that the market reacts to news in an asymmetric fashion: bad news has greater impact than good news, which we relate to recent theoretical work on information processing and price discovery.
The Survival of the Welfare State
Authors: Hassler John , Rodríguez Mora José V , Storesletten Kjetil , Zilibotti Fabrizio
Published: March 2003

This paper provides an analytical characterization of Markov perfect equilibria in a model with repeated voting, where agents vote over distortionary income redistribution. A key result is that the future constituency for redistributive policies depends positively on current redistribution, since this affects both private investments and the future distribution of voters. The model features multiple equilibria. In some equilibria, positive redistribution persists forever. In other equilibria, even a majority of beneficiaries of redistribution vote strategically so as to induce the end of the welfare state next period. Skill-biased technical change makes the survival of the welfare state less likely.
Lying for Strategic Advantage: Rational and Boundedly Rational Misrepresentation of Intentions
Authors: Crawford Vincent P
Published: March 2003

Starting from an example of the Allies' decision to feint at Calais and attack Normandy on D-Day, this paper models misrepresentation of intentions to competitors or enemies. Allowing for the possibility of bounded strategic rationality and rational players' responses to it yields a sensible account of lying via costless, noiseless messages. In some leading cases, the model has generically unique pure-strategy sequential equilibria, in which rational players exploit boundedly rational players, but are not themselves fooled. In others, the model has generically essentially unique mixed-strategy sequential equilibria, in which rational players' strategies protect all players from exploitation.
Portfolio Choice and Trading in a Large 401(k) Plan
Authors: Agnew Julie , Balduzzi Pierluigi , Sundén Annika
Published: March 2003

We study nearly 7,000 retirement accounts during the April 1994–August 1998 period. Several interesting patterns emerge. Most asset allocations are extreme (either 100 percent or zero percent in equities) and there is inertia in asset allocations. Equity allocations are higher for males, married investors, and for investors with higher earnings and more seniority on the job; equity allocations are lower for older investors. There is very limited portfolio reshuffling, in sharp contrast to discount brokerage accounts. Daily changes in equity allocations correlate only weakly with same-day equity returns and do not correlate with future equity returns.
Optimal Contracting with Subjective Evaluation
Authors: Macleod W. Bentley
Published: March 2003

This paper extends the standard principal–agent model to allow for subjective evaluation. The optimal contract results in more compressed pay relative to the case with verifiable performance measures. Moreover, discrimination against an individual implies lower pay and performance, suggesting that the extent of discrimination as measured after controlling for performance may underestimate the level of true discrimination. Finally, the optimal contract entails the use of bonus pay rather than the threat of dismissal, hence neither “efficiency wages” nor the right to dismiss an employee are necessary ingredients for an optimal incentive contract.
Development and Validation of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure to Assess Disease Control in Chronic Prurigo
Authors: Metz Martin , Zeidler Claudia , Hawro Tomasz , Pereira Manuel , Maurer Marcus , Bonnekoh Hanna , Krause Karoline , Pritchard Thomas , Kwatra Shawn G. , Ständer Sonja , Weller Karsten
Published: January 2024

Importance

Chronic prurigo (CPG), including prurigo nodularis, is a difficult disease to treat and considerably affects patients’ quality of life. Helping patients obtain control of CPG is a major treatment goal.

Objective

To develop and validate the Prurigo Control Test (PCT), a tool for assessing disease control in CPG, and to identify a cutoff value for controlled disease to aid treatment decisions.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This qualitative study followed the current recommendations for patient-reported outcome measure development in the generation and validation of the PCT. The final PCT was obtained after item generation, followed by reduction and selection, and was then tested for internal consistency and test-retest reliability, convergent validity, known-group validity, screening accuracy, and banding. The item-generation phase resulted in an unselected list of 69 potential PCT items. Impact analysis, interitem correlation, and review for content (face) validity resulted in final set of 5 PCT items. The validation study was performed among patients across 2 expert centers in Germany. Data were analyzed from February 2017 to November 2019.

Main Outcomes and Measures

A 5-item PCT with a recall period of 2 weeks was developed. A cutoff value of 10 points or higher was determined as suitable for identifying patients with well-controlled vs poorly controlled CPG.

Results

Of the 95 patients included in the validation study, the median (range) age was 63 (19-87) years, 50 patients (53%) were women, and the median (range) disease duration was 72 (9-774) months. The validation study yielded good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach α, 0.86) and a high degree of convergent validity. The PCT demonstrated good known-group validity and could discriminate between patients who differed in prurigo control. Test-retest reliability was high, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.94, indicating excellent reproducibility.

Conclusions and Relevance

This qualitative study showed that the PCT is able to assess disease control in patients with CPG. Its retrospective approach, brevity, and simple scoring likely make the PCT suitable for clinical practice and trials.
Safety and Feasibility of Single-Port Robotic-Assisted Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
Authors: Farr Deborah E. , Haddock Nicholas T. , Tellez Juan , Radi Imad , Alterio Rodrigo , Sayers Brendan , Zeh Herbert
Published: January 2024

Importance

Robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomies with multiport robots have been described in the US since 2015; however, significant hurdles to multiport robotic surgery exist in breast surgery.

Objective

To demonstrate that the single-port da Vinci SP (Intuitive Surgical) robotic system is feasible in patients undergoing robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy (rNSM).

Design, Setting, and Participants

An initial case series of 20 patients at a large university hospital underwent bilateral single-port robotic nipple-sparing mastectomies (SPrNSM) with tissue expander reconstruction from February 1, 2020, through January 4, 2023. Participants included women who met surgical criteria for nipple-sparing mastectomies, per standard of care.

Intervention

Surgery using a single-port robot and the surgical technique of the authors.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Age, indication, body mass index, breast size, operative time, conversion to open surgery, systemic complications, postoperative skin necrosis, and reported skin and nipple areolar complex (NAC) sensation.

Results

Twenty women aged 29 to 63 years (median, 40 years) underwent bilateral SPrNSM. Eleven patients completed prophylactic surgery due to a high risk for breast cancer (more than 20% lifetime risk) and 9 patients had breast cancer. Breast size ranged from A through D cup with median B cup and a body mass index range of 19.7 through 27.8 (median 24.4). The total duration of the procedure from incision to skin closure for both sides ranged from 205 minutes to 351 minutes (median, 277). The median robotic time for bilateral SPrNSM was 116 minutes and varied by cup size (A cup, 95 minutes; B cup, 140 minutes; C cup, 118 minutes; D cup, 114 minutes) with no inflection point in learning curve. No cases were converted to open and no immediate complications, such as hematoma, positive margins, or recurrence, were seen. In the first 10 patients prior to routine sensation testing, 20 resected breasts had measurable NAC sensation at a range from 4 to 36 months post–index resection (65%). In the second 10 patients of the cohort, measurable NAC was preserved in 13 of 20 resected breasts 2 weeks following the index operation (65%).

Conclusion and Relevance

In this case series, SPrNSM with immediate reconstruction was feasible and performed safely by an experienced breast surgeon with limited previous robotic training. Further studies confirming the preliminary data demonstrating improved NAC and skin sensation following SPrNSM are warranted.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05245812
Is your memory better than mine? Investigating the mechanisms and determinants of the memory conformity effect using a modified MORI technique
Authors: Kękuś Magdalena , Polczyk Romuald , Ito Hiroshi , Mori Kazuo , Barzykowski Krystian
Published: January 2024

The paper presents the memory conformity effect phenomenon, which involves the inclusion in memory accounts concerning a particular event (original information) of incorrect information (misinformation) that a witness has obtained as a result of another witness's account of the same event. The research had two goals: (1) to verify the existence of individuals who yield to misinformation yet are aware of discrepancy between the original information and the misinformation; (2) to determine why these individuals choose misinformation despite the correctness of their own memories. In addition, we examined the relationship between susceptibility to social influence, compliance, suggestibility and memory conformity in interaction with awareness of discrepancy. In order to examine the memory conformity effect, we used the MORI technique, which ensures high ecological validity. In this technique, the two members of each pair of participants sit next to each other and each are not aware that the other is watching a different version of the same event. Then, the participants answer related questions and discuss the contradictory details. Subsequently, the subjects complete an individual memory test. Importantly, after the main part of the study (i.e., the MORI procedure), participants were explicitly informed about the different versions of the event, and they were asked to complete awareness of discrepancy questionnaires. It was shown that awareness of the discrepancy between the original information and the misinformation reduced succumbing to misinformation. However, it was demonstrated that, despite being aware of discrepancies, 21.4% participants still succumbed to the misinformation. It was also shown that the main reason for participants being misinformed despite being aware of the discrepancy was distrust of their own memory.
The Relationship between Dietary Macronutrient Composition and Telomere Length Among US Adults
Authors: Koemel Nicholas A. , Laouali Nasser , Senior Alistair M. , Celermajer David S. , Grech Amanda , Solon‐Biet Samantha M. , Simpson Stephen J. , Raubenheimer David , Gill Timothy P. , Skilton Michael R.
Published: January 2024

The role of dietary macronutrients and energy intake in the aging process has been well‐established. However, previous research has mainly focused on the association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and individual macronutrients, while the effects of macronutrient composition on LTL remain unclear. This cross‐sectional analysis involved 4130 US adults (44.8 ± 17.0 years; 51% female) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 1999–2002. A single 24‐h dietary recall is used to collect dietary data. The relationship between dietary macronutrient composition and LTL is examined using three‐dimensional generalized additive models. After adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, education, physical activity, BMI, and dietary quality, a three‐dimensional association of macronutrient composition with LTL (P = 0.02) is revealed. Diets lower in protein (5–10%), higher in carbohydrates (75%), and lower in fat (15–20%) are associated with the longest LTL corresponding to 7.7 years of slower biological aging. Diets lowest in protein (5%) and carbohydrate (40%), while highest in dietary fat (55%) are associated with the shortest LTL, corresponding to accelerated biological aging of 4.4 years. The associations appeared magnified with higher energy intake. These findings support a complex relationship between dietary macronutrients and biological aging independent of diet quality.
Amino‐Functionalized Graphdiyne Derivative as a Cathode Interface Layer with High Thickness Tolerance for Highly Efficient Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Kan Yuanyuan , Sun Yanna , Ren Yi , Xu Yixuan , Jiang Xinyue , Shen Haojiang , Geng Longlong , Li Jianfeng , Cai Ping , Xu Huajun , Gao Ke , Li Yuliang
Published: January 2024

Efficient cathode interfacial materials (CIMs) are essential components for effectively enhancing the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). Although high‐performance CIMs are desired to meet the requirements of various OSCs, potential candidates for CIMs are scarce. Herein, an amino‐functionalized graphdiyne derivative (GDY‐N) is developed, which represents the first example of GDY that exhibits favorable solubility in alcohol. Utilizing GDY‐N as the CIM, an outstanding champion PCE of 19.30% for devices based on the D18‐Cl:L8‐BO (certified result: 19.05%) is achieved, which is among the highest efficiencies reported to date in OSCs. Remarkably, the devices based on GDY‐N exhibit a thickness‐insensitive characteristic, maintaining 95% of their initial efficiency even with a film thickness of 25 nm. Moreover, the GDY‐N displays wide universality and facilitates exceptional stability in OSCs. This work not only enriches the diversity of GDY derivatives, but also demonstrates the feasibility of GDY derivatives as CIMs with high thickness tolerance in OSCs.
All‐Carbon‐Based Complementary Integrated Circuits
Authors: Watanabe Kazuyoshi , Miura Naoki , Taguchi Hiroaki , Komatsu Takeshi , Aratake Atsushi , Makita Tatsuyuki , Tanabe Masahiro , Wakimoto Takahiro , Kumagai Shohei , Okamoto Toshihiro , Watanabe Shun , Takeya Jun
Published: January 2024

Owing to the growing global increase in electronic and electrical waste (e‐waste), significant challenges arise regarding the proper disposal of electronic devices. One potential solution that has gained attention is the development of disposable electronics, in which all components are designed to be for safe and environmentally friendly disposal. In this study, all‐carbon‐based complementary integrated circuits composed of printed single‐crystalline thin films of p‐ and n‐type organic semiconductors, graphite‐based carbon electrodes/wiring, and polymeric dielectrics/substrates are demonstrated. Elemental analysis reveals that the total amount of metallic element contaminants weighed <50 parts per million (ppm). The demonstrated analog/digital integrated circuits with 64 p‐ and n‐type organic thin‐film transistors exhibit stable operation under ambient environmental conditions. These all‐carbon‐based complementary integrated circuits possess excellent element traceability, thus mitigating the potential environmental impacts throughout the device's life cycle. Consequently, this advancement represents a significant step toward addressing the global environmental challenges associated with e‐waste.