The forms and meanings of grammatical markers support efficient communication.

Functionalist accounts of language suggest that forms are paired with meanings in ways that support efficient communication. Previous work on grammatical marking suggests that word forms have lengths that enable efficient production, and work on the semantic typology of the lexicon suggests that word meanings represent efficient partitions of semantic space. Here we establish a theoretical link between these two lines of work and present an information-theoretic analysis that captures how communicative pressures influence both form and meaning.

Vertical distribution of soil extractable organic C and N contents and total C and N stocks in 78-year-old tree plantations in subtropical Australia.

Few studies have focused on the effects of long-term forest plantations on the soil profile of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks. In this study, we selected 78-year-old tree plantations that included three coniferous tree species (i.e.

Convergent innovation for affordable nutrition, health, and health care: the global pulse roadmap.

The paper outlines how the principles of convergent innovation (CI) can be applied to bring about a transformation in the pulse value chain. The paper presents three pioneering CI initiatives--two in conception and one in operation--by various actors in the pulse ecosystem, which are delivering economic and human development impact in particular segments of the pulse value chain. It goes on to propose the way forward to scale up these efforts and connect them into a roadmap so as to achieve transformation throughout society, calling into action a number of actors in the ecosystem.

Intraoperative cyclorotation and pupil centroid shift during LASIK and PRK.

Purpose: To determine the degree of cyclorotation and centroid shift in the x and y axis that occurs intraoperatively during LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Methods: Intraoperative cyclorotation and centroid shift were measured in 63 eyes from 34 patients with a mean age of 34 years (range: 20 to 56 years) undergoing either LASIK or PRK. Preoperatively, an iris image of each eye was obtained with the VISX WaveScan Wavefront System (Abbott Medical Optics Inc) with iris registration.

Pupil dilation using a standard cataract surgery regimen alone or with atropine 1.0% pretreatment: prospective comparative evaluation.

Purpose: To compare the amount of pupil dilation produced by a set of commonly used preoperative mydriatic agents for cataract surgery, with the same regimen preceded by topical administration of atropine 1.0%.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA.

Prospective randomized evaluation of short-term complications when using buffered or unbuffered lidocaine 1% with epinephrine for blepharoplasty surgery.

Purpose: To determine whether there is a difference in the incidence of short-term complications using plain lidocaine with epinephrine versus the buffered equivalent in eyelid surgery.

Methods: The authors performed a prospective, double-masked, randomized study in patients scheduled for combined upper eyelid blepharoplasty and levator advancement ptosis repair surgery with local anesthesia. Exclusion criteria included: documented allergies to lidocaine and/or epinephrine; known pregnancy; profound cognitive impairment; inability to understand the visual analog scale or the informed consent; and previous eyelid surgery.

Evaluation of the activity of a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (+/-)-2-amino-2-(3-cis and trans-carboxycyclobutyl-3-(9-thioxanthyl)propionic acid) in the in vitro neonatal spinal cord and in an in vivo pain model.

The cyclobutylglycine (+/-)-2-amino-2-(3-cis and trans-carboxycyclobutyl-3-(9-thioxanthyl)propionic acid) (LY393053) has been identified as a functionally potent metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist. It is most potent on the two group I metabotropic glutamate receptors, 1alpha and 5alpha, with IC50 values of 1.0+/-0.

Neutron anatomy.

The familiar extremes of crystalline material are single-crystals and random powders. In between these two extremes are polycrystalline aggregates, not randomly arranged but possessing some preferred orientation and this is the form taken by constructional materials, be they steel girders or the bones of a human or animal skeleton. The details of the preferred orientation determine the ability of the material to withstand stress in any direction.

Medial vs lateral wall pyriform sinus carcinoma: implications for management of regional lymphatics.

Background: Our purpose in performing this review is to analyze the relationship between the anatomic site of hypopharyngeal lesions and the pattern of recurrent disease, particularly cervical recurrence. This clinical information can subsequently be used to influence treatment options.

Methods: The records of 169 patients with carcinoma of the hypopharynx treated between 1975 and 1986 were reviewed retrospectively.

Auditory comprehension of "yes-no" questions by adult aphasics.

Two groups of adult aphasics were administered four different types of auditory-verbal "yes-no" questions. One group received questions including egocentric, environmental, pictorial, and relationship items in a consistent order. The second group received the same questions in random order.

The orientation of the mineral crystals in the radius and tibia of the sheep, and its variation with age.

The direction of preferred orientation of the hydroxyapatite crystals in both the tibia and radius of the sheep is close to the long axis of the bone, notwithstanding the angle of about 30 degrees which, for the tibia, exists between the long axis and the direction of principal dynamic strain during locomotion. For both bones the orientation of the cranial cortex, which is a tension surface during locomotion, is about 40% larger than the caudal. The variation with age of the magnitude of the preferred orientation for the sheep bones is contrasted with what has been reported earlier for the human femur.

Anabolic steroids: interest among parents and nonathletes.

To determine the nature and extent of public interest in anabolic steroids, questionnaires were sent to 1290 family physicians and pediatricians in Texas. Of the 517 respondents, 55% reported being asked about steroids or seeing possible steroid users in their practices during the previous 5 years; 261 physicians (51%) reported 1682 inquiries. High school aged boys were the subject of 60% of all inquiries, 26% of which were made by parents and were exclusively related to sports.

Intellective functioning and strategy use in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The cognitive development of children with either early or late onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was investigated with tasks measuring intellectual ability, memory, and academic progress. In addition, children's perceptions of their competence and parents' perspectives on family functioning and their children's behavior were compared. It was found that children with IDDM scored within the normal range on standardized measures of intelligence and academic performance but evidenced some school difficulties, as reflected in subscale performance as well as in their need of remedial education services.

Epidural anaesthesia attenuates the catecholamine response to hypoventilation.

The effect of a high epidural block on the catecholamine response to hypoventilation was studied in six unanesthetized dogs given intravenous sufentanil (15 micrograms.kg-1). Sufentanil alone resulted in a increase of norepinephrine (NE) concentration from 108 +/- 73 pg.

The dependence of human bone texture on life style.

Neutron diffraction has been used to determine the preferred orientation of the hydroxyapatite crystals at the lower front edge of the tibia. The bones are compared for two Neolithic Orkney tribes. At Isbister, a muscular tribe on a hilly site engaged in heavy uphill work, whereas a tribe at Quanterness lived on level ground.

Anabolic steroids and growth hormone in the Texas Panhandle.

We conducted a survey of family physicians and general pediatricians in the Texas Panhandle to learn about patient interest in anabolic steroids and growth hormone. Responses were anonymous. Fifty-five percent of those surveyed responded.