Clozapine-induced seizures and EEG abnormalities in ambulatory psychiatric patients

Being motor nerves neurinomas originating from ocular nerves are very rare, unless associated with neurofibromatosis. Authors describe two cases of oculomotor nerve i.e. third nerve, Schwann cell tumours. One of them presented as a cavernous sinus mass in a middle aged lady while the other was a middle aged man with a large cisterno-cavernous tumour. Surgical approach is discussed and the relevant literature reviewed.     

Theta-cosolvent solutions for poly(vinyl chloride) by cloud point and osmotic pressure measurements

The possibility of utilizing cloud point titrations for obtaining theta-cosolvent compositions for PVC solutions was examined for a range of THF—nonsolvent systems. Hansen's^1–3 “radii of solubility spheres” were calculated for the various solvents and cosolvent solutions and compared with the observed solubility behavior. The application of theta-cosolvent solutions for simplifying the determination of the number-average molecular weight was also examined.     

Comparing alternate teaching styles to teach computing skills to girls in their English classes

Low female participation rates in computing are a current concern of the education sector. To address this problem an intervention was developed — computing skills were introduced to girls in their English classes using three different teaching styles: peer tutoring, cross-age tutoring and teacher instruction (control). The sample comprised 136 girls from Years 8 and 10 from a single-sex government school. A pre-test post-test quantitative design was used. To describe the students perspectives, qualitative data were collected from six focus groups conducted with 8–10 students — one from each of the six classes. It was predicted that cross-age tutoring would yield more positive effects than peer tutoring which, in turn, would yield more positive effects than traditional teacher instruction as assessed by achievement on class tasks and attitudes towards computing. The hypothesis was not supported by the quantitative analysis, however in the qualitative data cross-age tutoring was appraised more favourably than peer tutoring or teacher instruction. The latter was the least preferred condition due to: (1) inefficiency; (2) difficulty understanding teachers' explanations; and (3) lack of teacher knowledge. Problems with the implementation of the intervention identified in the focus groups were teacher differences, system failures, missed classes, lack of communication, and selection of computing activities. Practical suggestions were provided relevant to the introduction of cross-age tutoring and the use of computers within secondary level English classes.     

Promoting creative thinking through the use of ICT

Abstract A great deal has been written about the use of web-based technologies such as the Internet in promoting learning in education. In schools, research has focused primarily on social interaction and group work, student achievement levels and curriculum development. Very little study seems to have been brought to bear upon the promotion of creative thinking by the use of online technologies, and this paper attempts to contribute to this field of study. This paper reports on a pilot study which has investigated the creative impact of information and communication technology (ICT) in a rural primary school in South-west England. The school is unique because it provides a personal networked computer for each of its 41 Year 6 students (aged 10–11 years). A small group of students were interviewed about the learning activities they engaged in over the year, and this paper reports on initial findings with a special emphasis on creative working and thinking ( n  = 6). A model of creativity is presented with three discrete but related modes of activity — problem solving, creative cognition, and social interaction. The paper provides new findings about the nature of creativity in the context of computer based learning environments.     

The emergence of the technician engineer in electrical and electronic engineering

For many years Britain's electrical and electronic engineering industry had been perplexed over the ``technician problem': what acceptable title might be found for those senior engineering personnel to whom the generic term Technician was unacceptable, because of their training, experience and functions as engineers. This article surveys the current situation and traces the events leading to the setting up, in 1965, of the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Technician Engineers (IEETE), to meet the professional needs of the technician engineer. His distinct status is now firmly established: a responsible engineer in his own right, he has an identity, qualification and career of his own.     

Analyzing the follower–followee ratio to determine user characteristics and institutional participation differences among research universities on ResearchGate

This study aims to examine how the follower–followee ratio determines user characteristics on the academic social networking site ResearchGate (RG) and to examine institutional participation differences among research universities. It uses the follower–followee ratio as the categorization measure for grouping 87,083 RG users from 61 U.S. universities, in three research activity levels as determined by The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education (2016). As a result of analysis, individuals in the sample were further differentiated into three categories or user groups based on the follower–followee ratio: Information Source users (37.98%), Friend users (54.21%), and Information Seeker users (7.81%). These three user categories differ in overall scholarly reputation, popularity, and academic influence with a decrease from Information Source users to Information Seeker users. This study also reveals the current status of institutional participation in terms of activity level, and differences in user composition at three research activity levels. While the proportion of the Information Seeker users remains roughly the same across research activity levels, as the scholarly reputation of a university increases, there is an increase in the proportion of Friend users. The results help promote a deeper understanding of the follower–followee relationship among users on an academic social networking site, as well as the institutional user participation status. Future research should consider an international comparison between nations and disciplines. Application of this approach to other academic social networking sites would enhance general understanding of academic social networking sites and their users.     

EEG seizure anomalies following supramaximal intensities of cortical stimulation: Relationships with passive-avoidance retention in rats.

Applied 2, 10, 50, or 100 ma of electroshock directly to the cortices of 123 male Sprague-Dawley rats .1 or 60 sec following a single training trial. Retrograde amnesia (RA) was produced only at the 3 highest current levels, the gradients of RA being similar to those obtained with 100-ma transpinnate ECS (i.e., less than 1 min). Complete amnesia was produced only with 100-ma transcortical stimulation. Concomitant electrocorticographic records obtained under the various training conditions revealed that lack of amnesia was correlated with anomalies associated with the secondary afterdischarge component of the seizure pattern produced by electroshock. The data also indirectly support the suggestion of an interaction between arousal level during training and electrophysiological responsiveness to electroshock. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Evolution of the Intellectual Property Management Strategy of an Emerging Multinational: Learning the Purpose of Patenting and Scientific Publications

The transition from developing country technology firm to true multinational requires both an upgrading of the underlying capability base and an understanding of the purpose of IP management. Through a detailed case study of Sasol, a leading R&D firm from South Africa, this paper tracks the coevolution of IP management with technological advancement amid the constraints of the developing country context. Using interviews, annual reports, patent, and scientific publication data, this study suggests that the value of formal IP extends beyond appropriation of own capabilities. Importantly, patents and publications also serve to signal capabilities in an attempt to gain legitimacy among peers. Fundamentally, IP management involves a social process, where firms learn to manage the sharing of key capabilities—with the attendant competition/cooperation tension—to peers.      

A model of clinical endometritis in Holstein heifers using pathogenic Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes

Bacterial infection of the uterus causes clinical endometritis in 15 to 20% of postpartum dairy cows and reduces fertility, even after the resolution of disease. However, it is difficult to disentangle the mechanisms linking reduced fertility with endometritis because cows have multiple confounding postpartum conditions. The aim of the present experiment was to develop an in vivo model of clinical endometritis in Holstein heifers using pathogenic Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes. Estrous cycles of heifers were synchronized using a 5-d Co-Synch protocol, and subsequently received exogenous progesterone to elevate circulating progesterone at the time of uterine infusion. Endometrial scarification was performed before uterine infusion of live pathogenic Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes, or sterile vehicle. Effects of infusion were evaluated by measuring rectal temperature, plasma haptoglobin, hematology, grading pus in the vaginal mucus, quantifying 16S rRNA in vaginal mucus, and transrectal ultrasonography. Bacterial infusion increased the median vaginal mucus to grade 2 by d 3 postinfusion, and to grade 3 from d 4 to 6 postinfusion. Control heifers maintained a median vaginal mucus grade ≤1 from d 1 to 6. Transrectal ultrasound revealed the accumulation of echogenic fluid in the uterus of heifers following bacterial infusion, which was absent in control heifers. Total 16S rRNA in vaginal mucus was elevated in bacteria-infused heifers compared with control heifers at d 5. Rectal temperature was increased in bacteria-infused heifers. Plasma haptoglobin, general health, and appetite did not differ between groups. As indicated by increased vaginal mucus grade after bacterial infusion and absence of systemic signs of illness, this model successfully induced symptoms resembling clinical endometritis in virgin Holstein heifers. The model allows the isolation of effects of uterine disease on fertility from confounding factors that can occur during the postpartum period in dairy cows.     

Our flexible friend: The implications of individual differences for information technology teaching

In this article, we report the observed differential uptake and use of computer programs and activities of seven boys and girls of high, medium and low attainment in a classroom in the UK where over 40 children aged 10 and 11 have a networked PC on their desk all day and every day. We observed the detail of what happened in the small space between the pupil and the screen over the period of 1 year in the social and instructional context of the classroom. We found interesting individual differences superseding the expected variation based on gender and attainment. We suggest some possible ‘within child’ and external factors which may contribute to these differences and consider some of the implications for teaching and learning through ICT and the need for further research to investigate the nature of these differences.