The cerebellum and motor dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders

The cerebellum is densely interconnected with sensory-motor areas of the cerebral cortex, and in man, the great expansion of the association areas of cerebral cortex is also paralleled by an expansion of the lateral cerebellar hemispheres. It is therefore likely that these circuits contribute to non-motor cognitive functions, but this is still a controversial issue. One approach is to examine evidence from neuropsychiatric disorders of cerebellar involvement. In this review, we narrow this search to test whether there is evidence of motor dysfunction associated with neuropsychiatric disorders consistent with disruption of cerebellar motor function. While we do find such evidence, especially in autism, schizophrenia and dyslexia, we caution that the restricted set of motor symptoms does not suggest global cerebellar dysfunction. Moreover, these symptoms may also reflect involvement of other, extra-cerebellar circuits and detailed examination of specific sub groups of individuals within each disorder may help to relate such motor symptoms to cerebellar morphology

Drawing cartoon faces - a functional imaging study of the cognitive neuroscience of drawing

We report a functional imaging study of drawing cartoon faces. Normal, untrained participants were scanned while viewing simple black and white cartoon line-drawings of human faces, retaining them for a short memory interval, and then drawing them without vision of their hand or the paper. Specific encoding and retention of information about the faces was tested for by contrasting these two stages (with display of cartoon faces) against the exploration and retention of random dot stimuli. Drawing was contrasted between conditions in which only memory of a previously viewed face was available versus a condition in which both memory and simultaneous viewing of the cartoon was possible, and versus drawing of a new, previously unseen, face. We show that the encoding of cartoon faces powerfully activates the face sensitive areas of the lateral occipital cortex and the fusiform gyrus, but there is no significant activation in these areas during the retention interval. Activity in both areas was also high when drawing the displayed cartoons. Drawing from memory activates areas in posterior parietal cortex and frontal areas. This activity is consistent with the encoding and retention of the spatial information about the face to be drawn as a visuo-motor action plan, either representing a series of targets for ocular fixation or as spatial targets for the drawing actio

Productivity tradeoffs and synergies for grazing lands in central Queensland to generate carbon offsets

This paper reports research seeking to understand the economic implications for central Queensland graziers of participating in a carbon trading scheme and to measure the likely participation of graziers in an emissions trading scheme under various market design scenarios. An initial desktop study was undertaken to compare an enterprise which produced only cattle to one which produced cattle and sequestered carbon. The findings from this analysis were used to inform the design of an experimental auction to test alternative carbon trading scenarios. An experimental workshop was conducted at seven locations across central Queensland with a range of beef producers, extension officers and consultants. Participants were presented with a scenario in which they had the choice of maintaining current management practices against altering management practices to reduce beef production and enter into a carbon sequestration contract (CSC). They were asked at what price they would enter into a CSC and how that price and likelihood of participating would change under a range of alternative contract conditions. The results of the experimental auctions found significantly higher than breakeven prices for carbon would be required before landholders would offer land as a carbon offset. Participation rates were influenced by price and also the carbon contract rules. Five rule changes were trialled and all were found to have a significant impact on reducing participation and increasing required payment levels.Farm Management,

Evaluation of fasteners and fastener materials for space vehicles

Testing of fasteners, bolts, rivets, and fastener materials - high temperature alloy

Priority Registration for Student-Athletes at Western Oregon University

This thesis attempts to gain understanding of the unique position of student-athletes. Student-athletes across the country are often academically and athletically successful while facing unparalleled challenges. The goal is to inspire institutional change in the form of enacting priority registration for eligible student-athletes. Priority registration can be a way to limit some of the challenges and facilitate student-athlete success. After analyzing academic literature on college studentathlete challenges and options for support, there are clear gaps in literature on the effects of priority registration for student-athletes. WOU student-athletes, faculty, and staff provided feedback regarding their thoughts and opinions on priority registration for student-athletes. A proposal for implementing priority registration for WOU student-athletes before the Faculty Senate resulted in an endorsement from the committee and approval from the university president. Universities can facilitate student-athlete achievement through educating and raising awareness of student-athlete challenges, providing resources, and implementing strategies such as priority registration to help student-athletes

Development of innovative, quick-cook legume products: an investigation of the soaking, cooking and dehydration characteristics of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) and soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.)

The primary goal of this research was to create new alternatives to the legume products currently available to consumers, i.e. canned and dry beans. Chickpeas and soybeans are well established in the Irish consumer market and possess excellent nutritional quality, such as high protein, fibre and phytochemcial content, low cholesterol and low glycaemic index (G.I.), and therefore have potential for classification as functional foods. The first stage of the research culminated with the development of quick-cook chickpeas and soybeans that could be stored in the chill cabinet or freezer. Water intake and textural attributes during soaking were investigated. Using non-linear regression and analysis, asymptotic models were constructed to predict hydration characteristics as functions of soaking time, temperature and blanching pre-treatment. Optimal cooking treatment was estimated by investigating the effect of boiling and microwave processing on texture and sensory characteristics. Shelf life was estimated for pre-cooked samples under chilled, frozen and freeze-chill storage and it was shown that these products could be kept in chilled storage for up to two weeks and in frozen or freeze-chill storage for up to 12 months. In the second stage of research, shelf-stable, dehydrated, quick-cook chickpeas and soybeans were developed. The application of combined microwave-convective drying to pre-cooked chickpeas and soybeans was investigated on a pilot scale. Dehydration kinetics were fitted to an nth order asymptotic model, known as the Page model and rehydration kinetics were fitted to an asymptotic model. Water activity of soybeans and chickpeas was lowered during drying to a value of 0.35, so that the dehydrated products could potentially be stored at room temperature for up to 12 months

Healthy Body -- Healthy Mind

The author\u27s introduction to this issue of Focal Point, which focuses on the interrelationship of mind and body, and its impact for social work with youth