Morphological Variation, Karyology, and Systematic Relationships of \u3ci\u3eHeteromys gaumeri\u3c/i\u3e (Rodentia: Heteromyidae)

Morphological variation was assessed within and among populations of Heteromys gaumeri using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of external and cranial measurements. Although patterns and amount of nongeographic variation in H. gaumeri were similar to other heteromyines, geographic variation was relatively conservative. Mean values of most characters were statistically homogeneous among localities and spatially unpatterned. Consequently, no association was found between levels of within- and among-sample variation for individual characters (the Kluge-Kerfoot phenomenon ). Populations of H. gaumeri were chromosomally monomorphic. The lack of morphological and chromosomal variation in H. gaumeri contrasts sharply with patterns in other heteromyines. Heteromys gaumeri is morphologically and chromosomally distinct from the H. desmarestianus species group (to which it is currently assigned) and appears to share some primitive characters with Liomys (the sister group of Heteromys). We recommend that H. gaumeri be removed from the H. desmarestianus group. Spanish abstract: La variación morfológica intra e interpoblacional de Heteromys gaumeri fue evaluada usando análisis estadísticos univariados y multivariados de medidas externas y craneales. A pesar de que los patrones y cantidad de variación intrapoblacional en H. gaumeri fue similar a la de otros heterominos, la variación geográfica fue relativamente conservadora. Los valores promedio de la mayoría de los caracteres fueron estadisticamente homogeneos entre las localidades, sin mostrar ningún patrón de variación espacial. En conservencia, no se encontró asociación alguna entre los niveles de variación intra e interpoblacional para caracteres individuates ( fenómena Kluge-Kerfoot ), Las poblaciones de H. gaumeri fueron monomórficas cromosómicamente. La falta de variacion tanto morfológica como cronosómica en H. gaumeri contrasta marcadamente con los patrones encontrados anteriormente para otros heteróminos. Heteromys gaumeri es morfológica y cromosómicamente distinguible del grupo H. desmarestianus (al cual se asigna actualmente) y aparentemente comparte algunos caracteres primitives con Liomys (el grupo hermano de Heteromys). Nosotros recomendamos que se remueva a H. gaumeri del grupo H. desmarestianus. Portuguese abstract: Avalia-se a variação morfológica intra- e interpopulacional de Heteromys gaumeri, através de análises estatisticas uni- e multivariadas de medidas externas e craniais. Apesar dos padrões, e da quantidade de variação intrapopulacional em H. gaumeri serem similares aos de outros heteromídeos, a variação geográfica é relativamente conservadora. Os valores médios da maior parte dos caráteres examinados são estatìsticamente homogeneos entre as localidades, e não surgiu nenhum padrão de variações locais. Consequentemente, não foram encontradas assoçiacões entre os níveis de varaiações intra- e interpopulacionais para caráteres individuais (o “fenômeno Kluge-Kerfoot”). Populações de H. gaumeri mostraram-se cromossômicamente monomórficas. A falta de variação morfológica ou cromossômica em H. gaumeri é altamente contrastante aos padrões encontrados em outros heteromídeos. Heteromys gaumeri distinguese tanto morfológica quanto cromossômicamente do grupo H. desmarestianus, ao qual está atualmente designado, e aparentemente possue caráteres primitivos em comum com Liomys—grupo irmão de Heteromys. Recomendamos que H. gaumeri seja removido do grupo H. desmarestianus

Morphological Variation, Karyology, and Systematic Relationships of \u3ci\u3eHeteromys gaumeri\u3c/i\u3e (Rodentia: Heteromyidae)

Morphological variation was assessed within and among populations of Heteromys gaumeri using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of external and cranial measurements. Although patterns and amount of nongeographic variation in H. gaumeri were similar to other heteromyines, geographic variation was relatively conservative. Mean values of most characters were statistically homogeneous among localities and spatially unpatterned. Consequently, no association was found between levels of within- and among-sample variation for individual characters (the Kluge-Kerfoot phenomenon ). Populations of H. gaumeri were chromosomally monomorphic. The lack of morphological and chromosomal variation in H. gaumeri contrasts sharply with patterns in other heteromyines. Heteromys gaumeri is morphologically and chromosomally distinct from the H. desmarestianus species group (to which it is currently assigned) and appears to share some primitive characters with Liomys (the sister group of Heteromys). We recommend that H. gaumeri be removed from the H. desmarestianus group. Spanish abstract: La variación morfológica intra e interpoblacional de Heteromys gaumeri fue evaluada usando análisis estadísticos univariados y multivariados de medidas externas y craneales. A pesar de que los patrones y cantidad de variación intrapoblacional en H. gaumeri fue similar a la de otros heterominos, la variación geográfica fue relativamente conservadora. Los valores promedio de la mayoría de los caracteres fueron estadisticamente homogeneos entre las localidades, sin mostrar ningún patrón de variación espacial. En conservencia, no se encontró asociación alguna entre los niveles de variación intra e interpoblacional para caracteres individuates ( fenómena Kluge-Kerfoot ), Las poblaciones de H. gaumeri fueron monomórficas cromosómicamente. La falta de variacion tanto morfológica como cronosómica en H. gaumeri contrasta marcadamente con los patrones encontrados anteriormente para otros heteróminos. Heteromys gaumeri es morfológica y cromosómicamente distinguible del grupo H. desmarestianus (al cual se asigna actualmente) y aparentemente comparte algunos caracteres primitives con Liomys (el grupo hermano de Heteromys). Nosotros recomendamos que se remueva a H. gaumeri del grupo H. desmarestianus. Portuguese abstract: Avalia-se a variação morfológica intra- e interpopulacional de Heteromys gaumeri, através de análises estatisticas uni- e multivariadas de medidas externas e craniais. Apesar dos padrões, e da quantidade de variação intrapopulacional em H. gaumeri serem similares aos de outros heteromídeos, a variação geográfica é relativamente conservadora. Os valores médios da maior parte dos caráteres examinados são estatìsticamente homogeneos entre as localidades, e não surgiu nenhum padrão de variações locais. Consequentemente, não foram encontradas assoçiacões entre os níveis de varaiações intra- e interpopulacionais para caráteres individuais (o “fenômeno Kluge-Kerfoot”). Populações de H. gaumeri mostraram-se cromossômicamente monomórficas. A falta de variação morfológica ou cromossômica em H. gaumeri é altamente contrastante aos padrões encontrados em outros heteromídeos. Heteromys gaumeri distinguese tanto morfológica quanto cromossômicamente do grupo H. desmarestianus, ao qual está atualmente designado, e aparentemente possue caráteres primitivos em comum com Liomys—grupo irmão de Heteromys. Recomendamos que H. gaumeri seja removido do grupo H. desmarestianus

Development of adaptive communication skills in infants of blind parents.

A fundamental question about the development of communication behavior in early life is how infants acquire adaptive communication behavior that is well-suited to their individual social environment, and how the experience of parent-child communication affects this development. The current study investigated how infants develop communication skills when their parents are visually impaired and cannot see their infants' eye gaze. We analyzed 6-min video recordings of naturalistic interaction between 14 sighted infants of blind parents (SIBP) with (a) their blind parent, and (b) a sighted experimenter. Data coded from these interactions were compared with those from 28 age-matched sighted infants of sighted parents (controls). Each infant completed two visits, at 6-10 months and 12-16 months of age. Within each interaction sample, we coded the function (initiation or response) and form (face gaze, vocalization, or action) of each infant communication behavior. When interacting with their parents, SIBP made relatively more communicative responses than initiations, and used more face gaze and fewer actions to communicate, than did controls. When interacting with a sighted experimenter, by contrast, SIBP made slightly (but significantly) more communicative initiations than controls, but otherwise used similar forms of communication. The differential communication behavior by infants of blind versus sighted parents was already apparent by 6-10 months of age, and was specific to communication with the parent. These results highlight the flexibility in the early development of human communication behavior, which enables infants to optimize their communicative bids and methods to their unique social environment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).This work was supported by a UK Medical Research Council Career Development Award (G1100252), a UK Economic and Social Research Council Research Fellowship (RES-063-590 27-0207) and Wellcome/Birkbeck Institutional Strategic Support Fund to A.S., the BASIS funding consortium led by Autistica (http://www.basisnetwork.org), and a UK Medical Research Council Programme Grant (G0701484 and MR/K021389/1) to M.H.J. The work was affiliated to the BASIS network, which provided the testing protocol and the access to the control data

The importance of the eyes: communication skills in infants of blind parents

The effects of selectively different experience of eye contact and gaze behaviour on the early development of five sighted infants of blind parents were investigated. Infants were assessed longitudinally at 6–10, 12–15 and 24–47 months. Face scanning and gaze following were assessed using eye tracking. In addition, established measures of autistic-like behaviours and standardized tests of cognitive, motor and linguistic development, as well as observations of naturalistic parent–child interaction were collected. These data were compared with those obtained from a larger group of sighted infants of sighted parents. Infants with blind parents did not show an overall decrease in eye contact or gaze following when they observed sighted adults on video or in live interactions, nor did they show any autistic-like behaviours. However, they directed their own eye gaze somewhat less frequently towards their blind mothers and also showed improved performance in visual memory and attention at younger ages. Being reared with significantly reduced experience of eye contact and gaze behaviour does not preclude sighted infants from developing typical gaze processing and other social-communication skills. Indeed, the need to switch between different types of communication strategy may actually enhance other skills during development

Flight-Time Identification of a UH-60A Helicopter and Slung Load

This paper describes a flight test demonstration of a system for identification of the stability and handling qualities parameters of a helicopter-slung load configuration simultaneously with flight testing, and the results obtained.Tests were conducted with a UH-60A Black Hawk at speeds from hover to 80 kts. The principal test load was an instrumented 8 x 6 x 6 ft cargo container. The identification used frequency domain analysis in the frequency range to 2 Hz, and focussed on the longitudinal and lateral control axes since these are the axes most affected by the load pendulum modes in the frequency range of interest for handling qualities. Results were computed for stability margins, handling qualities parameters and load pendulum stability. The computations took an average of 4 minutes before clearing the aircraft to the next test point. Important reductions in handling qualities were computed in some cases, depending, on control axis and load-slung combination. A database, including load dynamics measurements, was accumulated for subsequent simulation development and validation

The Babelizer: language interoperability for model; coupling in the geosciences

The babelizer is a Python utility that generates code to import libraries from other languages into Python. Target libraries must expose a Basic Model Interface (BMI) (Hutton et al., 2020; Peckham et al., 2013) and be written in C, C++, or Fortran, although the babelizer is extendable, so other languages can be added in the future. The babelizer provides a streamlined mechanism for bringing scientific models into a common language where they can communicate with one another as components of an integrated model.</p

A Bright Submillimeter Source in the Bullet Cluster (1E0657--56) Field Detected with BLAST

We present the 250, 350, and 500 micron detection of bright submillimeter emission in the direction of the Bullet Cluster measured by the Balloon-borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST). The 500 micron centroid is coincident with an AzTEC 1.1 mm point-source detection at a position close to the peak lensing magnification produced by the cluster. However, the 250 micron and 350 micron centroids are elongated and shifted toward the south with a differential shift between bands that cannot be explained by pointing uncertainties. We therefore conclude that the BLAST detection is likely contaminated by emission from foreground galaxies associated with the Bullet Cluster. The submillimeter redshift estimate based on 250-1100 micron photometry at the position of the AzTEC source is z_phot = 2.9 (+0.6 -0.3), consistent with the infrared color redshift estimation of the most likely IRAC counterpart. These flux densities indicate an apparent far-infrared luminosity of L_FIR = 2E13 Lsun. When the amplification due to the gravitational lensing of the cluster is removed, the intrinsic far-infrared luminosity of the source is found to be L_FIR <= 10^12 Lsun, consistent with typical luminous infrared galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. Maps are available at http://blastexperiment.info

Face engagement during infancy predicts later face recognition ability in younger siblings of children with autism

Face recognition difficulties are frequently documented in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It has been hypothesized that these difficulties result from a reduced interest in faces early in life, leading to decreased cortical specialization and atypical development of the neural circuitry for face processing. However, a recent study by our lab demonstrated that infants at increased familial risk for ASD, irrespective of their diagnostic status at 3 years, exhibit a clear orienting response to faces. The present study was conducted as a follow-up on the same cohort to investigate how measures of early engagement with faces relate to face-processing abilities later in life. We also investigated whether face recognition difficulties are specifically related to an ASD diagnosis, or whether they are present at a higher rate in all those at familial risk. At 3 years we found a reduced ability to recognize unfamiliar faces in the high-risk group that was not specific to those children who received an ASD diagnosis, consistent with face recognition difficulties being an endophenotype of the disorder. Furthermore, we found that longer looking at faces at 7 months was associated with poorer performance on the face recognition task at 3 years in the high- risk group. These findings suggest that longer looking at faces in infants at risk for ASD might reflect early face-processing difficulties and predicts difficulties with recognizing faces later in life

Face engagement during infancy predicts later face recognition ability in younger siblings of children with autism

Face recognition difficulties are frequently documented in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It has been hypothesized that these difficulties result from a reduced interest in faces early in life, leading to decreased cortical specialization and atypical development of the neural circuitry for face processing. However, a recent study by our lab demonstrated that infants at increased familial risk for ASD, irrespective of their diagnostic status at 3 years, exhibit a clear orienting response to faces. The present study was conducted as a follow-up on the same cohort to investigate how measures of early engagement with faces relate to face-processing abilities later in life. We also investigated whether face recognition difficulties are specifically related to an ASD diagnosis, or whether they are present at a higher rate in all those at familial risk. At 3 years we found a reduced ability to recognize unfamiliar faces in the high-risk group that was not specific to those children who received an ASD diagnosis, consistent with face recognition difficulties being an endophenotype of the disorder. Furthermore, we found that longer looking at faces at 7 months was associated with poorer performance on the face recognition task at 3 years in the high- risk group. These findings suggest that longer looking at faces in infants at risk for ASD might reflect early face-processing difficulties and predicts difficulties with recognizing faces later in life