Data analysis of the LPSP experiment on OSO-8

The first and statistically most reliable step in the data analysis - the computation of the vertical phase lag between photospheric and chromospheric oscillations - was completed. Unfortunately, the error associated with this calculated phase lag is so great that the result has no physical significance. Since the subsequent data analysis that was originally planned would have much larger associated errors, it was concluded that the data available is insufficient to allow any meaningful results to be derived. Accordingly, the project was terminated. The reasons for the failure of the data are discussed. There are two basic reasons for this failure; (1) the very low signal to noise ratio of the raw data, and (1) the small statistical sample that resulted from the very small number of usable orbits. The final phase of data analysis is described. Finally, some comments and recommendations of a general nature are made concerning this entire contract effort. It is hoped that at least some lessons can be learned from this particular Guest Investigator project, so that future Guest Investigator programs can be pursued more effectively, and with less risk

Investigating Potential Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Early identification and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improves outcomes, but specific evidence needed to individualize treatment recommendations is lacking. Biomarkers that could be routinely measured within the clinical setting could potentially transform clinical care for patients with ASD. This demonstration project employed collection of biomarker data during regular autism specialty clinical visits and explored the relationship of biomarkers with clinical ASD symptoms. Methods: Eighty-three children with ASD, aged 5-10 years, completed a multi-site feasibility study integrating the collection of biochemical (blood serotonin, urine melatonin sulfate excretion) and clinical (head circumference, dysmorphology exam, digit ratio, cognitive and behavioral function) biomarkers during routine ASD clinic visits. Parents completed a demographic survey and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community. Cognitive function was determined by record review. Data analysis utilized Wilcoxon two-sample tests and Spearman correlations. Results: Participants were 82% male, 63% White, 19% Hispanic, with a broad range of functioning. Group means indicated hyperserotonemia. In a single regression analysis adjusting for race and median household income, higher income was associated with higher levels of blood serotonin and urine melatonin sulfate excretion levels (p = 0.004 and p = 0.04, respectively). Melatonin correlated negatively with age (p = 0.048) and reported neurologic problems (p = 0.02). Dysmorphic status correlated with higher reported stereotyped behavior (p = 0.02) and inappropriate speech (p = 0.04). Conclusion: This demonstration project employed collection of multiple biomarkers, allowed for examination of associations between biochemical and clinical measures, and identified several findings that suggest direction for future studies. This clinical research model has promise for integrative biomarker research in individuals with complex, heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD

Nurses\u27 Alumnae Association Bulletin, June 1969

Alumnae President\u27s Message Officers and Chairmen Financial Report Progressive Changes at Jefferson School of Nursing Report Student Activities School of Practical Nursing Report Jefferson Expansion Report Clerk-Typist Report Committee Reports Resume of Alumnae Meetings Class News 1969 CLINIC Correspondence Notice

The Effect of Thermal Exposure on the Mechanical Properties of 2099-T6 Die Forgings, 2099-T83 Extrusions, 7075-T7651 Plate, 7085-T7452 Die Forgings, 7085-T7651 Plate, and 2397-T87 Plate Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum alloys 2099-T6 die forgings, 2099-T83 extrusions, 7075-T7651 plate, 7085-T7452 die forgings, 7085-T7651 plate, and 2397-T87 plate were thermally exposed at temperatures of 180 degrees C (350 degrees F), 230 degrees C (450 degrees F), and 290 degrees C (550 degrees F) for 0.1, 0.5, 2, 10, 100, and 1000 h. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of thermal exposure on the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of these alloys. The data shows that higher temperatures and longer exposure times generally resulted in decreased strength and hardness and increased percent elongation and electrical conductivity

The Role of Glutamate and GABA in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Pilot Results from a Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study

Objectives: To measure the levels of glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter; glutamine, a metabolite of glutamate; and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter; in a pilot study of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) findings in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Methods: The subjects were assessed with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test (RMET) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). 1H-MRS measures of the anterior cingulate cortex were conducted using a Philips 3.0 T scanner. Results: To date, we have completed the data analysis on 18 subjects, 8 with ASD and 10 healthy control (HC) subjects. There was no significant difference between the combined glutamate + glutamine concentrations as measured by 1H-MRS (ASD = 12.0 ± 0.9 IU, HC = 11.6 ± 0.8 IU, p = 0.37). However, there was a higher than average glutamine level in the ASD group compared to healthy controls (ASD = 2.4 ± 0.2 IU, HC = 1.9 ± 0.3 IU, p = 0.01). This was accompanied by a trend toward lower GABA/Cr levels in the ASD group (ASD = 0.073 ± 0.010, HC = 0.082 ± 0.010, p = 0.06). Glutamine levels in the ACC were correlated positively with deficits of social cognition across groups (higher SRS, lower RMET scores). Those with higher glutamine levels made more errors when identifying emotions in the RMET task (r(10) = -0.77, p = 0.009), and also had more clinically significant scores on the SRS (r(10) = 0.87, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our results present evidence that glutamine levels measured within the ACC region are higher for adolescent males with ASD than age-matched HC males, and signal that GABA levels may also be decreased in this region. These changes are correlated with deficits in social cognition

The Quiet-Sun Photosphere and Chromosphere

The overall structure and the fine structure of the solar photosphere outside active regions are largely understood, except possibly important roles of a turbulent near-surface dynamo at its bottom, internal gravity waves at its top, and small-scale vorticity. Classical 1D static radiation-escape modelling has been replaced by 3D time-dependent MHD simulations that come closer to reality. The solar chromosphere, in contrast, remains ill-understood although its pivotal role in coronal mass and energy loading makes it a principal research area. Its fine structure defines its overall structure, so that hard-to-observe and hard-to-model small-scale dynamical processes are the key to understanding. However, both chromospheric observation and chromospheric simulation presently mature towards the required sophistication. The open-field features seem of greater interest than the easier-to-see closed-field features.Comment: Accepted for special issue "Astrophysical Processes on the Sun" of Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. A, ed. C. Parnell. Note: clicking on the year in a citation opens the corresponding ADS abstract page in the browse

The Persistence and Functional Impact of English Language Difficulties Experienced by Children Learning English as an Additional Language and Monolingual Peers

Purpose This study explored whether a monolingual-normed English language battery could identify children with English as an additional language (EAL) who have persistent English language learning difficulties that affect functional academic attainment. Method Children with EAL (n = 43) and monolingual English-speaking children (n = 46) completed a comprehensive monolingual-normed English language battery in Year 1 (ages 5–6 years) and Year 3 (ages 7–8 years). Children with EAL and monolingual peers, who either met monolingual criteria for language impairment or typical development on the language battery in Year 1, were compared on language growth between Year 1 and Year 3 and on attainment in national curriculum assessments in Year 2 (ages 6–7 years). Results Children with EAL and monolingual peers who met monolingual criteria for language impairment in Year 1 continued to display comparably impaired overall language ability 2 years later in Year 3. Moreover, these groups displayed comparably low levels of academic attainment in Year 2, demonstrating comparable functional impact of their language difficulties. Conclusion Monolingual-normed language batteries in the majority language may have some practical value for identifying bilingual children who need support with language learning, regardless of the origin of their language difficulties

Chaotic wave functions and exponential convergence of low-lying energy eigenvalues

We suggest that low-lying eigenvalues of realistic quantum many-body hamiltonians, given, as in the nuclear shell model, by large matrices, can be calculated, instead of the full diagonalization, by the diagonalization of small truncated matrices with the exponential extrapolation of the results. We show numerical data confirming this conjecture. We argue that the exponential convergence in an appropriate basis may be a generic feature of complicated ("chaotic") systems where the wave functions are localized in this basis.Comment: 4 figure