bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Rehabilitation Protects Against the Expansion of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Nakayama Atsuko , Morita Hiroyuki , Nagayama Masatoshi , Hoshina Katsuyuki , Uemura Yukari , Tomoike Hitonobu , Komuro Issei
Published: February 2018

Background

Virtually no reports on the effects of exercise in patients with a small abdominal aortic aneurysm (
AAA
) exist.

Methods and Results

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 1515 patients with a small
AAA
before surgery at 2 high‐volume hospitals in Tokyo, Japan, from April 2004 to September 2015. A carefully modified cardiac rehabilitation program without excessive blood pressure elevation during exercise was prescribed to 50 patients with an
AAA
. Using propensity score matching, mortality and clinical outcomes, including
AAA
expansion rate, were compared between 2 groups: rehabilitation group and nonrehabilitation group. The background characteristics of the rehabilitation group (n=49) and the nonrehabilitation group (n=163) were almost identical. The risk for
AAA
repair was much lower in the rehabilitation group after matching (before matching: hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.72;
P
=0.001; and after matching: hazard ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.50;
P
<0.001).
AAA
expansion rate was slower in the rehabilitation group (before matching: rehabilitation versus nonrehabilitation group, 2.3±3.7 versus 3.8±3.4 mm/y [
P
=0.008]; after matching: rehabilitation versus nonrehabilitation group, 2.1±3.0 versus 4.5±4.0 mm/y [
P
<0.001]). Elevation of blood pressure during exercise was positively correlated with
AAA
expansion rate after the rehabilitation program (
r
=0.569,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Cardiac rehabilitation protects against the expansion of small
AAA
s and mitigates the risk associated with
AAA
repair, possibly because of the decreased elevation of blood pressure during exercise.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
upload.umin.ac.jp
. Unique identifier:
UMIN
000028237.
Geographic Modeling to Quantify the Impact of Primary and Comprehensive Stroke Center Destination Policies
Authors: Mullen Michael T. , Pajerowski William , Messé Steven R. , Mechem C. Crawford , Jia Judy , Abboud Michael , David Guy , Carr Brendan G. , Band Roger
Published: February 2018

Background and Purpose—

We evaluated the impact of a primary stroke center (PSC) destination policy in a major metropolitan city and used geographic modeling to evaluate expected changes for a comprehensive stroke center policy.

Methods—

We identified suspected stroke emergency medical services encounters from 1/1/2004 to 12/31/2013 in Philadelphia, PA. Transport times were compared before and after initiation of a PSC destination policy on 10/3/2011. Geographic modeling estimated the impact of bypassing the closest hospital for the closest PSC and for the closest comprehensive stroke center.

Results—

There were 2 326 943 emergency medical services runs during the study period, of which 15 099 had a provider diagnosis of stroke. Bypassing the closest hospital for a PSC was common before the official policy and increased steadily over time. Geographic modeling suggested that bypassing the closest hospital in favor of the closest PSC adds a median of 3.1 minutes to transport time. Bypassing to the closest comprehensive stroke center would add a median of 8.3 minutes.

Conclusions—

Within a large metropolitan area, the time cost of routing patients preferentially to PSCs and comprehensive stroke centers is low.
Auditory Attention Causes Gain Enhancement and Frequency Sharpening at Successive Stages of Cortical Processing—Evidence from Human Electroencephalography
Authors: de Boer Jessica , Krumbholz Katrin
Published: February 2018

Previous findings have suggested that auditory attention causes not only enhancement in neural processing gain, but also sharpening in neural frequency tuning in human auditory cortex. The current study was aimed to reexamine these findings. Specifically, we aimed to investigate whether attentional gain enhancement and frequency sharpening emerge at the same or different processing levels and whether they represent independent or cooperative effects. For that, we examined the pattern of attentional modulation effects on early, sensory-driven cortical auditory-evoked potentials occurring at different latencies. Attention was manipulated using a dichotic listening task and was thus not selectively directed to specific frequency values. Possible attention-related changes in frequency tuning selectivity were measured with an adaptation paradigm. Our results show marked disparities in attention effects between the earlier N1 deflection and the subsequent P2 deflection, with the N1 showing a strong gain enhancement effect, but no sharpening, and the P2 showing clear evidence of sharpening, but no independent gain effect. They suggest that gain enhancement and frequency sharpening represent successive stages of a cooperative attentional modulation mechanism that increases the representational bandwidth of attended versus unattended sounds.
A new species of Physalaemus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, northeastern Argentina
Authors: CARDOZO DARIO E. , PEREYRA MARTIN O.
Published: February 2018

A new species of Physalaemus from Misiones province, Argentina, in the Atlantic forest domain is described. The new species is a member of the P. gracilis group, based on its phylogenetic position and the occurrence of a putative morphological synapomorphy (occurrence of an unpigmented median stripe on throat, chest, and/or abdomen). Physalaemus sp. nov. is characterized by a long advertisement call composed of non-pulsed notes with slightly descendant modulation, large size (mean SVL = 32.0 mm males, 34.0 mm females), slender body aspect, head longer than wide, supratympanic fold developed, an unpigmented median stripe on venter, medium sized inguinal glands, tarsal tubercle present, and supernumerary tubercles on hands and feet, which are character states that combined distinguish the new species from all the members of the genus. In this study, we provide its formal description based on external morphology, advertisement call, and 16S genetic distance. In addition, the distribution ranges for the new species and P. gracilis are revisited, the advertisement call of P. gracilis is redescribed, and a discussion about the available names which could be applicable to the new species is provided.
New species and new records of Tingidae (Insecta: Heteroptera) from Vietnam
Authors: GUILBERT ERIC , PHAM HONG THAI , SOULIER-PERKINS ADELINE
Published: February 2018

In the frame of recent field collecting surveys, four species of Tingidae (Insecta: Heteroptera) new to Vietnam are recorded and three species new to science are described, namely Nectocader vietnamensis, Cetiothucha constanti, and Oncophysa hae. The diversity and richness of Vietnamese Tingidae is discussed, considering the locations visited versus the number of species discovered.
Promotive Effect of ATP on Photosynthesis and Photooxidation in Transgenic Rice Expressing PEPC, PPDK and ME Enzyme Genes
Authors: Tang Ning , Zhang Bianjiang , Chen Quanzhan
Published: February 2018

Untransformed rice (WT) and transgenic rice containing maize phosphoenolpyruvate (PEPC), pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK), and NADP-malic enzyme (ME) genes were studied. In addition, the activity of C4 photosynthetic enzymes, photosynthetic response to light/temperature
and the metabolic index of active oxygen were also measured and analyzed. The activities of C4 photosynthetic enzymes in WT were very low, while those of corresponding enzymes in transgenic rice with PEPC, PPDK, and ME genes (PKM) were highly expressed. Under the conditions of high
light intensity and high temperature, the photosynthetic rate of PKM after adenosine triphosphate (ATP) treatment increased by 15.7% and 13.3%, respectively, as compared with that without ATP treatment. The photosynthetic rate of PKM after ATP treatment was similar to that of maize, accounting
for 80.7%. Moreover, its tolerance against photooxidation was enhanced. The photosynthetic productivity of PKM after ATP treatment was improved. This demonstrates that ATP is the key factor in enhancing photosynthetic capacity in transgenic rice containing C4 genes. These results
provide a new technical approach for rice breeding with high photosynthetic efficiency.
Towards Highly Linear High Resolution Successive Approximation Register ADCs for the Internet of Things
Authors: Fan Hua , Liu Yang , Li Jingtao , Maloberti Franco , Feng Quanyuan , Li Dagang , Hu Daqian , Cen Yuanjun , Heidari Hadi
Published: February 2018

This paper presents an effective technique to improve both the static and dynamic linearity simultaneously without sacrificing the sampling rate in high-resolution successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for Internet-of-Things (IoT) application. Results
show that the technique proposed can improve the root-mean-square (rms) of differential non-linearity (DNL) from 1.96 LSB to 0.52 LSB and rms of integral non-linearity (INL) from 3.24 LSB to 0.55 LSB; On the other hand, the averaged Signal-to-Noise-and-Distortion Ratio (SNDR) and Spurious
Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) of 13.4 dB and near 20 dB are improved respectively, which makes it suitable for accurate and linear smart sensor nodes in IoT sensing systems.
A Probe-Based qPCR Assay for Quantification and Classification of Hepatitis E Virus
Authors: Yang Dong , Qiu Zhigang , Cui Weihong , Shen Zhiqiang , Liu Weili , Hu Hui , Jin Min , Li Jun-Wen
Published: February 2018

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important public health concern globally. Detection of viral nucleic acids provides a highly sensitive and specific approach for epidemiological and diagnostic purpose. In the present report, a probe-based qPCR assay for quantitative detection of HEV
was developed and applied for genotype characterization of the HEV in clinical samples. The lower quantification limit of DNA was equivalent to 10 GC per reaction, indicating that the sensitivity of the qPCR assay was excellent. All enteroviruse samples detected by our assay (Hepatitis A virus,
Rotavirus, EV 71, Norwalk virus and Poliovirus) were negative, showing 100% sensitivity and specificity. In addition, we screened 20 fecal samples collected from hospitalized patients with hepatitis E using the qPCR assay. The results showed that abundance of HEV range from 2.01 × 103
to 1.71× 105 GC/g-samples and single product of the HEV-positive samples was amplified by the assay. Sequence analysis showed that the isolates shared 100% identity with isolates from genotype 4, indicating that the assay can be applied for genotype characterization of the
HEV in clinical samples.
Conformational Changes of Single-Stranded Hairpin DNA Covalently Immobilized on Solid Surfaces Investigated by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Wang Zunliang , He Nongyue , Lu Zuhong
Published: February 2018

Molecular beacons (MBs) are stem-loop hairpin structured nucleic acid probes that have shown greater sensitivity and specificity over linear DNA probes. For high-throughput DNA detection, MBs are often covalently immobilized on a variety of solid surfaces (e.g., glass slides and gold
surfaces). The performance of immobilized MBs on solid surfaces has been found to be dependent on the stability and orientation of their stem-loop structures on surfaces. At present, however, there is still a lack of high-resolution experimental characterization approaches for determining
the conformational behaviors of immobilized MBs on surfaces. Herein, we investigated the structure and dynamics of immobilized MB probe in NaCl and MgCl2 solutions respectively by performing all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We found that the single immobilized MB probe maintained
a stable stemloop structure in the MgCl2 solution, while it undergone significant structural distortion in the NaCl solution. The results show that Mg2+ ions have a stronger stabilizing effect on immobilized hairpins compared with Na+ ions, which is attributed
to their greater shielding ability for the negatively charged phosphate backbone. Moreover, the hydrogen-bonding dynamics in the hairpin's loop and stem parts were analyzed respectively to further understand the effect of the base–base interactions on conformational stability of MBs
immobilized on solid surfaces. The findings in this work help to optimize the design of MBs biosensors, thus further improving their performance of nucleic acid detection.
Prediction Tumour Bed Bleeding Between MRI Features and Histopathological Findings in Atypical Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Lin Wei-Ming , Chen Wen-Chang , Chen Chia-Hui , Lin Song-Shei , Zhang Lan
Published: February 2018

Atypical pituitary adenomas (APAs) exhibit aggressive histological and radiological features. However, the occurrence of intra-operative tumour bed bleeding (TBB) during surgical management of pituitary adenoma remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of TBB
with MRI features and histopathological findings in APA. Pituitary adenomas of 194 patients were underwent surgical treatment in our neurosurgical centre from January 2012 to June 2014. 17 patients with final diagnosis of APAs were enrolled in the study. Clinical, radiological and histopathological
data TBB volume, MRI features and immunochemical stains were assessed to predict the severity of intra-operative bleeding. The incidence of APAs was for 8.7% (17/194) found in our study. 14 patients exhibited minimal to moderate intra-operative TBB. 2 patients had severe TBB with blood loss
more than 1000 mL. Total resection was achieved in 14 patients, and subtotal resection was achieved in 2 patients owing to severe bleeding or tumour involvement of the cavernous sinus. The most commonly MRI features of APAs included T1 iso-, T2 iso-hyperintensity with homogeneous enhancement
after using a contrast medium. The mean MIB-1(Ki-67) positive of all atypical lesions was 7.4% ± 4.6%. The numbers of CD34+ cells are 26.8 ± 7.70 and 10.6 ± 5.34 in APAs and pituitary adenomas, significant difference between the two groups (t
= 11.160, P < 0.05). Histopathological staining, MRI features and CD34+ overexpression in the APAs group are suggested massive intra-operative TBB. APAs is a very rare subtype of pituitary adenomas. High CD34+ expression and hypervascularity in MRI feature are indicative
of severe TBB during surgery. Large randomised controlled trials are necessary to further evaluate the potential difference between APAs and their typical counterparts.
Effect of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles on Nanomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Low Density Polyethylene Composites
Authors: Alothman Othman Y. , Alshammari Basheer A. , Fouad H.
Published: February 2018

Polymer nanocomposites based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE), containing 1.5, 3, and 6 wt.% of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), are fabricated by melt-mixing and injection-molding. The effective ratio of nanoparticles that maximize the mechanical behavior of LDPE composites
was estimated using different techniques. The nanomechanical (nanohardness, nanomodulus) properties were studied using the nanoindentation technique. An Instron testing machine and a dynamic mechanical analyzer were utilized to study the flexural and viscoelastic behaviour (storage, Loss modulus,
creep-relaxation rate and creep compliance) of the nanocomposites. Generally, the nanoindentation results indicated that the hardness and modulus of LDPE composite improved due to the addition of nanoparticles. In addition, the viscoelastic results indicated that the addition of nanoparticles
improves the shear modulus, creep resistance and relaxation behaviour of the tested composite. On the other hand, the creep compliance decreased due to addition of nanoparticles. The results of tests that performed in this study indicated that the maximum improvements in the LDPE matrix mechanical
behaviour were observed when composited with nanoparticle of 1.5 wt.%. A slight reduction in these properties was observed when the loading of nanoparticles increased more than that ratio but still superior to those of the pure LDPE matrix.
Primary Modes of Global Drop Size Distributions
Authors: Dolan B. , Fuchs B. , Rutledge S. A. , Barnes E. A. , Thompson E. J.
Published: February 2018

Understanding drop size distribution (DSD) variability has important implications for remote sensing and numerical modeling applications. Twelve disdrometer datasets across three latitude bands are analyzed in this study, spanning a broad range of precipitation regimes: light rain, orographic, deep convective, organized midlatitude, and tropical oceanic. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to reveal comprehensive modes of global DSD spatial and temporal variability. Although the locations contain different distributions of individual DSD parameters, all locations are found to have the same modes of variability. Based on PCA, six groups of points with unique DSD characteristics emerge. The physical processes that underpin these groups are revealed through supporting radar observations. Group 1 (group 2) is characterized by high (low) liquid water content (LWC), broad (narrow) distribution widths, and large (small) median drop diameters D0. Radar analysis identifies group 1 (group 2) as convective (stratiform) rainfall. Group 3 is characterized by weak, shallow radar echoes and large concentrations of small drops, indicative of warm rain showers. Group 4 identifies heavy stratiform precipitation. The low latitudes exhibit distinct bimodal distributions of the normalized intercept parameter N w, LWC, and D0 and are found to have a clustering of points (group 5) with high rain rates, large N w, and moderate D0, a signature of robust warm rain processes. A distinct group associated with ice-based convection (group 6) emerges in the midlatitudes. Although all locations exhibit the same covariance of parameters associated with these groups, it is likely that the physical processes responsible for shaping the DSDs vary as a function of location.
Facial Palsy Following Embolization of a Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma
Authors: Tawfik Kareem O. , Harmon Jeffrey J. , Walters Zoe , Samy Ravi , de Alarcon Alessandro , Stevens Shawn M. , Abruzzo Todd
Published: February 2018

Objectives:

To describe a case of the rare complication of facial palsy following preoperative embolization of a juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA). To illustrate the vascular supply to the facial nerve and as a result, highlight the etiology of the facial nerve palsy.

Methods:

The angiography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of a case of facial palsy following preoperative embolization of a JNA is reviewed.

Results:

A 13-year-old male developed left-sided facial palsy following preoperative embolization of a left-sided JNA. Evaluation of MR imaging studies and retrospective review of the angiographic data suggested errant embolization of particles into the petrosquamosal branch of the middle meningeal artery (MMA), a branch of the internal maxillary artery (IMA), through collateral vasculature. The petrosquamosal branch of the MMA is the predominant blood supply to the facial nerve in the facial canal. The facial palsy resolved since complete infarction of the nerve was likely prevented by collateral blood supply from the stylomastoid artery.

Conclusions:

Facial palsy is a potential complication of embolization of the IMA, a branch of the external carotid artery (ECA). This is secondary to ischemia of the facial nerve due to embolization of its vascular supply. Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication and counsel patients accordingly prior to embolization for JNA.
More action needed: Psychotropic prescribing in Australian residential aged care
Authors: Westbury Juanita , Gee Peter , Ling Tristan , Kitsos Alex , Peterson Gregory
Published: February 2018

Objective:

For at least two decades, concerns have been raised about inappropriate psychotropic prescribing in Australian residential aged care facilities, due to their modest therapeutic benefit and increased risk of falls and mortality. To date, the majority of prevalence data has been collected in Sydney exclusively and it is not known if recent initiatives to promote appropriate psychotropic prescribing have impacted utilisation. Thus, we aimed to comprehensively analyse psychotropic use in a large national sample of residential aged care facility residents.

Method:

A cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study of residents from 150 residential aged care facilities distributed nationally during April 2014–October 2015. Antipsychotic, anxiolytic/hypnotic and antidepressant utilisation was assessed, along with anticonvulsant and anti-dementia drug use. Negative binomial regression analysis was used to examine variation in psychotropic use.

Results:

Full psychotropic prescribing data was available from 11,368 residents. Nearly two-thirds (61%) were taking psychotropic agents regularly, with over 41% prescribed antidepressants, 22% antipsychotics and 22% of residents taking benzodiazepines. Over 30% and 11% were charted for ‘prn’ (as required) benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, respectively. More than 16% of the residents were taking sedating antidepressants, predominantly mirtazapine. South Australian residents were more likely to be taking benzodiazepines ( p < 0.05) and residents from New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory less likely to be taking them ( p < 0.01), after adjustment for rurality and size of residential aged care facility. Residents located in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory were also significantly less likely to take antidepressants ( p < 0.01), as were residents from outer regional residential aged care facilities ( p < 0.01). Antipsychotic use was not associated with State, rurality or residential aged care facility size.

Conclusion:

Regular antipsychotic use appears to have decreased in residential aged care facilities but benzodiazepine prevalence is higher, particularly in South Australian residential aged care facilities. Sedating antidepressant and ‘prn’ psychotropic prescribing is widespread. Effective interventions to reduce the continued reliance on psychotropic management, in conjunction with active promotion of non-pharmacological strategies, are urgently required.
Local Corruption and Popular Support for Fuel Subsidy Reform in Indonesia
Authors: Kyle Jordan
Published: February 2018

This article examines the role played by local governments in shaping resistance to reforming fiscally and environmentally disastrous fuel subsidies. Shifting from universal-access social programs, like fuel subsidies, to targeted programs requires vesting authority with local politicians and bureaucrats, whom the state relies on to identify poor households and to deliver benefits. Where local governments are corrupt, citizens find promises to replace fuel subsidies with targeted spending less credible and resistance to reform is higher. Using household survey data from Indonesia, this article finds that corruption in the implementation of targeted transfer programs increases resistance to fuel subsidy reform among the poor citizens who consume the least fuel and who stand to benefit the most from targeted programs. Findings suggest that improving capacity within subnational governments to deliver social programs is important in developing public support for reform.
Effects of Labels on Attitudes of Educators toward Handicapped Children
Authors: Combs Ronald H. , Harper Jerry L.
Published: February 2018

Effects of clinical labels on attitudes of experienced and inexperienced educators toward exceptional children were explored. Labeled and unlabeled descriptions of mentally deficient, psychopathic, schizophrenic, and cerebral palsied children were distributed to 160 educators. Attitudes toward the children, and the labels, were measured on a 25 item rating scale. Results were interpreted to mean that labeling does affect the educator's perception of exceptional children. The effects were not consistent for different labels. For the mentally deficient, the child was seen more negatively when the description was unlabeled than when labeled. Labeled descriptions of psychopathic, schizophrenic, and cerebral palsied children were rated more negatively than were unlabeled versions. Experience did not seem to affect educators’ perceptions of exceptional children.
A Modification in the Sequential Tutoring of Emotionally Disturbed Children
Authors: Brendtro L. K. , Stern Phyllis Rash
Published: February 2018

Previous research has indicated that the primary intervention in special classes for the disturbed is sequential tutoring. In this method the teacher provides individual attention by rotating from student to student. A number of limitations to this approach are discussed and an alternative system of individualizing the instructional procedure is suggested. Several advantages of this modified sequential tutoring system are considered.
Perpetuating Phantom Handicaps in School Age Children
Authors: Keeve J. Philip
Published: February 2018

A survey of school children given prolonged medical excuses from physical education classes revealed that more than half of them had illusory or imagined (phantom) handicaps. These handicaps could not be substantiated, justified, or confirmed by evidence collected during the study. It is suggested that the school, by giving official recognition and authorization to destructive health attitudes and questionable medical diagnoses, may confirm and perpetuate an imaginary disability which could persist into adult life. Educators and physicians are alerted to the hazards of initiating or supporting disabling attitudes and defenses towards disease or injury during this critical period of development.
Articulation of the Deaf
Authors: Nober E. Harris
Published: February 2018

Forty-six deaf children ranging in age from 3 to 15 years were given both the Templin-Darley 50 item and 116 item Diagnostic Articulation Tests. Consonants were studied relative to sound position, place of articulation, manner of articulation, voicing, and blend combinations. The data showed trends parallel to those manifested in defective articulation patterns due to organic and functional anomalies. Some of the critical factors were: initial sound position, visibility, phonetic power, neurogenic complexity in producing the phoneme, voicing, hearing level, and age. Vowels were studied relative to age, tongue placement, and tongue height. Trends were similar to those found with consonants. A rank order of articulating errors was suggestive of a maturational programing of most difficult to least difficult sound regardless of etiology.
Rh Factor and Deafness: The Problem, Its Psychological, Physical, and Educational Manifestations
Authors: Vernon MC Cay
Published: February 2018

Children with severe hearing impairments due to complications of Rh factor were studied relative to their psychological adjustment, educational achievement, prevalence and nature of multiple handicaps, level of intelligence, audiometric responses, and psychodiagnostic evidence of brain damage. Among the major findings were that over 70 percent of these youth are multiply handicapped, the mean IQ was 94, education achievement of those eligible for school was one half that of the normally hearing, ability in written language was appreciably below that of most deaf children, and psychodiagnostic measures reflected a high prevalence of central nervous system dysfunction. Audiometric and psychological findings are also discussed.
Use of Teacher Aides in Special Education: A Review and Possible Applications
Authors: Blessing Kenneth R.
Published: February 2018

The following is a review of the uses of teacher aides in special education classrooms, a consideration of current aide roles and functions, and a projection of possible aide uses in assisting with instructional tasks. It is anticipated that employment of teacher aides will extend the professional competence of special educators and alleviate the accompanying manpower problem in this area. A discussion of a current research investigation in this area concludes the article.
Categorization Behavior and Achievement in Deaf and Hearing Children
Authors: Silverman Toby Roslyn
Published: February 2018

The Triple Mode Test of Categorization, developed to measure three major modes of categorization postulated by Vygotsky, and the Stanford Reading Achievement Test, were administered to 313 hearing children, 225 typically deaf children, and 21 special class deaf children. Modes of categorization were studied at different age and achievement levels. For the deaf children, superordinate and associate responding decreased with increasing age, while functional responding increased. For hearing children, increasing age was accompanied by increased superordinate responding, decreased associative responding, and stable functional responding. Other results are also discussed. The conclusions suggest that deficiencies in categorization behavior may contribute to deficient language performance in the deaf child.
Resource Programing for Emotionally Disturbed Teenagers
Authors: Connor Eileen M. , Muldoon John F.
Published: February 2018

In order to help severely disturbed teenagers to more successfully make the transition from day care to public school experiences, personnel from the Technoma Workshop and the Pittsburgh Public Schools combined efforts in 1965 to develop a supportive and preventive educational plan, resource programing. This plan, utilizing a Technoma Workshop teacher within the facilities of a local high school, was designed to provide a flexible means of modifying a student's learning difficulties, protecting him from crises as he gradually assumes increasing responsibility for his education, and also providing support for the school staff in their efforts to educate this student. Programing purposes and techniques are discussed and illustrated.
The Effect of Two Ear Training Procedures on the Improvement of Auditory Discrimination and Articulation
Authors: Woolf Gerald , Myers Mary Jane
Published: February 2018

Sixty first and second graders with /s/ misarticulations were divided into two groups, each group receiving one of two ear training procedures: analytical or creative dramatics. Auditory discrimination and articulation performances were assessed before and after an 18 week therapy program using the Wepman Auditory Discrimination Test and a deep test of articulation. At posttherapy testing, both groups improved significantly in discrimination and articulation proficiency. Both ear training procedures were equally effective in reducing discrimination errors. Greater gains in articulation were found in the creative dramatics group. In both groups, discrimination and articulation abilities were highly related; however, improvement in auditory discrimination was unrelated to articulation improvement.
Acceptance of Disabled College Students into Teacher Training Programs
Authors: Bender Jay A. , Kolstoe Oliver P. , Kaplan Harold M.
Published: February 2018

Policies governing the acceptance of physically disabled college students into teacher training programs were surveyed in 1,291 colleges and universities. Responses from 618 (58 percent return) were analyzed by size and type of school and type of disability. Since no consistent policies emerged, some possible reasons for the reported practices are explored and some specific recommendations are offered.
The Facets of Educational Exceptionality: A Conceptual Framework for Assessment, Grouping, and Instruction
Authors: Quay Herbert C.
Published: February 2018

A framework for understanding educational exceptionality in terms of stimulus, response, and reinforcement is offered. Every educationally exceptional child is seen as having some measurable defect in one of 41 areas which represent points of interaction of receptive functioning, response mechanisms, and responsivity to reinforcement. The framework provides a guideline for assessment, for grouping for instruction, and for remedial techniques in terms of observable behavioral variables.
Implications of Vowel Diphthong Distortions
Authors: Adler Belle , Rees Norma S. , Serwer Blanche L. , Stocker Beatrice
Published: February 2018

Abstract: Clinical records of 42 children with functional articulation disorders characterized by vowel and diphthong distortion were studied to reveal any peculiar features of this group. The data studied were speech patterns, sex distribution, intelligence, interaction between intelligence and sex, position in the family constellation, duration of therapy, and personality factors. The findings showed evidence in this group of a characteristic speech pattern, an unusually high proportion of males to females, and personality factors tending to include immaturity, anxiety, poor body image, organicity, insecurity, distortion of reality, and repressed aggression.
An Evaluative Study of Prekindergarten Programs for Educationally Disadvantaged Children: Followup and Replication
Authors: Di Lorenzo Louis T. , Salter Ruth
Published: February 2018

This report summarizes some of the findings after two years of a four year longitudinal study, with built in replications, of the effectiveness of academic year programs for disadvantaged preschoolers. Comparisons are made between experimental and control children tested on IQ, language development, and reading readiness. Analyses are made by sex, race, and type of program.
Perceptual Integration and Reading Problems
Authors: Hurley Oliver L.
Published: February 2018

From the notion that reading is a process of continuous intersensory integrations of visual-tactual-kinesthetic information, it was hypothesized that deficits at the automatic sequential level of the ITPA primarily affect this integrative process. Thus, measures of visual-tactual-kinesthetic integration should discriminate between adequate and inadequate readers. An extensive test battery was administered to 40 matched pairs of adequate and inadequate readers in the second and third grades in two conmmnities. Significant differences between communities and between sexes were found. Insufficient support for the hypothesis was obtained.
Identifying Key Features in Programs for the Gifted
Authors: Renzulli Joseph S.
Published: February 2018

A study was undertaken to determine which features and characteristics of programs for the gifted are considered by authorities in the field to be the most necessary and sufficient for comprehensive programing. The seven features that were considered to be relatively more essential than others have been designated as key features of differential programs for the gifted. Discussion includes a description of the important dimensions of these key features.
The Effect of Group Counseling on Educable Mentally Retarded Boys’ Self Concepts
Authors: Mann Philip H. , Beaber James D. , Jacobson Milton D.
Published: February 2018

The effects of group counseling on the self concepts of young educable mentally handicapped boys were studied, along with the variables of anxiety, deportment and achievement in reading and arithmetic as rated by teachers, attendance, IQ, and age. Results indicated that those who received group counseling tended to exhibit greater improvement in self concept, more reduction in anxiety, and better grades in deportment and the academic subjects of reading and arithmetic, than those who did not receive the counseling. No significant difference was found between experimental and control groups in attendance. Age and IQ were not found to be significant factors in the counseled group.
Programing for the Gifted Child
Authors: Plowman Paul D.
Published: February 2018

The trend in programing for the gifted is marked by a greater concern for individualized instruction in which attention is given to the development of unique traits and skills based on conceptual research of the nature of intellect. Typical approaches such as regular class instruction, private study, acceleration, and counseling are described, and the need for ongoing evaluation is pointed out.
The Construction and Assessment of an Experimental Test of Auditory Perception
Authors: Sabatino David A.
Published: February 2018

The assessment of visual perception has become a very common means of studying those behaviors felt to be associated with neurological impairment. Visual perception is only one behavior that may be interfered with due to CNS impairment. The question of the relationship of auditory perceptual behaviors to visual perceptual function and neurological impairment frequently goes unanswered. The data from this study show that auditory and visual perception are abstract human behaviors. Auditory perception is a global complex set of behaviors that can be differentiated for assessment. The receptive language model and the Experimental Test of Auditory Perception (TAP) have shown an ability to differentiate neurologically impaired from normal (matched control) subjects.
A Portrait of the Artist and Scientist as Young Men
Authors: Walberg Herbert J.
Published: February 2018

From a large national sample of high school physics students, three groups were identified: those winning awards in science, those winning awards in the arts, and those winning awards in neither of these fields. The groups were compared on 300 biographical items. In contrast to responses of those winning no awards, both artists’ and scientists’ responses were wholesome and indicative of high aspirations for social status. Comparisons of the award winning groups suggests that social communication of inner feeling is the preoccupation of the artists while scientists are more intent on the single minded conceptualization of external reality.
Effect of Cubicles in Educating Emotionally Disturbed Children
Authors: Shores Richard E. , Haubrich Paul A.
Published: February 2018

The effect of cubicles in educating emotionally disturbed children was evaluated in terms of promoting attending behavior and academic rate of reading and arithmetic. A significant difference was found in attending behavior favoring use of the booths, and nonsignificant differences were found with academic behaviors, indicating that attending behavior was increased by utilizing cubicles, but academic rate was not so influenced.
Childhood Chronic Illness and Visual Motor Perceptual Development
Authors: Shepherd Clyde W.
Published: February 2018

The visual motor perceptual development of 47 second grade children having a history of chronic illness was investigated. Relationships between factors associated with the chronic illness and visual perceptual development are cited and discussed. The results suggest that children having a history of chronic illness perform significantly below expected levels on visual motor tasks and experience early reading difficulty.
Social Acceptability of Anomalous Persons
Authors: Shears Loyda M. , Jensema Carl J.
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study was to compare the acceptability of different anomalous or disabled persons in certain social situations. A group of 94 subjects composed of college undergraduates, graduate students, and psychiatric technicians ranked 10 anomalies with respect to desirability in a friend and as a self affliction. They also filled out a social distance questionnaire. Results suggested that six dimensions probably combine and interact in the formation of stereotypes of anomalous persons-visibility, communication, social stigma, reversability, degree of incapacity, and difficulty in daily living.
Learning by Blind Students through Active and Passive Listening
Authors: Nolan Carson Y. , Morris June E.
Published: February 2018

Studies were conducted comparing learning achieved by blind students at different grade levels for 3 types of material presented at normal and compressed rates under conditions of active and passive listening. Findings of the research lend support to the theory that active participation in the listening process results in greater learning. A secondary finding was that comprehension of uncompressed material was superior to comprehension of compressed material under conditions of motivation.
The Impact of a Kindergarten Home Counseling Program
Authors: Radin Norma
Published: February 2018

Three matched groups of 12 disadvantaged, high ability students who had previously participated in a preschool program underwent differential kindergarten experiences. The variable producing both superior performance by the children on cognitive measures and a more stimulating home environment was found to be a parent counseling program. The youngsters showing the greatest gains on the Binet were those whose mothers had been intensely involved in the educative process at both the preschool and kindergarten levels.
Utilizing the Group in Teaching Disturbed Delinquents to Learn
Authors: Graubard Paul S.
Published: February 2018

A group of disturbed, delinquent children were taught under 3 conditions. The group acted as its own control. Dependent variables were reading gains and appropriate classroom behaviors. Making rewards for all subjects contingent on each subject's behaving appropriately proved superior to giving rewards on a noncontingent basis. Giving group reinforcers for appropriate classroom behavior plus individual reinforcers for academic achievement proved to be the most efficacious. The group can be a powerful instrument in teaching disturbed delinquents.
Sustained Attention in Brain Damaged Children
Authors: Campanelli Peter A.
Published: February 2018

This study explored sustained attention in children with convulsive disorders diagnosed as having cortical and subcortical lesions by means of the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Significant differences were found between and within these 2 groups and a control group. Results support other findings concerning specific site of lesion on sustained attention in brain damaged children when measured by the CPT. Implications for learning are discussed.
Social Contact as a Variable in the Expressed Attitudes of Normal Adolescents toward EMR Pupils
Authors: Strauch James D.
Published: February 2018

A semantic differential was administered to compare the expressed attitudes of 62 normal adolescents who had considerable school contact with EMR pupils with attitudes of 62 normal adolescents who had not experienced such school contact. An analysis of variance indicated there was significant social contact effect at the .05 level. In a followup test, the social contact effect was found to be accounted for primarily by the expressed attitudes toward the concept of normal people. Suggestions are presented on how to promote attitude change among normal pupils toward the mentally retarded and other handicapped groups.
Visual and Auditory Learning Processes in Normal Children and Children with Specific Learning Disabilities
Authors: McGrady Harold J. , Olson Don A.
Published: February 2018

The study was intended to describe and compare the psychosensory functioning of normal children and children with specific learning disabilities. Each of these children was given an automated battery of 13 psychosensory tests representing various combinations of auditory and visual intra and intersensory conditions for verbal, nonverbal-nonsocial, and nonverbal-social stimuli. On the psychosensory evaluation the learning disability groups made significantly more errors on the verbal psychosensory functions, regardless of the sensory conditions. The learning disability group also performed these tasks more slowly than normal children in nearly every comparison.
An Approach to the Training of Education Students within a Clinical Setting
Authors: Rezmierski Virginia
Published: February 2018

Much more effort needs to be applied toward the identification and coordination of the needs of education students and the specific experiences which will aid the students in the growth of skills. This article presents a theoretical framework to support a redesigned educational training approach within a psychiatric clinic, where coordination of student training needs and experiences is possible.
An Investigation of the Psycholinguistic Functioning of Deaf Adolescents
Authors: Moores Donald F.
Published: February 2018

The ability of “cloze” procedures to assess morphologico-syntactic and semantic differences between deaf and hearing groups matched on reading achievement scores was investigated. The experimental group consisted of 37 students, average age 16–10, mean grade reading score 4.77 on the Stanford Achievement Test, attending a residential school for the deaf. The control group, 37 fourth and fifth grade hearing children, had a mean reading score of 4.84 and an average age of 9–10. Passages of 250 words were developed from fourth, sixth, and eighth grade textbooks. The performance of the hearing subjects was superior on all measures for each passage, supporting the thesis that standardized tests spuriously raise estimates of reading ability of the deaf and that the relative inferiority of the deaf can be traced to both grammatical and semantic inadequacies. The sensitivity of “cloze” procedures to these factors was established and future applications of the technique discussed.
The Effect of Texture on Tactual Perception of Length
Authors: Hanninen Kenneth A.
Published: February 2018

A sample of 107 subjects consisting of 29 blind and 78 sighted elementary and junior high school students in 2 local public schools and 2 residential schools for blind were tested for the effect of coarse and fine texture on their ability to judge the lengths of abrasive paper presented individually. It was predicted that the children would underestimate the coarse textures and overestimate the fine textures when stimuli were presented successively for tactual exploration. The results did not support the predicted bias in judgment of length; however, analysis of the errors to criterion in training supported the idea that texture consistently facilitated or interfered with making judgments of length. Implications for tactile displays in classrooms for blind are suggested.
A Program of Language Training for the Severely Language Handicapped Child
Authors: Bricker William A. , Bricker Diane D.
Published: February 2018

A sequence of language training procedures for the severely language handicapped child is presented. The procedures are based on the authors' research as well as the recent investigations of other speech and language specialists. Language components specifically dealt with are operant audiometry, receptive vocabulary, imitation, naming, and sentence production.
The Timer-Game: A Variable Interval Contingency for the Management of Out-of-Seat Behavior
Authors: Wolf Montrose M. , Hanley Edward L. , King Louise A. , Lachowicz Joseph , Giles David K.
Published: February 2018

The timer-game was demonstrated to be a practical and effective procedure for managing the out-of-seat behavior of elementary school children in a remedial classroom. The timer-game allowed the students to earn token reinforcement by being in their seats whenever the bell of a kitchen timer rang. The bell rang about once every 20 minutes. In a second experiment, peer reinforcement was applied in conjunction with the timer-game to manage one student's out-of-seat behavior.
A View of the Field Experience in Special Education Administration
Authors: Henley Charles E.
Published: February 2018

The field placement is one of the universal elements presently found in USOE supported college and university programs for the preparation of special education administrators. This article presents a general discussion of the field placement, a description of the field placement program as developed at Michigan State University, and some observations with regard to this aspect of present university programs.