A comparison of the ways that teachers, parents and preschool children classify toys into gender categories

This study compared the ways that teachers, parents and children classified toys according to gender categories. Fifty-eight teachers and seventy-eight parents completed a toy survey in which they were to sort a list of 49 preschool classroom toys into gender categories. The six toys most often rated masculine and the six toys most often rated feminine by the teachers were used in a toy sorting task for preschool children. Seventy-four preschool children were asked to sort pictures of the twelve toys into gender categories. One-way analyses of variance, t-tests, and Least Significant Difference multiple comparison procedures were used to examine parents\u27 classifications of toys, comparisons between teachers\u27 and children\u27s classifications of toys, and children\u27s classifications of toys as related to sex and age. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between teachers\u27 and children\u27s classifications of toys as related to sex of children. There was, however, a significant difference between teachers\u27 and children\u27s classifications of toys as related to age. The three-yearold children disagreed more often with the teachers\u27 masculine and feminine ratings of the toys while the fiveyear- old children agreed more often with the teachers\u27 masculine and feminine ratings of the toys. Analyses showed that the majority of parents classified toys into stereotypical categories of masculinity and femininity, whereas the majority of teachers classified more toys as neutral (a toy for either a boy or a girl). Data did indicate, however, that there was a substantial percentage of teachers who agreed with parents\u27 masculine and feminine ratings of the toys. Results showed that there was not a significant disagreement between boys and girls on the masculine and feminine ratings of the toys. However, there was a difference in the way different age groups of children sorted the toys. The three-year-old children were less likely to classify the toys along stereotypical lines than were the five-year-old children

Cancer risk estimates from the combined Japanese A-bomb and Hodgkin cohorts for doses relevant to radiotherapy

Most information on the dose-response of radiation-induced cancer is derived from data on the A-bomb survivors who were exposed to γ-rays and neutrons. Since, for radiation protection purposes, the dose span of main interest is between 0 and 1Gy, the analysis of the A-bomb survivors is usually focused on this range. However, estimates of cancer risk for doses above 1Gy are becoming more important for radiotherapy patients and for long-term manned missions in space research. Therefore in this work, emphasis is placed on doses relevant for radiotherapy with respect to radiation-induced solid cancer. The analysis of the A-bomb survivor's data was extended by including two extra high-dose categories (4-6Sv and 6-13Sv) and by an attempted combination with cancer data on patients receiving radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease. In addition, since there are some recent indications for a high neutron dose contribution, the data were fitted separately for three different values for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the neutrons (10, 35 and 100) and a variable RBE as a function of dose. The data were fitted using a linear, a linear-exponential and a plateau-dose-response relationship. Best agreement was found for the plateau model with a dose-varying RBE. It can be concluded that for doses above 1Gy there is a tendency for a nonlinear dose-response curve. In addition, there is evidence of a neutron RBE greater than 10 for the A-bomb survivor data. Many problems and uncertainties are involved in combing these two datasets. However, since very little is currently known about the shape of dose-response relationships for radiation-induced cancer in the radiotherapy dose range, this approach could be regarded as a first attempt to acquire more information on this area. The work presented here also provides the first direct evidence that the bending over of the solid cancer excess risk dose response curve for the A-bomb survivors, generally observed above 2Gy, is due to cell killing effect

Nippur Bibliography

The Nippur Bibliography which follows is divided into two parts. The first part, Text Publications and Interpretations, includes all primary publications of Nippur tablets and all studies that make significant use of tablets from Nippur. The secondary studies are included in order to highlight the contribution of the Nippur tablets to the reconstruction and interpretation of ancient Near Eastern literature, history, mythology, economy, law, and lexicography. The second part of the bibliography, Excavation Reports and Secondary Archaeological Publications, includes all publications relating to the Nippur excavations, as well as studies of major archaeological finds. At the end of the section is a list of the Nippur field seasons, 1889-1990

Knowledge Contribution Motivators – An Expectation-Confirmation Approach

Individual knowledge needs to be shared across IS developing organizations to provide information for all types of decisions. Considering knowledge management (KM) as a two-part process of knowledge contribution and knowledge seeking, we focus on the former one as it is (1) the required condition for knowledge sharing and (2) the greater challenge to accomplish by organizations compared to implementing successful knowledge seeking. Distinguishing different types of individual and organizational extrinsic motivators based on self-determination theory, we use expectation-confirmation theory (ECT) to analyze the extent to which software developers’ expectations towards knowledge contributions are fulfilled by organizations. Additionally, showing extrinsic motivators’ importance for software developers to contribute to KM systems, we provide organizations a roadmap for setting favorable conditions. Whereas our consolidation of previous research on knowledge contribution provides guidelines for future research on extrinsic motivators, we contribute to existing theory by applying ECT to the context of KM contribution

Risk Stratification in Post-MI Patients Based on Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Heart-Rate Turbulence

Objectives: Development of risk stratification criteria for predicting mortality in post-infarction patients taking into account LVEF and heart-rate turbulence (HRT). Methods: Based on previous results the two parameters LVEF (continuously) and turbulence slope (TS) as an indicator of the HRT were combined for risk stratification. The method has been applied within two independent data sets (the MPIP-trial and the EMIAT-study). Results: The criteria were defined in order to match the outcome of applying LVEF ( 30 % in sensitivity. In the MPIP trial the optimal criteria selected are TS normal and LVEF ( 21 % or TS abnormal and LVEF ( 40 %. Within the placebo group of the EMIAT-study the corresponding criteria are: TS normal and LVEF ( 23 % or TS abnormal and LVEF ( 40 %. Combining both studies the following criteria could be obtained: TS normal and LVEF ( 20 % or TS abnormal and LVEF ( 40 %. In the MPIP study 83 out of the 581 patients (= 14.3 %) are fulfilling these criteria. Within this group 30 patients have died during the follow-up. In the EMIAT-trial 218 out of the 591 patients (= 37.9 %) are classified as high risk patients with 53 deaths. Combining both studies the high risk group contains 301 patients with 83 deaths (ppv = 27.7 %). Using the MADIT-criterion as classification rule (LVEF ( 30 %) a sample of 375 patients with 85 deaths (ppv = 24 %) can be selected. Conclusions: The stratification rule based on LVEF and TS is able to select high risk patients suitable for implanting an ICD. The rule performs better than the classical one with LVEF alone. The high risk group applying the new criteria is smaller with about the same number of deaths and therefor with a higher positive predictive value. The classification criteria have been validated within a bootstrap study with 100 replications. In all samples the rule based on TS and LVEF (= NEW) was superior to LVEV alone, the high risk group has been smaller (( s: 301 ( 14.5 (NEW) vs. 375 ( 14.5 (LVEF)) and the positive predictive value was larger (( s: 27.2 ( 2.6 % (NEW) vs. 23.3 ( 2.2 % (LVEF)). The new criteria are less expensive due to a reduced number of high risk patients selected

Should “acculturation” be a variable in health research? A critical review of research on US Hispanics

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2003.12.00

Integer Optimization of CT Trajectories using a Discrete Data Completeness Formulation

X-ray computed tomography (CT) plays a key role in digitizing three-dimensional structures for a wide range of medical and industrial applications. Traditional CT systems often rely on standard circular and helical scan trajectories, which may not be optimal for challenging scenarios involving large objects, complex structures, or resource constraints. In response to these challenges, we are exploring the potential of twin robotic CT systems, which offer the flexibility to acquire projections from arbitrary views around the object of interest. Ensuring complete and mathematically sound reconstructions becomes critical in such systems. In this work, we present an integer programming-based CT trajectory optimization method. Utilizing discrete data completeness conditions, we formulate an optimization problem to select an optimized set of projections. This approach enforces data completeness and considers absorption-based metrics for reliability evaluation. We compare our method with an equidistant circular CT trajectory and a greedy approach. While greedy already performs well in some cases, we provide a way to improve greedy-based projection selection using an integer optimization approach. Our approach improves CT trajectories and quantifies the optimality of the solution in terms of an optimality gap.Comment: Preprin

A Statistical Model for Risk Stratification on the Basis of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Heart-Rate Turbulence

The MPIP data set was used to obtain a model for mortality risk stratification of acute myocardial infarction patients. The predictors heart rate turbulence (HRT) and left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were employed. HRT was a categorical variable of three levels; LVEF was continuous and its influence on the relative risk was explained by the natural logarithm function (found using fractional polynomials). Cox - PH model with HRT and lnLVEF was constructed and used for risk stratification. The model can be used to divide the patients into two or more groups according to mortality risk. It also describes the relationship between risk and predictors by a (continuous) function, which allows the calculation of individual mortality risk

Genotyp-/Phänotyp-Analyse und klinische Charakterisierung von 25 Familien mit familiärer Hypomagnesiämie mit Hyperkalziurie und Nephrokalzinose

Die familiäre Hypomagnesiämie mit Hyperkalziurie und Nephrokalzinose (FHHNC) ist eine autosomal rezessive renal-tubuläre Erkrankung, die häufig mit progredientem Nierenversagen assoziiert ist. Der primäre Defekt besteht in einer gestörten tubulären Reabsorption von Magnesium und Kalzium im dicken aufsteigenden Teil der Henle-Schleife (TAL) der Niere. Mutationen im CLDN16-Gen (früher PCLN1-Gen), welches für das renale Tight Junction Protein Claudin-16 kodiert, konnten als zugrunde liegender genetischer Defekt identifiziert werden. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt umfassende klinische Daten und die Ergebnisse der CLDN16-Mutationsanalyse von 25 FHHNC-Familien mit 33 Betroffenen dar. Die Erkrankung manifestiert sich in der frühen Kindheit. Das mediane Alter bei Manifestation der Erkrankung liegt in unserem Kollektiv bei 3,5 Jahren. Hauptmanifestationssymptome sind Harnwegsinfekte, Polyurie und Hämaturie. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Tubulopathien ist die FHHNC durch eine gehäuft auftretende terminale Niereninsuffizienz in der frühen Adoleszenz charakterisiert. Bei Diagnosestellung ist bei 11 Patienten unseres Kollektivs die GFR bereits auf kleiner 60 ml/min/1,73 m2 reduziert. 12 Patienten zeigen im Verlauf eine terminale Niereninsuffizienz, im Median mit 14,5 Jahren. Die Therapie mit Magnesiumsalzen oder Thiaziddiuretika hat keinen Effekt auf die Progression der Niereninsuffizienz. Die Genotyp-Analyse ergibt außer bei drei Allelen CLDN16-Mutationen (94%) mit 15 verschiedenen Mutationen, wobei 8 neue Mutationen identifiziert werden konnten. Eine auffällige Häufung zeigt sich für die Mutation Leu151Phe mit 48% aller mutierten Allele und eine Haplotypen-Analyse weist auf einen Founder-Effekt für FHHNC-Patienten, die aus Deutschland und Osteuropa stammen, hin. Zunächst wurde angenommen, dass das humane Claudin-16-Gen für ein 305 Aminosäure langes Protein kodiert. Es finden sich aber zwei mögliche Startcodons (Methionin 1 und Methionin 71). Interspezies-Vergleiche von Claudin-16 und ein mit 16,7% gehäuft auftretender frameshift-Polymorphismus an Aminosäureposition 55 unterstützen die Hypothese, dass die Translation an Methionin 71 beginnt und das Claudin-16-Protein um 70 Aminosäuren kürzer ist. Eine Genotyp-Phänotyp-Korrelation bezüglich Erkrankungsverlauf und Fortschreiten der Niereninsuffizienz findet sich im Kollektiv dieser Arbeit nicht. Aber es existiert eine starke intrafamiliäre Konkordanz bezogen auf den Erkrankungsverlauf in der Mehrheit der Multiplex-Familien. Dies unterstützt die These, dass die verschiedenen CLDN16-Genotypen eine wichtige Rolle für das Fortschreiten der Niereninsuffizienz spielen. Erst kürzlich konnte für ein großes Kollektiv, das die 33 Patienten dieser Arbeit einschließt, gezeigt werden, dass manche CLDN16-Mutationen einen partiellen Funktionsverlust von Claudin-16 und andere einen kompletten Funktionsverlust bedingen. Patienten, deren Mutationen zu einem kompletten Funktionsverlust von Claudin-16 auf beiden Allelen führten, waren signifikant jünger bei Symptombeginn und zeigten eine deutlich schnellere Abnahme der Nierenfunktion. In 13 von 23 Familien des Kollektivs wird eine Hyperkalziurie und/oder Nephrolithiasis bei ansonsten gesunden Familienangehörigen beobachtet. Folglich scheinen heterozygote CLDN16-Mutationen eine Rolle bei hyperkalziurischer Nephrolithiasis zu spielen. Diese Beobachtung macht CLDN16 zu einem Kandidaten-Gen für familiäre Hyperkalziurie und familiären Formen von Urolithiasis