Letter Report Research Articles

Cross-Language Modulation of Visual Attention Span: An Arabic-French-Spanish Comparison in Skilled Adult Readers.

In delineating the amount of orthographic information that can be processed in parallel during a single fixation, the visual attention (VA) span acts as a key component of the reading system. Previous studies focused on the contribution of VA span to normal and pathological reading in monolingual and bilingual children from different European languages, without direct cross-language comparison. In the current paper, we explored modulations of VA span abilities in three languages –French, Spanish, and Arabic– that differ in transparency, reading direction and writing systems. The participants were skilled adult readers who were native speakers of French, Spanish or Arabic. They were administered tasks of global and partial letter report, single letter identification and text reading. Their VA span abilities were assessed using tasks that require the processing of briefly presented five consonant strings (e.g., R S H F T). All five consonants had to be reported in global report but a single cued letter in partial report. Results showed that VA span was reduced in Arabic readers as compared to French or Spanish readers who otherwise show a similar high performance in the two report tasks. The analysis of VA span response patterns in global report showed a left-right asymmetry in all three languages. A leftward letter advantage was found in French and Spanish but a rightward advantage in Arabic. The response patterns were symmetric in partial report, regardless of the language. Last, a significant relationship was found between VA span abilities and reading speed but only for French. The overall findings suggest that the size of VA span, the shape of VA span response patterns and the VA Span-reading relationship are modulated by language-specific features.

Institute of Medicine. Review of WIC food packages: an evaluation of white potatoes in the cash value voucher: letter report. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press, 2015.

Institute of Medicine. Review of WIC food packages: an evaluation of white potatoes in the cash value voucher: letter report. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press, 2015.

Visual processing of multiple elements in the dyslexic brain: evidence for a superior parietal dysfunction.

The visual attention (VA) span deficit hypothesis of developmental dyslexia posits that impaired multiple element processing can be responsible for poor reading outcomes. In VA span impaired dyslexic children, poor performance on letter report tasks is associated with reduced parietal activations for multiple letter processing. While this hints towards a non-specific, attention-based dysfunction, it is still unclear whether reduced parietal activity generalizes to other types of stimuli. Furthermore, putative links between reduced parietal activity and reduced ventral occipito-temporal (vOT) in dyslexia have yet to be explored. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we measured brain activity in 12 VA span impaired dyslexic adults and 12 adult skilled readers while they carried out a categorization task on single or multiple alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric characters. While healthy readers activated parietal areas more strongly for multiple than single element processing (right-sided for alphanumeric and bilateral for non-alphanumeric), similar stronger multiple element right parietal activations were absent for dyslexic participants. Contrasts between skilled and dyslexic readers revealed significantly reduced right superior parietal lobule (SPL) activity for dyslexic readers regardless of stimuli type. Using a priori anatomically defined regions of interest, we showed that neural activity was reduced for dyslexic participants in both SPL and vOT bilaterally. Finally, we used multiple regressions to test whether SPL activity was related to vOT activity in each group. In the left hemisphere, SPL activity covaried with vOT activity for both normal and dyslexic readers. In contrast, in the right hemisphere, SPL activity covaried with vOT activity only for dyslexic readers. These results bring critical support to the VA interpretation of the VA Span deficit. In addition, they offer a new insight on how deficits in automatic vOT based word recognition could arise in developmental dyslexia.

Varieties of developmental dyslexia in Greek children

The current study aimed to investigate in a group of nine Greek children with dyslexia (mean age 9.9 years) whether the surface and phonological dyslexia subtypes could be identified. A simple regression was conducted using printed word naming latencies and nonword reading accuracy for 33 typically developing readers. Ninety per cent confidence intervals were established and dyslexic children with datapoints lying outside the confidence intervals were identified. Using this regression-based method three children with the characteristic of phonological dyslexia (poor nonword reading), two with surface dyslexia (slow word naming latencies) and four with a mixed profile (poor nonword reading accuracy and slow word naming latencies) were identified. The children were also assessed in spelling to dictation, phonological ability, rapid naming, visual memory and multi-character processing (letter report). Results revealed that the phonological dyslexia subtype children had difficulties in tasks of phonological a...

Does visual attention span relate to eye movements during reading and copying?

This research investigated whether text reading and copying involve visual attention-processing skills. Children in grades 3 and 5 read and copied the same text. We measured eye movements while reading and the number of gaze lifts (GL) during copying. The children were also administered letter report tasks that constitute an estimation of the number of letters that are processed simultaneously. The tasks were designed to assess visual attention span abilities (VA). The results for both grades revealed that the children who reported more letters, i.e., processed more consonants in parallel, produced fewer rightward fixations during text reading suggesting they could process more letters at each fixation. They also copied more letters per gaze lift from the same text. Furthermore, a regression analysis showed that VA span predicted variations in copying independently of the influence of reading skills. The findings support a role of VA span abilities in the early extraction of orthographic information, for both reading and copying tasks.

The Role of Visual Processing Speed in Reading Speed Development

A steady increase in reading speed is the hallmark of normal reading acquisition. However, little is known of the influence of visual attention capacity on children's reading speed. The number of distinct visual elements that can be simultaneously processed at a glance (dubbed the visual attention span), predicts single-word reading speed in both normal reading and dyslexic children. However, the exact processes that account for the relationship between the visual attention span and reading speed remain to be specified. We used the Theory of Visual Attention to estimate visual processing speed and visual short-term memory capacity from a multiple letter report task in eight and nine year old children. The visual attention span and text reading speed were also assessed. Results showed that visual processing speed and visual short term memory capacity predicted the visual attention span. Furthermore, visual processing speed predicted reading speed, but visual short term memory capacity did not. Finally, the visual attention span mediated the effect of visual processing speed on reading speed. These results suggest that visual attention capacity could constrain reading speed in elementary school children.

Book Review of Letter and Report on the Discoveries at Herculaneum, by Johann Joachim Winckelmann

This translation of Winckelmann’s two writings specifically concerned with the excavation of Herculaneum, his Letter and subsequent Report, is by Mattusch, who is well known for her work on the statues found in the buried city and, in particular, for her detailed and scholarly presentation of those from the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum (The Villa dei Papiri at Herculaneum: Life and Afterlife of a Sculpture Collection [Los Angeles 2005]) and as editor of a number of exhibition catalogues.

Comments on the article: “Enhancing the photovoltaic effect in the infrared region by germanium quantum dots inserted in the intrinsic region of a silicon p-i-n diode with nanostructure” by H. M. Tawancy (Journal of Materials Science DOI: 10.1007/s10853-011-5728-9)

This comment letter report on a critical reading of an article published in Journal of Materials Science [1]. As stated in the acknowledgements, the silicon-based solar cells described in the article under question were contractually fabricated at the Institut d’Electronique Fondamentale, by using the technological facilities of the University Technology Center (CTU IEF-Minerve) of the University Paris Sud, France. The fabrication of prototype devices on request of external research institutions is part of the current assignments of this Center. The corresponding invoice was received from the author of Ref [1] in April, 2009. Using our previous know-how in epitaxial growth, a number of structures have been fabricated, consisting of a stack of Ge quantum dots, a Si layer and a highly doped Si layer, as described in Fig. 1 of ref. [1]. The solar cell devices based on these structures were completed with back and front contacts, as seen in Fig. 8 of Ref [1]. In addition, structural and optical routine characterizations were done in order to calibrate the areal quantum dot density and check the quality of the grown material, consisting in scanning electron microscopy imaging, and photoluminescence (PL) measurements made at room temperature. In collaboration with Prof. O. Aboelfotoh, we also checked the current voltage characteristics of the whole devices in the dark and under AM 1.5 standard illumination by using the dedicated facility of the Laboratoire de Genie Electrique de Paris, France. These devices and attached data were finally provided in 2010 to the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia. At this step, Dr H.M. Tawancy was of course free to act in his own way, like publishing results obtained from these devices. The corresponding article, entitled ‘‘Enhancing the photovoltaic effect in the infrared region by germanium

Allocating Scarce Resources in Disasters: Emergency Department Principles

Decisions about medical resource triage during disasters require a planned structured approach, with foundational elements of goals, ethical principles, concepts of operations for reactive and proactive triage, and decision tools understood by the physicians and staff before an incident. Though emergency physicians are often on the front lines of disaster situations, too often they have not considered how they should modify their decisionmaking or use of resources to allow the "greatest good for the greatest number" to be accomplished. This article reviews key concepts from the disaster literature, providing the emergency physician with a framework of ethical and operational principles on which medical interventions provided may be adjusted according to demand and the resources available. Incidents may require a range of responses from an institution and providers, from conventional (maximal use of usual space, staff, and supplies) to contingency (use of other patient care areas and resources to provide functionally equivalent care) and crisis (adjusting care provided to the resources available when usual care cannot be provided). This continuum is defined and may be helpful when determining the scope of response and assistance necessary in an incident. A range of strategies is reviewed that can be implemented when there is a resource shortfall. The resource and staff requirements of specific incident types (trauma, burn incidents) are briefly considered, providing additional preparedness and decisionmaking tactics to the emergency provider. It is difficult to think about delivering medical care under austere conditions. Preparation and understanding of the decisions required and the objectives, strategies, and tactics available can result in better-informed decisions during an event. In turn, adherence to such a response framework can yield thoughtful stewardship of resources and improved outcomes for a larger number of patients.

An assessment of scientific and technical aspects of closed investigations of canine forensics DNA – case series from the University of California, Davis, USA

AimTo describe and assess the scientific and technical aspects of animal forensic testing at the University of California, Davis. The findings and recommendations contained in this report are designed to assess the past, evaluate the present, and recommend reforms that will assist the animal forensic science community in providing the best possible services that comply with court standards and bear judicial scrutiny.MethodsA batch of 32 closed files of domestic dog DNA cases processed at the University of California, Davis, between August 2003 and July 2005 were reviewed in this study. The case files comprised copies of all original paperwork, copies of the cover letter or final report, laboratory notes, notes on analyses, submission forms, internal chains of custody, printed images and photocopies of evidence, as well as the administrative and technical reviews of those cases.ResultsWhile the fundamental aspects of animal DNA testing may be reliable and acceptable, the scientific basis for forensic testing animal DNA needs to be improved substantially. In addition to a lack of standardized and validated genetic testing protocols, improvements are needed in a wide range of topics including quality assurance and quality control measures, sample handling, evidence testing, statistical analysis, and reporting.ConclusionThis review implies that although a standardized panel of short tandem repeat and mitochondrial DNA markers and publicly accessible genetic databases for canine forensic DNA analysis are already available, the persistent lack of supporting resources, including standardized quality assurance and quality control programs, still plagues the animal forensic community. This report focuses on closed cases from the period 2003-2005, but extends its scope more widely to include other animal DNA forensic testing services.

Institute of Medicine ‘Letter Report’ Probes Ethics of Postmarketing Drug Studies

Institute of Medicine ‘Letter Report’ Probes Ethics of Postmarketing Drug Studies

Salience Representation in the Parietal and Frontal Cortex

Some objects in the visual field are more likely to attract attention because they are either intrinsically eye catching or relevant in the context of a particular task. These two factors, known as stimulus-driven and goal-directed factors, respectively, are thought to be integrated into a unique salience map, possibly located in the frontal or the parietal cortex. However, the distinct contribution of these two regions to salience representation is difficult to establish experimentally and remains debated. In an attempt to address this issue, we designed several dual tasks composed of a letter reporting task and a visual search task, allowing us to quantify the salience of each visual item by measuring its probability to be selected by attention. In Experiment 1, the salience of the visual search items depended on a combination of conspicuity and relevance factors, whereas in Experiment 2, stimulus-driven and goal-directed factors were tested separately. Then, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation to interfere transiently with the function of the right angular gyrus (ANG) or right FEFs in healthy subjects performing these dual tasks. We found that interfering with the ANG and the FEF function specifically altered the influence of salience on the letter report rate without affecting the overall letter reporting rate, suggesting that these areas are involved in salience representation. In particular, the present study suggests that ANG is involved in goal-directed salience representation, whereas FEF would rather house a global salience map integrating both goal-directed and stimulus-driven factors.

Effectiveness of a smoking cessation intervention in Dutch pharmacies and general practices

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the effectiveness of a computer‐tailored smoking cessation intervention, distributed through 75 Dutch general practices (GP) and 65 pharmacies (PH) in a randomised control trial.Design/methodology/approachRespondents receive a tailored letter or a thank you letter (control condition). Main outcome measures are a quit attempt, seven‐day abstinence and continued abstinence at follow‐up (PH: three and 12 months, GP: six months). Effect of use and appreciation of the tailored letter are also tested.FindingsIn total, 1,019 smokers are recruited (545 in PH study, 474 in GP study). At 12‐month follow‐up (PH), respondents receiving the tailored letter report quit attempts significantly more often. No main effects are found in the GP sample. However, reading the tailored letter more than once (GP) and talking with others about the tailored letter (PH) are borderline significant predictors of quitting and point prevalence abstinence.Research limitations/implicationsPositive effects of the intervention in a previous efficacy study are not repeated. The possible influence of power, social desirability and testing effect, extraneous events, the availability of the intervention outside the study and data entry issues are presented.Practical implicationsPossible explanations for the results found in the study and improvements of the intervention are discussed. This can guide researchers in future smoking cessation intervention development and testing.Originality/valueThe paper aims to replicate findings from a previously conducted efficacy study under real‐life circumstances.

Integrating policy and decision making into undergraduate science education.

Scientists gathered in Mill Valley [CA] Thursday as part of a fact-finding mission to determine what effect the Drakes Bay Oyster Co. has on the ecology of Drakes Estero. The company’s lease allowing it to grow and harvest oysters in Drakes Estero ends in 2012, and the Point Reyes National Seashore wants to turn it into a wilderness area thereafter. But owner Kevin Lunny said the operation causes no harm and may help the ecosystem. He wants to stay. The National Research Council—an arm of the National Academy of Sciences—was tapped by the National Park Service to examine the issue at the request of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D.-Calif. That process began Thursday as the nine members of the committee—including experts in agriculture, disease, marine sciences and oceanography—heard from a variety of people connected to the issue in what had the feel of a courtroom at the Aqua Hotel . . .

Teaching Deadly Force: Collaborative Dynamics and the Rhetoric of Police Policy

After the controversial police shooting of a developmentally-disabled African-American teenager in July 2003, the new mayor of Denver, CO, appointed a politically diverse task force to revise the police department's use-of-force policy and propose a new model for police oversight. This teaching case is based on the task force's deliberations and collaborative efforts to build policy consensus in a sometimes rancorous, high-stakes environment. In it, I reconstruct the story of the shooting that gave rise to the task force, trace the arc of the task force's 104-day existence, and analyze the letter and final report submitted by the task force's co-chairs to (1) demonstrate the highly-pressurized nature of policy language invention and the crucial impact of word choice in such policy, and (2) illustrate the difficulty the task force encountered in attempting to secure consensus and the manner in which the final work product acknowledges, rather than obscures, this struggle. Finally, the case includes recommended readings and a guide for individual and group activities for implementation in either an undergraduate- or graduate-level technical communication course.

Influence of Macroalgal Cover on Coral Colony Growth Rates on Fringing Reefs of Discovery Bay, Jamaica: A Letter Report

In this study I investigated the hypothesis that alterations in macroalgal cover significantly influenced the growth rates of coral colonies on the fringing reefs of Discovery Bay, Jamaica. For colonies of Montastrea annularis, Porites astreoides, and Sidastrea siderea, radial growth rates were significantly (p<0.02) higher at Dairy Bull (where Diadema antillarum had removed macroalgal cover) than at either M1 or Rio Bueno (where there was c. 80% macroalgal cover). For colonies of Colpophyllia natans and Montastrea fankseii, radial growth rates were significantly (p<0.02) higher at Dairy Bull than at Rio Bueno. It has been suggested that macroalgal shading as well as contact is a significant inhibitor of coral growth, and our results are in accord with that hypothesis. These studies suggest that marine park man- agers should foster macroalgal predation wherever possible, in order to limit the irreversible decline of coral reefs.

Trends in incidence of skin basal cell carcinoma. Additional evidence from a UK primary care database study

We determined the trends in incidence of skin basal cell carcinoma (BCC) using a primary care population-based cohort study in the UK. 11,113 adults with a BCC diagnosis were identified from a total of 7.22 million person-years of data between 1996 and 2003 from the Health Improvement Network database. From a random subsample of BCC cases identified from the database, 93% were confirmed by hospital letter and/or pathology report. The incidence of BCC was 153.9 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI 151.1, 156.8) and was slightly higher in men as compared to women (Incidence Rate Ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.06, 1.14). There was a 3% increase year on year across the study period (IRR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 1.04), with the largest increase in incidence seen in the 30-39 year age groups, although this did not reach statistical significance. Our study indicates 53,000 new cases of BCC are estimated every year in the UK and figures are continuing to rise on a yearly basis. Incidence rates are highest for men and in particular in the older age categories. These findings are consistent with those reported for various other populations. We have also found an increase in incidence in ages 30-39, which may suggest a cohort effect of increasing ultraviolet exposure in successive younger generations. This may have a huge public and service impact in future years in countries such as the UK, with predominantly fair-skinned population, with high leisure exposure to ultraviolet light. Our findings underline the need for more elaborate preventive measures.

Voluntary eyeblinks disrupt iconic memory

In the present research, we investigated whether eyeblinks interfere with cognitive processing. In Experiment 1, the participants performed a partial-report iconic memory task in which a letter array was presented for 106 msec, followed 50, 150, or 750 msec later by a tone that cued recall of onerow of the array. At a cue delay of 50 msec between array offset and cue onset, letter report accuracy was lower when the participants blinked following array presentation than under no-blink conditions; the participants made more mislocation errors under blink conditions. This result suggests that blinking interferes with the binding of object identity and object position in iconic memory. Experiment 2 demonstrated that interference due to blinks was not due merely to changes in light intensity. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrated that other motor responses did not interfere with iconic memory. We propose a new phenomenon, cognitive blink suppression, in which blinking inhibits cognitive processing. This phenomenon may be due to neural interference. Blinks reduce activation in area V1, which may interfere with the representation of information in iconic memory.

Density fluctuations on mm and Mpc scales

We will in this Letter report on suggestive similarities between density fluctuation power versus wavenumber on small (mm) and large (Mpc) scales. The small scale measurements were made in fusion plasmas and compared to predictions from classical fluid turbulence theory. The data is consistent with the dissipative range of 2D turbulence. Alternatively, the results can be fitted to a functional form that cannot be explained by turbulence theory. The large scale measurements were part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxy redshift examination. We found that the equations describing fusion plasmas also hold for the galaxy data. The comparable dependency of density fluctuation power on wavenumber in fusion plasmas and galaxies might indicate a common origin of these fluctuations.

Pseudoword context effects on letter perception: The role of word misperception

Three experiments using the Reicher–Wheeler task tested for letter report accuracy in pseudoword stimuli as a function of the pseudoword's similarity to real words. When pseudowords had a single word neighbour, performance was enhanced (relative to a letter‐in‐x condition) when the neighbour contained the target letter in the correct position, and diminished when it contained the wrong alternative. Increasing the number of compatible word neighbours of pseudoword stimuli had no additional influence on performance over and above the benefits of a single neighbour. This suggests that read‐out from whole‐word orthographic representations following word misperception is one component of pseudoword context effects observed with impoverished stimulus presentation.