Development of Inattention and Executive Dysfunction in Youth with Spina Bifida: Condition Severity Variables as Predictors

Spina bifida (SB) is associated with neurologic impairments that increase individuals’ risk for neuropsychological deficits, particularly inattention and executive dysfunction. While extant literature has yet to examine the development of inattention in youth with SB, some research suggests that these youth may not experience the age-related improvements in executive dysfunction seen in the general population. SB is a heterogeneous condition; thus, it is important to consider variability in condition severity when examining outcomes over time in youth with SB. Lesion level and shunt status are commonly used as indicators of SB severity and have been significantly associated with variability in neurocognition and other condition-related outcomes. Shunt revisions, which are also common in these youth and represent additional neurological insult, have also been found to be associated with parent-reported inattention and executive dysfunction in some research. Existing literature highlights a need for additional research on inattention and executive dysfunction and their development across time in youth with SB, as well as careful consideration of condition severity factors, including number of shunt revisions. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the development of inattention and executive dysfunction in youth with SB and examine the relationship between condition severity variables (i.e., lesion level, shunt status, and number of shunt revisions) and inattention and executive dysfunction at age 11.5 years and over time in these youth. Participants included 140 youth with SB enrolled in a larger study, with data collected over five time points (Holmbeck & Devine, 2010). Medical history, including shunt status, number of lifetime shunt revisions, and lesion level, were collected via parent reports and medical chart review. Parents and teachers reported on youth’s inattention and executive function using informant-based measures across the five time points. Parents and teachers reported linear decreases in inhibition and working memory problems over time and stability in planning/organizing problems. In contrast, the development of inattention and shifting problems varied by reporter. At age 11.5 years, shunt status predicted worse inattention and executive dysfunction according to parents and teachers, while number of shunt revisions predicted worse parent-reported working memory alone. Surprisingly, lesion level predicted better parent-reported inhibition problems at 11.5 years. Lastly, number of shunt revisions and lesion level predicted worse parent-reported inattention and inhibition over time, respectively. These findings suggest that inattention and executive dysfunction may significantly change over time in youth with SB, though this is dependent on context and reporter. This study also identified a relationship between condition severity variables and these cognitive constructs at age 11.5 years and over time. Early identification of deficits and implementation of interventions for youth with SB, particularly youth with increased condition severity, may result in better longitudinal outcomes. Results also contribute to the expanding literature on shunting practices and highlight the need for advancements in shunting techniques to improve surgical outcomes and, as a result, later neuropsychological functioning

Understanding Culturally Influenced Approaches to Creativity in an English for Art Purposes Program

“To lead, one must follow.” Lao-Tzu’s quote embodies the belief that many 1st-semester students at our institution hold regarding their approach to creativity. Whether working on an essay or an art project, many have a tendency to imitate a more skilled person’s work as a way of learning, improving, and building confidence. Conversely, it is not uncommon for their instructors to push them to generate original ideas and think outside of the box. These conflicting approaches and other opposing cultural tendencies can lead to a host of challenges for both instructors and our student artists, especially students from Confucian heritage cultures. This article shares observations of these challenges and suggestions for addressing them

Geothermometry and cathodoluminescence of quartz reveal crystallization histories of Katmai magmas

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2010"This study combines electron microprobe analysis of titanium and aluminum in quartz, cathodoluminescence imagery, and titanium-in-quartz geothermometry to constrain the growth histories of quartz grains from three magmatic rock suites of Katmai, Alaska: (1) high-silica rhyolite from the 1912 Novarupta lava dome; (2) the Mageik rhyolite sills, suggested as an analog for Novarupta's feeder; and (3) the Pinnacle Porphyry granodiorite, which has mingled field relations with the Mageik sills. Oscillatory zoning and constant titanium concentrations across Novarupta quartz phenocrysts suggest continuous growth at temperatures of ~800-850°C. Thin, aluminum-rich, high-cathodoluminescence intensity rims may represent rapid growth during magmatic ascent or dome emplacement. Euhedral matrix quartz of the Mageik sills has cores enriched in both titanium and aluminum, yielding minimum temperatures of ~900°C, and possibly representing rapid growth. Titanium-poor rims likely represent continued growth to subsolidus temperatures after emplacement of the sills. Quartz in the Pinnacle Porphyry show early crystallization at minimum temperatures of ~820-870°C, followed by partial resorption and continued growth at ~800-815°C. Magma mixing events, as evidenced by mafic enclaves, may be responsible for the dissolution, while ascent and uninterrupted crystallization to solidus may be responsible for resumed growth at lower temperatures"--Leaf iiiAlaska Volcano ObservatoryI. Quartz -- Quartz crystallization -- Trace elements in quartz -- Titanium and aluminum in quartz -- Titanium-in-quartz geothermometry -- Constraining TiO₂ activity -- Interpreting titanium-in-quartz geothermometry -- TitaniQ applied: an example from the Bishop Tuff -- Effect of pressure on Ti solubility in quartz -- II. Cathodoluminescence -- Background -- History of cathodoluminescence -- Causes of cathodoluminescence -- Cathodoluminescence instrumentation -- Optical CL microscope (cold cathode) -- EPMA/SEM-CL (hot cathode) -- The cathodoluminescence of quartz -- Quartz CL spectra -- Quartz CL intensity -- CL zoning in quartz -- III. Regional setting and rock units -- Regional setting -- Rock unit 1: Novarupta lava dome -- Rock unit 2: The west Mageik Lake sill complex -- Rock unit 3: The pinnacle porphyry granodiorite stock -- IV. Materials and methods -- Sample preparation -- Cathodoluminescence imaging -- EPMA analysis -- EPMA analysis of trace elements in quartz -- EPMA glass analysis of Novarupta samples -- V. Results -- Summary of results: CL imagery -- Summary of results: trace element data -- Summary of results: geothermometry -- Novarupta CL imagery and trace element data -- Novarupta geothermometry -- Mageik sill CL imagery and trace element data -- Mageik sill geothermometry -- Pinnacle porphyry CL imagery and trace element data -- Pinnacle porphyry geothermometry -- Error analysis -- VI. Discussion -- Novarupta -- Mageik sills -- Pinnacle porphyry -- Petrogenesis of Katmai's HSR -- The mageik sills: borne of the Pinnacle Porphyry mush? -- Katmai HSR magmas: borne of deep crystal mush? -- Growing quartz in Katmai rhyolites -- Quartz crystallization in the Aleutian arc -- Conclusions -- References

Further Correlations of Cell Metabolism and Resistance to Tuberculosis: Studies on Mononuclear Peritoneal Exudate Cells from Mice and Guinea Pigs

The metabolic activity of mononuclear exudate cells from mice of different strains, and from the guinea pig, have been compared to the rabbit with the aim of relating metabolic activity of these cells to resistance of these species to tuberculosis. The presence of mast cells in the peritoneal exudates of mice was thought to interfere with the dehydrogenation of certain substrates due to the release of histamine. Some experimental evidence presented by the authors seems to support this thesis

New York and Vermont Corn Silage Hybrid Trials

The corn silage hybrid evaluation program expanded to 77 hybrids in 2018. Hybrid evaluation at multiple environments helps in decision making and expands the reach of this type of data to more farmers. With this in mind Cornell, UVM, and seed companies collaborate to bring this robust evaluation. This year, hybrids were either entered into the 80-95 day relative maturity (RM) group (Early-Mid) and were tested at two locations in NY (n = 20; Hu-Lane Farm in Albion and the Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro) and one location in VT (n = 20; Borderview Farm in Alburgh) or were entered into the 96-110 day relative maturity group (Mid-Late) and were tested at two locations in NY (n = 57; Greenwood Farms in Madrid and the Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora) and one location in VT (n = 55; Borderview Farm in Alburgh). The average Growing Degree Days (GDD; 86-50°F system) from May through August for years 2005 to 2018 is 2053 GGD at Albion, 2039 at Willsboro, 1979 at Alburgh, 2078 at Aurora and 1953 at Madrid (Table 1a and 1b)

The Spin Temperature of Warm Interstellar H I

Collisional excitation of the 21cm HI hyperfine transition is not strong enough to thermalize it in warm neutral (``intercloud'') interstellar gas, which we show by simultaneously solving the equations of ionization and collisional equilibrium under typical conditions. Coupling of the 21cm excitation temperature and local gas motions may be established by the Ly-alpha radiation field, but only if strong Galactic Ly-alpha radiation permeates the gas in question. The Ly-alpha radiation tends to impart to the gas its own characteristic temperature, which is determined by the range of gas motions that occur on the spatial scale of the Ly-alpha scattering. In general, the calculation of H I spin temperatures is a more difficult and interesting problem than might have been expected, as is any interpretation of H I spin temperature measurements.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for A&

Concert recording 2013-11-16b

[Track 01]. Brushstrokes on a simple field / Jeff Payne ; edited by Jacob Lee -- [Track 02]. Song among hills ; [Track 03]. Mythos unbound ; [Track 04]. Sketches on an autumn day / Jeff Payne