Verbal working memory and sentence comprehension: A multiple-components view.

Semantic and syntactic aspects of sentence comprehension were investigated for 3 patients (aged 61, 65, and 72 yrs) who showed different patterns of performance on short-term memory tasks. On a sentence anomaly judgment task assessing the retention of semantic information, only patient A. B. showed a detrimental effect on comprehension with increases in the number of words to be held in an unintegrated fashion. On judgments of grammatical acceptability, only patient M. W. demonstrated a detrimental effect of increasing the number of words intervening between the words signaling that a sentence was ungrammatical. The results suggest that semantic and syntactic components must be postulated in addition to the phonological and articulatory components of A. D. Baddeley's (1986, 1990) working memory model. Although the phonological, semantic, and syntactic components may be differentially affected by brain damage, the components interact and support each other in normal comprehension. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dose-effect study on the antioxidant properties of leaves and outer bracts of extracts obtained from Violetto di Toscana artichoke

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is an edible vegetable largely used in the Mediterranean diet and in folk medicine. The present paper discusses the analysis of the polyphenol content of leaves and outer bracts of Violetto di Toscana artichoke using different extraction procedures with the aim of establishing a correlation between polyphenol subclasses and antioxidant activity measured on human LDL oxidized by copper ions. HPLC/DAD and HPLC/MS analyses revealed that both the matrixes contain identical polyphenol subclasses, with mainly quantitative differences. The antioxidant effect of four artichoke extracts decreases in the following order when the sum of total phenolic compounds was considered: ethanolic extract from leaves (IC₅₀ = 2.92 ± 0.46 μM); ethanolic extract from outer bracts (IC₅₀ = 4.04 ± 0.21 μM); ethyl acetate extract from leaves (IC₅₀ = 4.91 ± 0.11 μM); ethyl acetate extract from outer bracts (IC₅₀ = 10.18 ± 1.6 μM). IC₅₀ were also calculated considering the concentrations of single polyphenol subclasses. In both cases, the potency of antioxidant properties was not related to the amount of total polyphenols or the single subclasses.     

New symmetric interpolatory quadrature formulas

We introduce two families of symmetric, interpolatory integration formulas on the interval [−1,1]. These formulas, related to the class of recursive monotone stable (RMS) formulas, allow the application of higher order or compound rules with an efficient reuse of computed function values. One family (SM) uses function values computed outside the integration interval, the other one (HR) uses derivative data. These formulas are evaluated using a practical test based on a tecnique for comparing automatic quadrature routine introduced by Lyness and Kaganove and improved by the authors. Work supported by CNR, Grant no. 93.00570, CT01     

SQUID operation with ferromagnetic core superconducting dc transformers

We successfully used ferromagnetic core (Cryoperm 10) superconducting transformers to enhance the transfer of external magnetic flux to a symmetric two-holes rf biased quantum interference device (SQUID). The flux transfer ratio has been enhanced up to a factor of ten in comparison with air core superconducting transformers. It has been observed that the presence of ferromagnetic cores in the holes of the SQUID does not introduce additional noise, while it introduces a reduction in the Q of the 19 MHz tank circuit.The experimental results are discussed in the framework of a detailed analysis of the behaviour of the complete SQUID plus tank circuit plus ferromagnetic core superconducting transformer circuit.     

Fitting an MSD (Mini Scleral Design) rigid contact lens in advanced keratoconus with INTACS

Keratoconus is a bilateral degenerative disease characterized by a non-inflammatory, progressive central corneal ectasia (typically asymmetric) and decreased vision. In its early stages it may be managed with spectacles and soft contact lenses but more commonly it is managed with rigid contact lenses. In advanced stages, when contact lenses can no longer be fit, have become intolerable, or corneal damage is severe, a penetrating keratoplasty is commonly performed. Alternative surgical techniques, such as the use of intra-stromal corneal ring segments (INTACS) have been developed to try and improve the fit of rigid contact lenses in keratoconic patients and avoid penetrating keratoplasties. This case report follows through the fitting of rigid contact lenses in an advanced keratoconic cornea after an INTACS procedure and discusses clinical findings, treatment options, and the use of mini-scleral and scleral lens designs as they relate to the challenges encountered in managing such a patient. Mini-scleral and scleral lenses are relatively easy to fit, and can be of benefit to many patients, including advanced keratoconic patients, post-INTAC patients and post-penetrating keratoplasty patients.     

Lachancea thermotolerans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in simultaneous and sequential co-fermentation: A strategy to enhance acidity and improve the overall quality of wine

In the last few years there is an increasing interest on the use of mixed fermentation of Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces wine yeasts for inoculation of wine fermentations to enhance the quality and improve complexity of wines. In the present work Lachancea (Kluyveromyces) thermotolerans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated in simultaneous and sequential fermentation with the aim to enhance acidity and improve the quality of wine.