cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies in Pretense Play and the Conservation of Quantity

In recent years psychologists and educators have shown a renewed interest in the nature of child play and have raised interesting questions about its possible significance for cognitive development. One of the early pioneering studies, published by the Israeli investigator Sara Smilansky (1968), stressed the importance of pretense or make-believe play in a social setting. Smilansky suggested that a number of important cognitive and social skills are being exercised when preschool children engage in sociodramatic play and that these skills are essential for success during the elementary school years. When children engage in role-play they must, of necessity, take the perspective of their own assumed role and that of the play partner, and coordinate their actions accordingly. Thus several students of role-play, stressing that role-taking implies perspective-taking skills, have attempted to establish the degree of corelation between role-play and perceptual, cognitive, and affective perspective-taking tasks (Feffer & Gourevich, 1960; Selman, 1971; Turnure, 1975). The results of these studies seem to lend some support to the notion that role-playing employs cognitive skills, but the data are not altogether consistent. Perhaps this ought not to be surprising to us, since the term “perspective-taking” probably refers to diverse rather than to unitary social and cognitive skills.
Changes in Body Composition Before and After Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND Weight loss is common in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about when it starts, how PD changes as it progresses, and whether there is a differential loss of lean or fat mass. The objective of this study was to examine how body composition changes before and after PD diagnosis. METHODS In the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study (n = 3075; age range, 70-79 years), body composition was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry on an annual or biennial basis from year 1 to year 10. For each PD case each year, we calculated the difference between their actual body composition measures and expected values had they not developed PD. Using linear mixed models with crossed random effects, we further examined the trend of change in body composition measures before and after PD diagnosis. RESULTS A total of 80 PD cases were identified in this cohort. Compared with their expected values, PD cases began to lose total and fat mass about 6-7 years before diagnosis, although the differences were not statistically significant until 3-5 years after diagnosis. The loss was substantial and persistent, with statistically significant trends of loss for total body mass (P = 0.008), fat mass (P = 0.001), and percentage fat (P < 0.001). In comparison, lean mass was stable throughout the follow-up (P = 0.16). Overall, 96% of the body mass loss in PD cases was from the loss of fat mass. CONCLUSIONS In this longitudinal analysis with objective measures of body composition, we found persistent weight loss in PD cases, predominantly in fat mass, starting a few years before diagnosis. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
BIOGENIC SILICA NANOPARTICLES, SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY AGAINST TWO RICE PATHOGENIC FUNGI

silica nanoparticles (Si NPs) were extracted by different methods from mrice husk (RH)and ric estraw (RS), and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For the XRD results, the crystalline size was calculated using Scherer equation. The particle size of rice husk nanoparticles (RHNPs) and rice straw nanoparticles (RSNPs) were 73.6 nm and 133.7 nm, respectively. Silica present in RHNPs and RSNPs was about 22.78 and 9.56%, respectively. Si NPs were effective in controlling rice blast (Pyricularia grisea) and brown spot (Bipolaris oryzae) fungal diseases under greenhouse conditions during 2015 season. Efficiency of soil application with RHNPs and white rice husk ash WRHA 92.56 & 90.90% at the rate of 1.5 g/1kg, were the most effective treatments to reduce blast disease severity compared to other treatments as well as control. On the other hand, rice plantswere treated with liquid potassium silicate (K2SiO2), WRHA and RHNPs gave 96.92, 93.07 and 91.53 % efficiency, respectively as foliar application for the control of brown spot disease compared with other treatments. SEM/energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDX) observations and X-ray spectra of adaxial surfaces of the fourth rice leaves Sakha 101 rice cultivar) in soil applied with 1.5g/1kg gave different types of silicified cells. The corresponding EDX spectra compared with the SEM images demonstrated differences in silicon content between soil treated by RHNPs 13.75% and nontreated plants 10.6%. Silicon accumulation in Sakha 101 rice leaves treated with RHNPs as soil application at 1.5g/1kg was increasing Si layers in epidermal cell walls, cuticle and the thickness of the silicon layer. Also, outer regions of epidermal cell walls and intercellular spaces within sub-epidermal tissues. All the silicon layers may be playinga role in increasing the resistanceof rice plants and controlling the rice diseases.
Associations of Coexisting Pain and Fatigue Severity with Physical Performance and Quality of Life Among Middle-Aged and Older Individuals with Chronic Knee Pain: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE To examine associations of combined pain and fatigue severity with physical performance and quality of life in people with chronic knee pain. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING General community. PARTICIPANTS Adults (N = 193) ≥50 years of age with chronic knee pain. METHODS Physical performance measures included the Six-Minute Walk test, Timed Up and Go test, and 20-foot timed walk test. Quality of life (QOL) was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 Health Survey. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) were used to evaluate pain and fatigue. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations of coexisting pain and fatigue severity with physical performance and QOL. RESULTS Participants were categorized by BPI and BFI scores into four severity groups: mild pain / mild fatigue; moderate pain / mild fatigue; mild pain / moderate fatigue; and moderate pain / moderate fatigue (which included severe pain / severe fatigue). The moderate pain / moderate fatigue group had significantly worse physical performance on the Six-Minute Walk (standardized beta [β] = -0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.38 to -0.06, P < 0.05) and poorer physical (β = -0.41, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.20, P < 0.001) and mental QOL (β = -0.26, 95% CI -0.46 to -0.07, P < 0.05) than the mild pain / mild fatigue group. Moreover, the mild pain / moderate fatigue group had significantly lower levels of mental QOL (β = -0.27, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.10, P < 0.05) than those of the mild pain / mild fatigue group. The moderate pain / mild fatigue group did not differ statistically from the mild pain / mild fatigue group. CONCLUSIONS Coexisting moderate pain and moderate fatigue were related to worse physical performance and QOL. Fatigue contributed to lower levels of mental QOL. Clinical assessment of fatigue in addition to pain should be included as a standard examination for chronic knee pain.
Milling the Floss: Export Controls, Free and Open Source Software, and the Regulatory Future of the Internet

This article investigates the U.S. export controls framework as it relates to free and open source software (FOSS). A contemporary reexamination of the state of export controls over software, and especially over FOSS, can help in mapping out the responses generated by national security interests to the challenges of the internet. This exercise explains some of the difficulties of regulating many modern software products generally, not only in the national security context. Additionally, it allows for a reappraisal of export controls as the correct framework for protecting national security concerns in FOSS development. Ultimately, this piece does not argue for stronger export restrictions on FOSS. Instead, it shows that the current regulation does not comprehensively control FOSS and tries to tease out the implications of this regulatory approach. In particular, the paper explores apparent regulatory inconsistencies when export controls are applied to particular areas of FOSS. The article argues that these inconsistencies ultimately lead to the displacement of software regulation onto data regulation. Tracing the causes of this displacement allows for a deeper examination of the nuanced ways in which FOSS has altered the form and function of export controls and the ways these have altered the development of FOSS in turn. The interaction between these two facets of the digital age offers a case study in how cyber governance and the internet interplay and construct one another.
iLids: Virtual oculoplatics in the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose : During COVID-19 many adjustments have occurred within medicine. Notably, telehealth has become a ubiquitous tool for providing safe care. Past studies have looked at integration of telehealth into oculoplastics (Elishai, 2020). However, no literature exists regarding the best use of this modality;this study aims to fill that gap. Methods : 395 men and women, aged 3-95, seen April to September 2020 in the oculoplastic department at KU Eye were included. Via chart review, subjects were categorized based on age, gender, encounter type, appointment format, whether the patient presented for their appointment, and complications experienced. The data were then analyzed using chi-square testing and linear regression models. Results : Most patients seen were females over 60 years old (Image 1) . The most common encounter types were new patient and follow up (Image 2). There was statistical significance between encounter type and appointment format, with most telehealth visits being post-ops or follow ups (X2=22.94, df=4, p=0.00013). Expectedly, there was a significant difference in the number of appointment related complications and appointment format (X2=60.448, df=2, p=7.481e-14). Telehealth visits had a higher association with complications including: delay in appointment time due to connectivity issues, and having to resort to a different appointment format (i.e. rescheduling for a different day in-person, or resorting to phone due to issues with the telehealth interface). There was a positive correlation with age and complications, however this was not found to be significant (p=0.747). There was also no significant difference in no-shows among telehealth versus in-person visits (X2=2.6769, df=1, p=0.1018). Conclusions : Trialed during the COVID-19 pandemic at KU Eye, and supported by Elishai et al., telehealth has proven to be a safe and effective way to provide care to patients in an oculoplastic practice. It useful for post-operative visits, pre-operative evaluation, new patient visits, and routine follow up. Patients of various ages can utilize the technology to attend a telehealth visit with minimal complications. To reduce the frequency of these complications, it may be prudent to implement an interactive tutorial for patients prior to their appointment time. Further research investigating outcomes of patients seen via telehealth versus in-person is warranted.
Change in ‘first-trial’ performance after protective step practice in people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating, neurodegenerative disorder causing considerable gait and balance dysfunction. Reactive balance (i.e., quick movements in response to a loss of balance) is particularly important for fall risk and is impaired in people with MS compared to neurotypical peers. Therefore, improving reactive balance among those with MS is critical. However, for maximum ecological validity, improvements in reactive balance through training would be demonstrable upon first loss-of-balance, rather than an average of several trials as is typically reported. This study evaluated changes in performance on the first stepping trial in people with MS after one day of practice. Methods Fourteen people with MS underwent two, consecutive days of support-surface perturbations from stance. On day 1, participants underwent a single backward-stepping trial, followed by 35 practice trails (forward and backward). Approximately 24 h later, participants were again exposed to a single backward stepping perturbation. Protective stepping outcomes were step length, step latency, and margin of stability at first foot contact. The backward step performance on the first trial of days one and two were compared, and difference scores were evaluated for relationships with correlates based on theoretical considerations. Findings First-trial margin of stability increased (improved) from day 1 to day 2 (P = .016). Steps were also faster on average by approximately 5 ms on day 2, although this improvement was not significant (P = .062). Interpretations Although preliminary, these findings provide evidence that individuals with MS may be able to experience first-trial improvements after a low dose of perturbation training.
Regulatory role of sphingolipid metabolites, sphingosine-1-phosphate and C16:0 ceramide, in immunogenic cell death of colon cancer cells induced by Bak/Bax-activation.

We have previously identified sphingolipid metabolism as a key intracellular process associated with immunogenic cell death (ICD) induced by mitoxantrone in colon cancer cells. Specifically, we have demonstrated that inhibition of the sphingosine kinases (SphKs) synergistically enhanced production of hallmarks of ICD including ectoCRT production. To better understand the mechanism associated with ICD enhanced by SphK1-inhibition, we focused on the ER stress-associated intracellular signaling pathways leading to ectoCRT production. It is known that ABT-263 and AZD-5991 (ABT/AZD) are inhibitors of Bcl-2/Bcl-XL and MCL-1, respectively, leading to activation of Bak/Bax. Herein, we now provide evidence that treatment of DLD-1 colon cancer cells with ABT/AZD results in the production of ectoCRT indicative of ICD. Additionally, our data show that ABT/AZD-induced ectoCRT production is significantly enhanced by combination treatment with the SphK1 inhibitor, PF-543. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that combined treatment of ABT/AZD+PF-543 induces ectoCRT exposure in a caspase 8-dependent manner. Accordingly, we have identified a Bak/Bax activation-dependent pathway that leads to activation of a pro-survival SphK1/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling that attenuates ectoCRT production. Additionally, we have identified a regulatory role of ceramide synthase 6 (CerS6)-C16:0 Cer in transporting of dimeric CRT to the cell surface (ectoCRT). Together, these results indicate that sphingolipid metabolites, such as S1P and C16:0 Cer, have a key regulatory role for survival/death decisions of cancer cells in response to ICD-inducing chemotherapeutic agents such as mitoxantrone and ABT/AZD. Hence, targeting SphKs may be an innovative means to enhance the efficacy of ICD-inducing chemotherapeutic agents promoting anti-tumor innate/adaptive immune response since SphK inhibition blocks the anti-ICD effects of S1P while simultaneously accumulating sphingosine (Sph) leading to pro-ICD C16:0 Cer synthesis.
“Resident Managed Peer-Mentoring Program”: A Novel Way to Engage Medical Students and Radiology Residents in Collaborative Research

Rationale and Objectives Engaging medical students and radiology residents in research during clinically focused training in residency can be challenging. We investigated extending a substantial degree of supervised autonomy to qualified residents to engage, mentor, and manage teams of medical students and other residents in research projects, fostering a system of laddered mentoring, referred to as “Resident Managed Peer Mentoring Program.” The structure is as follows: a resident with research experience (preceptor) first identifies small-scale hypothesis driven projects which different novice learner-researchers at different levels of research background and training can undertake. The learner and preceptor then outline the learner's deliverables and set deadlines for outcomes, with regular faculty check-ins and oversight. Materials and Methods This observational study assessed the outcomes of our “Resident Managed Peer Mentoring Program” beginning November 2019. Primary outcomes were numbers of peer-reviewed publications credited to individual radiology physicians. Secondary outcomes were: numbers of radiology physicians who participated in publication and academic rank-based analysis of publication numbers for attending radiologists before and after the intervention. Results Number of peer-reviewed PubMed publications increased after our intervention (47.8%, in year-1; 167.4% in year-2). Increases also occurred in the number of radiology physicians who authored publications. The effect was largest for early career physicians. Conclusion The “Resident managed peer-mentoring program” was a productive method that proved especially beneficial for students, residents, and early career physicians in our clinically focused training program. This approach may be transferable to other programs where an increase in research participation and productivity are valued.
X Ray Standing Waves: Thermal Vibration Amplitudes at Surfaces

In the previous chapter, we have seen that the standing wave method measures the amplitude and the phase of the relevant Fourier component of the charge density in the crystal. The phase information, lost in the usual x-ray diffraction intensity measurements, is preserved by recording an inelastic channel (i.e., fluorescence) as the standing wave moves through the atomic planes during Bragg reflection. Also in the previous chapter, we have used the phase information to accurately locate atoms at surfaces. In the present chapter, we will utilize the Fourier amplitude exclusively and show how these amplitudes can be used to measure directly the thermal vibration amplitudes. While knowledge of thermal vibration amplitudes is in itself useful for a quantitative evaluation of bonding of atoms at surfaces, its variation with temperature has provided information on defect mediated vibrational motion and the onset of surface mobility. Indications that the atoms are not situated at a rigid single fixed position has already been observed for As and Ge adsorbates on (111) silicon surfaces. In spite of the fact that the atoms in these two cases lie in a single plane, the coherent fraction F, which measures the amplitude of the Fourier coefficient, is never 1.0 but reaches a maximum of 0.98. This 2% deviation from unity corresponds to an average thermal vibration amplitude ( )1/2 = 0.12 A at room temperature. This value may be compared to the corresponding vibration value of Si atoms in the bulk of 0.08 A. Thus, we can already deduce from the results in the last chapter that vibration amplitudes at surfaces are 50% higher than the bulk values. In what follows, we relate quantitatively the F value observations to the thermal displacements .
National Societies: Historical Development of the Columbian Federation of Psychology

Abstract For many years, psychology as a discipline was cultivated in Columbia by psychiatrists, teachers, and physiologists. Only in 1948 began the training of professional psychologists, with the opening of the Institute of Applied Psychology at the National University of Columbia in Bogota. The Institute evolved and became Faculty, and finally Department. In 1954 the students of the Institute of Psychology created the Association Universitaria de Psicologia (Universitary Association of Psychology), the first society of psychologists in Columbia. One year later it changed its nature and became much broader. In September, 1955, it became the Federation Colombiana de Psicologia (Columbian Federation of Psychology). Three years later, in 1958, it obtained legal recognition from the Columbian government (personeria juridica) as the professional association of psychologists. In that year, 1958, the Federation began to have influence on the general public; its members gave popular lectures on different topics...
An Electrical Power Planning Simulation and Graphical User Interface for an Advanced Space Habitat Life Support System

BIO-Sim is a software package developed at Georgia Southern University that simulates the electrical power consumption of devices in a planetary habitat life support system. BIO-Sim consists of four parts: a graphical user interface (GUI), a power usage simulation, a data model, and a server/database. The GUI allows planners to easily enter/adjust device schedules; view the resulting power consumption on a bar chart, as well as the average power and total energy requirements. The simulation uses device schedules as input and creates the power consumption data. The database stores device properties and schedules. This paper concentrates on a detailed description of the software package.
Hedging residual value risk using derivatives

Abstract: In the leasing industry the lessor faces a risk, at the end of the contract, in not recovering sufficient capital value from resale of the asset. We propose a model to hedge residual value risk using the Gaussian copula methodology. After discussing residual value risk and credit risk modelization, a new derivative product is introduced and analyzed; the Collateralized Residual Values (CRV). The model is applied to an European auto lease portfolio of operating lease contracts pertaining to a major company. Our results indicate that the financial product is easy to customize, and to implement through the contract characteristics and the level of correlation.
Digitally-compatible ring oscillator frequency driven tuning of CN-TFT amplifiers: Performance compensation under statistical and morphological variations

Carbon Nanotube network based Thin-Film Transistors (CN-TFTs) are excellent candidates for next generation flexible electronics applications. However CN-TFT circuits suffer from imperfections due to morphological variations of fabricated carbon nanotube geometries that cause wide performance variations in analog amplifiers built from these CN-TFTs. Improved fabrication methods and sophisticated process control techniques are not sufficient for tackling these imperfections. In this paper, a new digitally-compatible tuning method is proposed for CN-TFT based amplifier designs. The amplifier is placed in a ring-oscillator configuration using two additional digital inverters, appropriately modified to allow oscillation of the inverter-inverting amplifier-inverter configuration. The frequency of oscillation is then used to drive a tuning algorithm that recovers the performance of the amplifier under statistical and morphological fabrication process variations. The method is very easy to implement and simulation studies show excellent results.
Quality factors for DMSS assessment: an application of research frameworks

The objective of this chapter is to demonstrate the use of a decision support systems research (DSSR) framework to improve decision making support systems (DMSS) quality. The DSSR Framework, which was developed to integrate theoretical constructs from various information systems areas into a coherent theme, can serve as a tool for DMSS developers. Developed to provide a unified reference to theoretical constructs used in theory building and testing, the DSSR framework can also be used as the basis for the identification and selection of a hierarchy of factors potentially affecting the quality of DMSS development. The chapter proposes that a unified set of quality factors derived from the DSSR framework be used in tandem with the generic software quality metrics framework specified in IEEE Standard 1061-1992. The integration of these two frameworks has the potential to improve the process of developing high-quality decision making support systems and system components. The usage of these frameworks to identify system quality factors is demonstrated in the context of a military research and development project.
Abstract P2-13-11: Multimodality perioperative analgesia with paravertebral nerve block and gabapentin reduces narcotic use and hospital length of stay in mastectomy patients

Postoperative pain control is the major determinant in hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing mastectomy. Using a multimodality approach for peri-operative analgesia (PA) with paravertebral nerve block (PVB)(regional anesthesia) as well as including pre- and postoperative oral gabapentin, we significantly reduced both LOS and narcotic usage (NU) when compared to PVB alone or conventional postoperative management (CPM) with on demand postoperative pain medications. A single institution, retrospective chart review of patients undergoing mastectomy from 2009 to 2014 was performed (n = 129; 84 bilateral, 45 unilateral) with a subset analysis performed on patients undergoing tissue expander (TE) reconstruction (n=86) or bilateral mastectomies (n=84). Patients were grouped by PA type (CPM, PVB by catheter infusion, and PVB with gabapentin (PVB+G)). Data were analyzed via using Student t-test and significance was defined as p We have found employing a multimodality approach to PA with the addition of the GABA analogue, gabapentin, to regional anesthesia via PVB catheter infusion significantly improves the postoperative course of patients undergoing mastectomy procedures by decreasing LOS and NU. Citation Format: Zandra H Cheng, Vlad Frenk, Jennifer D Bishop, Theresa Bowling, Helen A Pass. Multimodality perioperative analgesia with paravertebral nerve block and gabapentin reduces narcotic use and hospital length of stay in mastectomy patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-13-11.
Learning symbolic rules using artificial neural networks

A distinct advantage of symbolic learning algorithms over artificial neural networks is that typically the concept representations they form are more easily understood by humans. One approach to understanding the representations formed by neural networks is to extract symbolic rules from trained networks. In this paper we describe and investigate an approach for extracting rules from networks that uses (1) the NOFM extraction algorithm, and (2) the network training method of soft weight-sharing. Previously, the NOFM algorithm had been successfully applied only to knowledge-based neural networks. Our experiments demonstrate that our extracted rules generalize better than rules learned using the C4.5 system. In addition to being accurate, our extracted rules are also reasonably comprehensible.
Flavonoid complexes in Pisum sativum L.—I : Nature and distribution of the major components

Abstract The four major flavonoids of the pea plant have been characterized as kaempferol-3-triglucoside (KG), its p-coumaric acid ester (KGC), quercetin-3-triglucoside (QG) and its p-coumaric acid ester (QGC). The spectral and chromatographic properties of these compounds and of their hydrolysis products are reported. Etiolated plants contain mainly KGC and KG with only traces of QGC and QG; in green plants, QGC and QG equal or surpass KGC and KG in concentration. KGC is present only in leaf tissue; KG in leaf and stem; QGC in leaf, petiole, tendril and stem; QG in leaf, petiole and tendril. No flavonoids could be detected in dark-grown roots.
IL-1β Causes an Increase in Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junction Permeability

IL-1β is a prototypical proinflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in the intestinal inflammation amplification cascade. Recent studies have indicated that a TNF-α- and IFN-γ-induced increase in intestinal epithelial paracellular permeability may be an important mechanism contributing to intestinal inflammation. Despite its central role in promoting intestinal inflammation, the role of IL-1β on intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier function remains unclear. The major aims of this study were to determine the effect of IL-1β on intestinal epithelial TJ permeability and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in this process, using a well-established in vitro intestinal epithelial model system consisting of filter-grown Caco-2 intestinal epithelial monolayers. IL-1β (0–100 ng/ml) produced a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in Caco-2 transepithelial resistance. Conversely, IL-1β caused a progressive time-dependent increase in transepithelial permeability to paracellular marker inulin. IL-1β-induced increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability was accompanied by a rapid activation of NF-κB. NF-κB inhibitors, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and curcumin, prevented the IL-1β-induced increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability. To further confirm the role of NF-κB in the IL-1β-induced increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability, NF-κB p65 expression was silenced by small interfering RNA transfection. NF-κB p65 depletion completely inhibited the IL-1β-induced increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability. IL-1β did not induce apoptosis in the Caco-2 cell. In conclusion, our findings show for the first time that IL-1β at physiologically relevant concentrations causes an increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability. The IL-1β-induced increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability was mediated in part by the activation of NF-κB pathways but not apoptosis.
A framework for simulation-based task analysis - The development of a universal task analysis simulation model

Over the last decades there has been a growing interest in modeling human performance and analyzing human activity and human operator behavior to improve system design. A variety of tools and approaches which are based on task analysis methods and tools have been proposed. As technology advances and tasks become more demanding, human work changes increasing the need to create new methodologies and tools for task analysis to face the new challenges. The main aim of this research is to develop a new framework and model for simulation of human tasks performed by individuals with varying levels of skills, considering operator workload and human errors. In order to achieve this goal and fill the current gaps, a review of existing task analysis methods and tools is conducted and a model named UTASiMo is proposed. In addition, the Unified Modeling Language is used to describe the conceptual model and illustrate the different constructs and concepts included in the model. Finally, we present a case study and a preliminary simulation model designed in AnyLogicTM.
Finite Horizon Game for Voluntary Provision of a Discrete Public Good

This paper analyzes a dynamic game for the provision of a discrete public good that will be provided only when a certain number of contributions are made. In each period players are randomly ordered and each player decides whether to contribute or not to the provision of the public good. If not enough contributions are made to provide the public good, the game goes to the next period and continue until the public good is either provided or the game ends at the final period. The paper first assumes symmetric players and shows that the exact period in which the public good will be provided is determined under subgame-perfect equilibria and that for some cost structures there will be a delay in provision of the public good. Counterintuitively, in some cases the public good is provided earlier at higher costs than at lower costs. The paper then introduces a partial public good, which requires fewer contributions to be provided but has a smaller value. We show that for some costs, introducing the partial public good eliminates the possibility of providing any kind of public good. For other cost structures, introducing the partial public good may improve social welfare. At last, asymmetric costs are introduced. The results are similar to the symmetric case.
Structural and functional analysis of pyruvate kinase from Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Abstract Pyruvate kinase activity is an important element in the flux control of the intermediate metabolism. The purified enzyme from Corynebacterium glutamicum demonstrated a marked sigmoidal dependence of the initial rate on the phosphoenolpyruvate concentration. In the presence of the negative allosteric effector ATP, the phosphoenolpyruvate concentration at the half-maximum rate (S0.5) increased from 1.2 to 2.8 mM, and cooperation, as expressed by the Hill coefficient, increased from 2.0 to 3.2. AMP promoted opposite effects: the S0.5 was decreased to 0.4 mM, and the enzyme exhibited almost no cooperation. The maximum reaction rate was 702 U/mg, which corresponded to an apparent kcat of 2,540 s-1. The enzyme was not influenced by fructose-1,6-diphosphate and used Mn2+ or Co2+ as cations. Sequence determination of the C. glutamicum pyk gene revealed an open reading frame coding for a polypeptide of 475 amino acids. From this information and the molecular mass of the native protein, it follows that the pyruvate kinase is a tetramer of 236 kDa. Comparison of the deduced polypeptide sequence with the sequences of other bacterial pyruvate kinases showed 39 to 44% homology, with some regions being very strongly conserved.
Removal of VOCs from waste gas streams by permeation in a hollow fiber permeator

Abstract Vapor permeation-separation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from N 2 feed gas at atmospheric pressure was studied using microporous polypropylene hollow fibers having ultrathin plasma-polymerized nonporous silicone skin on the outside surface. The operational mode in the membrane module was that of the feed gas flowing through the fiber bore (the nonskin side) and vacuum on the shell side. The VOCs investigated were toluene, methanol, acetone and methylene chloride. The feed gas flow rate range was 0.5–12 cm 3 min −1 per fiber. The VOC concentration ranged 500-51,700 ppmv. The other operational mode of feed gas on the shell side and vacuum on the tube side was also studied for toluene and methanol; it was found to be considerably inferior to the nonconventional tube-side feed mode, primarily investigated here. The latter mode easily achieved 98% VOC removal at lower gas flow rates, e.g. 0.5 cm 3 min −1 per fiber. In the tube-side feed mode, the improved performance is due to the absence of pressure drops in the porous substrate and tube-side permeate flow, encountered in the shell-side mode. Possible pore condensation of the VOCs at higher feed concentrations may have also contributed to an increased VOC permeation and considerable reduction in N 2 permeation. A much smaller hollow fiber module was used to measure separately the permeance of each VOC, toluene and methanol. They were found to vary exponentially as a function of VOC concentration. Such an exponential concentration dependence of VOC permeance has been introduced into two models — one analytical, another numerical — for predicting VOC permeation-removal in the longer hollow fiber module. Results from both models well describe the observed VOC removal.
Dermatology: a unique case of specialty workforce economics.

Abstract Physician workforce economics in the United States have changed substantially over the past few years as a result of oversupply in many specialties and the emergence of managed care as the predominant health care delivery system. Some newly graduating residents have reported difficulty in finding jobs, unsatisfactory compensation levels, and low job satisfaction. However, dermatology as a specialty has experienced surprisingly prosperous employment opportunities. Recent studies have affirmed that recent dermatology residency graduates have had less difficulty than their colleagues in securing desirable positions. This article examines 4 different factors that may have set dermatology apart from the rest of the medical specialties: the supply of new dermatologists, the impact of managed care and shifting health care systems, the impact of changing professional demographics, and the changing scope of practice. Trends in these 4 areas have tightened the supply and increased the demand for dermatologists. Whether future residents will enjoy a similarly open market remains to be seen as the US health care system evolves. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;48:265-70.)
HIGH-ENERGY ELECTRON SCATTERING FROM NUCLEI WITH FINITE CHARGE DISTRIBUTIONS

By applying a relativistic extension of Moliere’s formula for the electron scattered amplitude to the particular case of potentials generated by radial charge distributions of finite extent, it is shown that the amplitude can be resolved into three distinct contributions: 1) the Mott point-charge scattered amplitude; 2) a correction to this arising from the finite radial cut-off and 3) a term characteristic of the charge distribution. The resulting expression is applied to the case of a uniform charge distribution for which an optical analogy is indicated.
High School Context and College Selectivity: Institutional Constraints in Educational Stratification

Does where one goes to college depend on the kind of high school attended? And what are the consequences of attending a more or less academically selective college or university? These questions are evaluated separately for college men and women using longitudinal data from a national sample of youth who were high school sophomores in 1955, and controlling for individual family background, ability, and school curriculum. For males, but not females, the social status composition of high school was found to enhance one's prospects for attending a selective institution of higher education. College selectivity, in turn, had total salutary effects on educational attainment, despite its depressant effect on undergraduate grade performance and academic
Covariant description of mesons as nontopological solitons.

We provide a fully covariant analysis of a nontopological soliton model of hadron structure and make an application to the structure of various mesons. We study the \ensuremath{\rho} and \ensuremath{\omega} mesons, charmonium, and the \ensuremath{\Upsilon} system. The model describes quarks coupled to a scalar field which plays the role of an order parameter of the QCD vacuum. There are a few parameters in this model: a flavor-dependent constituent quark mass, a mass parameter for the scalar field, a coupling constant which determines the strength of the coupling of the quarks to the scalar field, and a cutoff parameter. The mass parameter of the scalar field and the scalar-quark coupling constant are taken from our study of nucleon structure. Therefore, once a value is chosen for the high-momentum cutoff, only a single parameter is varied in this analysis, the flavor-dependent (constituent) quark mass. A reasonably good fit is obtained to a series of mesonic states of quite different mass in this extremely simple model, indicating that a unified approach to hadron structure may be possible. (At this point, we have not attempted to model the confinement mechanism. Further, our Hamiltonian has continuum solutions and, given our method of calculation, these solutions prevent us from studying all but the low-lying states of charmonium and the \ensuremath{\Upsilon} system, for example.) We have also modified our Lagrangian in order to study gluon-exchange effects; however, the study of such effects requires the introduction of additional parameters. By fitting these new parameters to the mass splitting of the lowest ${0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ and ${1}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ states of the charmonium system, we are able to make a prediction for corresponding splitting in the \ensuremath{\Upsilon} system.
Diameters of degree graphs of nonsolvable groups, II

Let G be a finite group and let cd(G) be the set of irreducible character degrees of G. The degree graph Δ(G) is the graph whose set of vertices is the set of primes that divide degrees in cd(G), with an edge between p and q if pq divides a for some degree a ∈ cd(G). It is shown using the degree graphs of the finite simple groups that if G is a nonsolvable group, then the diameter of Δ(G) is at most 3.
The Strange World of Strategic Internet Alliances

How can your company successfully develop an Internet strategy—and incorporate it into the firm's existing structure? An Internet alliance can be part of the answer. But it may involve some unusual arrangements. ©2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Local health department epidemiologic capacity: a stratified cross-sectional assessment describing the quantity, education, training, and perceived competencies of epidemiologic staff.

Introduction: Local health departments (LHDs) must have sufficient numbers of staff functioning in an epidemiologic role with proper education, training and skills to protect the health of communities they serve. This pilot study was designed to describe the composition, training and competency level of LHD staff and examine the hypothesis that potential disparities exist between LHDs serving different sized populations. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with directors and epidemiologic staff from a sample of 100 LHDs serving jurisdictions of varied sizes. Questionnaires included inquiries regarding staff composition, education, training and measures of competency modeled on previously conducted studies by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. Number of epidemiologic staff, academic degree distribution, epidemiologic training and both director and staff confidence in task competencies were calculated for each LHD size strata. Results: Disparities in measurements were observed in LHDs serving different sized populations. LHDs serving small populations reported a smaller average number of epidemiologic staff than those serving larger jurisdictions. As size of population served increased, percentages of staff and directors holding bachelors’ and masters’ degrees increased, while those holding RN degrees decreased. A higher degree of perceived competency of staff in most task categories was reported in LHDs serving larger populations. Discussion: LHDs serving smaller populations reported fewer epidemiologic staff, therefore might benefit from additional resources. Differences observed in staff education, training and competencies suggest that enhanced epidemiologic training might be particularly needed in LHDs serving smaller populations. Results can be used as a baseline for future research aimed at identifying areas where training and personnel resources might be particularly needed to increase the capabilities of LHDs.
The opening of the future: Heidegger’s interpretation of Rilke

The aim of this paper is to revisit Heidegger's phenomenological reading of Rilke with a view to eliciting its implications for our future and that of phenomenology. The paper focuses on how Heidegger, despite regarding Rilke as a much-needed poet in these destitute times, criticises the metaphysical and Nietzschean underpin- nings of his poetic account of the open and animal existence within it. In addition to shedding considerable light on Heidegger's own conception of the open and human existence within it, focusing on this criticism underscores how the sort of phenom- enological thinking exemplified in Heidegger's reading of Rilke essentially and uniquely provides an opening of the future.
Male-driven evolution among Eoaves? A test of the replicative division hypothesis in a heterogametic female (ZW) system.

Because avian females are heterogametic, the reverse of mammals, avian sex chromosomes undergo significantly different patterns and numbers of DNA replications than do those in mammals. This makes the W (female-specific) and the Z chromosomes an excellent model system for the study of the replicative division hypothesis, which purports that DNA substitution rate is determined by the number of germline replications. The sex-specific chromosome in birds (the W) is predicted to change at the slowest rate of all avian chromosomes because it undergoes the fewest rounds of replication per unit of evolutionary time. Using published data on gametogenesis from a variety of sources, we estimated the ratio of male-to-female germline replications (c) in galliforms and anseriforms to be approximately 4.4. The value of c should predict the value of the ratio of male-to-female mutation rates (αm) if the replicative division hypothesis is true. Homologous DNA sequences including an intron and parts of two exons of the CHD gene were obtained from the W and the Z chromosomes in ostrich, sage grouse, canvasback duck, tundra swan, and snow goose. The exons show significantly different nucleotide composition from the introns, and the W-linked exons show evidence of relaxed constraint. The Z-linked intron is diverging ≈ 3.1 times faster than the W-linked intron. From this, αm was calculated to be approximately 4.1, with a confidence interval of 3.1 to 5.1. The data support the idea that the number of replicative divisions is a major determinant of substitution rate in the Eoavian genome.
Palladium-Catalyzed Transformations of Salvinorin A, a Neoclerodane Diterpene from Salvia divinorum

Transformations that selectively modify the furan ring present in a variety of naturals products would be useful in the synthesis of biological probes but remain largely underexplored. The neoclerodane diterpene salvinorin A, isolated from Salvia divinorum, is an example of a furan-containing natural product. Following selective bromination of salvinorin A, Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira couplings were accomplished in moderate to good yields without hydrolyzing the labile C-2 acetate or altering the stereochemistry of the epimerizable centers.
Monotone unstable solutions of difference equations and conditions for boundedness

In this paper we obtain sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions of the difference equation which converge monotonically to unstable equilibria. We also obtain sufficient conditions for all solutions to be bounded and sufficient conditions for the existence of unbounded solutions.
Photograph‐induced memory errors: When photographs make people claim they have done things they have not

Summary: Photographs can serve as valuable memory aids but can also contribute to memory inaccuracies. The present studies examine whether photographs can make people claim they performed an action that they did not in fact perform. Participants performed and imagined performing various actions (e.g. break the pencil, open the envelope) and later viewed photographs of actions in their completed states or read the names of the actions without an accompanying photograph. Results showed that participants were more likely to falsely claim to have performed actions that they did not actually perform after having seen a photograph of the completed action. When items were not imagined at all, such photograph-induced memory errors increased with the number of presentations of the photographs. Actions falsely claimed as performed were rated with high confidence. These findings suggest that photographs can mislead people as to what they did or did not do. Copyright # 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.