An interactive editor for definition of touch-sensitive zones for a graphic display

In the continuing effort to develop more efficient man-machine communications methods, touch displays have shown potential as straightforward input systems. The development of software necessary to handle such systems, however, can become tedious. In order to reduce the need for redundant programming, a touch editor has been developed which allows a programmer to interactively define touch-sensitive areas for a graphic display. The information produced during the editing process is written to a data file, which can be accessed easily when needed by an application program. This paper outlines the structure, logic, and use of the editor, as well as the hardware with which it is presently compatible

Relationships Between Habitat and Snag Characteristics and the Reproductive Success of the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) in Eastern Texas.

Habitat use and reproductive success of the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla Latham) were studied in East Texas during the 2001-2002 breeding seasons. We compared nest cavity selection at used and randomly selected non-used areas. Height of nest trees, midstory density, and percent leaf litter were negatively correlated with nest site selection. Brown-headed Nuthatches showed a strong preference for short snags; yet placed their nest cavity entrances near the top ofthe snags. While nuthatches may be selecting for habitats with little or no midstory density, percent of leaf litter in the nest sites is most likely the consequence of frequent burning. No significant differences among habitat variables and snag characteristics were found between successful and failed nest cavities. Additionally, no habitat variables were correlated with the number of chicks fledged per nest. Predation was the major cause of nest failure in this study

Reiki for Pain Control

Hemodialysis is a procedure used to remove waste products and electrolytes from the bloodstream when the kidneys are no longer working. In addition to removing waste products and unwanted electrolytes, the process also removes some medications as well; 60% of the most commonly used analgesics are removed during dialysis. For renal patients who experience chronic pain as a result of their illness, this is a serious problem. Dialysis patient are held to the same medication regulations regarding frequency and dosing as the general hospital population, leaving them without pain coverage for longer periods of time. The introduction of a complimentary alternative therapy such as Reiki through a volunteer program using nurses from the dialysis unit could be beneficial to patients receiving dialysis. Studies have shown Reiki to reduce pain in a variefy of situations including dialyzing renal patients. Watson\u27s Caring Theory provides a framework to support energy healing and the integration of a Reiki program for hospitalized dialysis patients. Reiki may reduce the pain dialysis patient\u27s experience, while receiving their dialysis treatment, ultimately enhancing the quality of their life

Review of \u3ci\u3eThe Masterworks of Charles M. Russell: A Retrospective of Paintings and Sculpture\u3c/i\u3e edited by Joan Carpenter Troccoli

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926) has long been celebrated as America\u27s Cowboy Artist, beloved as much for his charismatic personality as for his authentic portrayal of the Old West. The magnitude of Russell\u27s celebrity may have, at times, overshadowed his artistic achievement, and thus the complexity of cultural themes reflected in his work, the iconographic richness of his art, and the evolving sophistication of his technique may come as revelations to some. These qualities emerge, perhaps more comprehensibly than ever, in The Masterworks of Charles M. Russell, a superb catalogue of the excellent retrospective exhibition organized jointly by the Denver Art Museum and the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Both museums were venues for the exhibition in 2009-10, as was the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Effects of functional communication training and self-monitoring with programmed generalization for three students with or at-risk for emotional behavioral disorders.

The use of functional assessment based interventions to address the problem behavior of students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD) is supported by an emerging evidence base. Few studies, however, have assessed the generality (i.e., the transfer of behavior change across settings, behavior, or students) of function-based interventions for this population. This study employed a multiple baseline across students design to evaluate setting generalization of functional communication training (FCT) with self-monitoring for three students with or at-risk for EBD. FCT yielded significant reductions in problem behavior and increased rates of appropriate attention recruitment (i.e., hand-raising) for all three participants in isolation. However, no change in behavior was observed during concurrent observations in a generalization setting. Subsequently, self-mediated physical and verbal stimuli were introduced in the generalization setting to promote skill transfer. Each student responded to the generalization programming procedures with reduced rates of problem behavior and increased rates of hand-raising in generalization settings. Results of the study support the use of programmed generalization strategies with function-based interventions for students with EBD