The genetic aspects of developmental dyslexia.

Discusses evidence concerning genetic influences on developmental dyslexia, a disorder characterized by difficulty in learning to read despite adequate opportunity and intelligence. Research on familial incidence, concordance in twins, the influence of parental age at the child's birth, and the subtyping of dyslexics is summarized. It is concluded that there is strong evidence for the heritability of a subtype based on verbal/language deficiency, perhaps reflecting reversed cerebral asymmetry, for which a genetic marker has been found. It is uncertain whether this subtype is caused by left hemispheric impairment or immaturity. There is somewhat weaker evidence for the heritability of a subtype based on visual/spatial deficiencies and a mixed subtype. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Shape-preserving knot removal

Starting with a shape-preserving C¹ quadratic spline, we show how knots can be removed to produce a new spline which is within a specified tolerance of the original one, and which has the same shape properties. We give specific algorithms and some numerical examples, and also show how the method can be used to compute approximate best free-knot splines. Finally, we discuss how to handle noisy data, and develop an analogous knot removal algorithm for a monotonicity preserving surface method.     

Capillary electrophoresis frontal analysis for characterization of alphavbeta3 integrin binding interactions

The specific binding characteristics of alphavbeta3 integrins with an arginine-glycine-aspartic-acid (RGD) containing fluorescently labeled cyclic peptide is investigated with capillary electrophoresis-frontal analysis method. The new algorithm used to calculate the binding constants and binding stoichiometry was derived without the assumptions made in the commonly used Scatchard Plot method, thus enabling the determination of specific binding parameters in the presence of nonspecific binding. The alphavbeta3 integrin, a membrane protein, was studied in solution, without the need of immobilization or any other kind of modification. An RGD containing fluorescently labeled cyclic pentapeptide is used as the ligand with both specific and nonspecific binding characteristics, and an arginine-alanine-aspartic-acid (RAD) containing peptide is used as the control for nonspecific binding. While a typical specific binding isotherm has a shape of a rectangular hyperbola, a nonspecific binding isotherm is linear in the same ligand concentration region. A 1:2 specific binding stoichiometry was revealed with the second binding having a similar affinity compared to the first binding event.     

Pharmaceuticals, hormones and bisphenol A in untreated source and finished drinking water in Ontario, Canada--occurrence and treatment efficiency

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) conducted a survey in 2006 on emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) which included pharmaceuticals, hormones and bisphenol A (BPA). The survey collected 258 samples over a 16 month period from selected source waters and 17 drinking water systems (DWSs), and analyzed them for 48 EOCs using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) for the highest precision and accuracy of analytical data possible. 27 of the 48 target EOCs were detected in source water, finished drinking water, or both. DWSs using river and lake source water accounted for > 90% detections. Of the 27 EOCs found, we also reported the first detection of two antibiotics roxithromycin and enrofloxacin in environmental samples. The most frequently detected compounds (≥ 10%) in finished drinking water were carbamazepine (CBZ), gemfibrozil (GFB), ibuprofen (IBU), and BPA; with their concentrations accurately determined by using IDMS and calculated to be 4 to 10 times lower than those measured in the source water. Comparison of plant specific data allowed us to determine removal efficiency (RE) of these four most frequently detected compounds in Ontario DWSs. The RE of CBZ was determined to be from 71 to 93% for DWSs using granulated activated carbon (GAC); and was 75% for DWSs using GAC followed by ultraviolet irradiation (UV). The observed RE of GFB was between 44 and 55% in DWSs using GAC and increased to 82% when GAC was followed by UV. The use of GAC or GAC followed by UV provided an RE improvement of BPA from 80 to 99%. These detected concentration levels are well below the predicted no effect concentration or total allowable concentration reported in the literature. Additional targeted, site specific comparative research is required to fully assess the effectiveness of Ontario DWSs to remove particular compounds of concern.     

Good self-control moderates the effect of mass media on adolescent tobacco and alcohol use: Tests with studies of children and adolescents.

Objective: To investigate whether self-control moderates the effect of media influences on tobacco and alcohol use among youth and if so how this effect occurs. Design: In Study 1, a regional sample of 10-year olds (N = 290) was interviewed in households; attention to tobacco/alcohol advertising was assessed. In Study 2, a national sample of youth ages 10–14 years (N = 6,522) was surveyed by telephone; exposure to tobacco/alcohol use in movies was assessed. Good self-control was measured in both studies. Main Outcome Measures: Willingness to use substances and affiliation with peer substance users (Study 1); involvement in smoking or drinking (Study 2). Results: In Study 1, the effect of tobacco/alcohol advertising on predisposition for substance use was lower among persons scoring higher on good self-control. In Study 2, the effect of movie smoking/alcohol exposure on adolescent tobacco/alcohol use was lower, concurrently and prospectively, among persons scoring higher on good self-control. Moderation occurred primarily through reducing the effect of movie exposure on positive smoking/alcohol expectancies and the effect of expectancies on adolescent use; some evidence for moderation of social processes was also noted. Covariates in the analyses included demographics, sensation seeking, and IQ. Conclusion: Good self-control reduces the effect of adverse media influences on adolescent tobacco and alcohol use. Findings on the processes underlying this effect may be useful for media literacy and primary prevention programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ageing of polyethylene filled with a mineral filler

The thermo-oxidation resistance and weatherability of LDPE and HDPE compositions, containing up to 45 wt.% calcium carbonate, are investigated. The thermo-oxidation resistance is investigated by dynamic DTA and natural ageing is carried out in an exposure station in a seaside climate. The change in strength and colour after ageing is determined. The behaviours of filled and unfilled polymers are compared. Empirical equations are given, describing the change in the investigated parameters during natural ageing.     

Discovery misattribution: When solving is confused with remembering.

This study explored the discovery misattribution hypothesis, which posits that the experience of solving an insight problem can be confused with recognition. In Experiment 1, solutions to successfully solved anagrams were more likely to be judged as old on a recognition test than were solutions to unsolved anagrams regardless of whether they had been studied. Experiment 2 demonstrated that anagram solving can increase the proportion of "old" judgments relative to words presented outright. Experiment 3 revealed that under certain conditions, solving anagrams influences the proportion of "old" judgments to unrelated items immediately following the solved item. In Experiment 4, the effect of solving was reduced by the introduction of a delay between solving the anagrams and the recognition judgments. Finally, Experiments 5 and 6 demonstrated that anagram solving leads to an illusion of recollection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Space Variant Gradient Based Corner Detector for Sparse Omnidirectional Images

Omnidirectional cameras are useful in applications requiring rapid capture of image data representing the complete local environment. Feature detection from such image data is thus a prominent research issue. Transforming an omnidirectional image to a panoramic image may result in a sparse panoramic image with missing image data. Whilst image reconstruction techniques have been developed that enable the subsequent use of standard image processing algorithms, the development of image processing algorithms that can be applied directly to sparse image data has received less attention. We address the problem of corner point detection for sparse panoramic images by developing an algorithmic approach that can be applied directly to sparse unwarped omnidirectional images without the requirement of image reconstruction, and we illustrate the accurate performance of the algorithm through visual results and receiver operating characteristic curves.     

Evaluation of document location during computer use in terms of neck muscle activity and neck movement

This study evaluated the impact on neck movement and muscle activity of placing documents in three commonly used locations: in-line, flat desktop left of the keyboard and laterally placed level with the computer screen. Neck excursion during three standard head movements between the computer monitor and each document location and neck extensor and upper trapezius muscle activity during a 5 min typing task for each of the document locations was measured in 20 healthy participants. Results indicated that muscle activity and neck flexion were least when documents were placed laterally suggesting it may be the optimal location. The desktop option produced both the greatest neck movement and muscle activity in all muscle groups. The in-line document location required significantly more neck flexion but less lateral flexion and rotation than the laterally placed document. Evaluation of other holders is needed to guide decision making for this commonly used office equipment.     

Does early responsive parenting have a special importance for children's development or is consistency across early childhood necessary?

The role of early versus ongoing maternal responsiveness in predicting cognitive and social development was examined in home visits for mothers, full-term children (n?=?103), and medically low-risk (n?=?102) and high-risk (n?=?77) preterm children at 5 ages. There were 4 maternal clusters based on warm and contingent responsiveness behaviors observed early (at 6, 12, and 24 months) and late (at 3 and 4 years): high early, high late; high early, low late; low early, moderate late; and low early, low late. Children, especially preterm children, showed faster cognitive growth when mothers were consistently responsive. Social growth was similar in the consistently responsive (high-high) and the early-responsive inconsistent (high-low) clusters, but greater deceleration at 4 years among children with mothers in the inconsistent cluster refuted the notion of a unique role for early responsiveness. The importance of consistent responsiveness, defined by an affective-emotional construct, was evident even when a broader constellation of parenting behaviors was considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)