A longitudinal study of disfluencies in the speech of normal preschool children

The process of differentially diagnosing a child who is experiencing temporary normal disfluency from one who is beginning to stutter could be made objective by the establishment of normative data on fluency development. To date, there are no standardized norms on the development of fluency in children. Current investigations have contributed greatly to expectations of certain types and amounts of disfluencies in preschool-age children. Most of the research, however, has focused on observing children at discrete age levels from 2- to 7-years-of-age. Only one longitudinal study to date has been reported. Additional longitudinal data of preschoolaged children would benefit the establishment of normative data. Observing the same children over time helps to expose the subtleties that could be missed when looking only at specific age levels. The present study sought to contribute to the investigation of normal childhood disfluency by comparing various types and amounts of disf luencies in 44- to 49-month-old-children to the results of the same group of children when they were 30- to 35-months-of-age

Twisted Alexander polynomials detect the unknot

The group of a nontrivial knot admits a finite permutation representation such that the corresponding twisted Alexander polynomial is not a unit.Comment: This is the version published by Algebraic & Geometric Topology on 14 November 200

Genome-wide association and high-resolution phenotyping link oryza sativa panicle traits to numerous trait-specific QTL clusters

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Rice panicle architecture is a key target of selection when breeding for yield and grain quality. However, panicle phenotypes are difficult to measure and susceptible to confounding during genetic mapping due to correlation with flowering and subpopulation structure. Here we quantify 49 panicle phenotypes in 242 tropical rice accessions with the imaging platform PANorama. Using flowering as a covariate, we conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS), detect numerous subpopulation-specific associations, and dissect multi-trait peaks using panicle phenotype covariates. Ten candidate genes in pathways known to regulate plant architecture fall under GWAS peaks, half of which overlap with quantitative trait loci identified in an experimental population. This is the first study to assess inflorescence phenotypes of field-grown material using a high-resolution phenotyping platform. Herein, we establish a panicle morphocline for domesticated rice, propose a genetic model underlying complex panicle traits, and demonstrate subtle links between panicle size and yield performance.Rice panicle architecture is a key target of selection when breeding for yield and grain quality. However, panicle phenotypes are difficult to measure and susceptible to confounding during genetic mapping due to correlation with flowering and subpopulatio710527FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)2011/03110-

Without Face-to-Face Limits: Using Online Modules to Expand Specialty Focused Residency EBM Instruction for the ACGME Milestone Project

Objective: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Milestone Project has created the need for specialty focused, developmentally tiered and competency based evidence-based medicine (EBM) instruction. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Health Sciences Library is extending current staff capacity for face-to-face sessions by creating online module templates that can be adapted to meet the specific needs of more residency programs. Method: Testing the effectiveness, quality and usability of the draft templates is part of the project development plan. The specialty focused EBM face-to-face instruction session of the Clinical Based Year (CBY) anesthesiology residents' Academic Medicine Rotation is the model for the online template. In order to be able to compare the validity of the online modules in comparison with face-to-face sessions, baseline data was gathered from a pre-test/post-test completed by the ten anesthesiology resident participants in the 2015 program. The pre-test/post-test included five knowledge questions and two self-perception questions. After the face-to-face session, the anesthesiology residents were asked to review the online module version of the instruction and answer a brief survey about ease of use and preferred learning mode. Results: Seven of ten residents increased their number of correct answers on the post-test. There were no perfect scores on the pre-test and five perfect scores on the post-test. Three of ten residents indicated a higher self-perceived comfort level for completing a PubMed EBM search. Two of ten residents had an increase level of agreement that their PubMed searching skills are sufficient. Seven of ten residents evaluated the online module and rated it as clearly organized and easy to understand and use. Four would prefer to learn and practice the EBM content in a group session with an instructor, two did not have a preference and one strongly preferred to learn online. Conclusion: Pre-test/post-test data confirmed face-to-face instruction had a positive impact on EBM knowledge and moderately improved self-perceived comfort with EBM searching. This baseline data will be used to compare with residents who only use the online format in the future. Positive feedback on ease of using the online module confirms that the template is functional. A more formal objective evaluation is planned. The variety of learning preferences within this small group indicates that face-to-face instruction is preferred by some, but that online modules will better meet the needs of others and appear to be an adequate way to expand our overall reach

The Grizzly, September 26, 1980

Equipment Stolen From New Ritter Center • Conversion Eases Skyrocketing Utility Costs • Dean\u27s Office Discloses Frat GPAs • New Windows for NMD • New Spanish Lecturers Interviewed • IF, USGA to Sponsor Fall Picnic • Anderson Addresses College Crowd At Phila. Rally • College Invaded By World Of Technology • Draft Registration Closely Examined • Campus Grounds Receive Face Lift • Hamilton Presents Astronomy Discoveries • Try-outs for Trial by Jury • Weekends at Ursinus • Harriers Place 2nd At Lafayette Invitational • Grizzly Football Handled By W. Maryland • Sports Profile: Craig Walck • Field Hockey Finishes Week Undefeated • Strong Hitting By Bear V-Ball Outdoes Moravian • Offense Sputters As Bears Lose • Kreiger Powers Heathenshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1041/thumbnail.jp

Domesticated horses differ in their behavioural and physiological responses to isolated and group housing

The predominant housing system used for domestic horses is individual stabling however, housing that limits social interaction and requires the horse to live in semi-isolation has been reported to be a concern for equine welfare. The aim of the current study was to compare behavioural and physiological responses of domestic horses in different types of housing design that provided varying levels of social contact. Horses (n = 16) were divided equally into four groups and exposed to each of four housing treatments for a period of five days per treatment in a randomized block design. The four housing treatments used were single housed no physical contact (SHNC), single housed semi contact (SHSC), paired housed full contact (PHFC) and group housed full contact (GHFC). During each housing treatment, adrenal activity was recorded using non-invasive faecal corticosterone metabolite analysis (fGC). Thermal images of the eye were captured and eye temperature assessed as a non-invasive measure of the stress response. Behavioural analysis of time budget was carried out and an ease of handling score was assigned to each horse in each treatment using video footage. SHNC horses had significantly higher (p = 0.01) concentrations of fGC and were significantly (p = 0.003) more difficult to handle compared to the other housing types. GHFC horses, although not significantly different, had numerically lower concentrations of fGC and were more compliant to handling when compared to all other housing treatments. Eye temperature was significantly (p = 0.0001) lower in the group housed treatment when compared to all other treatments. These results indicate that based on physiological and behavioural measures incorporating social contact into the housing design of domestic horses could improve the standard of domestic equine welfare

Preliminary physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for benzo[a]pyrene and dibenzo[def,p]chrysene in rodents

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants generated as byproducts of natural and anthropogenic combustion processes. Despite significant public health concern, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling efforts for PAHs have so far been limited to naphthalene, plus simpler PK models for pyrene, nitropyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The dearth of published models is due in part to the high lipophilicity, low volatility, and myriad metabolic pathways for PAHs, all of which present analytical and experimental challenges. Our research efforts have focused upon experimental approaches and initial development of PBPK models for the prototypic PAH, B[a]P, and the more potent, albeit less studied transplacental carcinogen, dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC). For both compounds, model compartments included arterial and venous blood, flow limited lung, liver, richly perfused and poorly perfused tissues, diffusion limited fat, and a two compartment theoretical gut (for oral exposures). Hepatic and pulmonary metabolism was described for both compounds, as were fractional binding in blood and fecal clearance. Partition coefficients for parent PAH along with their diol and tetraol metabolites were estimated using published algorithms and verified experimentally for the hydroxylated metabolites. The preliminary PBPK models were able to describe many, but not all, of the available data sets, comprising multiple routes of exposure (oral, intravenous) and nominal doses spanning several orders of magnitude. Supported by Award Number P42 ES016465 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Inc.Keywords: Metabolic activation, Gastrointestinal absorption, Cytochrome P450, Mouse skin, Benzo[a]Pyrene, Rat mammary gland, Ultimate carcinogens, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Tumor initiating activity, Partition coefficient

Hand2 delineates mesothelium progenitors and is reactivated in mesothelioma

The mesothelium lines body cavities and surrounds internal organs, widely contributing to homeostasis and regeneration. Mesothelium disruptions cause visceral anomalies and mesothelioma tumors. Nonetheless, the embryonic emergence of mesothelia remains incompletely understood. Here, we track mesothelial origins in the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) using zebrafish. Single-cell transcriptomics uncovers a post-gastrulation gene expression signature centered on hand2 in distinct LPM progenitor cells. We map mesothelial progenitors to lateral-most, hand2-expressing LPM and confirm conservation in mouse. Time-lapse imaging of zebrafish hand2 reporter embryos captures mesothelium formation including pericardium, visceral, and parietal peritoneum. We find primordial germ cells migrate with the forming mesothelium as ventral migration boundary. Functionally, hand2 loss disrupts mesothelium formation with reduced progenitor cells and perturbed migration. In mouse and human mesothelioma, we document expression of LPM-associated transcription factors including Hand2, suggesting re-initiation of a developmental program. Our data connects mesothelium development to Hand2, expanding our understanding of mesothelial pathologies

Hand2 delineates mesothelium progenitors and is reactivated in mesothelioma.

The mesothelium lines body cavities and surrounds internal organs, widely contributing to homeostasis and regeneration. Mesothelium disruptions cause visceral anomalies and mesothelioma tumors. Nonetheless, the embryonic emergence of mesothelia remains incompletely understood. Here, we track mesothelial origins in the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) using zebrafish. Single-cell transcriptomics uncovers a post-gastrulation gene expression signature centered on hand2 in distinct LPM progenitor cells. We map mesothelial progenitors to lateral-most, hand2-expressing LPM and confirm conservation in mouse. Time-lapse imaging of zebrafish hand2 reporter embryos captures mesothelium formation including pericardium, visceral, and parietal peritoneum. We find primordial germ cells migrate with the forming mesothelium as ventral migration boundary. Functionally, hand2 loss disrupts mesothelium formation with reduced progenitor cells and perturbed migration. In mouse and human mesothelioma, we document expression of LPM-associated transcription factors including Hand2, suggesting re-initiation of a developmental program. Our data connects mesothelium development to Hand2, expanding our understanding of mesothelial pathologies

Guidelines for Genome-Scale Analysis of Biological Rhythms

Genome biology approaches have made enormous contributions to our understanding of biological rhythms, particularly in identifying outputs of the clock, including RNAs, proteins, and metabolites, whose abundance oscillates throughout the day. These methods hold significant promise for future discovery, particularly when combined with computational modeling. However, genome-scale experiments are costly and laborious, yielding “big data” that are conceptually and statistically difficult to analyze. There is no obvious consensus regarding design or analysis. Here we discuss the relevant technical considerations to generate reproducible, statistically sound, and broadly useful genome-scale data. Rather than suggest a set of rigid rules, we aim to codify principles by which investigators, reviewers, and readers of the primary literature can evaluate the suitability of different experimental designs for measuring different aspects of biological rhythms. We introduce CircaInSilico, a web-based application for generating synthetic genome biology data to benchmark statistical methods for studying biological rhythms. Finally, we discuss several unmet analytical needs, including applications to clinical medicine, and suggest productive avenues to address them