cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The sex ratio of singleton offspring in assisted-conception pregnancies

Objective To evaluate the effect of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and male factor infertility on the sex ratio in births from assisted reproductive technology. Design Historic cohort study. Setting Clinic-based data. Patient(s) The study population included 15,164 singleton live births in the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology national database for 2005 from cycles using ejaculated sperm, categorized by the use of insemination or ICSI and the absence or presence of male factor infertility, and cleavage- versus blastocyst-stage embryo transfers (ETs). Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) The probability of a male infant with and without the use of ICSI and in the presence or absence of male factor infertility. Result(s) The sex ratio for all U.S. live births in 2005 was 52.5%, versus 48.9% for cleavage-stage and 51.6% for blastocyst-stage embryos. With blastocyst-stage embryos, the sex ratios were 49.6% and 54.9% with and without ICSI and 52.6% and 50.0% with and without male factor infertility, respectively. With cleavage-stage embryos, the sex ratio was not significantly affected by ICSI or male factor infertility, singly or in combination. Conclusion(s) The use of ICSI, particularly with blastocyst-stage embryos, is associated with a decrease in the sex ratio of male infants.
Information for personal computer users

An effort has been made to determine how well technical communicators are meeting the needs of computer users for information to help them learn and use software products. Some answers to this question have resulted from usability tests on operating systems for personal computers. How easy various operating systems are to learn and to use was tested by recruiting outside test participants and observing them as they attempt to accomplish a set of tasks. The test participants range from inexperienced to very experienced. The tasks involve running software programs and managing data. Each participant uses only one operating system; he does not compare one operating system to another. The author generalizes the results of measurements, both quantitative and qualitative, of the information provided for six personal computer operating systems now available in the marketplace. Although most users say they prefer online information to printed manuals, the data gathered indicate that neither has yet achieved a high level of effectiveness. >
Neurotrophic stimulation of fetal rat retinal explant neurite outgrowth and cell survival: Age-dependent relationships

Abstract Serum-free tissue culture conditions have been defined where stimulation of neurite outgrowth from fetal rat retinal explants occurred only in the presence of an active fraction (BE) prepared from a pig brain extract purification procedure. Under these conditions, 18–20-day fetal retinal explants survived and continued to extend long radial neurites for at least 3 weeks in the presence of BE. However, if fibronectin was not equilibrated onto the basic collagen/poly- l -lysine substrate the neurite outgrowth was restricted to a short halo about the circumference of the explant. In addition, a dose-response relationship was demonstrated in the presence of increasing concentrations of BE with respect to the neurite growth index. The half-maximal response for BE was estimated to be between 5 and 10 μg/ml. In addition a number of important age-dependent relationships were observed with respect to BE stimulation of retinal neurite outgrowth and cell survival. An inverse relationship was demonstrated between increased developmental age and responsiveness to BE. After 1 week in culture, there was a 3-fold reduction in retinal neurite length measured from the 2-day neonatal explant when compared to that of the 18-day fetus. There was also a significant inverse relationship demonstrated between the length of time before BE was added to the culture medium and the ability of 20-day fetal explants to extend neurites onto the culture substrate. If BE was added as late as 2 weeks after initial explant culture, the various neurite outgrowth indices were significantly lower than in those situations where BE was added at the time of culture or 1 week later. These results imply that BE not only is required for stimulating neurite outgrowth from fetal rat retinal explants, but may be important in survival and maturation of developing retinal neurons. This hypothesis was confirmed when morphometric analysis was performed on 16- and 20-day explants cultured for a week in the presence or absence of BE. The number of necrotic cells in the developing retinal ganglion plexiform-cell layer of 20-day fetal explants was significantly lower when treated with BE. Conversely, the density of identifiable differentiating retinal ganglion-like cells was significantly greater in response to BE treatment in both 16- and 20-day retinal explants.
Spliced segments at the 5' terminus of adenovirus 2 late mRNA

An mRNA fraction coding for hexon polypeptide, the major virion structural protein, was purified by gel electrophoresis from extracts of adenovirus 2-infected cells late in the lytic cycle. The mRNA sequences in this fraction were mapped between 51.7 and 61.3 units on the genome by visualizing RNA-DNA hybrids in the electron microscope. When hybrids of hexon mRNA and single-stranded restriction endonuclease cleavage fragments of viral DNA were visualized in the electron microscope,branched forms were observed in which 160 nucleotides of RNA from the 5' terminus were not hydrogen bonded to the single-stranded DNA. DNA sequences complementary to the RNA sequences in each 5' tail were found by electron microscopy to be located at 17, 20, and 27 units on the same strand as that coding for the body of the hexon mRNA. Thus, four segments of viral RNA may be joined together during the synthesis of mature hexon mRNA. A model is presented for adenovirus late mRNA synthesis that involves multiple splicing during maturation of a larger precursor nuclear RNA.
A five-nation study of developmental timetables, reciprocal communication and consumer socialization

Abstract This study examines cross-national differences in parental age expectations, consumer socialization and the relationship between these variables and reciprocal parent–child communication. Parents from the United States held earlier developmental timetables than Australian, Japanese, Greek and Indian parents. Reciprocal, concept-oriented family communication was related to early developmental timetables, parental control of children's television viewing and the frequency that parents shop with their children.
A rapid method to identify exo-protease inhibitors.

Abstract A new approach to the evaluation of exo-protease inhibitor candidates is presented. The application of new water-soluble substrates that release organic-soluble fluorescent groups upon proteolytic cleavage allows amplification of the assay signal via concentration of the cleavage product. A combinatorial library of disubstituted xanthenes designed to resemble a known inhibitor was screened and a new HLE inhibitor (Ki = 79 μM) was identified.
Fluoroscopically guided extraforaminal cervical nerve root blocks: Analysis of epidural flow of the injectate with respect to needle tip position

Study Design Retrospective evaluation of consecutively performed fluoroscopically guided cervical nerve root blocks. Objective To describe the incidence of injectate central epidural flow with respect to needle tip position during fluoroscopically guided extraforaminal cervical nerve root blocks (ECNRBs). Methods Between February 19, 2003 and June 11, 2003, 132 consecutive fluoroscopically guided ECNRBs performed with contrast media in the final injected material (injectate) were reviewed on 95 patients with average of 1.3 injections per patient. Fluoroscopic spot images documenting the procedure were obtained as part of standard quality assurance. An independent observer not directly involved in the procedures retrospectively reviewed the images, and the data were placed into a database. Image review was performed to determine optimal needle tip positioning for injectate epidural flow. Results Central epidural injectate flow was obtained in only 28.9% of injections with the needle tip lateral to midline of the lateral mass (zone 2). 83.8% of injectate went into epidural space when the needle tip was medial to midline of the lateral mass (zone 3). 100% of injectate flowed epidurally when the needle tip was medial to or at the medial cortex of the lateral mass (zone 4). There was no statistically significant difference with regards to central epidural flow and the needle tip position on lateral view. Conclusion To ensure central epidural flow with ECNRBs one must be prepared to pass the needle tip medial to midplane of the lateral mass or to medial cortex of the lateral mass. Approximately 16% of ECNRBs with needle tip medial to midline of the lateral mass did not flow into epidural space. One cannot claim a nerve block is an epidural block unless epidural flow of injectate is observed.
Dielectric and Thermal Study of Tri-Glycine Sulfate and Tri-Glycine Fluoberyllate

The dielectric constants ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{b}$ of tri-glycine sulfate and tri-glycine fluoberyllate show a pronounced anomaly at the Curie temperature of 48\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and 70\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, respectively. The dielectric constants ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{a}$ and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{c}$ are practically temperature-independent. In the vicinity of the Curie point, the square of the spontaneous polarization increases linearly with decreasing temperature. The transition of both salts is of the second order. Measurements of the specific heat as a function of temperature yield $\ensuremath{\Delta}S=0.48$ cal/mole degree for tri-glycine sulfate, and $\ensuremath{\Delta}S=1.17$ cal/mole degree for tri-glycine fluoberyllate. The results are discussed on the basis of Mueller's thermodynamic theory for ferroelectric transitions.
Analysis of activity duration using the Puget sound transportation panel

In this paper, we extend previous analyses of temporal effects by examining the factors associated with activity generation and duration over four waves of the Puget sound transportation panel survey (PSTPS). A Cox proportional hazards model was specified for each of five activities: visiting, appointment, free time, personal business, and shopping. For each activity, the duration times are modeled with an emphasis on examining important higher order interactions. The results suggest that activity durations have changed significantly over the survey period. Many of the differences in activity durations over time were significant, and often associated with increasing numbers of children in the household and higher order interactions between sex and the sequencing of activities.
Early Testing for Huntington Disease in Children: Pros and Cons

We report 2 young children who are examples of the consequences of premature testing for Huntington disease. Premature testing of a child or fetus carries complex medical and psychological issues to both the child and the family that need to be considered and explored more than in an adult with Huntington disease. We suggest that a child at risk for juvenile Huntington disease not be tested until symptoms are progressive and consistent with the disease and all other mimickers are excluded. When testing is indicated, a multidisciplinary approach is essential to educate the family about the risks and benefits of testing and improve their coping skills when the final diagnosis is made.
Značenje volonterstva za društvo i zajednicu u palijativnoj skrbi u Americi

Ovaj clanak vrednuje znacenje volonterstva u odnosu na razvoj zajednice i sudjelovanje građana u njoj, kao i iz pozicije odnosa države i drustva u Americi. Autorica je svoju pažnju usredotocila na volonterske aktivnosti u njezi smrtnobolesnih osoba, te posebno na hospicijsku skrb. Slijedeci ispitivanje karaktera volontiranja kao pojedinacnog ponasanja, autorica elaborira na koji nacin ono proizlazi iz zajednice i, obrnuto, kako ono utjece na građenje zajednice. Također se utvrđuje sto volontiranje znaci u kontekstu americkoga neprofitnog sektora te kakva je njegova uloga u socijalnoj politici. Ovakva, opcenitija analiza, potkrijepljena je razmatranjima o osobitom doprinosu volontiranja hospicijskoj skrbi u SAD-u. Svoju analizu autorica zakljucuje s procjenom implikacija za socijalnu politiku.
Convex, rotationally symmetric liquid bridges between spheres

A liquid bridge between two balls will have a free surface which has constant mean curvature, and the angles of contact between the free surface and the fixed surfaces of the balls will be constant (although there might be two different contact angles: one for each ball). If we consider rotationally symmetric bridges, the free surface must be a Delaunay surface, which may be classified as a unduloid, a nodoid, or a catenoid, with spheres and cylinders as special cases. In this paper, it is shown that a convex unduloidal bridge between two balls is a constrained local energy minimum for the capillary problem, and a convex nodoidal bridge between two balls is unstable.
Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors Across Cultures

One of the fundamental aspects of culture is the relationship it prescribes between individuals and environment. Am I part of the natural environment, or am I separate and perhaps superior to nature? The answer to this question influences the types of attitudes that individuals within a given culture are likely to develop, the types of environmental behaviors that individuals are likely to adopt, and more generally, beliefs about how to solve environmental problems. This chapter examines differences in attitudes about environmental issues across cultures. We distinguish between egoistic environmental attitudes, and biospheric environmental attitudes, and summarize recent cross-cultural research on the relationship between cultural values and attitudes about the natural environment. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. This article is available in Online Readings in Psychology and Culture: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol8/iss1/4
The history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

The development of modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an exciting and surprising history to modern health professionals who rarely are aware of how new CPR really is. Artificial respiration began in the 16th century with Vesallus's work on living animals; progressed with the rise and fall of mouth-to-mouth, manual, and positive pressure ventilation methods of the 18th and 19th centuries; and culminated in 1958 with demonstration of the superiority of the mouth-to-mouth technique. Cardiac massage began in 1874, with the open chest method gaining ascendancy until the 1960 demonstration of the equality and greater ease of closed chest cardiac massage. Electrical defibrillation may have begun in 1775, but was not proven successful in animals internally until 1899. The technique was applied to man internally in 1947 and externally in 1956. The simultaneous use of all these modern CPR methods dates back only 20 years.
Tractable real-time schedulability analysis for mode changes under temporal isolation

Real-time multimedia subsystems often require support for switching between different resource and application execution modes. To ensure that timing constraints are not violated during or after a subsystem changes mode, real-time schedulability analysis is required. However, existing time-efficient multi-mode schedulability analysis techniques for application-only mode changes are not appropriate for subsystems that require changes in the resource execution behavior (e.g., processors with dynamic power modes). Furthermore, all existing multi-mode schedulability analysis that handles both resource and application mode changes is highly exponential and not scalable for subsystems with a moderate or large number of modes. We address the lack of tractable schedulability analysis for such subsystems by proposing a model for characterizing multiple resource and application modes and by deriving a sufficient schedulability test that has pseudo-polynomial time complexity. Simulation results show that our proposed schedulability test, when compared with previously-proposed approaches, requires significantly less time and is just as precise.
Heat Transfer Enhancement in a Paraffin Wax Thermal Storage System

Heat transfer enhancement in a thermal storage system consisting of vertically arranged fins between a heated and cooled horizontal finned-tube arrangement is reported. The high thermal expansion coefficient and low viscosity of paraffin wax, at temperatures above 50/sup 0/C, are utilized to induce natural convection in the liquid phase even at small thicknesses. The experimental data on the rate of production of liquid as a function of time and temperature of the hot surface is presented. The photographs of the melted zone indicate a naturally buoyant flow induced in the neighborhood of the vertical fins causes a rapid melting of the solid wax and a downdraft along the cooler solid phase surface. The heat transfer coefficient at the interface is calculated from experimentally determined instantaneous locations of the moving boundary.
Nonlinear optical properties of triangular silver nanomaterials

Size-controlled synthesis of metal nanostructures has opened many new possibilities to design ideal building blocks for future nanodevices. By solution-based method, silver triangular nanoprisms of different sizes (edge length) have been synthesized. First hyper-polarizabilities of silver triangular nanomaterials were measured using hyper-Rayleigh scattering technique. We have shown that both linear and nonlinear optical properties are highly dependent on the size of silver triangular nanoprism. We provide experimental evidence for higher multipolar contribution to NLO response of silver nanoprism.
The binding of cyclic nucleotides to membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum of normal and neoplastic rat liver.

Abstract Studies are presented which demonstrate that the smooth and rough endoplasmic membranes of normal and neoplastic rat liver possess binding sites for cyclic nucleotides exhibiting a high degree of specificity. In contrast to normal liver, which has only a single binding site for cyclic AMP on membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, cyclic AMP binding to the intracellular membranes of hepatoma 5123C and 7777 exhibits two apparent binding sites. The binding constant for cyclic AMP of one site on the tumor membranes is comparable to that of the normal liver, whereas the value of the second intrinsic association constant is 4- to 40-fold greater than liver. The possibility that the presence of the second cyclic AMP binding site might be a function of the rapid growth of the tumors was unlikely since membrane preparations from neonatal rats showed a single affinity association constant which was similar to that of normal liver. In addition, membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum of the Morris hepatomas 5123C and 7777 exhibit a binding site for cyclic GMP which is absent from the intracellular membranes of liver.
Sensory Characters of Thuringer Sausage Extended with Textured Soy Protein

Thuringer sausage was formulated by extending with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% hydrated soy protein. The fermented sausages were smoked and aged appropriately prior to sensory evaluation by a 25 member panel on an eight-point hedonic scale. pH increased with soy level in the freshly formulated meat emulsion; however, the pH levels did not vary (P < 0.05) among the fermented smoked sausages. An inverse linear relationship between sensory panel scores and soy content was found. The means of the scores ranged between 5.7 and 6.5 (liked moderately to liked very much) with no score under 5.0. Thuringer sausage was extended with up to 10% textured soy protein without affecting consumer acceptability.
THERAPY OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS

Interferon alpha is effective therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Only 20% to 40% of patients, however, have a sustained benefit from therapy. For the majority of patients with these diseases, alternative forms of therapy are needed. Nucleoside analogues appear to be extremely promising for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and will undoubtedly play a major role in the management of this disease. For chronic hepatitis C, prolonged therapy with interferon, improved patient selection, and combined therapy with multiple agents such as ribavirin may lead to an improved therapeutic response.
HRD and HRM Perspectives on Organizational Performance: A Review of Literature

A systematic review of literature on the relationship of human resources (HR) and organizational performance (OP) revealed a dearth of contribution from human resource development (HRD) in establishing the linkage. This linkage, which refers to the significant relationship between HRD and OP, is an important topic relevant to research and practice. The review utilized OP as the dependent variable to survey the state of human resource literature and thus, includes contributions from human resource management (HRM). The literature review revealed similarities and differences in the conceptualization of OP as a dependent variable between the two fields. On further analysis, the similarities and differences reveal convergence in specific areas of inquiry as well as emphasize the underlying differences in the philosophical assumptions of HRD and HRM. The independent contributions of HRD and HRM in establishing the HR–OP linkage also reflect the utilization of diverse research designs, methods of data collecti...
Mirtazapine for Treatment of Depression and Comorbidities in Alzheimer Disease

BACKGROUND:Depression in patients with Alzheimer disease is a treatable cause of functional decline, caregiver burden, and mortality. It is often associated with severe weight loss, insomnia, and anxiety. These symptoms independently and collaboratively further worsen the prognosis of these vulnerable patients. An antidepressant medication with good adverse effect profile and salutary effects on these comorbid symptoms may be of significant therapeutic value in these patients.OBJECTIVE:To describe the role of mirtazapine in the treatment of depressed Alzheimer patients with comorbid weight loss, insomnia, and anxiety.CASE SUMMARY:Three patients with dementia and depression complicated by weight loss, insomnia, and anxiety were treated with mirtazapine at an outpatient memory loss clinic of a university hospital.DISCUSSION:Despite the persistence of memory loss, the patients experienced a prompt and sustained response to mirtazapine. There was a complete remission of poor appetite, weight loss, sleep distu...
Multiscale analysis and prediction of network traffic

Traffic prediction plays an important role in network management especially for the current networks that do not comply to the Poisson model. Wavelet transform is an emerging technique that has a significant advantage in analyzing time domain signals. When combined with LMS (Least Mean Square), wavelet based predictor can achieve better performance than time domain predictor for self similar traffic which are revealed as the current network traffic. However, the computational complexity in predicting each wavelet coefficient is high. In this paper, first, the Least Mean Kurtosis (LMK) which uses the negated kurtosis of the error signal as the cost function, is proposed to estimate wavelet coefficients; then by analyzing the wavelet coefficients of two consecutive data sets, a fast WLMK is proposed to reduce the computational complexity. Simulation results show that the fast WLMK not only incurs smaller prediction error but also reduces the computational complexity greatly.
Mapping chemical gradients within and along a fibrous structural tissue, mussel byssal threads.

The byssal thread of a mussel is an extraorganismic connective tissue that exhibits a striking end-to-end gradient in mechanical properties and thus provides a unique opportunity for studying how gradients are made. Mfp-1 (Mytilus foot protein-1) is a conspicuous component of the protective outer cuticle of byssal threads given its high 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) content at 10-15 mol %. Amino acid analysis of mfp-1 extracted from successive foot sections of Mytilus galloprovincialis reveals a post-translationally mediated gradient with highest Dopa levels present in mfp-1 from the accessory gland near the tip of the foot decreasing gradually toward the base. The Dopa content of successive segments of byssal threads decreases from the distal to the proximal end and thus reflects the trend of mfp-1 in the foot. Inductively coupled plasma analysis indicates that certain metal ions including iron follow the trend in Dopa along the thread. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry showed that iron, when present, was concentrated in the cuticle of the threads but sparse in the core. The axial iron gradient appears most closely correlated with the Dopa gradient. The direct incubation of mussels and byssal threads in Fe3+ supplemented seawater showed that byssal threads are unable to sequester iron from the seawater. Instead, particulate/soluble iron is actively taken up by mussels during filter feeding and incorporated into byssal threads during their secretion. Our results suggest that mussels may exploit the interplay between Dopa and metals to tailor the different parts of threads for specific mechanical properties.
A phosphorylated phloretin derivative. Synthesis and effect on intestinal Na(+)-dependent phosphate absorption.

2′-Phosphophloretin (2′-PP), a phosphorylated derivative of the plant chalcone, was synthesized. The effect of 2′-PP, on Na+-dependent phosphate uptake into intestinal brush-border membrane vesicle...
Beyond Shamanism: Landscape and Self-Expression in the Petroglyphs of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia (China)

Petroglyph sites in the Yinshan and Helanshan ranges were documented during a recent survey. Archaeological remains indicate that these areas have for millennia been both militarized borders and osmotic trading zones connecting the pastoral people of northern Asia and the Chinese world. Petroglyphs form a significant part of the material and symbolic culture of this transitional zone from the Neolithic down to the later dynastic phases (nineteenth century). By using newly-gathered data, this article moves away from interpretations which see rock art as a wholly shamanistic phenomenon, introducing territory and iconography as key elements for the understanding of local geographies, cultural interactions, and the agencies of identity. The location of the sites indicates that petroglyphs were next to travel routes and may have served as territory markers and meeting places. In addition, the scattering of marked rocks in key locations suggests that petroglyphs were markers of identity essential for a people who were engaged in a dialectic contention with the expanding agricultural world. The sense of identity can be perceived also in the subject matter (wild and domesticated animals, hunting and herding scenes, faces) which seems to emphasize respect for, or even enjoyment of, pastoral and nomadic life.
Paradox lost: genetic diversity and the success of aquatic invasions

There is mounting evidence that reduced genetic diversity in invasive populations is not as commonplace as expected. Recent studies indicate that high propagule vectors, such as ballast water and shellfish transplantations, and multiple introductions contribute to the elimination of founder effects in the majority of successful aquatic invasions. Multiple introductions, in particular, can promote range expansion of introduced populations through both genetic and demographic mechanisms. Closely related to vectors and corridors of introduction, propagule pressure can play an important role in determining the genetic outcome of introduction events. Even low-diversity introductions have numerous means of avoiding the negative impact of diversity loss. The interaction of high propagule vectors and multiple introductions reveal important patterns associated with invasion success and deserve closer scrutiny.
Application of an image processing software tool to crack inspection of crystalline silicon solar cells

In this paper, we try to design and integrate an Automatic Optical Inspection System for inspection of polycrystalline silicon solar cells or modules, emphasizing on its image processing, measurement and analysis software utilities. Based on the cell intensity images captured by the electroluminescence imaging technique, we propose an inspecting procedure by using the Windows-based user interface to implement the average gray level tool, the thresholding tool, the positioning tool, the edge detection tool, the binary large object (BLOB) tool and the template matching tool. We use several sample images provided by the supplier to verify the software tool and receive accurate results.
The Mutual Knowledge Problem and Its Consequences for Dispersed Collaboration

This paper proposes that maintaining "mutual knowledge" is a central problem of geographically dispersed collaboration and traces the consequences of failure to do so. It presents a model of these processes which is grounded in study of thirteen geographically dispersed teams. Five types of problems constituting failures of mutual knowledge are identified: failure to communicate and retain contextual information, unevenly distributed information, difficulty communicating and understanding the salience of information, differences in speed of access to information, and difficulty interpreting the meaning of silence. The frequency of occurrence and severity of each problem in the teams are analyzed. Attribution theory, the concept of cognitive load, and feedback dynamics are harnessed to explain how dispersed partners are likely to interpret failures of mutual knowledge and the consequences of these interpretations for the integrity of the effort. In particular, it is suggested that unrecognized differences in the situations, contexts, and constraints of dispersed collaborators constitute "hidden profiles" that can increase the likelihood of dispositional rather than situational attribution, with consequences for cohesion and learning. Moderators and accelerators of these dynamics are identified, and implications for both dispersed and collocated collaboration are discussed.
Exploring visual-graphic symbol acquisition by pre-school age children with developmental and language delays.

The process of language acquisition requires an individual to organize the world through a system of symbols and referents. For children with severe intellectual disabilities and language delays, the ability to link a symbol to its referent may be a difficult task. In addition to the intervention strategy, issues such as the visual complexity and iconicity of a symbol arise when deciding what to select as a medium to teach language. This study explored the ability of four pre-school age children with developmental and language delays to acquire the meanings of Blissymbols and lexigrams using an observational experiential language intervention. In production, all four of the participants demonstrated symbol-referent relationships, while in comprehension, three of the four participants demonstrated at least emerging symbol-referent relationships. Although the number of symbols learned across participants varied, there were no differences between the learning of arbitrary and comparatively iconic symbols. Th...
Effects of Varying Stream Channel Conductance on Siting New Pumping Wells in an Aquifer

In regions of the world where growing population and changing climates are threatening water supplies, accurate modeling of potential human impacts on water resources is becoming more important. Stream depletion, the reduction of surface water flow due to the extraction of groundwater from a hydraulically connected aquifer, is a direct way that development can alter water availability. Thus, the accurate modeling of stream depletion is an important step in siting new groundwater wells. Proper estimation of stream depletion requires appropriate parameterization of aquifer and streambed hydraulic properties. Although many studies have conducted numerical investigations to determine stream depletion at specific sites, they typically do not use measured streambed hydraulic conductivity (Kr), but rather assume a representative value. These assumptions are inaccurate for natural systems because Kr varies spatially along the stream channel. In this work, we investigate how stream depletion is impacted by spatially-variable conductance, given by
Morphological cues to verb meaning: verb inflections and the initial mapping of verb meanings

The present studies investigated children's use of verb inflections to guide their initial mapping of verb meanings. Given that children initially apply the progressive -ing inflection to verbs denoting actions and the past -ed inflection to verbs denoting results of events, two studies were conducted to investigate whether children use these inflections during mapping of novel verb meanings. In both studies, subjects were taught novel verbs and were asked to extend those verbs to events in which the action or result differed from events used to teach the verbs. It was predicted that subjects would be less likely to extend verbs inflected with -ing to events with new actions and would be less likely to extend verbs inflected with -ed to events with new results. Eighteen three- and five-year-olds and 24 adults participated in Experiment 1 in a between-subjects design that produced weak effects for the youngest subjects tested. Experiment 2 tested 16 three-year-olds and 19 five-year-olds in a within-subjects design and produced the predicted effect for three-year-olds, but not for five-year-olds. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for early verb learning and regarding the use of the bootstrapping construct in language acquisition research.
Morality in Cyberspace: A Comparison of Chinese and U.S. Youth's Beliefs about Acceptable Online Behavior

This cross-cultural comparison of approximately 600 youth in China and 600 youth in the U.S. focused on the moral values, acceptability of a variety of morally questionable online behaviors, and the relationship between moral values and acceptability of online behaviors. Findings indicated differences both in moral values and in behaviors that Chinese and U.S. youth believed were acceptable in the virtual world. Chinese youth found more behaviors acceptable than did U.S. youth, with the exception of videogame violence, which U.S. youth found more acceptable. The value placed on peer approval predicted the acceptability of morally questionable online behaviors, suggesting that a peer culture supporting such behaviors may account for their acceptability among Chinese youth. Educational interventions designed to reduce morally questionable online behaviors by taking cultural values into account are discussed, as is the need for additional research to establish a link between beliefs about acceptability and actual online behaviors.
Participation in an online mathematics community: differentiating motivations to add

Why do people contribute content to communities of question-answering, such as Yahoo! Answers? We investigated this issue on MathOverflow, a site dedicated to research-level mathematics, in which users ask and answer questions. MathOverflow is the first in a growing number of specialized Q&A sites using the Stack Exchange platform for scientific collaboration. In this study we combine responses to a survey with collected data on posting behavior on the site. User behavior suggests that building reputation is an important incentive, even though users do not report this in the survey. Level of expertise affects users' reported motivation to help others, but does not affect the importance of reputation building. We discuss the implications for the design of communities to target and encourage more contributions.
Subnormality of Bergman-like weighted shifts

Abstract For a , b , c , d ⩾ 0 with a d − b c > 0 , we consider the unilateral weighted shift S ( a , b , c , d ) with weights α n : = a n + b c n + d ( n ⩾ 0 ) . Using Schur product techniques, we prove that S ( a , b , c , d ) is always subnormal; more generally, we establish that for every p ⩾ 1 , all p-subshifts of S ( a , b , c , d ) are subnormal. As a consequence, we show that all Bergman-like weighted shifts are subnormal.
Advances in microwave hyperthermia of large superficial tumors

Applying heat and radiation simultaneously can significantly improve the outcome of treatments of large superficial tumors. Flexible PCB arrays of transreceiving elements made of a dual concentric conductor antenna combined with a spiral antenna allow for accurate conformal non-invasive control of uniform power deposition and temperature monitoring in large target regions. Integrated brachytherapy catheters deliver the uniform radiation dose, while an automatic conditioning system accurately controls temperature, thickness of the degas water bolus. This system should expand the number of patients that can benefit from effective thermoradiotherapy for superficial disease. We present the design and clinical implementation of such a system together with the challenges and future improvements.
Patient Misidentification in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Quantification of Risk

OBJECTIVE. To quantify the potential for misidentification among NICU patients resulting from similarities in patient names or hospital medical record numbers (MRNs). METHODS. A listing of all patients who received care in 1 NICU during 1 calendar year was obtained from the unit9s electronic medical record system. A patient day was considered at risk for misidentification when the index patient shared a surname, similar-sounding surname, or similar MRN with another patient who was cared for in the NICU on that day. RESULTS. During the 1-year study period, 12186 days of patient care were provided to 1260 patients. The unit9s average daily census was 33.4; the maximum census was 48. Not a single day was free of risk for patient misidentification. The mean number of patients who were at risk on any given day was 17 (range: 5–35), representing just over 50% of the average daily census. During the entire calendar year, the risk ranged from 20.6% to a high of 72.9% of the average daily census. The most common causes of misidentification risk were similar-appearing MRNs (44% of patient days). Identical surnames were present in 34% of patient days, and similar-sounding names were present in 9.7% of days. Twins and triplets contributed one third of patient days in the NICU. After these multiple births were excluded from analysis, 26.3% of patient days remained at risk for misidentification. Among singletons, the contribution to misidentification risk of similar-sounding surnames was relatively unchanged (9.1% of patient days), whereas that of similar MRNs and identical surnames decreased (17.6% and 1.0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS. NICU patients are frequently at risk for misidentification errors as a result of similarities in standard identifiers. This risk persists even after exclusion of multiple births and is substantially higher than has been reported in other hospitalized populations.
Impact of Orographically Induced Spatial Variability in PBL Stratiform Clouds on Climate Simulations

Abstract This paper examines the impact of orographically induced mesoscale heterogeneities on the macroscopic behavior of planetary boundary layer (PBL) stratiform clouds, and implements and tests a physically based parameterization of this effect in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). The orographic variance and associated thermal circulations induce inhomogeneities in the cloud field that can significantly alter the PBL evolution; an effect that has been largely ignored in existing climate models. The impact of this effect on AGCM simulations is examined and the mechanisms at work are studied by analyzing a series of Cloud System Resolving Model (CSRM) simulations. Both the CSRM and AGCM results show that, in the absence of the orographic effect, the continental PBL tends to be in one of two regimes: the solid regime characterized by a cold and overcast PBL and the broken regime characterized by a low time-mean cloud incidence and a large-ampl...
Social Citizenship and Workfare in the United States and Western Europe: The European welfare states

The chapter starts with the contrasting conception of social citizenship in Western Europe, and then gives a brief history of the various welfare states. Because this story has been told, and told well, only the briefest summary will be presented. The chapter will emphasize a major common similarity – despite the varieties among the welfare states, they all depended on high levels of employment among the working population (Huber and Stephens 2001: 1). A relatively full-employment economy of decent jobs and a relative equality of wages allowed for the financing of the welfare state – that is, where most were contributing rather than drawing benefits – as well as for redistribution. The countries differed in how they accomplished high levels of employment, but they all managed to do so, and this enabled them to develop their social welfare states. I then describe the subsequent, contemporary slowdown in the economies, the failure of traditional Keynesian policies, the deterioration of the labor market, the rising poverty, and the consequences for the vulnerable groups. The chapter discusses the dilemmas faced by the Social Democratic governments. They are caught between the strong pressures of globalization and changes in the economy and the labor markets on the one hand and domestic demands for social protection on the other. Thus far, changes in the major welfare state programs – pensions, disability, health care, the programs for the insiders – have been incremental.
Cocaine Self-Administration Experience Induces Pathological Phasic Accumbens Dopamine Signals and Abnormal Incentive Behaviors in Drug-Abstinent Rats

Chronic exposure to drugs of abuse is linked to long-lasting alterations in the function of limbic system structures, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Although cocaine acts via dopaminergic mechanisms within the NAc, less is known about whether phasic dopamine (DA) signaling in the NAc is altered in animals with cocaine self-administration experience or if these animals learn and interact normally with stimuli in their environment. Here, separate groups of rats self-administered either intravenous cocaine or water to a receptacle (controls), followed by 30 d of enforced abstinence. Next, all rats learned an appetitive Pavlovian discrimination and voltammetric recordings of real-time DA release were taken in either the NAc core or shell of cocaine and control subjects. Cocaine experience differentially impaired DA signaling in the core and shell relative to controls. Although phasic DA signals in the shell were essentially abolished for all stimuli, in the core, DA did not distinguish between cues and was abnormally biased toward reward delivery. Further, cocaine rats were unable to learn higher-order associations and even altered simple conditioned approach behaviors, displaying enhanced preoccupation with cue-associated stimuli (sign-tracking; ST) but diminished time at the food cup awaiting reward delivery (goal-tracking). Critically, whereas control DA signaling correlated with ST behaviors, cocaine experience abolished this relationship. These findings show that cocaine has persistent, differential, and pathological effects on both DA signaling and DA-dependent behaviors and suggest that psychostimulant experience may remodel the very circuits that bias organisms toward repeated relapse. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Relapsing to drug abuse despite periods of abstinence and sincere attempts to quit is one of the most pernicious facets of addiction. Unfortunately, little is known about how the dopamine (DA) system functions after periods of drug abstinence, particularly its role in behavior in nondrug situations. Here, rats learned about food-paired stimuli after prolonged abstinence from cocaine self-administration. Using voltammetry, we found that real-time DA signals in cocaine-experienced rats were strikingly altered relative to controls. Further, cocaine-experienced animals found reward-predictive stimuli abnormally salient and spent more time interacting with cues. Therefore, cocaine induces neuroplastic changes in the DA system that biases animals toward salient stimuli (including reward-associated cues), putting addicts at increasing risk to relapse as addiction increases in severity.
Case Study Commentary and Analysis: The Moral Sword of Damocles

ABSTRACTCase summary, by James Cook (Case Study Editor):In the final issue of the 2015 volume of the Journal of Military Ethics, we published a case study entitled “Coining an Ethical Dilemma: The Impunity of Afghanistan’s Indigenous Security Forces”, written by Paul Lushenko. The study detailed two extra-judicial killings (EJKs) by Afghan National Police (ANP) personnel in an area stabilized and overseen by a US-led Combined Task Force (CTF). To deter further EJKs following the first incident, the CTF’s commander reported the incidents up his chain of command and used the limited tools at his disposal to influence local indigenous officials directly. Apparently, the ANP unit took no notice. In his commentary on the case study, Paul Robinson considered moral compromise in war more generally. Coalition troops in Afghanistan, for instance, have encountered not just EJKs but also sexual abuse of minors, killing of non-combatants, kidnapping, torture, and widespread corruption. What should the soldier on the ...
HPLC method for simultaneous measurement of seven water-soluble ingredients with single marker in Danshen injection

Objective:To establish a new quantitative method for simultaneous determination of multi-component(sodium danshensu,protocatechuic acid,protocatechuic aldehyde,vanilla acid,ferulic acid,rosmarinic acid,salvianolic acid B) in Danshen injection by using one chemical reference substance,and to validate its feasibilities.Methods:The quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS) was established and validated with Danshen injection.Seven main ingredients were evaluated and their relative correlation factors(RCFs)were determined by HPLC-UV.The contents of protocatechuic aldehyde in the samples of Danshen injection were calculated by using the external standard method,and the contents of the six other ingredients were calculated by their RCFs.The contents of these six ingredients in all samples were also determined by using the external standard method.Results:The RCFs of sodium danshensu,protocatechuic acid,vanilla acid,ferulic acid,rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B all showed good reproducibility within certain ranges.For sodium danshensu,protocatechuic acid,vanilla acid,ferulic acid,rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B,there was no significant difference between the quantitative results of the two methods.Conclusions:The method is simple,accurate and suitable to evaluate the contents of seven main water-soluble substances in Danshen injection.