Study of NaLaS2 as an infrared window material

Powders of NaLaS₂ were synthesized and hot pressed into translucent discs about 95% dense whose hardness was 274 kg/mm² (Knoop). The transmission range of the compound is from approximately 0.45-20 μm. Though optically clear discs could not be produced with our equipment, the trend of our data indicates that increasing pressure promotes increased density and transparency. The cubic symmetry of NaLaS₂ was confirmed; a LiFeO₂-type structure is proposed.     

Language dysfunction in children with Rolandic epilepsy

Rolandic epilepsy is regarded as the classic example of benign focal epilepsy. However, neuropsychological deficits have been noted in affected children. As Rolandic discharges are mainly distributed over the centrotemporal region, specific interference with language function might be suspected. Therefore, we conducted a standardized neuropsychological assessment in children with Rolandic epilepsy which covered all important aspects of language processing. We measured intelligence Quotient, verbal memory, auditory discrimination, vocabulary, grammar and literacy in 20 children with an active Rolandic focus. Information about performance at school was obtained from teachers by means of a questionnaire. Patients with Rolandic epilepsy failed five of the twelve standardized language tests significantly more often than the normative population and consequently showed impairment of the following functions: reading, spelling, auditory verbal learning, auditory discrimination with background noise and expressive grammar. Thirteen of the 20 children showed language dysfunction with difficulties in two or more of the twelve standardized language tests. In eight of these 13 children the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient was within average range, indicating a specific language deficit. Language dysfunction was closely associated with learning difficulties at school. This study documents a consistent pattern of language dysfunction in children with Rolandic epilepsy which suggests interictal dysfunction of perisylvian language areas.     

Effects of hepatic denervation on the anorexic response to epinephrine, amphetamine, and lithium chloride: A behavioral identification of glucostatic afferents.

Ip injections of epinephrine (20, 40, 80, and 160 μg/kg) and amphetamine (.1, .2, and .4 mg/kg) were administered to 27 male Long-Evans hooded rats with various forms of hepatic denervation. Results suggest that the major component of hepatic metabolic afferent fibers travels from the liver, through the celiac ganglion, and into the esophageal vagal trunks where they ascend to the brain. The anorexic action of amphetamine appears to result from a centrally induced sympathetic action on the liver. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Generation adequacy and transmission interconnection in regional electricity markets

The power system capacity adequacy has public good features that cannot be entirely solved by electricity markets. Regulatory intervention is then necessary and established methods have been used to assess adequacy and help regulators to fix this market failure. In regional electricity markets, transmission interconnections play an important role in contributing to adequacy. However, the adequacy problem and related policy are typically considered at a national level. This paper presents a simple model to study how the interconnection capacity interacts with generation adequacy. First results indicate that increasing interconnection capacity between systems improves adequacy up to a certain level; further increases do not procure additional adequacy improvements. Furthermore, besides adequacy improvement, increasing transmission capacity under asymmetric adequacy criteria or national system characteristics could create several concerns about externalities. These results imply that regional coordination of national adequacy policies is essential to internalise adequacy of cross-border effects.