Predictors of reading literacy for first and second language learners

In this study an attempt was made to construct a multi-factor model predicting the development of reading literacy in the upper grades of primary school in the Netherlands for subgroups of 729 first language (L1) learners and 93 second language (L2) learners. Following a longitudinal design, it was explored to what extent the variation in reading literacy development in L1 and L2 from grade 4 to grade 6 can be explained from children’s word decoding, language, mathematics and nonverbal reasoning skills, reading motivation and self confidence as well as their home reading resources. The results showed that L1 and L2 learners differed in reading literacy skills, language, mathematics, and reasoning skills. Structural equation modelling showed that the reading literacy development in both L1 and L2 learners could be explained from decoding, language, mathematics and reasoning skills, as well as their motivation and self-confidence. A striking difference was the fact that home reading resources had an impact on reading literacy in L1 learners but not in L2 learners

Ondansetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, improves cerebellar tremor.

It has been previously shown that ondansetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, can ameliorate vertigo in patients with acute brainstem disorders. A coincidental benefit was the improvement of cerebellar tremor in some patients with both vertigo and tremor. To further evaluate this effect, a placebo controlled, double blind, crossover study was conducted of a single dose of intravenous ondansetron in 20 patients with cerebellar tremor caused by multiple sclerosis, cerebellar degeneration, or drug toxicity. The principal outcome measures were the change in blind assessment of a writing task (spiral copying) and the timed completion of a nine hole peg test. Thirteen of 19 patients were deemed to have improved spiral copying after treatment with ondansetron when compared with baseline performance. One patient had a better response to the placebo compared with baseline performance (P = 0.00024). Patients completed the nine hole peg test in less time after ondansetron than after placebo (P = 0.08). Twelve patients thought that their tremor was functionally improved with the ondansetron treatment. None thought that the placebo gave improvement (P = 0.00098). The efficacy of orally administered ondansetron in tremor control is currently under study

Forebrain mapping of secretoneurin-like immunoreactivity and its colocalization with isotocin in the preoptic nucleus and pituitary gland of goldfish.

International audienceSecretoneurin, a 33-34 amino acid neuropeptide derived from the proteolytic processing of the secretogranin-II precursor protein, is reasonably well conserved in evolution. Goldfish secretoneurin shares >75% similarity overall with other vertebrate secretoneurin sequences. The secretoneurin peptide has numerous functions that include neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter release, and neuroendocrine regulation. A detailed description of the central distribution of secretoneurin immunoreactivity is only known for the rat. Using our polyclonal antibody against the central, conserved core of the secretoneurin peptide we studied the distribution of secretoneurin-like immunoreactivity in the goldfish brain. Secretoneurin immunoreactivity was found in the olfactory bulb, entopeduncular nucleus, preoptic nucleus, lateral part of the lateral tuberal nucleus, posterior periventricular nucleus, nucleus of the posterior recess, the nucleus of the saccus vasculosus, and nucleus isthmi. Secretoneurin-immunoreactive fibers were found in the dorsal part of the dorsal telencephalon, ventral and lateral parts of the ventral telencephalon, periventricular preoptic nucleus, pituitary, and the ventrocaudal aspect of the nucleus of the lateral recess. The most conspicuous secretoneurin immunoreactivity was found in the magnocellular and parvocellular cells of the preoptic nucleus that project to the pituitary. Double-labeling studies indicated coexpression with isotocin, the fish homolog of mammalian oxytocin. Clear colabeling for secretoneurin and isotocin in fibers terminating in the neurointermediate lobe suggests that secretoneurin maybe coreleased with isotocin. Previous work indicates that secretoneurin stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone from the goldfish anterior pituitary. Our findings further support a reproductive role for secretoneurin and related peptides, given the importance of oxytocin family peptides in reproductive behavior in vertebrates

Behavior of cr-coated m5 claddings during and after high temperature steam oxidationfrom 800c up to 1500c

International audienceOne-sided steam oxidation tests have been conducted at various temperatures between 1000 and 1500°C on several facilities on 12-15µm thick Cr-coated M5 claddings. Microstructural observations and micro-chemical analysis have been performed after oxidation and quenching. Some post-quenching ring compression tests have been also carried out to assess the residual strength/ductility of the Cr-coated materials oxidized at High Temperature (HT). It was confirmed that in the 1000-1300°C oxidation temperature range, the oxidation resistance of the coated materials was enhanced, with a significant additional "coping period" at HT before the material became macroscopically brittle during and/or after quenching. The study was then extended to steam oxidation temperatures higher than 1300°C (Design Extension Conditions). Those tests have confirmed that a eutectic reaction occurred between the zirconium-based substrate and the residual metallic Cr coating above 1300°C. For the DEC-type conditions applied, the tested Cr-coated clad segments did not fail upon the final water quenching while some uncoated reference segments did

On-going studies at CEA on chromium coated zirconium based nuclear fuel claddings for enhanced accident tolerant LWRS fuel

International audienceChromium coatings aiming to protect the current zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding materials from high temperature steam oxidation, especially in accidental conditions, are being developed at CEA in the framework of the French Nuclear Institute in partnership with AREVA and EDF. The present paper focuses on recent results obtained on chromium-coated cladding on Zircaloy-4 and substrate. A complementary paper is presented by AREVA. Typical as-fabricated microstructures of chromium coatings are illustrated. Preliminary autoclave oxidation tests at 415°C (steam, 100 bars) have been performed on both uncoated reference materials and on chromium coated Zircaloy-4 based samples, showing very encouraging results for the last generation of Cr coatings fabricated. Additionally, results obtained after High Temperature (HT) oxidation in steam are presented. It is shown that the chromium coatings developed so far may significantly improve the post-HT oxidation clad mechanical properties (i.e. ductility and strength) compared to conventional uncoated materials. As a consequence, the developed chromium coatings provide significant additional margins for loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) and, to some extent, for beyond LOCA conditions