bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of the intestinal sodium‐coupled glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) by extracts and polyphenols from apple reduces postprandial blood glucose levels in mice and humans
Authors: Schulze Christine , Bangert Adina , Kottra Gabor , Geillinger Kerstin Elisabeth , Schwanck Bettina , Vollert Henning , Blaschek Wolfgang , Daniel Hannelore
Published: July 2014

Scope

There is a growing interest in food constituents that could reduce intestinal glucose absorption to prevent overshooting plasma glucose and insulin levels in patients with prediabetes and diabetes mellitus type 2.

Methods and results

We here demonstrate that an extract and individual polyphenols from apple diminish sodium‐coupled glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) mediated glucose uptake in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of transport of sugars by SGLT1 was shown in Xenopus oocytes and in mice jejunal segments. Strongest inhibition was observed for phlorizin with IC50 values for transport inhibition of 0.46 ± 0.19 and 4.1 ± 0.6 μM in oocytes and intestinal segments, respectively. An oral glucose tolerance test performed in volunteers with prior administration of the apple extract reduced venous blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, similar to findings obtained in C57BL/6N mice. Analysis of human urine samples revealed that the extract increased modestly renal glucose loss that is most likely a result of inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption by phloretin derivatives found in plasma of the volunteers.

Conclusion

Although the apple extract substantially decreased intestinal glucose absorption in all test systems, the finding that there are systemic effects that relate to inhibition of glucose transport processes beyond the intestine addresses safety issues that need further exploitation.
IQuant: An automated pipeline for quantitative proteomics based upon isobaric tags
Authors: Wen Bo , Zhou Ruo , Feng Qiang , Wang Quanhui , Wang Jun , Liu Siqi
Published: July 2014

Quantitative proteomics technology based on isobaric tags is playing an important role in proteomic investigation. In this paper, we present an automated software, named IQuant, which integrates a postprocessing tool of protein identification and advanced statistical algorithms to process the MS/MS signals generated from the peptides labeled by isobaric tags and aims at proteomics quantification. The software of IQuant, which is freely downloaded at http://sourceforge.net/projects/iquant/, can run from a graphical user interface and a command‐line interface, and can work on both Windows and Linux systems.
Middle‐down hybrid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry workflow for characterization of combinatorial post‐translational modifications in histones
Authors: Sidoli Simone , Schwämmle Veit , Ruminowicz Chrystian , Hansen Thomas A. , Wu Xudong , Helin Kristian , Jensen Ole N.
Published: July 2014

We present an integrated middle‐down proteomics platform for sensitive mapping and quantification of coexisting PTMs in large polypeptides (5–7 kDa). We combined an RP trap column with subsequent weak cation exchange–hydrophilic interaction LC interfaced directly to high mass accuracy ESI MS/MS using electron transfer dissociation. This enabled automated and efficient separation and sequencing of hypermodified histone N‐terminal tails for unambiguous localization of combinatorial PTMs. We present Histone Coder and IsoScale software to extract, filter, and analyze MS/MS data, including quantification of cofragmenting isobaric polypeptide species. We characterized histone tails derived from murine embryonic stem cells knockout in suppressor of zeste12 (Suz12−/−) and quantified 256 combinatorial histone marks in histones H3, H4, and H2A. Furthermore, a total of 713 different combinatorial histone marks were identified in purified histone H3. We measured a seven‐fold reduction of H3K27me2/me3 (where me2 and me3 are dimethylation and trimethylation, respectively) in Suz12−/− cells and detected significant changes of the relative abundance of 16 other single PTMs of histone H3 and other combinatorial marks. We conclude that the inactivation of Suz12 is associated with changes in the abundance of not only H3K27 methylation but also multiple other PTMs in histone H3 tails.
Neuroethical issues in pharmacological cognitive enhancement
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed Dahir
Published: July 2014

Neuroethics is an emerging field that in general deals with the ethics of neuroscience and the neuroscience of ethics. In particular, it is concerned with the ethical issues in the translation of neuroscience to clinical practice and in the public domain. Numerous ethical issues arise when healthy individuals use pharmacological substances known as pharmacological cognitive enhancers (PCEs) for non‐medical purposes in order to boost higher‐order cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and executive functions. However, information regarding their actual use, benefits, and harms to healthy individuals is currently lacking. Neuroethical issues that arise from their use include the unknown side effects that are associated with these drugs, concerns about the modification of authenticity and personhood, and as a result of inequality of access to these drugs, the lack of distributive justice and competitive fairness that they may cause in society. Healthy individuals might be coerced by social institutions that force them to take these drugs to function better. These drugs might enable or hinder healthy individuals to gain better moral and self‐understanding and autonomy. However, how these drugs might achieve this still remains speculative and unknown. Hence, before concrete policy decisions are made, the cognitive effects of these drugs should be determined. The initiation of accurate surveys to determine the actual usage of these drugs by healthy individuals from different sections of the society is proposed. In addition, robust empirical research need to be conducted to delineate not only whether or not these drugs modify complex higher‐order cognitive processes but also how they might alter important human virtues such as empathy, moral reasoning, creativity, and motivation in healthy individuals. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:533–549. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1306

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction

Psychology > Memory

Neuroscience > Cognition
Probabilistic maximum‐value wind prediction for offshore environments
Authors: Staid Andrea , Pinson Pierre , Guikema Seth D.
Published: July 2014

High wind speeds can pose a great risk to structures and operations conducted in offshore environments. When forecasting wind speeds, most models focus on the average wind speeds over a given period, but this value alone represents only a small part of the true wind conditions. We present statistical models to predict the full distribution of the maximum‐value wind speeds in a 3 h interval. We take a detailed look at the performance of linear models, generalized additive models and multivariate adaptive regression splines models using meteorological covariates such as gust speed, wind speed, convective available potential energy, Charnock, mean sea‐level pressure and temperature, as given by the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts forecasts. The models are trained to predict the mean value of maximum wind speed, and the residuals from training the models are used to develop the full probabilistic distribution of maximum wind speed. Knowledge of the maximum wind speed for an offshore location within a given period can inform decision‐making regarding turbine operations, planned maintenance operations and power grid scheduling in order to improve safety and reliability, and probabilistic forecasts result in greater value to the end‐user. The models outperform traditional baseline forecast methods and achieve low predictive errors on the order of 1–2 m s−1. We show the results of their predictive accuracy for different lead times and different training methodologies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cell mechanics: principles, practices, and prospects
Authors: Moeendarbary Emad , Harris Andrew R.
Published: July 2014

Cells generate and sustain mechanical forces within their environment as part of their normal physiology. They are active materials that can detect mechanical stimulation by the activation of mechanosensitive signaling pathways, and respond to physical cues through cytoskeletal re‐organization and force generation. Genetic mutations and pathogens that disrupt the cytoskeletal architecture can result in changes to cell mechanical properties such as elasticity, adhesiveness, and viscosity. On the other hand, perturbations to the mechanical environment can affect cell behavior. These transformations are often a hallmark and symptom of a variety of pathologies. Consequently, there are now a myriad of experimental techniques and theoretical models adapted from soft matter physics and mechanical engineering to characterize cell mechanical properties. Interdisciplinary research combining modern molecular biology with advanced cell mechanical characterization techniques now paves the way for furthering our fundamental understanding of cell mechanics and its role in development, physiology, and disease. We describe a generalized outline for measuring cell mechanical properties including loading protocols, tools, and data interpretation. We summarize recent advances in the field and explain how cell biomechanics research can be adopted by physicists, engineers, biologists, and clinicians alike. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2014, 6:371–388. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1275

This article is categorized under:

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular Models

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organ, Tissue, and Physiological Models
Oxygen differentially affects the hox proteins Hoxb5 and Hoxa5 altering airway branching and lung vascular formation
Authors: Silfa‐Mazara Francheyska , Mujahid Sana , Thomas Courtney , Vong Thxuan , Larsson Ingrid , Nielsen Heber C. , Volpe MaryAnn V.
Published: July 2014

Hoxb5 and Hoxa5 transcription factor proteins uniquely impact lung morphogenesis at the developmental time point when extremely preterm infants are born. The effect of O2 exposure (0.4 FiO2) used in preterm infant care on these Hox proteins is unknown. We used ex vivo fetal mouse lung organ cultures to explore the effects of 0.4 FiO2 on lung airway and vascular formation in the context of Hoxb5 and Hoxa5 expression and regulation. Compared to room air, 48 h (h) 0.4 FiO2 adversely attenuated airway and microvasculature formation while reducing lung growth and epithelial cell volume, and increasing mesenchymal volume. 0.4 FiO2 decreased pro‐angiogenic Hoxb5 and VEGFR2 while not altering protein levels of angiostatic Hoxa5. Lungs returned to RA after 24 h 0.4FiO2 had partial structural recovery but remained smaller and less developed. Mesenchymal cell apoptosis increased and proliferation decreased with time in O2 while epithelial cell proliferation significantly increased. Hoxb5 overexpression led to prominent peri‐airway VEGFR2 expression and promoted lung vascular and airway patterning. Hoxa5 overexpression had the opposite effects. We conclude that 0.4 FiO2 exposure causes a profound loss of airway and lung microvascular development that occurs partially via reduction in pro‐angiogenic Hoxb5 while angiostatic Hoxa5 expression is maintained.
Medical students’ perception of dyad practice
Authors: Tolsgaard Martin G. , Rasmussen Maria B. , Bjørck Sebastian , Gustafsson Amandus , Ringsted Charlotte V.
Published: July 2014

Training in pairs (dyad practice) has been shown to improve efficiency of clinical skills training compared with single practice but little is known about students’ perception of dyad practice. The aim of this study was to explore the reactions and attitudes of medical students who were instructed to work in pairs during clinical skills training. A follow-up pilot survey consisting of four open-ended questions was administered to 24 fourth-year medical students, who completed four hours of dyad practice in managing patient encounters. The responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. The students felt dyad practice improved their self-efficacy through social interaction with peers, provided useful insight through observation, and contributed with shared memory of what to do, when they forgot essential steps of the physical examination of the patient. However, some students were concerned about decreased hands-on practice and many students preferred to continue practising alone after completing the initial training. Dyad practice is well received by students during initial skills training and is associated with several benefits to learning through peer observation, feedback and cognitive support. Whether dyad training is suited for more advanced learners is a subject for future research.
Governance Innovations and Citizens’ Trust in Local Government: Electoral Impacts in China's Townships
Authors: MA DEYONG , WANG ZHENGXU
Published: July 2014

We surveyed 2,221 rural residents in twenty towns across ten provinces in China. Structural equation models (SEM) found the quality of government, impartiality of institutions, and authoritarian values among citizens are the three main sources of citizens’ trust in local government. Among various types of recent institutional innovation and government reform, only a type that involves citizens in a formal electoral process, called ‘open nomination and direct election (ONDE)’, significantly improved trust in township-level government. Our models reveal that the movement of power to select local leaders from the hands of upper-level government to local residents erodes the influence of the so-called ‘traditional authority orientation’ among citizens, and enables them to assess trust level according to the competence of the government. Furthermore, elections reduce the trust-generating effect of institutional impartiality as citizens are enfranchised in the ‘input’ process of government, therefore emphasizing ‘outputs’ less.
Democracy, Trade Openness, and Agricultural Trade Policy in Southeast Asian Countries
Authors: LAIPRAKOBSUP THANAPAN
Published: July 2014

This paper examines the relation between trade, political openness, and agricultural trade policy in developing countries. It argues that trade openness and democracy contribute to lower taxes and control programs in the agricultural sectors. Examining the politics of agricultural trade policy in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, it was found that trade expansion and democratic regimes lead to fewer taxes and control programs imposed on agriculture. The results indicate that elected governments in industrializing countries are less likely to impose more tax and control programs on agriculture in order to encourage exports and in order to appeal to farmers, who are a major voting bloc in these countries.
Exploring functional contexts of symbiotic sustain within lichen-associated bacteria by comparative omics
Authors: Grube Martin , Cernava Tomislav , Soh Jung , Fuchs Stephan , Aschenbrenner Ines , Lassek Christian , Wegner Uwe , Becher Dörte , Riedel Katharina , Sensen Christoph W , Berg Gabriele
Published: July 2014

Symbioses represent a frequent and successful lifestyle on earth and lichens are one of their classic examples. Recently, bacterial communities were identified as stable, specific and structurally integrated partners of the lichen symbiosis, but their role has remained largely elusive in comparison to the well-known functions of the fungal and algal partners. We have explored the metabolic potentials of the microbiome using the lung lichen Lobaria pulmonaria as the model. Metagenomic and proteomic data were comparatively assessed and visualized by Voronoi treemaps. The study was complemented with molecular, microscopic and physiological assays. We have found that more than 800 bacterial species have the ability to contribute multiple aspects to the symbiotic system, including essential functions such as (i) nutrient supply, especially nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur, (ii) resistance against biotic stress factors (that is, pathogen defense), (iii) resistance against abiotic factors, (iv) support of photosynthesis by provision of vitamin B12, (v) fungal and algal growth support by provision of hormones, (vi) detoxification of metabolites, and (vii) degradation of older parts of the lichen thallus. Our findings showed the potential of lichen-associated bacteria to interact with the fungal as well as algal partner to support health, growth and fitness of their hosts. We developed a model of the symbiosis depicting the functional multi-player network of the participants, and argue that the strategy of functional diversification in lichens supports the longevity and persistence of lichens under extreme and changing ecological conditions.
Observation of a quantum Cheshire Cat in a matter-wave interferometer experiment
Authors: Denkmayr Tobias , Geppert Hermann , Sponar Stephan , Lemmel Hartmut , Matzkin Alexandre , Tollaksen Jeff , Hasegawa Yuji
Published: July 2014

From its very beginning, quantum theory has been revealing extraordinary and counter-intuitive phenomena, such as wave-particle duality, Schrödinger cats and quantum non-locality. Another paradoxical phenomenon found within the framework of quantum mechanics is the ‘quantum Cheshire Cat’: if a quantum system is subject to a certain pre- and postselection, it can behave as if a particle and its property are spatially separated. It has been suggested to employ weak measurements in order to explore the Cheshire Cat’s nature. Here we report an experiment in which we send neutrons through a perfect silicon crystal interferometer and perform weak measurements to probe the location of the particle and its magnetic moment. The experimental results suggest that the system behaves as if the neutrons go through one beam path, while their magnetic moment travels along the other.
Audience preferences are predicted by temporal reliability of neural processing
Authors: Dmochowski Jacek P. , Bezdek Matthew A. , Abelson Brian P. , Johnson John S. , Schumacher Eric H. , Parra Lucas C.
Published: July 2014

Naturalistic stimuli evoke highly reliable brain activity across viewers. Here we record neural activity from a group of naive individuals while viewing popular, previously-broadcast television content for which the broad audience response is characterized by social media activity and audience ratings. We find that the level of inter-subject correlation in the evoked encephalographic responses predicts the expressions of interest and preference among thousands. Surprisingly, ratings of the larger audience are predicted with greater accuracy than those of the individuals from whom the neural data is obtained. An additional functional magnetic resonance imaging study employing a separate sample of subjects shows that the level of neural reliability evoked by these stimuli covaries with the amount of blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) activation in higher-order visual and auditory regions. Our findings suggest that stimuli which we judge favourably may be those to which our brains respond in a stereotypical manner shared by our peers.
A self-adaptive method for creating high efficiency communication channels through random scattering media
Authors: Hao Xiang , Martin-Rouault Laure , Cui Meng
Published: July 2014

Controlling the propagation of electromagnetic waves is important to a broad range of applications. Recent advances in controlling wave propagation in random scattering media have enabled optical focusing and imaging inside random scattering media. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a new method to deliver optical power more efficiently through scattering media. Drastically different from the random matrix characterization approach, our method can rapidly establish high efficiency communication channels using just a few measurements, regardless of the number of optical modes and provides a practical and robust solution to boost the signal levels in optical or short wave communications. We experimentally demonstrated analog and digital signal transmission through highly scattering media with greatly improved performance. Besides scattering, our method can also reduce the loss of signal due to absorption. Experimentally, we observed that our method forced light to go around absorbers, leading to even higher signal improvement than in the case of purely scattering media. Interestingly, the resulting signal improvement is highly directional, which provides a new means against eavesdropping.
From stereodynamics to high-throughput screening of catalysed reactions
Authors: Stockinger Skrollan , Gmeiner Julia , Zawatzky Kerstin , Troendlin Johannes , Trapp Oliver
Published: July 2014

In this review we summarised recent developments in high-throughput kinetic monitoring of reactions including the dynamics of interconverting stereoisomers and the simultaneous combination of (catalysed) reactions with chemical analysis in on-column reaction chromatographic devices.
Carbene based photochemical molecular assemblies for solar driven hydrogen generation
Authors: Peuntinger Katrin , Pilz T. David , Staehle Robert , Schaub Markus , Kaufhold Simon , Petermann Lydia , Wunderlin Markus , Görls Helmar , Heinemann Frank W. , Li Jing , Drewello Thomas , Vos Johannes G. , Guldi Dirk M. , Rau Sven
Published: July 2014

Novel binuclear photocatalysts with bridging ligands on NHC basis have been synthesized, characterized and applied as photocatalysts.
A 13C-NMR study of azacryptand complexes
Authors: Wild Aljoscha A. C. , Fennell Kevin , Morgan Grace G. , Hewage Chandralal M. , Malthouse J. Paul G.
Published: July 2014

Two complexes are formed when the azacryptand R3Bm binds a metal and carbonate. These complexes interchange slowly when the metal is cadmium but rapidly when the metal is zinc.
Lattice defects and thermoelectric properties: the case of p-type CuInTe2 chalcopyrite on introduction of zinc
Authors: Yang Jiangfeng , Chen Shaoping , Du Zhengliang , Liu Xianglian , Cui Jiaolin
Published: July 2014

Multiple defects identified in Zn-substituted CuInTe2 are responsible for a reduced difference between d(In–Te)4b and d(Cu–Te)4a and an improvement in the thermoelectric performance.
Metabonomic analysis of the therapeutic effect of Potentilla discolor in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Li Yi , Li Jing-jing , Wen Xiao-dong , Pan Rong , He Yi-sheng , Yang Jie
Published: July 2014

A plasma metabonomic approach was applied to investigate the effects ofP. discolorand corosolic acid.
HIF-1 promotes the expression of its α-subunit via an epigenetically regulated transactivation loop
Authors: Asby D. J. , Cuda F. , Hoakwie F. , Miranda E. , Tavassoli A.
Published: July 2014

A HIF-1 protein–protein interaction inhibitor is used to establish the presence of a HIF-1α transactivation loop in hypoxia.
Designer stabilizer for preparation of pristine graphene/polysiloxane films and networks
Authors: Parviz Dorsa , Yu Ziniu , Hedden Ronald C. , Green Micah J.
Published: July 2014

Structure of graphene non-covalently stabilized by PDMS-pyrene polymers.
Controlled transport of DNA through a Y-shaped carbon nanotube in a solid membrane
Authors: Luan Binquan , Zhou Bo , Huynh Tien , Zhou Ruhong
Published: July 2014

We investigate the possible ratcheting dynamics of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) driven through a Y-shaped carbon nanotube (Y-CNT) in a solid membrane, using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation.
Hierarchical porous carbon aerogel derived from bagasse for high performance supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Hao Pin , Zhao Zhenhuan , Tian Jian , Li Haidong , Sang Yuanhua , Yu Guangwei , Cai Huaqiang , Liu Hong , Wong C. P. , Umar Ahmad
Published: July 2014

A facile method to prepare hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) aerogels using bagasse is proposed. The HPC aerogels exhibited high supercapacitive performance with excellent capacitance retention of about 93.9% over 5000 cycles.
Total synthesis of macrodiolide ionophores aplasmomycin A and boromycin via double ring contraction
Authors: Avery Mitchell A. , Choudhry Satish C. , Dhingra Om Prakash , Gray Brian D. , Kang Myung-chol , Kuo Shen-chun , Vedananda Thalathani R. , White James D. , Whittle Alan J.
Published: July 2014

Aplasmomycin A was synthesized by double ring contraction of a 34-membered dilactone; boromycin was synthesized using the same strategy.
Developing principles for predicting ionic liquid effects on reaction outcome. A demonstration using a simple condensation reaction
Authors: Keaveney Sinead T. , Schaffarczyk McHale Karin S. , Haines Ronald S. , Harper Jason B.
Published: July 2014

Predictions of the effects of the proportion and the components of an ionic liquid on the reaction rate are shown to correlate well with experimental results.
A convenient tandem one-pot synthesis of donor–acceptor-type triphenylene 2,3-dicarboxylic esters from diarylacetylene
Authors: Feng Chun , Tian Xian-Li , Zhou Jing , Xiang Shi-Kai , Yu Wen-Hao , Wang Bi-Qin , Hu Ping , Redshaw Carl , Zhao Ke-Qing
Published: July 2014

An efficient one-pot synthetic procedure was developed for the direct preparation of polysubstituted triphenylene 2,3-dicarboxylic esters via a tandem addition process from diarylacetylene.
Design and syntheses of novel fluorescent organosilicon-based chemosensors through click silylation: detection of biogenic amines
Authors: Singh Gurjaspreet , Mangat Satinderpal Singh , Sharma Hemant , Singh Jandeep , Arora Aanchal , Singh Pannu Ajay Pal , Singh Narinder
Published: July 2014

First report on the use of organosilicon-based chemosensors for the recognition of biogenic amines.
Two-reactor, continuous culture fermentation for fuel ethanol production from lignocellulosic acid hydrolysate using Zymomonas mobilis and Scheffersomyces stipitis
Authors: Chaudhary Gaurav , Ghosh Sanjoy
Published: July 2014

Multistage ethanol production from lignocellulosic acid hydrolysate using two different microorganisms in two reactors enhances the utilization of all sugars (pentose and hexose), with higher ethanol productivity.
Direct spun aligned carbon nanotube web-reinforced proton exchange membranes for fuel cells
Authors: Choi Jonghyun , Lee Chanmin , Hawkins Stephen C. , Huynh Chi P. , Park Jeongho , Jeon Yukwon , Truong Yen B. , Kyratzis Ilias L. , Shul Yong-Gun , Caruso Rachel A.
Published: July 2014

A composite membrane prepared by electrospinning SPEEK and direct spinning of CNTs is more robust than SPEEK alone and outperforms SPEEK and Nafion 212 membranes.
Self-assembly of flower-like γ-AlOOH and γ-Al2O3 with hierarchical nanoarchitectures and enhanced adsorption performance towards methyl orange
Authors: Xiao Jinchun , Ji Honghai , Shen Zhiqi , Yang Weiya , Guo Changyou , Wang Shaojun , Zhang Xiwen , Fu Rong , Ling Fengxiang
Published: July 2014

Facile fabrication of novel flower-like γ-Al2O3 with enhanced adsorption performance involving with contaminants.
A cyano and end-to-end azido bridged 3D copper(ii)–copper(i) mixed-valence coordination polymer and its transformation to copper nitride nanoparticles
Authors: Trivedi Manoj , Singh Gurmeet , Kumar Abhinav , Rath Nigam P.
Published: July 2014

Syntheses and characterization of a CN and end-to-end N3 bridged three-dimensional Cu(II)–Cu(I) mixed valence polymer (1), with Cu-N3 system without CN (2) and a CN-bridged Cu analogue without N3 (3) are reported and solid-state transformation of the 1 to copper nitride nanoparticles performed.
Access to 6-arylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines via a palladium-catalyzed direct C–H arylation reaction
Authors: Dodonova Jelena , Tumkevicius Sigitas
Published: July 2014

A route to 6-arylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines via a direct palladium-catalyzed C–H arylation reaction.
Precise pooling and dispensing of microfluidic droplets towards micro- to macro-world interfacing
Authors: Brouzes Eric , Carniol April , Bakowski Tomasz , Strey Helmut H.
Published: July 2014

We present the design of a microfluidic device that accurately and automatically pools and delivers a precise number of droplets. It will permit the interfacing of the microfluidic world to the macrofluidic world (e.g. microtiter plates) and will allow the seamless integration of droplet microfluidics into already developed robotic workflows.
Surface properties of α-MnO2: relevance to catalytic and supercapacitor behaviour
Authors: Tompsett David A. , Parker Stephen C. , Islam M. Saiful
Published: July 2014

First-principles methods demonstrate the presence of facile oxygen vacancy formation at surfaces of α-MnO2, important to its good catalytic activity.
High-performance SrNb0.1Co0.9−xFexO3−δperovskite cathodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Zhu Yinlong , Sunarso Jaka , Zhou Wei , Jiang Shanshan , Shao Zongping
Published: July 2014

A novel family of perovskites, SrNb0.1Co0.9−xFexO3−δ(SNCF, 0.1 ≤x≤ 0.5), shows not only high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity at operating temperatures below 600 °C (e.g.peak power density of 1587 mW cm−2at 600 °C) but also low thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) and improved CO2resistivity.
Erratum: Treatment of Developmental Apraxia of Speech: A Case Study
Authors: Rosenbek Jay , Hansen Rebecca , Baughman Carolyn H. , Lemme Margaret
Published: July 2014

The first reference in the article “Treatment of Developmental Apraxia of Speech: A Case Study,” by Jay Rosenbek, Rebecca Hansen, Carolyn H. Baughman, and Margaret Lemme (LSHSS, 5, 13–22, 1974), should have read as follows: Cumbie, C., Suspected developmental apraxia of speech. Master’s thesis, Vanderbilt Univ. (1972).
Teachers' Predictions of the Social Position and Speaking Competence of Stuttering Students
Authors: Woods C. Lee
Published: July 2014

Teachers' predictions of their students' judgments of the social position and speaking competence of stuttering boys in their classes were compared with the judgments made by the children. Teachers' predictions did not differ significantly from the children’s actual judgments, regardless of the grade level (third or sixth) or stuttering severity (mild or moderate and severe) of the stuttering boys. Reasons for unfavorable judgments by the children were usually similar to those mentioned by the teachers in their predictions. Several implications of these results for school personnel are discussed.
Language Intervention Strategies
Authors: Muma John R.
Published: July 2014

Comparisons are drawn between natural language learning and language intervention concerning content, sequencing, pacing, reinforcement, and context. The Lockean and Rousseauean philosophies of intervention as respective precursers of behaviorism and psychosociolinguistic orientations are compared. Six specific intervention strategies are presented in terms of basic principles, underlying assumptions, applications, and limitations. The six strategies are first-language learning, second-language learning, intermodality transfer, language rehabilitation, systematic extension of available repertoire, and spontaneous exploration and variation of available verbal repertoire.
Semantic and Contextual Components of Language: A Method of Control and Manipulation by the Clinician
Authors: Moore W. H. , Lang Mary K.
Published: July 2014

The use of motion pictures as stimuli in language intervention is described. This medium provides more realistic actor—action—acted upon grammatical relationships. It also enables clinicians to present semantic/contextual referents that can be temporally controlled.
The Speech-Language Pathologist—A Resource Consultant for Enhancing Standard English Competencies Among Inner-City Children
Authors: Baskervill Robert David
Published: July 2014

This article focuses on problems pertaining to the lack of mastery of Standard English among inner-city children. It discusses some of the traditional methods used by classroom teachers, possible alternatives which can be utilized for enhancement of Standard English skills, and specific goals for speech-language pathologists in working as resource consultants to classroom teachers.
Teacher Identification of Elementary School Children with Hearing Loss
Authors: Nodar Richard H.
Published: July 2014

The teachers of 2231 elementary school children were asked to identify those with known or suspected hearing problems. Following screening, the data were compared. Teachers identified 5% of the children as hearing-impaired, while screening identified only 3%. There was agreement between the two procedures on 1%. Subsequent to the teacher interviews, rescreening and tympanometry were conducted. These procedures indicated that teacher screening and tympanometry were in agreement on 2% of the total sample or 50% of the hearing-loss group. It was concluded that teachers could supplement audiometry, particularly when otoscopy and typanometry are not available.
Teaching Features
Authors: Weiner Frederick F. , Bankson Nicholas
Published: July 2014

An instructional procedure for teaching the stop-fricative contrast is presented. The procedure teaches awareness of the friction aspect of fricative rather than the contrast of using a minimal pair of sounds. It may be used as a model to teach any feature contrast. Successes and failures using the procedure are discussed.
Sex-Role Stereotypes in Speech and Language Tests
Authors: Rabe Mary Breslin , Matlin Margaret W.
Published: July 2014

Eight speech and language tests were examined to determine how males and females are represented in them. It was found that (1) females are underrepresented in pictures and in sentences, (2) both sexes engage in sex-stereotyped activities more frequently than they engage in neutral activities or activities characteristic of the opposite sex, (3) sex stereotyping is more marked for adults than for children, and (4) sex stereotyping is more marked for males than for females.
Impedance and Otoscopy Screening of Multiply Handicapped Children in School
Authors: Bruns Janet M. , Cram Janis T. , Rogers Gayle J.
Published: July 2014

Seventy-nine physically handicapped, mentally retarded school children were screened with impedance audiometry, followed by otoscopy performed by an otolaryngologist. These procedures provide a method for the identification of possible communicatively handicapping middle-ear abnormalities in a difficult-to-test school population. Results indicated that the presence of middle-ear abnormalities increased as the degree of retardation increased and age decreased. Furthermore, as the degree of physical involvement increased, the presence of suspected middle-ear pathology increased.
A Pragmatic Aspect of Language Sampling
Authors: Haynes William O. , Purcell Elizabeth , Haynes Maureen D.
Published: July 2014

This investigation studied language sampling with normal four- and six-year-old children in three conditions: (1) conversation; (2) picture description with the experimenter and child looking at the stimuli; and (3) picture description with the experimenter unable to view the stimuli with the child. The results show statistically significant differences in Developmental Sentence Score and MLU between the age groups and among the experimental conditions. They suggest that children of these ages are able to alter their linguistic behavior as a result of the listener’s perspective. Implications for language sampling and future research are discussed.
A Team Approach to a Language Based Beginning Reading Program
Authors: Neuman Karen Hostrup
Published: July 2014

This paper describes a beginning reading program planned and implemented by an interdisciplinary team. The program was designed to coordinate developmental language patterns and basic sight word vocabulary. It provides a model for planning other programs of this type.
Impedance Screening by the School Speech-Language Pathologist
Authors: Lucker Jay R. , Samsky Jay G.
Published: July 2014

The use of impedance audiometry by the school speech-language pathologist has been suggested by Navarro and Klodd (1978). This suggestion raises questions regarding the use of minimally trained speech-language pathologists in conducting an impedance screening program, obtaining the cooperation of the children during testing, and dealing with problems related to referral procedures. Answers to these questions are discussed, along with an account of a pilot otoadmittance screening program. Results of this program indicate that school speech-language pathologists are able to conduct an impedance screening program under the supervision of an audiologist.
Preliminary Validity and Reliability Data on the Wilson Voice Profile System
Authors: Moody Donna K. , Montague Jim , Bradley Bob
Published: July 2014

The validity and reliability of the Wilson Voice Profile System (WVPS) was assessed by using taped matched voice samples of groups of 20 previously evaluated voice disordered and 20 normal children. A group of 11 trained listener-judges evaluated these vocal samples.

The WVPS results for differentiating normal from abnormal voiced children were similar to those obtained by previous independent voice studies. This suggests voice-disorder identification validity in the WVPS.

Additional results indicated that the WVPS vocal parameters of severity, airloss, tension, and pitch, have high intra- and inter-judge reliability. The other vocal parameters indicated no significant reliability coefficients and were seldom marked by the listener-judges. Implications for evaluation of voice/resonance disorders are discussed.
Listening and Language Activities for Preschool Children
Authors: Lamberts Frances , Ericksen Nancy , Blickhan Janice , Hollister Sharon
Published: July 2014

Current theories of language and perceptual development stress the importance of auditory-skills training in curricula for young children. Informal practitioner-designed materials and activities for training of auditory attention and memory span, and basic language patterns are described which may be useful for colleague-teachers of preschool children.
A Speech and Language Clinician's Involvement in a PL 94-142 Public Hearing
Authors: Miller Sandra Q. , Miller J. Kenneth , Madison Charles L.
Published: July 2014

The issues in a recent public hearing involved whether or not a sixteen-year-old profoundly deaf boy was receiving an "appropriate educational program" and whether his placement was actually in the "least restrictive environment." The IEP written for him in September, 1977, was challenged by his parents from the time of their first conference with school personnel to the last conference held in the spring of 1978. The document was not accepted by the parents and the controversy led to due process under PL 94-142 in which the speech clinician gave testimony. The clinician's role in the hearing is discussed and recommendations are presented for others who may become involved in such cases.
An Investigation of Sex-Bias in Classroom Teachers' Speech and Language Referrals
Authors: Silverman Ellen Marie , Van Opens Katherine
Published: July 2014

Kindergarten through sixth grade classroom teachers in four school districts completed questionnaires designed to determine whether they would be more likely to refer a boy than a girl with an identical communication disorder. The teachers were found to be equally likely to refer a girl as a boy who presented a disorder of articulation, language, or voice, but they were more likely to refer a boy for speech-language remediation who presented the disorder of stuttering. The tendency for the teachers to allow the sex of a child to influence their likelihood of referral for stuttering remediation, to overlook a sizeable percentage of children with chronic voice disorders, and to be somewhat inaccurate generally in their referrals suggests that teacher referrals are best used as an adjunct to screening rather than as a primary procedure to locate children with communication disorders.
A Method for Assessing Use of Grammatical Structures in Language Disordered Children
Authors: Laila Khan Linda M. , James Sharon L.
Published: July 2014

This article describes a method for assessing children's production of certain grammatical structures, including noun and verb markers, pronouns, negative forms, and interrogative inversion. The method can be used for ongoing assessment in therapy and is designed for children whose mean-length-of-utterance falls between 2.0 and 5.0 morphemes. It incorporates information from both the normal language development literature and an individual child's performance to help the speech-language pathologist make remediation decisions for that child.
An Examination of Language Samples Obtained under Three Experimental Conditions
Authors: Stalnaker Louise D. , Creaghead Nancy A.
Published: July 2014

Language samples were obtained from 12 Head Start preschool children under the following three experimental conditions: Condition I, Retelling a Story with Toys; Condition II, Playing with Toys; Condition III, Toys with Questions. The quantity and quality of the three samples gathered from each child were compared by analyzing the total number of utterances, the proportion of the total utterances which were sentence fragments, the number of transformations and adverbial expansions, the number of different semantic relationships, and the mean length of utterance (MLU). Results indicated that retelling a story produced the largest MLU, but toys and questions produced more utterances. These findings indicated that questioning children does not inhibit their language and asking them to retell a story may be a fruitful approach to use when gathering a language sample.
Competency-Based Objectives for the Student Teaching Experience
Authors: Johnson Ann Randolph , Prudhomme Marie R. , Rogero Elaine A.
Published: July 2014

This article examines a competency-based objectives system for evaluating the student teaching experience. It is composed of 89 competencies which cover the broad range of knowledge, skill, and value objectives that a student is likely to experienced during student teaching. The competency-based form was field-tested using 34 student teachers and 30 supervising clinicians. Data were collected comparing the competency-based form to a traditional numerical rating form.
Language Test Content
Authors: Owens Robert E. , Haney Martha J. , Giesow Virginia E. , Dooley Lisa F. , Kelly Richard J.
Published: July 2014

This paper examines the test item content of several language assessment tools. A comparison of test breadth and depth is presented. The resultant information provides a diagnostic aid for school speech-language pathologists.
Parents' Perception of Diagnostic Reports and Conferences
Authors: Watson Betty U. , Thompson Ronald W.
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate parents' reactions and understanding of diagnostic information from written reports and conferences in a clinic which provides multidisciplinary evaluations for children with speech, learning, language, and hearing problems. Previous studies and anecdotal reports suggested that many parents do not receive appropriate diagnostic information about their children. In the present study questionnaires were mailed to parents who had received reports of evaluations and most of whom had attended hour-long conferences covering the findings. Questionnaires were also sent to professionals who had received reports. Fifty-seven percent of the parents, and 63% of the professionals returned the questionnaires. Ninety percent of the parents indicated that they had understood the results as they were presented in the conference. Ninety-three percent of the professionals and 89% of the parents stated they understood the conclusions of the written reports .Further, 83% of the parents and 80% of the professionals reported that the findings had made a change in the child's educational or medical treatment. The percentage of parents who reported understanding the findings was greater than expected. The specific informing techniques used in this study are discussed.
Manual Communication as an Alternative Mode of Language Instruction for Children with Severe Reading Disabilities
Authors: Blackburn Deborah Webb , Bonvillian John D. , Ashby Robert P.
Published: July 2014

The development of an effective program to teach reading skills to children with severe reading disabilities is an important area of concern for educators, parents, clinicians, and researchers. Current theory ascribes many reading difficulties to deficits in auditory-visual processing; children often have improved in their reading skills through a structured program of tactile-kinesthetic training. Recently, a few programs for children with severe reading disabilities have begun to include training in manual communication, using one of the sign languages of the deaf or the manual alphabet as the additional processing mode. Early results of these training programs have been encouraging, as some of the students exposed to manual communication training have shown impressive gains in reading and personal behavior. However, these findings are based on very preliminary results with limited populations, and systematic longitudinal studies have not yet been conducted. The present paper presents a critical review of these initial studies, plus the case report of two severely reading-disabled adolescent boys who were given reading instruction with the aid of fingerspelling and sign language. Over the 5-month training period, the two boys demonstrated considerable improvement in reading ability, although their progress probably should not be attributed solely to their manual communication training.
Performance of Normal-Hearing Children on the SSW Test, GFW Noise Subtest, and the GFW Memory for Sequence Subtest
Authors: Condon Marilyn
Published: July 2014

The investigation explored the usefulness of the Noise Subtest of the Test of uditory Discrimination (NS-GFW) and the Memory for Sequence subtest of the oldman-Fristoe Woodcock Auditory Skills Test Battery (MS-GFW) for initial ientification of central auditory function in normal children. Significant correlations were observed between the NS-GFW and the raw right competing score of the taggered Spondaic Word Test (SSW) and between the MS-GFW and the left ompeting conditions and total raw score of the SSW. The predictive value of the measures as screening instruments for central auditory function appeared, at best, limited.
Simple Switch Modifications for Use in Augmentative Communication
Authors: Casby Michael W.
Published: July 2014

Procedures for the construction of a switch assessment device and the adaptation of battery-operated toys are described. These devices and modifications have proven to be useful in assessment and intervention activities with nonspeaking persons.
Procedure for Maximizing Phonological Information from Single-Word Responses
Authors: Klein Harriet B.
Published: July 2014

Formal articulation test responses are often used by the busy clinician as a basis for planning intervention goals. This article describes a 6-step procedure for using efficiently the single-word responses elicited with an articulation test. This procedure involves the assessment of all consonants within a word rather than only test-target consonants. Responses are organized within a Model and Replica chart to yield information about an individual's (a) articulation ability, (b) frequency of target attainment, substitutions, and deletions, (c) variability in production, and (d) phonological processes. This procedure is recommended as a preliminary assessment measure. It is advised that more detailed analysis of continuous speech be undertaken in conjunction with early treatment sessions.