350 research outputs found
Memory, learning and language in autism spectrum disorder
Background and aims: The âdual-systemsâ model of language acquisition has been used by Ullman and colleagues to explain patterns of strength and weakness in the language of higher-functioning people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, intact declarative/explicit learning is argued to compensate for a deficit in non-declarative/implicit procedural learning, constituting an example of the so-called âsee-sawâ effect. Ullman and Pullman (2015) extended their argument concerning a see-saw effect on language in ASD to cover other perceived anomalies of behaviour, including impaired acquisition of social skills. The aim of this paper is to present a critique of Ullman and colleaguesâ claims, and to propose an alternative model of links between memory systems and language in ASD.
Main contribution: We argue that a 4-systems model of learning, in which intact semantic and procedural memory are used to compensate for weaknesses in episodic memory and perceptual learning, can better explain patterns of language ability across the autistic spectrum. We also argue that attempts to generalise the âimpaired implicit learning/spared declarative learningâ theory to other behaviours in ASD are unsustainable.
Conclusions: Clinically significant language impairments in ASD are under-researched, despite their impact on everyday functioning and quality of life. The relative paucity of research findings in this area lays it open to speculative interpretation which may be misleading.
Implications: More research is need into links between memory/learning systems and language impairments across the spectrum. Improved understanding should inform therapeutic intervention, and contribute to investigation of the causes of language impairment in ASD with potential implications for prevention
Evidence for long-term change in length, mass and migration phenology of anadromous spawners in French Atlantic salmon Salmo salar
Peer reviewed paper.
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bal, G., Montorio, L., Rivot, E., Prevost, E., Bagliniere, J.-L., & Nevoux, M. (2017). Evidence for long-term change in length, mass and migration phenology of anadromous spawners in French Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. Journal of Fish Biology, 90(6), 2375â2393. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13314 , which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13314. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.This study provides new data on Atlantic salmon Salmo salar lifeâhistory traits across France. Using a longâterm recreational angling database (1987â2013) covering 34 rivers in three regions (genetic units), a decline in individual length, mass and a delayed adult return to French rivers was reported. Temporal similarities in trait variations between regions may be attributed to common change in environmental conditions at sea. The relative rate of change in phenotypic traits was more pronounced in early maturing fish [1 seaâwinter (1SW) fish] than in late maturing fish (2SW fish). Such contrasted response within populations highlights the need to account for the diversity in life histories when exploring mechanisms of phenotypic change in S. salar. Such detailed lifeâhistory data on returning S. salar have not previously been reported from France. This study on French populations also contributes to reducing the gap in knowledge by providing further empirical evidence of a global pattern in S. salar across its distribution range. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that the observed changes in lifeâhistory traits are primarily associated with environmental changes in the North Atlantic Ocean. They also emphasize the presence of less important, but still significant contrasts between region and life history
Mesoscopic models for DNA stretching under force: new results and comparison to experiments
Single molecule experiments on B-DNA stretching have revealed one or two
structural transitions, when increasing the external force. They are
characterized by a sudden increase of DNA contour length and a decrease of the
bending rigidity. It has been proposed that the first transition, at forces of
60--80 pN, is a transition from B to S-DNA, viewed as a stretched duplex DNA,
while the second one, at stronger forces, is a strand peeling resulting in
single stranded DNAs (ssDNA), similar to thermal denaturation. But due to
experimental conditions these two transitions can overlap, for instance for
poly(dA-dT). We derive analytical formula using a coupled discrete worm like
chain-Ising model. Our model takes into account bending rigidity, discreteness
of the chain, linear and non-linear (for ssDNA) bond stretching. In the limit
of zero force, this model simplifies into a coupled model already developed by
us for studying thermal DNA melting, establishing a connexion with previous
fitting parameter values for denaturation profiles. We find that: (i) ssDNA is
fitted, using an analytical formula, over a nanoNewton range with only three
free parameters, the contour length, the bending modulus and the monomer size;
(ii) a surprisingly good fit on this force range is possible only by choosing a
monomer size of 0.2 nm, almost 4 times smaller than the ssDNA nucleobase
length; (iii) mesoscopic models are not able to fit B to ssDNA (or S to ss)
transitions; (iv) an analytical formula for fitting B to S transitions is
derived in the strong force approximation and for long DNAs, which is in
excellent agreement with exact transfer matrix calculations; (v) this formula
fits perfectly well poly(dG-dC) and -DNA force-extension curves with
consistent parameter values; (vi) a coherent picture, where S to ssDNA
transitions are much more sensitive to base-pair sequence than the B to S one,
emerges.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure
Analyse automatique des données scripturales prétraitées par des outils de visualization
RĂSUMĂ: Plusieurs mĂ©thodes pour analyser le processus d'Ă©criture ont Ă©tĂ© utilisĂ©s afin de comprendre les stratĂ©gies des scripteurs. L'outil principal pour analyser le processus d'Ă©criture est le fichier log, qui contient de façon exhaustive et dĂ©taillĂ©e l'ensemble des opĂ©rations effectuĂ©es par le scripteur lors de la rĂ©daction d'un texte. Les donnĂ©es qui y sont emmagasinĂ©es sont de quantitĂ© considĂ©rable et lorsqu'elles ne sont pas prĂ©alablement traitĂ©es, elles sont hostiles Ă ĂȘtre analysĂ©es par l'humain. Parmi les outils d'analyse utilisĂ©s, les reprĂ©sentations du processus d'Ă©criture permettent l'agrĂ©gation des donnĂ©es grĂące Ă un prĂ©-traitement. Les structures sous-jacentes des donnĂ©es ainsi reprĂ©sentĂ©es sont gĂ©nĂ©ralement plus propices Ă l'analyse que les donnĂ©es brutes. Cet article vise Ă dĂ©montrer diffĂ©rentes mĂ©thodes d'analyse automatique pouvant ĂȘtre appliquĂ©es Ă ces structures afin de trouver ou confirmer des structures et tendances Ă travers les donnĂ©es. ABSTRACT: Several methods to analyze the writing process were used in order to understand the strategies of the writers. The main tool to analyze the writing process is the log file which contains all the operations performed by the writer when writing a text, in a comprehensive and detailed way. The data stored in it is of considerable amount and when not previously treated, it is not made to be analyzed by humans. Among the analytical tools used, the representations of the writing process allow aggregation of data through a pre-treatment. The underlying data structures as shown by these tools are generally conducive to analyzing the raw data afterwards. This article aims to demonstrate various automatic analysis methods that can be applied to these structures to find or confirm the structures and trends through data
The impact of Stieltjes' work on continued fractions and orthogonal polynomials
Stieltjes' work on continued fractions and the orthogonal polynomials related
to continued fraction expansions is summarized and an attempt is made to
describe the influence of Stieltjes' ideas and work in research done after his
death, with an emphasis on the theory of orthogonal polynomials
Time-dependent integrity during storage of natural surface water samples for the trace analysis of pharmaceutical products, feminizing hormones and pesticides
Monitoring and analysis of trace contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides require the preservation of the samples before they can be quantified using the appropriate analytical methods. Our objective is to determine the sample shelf life to insure proper quantification of ultratrace contaminants. To this end, we tested the stability of a variety of pharmaceutical products including caffeine, natural steroids, and selected pesticides under refrigerated storage conditions. The analysis was performed using multi-residue methods using an on-line solid-phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) in the selected reaction monitoring mode. After 21 days of storage, no significant difference in the recoveries was observed compared to day 0 for pharmaceutical products, while for pesticides, significant losses occurred for DIA and simazine after 10 days (14% and 17% reduction respectively) and a statistically significant decrease in the recovery was noted for cyanazine (78% disappearance). However, the estrogen and progestogen steroids were unstable during storage. The disappearance rates obtained after 21 days of storage vary from 63 to 72% for the feminizing hormones. Overall, pharmaceuticals and pesticides seem to be stable for refrigerated storage for up to about 10 days (except cyanazine) and steroidal hormones can be quite sensitive to degradation and should not be stored for more than a few days
Deviation of eyes and head in acute cerebral stroke
BACKGROUND: It is a well-known phenomenon that some patients with acute left or right hemisphere stroke show a deviation of the eyes (Prévost's sign) and head to one side. Here we investigated whether both right- and left-sided brain lesions may cause this deviation. Moreover, we studied the relationship between this phenomenon and spatial neglect. In contrast to previous studies, we determined not only the discrete presence or absence of eye deviation with the naked eye through clinical inspection, but actually measured the extent of horizontal eye-in-head and head-on-trunk deviation. In further contrast, measurements were performed early after stroke onset (1.5 days on average). METHODS: Eye-in-head and head-on-trunk positions were measured at the bedside in 33 patients with acute unilateral left or right cerebral stroke consecutively admitted to our stroke unit. RESULTS: Each single patient with spatial neglect and right hemisphere lesion showed a marked deviation of the eyes and the head to the ipsilesional, right side. The average spontaneous gaze position in this group was 46° right, while it was close to the saggital body midline (0°) in the groups with acute left- or right-sided stroke but no spatial neglect as well as in healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: A marked horizontal eye and head deviation observed ~1.5 days post-stroke is not a symptom associated with acute cerebral lesions per se, nor is a general symptom of right hemisphere lesions, but rather is specific for stroke patients with spatial neglect. The evaluation of the patient's horizontal eye and head position thus could serve as a brief and easy way helping to diagnose spatial neglect, in addition to the traditional paper-and-pencil tests
Biribi: disciplining and punishing in the French empire
This article discusses the infamous Bataillons dâAfrique to which French former criminals were sent to complete their duty of military service. The âBat dâAfâ were created to prevent the young male bourgeoisie from having to mix with these âundesirablesâ and âreprobatesâ, and they were stationed well away from the mainland in Franceâs North African colonies. This article discusses themes such as discipline, punishment, torture, homosexuality, interracial power relations, and delinquent âculturesâ in this imperial context
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