Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Bo...Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden(XTBG)and the Institute of Zoology-revealed that the assassin bug Pahabengkakia piliceps weaponizes resin from stingless bee nests to trick its prey.展开更多
China, as a whole, is about to meet the Millennium Development Goals for reducing the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR), but the disparities between rural area and urban area still exists....China, as a whole, is about to meet the Millennium Development Goals for reducing the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR), but the disparities between rural area and urban area still exists. This study estimated the potential effectiveness of expanding coverage with high impact interventions using the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). It was found that gestational hypertension, antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, neonatal asphyxia, and neonatal childhood pneumonia and diarrhea are still the major killers of mothers and children in rural area in China. It was estimated that 30% of deaths among 0-59 month old children and 25% of maternal deaths in 2008 could be prevented in 2015 if primary health care intervention coverage expanded to a feasible level. The LiST death cause framework, compared to data from the Maternal and Child Mortality Surveillance System, represents 60%-80% of neonatal deaths, 40%-50% of deaths in 1-59 month old children and 40%-60% of maternal deaths in rural areas of western China.展开更多
It seems that a big problem in applying the WWW to education fields is that teachershave difficulty directly developing and managing a web-based intelligent CAL (Computer AidedLearning) system, because of the shortage...It seems that a big problem in applying the WWW to education fields is that teachershave difficulty directly developing and managing a web-based intelligent CAL (Computer AidedLearning) system, because of the shortage of funds and teachers who are skilled in both AI (ArtificialIntelligence) and computer information technologies. Focusing on solving the problems we havedeveloped a general-purpose tool called WWW-CALIST (WWW-based Computer Aided LearningIndividual-adaptive System Tool), which helps teachers build up a web-based individualized adaptivecomputer aided learning environment called 'test→search for information using an adaptivekowledge map→adaptive learning'. By using easy-to-use interfaces equipped with the tool, ateacher who knows only the HTML can develop and manage web-based individualized adaptive CAIsystems for various education domains.展开更多
Studies of causal understanding of tool relationships in captive chimpanzees have yielded disparate findings, particularly those reported by Povinelli ＆ colleagues （2000） for tool tasks by laboratory chimpanzees. T...Studies of causal understanding of tool relationships in captive chimpanzees have yielded disparate findings, particularly those reported by Povinelli ＆ colleagues （2000） for tool tasks by laboratory chimpanzees. The present set of experiments tested nine enculturated chimpanzees on three versions of a support task, as described by Povinelli （2000）, during which food re- wards were presented in different experimental configurations. In Experiment 1, stimulus pairs included a choice between a cloth with a reward on the upper right comer or with a second reward off the cloth, adjacent to a comer, with the second pair comprised of a cloth with food on the upper right comer, and a second cloth with the reward on the substrate, partially covered. All subjects were successful with both test conditions in Experiment 1. In a second study, the experimental choices included one of two possi- ble correct options, paired with one of three incorrect options, with the three incorrect choices all involving varying degrees of perceptual containment. All nine chimpanzees scored significantly above chance across all six conditions. In Experiment 3, four unique conditions were presented, combining one of two possible correct choices with one of two incorrect choices. Six of the subjects scored significantly above chance across the four conditions, and group performance on individual conditions was also significant. Superior performance was demonstrated by female subjects in Experiment 3, similar to sex differences in tool use previously reported for wild chimpanzees and some tool tasks in captive chimpanzees. The present results for Experiments 2 ＆ 3 were significantly differed from those reported by Povinelli et al. （2000） for laboratory-born, peer-reared chimpanzees. One contribution towards the dramatic differences between the two study populations may be the significant rearing and housing differences of the chimpanzee groups. One explanation is that under conditions of enculturation, rich social interactions with humans and conspecifics, as well as active exploration of artifacts, materials, and other aspects of their physical environment had a significant impact on the animals＇ ability to recognize the support relationships among the stimulus choices. Overall, the present findings provide strong support for the hypothesis that our chimpanzee subjects based their responses on an understanding of functional support which represented one facet of their folk physics repertoire [Current Zoology 57 （4）： 429-440, 2011].展开更多
In this note, we estimate the maximum amplitude for the Solar Cycle 25. We use the curvature technique presented for earlier cycles by Verdes and coworkers. We further extrapolate the location of the solar maximum num...In this note, we estimate the maximum amplitude for the Solar Cycle 25. We use the curvature technique presented for earlier cycles by Verdes and coworkers. We further extrapolate the location of the solar maximum number of Sunspots, of which the prediction made is about 115 in the year 2025 and identify the arrival to the minimum in the year 2031, forecasting the main characteristics for the current Solar Cycle 25 and list a short comparison with a few other predictions.展开更多
文摘Tool use-once considered rare in insects-has been documented in a crafty predator.Researchers from China Agricultural University,and two institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences-the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden(XTBG)and the Institute of Zoology-revealed that the assassin bug Pahabengkakia piliceps weaponizes resin from stingless bee nests to trick its prey.
基金supported jointly by WHO(CHN-12-MCN-005007)UNICEF(YH702H&N)Chinese Post-doctoral Foundation(2012M510295)
文摘China, as a whole, is about to meet the Millennium Development Goals for reducing the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR), but the disparities between rural area and urban area still exists. This study estimated the potential effectiveness of expanding coverage with high impact interventions using the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). It was found that gestational hypertension, antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, neonatal asphyxia, and neonatal childhood pneumonia and diarrhea are still the major killers of mothers and children in rural area in China. It was estimated that 30% of deaths among 0-59 month old children and 25% of maternal deaths in 2008 could be prevented in 2015 if primary health care intervention coverage expanded to a feasible level. The LiST death cause framework, compared to data from the Maternal and Child Mortality Surveillance System, represents 60%-80% of neonatal deaths, 40%-50% of deaths in 1-59 month old children and 40%-60% of maternal deaths in rural areas of western China.
文摘It seems that a big problem in applying the WWW to education fields is that teachershave difficulty directly developing and managing a web-based intelligent CAL (Computer AidedLearning) system, because of the shortage of funds and teachers who are skilled in both AI (ArtificialIntelligence) and computer information technologies. Focusing on solving the problems we havedeveloped a general-purpose tool called WWW-CALIST (WWW-based Computer Aided LearningIndividual-adaptive System Tool), which helps teachers build up a web-based individualized adaptivecomputer aided learning environment called 'test→search for information using an adaptivekowledge map→adaptive learning'. By using easy-to-use interfaces equipped with the tool, ateacher who knows only the HTML can develop and manage web-based individualized adaptive CAIsystems for various education domains.
文摘Studies of causal understanding of tool relationships in captive chimpanzees have yielded disparate findings, particularly those reported by Povinelli ＆ colleagues （2000） for tool tasks by laboratory chimpanzees. The present set of experiments tested nine enculturated chimpanzees on three versions of a support task, as described by Povinelli （2000）, during which food re- wards were presented in different experimental configurations. In Experiment 1, stimulus pairs included a choice between a cloth with a reward on the upper right comer or with a second reward off the cloth, adjacent to a comer, with the second pair comprised of a cloth with food on the upper right comer, and a second cloth with the reward on the substrate, partially covered. All subjects were successful with both test conditions in Experiment 1. In a second study, the experimental choices included one of two possi- ble correct options, paired with one of three incorrect options, with the three incorrect choices all involving varying degrees of perceptual containment. All nine chimpanzees scored significantly above chance across all six conditions. In Experiment 3, four unique conditions were presented, combining one of two possible correct choices with one of two incorrect choices. Six of the subjects scored significantly above chance across the four conditions, and group performance on individual conditions was also significant. Superior performance was demonstrated by female subjects in Experiment 3, similar to sex differences in tool use previously reported for wild chimpanzees and some tool tasks in captive chimpanzees. The present results for Experiments 2 ＆ 3 were significantly differed from those reported by Povinelli et al. （2000） for laboratory-born, peer-reared chimpanzees. One contribution towards the dramatic differences between the two study populations may be the significant rearing and housing differences of the chimpanzee groups. One explanation is that under conditions of enculturation, rich social interactions with humans and conspecifics, as well as active exploration of artifacts, materials, and other aspects of their physical environment had a significant impact on the animals＇ ability to recognize the support relationships among the stimulus choices. Overall, the present findings provide strong support for the hypothesis that our chimpanzee subjects based their responses on an understanding of functional support which represented one facet of their folk physics repertoire [Current Zoology 57 （4）： 429-440, 2011].
文摘In this note, we estimate the maximum amplitude for the Solar Cycle 25. We use the curvature technique presented for earlier cycles by Verdes and coworkers. We further extrapolate the location of the solar maximum number of Sunspots, of which the prediction made is about 115 in the year 2025 and identify the arrival to the minimum in the year 2031, forecasting the main characteristics for the current Solar Cycle 25 and list a short comparison with a few other predictions.
