ANS Measures Research Articles

Now you see it, now you don’t - Cognitive skills and their contributions to mathematics across early development

A broad variety of domain-specific (e.g., non-symbolic magnitude comparison and arithmetic) and domain-general (e.g., spatial skills and inhibition) skills have been identified as precursors to mathematics achievement. However, due to the increasing complexity of mathematics education with age and the associated increase in cognitive demands, it can be assumed that a divergent set of skills is predictive of mathematics achievement at different ages. This cross-sectional study in children aged 3, 5, and 7 years aims at identifying the differential contribution of domain-specific and domain-general contributors to mathematics and delineating their developmental dynamics. Our results reveal a consistent role for non-symbolic magnitude comparison across all age groups, non-symbolic arithmetic starting from the age of 5 years and visuospatial memory only in 5-year-olds. These findings support the notion that mathematics cannot be conceived as a unitary cognitive skill and provide a fine-grained analysis of the cognitive requirements of mathematical skills at different ages. On a more general note, they are in line with the idea that the ANS provides a critical scaffold for the development of mathematical skills but challenge the view that all ANS measures tap into the same underlying process.

Comparisons between Manual Lymph Drainage, Abdominal Massage, and Electrical Stimulation on Functional Constipation Outcomes: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background: Evidence supports abdominal massage (AM) or electrical stimulation (ES) as effective in treating functional constipation (FC). Manual lymph drainage (MLD) may also be beneficial, however, it was not previously investigated or compared to ES and AM. Methods: Sixteen college-aged males and 36 females were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to MLD, AM or ES. Heart rate variability (HRV) measures for total power (TP), high frequency (HF), low frequency and LF/HF ratio assessed ANS outcomes. state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and stress response inventory (SRI) assessed psychological factors and bowel movement frequency (BMF) and duration (BMD) were recorded daily. Results: MLD significantly improved all ANS measures (); AM significantly improved LF, HF and LF/HF ratios (p = 0.04); and ES significantly improved LF (p = 0.1). STAI measures improved, but not significantly in all groups. SRI improved significantly from MLD (p < 0.01), AM (p = 0.04) and ES (p < 0.01), but changes were not significant between groups. BMD improved significantly in all groups ( 0.02). BMF improved significantly only following MLD and AM (p < 0.1), but differences between groups were not significant (p = 0.39). Conclusions: MLD significantly reduced FC symptoms and MLD had greater improvements than AM or ES.

Resting autonomic nervous system activity is unrelated to antisocial behaviour dimensions in adolescents: Cross-sectional findings from a European multi-centre study

PurposeAutonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning has long been studied in relation to antisocial behaviour, but relevant measures (heart rate, heart rate variability, pre-ejection period, respiration rate) have rarely been considered together. This study investigated the relationship between these measures and antisocial behaviour. MethodsUsing a sample of 1010 youths with (47.8%) and without conduct disorder (52.2%) aged between 9 and 18years (659 females, 351 males, mean age=14.2years, SD=2.4), principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to various measures of psychopathology and antisocial behavior. Structural equation modelling was performed in order to test whether the ANS measures predicted PCA-dimensions. Cluster analysis was used in order to classify patterns of ANS activity. Analyses were performed separately for males/females and controlled for body-mass-index, age, caffeine use, cigarette smoking, sports, socioeconomic status, medication, cardiac problems. ResultsThe PCA yielded three components: antisocial behaviour/comorbid psychopathology, narcissistic traits, and callous-unemotional traits. ANS measures were only weakly correlated with these components. Cluster analysis yielded high and low arousal clusters in both sexes. When controlling for covariates, all associations disappeared. ConclusionOur findings suggest that resting ANS measures are only weakly related to antisocial behaviour and indicate that smoking should be considered as an important covariate in future psychophysiological studies.

Simultaneous measurements of spin observables AN and ANN in elastic pp scattering (extension of the SPASCHARM program at U-70).

We propose to measure spin observables AN and ANN in elastic pp scattering by using the transversely polarized proton beam and target at momenta p = 12-45 GeV/c. Existence of both polarized target and beam gives us unique possibility to measure AN simultaneously and independently for polarized beam (AB) and target (AT) to carry out and verify experimental measurements of single-spin and double-spin (ANN) measurements in diffractive region.

Single spin asymmetry [formula omitted] in polarized proton–proton elastic scattering at [formula omitted

We report a high precision measurement of the transverse single spin asymmetry AN at the center of mass energy s=200 GeV in elastic proton–proton scattering by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The AN was measured in the four-momentum transfer squared t range 0.003⩽|t|⩽0.035 (GeV/c)2, the region of a significant interference between the electromagnetic and hadronic scattering amplitudes. The measured values of AN and its t-dependence are consistent with a vanishing hadronic spin-flip amplitude, thus providing strong constraints on the ratio of the single spin-flip to the non-flip amplitudes. Since the hadronic amplitude is dominated by the Pomeron amplitude at this s, we conclude that this measurement addresses the question about the presence of a hadronic spin flip due to the Pomeron exchange in polarized proton–proton elastic scattering.

Measurement of transverse single spin asymmetries of forward η mesons in p↑ + p collisions in PHENIX

The measurement of transverse single spin asymmetries (AN) provides insight into the structure of the nucleon. Several mechanisms have been proposed that attempt to explain AN based on QCD, and additional measurements of AN for different processes further constrain these models. Using the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), we study transversely polarized p + p collisions. Results from PHENIX and other experiments show significant asymmetries in the forward region, which could be due to contributions from both the Sivers and the Collins effects. Studying the species as well as the kinematic dependencies of these transverse single spin asymmetries will help to disentangle the origin of the observed asymmetries. Therefore, measurements of AN with inclusive η mesons at forward rapidities are an important tool for the understanding of these asymmetries. In 2008, the PHENIX experiment collected 5.2 pb−1 integrated luminosity in p↑ + p collisions at √s = 200 GeV. The status of the asymmetry analysis of η mesons at forward rapidity will be shown.

Transverse spin physics at STAR

The large values of the Transverse Single Spin Asymmetry, AN, seen in forward π0 production from polarized proton collisions have stimulated important questions and have been studied in many QCD based transverse spin models. Previously, STAR has reported large AN for forward π0 production in the kinematic region where the cross-section is well described by pQCD. More recently, STAR reported the first RHIC measurement of AN for forward η-meson production. The current analysis suggests that in this kinematic region, the η-meson asymmetry is larger than the already large π0 asymmetry. Continued upgrades to the STAR forward calorimetry, leading to the commissioning of Forward Meson Spectrometer in 2008, provides STAR with greatly improved electromagnetic coverage, and opens up exciting future possibilities for the transverse spin program.

Probing proton spin structure via heavy flavor production in PHENIX

The measurement of spin asymmetries in polarized p+p collisions provides an opportunity to probe the spin structure of nucleons. With transversely and longitudinally polarized proton beams at RHIC, we can measure both double longitudinal spin asymmetry ALL and single transverse spin asymmetry AN. At the RHIC energy, heavy quark (charm and beauty) production is dominated by gluon–gluon interactions, so measurements of ALL and AN will allow us to directly probe the polarized gluon distribution and gluon's Sivers functions, respectively. PHENIX experiment collected 3.5 pb−1 (beam polarization ∼50%) and 10 pb−1 (beam polarization ∼60%) data from year 2005 and 2006 runs, respectively. In this analysis, the J/Ψ have been measured through the J/Ψ → μ+μ− channel at forward rapidities, and about 30 000 J/Ψ candidates are reconstructed from Lvl2 triggered data production. We present the latest results of J/ΨALL and AN measurements at forward rapidities from the PHENIX experiment.

Correlation of intercondylar notch cross sections to the ACL size: a high resolution MR tomographic in vivo analysis

To correlate cross sections of the intercondylar notch to cross sections of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and to analyze gender-related differences in notch and ACL morphometry with an attempt to explain the observation that a small intercondylar notch and the female gender predispose to a rupture of the ACL. High resolution MR imaging was performed on a 1.5 T magnet using a dedicated extremity-coil in ten left and ten right knee joints of 20 volunteers (10 male, 10 female, mean age 25 years) with no history of knee abnormalities. Continuous axial T2-weighted MR images perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ACL were acquired. Cross-sectional areas of the ACL midsubstance at the contact area to the posterior cruciate ligament were measured. For imaging and evaluation of the osseous limits of the intercondylar notch a 3D-dataset of the knee was acquired. Anterior, middle and posterior planes of the intercondylar notch were calculated and analyzed for measurement of the notch area AN and notch width index NWI. The ratio of the ACL cross-sectional area of the ACL and the cross-sectional area of the notch was defined as the ACL notch index (ANI) and used as a standardized tool for evaluation. For statistical evaluation, linear regression analysis was performed. Mean values between male and female were compared using a t test. In addition, five matched pairs of male and female volunteers of same height were analyzed. Mean cross-sectional size of the ACL at the crossing with the PCL was 54.4 +/- 20.4 mm2. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation (P < 0.05) of the ACL cross-sectional area to the notch areas on all three planes and NWI, respectively. Comparison between the sexes revealed that female participants had significantly smaller cross-sectional areas of the ACL, the notch areas, the NWI and ANI. This difference was found for both the complete study group and the matched pairs of same height. The smaller the intercondylar notch the smaller the cross-sectional area of the ACL midsubstance. In addition to the impingement of the ACL at the anterior and posterior roof of the notch, a biomechanically weaker ACL may be the reason for disposition to an ACL rupture in patients with a small intercondylar notch. Women have a thinner ACL midsubstance than men of the same height which may be one of the critical etiologic factors that predispose women to an ACL rupture.

The First Measurement of AN at [formula omitted] in proton-proton elastic scattering at RHIC

We shall describe the first measurement of the single spin analysing power (AN) at s=200 GeV in the four momentum transfer t range 0.011≤|t|≤0.029(GeV/c)2, obtained by the pp2pp experiment using polarized proton beams at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The results presented are preliminary.

ESR studies on the solvation of perfluoro-n-alkyl t-butyl nitroxides — A new scale for electronegativity of perfluoro-n-alkyl groups

Pentafluoroethyl t-butyl nitroxides (3) have been generated by the use of electron-transfer reactions of O-benzoyl-N-t-butylhydroxylamine (1) and pentafluoropropanoyl peroxide (2) in F113 (CFCl2CF2Cl) solution. ESR measurement of aN and aF β values for 3 in 11 solvents have been carried out at 17 ± 2 °C. The aN values for 3 in 10 aprotic solvents (but not in i-PrOH) show a linear correlation with the cybotactic solvent parameter ET, i.e. aN = 3.02 × 10−2 ET ± 10.46. Together with the similar correlation analysis for trifluoromethyl t-butyl nitroxide (4) and heptafluoropropyl t-butyl nitroxide (5) reported previously, the physical significance for the slope, slope × ET, the extrapolated intercept on the aN axis, is linked to the sensitivity of the nitroxide toward solvation, the magnitude of the overall solution effect on the aN values, and the intrinsic aN values of 3, 4, 5 in the ideal gaseous state, respectively. The intercepts on the aN axis, 11.34 G, 11.56 G and 11.37 G may serve a new measure of electronegativity for CF3, C2F5 and n-C3F7, respectively. The plots of aN versus noncybotactic solvent constants, such as dipolar moment (μ) and dielectric constant (ɛ), all show random cases.

Effect of pH and NH4NO3 as a Spray Additive on Penetration of NAA Through Isolated Tomato Fruit Cuticle

We have reported that NH4NO3 (AN, 8 mM, pH 4.2), applied as simulated spray droplets, enhanced penetration of 14C-NAA through isolated leaf and fruit cuticles. One explanation for this response is that AN depresses NAA (pKa= 4.2) dissociation, increasing the nondissociated moiety, which penetrates more readily than the anion (NAA'). Direct measurement of AN (concn. 0-800 mM) effect on NAA (215 μM) dissociation as indexed by change in solution pH revealed no significant effect, with a pH change from 4.19 to 4.05. This change is not sufficient to account for the observed enhancement. When 14C-NAA, buffered (20 mM sodium citrate) at pH 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, was partitioned against chloroform, there was a marked increase in NAA partitioning into chloroform as pH was decreased. AN (8 mM) did not alter this partition behavior, also indicating no effect on NAA dissociation. However, in cuticle penetration studies, using a finite dose system with 14C-NAA buffered at pH 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, and in the presence and absence of 8 mM AN, there was no marked or consistent pH or AN (-70 to + 232 % of no AN control) effect on penetration as indexed by initial slope (4-12 h) or penetration after 120 h. The possible effects of AN and buffer on penetration of 14C-NAA from the droplet deposit will be discussed.

Spin-label studies of glycogen phosphorylase hosted in microemulsion droplets

ESR spectra of Phosphorylase b labelled with two different paramagnetic probes were recorded in microemulsions of various compositions, formulated with AOT and isooctane. Measurements of the hyperfine coupling constant aN and of the degree of anisotropy H1/H0, showed that: i) the polarity of the microenvironment of both spin-labels bound to the enzyme, expressed in terms of aN, is increased with increasing the hydration ratio of the reversed micelles, R; ii) a transition of the polarity between bound and free water is observed at R = 10; iii) the mobilities of the spin-labelled moieties of the enzyme are different, depending on the hydrophobicity of the site where the probe is bound and on the size of the microdroplets.

The biological basis of impulsiveness: the significance of timing and rhythm disorders

High-impulsive subjects often do say things on the spur of the moment and/or make up their minds quickly. The description of impulsivity as a personality trait involves a number of basic research questions including: 1. 1. From a psychometric viewpoint, how inclusive or broad is impulsivity as a personality trait? 2. 2. How does impulsivity relate to other personality traits? 3. 3. Is there a pattern of biological correlates of impulsivity that is distinct from other personality traits? 4. 4. What is the relationship between cognitive and behavioral impulsivity? This paper addresses those four questions. Psychometric analysis of issues in impulsivity indicates the need for a distinction between broad and narrow impulsivity traits and further redefinition of the latter in terms of cognitive and motor components. This research has also shown that impulsiveness has an orthogonal relationship with measures of anxiety. In perceptual-motor tasks, high-impulsive subjects perform less efficiently and with greater variability on a wide range of these tasks, and in particular when the task involves responding to two or more sequential stimuli. High-impulsive subjects underproduce time intervals in time-judgment tasks; this and other findings suggest that high-impulsive subjects have a faster cognitive tempo than low-impulsive subjects. The interaction of impulsivity and anxiety in the performance of perceptual-motor tasks is also reflected in psychophysiological measures; differences in impulsivity are more evident with electrocortical measures and differences in anxiety are reflected in ANS measures while performing the tasks.

The Influence of Rain Rate on Transmission Line Corona Performance

Experimental work aimed at gathering data for line design evaluation at EHV and UHV levels has concentrated on the measurement of foul weather AN, RI and corona loss. Usually the results are expressed in the forms of statistical distributions, whose mean and standard deviation are indicated. The measured data often vary widely, even during a single rainstorm