Preschool peer interactions and readiness to learn: Relationships between classroom peer play and learning behaviors and conduct.

Preschool children's competency in interacting with peers has been associated with long-term school success. Little is known, however, about how this competency relates to other learning readiness domains. The study used multivariate techniques to examine whether low-income preschool children's peer play interactions relate to learning behaviors and problem behaviors, and differ according to age and gender. Positive interactive play behavior was associated with active engagement in classroom learning activities, whereas disconnection in play related to inattention, passivity, and lack of motivation. Disruptive players evidenced conduct problems and hyperactivity in the classroom. Older children and girls demonstrated greater levels of peer play interaction, with older girls exhibiting the highest levels. Implications for future research and educational practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cytogenetic analysis in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

The potential use of numerical chromosomal abnormalities as predictive factors for the clinical behaviour of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) was investigated. The effects on survival and progression-free survival were measured in 91 patients with TCC treated by transurethral resection. The survival rate of patients having tumours with a diploid chromosomal modal number was significantly better than that of patients having tumours with a hyperdiploid chromosomal modal number. The survival rate of patients having TCC with diploid cells only was also significantly better than that of patients having TCC with both diploid and hyperdiploid cells. Progression-free survival was significantly higher in patients having TCC with a diploid modal number of chromosomes than in patients with a hyperdiploid modal number. Simultaneous evaluation of the modal chromosome number or chromosomal range, histological grade, category and mitotic index of the tumour, and the patient's age and sex as prognostic factors in multivariate analyses showed that the category of bladder carcinomas was the most important factor in predicting the survival rate. In patients with superficial tumours (category Ta and T1) the modal chromosome number was the most important factor in predicting survival. For progression-free survival, the modal chromosome number appeared to be the most important factor. It was concluded that the modal chromosome number in TCC was useful in predicting survival in patients with superficial tumours and in predicting progression-free survival in patients with tumours of all categories.     

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Wheat Starch II. Structure of Granules Modified by Alpha-Amylolysis – Preliminary report

Wheat starch granules were subjected to alpha-amylolysis after which they were examined in the Scanning electron microscope. Much variation exists among starch granules; thus conclusions based on the observation of the precise mode of α-amylase attack on a few individual granules may not be generally applicable. It has been found, however, that where a groove is present in a granule, α-amylase attack generally occurs here, complete penetration either occurring exclusively at this feature or accompanying penetration at apparently randomly located sites on the major surfaces. This preliminary investigation of starch granules attacked by amylase has provided new information which augments the results of studies by other microscopical methods. Observation of the detailed structure of the equatorial groove in modified granules is particularly relevant to a better understanding of this feature in starch granules.