cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of pregnancy after treatment for breast carcinoma on survival and risk of recurrence.

BACKGROUND The goal of the current study was to assess the effect of pregnancy on the subsequent risk of recurrence after treatment for breast carcinoma, adjusting for established prognostic factors. METHODS Between 1974 and 1998, 383 patients age ≤ 35 years were treated for breast carcinoma with adjuvant chemotherapy at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX). The median follow-up period was 13 years. Of these, 13 patients were excluded from analysis, as no history was available regarding pregnancy; 240 (65%) were > 30 years old; 47 (13%) had at least 1 pregnancy after therapy; 32 had full- term pregnancies; 10 had spontaneous or elective abortions; 4 had miscarriages; and 1 had a premature delivery. Estrogen receptor (ER) status, lymph node involvement, and disease stage were evaluated as potential risk factors for recurrence. Information on ER status was unavailable for 123 (33%) patients. RESULTS Patients who experienced a pregnancy tended to have earlier-stage disease (Stage I/II: 80% vs. 73%), fewer positive lymph nodes (< 4: 87% vs. 52%), more ER negativity (68% vs. 58%), and younger age (< 30 years: 57% vs. 32%) than patients who did not. The incidence of disease recurrence was 23% for women who experienced a pregnancy and 54% for women who did not. The hazard ratio (using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model) for disease recurrence in patients with posttreatment pregnancy was 0.71 (P = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS In the current study population, pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence or poorer survival in patients previously treated for breast carcinoma. Cancer 2004. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
The effect of discrimination training on generalization of conditioned suppression

Conditioned suppression was established in rats by pairing tones with shock while the Ss barpressed for food. One group was given discrimination training by always terminating Tone D with shock and never pairing ToneB (differing in frequency from ToneD) with shock. The other group experienced only ToneD shock. The discrimination group developed only a slight degree of differential stimulus control as indicated by differences between suppression to Tones B andD. Six tones of varying frequencies were presented to both groups in extinction-generalization sessions. Rather small but significant differences were found between the generalization gradients of the two groups, resulting from less suppression to Tone B by the discrimination group.
Identification and Extensions of Quasiconvex Quality Loss Functions

This paper presents a set of related quasiconvex quality loss functions. Characteristics of quasiconvex functions that are desirable for modeling quality loss are noted. Three frequently used univariate quasiconvex quality loss functions are discussed. Bivariate and multivariate quasiconvex quality loss functions are developed. A set of necessary and sufficient conditions is established for the quasiconvexity of multivariate quality loss functions. An industrial product example is used to illustrate the development of a bivariate quadratic quality loss function.
Self-Trapping of Partially Spatially Incoherent Light

We report the first observation of self-trapping of a spatially incoherent optical beam in a nonlinear medium. Self-trapping occurs in both transverse dimensions, when diffraction is exactly balanced by photorefractive self-focusing.
Outcomes of peripheral perfusion with balloon aortic clamping for totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair

Objective Although the technique of totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair (TERMR) has been well described, few reports have examined the results of peripheral perfusion with balloon clamping. We analyzed the outcomes of TERMR performed using this strategy. Methods A total of 108 consecutive patients underwent TERMR by a 2-surgeon team. The preoperative evaluation included chest computed tomography and abdominal and pelvis computed tomography. Additional procedures included appendage exclusion in 96, patent foramen ovale closure in 29, cryoablation in 16, tricuspid valve repair in 2, and septal myectomy in 2. The mean patient age was 59 years (range, 21-86). Central venous drainage was obtained with a long cannula. Arterial return was achieved with femoral cannulation, when possible. An endoballoon catheter was placed through the femoral artery. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to position all catheters. Results Femoral artery perfusion was possible in 103 of 108 patients (95.3%). The subclavian artery was used in 5 patients (4.6%) with contraindications to retrograde perfusion. An endoballoon clamp was placed by way of the femoral artery. In 105 of 108 patients (97.2%), endoaortic occlusion was successfully used; the mean crossclamp time was 87.4 minutes. The coronary sinus cardioplegia catheter was placed successfully in 81 of the 108 patients (75%). Postoperatively, no or mild inotropic support was needed in 94 (87%) and moderate support in 14 (13.0%). Of the 108 patients, 55 (50.9%) were extubated in the operating room. No hospital mortality, aortic injury, vascular complications, or wound infections occurred. Complications included 2 strokes (no residual deficit) (1.8%) and atrial fibrillation in 18 (16.7%). The median hospital stay was 4 days. Eighty patients (74.1%) were discharged by postoperative day 5. Conclusions A preoperative image-guided perfusion strategy and aortic balloon clamping permit routine TERMR with excellent myocardial preservation and minimal complications.
Evolution of the barrier islands of southern Long Island, New York

Three lines of evidence based on data from more than 400 boreholes and vibrocores have been used to reconstruct the evolution of the barrier islands during the Holocene transgression in southern Long Island, New York: (1) the Holocene transgressive stratigraphic sequence behind the present barriers, (2) the stratigraphic patterns of the inner shelf, and (3) the morphology of the now-buried late Pleistocene coastal features. The extensive preservation of backbarrier sediments, radiocarbon dated between 7000 and 8000 yr BP, on the inner shelf of southern Long Island suggests that the barriers have not retreated by continuous shoreface erosion alone, but have also undergone discontinuous retreat by in-place ‘drowning’ of barriers and stepwise retreat of the surf zone. Such stepwise retreat of the surf zone has prevented the backbarrier sediments from being reworked. Based on the presence of submerged barrier sand bodies in seismic records, it is inferred that about 9000 years ago, when the sea stood about 24 m below the present sea level, a chain of barriers developed on the present shelf about 7 km offshore of the present barriers. With continued sea-level rise, the – 24 m barrier built upward until the sea reached about – 15 m MSL, just prior to 7000 yr BP. The barriers were then submerged by the rapidly rising sea, and the surf zone shifted rapidly landward to a position about 2 km from the present shoreline. The surf zone overstepped to the landward margin of the old lagoon, which had become fixed at the steep seaward face of mid-Wisconsinan (?) or Sangamonian coastal barriers. During the past 5000 or 6000 years, the shoreface has retreated continuously by about 2 km. Evidence from southern Long Island and elsewhere in regions of coastal submergence indicates that rapid sea-level rise and low sand supply seem to favour the stepwise retreat of barriers, whereas slow rates of submergence and a greater supply of sand generally favour continuous shoreface retreat. Stationary upbuilding, or seaward progradation of barriers may occur when supply of sand is great, and/or submergence is slowed or reversed. Morphologic highs on the pretransgression surface (such as old barrier ridges) tend to fix the migrating barrier shoreline during either continuous retreat, or stepwise retreat of barriers.
Association of Abuse-Related Symptoms and Style of Anger Expression for Female Survivors of Childhool Incest

Thirty-two adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and the Response to Childhood Incest Questionnaire (RCIQ). These women reported higher levels of both experienced and expressed anger than comparable STAXI norms. The STAXI measure of inwardly directed anger was positively correlated with the total symptom score of the RCIQ and with 10 of the 11 RCIQ subscales. STAXI measures of outwardly directed anger and anger control were not correlated with the RCIQ. These findings are the first empirical evidence for an association between style of anger expression and the long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse.
Polyurethane—polystyrene interpenetrating polymer networks

Two component interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) of the SIN type (simultaneous interpenetrating networks), composed of a polystyrene network (crosslinked with divinyl benzene) and a polyester-polyurethane network (crosslinked with trimethylolpropane), were made. Electron microscopy and glass-transition measurements showed that phase separation had resulted with some interpenetration, presumably occurring at the boundaries. At a composition of about 75 percent polyurethane, a phase inversion occurred, the continuous phase being polystyrene at polyurethane compositions of less than 75 percent. The stress-strain properties and hardness measurements agreed with these results. Enhanced tensile strength was observed in the IPN's in a concentration range where modulus reinforcement was not evident. A small enhancement in tear strength and thermal stability was also noted.
Self.Treatment With Antibiotics

Two hundred seventy patients who presented with symptoms assumed to be infectious in origin were evaluated for self-treatment with antibiotics. Urine was tested for the presence of antimicrobials by agar diffusion assay using Bacillus subtilis as the test organism. Seventeen patients (6%) were found to have antibiotic activity in their urine, but only five admitted to self-medication. Age, sex, and duration of symptoms were unrelated to the incidence of self-medication. Self-medication was seen more frequently in patients presenting with upper respiratory infection symptoms (12%) when compared to other symptom complexes ( P
Influences of Progeny Test Programs on Genetic Evaluations of Young Sires

Abstract Our purpose was to examine differences among AI progeny test programs in their effectiveness in identifying elite young sires for milk and protein. Data were from 6238 Holstein sires in five animal model evaluations of the USDA from January 1995 to February 1997. Bulls were required to be ≤8 yr of age and to have ≥10 daughters in production at the time of the evaluation. Bulls in AI programs were placed in nine groups based on affiliation with major AI organizations; from these nine groups, bulls with daughters averaging 100 herds were placed in two separate groups. Bulls sampled in organizations with controller numbers ≥30 and bulls that had no connection to a sampling organization formed two additional groups. We also classified bulls by sampling codes of the National Association of Animal Breeders. A model predicting daughter yield deviation included effects of organization or sampling code, parent average (free of progeny information), and the interaction of organization or sampling method and parent average. When all data were used, a common intercept for milk was appropriate for all sampling methods, but the slopes differed (R 2 = 0.44). Neither a common intercept nor a common slope was appropriate for protein. When data were restricted to the nine major organizations, a common intercept and slope were appropriate for milk, and R 2 decreased to 0.14. A common intercept and slope were found for protein, and R 2 decreased to 0.15. We detected no important differences in response to pedigree selection among progeny-testing methods used by major organizations that provide semen, but a difference was detected among the sampling codes of the National Association of Animal Breeders.
Electron Crystallography - Accomplishments and Challenges

Electron crystallography is a powerful tool for the quantitative structural characterization of substances that preferentially form thin microcrystals. Because multiple-beam dynamical scattering may cause observed diffraction intensities to deviate significantly from their kinematical values, it is necessary to demonstrate that the conditions favoring ab initio determinations can be established. Review of similar determinations made from electron and X-ray data make clear both the strengths and weaknesses of electron crystallography. With current instrumentation, the major onus now placed on the experimentalist is to optimize specimen preparation so that the resultant diffraction data can be directly interpreted.
A Survey of Digital Map Processing Techniques

Maps depict natural and human-induced changes on earth at a fine resolution for large areas and over long periods of time. In addition, maps—especially historical maps—are often the only information source about the earth as surveyed using geodetic techniques. In order to preserve these unique documents, increasing numbers of digital map archives have been established, driven by advances in software and hardware technologies. Since the early 1980s, researchers from a variety of disciplines, including computer science and geography, have been working on computational methods for the extraction and recognition of geographic features from archived images of maps (digital map processing). The typical result from map processing is geographic information that can be used in spatial and spatiotemporal analyses in a Geographic Information System environment, which benefits numerous research fields in the spatial, social, environmental, and health sciences. However, map processing literature is spread across a broad range of disciplines in which maps are included as a special type of image. This article presents an overview of existing map processing techniques, with the goal of bringing together the past and current research efforts in this interdisciplinary field, to characterize the advances that have been made, and to identify future research directions and opportunities.
Molecular Validation of a Morphological Character for Distinguishing between the Armored Scale Insects Chionaspis pinifoliae and Chionaspis heterophyllae (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

The armored scale insects Chionaspis pinifoliae (Fitch) and Chionaspis heterophyllae Cooley (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) overlap broadly in host range and geographic distribution and are so similar in morphology that they can be distinguished only by a subtle morphological character of the adult females: the form of the median pygidial lobes. However, this character is quite variable for both species. We used allozyme electrophoresis and DNA sequencing of a region that included the mitochondrial genes COI and COII to determine whether two species really exist and, if so, whether the morphology of the pygidial lobes is a reliable character to use to discriminate between them. Material for genetic analysis was collected as third instar females from five Illinois populations of each species (as identified by morphology of the pygidial lobes). Chionaspis species were difficult to analyze electrophoretically, but fixed allelic differences were found at three allozyme loci: malic acid dehydrogenase (Mdh), phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi), and an esterase (Est). The 572-bp (alignment length) mitochondrial region was invariant within species but differed between the species for both base substitutions (p-distance = 0.091) and insertion-deletion differences. Estimated divergence time was at least 3.8 million yr. The consistent absence of heterozygotes at the three allozyme loci and the large mitochondrial sequence difference confirms that the morphology of the pygidial lobes is a reliable and convenient character for identifying C. pinifoliae and C. heterophyllae and supports the hypothesis that they are not only separate, but very old species.
Early speech and language development in children with velocardiofacial syndrome.

Speech–language impairment is one of the most common clinical features in velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). This report describes the speech and language development of four children with VCFS studied longitudinally from 6 to 30 months of age and compares their performance with three groups of children: (1) normally developing children, (2) children with cleft lip and palate, and (3) children with isolated cleft palate. The data show that young children with VCFS show a receptive-expressive language impairment from the onset of language. Further, speech and expressive language development were severely delayed beyond a level predicted by their other developmental or receptive language performance. The children with VCFS showed severe limitations in speech sound inventories and early vocabulary development that far exceeded those shown by the children with cleft lip and palate and children with isolated cleft palate. This study indicates that young children with VCFS emerge from a critical speech and language learning period with severe limitations in their communicative abilities. Further studies are required to describe the later course of these early speech and language impairments and to explore the relationship to learning disabilities described for older children with VCFS. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 88:714–723, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
In Situ Resource Utilization for Support of a Lunar Base

Establishment of a permanent human-tended Lunar base requires structures in which humans can function in a shirt-sleeve environment. This is achieved with a structure containing a life support system such as an Engineered Closed/Controlled EcoSystem (ECCES). The dominant load on such a structure is the internal pressure needed to support life, and therefore the structure acts as a pressure vessel. Mission economics require that a minimum amount of mass be imported to the Moon. The degree of support of a Lunar base with in situ resources is a function of base maturity. Lunar base development can be divided into five stages: exploratory; pioneering; outpost; settlement; and colony. Structures for the early Lunar base stages must be brought from Earth and then deployed. To reduce the total mass to be transported, there are a number of Lunar resources which can be exploited to support structure deployment and maintenance. These resources include Lunar oxygen to provide a breathable atmosphere and Lunar regolith for shielding from micrometeoroids, temperature extremes, and radiation, as well as for providing granular materials for some anchorage systems, berms and traffic surfaces. In the later base stages, more processing and manufacturing of Lunar materials can be employed to produce glass, cement and aggregates, metals, and other useful materials for Lunar construction and operation.
Low power multiply accumulate unit (MAC) for future Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) presents significant challenges for the application of distributed signal processing and distributed control. These systems will challenge us to apply appropriate techniques to construct capable processing units with sensing nodes considering energy constraints. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is one of the capable processing units, but it is not commonly used in WSN because of the power constraint. The Multiply-Accumulate Unit (MAC) is the main computational kernel in DSP architectures. The MAC unit determines the power and the speed of the overall system; it always lies in the critical path. Developing high speed and low power MAC is crucial to use DSP in the future WSN. In this work, a fast and low power MAC Unit is proposed. The proposed architecture is based on examination of the critical delays and hardware complexities of merged MAC architectures to design a unit with a low critical path delay and low hardware complexity. The new architecture reduces the hardware complexity of the summation network, thus reduces the overall power. Increasing the speed of operation is achieved by feeding the bits of the accumulated operand into the summation tree before the final adder instead of going through the entire summation network. The ASIC implementation of the proposed 32-bit MAC unit saves 5.5% of the area, 9% of the energy, and reduces the delay by 13% compared to the regular merged MAC unit.
Imaging conditions for prestack reverse-time migration

Numerical implementations of six imaging conditions for prestack reverse-time migration show widely differing ability to provide accurate, angle-dependent estimates of reflection coefficients. Evaluation is in the context of a simple, one-interface acoustic model. Only reflection coefficients estimated by normalization of a crosscorrelation image by source illumination or by receiver-/source-wavefield amplitude ratio have the correct angle dependence, scale factor, and sign and the required (dimensionless) units; thus, these are the preferred imaging-condition algorithms. To obtain accurate image amplitudes, source- and receiver-wavefield extrapolations must be able to accurately reconstruct their respective wavefields at the target reflector.
Detecting Transparent Barriers: Clear Evidence Against the Means-End Deficit Account of Search Failures

The standard explanation of infants' search failures with hidden objects, despite an apparent sensitivity to them, is a deficit in the means-end skill for retrieving objects from occluders. Studies equating means-end demands for retrieving toys from transparent and opaque barriers challenge this account by showing that infants succeed more with visible objects. However, they suffer from a critical limitation: Infants may retrieve visible objects without noticing the transparent barriers in front of them. We addressed this concern by requiring infants to notice a barrier to retrieve a toy and specifically to pull down a rotating screen to retrieve a toy from behind it. Seven-month-olds used this means-end skill more often with a transparent barrier than an opaque one. Thus, neither a means-end deficit nor an ability to ignore transparent barriers fully accounts for search failures. Relations to other findings challenging the means-end deficit account and implications for approaches to studying cognitive development are discussed.
Toward an information systems development acceptance model: the case of object-oriented systems development

In an ongoing effort to improve systems development, a variety of innovative products, such as CASE, and processes, such as object-oriented development, have been introduced over the years. While models such as the technology acceptance model (TAM) have been used to explain the acceptance of development products, very little research exists on the acceptance of the more complex development processes. Using the theory of planned behavior, goal-setting theory, and the TAM, this study develops a model to explain the acceptance of innovative information systems development processes by individual software developers. A total of 150 experienced developers completed a survey designed to explore factors that relate to the acceptance of object-oriented systems development (OOSD), the focus of this particular study. An analysis of the collected data reveals a succinct model that explains more than 60% of a developer's acceptance of OOSD. These results have important implications for both managers and process designers in their efforts to promote the acceptance of systems development innovations among developers. Researchers should also benefit from an augmented understanding of the acceptance of complex innovative processes.
Investigating the effect of demand aggregation on the performance of an (R, Q) inventory control policy

This paper investigates the effect of demand aggregation on the performance measures of an inventory system controlled by a (r, Q) policy. Demand usage data is available at different time scales, i.e., daily, weekly, monthly etc., and forecasting is based on these time scales. Using forecasts, appropriate lead time demand models are constructed and used in optimization procedures. The question being investigated is what effect the forecasting time bucket has on whether or not the inventory control model meets planned performance. A simulation model is used to compare performance under different demand aggregation levels. The simulation model of the optimized (r, Q) inventory system is run for the planning horizon and the supply chain operational performance measures like ready rate, expected back order etc., are collected. Subsequently, the effect of aggregating the demand and planning accordingly is analyzed based on the simulated supply chain's operational performance.
Self-concept and behavior in adolescent girls with Turner syndrome: potential estrogen effects.

Data on self-concept and behavior were gathered from 31 girls with Turner syndrome (TS) followed longitudinally between the ages of 12 and 16 and from 89 normal control girls recruited from public schools and assessed cross-sectionally. The two groups of girls were similar in age and racial composition. The girls with TS were treated with estrogen replacement therapy in increasing doses between the ages of 12 and 16 (100-400 ng/kg-day ethinyl estradiol). Their self-reported self-esteem and psychological well-being (Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale) revealed significant improvement over time for most scales as well as the total score (P < 0.001). Parents reported improvement in problem behaviors, as reflected in the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scales: Behavior Total, Externalizing Behavior, Aggressive Behavior, and Social Problems Behavior scales (all P < 0.001). Analysis of covariance comparing normal controls to the TS subjects revealed that at age 12 yr, TS and normal subjects differed significantly ...
Some Remarks on Putnam's Contributions to Semantics

After a critical discussion of Putnam's early work on the analytic–synthetic distinction, this article discusses seven contributions that Putnam has made to the philosophy of language. These contributions are (1) to understanding the role of definitions in science and in ordinary discourse; (2) to recognizing the role of stereotypes in explaining meaning; (3) to acknowledging the minimal role of explicative understanding in having linguistic competence with natural kind words; (4) to distinguishing sharply between identifying natural kinds and determining their more fundamental natures; (5) to exploring a division of linguistic labour – a role for social interaction in determining reference, especially of natural kind terms; (6) to establishing a broadly unified causal account of the reference of ordinary natural kind terms and scientific physical magnitude terms; and (7) to reviving a conception of scientific language that allows for trans-theoretical reference and one sort of trans-theoretical meaning.
Enzymatic filter for improved separation of output signals in enzyme logic systems towards ‘sense and treat’ medicine

The major challenge for the application of autonomous medical sensing systems is the noise produced by non-zero physiological concentrations of the sensed target. If the level of noise is high, then a real signal indicating abnormal changes in the physiological levels of the analytes might be hindered. Inevitably, this could lead to wrong diagnostics and treatment, and would have a negative impact on human health. Here, we report the realization of a filter system implemented to improve both the fidelity of sensing and the accuracy of consequent drug release. A new filtering method was tested in the sensing system for the diagnosis of liver injury. This sensing system used the enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) as the inputs. Furthermore, the output of the sensing system was designed to trigger drug release, and therefore, the role of the filter in drug release was also investigated. The drug release system consists of beads with an iron-cross-linked alginate core coated with different numbers of layers of poly-L-lysine. Dissolution of the beads by the output signals of the sensing system in the presence and absence of the filter was monitored by the release of rhodamine-6G dye encapsulated in the beads, mimicking the release of a real drug. The obtained results offer a new view of the problem of noise reduction for systems intended to be part of sense and treat medical devices.
Use of Stable Isotopes of Hydrogen to Predict Natal Origins of Juvenile Merlins and Northern Harriers Migrating Through the Florida Keys

Abstract. Stable isotopes of hydrogen have been used as a tool to determine migratory connectivity, or to link breeding and wintering grounds. Because isotopes serve as intrinsic markers, eliminating the need for birds to be relocated after an initial marking, they hold the potential to be an extremely useful tool. From 1998 to 2003 we gathered feathers from juvenile Merlins (Falco columbarius) and Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus) during their fall migration in the Florida Keys and analyzed them isotopically in an attempt to determine their natal origins. Our results failed to reveal the natal origins of at least one of these two birds of prey.
Associations of six candidate genes with antibody response kinetics in hens

The chicken B-cell marker (ChB6), caspase-1, inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 (IAP-1), interleukin-15 receptor alpha-chain (IL-15Ralpha), interleukin-2 receptor gamma-chain (IL-2Rgamma), and immunoglobulin supfamily gene (ZOV3), as physiological candidate genes for chicken immune response, were selected to investigate associations with antibody kinetics to SRBC and killed B. abortus. An F2 population was derived from mating highly inbred (>99%) males of two MHC-congenic Fayoumi lines (named M5.1 and M15.2) with G-B1 Leghorn hens. Antibody response to SRBC and B. abortus after immunization at 19 and 22 wk were measured. Secondary phase parameters of maximum titers (Ymax) and time required to achieve Ymax (Tmax) were estimated from postsecondary titers by using a nonlinear regression model. The DNA polymorphisms of six genes were identified, and associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the six genes with antibody response parameters were analyzed. Significant main effects of the gene polymorphisms were mostly found in the lineage of the M5.1 grandsire and primarily on antibody response to B. abortus. There was general agreement of allelic effect within antibody parameters among genes. These results suggest that the SNP characterized in the study may serve as markers for genetic enhancement of humoral immune capacity in the chicken.
The decline of cross-species intersensory perception in human infants.

Between 6 and 10 months of age, infants become better at discriminating among native voices and human faces and worse at discriminating among nonnative voices and other species’ faces. We tested whether these unisensory perceptual narrowing effects reflect a general ontogenetic feature of perceptual systems by testing across sensory modalities. We showed pairs of monkey faces producing two different vocalizations to 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-month-old infants and asked whether they would prefer to look at the corresponding face when they heard one of the two vocalizations. Only the two youngest groups exhibited intersensory matching, indicating that perceptual narrowing is pan-sensory and a fundamental feature of perceptual development.
More donors or more delayed graft function? A cost-effectiveness analysis of DCD kidney transplantation.

Expansion of the donor pool with expanded criteria donors and donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors is essential. DCD grafts result in increased rates of primary non-function (PNF) and delayed graft function (DGF). However, long-term patient and graft survival is similar between donation after brain death (DBD) donors and DCD donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-e! ectiveness of the use of DCD donors. A Markov-based decision analytic model was created to simulate outcomes for two wait list strategies: (i) wait list composed of only DBD organs and (ii) wait list combining DBD and DCD organs. Baseline values and ranges were determined from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database and literature review. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test model strength and parameter variability. The wait list strategy consisting of DBD donors only provided recipients 5.4 Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at $65 000/ QALY, whereas a wait list strategy combining DBD + DCD donors provided recipients 6.0 QALYs at a cost of $56 000/QALY. Wait lists with DCD donors provide adequate long-term survival despite more DGF. This equates to an improvement in quality of life and decreased cost when compared to remaining on dialysis for any period of time.
Energy efficient turbo based space-time coder

Recent studies have shown that space-time coding is an effective approach to increasing the data rate over wireless channels. Turbo-based space-time codes take advantage of both the diversity techniques of space-time systems and the randomness of the turbo codes. We compare two turbo-based space-time codes and their approximate versions with respect to energy consumption and performance. The approximations are aimed at reducing the computational complexity and include reduction in the number of paths, number of iterations and datapath computations. Our analysis shows that the space-time turbo code based versions should be used in applications where low energy consumption is the primary design objective, and turbo trellis coded modulation space-time block code based versions should be used where performance is the primary design objective.
A Pragmatic Analysis of the Regulation of Consumer Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) Devices in the United States

Several recent articles have called for the regulation of consumer transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) devices, which provide low levels of electrical current to the brain. However, most of the discussion to-date has focused on ethical or normative considerations; there has been a notable absence of scholarship regarding the actual legal framework in the United States. This article aims to fill that gap by providing a pragmatic analysis of the consumer tDCS market and relevant laws and regulations. In the five main sections of this manuscript, I take into account (a) the history of the do-it-yourself tDCS movement and the subsequent emergence of direct-to-consumer devices; (b) the statutory language of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and how the definition of a medical device—which focuses on the intended use of the device rather than its mechanism of action—is of paramount importance for discussions of consumer tDCS device regulation; (c) how both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and courts have understood the FDA's jurisdiction over medical devices in cases where the meaning of ‘intended use’ has been challenged; (d) an analysis of consumer tDCS regulatory enforcement action to-date; and (e) the multiple US authorities, other than the FDA, that can regulate consumer brain stimulation devices. Taken together, this paper demonstrates that rather than a ‘regulatory gap,’ there are multiple, distinct pathways by which consumer tDCS can be regulated in the United States.
Expansiones asintóticas de tipo Voronovskaya para funciones de error basadas en cuasi-interpolación de operadores de redes neuronales

Here we examine the quasi-interpolation error function based neu- ral network operators of one hidden layer. Based on fractional calculus theory we derive a fractional Voronovskaya type asymptotic expansion for the error of approximation of these operators to the unit operator, as we are studying the univariate case. We treat also analogously the multivariate case.
Genomic Risk Information for Common Health Conditions: Maximizing Kinship-Based Health Promotion

The completion of the sequence of the human genome is rapidly increasing knowledge about the role of genetics in common health conditions. Scientific experts predict that the products that derive from this knowledge will lead to far-reaching advancements in public health and medicine in the decades to come (Lango & Weedon, 2007). Family health history and new genetic susceptibility tests, henceforward referred to as genetic risk assessments, may hold promise particularly for primary prevention of common health conditions (Collins, Meiser, Gaff, St. John, & Halliday, 2005). These “tools” have the potential advantage over other risk assessments of considering the complex gene–environment and gene–gene interactions that underlie disease risk. Moreover, they augur a future in which increasingly individualized risk information will be available.
Temperature-salinity tolerances of three hermit crab species, Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc), Pagurus Longicarpus Say and P. Pollicaris Say (Crustacea: Decapoda; Anomura)

Abstract Three hermit crab species, Clibanarius vittatus (Bose), Pagurus Longicarpus Say and P. Pollicaris Say were acclimated to either 15 °C or 25°C and subjected to various test combinations of temperature and salinity. The 48-hour cumulative percentage mortalities were transformed using the arc sine square root procedure and computer-fitted with regression coefficients to generate response surfaces. The intertidal species, C. vittatus, was much more tolerant than the two subtidal Pagurus species, providing direct evidence for the generalization that intertidal zone organisms are more eurytopic than similar animals occupying other marine habitats. The temperature-salinity interaction effect was significant in all cases. Acclimation conditions had little effect upon tolerances.
The spatial and agricultural basis of crop raiding by the Vulnerable common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius around Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius is under considerable pressure from habitat degradation and hunting. Although human–hippopotamus conflict is known to increase retaliatory killing and culling of hippopotamuses, the issue has been little examined. Using interviews I investigated various spatial, ecological and agricultural factors that influence the vulnerability of farms to crop raiding by hippopotamuses in three villages to the south-east of Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. There was a positive correlation between these crop-raiding events and a farm’s proximity to the river and to hippopotamus access points (places where hippopotamuses leave and enter the river). Results from this study provide insights for management and conservation of hippopotamuses, including a need to identify key habitat areas to mitigate future conflict.
SENSATION-SEEKING MOTIVE AND FIELD INDEPENDENCE

Two studies (6, 7) have reported significant relationships bemeen field independence and stimulation-seeking. The interest in the possible relation of these variables is based on the notion that the stirnulation- or sensation-seeker is es~eciallv sensitive to internal bodily sensations and that field independence is in part a measure of such sensitivity. In the first study, Thurstone's (3) group form of the Embedded-figures Test correlated .49 (p < .01) with scores on the Sensation-seeking Scale (6) for males, and .22 for females. In the second study the average time score on Witkin's (4) Embedded-figures Test correlated -.33 (P < .05) with the Sensation-seeking Scale for males, with the latter also being correlated -.42 (p < .01) with the error score on the rod-and-frame test for the same Ss. No females were tested in this study. One study (1) has reported no significant relationships between field independence and stimulation-seeking, using the rod-and-frame test and the Sensation-seeking Scale on separate groups of males and females. Thus, for females no significant relationship between sensation-seeking and field independence has been demonstrated in two attempts, whereas for males three of four attempts have shown significant relationships, with two of the three employing a form of an Embedded-figures Test. The present study adds further data, using a more recent group test of field independence, the Hidden-figures Test (2) and the Sensation-seeking Scale. Correlations (product-moment) between the two variables for 30 females and 30 males in undergraduate courses on human learning and abilities were .07 and .12 respectively. Thus, the present results for the Hidden-figures Test are congruent with those of Bone and Choban (1) for the rod-and-frame test in showing no significant field independ- . ence/sensation-seeking relationship for either sex. It appears that only Zuckerman and his associates (6, 7) have found significant relationships between sensation-seeking and field independence (males). It seems likely that this relationship is not a reliable one for females and may not be for males, and therefore probably contributes little to explicating the nature of either variable.
Zika Virus and Health Systems in Brazil: From Unknown to a Menace

In 1947, Zika virus was first identified in Uganda.1 On February 1, 2016, a World Health Organization (WHO) emergency committee declared clusters of birth defects suspected of being linked to an ep...
Effect of Age and Estrogen Therapy on the Immunoreactive Human Chorionic Gonadotropin content of Testes

Levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) were determined in testicular tissue of young, apparently normal men; older men with carcinoma of the prostate; male transsexuals treated with estrogens; and also in seminal plasma of normal and vasectomized patients. In all samples with one exception (a 76-year-old male with cancer of the prostate), immunoreactive HCG activity could be detected. The immunoassayable HCG content was higher in testicular extracts from young adults as compared with older men with cancer of the prostate. In transsexuals receiving estrogen therapy, testicular HCG levels were also very low. A possible relationship between quantitatively normal spermatogenesis and the testicular HCG level has been discussed. HCG was detected in seminal plasma from both normal and vasectomized men. The origin of this HCG activity may be extratesticular, and the possible role of the prostate and seminal vesicle in the production of HCG-like activity has to be considered.
Management of postoperative renal hemorrhage by transcatheter embolization.

Abstract A patient with uncontrollable postoperative renal hemorrhage was successfully treated by sub-selective injection of autologous clot Into the renal artery. Followup arteriography 10 days later revealed persistent occlusion of the bleeding vessel with recanalization of all other vessels. This method is an effective alternative to an operation In cases of renal hemorrhage of diverse etiology not responsive to conservative management.
Education and outreach using the falcon telescope network

The Falcon Telescope Network (FTN) is a global network of small aperture telescopes developed by the Center for Space Situational Awareness Research in the Department of Physics at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). Consisting of commercially available equipment, the FTN is a collaborative effort between USAFA and other educational institutions ranging from two- and four-year colleges to major research universities. USAFA provides the equipment (e.g. telescope, mount, camera, filter wheel, dome, weather station, computers and storage devices) while the educational partners provide the building and infrastructure to support an observatory. The user base includes USAFA along with K-12 and higher education faculty and students. The diversity of the users implies a wide variety of observing interests, and thus the FTN collects images on diverse objects, including satellites, galactic and extragalactic objects, and objects popular for education and public outreach. The raw imagery, all in the public domain, will be accessible to FTN partners and will be archived at USAFA. Currently, there are five Falcon telescopes installed, two in Colorado and one each in Pennsylvania, Chile, and Australia. These five telescopes are in various stages of operational capability but all are remotely operable via a remote desktop application. The FTN team has conducted STEM First Light Projects for three of the U.S. observatories, soliciting proposals from middle and high school students and teachers that suggest and then become what is observed as official STEM first-light objects. Students and teachers learn how to write and submit a proposal as well as how telescopes operate and take data, while university-level students at the U.S. Air Force Academy and The Pennsylvania State University learn how to evaluate proposals and provide feedback to the middle and high school students and teachers. In this paper, we present the current status of the FTN, details of and lessons learned from the STEM First Light Project, and feedback from middle and high school students and teachers.
Chemical tuning of dynamic cation off-centering in the cubic phases of hybrid tin and lead halide perovskites

Hybrid halide perovskites combine ease of preparation and relatively abundant constituent elements with fascinating photophysical properties. Descriptions of the chemical and structural drivers of the remarkable properties have often focused on the potential role of the dynamic order/disorder of the molecular A-site cations. We reveal here a key aspect of the inorganic framework that potentially impacts the electronic, thermal, and dielectric properties. The temperature evolution of the X-ray pair distribution functions of hybrid perovskites ABX3 [A+ = CH3NH3 (MA) or CH(NH2)2 (FA); B2+ = Sn or Pb; X− = Br, or I] in their cubic phases above 300 K reveals temperature-activated displacement (off-centering) of the divalent group 14 cations from their nominal, centered sites. This symmetry-lowering distortion phenomenon, previously dubbed emphanisis in the context of compounds such as PbTe, is attributed to Sn2+ and Pb2+ lone pair stereochemistry. Of the materials studied here, the largest displacements from the center of the octahedral sites are found in tin iodides, a more moderate effect is found in lead bromides, and the weakest effect is seen in lead iodides. The A-site cation appears to play a role as well, with the larger FA resulting in greater off-centering for both Sn2+ and Pb2+. Dynamic off-centering, which is concealed within the framework of traditional Bragg crystallography, is proposed to play a key role in the remarkable defect-tolerant nature of transport in these semiconductors via its effect on the polarizability of the lattice. The results suggest a novel chemical design principle for future materials discovery.
High channel count microphone array accurately and precisely localizes ultrasonic signals from freely-moving mice.

Abstract Background An integral component in the assessment of vocal behavior in groups of freely interacting animals is the ability to determine which animal is producing each vocal signal. This process is facilitated by using microphone arrays with multiple channels. New method and comparison with existing methods Here, we made important refinements to a state-of-the-art microphone array based system used to localize vocal signals produced by freely interacting laboratory mice. Key changes to the system included increasing the number of microphones as well as refining the methodology for localizing and assigning vocal signals to individual mice. Results We systematically demonstrate that the improvements in the methodology for localizing mouse vocal signals led to an increase in the number of signals detected as well as the number of signals accurately assigned to an animal. Conclusions These changes facilitated the acquisition of larger and more comprehensive data sets that better represent the vocal activity within an experiment. Furthermore, this system will allow more thorough analyses of the role that vocal signals play in social communication. We expect that such advances will broaden our understanding of social communication deficits in mouse models of neurological disorders.