Letter processing and font information during reading: beyond distinctiveness, where vision meets design

Letter identification is a critical front end of the reading process. In general, conceptualizations of the identification process have emphasized arbitrary sets of distinctive features. However, a richer view of letter processing incorporates principles from the field of type design, including an emphasis on uniformities across letters within a font. The importance of uniformities is supported by a small body of research indicating that consistency of font increases letter identification efficiency. We review design concepts and the relevant literature, with the goal of stimulating further thinking about letter processing during reading

Effects of the high-density lipoprotein mimetic agent CER-001 on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized trial†

Aim High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) have several potentially protective vascular effects. Most clinical studies of therapies targeting HDL have failed to show benefits vs. placebo. Objective: To investigate the effects of an HDL-mimetic agent on atherosclerosis by intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). Design and setting A prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial was conducted at 51 centres in the USA, the Netherlands, Canada, and France. Intravascular ultrasonography and QCA were performed to assess coronary atherosclerosis at baseline and 3 (2–5) weeks after the last study infusion. Patients Five hundred and seven patients were randomized; 417 and 461 had paired IVUS and QCA measurements, respectively. Intervention Patients were randomized to receive 6 weekly infusions of placebo, 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, or 12 mg/kg CER-001. Main outcome measures The primary efficacy parameter was the nominal change in the total atheroma volume. Nominal changes in per cent atheroma volume on IVUS and coronary scores on QCA were also pre-specified endpoints. Results: The nominal change in the total atheroma volume (adjusted means) was −2.71, −3.13, −1.50, and −3.05 mm3 with placebo, CER-001 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, and 12 mg/kg, respectively (primary analysis of 12 mg/kg vs. placebo: P = 0.81). There was also no difference among groups for the nominal change in per cent atheroma volume (0.02, −0.02, 0.01, and 0.19%; nominal P = 0.53 for 12 mg/kg vs. placebo). Change in the coronary artery score was −0.022, −0.036, −0.022, and −0.015 mm (nominal P = 0.25, 0.99, 0.55), and change in the cumulative coronary stenosis score was −0.51, 2.65, 0.71, and −0.77% (compared with placebo, nominal P = 0.85 for 12 mg/kg and nominal P = 0.01 for 3 mg/kg). The number of patients with major cardiovascular events was 10 (8.3%), 16 (13.3%), 17 (13.7%), and 12 (9.8%) in the four groups. Conclusion: CER-001 infusions did not reduce coronary atherosclerosis on IVUS and QCA when compared with placebo. Whether CER-001 administered in other regimens or to other populations could favourably affect atherosclerosis must await further study. Name of the trial registry: Clinicaltrials.gov; Registry's URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01201837?term=cer-001&rank=2; Trial registration number: NCT01201837

Effects of the high-density lipoprotein mimetic agent CER-001 on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized trial†

Aim High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) have several potentially protective vascular effects. Most clinical studies of therapies targeting HDL have failed to show benefits vs. placebo. Objective To investigate the effects of an HDL-mimetic agent on atherosclerosis by intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). Design and setting A prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial was conducted at 51 centres in the USA, the Netherlands, Canada, and France. Intravascular ultrasonography and QCA were performed to assess coronary atherosclerosis at baseline and 3 (2-5) weeks after the last study infusion. Patients Five hundred and seven patients were randomized; 417 and 461 had paired IVUS and QCA measurements, respectively. Intervention Patients were randomized to receive 6 weekly infusions of placebo, 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, or 12 mg/kg CER-001. Main outcome measures The primary efficacy parameter was the nominal change in the total atheroma volume. Nominal changes in per cent atheroma volume on IVUS and coronary scores on QCA were also pre-specified endpoints. Results The nominal change in the total atheroma volume (adjusted means) was −2.71, −3.13, −1.50, and −3.05 mm3 with placebo, CER-001 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, and 12 mg/kg, respectively (primary analysis of 12 mg/kg vs. placebo: P = 0.81). There was also no difference among groups for the nominal change in per cent atheroma volume (0.02, −0.02, 0.01, and 0.19%; nominal P = 0.53 for 12 mg/kg vs. placebo). Change in the coronary artery score was −0.022, −0.036, −0.022, and −0.015 mm (nominal P = 0.25, 0.99, 0.55), and change in the cumulative coronary stenosis score was −0.51, 2.65, 0.71, and −0.77% (compared with placebo, nominal P = 0.85 for 12 mg/kg and nominal P = 0.01 for 3 mg/kg). The number of patients with major cardiovascular events was 10 (8.3%), 16 (13.3%), 17 (13.7%), and 12 (9.8%) in the four groups. Conclusion CER-001 infusions did not reduce coronary atherosclerosis on IVUS and QCA when compared with placebo. Whether CER-001 administered in other regimens or to other populations could favourably affect atherosclerosis must await further study. Name of the trial registry: Clinicaltrials.gov; Registry's URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01201837?term=cer-001&rank=2; Trial registration number: NCT0120183

Reflexiones de estudiantes universitarios, docentes de Agroecología (U.N.Cuyo) y agentes de extensión del INTA en prácticas de intervención socioproductivas en las zonas de Luján de Cuyo y Valle de Uco, Mendoza

En el marco de la asignatura Agroecología y Ambientes Rurales de la carrera en Ingeniería en Recursos Naturales Renovables (FCA- UNCuyo), se han realizado durante 10 años académicos consecutivos, dos actividades consistentes en visitar a diferentes tipos sociales agrarios ubicados en Luján de Cuyo y el Valle de Uco. En las nombradas actividades, los estudiantes realizan una visita extendida a productores que integran diferentes cadenas productivas, con el objetivo de caracterizar el ecosistema, sociosistema y tecnosistema en cada caso, además de diferenciar manejos convencionales y agroecológicos. Con la información recabada y reflexionada, los estudiantes realizan un trabajo integrador, con carácter de condición obligatoria para rendir el examen final de la asignatura, que rescata una problemática detectada y propone una solución socio tecnológica con base agroecológica, ajustada a las características de tipo social agrario abordado. El nombrado material queda a disposición de los actores involucrados para ser utilizado como una herramienta de comprensión de la dinámica socio-productiva y territorial. En el presente relato realizamos una breve síntesis sobre las experiencias de cada visita a campo y se presentan las reflexiones de los actores involucrados acerca de esta experiencia.In the framework of agroecology and rural environments race course in Engineering in Renewable Natural Resources (FCA UNCuyo) were performed for 10 consecutive school years, two consistent activities visit different agricultural social types are located in Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley. In the named activities, students made an extended visit to producers that integrate different production chains, in order to characterize the ecosystem, sociosistema and Technosystem in each case, in addition to conventional agro differentiate and handling. With the information gathered and reflected, students take an integrative work, as an obligatory condition to take the final exam of the subject, who rescues a detected problem and proposes a solution partner agroecologically technological basis and adjusted to the characteristics of a social nature agricultural addressed. The named material is available to the actors involved to be used as a tool for understanding the socio-productive and territorial dynamics. In this story is a brief summary of experiences of each field visit and reflections of stakeholders about this experience are presented.Eje: A2: Paisajes, Territorios y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Reflexiones de estudiantes universitarios, docentes de Agroecología (U.N.Cuyo) y agentes de extensión del INTA en prácticas de intervención socioproductivas en las zonas de Luján de Cuyo y Valle de Uco, Mendoza

En el marco de la asignatura Agroecología y Ambientes Rurales de la carrera en Ingeniería en Recursos Naturales Renovables (FCA- UNCuyo), se han realizado durante 10 años académicos consecutivos, dos actividades consistentes en visitar a diferentes tipos sociales agrarios ubicados en Luján de Cuyo y el Valle de Uco. En las nombradas actividades, los estudiantes realizan una visita extendida a productores que integran diferentes cadenas productivas, con el objetivo de caracterizar el ecosistema, sociosistema y tecnosistema en cada caso, además de diferenciar manejos convencionales y agroecológicos. Con la información recabada y reflexionada, los estudiantes realizan un trabajo integrador, con carácter de condición obligatoria para rendir el examen final de la asignatura, que rescata una problemática detectada y propone una solución socio tecnológica con base agroecológica, ajustada a las características de tipo social agrario abordado. El nombrado material queda a disposición de los actores involucrados para ser utilizado como una herramienta de comprensión de la dinámica socio-productiva y territorial. En el presente relato realizamos una breve síntesis sobre las experiencias de cada visita a campo y se presentan las reflexiones de los actores involucrados acerca de esta experiencia.In the framework of agroecology and rural environments race course in Engineering in Renewable Natural Resources (FCA UNCuyo) were performed for 10 consecutive school years, two consistent activities visit different agricultural social types are located in Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley. In the named activities, students made an extended visit to producers that integrate different production chains, in order to characterize the ecosystem, sociosistema and Technosystem in each case, in addition to conventional agro differentiate and handling. With the information gathered and reflected, students take an integrative work, as an obligatory condition to take the final exam of the subject, who rescues a detected problem and proposes a solution partner agroecologically technological basis and adjusted to the characteristics of a social nature agricultural addressed. The named material is available to the actors involved to be used as a tool for understanding the socio-productive and territorial dynamics. In this story is a brief summary of experiences of each field visit and reflections of stakeholders about this experience are presented.Eje: A2: Paisajes, Territorios y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Reflexiones de estudiantes universitarios, docentes de Agroecología (U.N.Cuyo) y agentes de extensión del INTA en prácticas de intervención socioproductivas en las zonas de Luján de Cuyo y Valle de Uco, Mendoza

En el marco de la asignatura Agroecología y Ambientes Rurales de la carrera en Ingeniería en Recursos Naturales Renovables (FCA- UNCuyo), se han realizado durante 10 años académicos consecutivos, dos actividades consistentes en visitar a diferentes tipos sociales agrarios ubicados en Luján de Cuyo y el Valle de Uco. En las nombradas actividades, los estudiantes realizan una visita extendida a productores que integran diferentes cadenas productivas, con el objetivo de caracterizar el ecosistema, sociosistema y tecnosistema en cada caso, además de diferenciar manejos convencionales y agroecológicos. Con la información recabada y reflexionada, los estudiantes realizan un trabajo integrador, con carácter de condición obligatoria para rendir el examen final de la asignatura, que rescata una problemática detectada y propone una solución socio tecnológica con base agroecológica, ajustada a las características de tipo social agrario abordado. El nombrado material queda a disposición de los actores involucrados para ser utilizado como una herramienta de comprensión de la dinámica socio-productiva y territorial. En el presente relato realizamos una breve síntesis sobre las experiencias de cada visita a campo y se presentan las reflexiones de los actores involucrados acerca de esta experiencia.In the framework of agroecology and rural environments race course in Engineering in Renewable Natural Resources (FCA UNCuyo) were performed for 10 consecutive school years, two consistent activities visit different agricultural social types are located in Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley. In the named activities, students made an extended visit to producers that integrate different production chains, in order to characterize the ecosystem, sociosistema and Technosystem in each case, in addition to conventional agro differentiate and handling. With the information gathered and reflected, students take an integrative work, as an obligatory condition to take the final exam of the subject, who rescues a detected problem and proposes a solution partner agroecologically technological basis and adjusted to the characteristics of a social nature agricultural addressed. The named material is available to the actors involved to be used as a tool for understanding the socio-productive and territorial dynamics. In this story is a brief summary of experiences of each field visit and reflections of stakeholders about this experience are presented.Eje: A2: Paisajes, Territorios y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Regulating and Deregulating the Public Utilities 1830-2010

History can provide invaluable insights into important issues of the economic and social regulation of utilities, and offer lessons towards future debates. But the history of utility regulation – which speaks of changing, diverse and complex experiences around the world – was, unfortunately, sidelined or marginalised when economists and policymakers enthusiastically embraced the question of how to reform the utilities from the 1970s. This paper provides an overview of the three, overarching, `waves' of utility regulation from the nineteenth century to the present, documenting how, when and why the ways in which the roles of the state, the market and firms altered over time. It then contextualises and explains the main contributions of each of the papers included in this special issue of Business History, which cover energy, communications, water, transportation and other urban infrastructure regulation, across Western Europe, the United States and Australia