When feelings speak: How affective and proprioceptive cues change language abstraction

Cognitive tuning accounts argue that both affective feelings and bodily feelings induce changes in information processing (N. Schwarz & G. L. Clore, 1996). This article examines how these effects of feelings are reflected in language abstraction. On the basis of previous work showing that affective cues change language abstraction, we hypothesized that proprioceptive cues (i.e., bodily feelings) associated with global processing (arm flexion) should induce more abstract language use, compared with bodily feelings associated with analytic processing (arm extension). This prediction received support in a study in which participants performed a written self-description task either while pressing their nondominant hand under the table (arm flexion), or on top of the table (arm extension), or while keeping their arm relaxed (control). Implications for interpersonal communication are discussed. © 2003, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved

Clinical and Molecular-Genetic Studies in Esophageal Atresia

__Abstract__ Esophageal atresia (EA) and trachea-esophageal fistula (TEF) [MIM 189960] are severe developmental defects that aff ect one in 3,500 newborns. Slightly more boys are aff ected than girls. In The Netherlands, approximately 70 children are born annually with this congenital malformation. It is characterized by a lack of continuity of the upper gastro-intestinal tract that is oft en accompanied with a persistent connection, or fi stula, between the trachea and the esophagus (tracheo-esophageal fi stula). Five subtypes are described by the Gross classifi cati on (Figure 1A). Subtype C, with a blind-ending proximal pouch (atresia) and a distal TEF, occurs most frequently (86%), followed by the pure proximal atresia (subtype A; 7%). As is the case with other congenital malformati ons, EA/TEF occurs more in twins than in singletons, although usually only one twin is aff ected. Once a couple has one child with EA/TEF, the risk of having a second child with this anomaly goes up to 1%. Over 50% of infants with EA have additi onal anomalies, e.g. vertebral, gastro-intesti nal, urogenital, cardiovascular, renal or limb abnormalities. EA/TEF is the result of faulty septati on of the foregut. Other congenital anomalies of foregut-derived structures, such as tracheal agenesis, are also of interest. In tracheal agenesis the trachea is fully or partially absent. It occurs in one in every 50,000 births. Like EA/TEF, tracheal agenesis may be part of a complex of malformati ons, and associati ons with notably cardiovascular anomalies have been reported

Teacher and child perceptions of relationship quality and ethnic minority children's behavioral adjustment in upper elementary school: A cross-lagged approach

In this study, cross-lagged longitudinal modeling was used to examine associations between teacher-child relationship quality and children's behavioral adjustment in a sample of sixth grade ethnic minority children. In comparison to previous cross-lagged studies, children were older and cross-informant models were used. Both teachers (N = 12) and children (N = 226) reported on the relationship quality (Closeness, Conflict, and Dependency or Negative Expectations), and children's behavioral adjustment (Externalizing Problems, Internalizing Problems, and Prosocial Behavior) at the beginning and the end of the school year. Children's externalizing behavior at the beginning of the school year was consistently and positively associated with conflict at the end of the school year. Interestingly, dependency at time 1 was associated with children's behavioral adjustment at time 2, whereas for closeness and conflict associations were the other way around (i.e., children's behavior at time 1 was associated with teacher-child closeness and conflict at time 2). Taken together, our results seem to indicate that bidirectional associations between teacher-child relationships and behavioral adjustment apply to older, ethnic minority children as well

Vasopressin release is enhanced by the Hemocontrol biofeedback system and could contribute to better haemodynamic stability during haemodialysis

Haemodialysis with the Hemocontrol biofeedback system (HHD) is associated with improved haemodynamic stability compared with standard haemodialysis (HD) (SHD). Although the beneficial effect of HHD on haemodynamic stability is generally explained by its effect on blood volume, we questioned whether additional factors could play a role. Since HHD is associated with higher initial dialysate sodium concentrations and ultrafiltration (UF) rate, we studied whether the beneficial effect of HHD on haemodynamic stability may be explained by an increased release of the vasoconstrictor arginine vasopressin (AVP). Fifteen chronic dialysis patients underwent SHD and HHD in random order. All other treatment factors were identical and patients served as their own control. Plasma levels of AVP were measured pre-dialysis, at 30 and 60 min intra-dialysis and, next, hourly until completion of the dialysis session. Plasma AVP levels did not change significantly during SHD, whereas AVP levels rose significantly within 30 min after the start of HHD (P 0.01). AVP levels were significantly higher at 30 and 60 min of HHD in comparison with SHD (P 0.05). Dialysis hypotension occurred significantly less frequent during HHD than during SHD (P 0.05). HHD is associated with higher initial AVP levels compared with SHD. The enhanced release of the vasoconstrictor AVP with HHD could contribute to the lower frequency of dialysis hypotension by facilitating fluid removal during the first part of the dialysis session, permitting lower UF rates during the second half of the dialysis session

Age-dependent deamidation of αB-crystallin

AbstractBovine and human αB-crystallin undergo deamidation upon aging in the lens. In bovine αB-crystallin, the specific site of dearnidation has been identified by peptide mapping after tryptic digestion. Asn-146 was found to be subject to deamidation, whereas the only other asparagine residue, at position 78, is not affected. Asn-146 is flanked at the carboxylic side by a glyeyl residue. Yet, the rate of in vivo deamidation is low. In vitro studies reveal that the deamidation is accompanied by significant racemization, indicating that the deamidation proceeds via formation of a succinimide intermediate

Ontwikkeling van enkele mosselbanken in de Nederlandse Waddenzee; situatie 2010

In dit project wordt de lange termijnontwikkeling van mosselbanken, en de factoren die het al dan niet overleven van mosselbanken bepalen, onderzocht. Hiervoor worden door IMARES enkele individuele mosselbanken in detail bestudeerd. Drie mosselbanken worden sinds 1997 gevolgd, één sinds 1998, twee sinds 2002, één sinds 2003 en zeven mosselbanken worden sinds 2006 gevolgd. In deze rapportage wordt de ontwikkeling van deze veertien mosselbanken tot en met 2010 beschreven. De meeste mosselbanken uit het project bestaan inmiddels uit mosselen van meerdere jaarklassen. Uit de gegevens die gedurende de jaren zijn verzameld blijkt dat naarmate een mosselbank ouder wordt het percentage levende mosselen langzaam afneemt tot ongeveer 40%. De rest van het oppervlak van de mosselbank bestaat dan uit lege mosselschelpen, ingevangen schelpen van andere soorten, slakken, andere schelpdieren, pokken en macro-algen. De afname in levende mosselen op een mosselbank wordt voornamelijk veroorzaakt door stormen en predatie. Lokale, matige mosselbroedvallen op individuele mosselbanken kunnen de afnemende mosselpopulatie op de korte termijn in stand houden, maar af en toe optredende goede broedvallen zijn nodig voor lange termijnoverleving van een mosselbank. De laatste jaren zijn veel van de onderzochte mosselbanken bedekt geraakt met Japanse oesters. Toch zijn er tussen de oesters nog veel mosselen te vinden en kan gesproken worden van gemengde mosselbanken. De oesters in de mosselbanken lijken in sommige gevallen voor extra stevigheid te zorgen, hoewel er ook delen met oesters verdwijnen tijdens winterstormen

The in vivo phosphorylation sites of bovine αB-crystallin

AbstractPhosphate content determinations established that in αB-crystallin two phosphate groups can be present in vivo in bovine lenses. Comparison of tryptic digests of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated αB chains, revealed the location of the two phosphorylation sites in tryptic peptides T2 and T3. Thermolytic digestion and gas-phase sequencing demonstrated that Ser-19 and Ser-45 are the in vivo phosphorylation sites of bovine αB-crystallin. This pattern of phosphorylation differs from the previously reported in vitro obtained results