Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Memory and cortical connectivity

The central nervous system is able to memorize percepts on long time scales (long-term memory), as well as actively maintain these percepts in memory for a few seconds in order to perform behavioral tasks (working memory). These two phenomena can be studied together in the framework of the attractor neural network theory. In this framework, a percept, represented by a pattern of neural activity, is stored as a long-term memory and can be loaded in working memory if the network is able to maintain, in a stable and autonomous manner, this pattern of activity. Such a dynamics is made possible by the specific form of the connectivity of the network. Here we examine models of cortical connectivity at different scales, in order to study which cortical circuits can efficiently sustain attractor neural network dynamics. This is done by showing how the performance of theoretical models, quantified by the networks storage capacity (number of percepts it is possible to store), depends on the characteristics of the connectivity. In the first part we study fully-connected networks, where potentially each neuron connects to all the other neurons in the network. This situation models cortical columns whose radius is of the order of a few hundred microns. We first compute the storage capacity of networks whose synapses are described by binary variables that are modified in a stochastic manner when patterns of activity are imposed on the network. We generalize this study to the case in which synapses can be in K discrete states, which, for instance, allows to model the fact that two neighboring pyramidal cells in cortex touches each others at multiple contact points. In the second part, we study modular networks where each module is a fully-connected network and connections between modules are diluted. We show how the storage capacity depends on the connectivity between modules and on the organization of the patterns of activity to store. The comparison with experimental measurements of large-scale connectivity suggests that these connections can implement an attractor neural network at the scale of multiple cortical areas. Finally, we study a network in which units are connected by weights whose amplitude has a cost that depends on the distance between the units. We use a Gardner's approach to compute the distribution of weights that optimizes storage in this network. We interpret each unit of this network as a cortical area and compare the obtained theoretical weights distribution with measures of connectivity between cortical areas.
Smoking during pregnancy and offspring externalizing problems: An exploration of genetic and environmental confounds

Abstract Previous studies have documented that smoking during pregnancy (SDP) is associated with offspring externalizing problems, even when measured covariates were used to control for possible confounds. However, the association may be because of nonmeasured environmental and genetic factors that increase risk for offspring externalizing problems. The current project used the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and their children, ages 4–10 years, to explore the relations between SDP and offspring conduct problems (CPs), oppositional defiant problems (ODPs), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems (ADHPs) using methodological and statistical controls for confounds. When offspring were compared to their own siblings who differed in their exposure to prenatal nicotine, there was no effect of SDP on offspring CP and ODP. This suggests that SDP does not have a causal effect on offspring CP and ODP. There was a small association between SDP and ADHP, consistent with a causal effect of SDP, but the magnitude of the association was greatly reduced by methodological and statistical controls. Genetically informed analyses suggest that unmeasured environmental variables influencing both SDP and offspring externalizing behaviors account for the previously observed associations. That is, the current analyses imply that important unidentified environmental factors account for the association between SDP and offspring externalizing problems, not teratogenic effects of SDP.
Children's Understanding of Showing Off

Abstract This study concerned children's understanding of a form of self-presentation likely to be familiar to them, namely, showing off. Although no differences between 8- and 11-year-old children were anticipated in the definition of this behavior, it was predicted that 8-year-olds' understanding of the motivation underlying showing off would focus on psychological determinants and that 11-year-olds' understanding would focus on interpersonal determinants because they would recognize that actors often desire to manipulate their presentation of self in order to influence others' attributions to them. Interviews conducted with 46 British children yielded data that were broadly consistent with these predictions. The findings are discussed in relation to children's understanding of emotional display rules, which also involve a self-presentation component.
Temporary Deafness Can Impair Multisensory Integration

Previous investigations suggest that temporary deafness can have a dramatic impact on audiovisual speech processing. The aim of this study was to test whether temporary deafness disturbs other multisensory processes in adults. A nonspeech task involving an audiotactile illusion was administered to a group of normally hearing individuals and a group of individuals who had been temporarily auditorily deprived. Members of this latter group had their auditory detection thresholds restored to normal levels through the use of a cochlear implant. Control conditions revealed that auditory and tactile discrimination capabilities were identical in the two groups. However, whereas normally hearing individuals integrated auditory and tactile information, so that they experienced the audiotactile illusion, individuals who had been temporarily deprived did not. Given the basic nature of the task, failure to integrate multisensory information could not be explained by the use of the cochlear implant. Thus, the results suggest that normally anticipated audiotactile interactions are disturbed following temporary deafness.
Induction of photosynthesis and importance of limitations during the induction phase in sun and shade leaves of five ecologically contrasting tree species from the temperate zone.

We examined the principal differences in photosynthetic characteristics between sun and shade foliage and determined the relative importance of biochemical and stomatal limitations during photosynthetic induction. Temperate-zone broadleaf and conifer tree species, ranging widely in shade tolerance, were investigated from one locality in the Czech Republic. The study species included strongly shade-tolerant Abies alba Mill. and Tilia cordata Mill. , less shade-tolerant Fagus sylvatica L. and Acer pseudoplatanus L. and sun-demanding Picea abies (L.) Karst. In the fully activated photosynthetic state, sun foliage of all species had significantly higher maximum CO(2) assimilation rates, maximum stomatal conductance and maximum rates of carboxylation than shade foliage. Compared with shade leaves, sun leaves had significantly higher nocturnal stomatal conductances. In all species, shade foliage tended to have higher induction states 60 s after leaf illumination than sun foliage. Sun and shade foliage did not differ in the rate of disappearance of the transient biochemical limitation during the induction phase. Longer time periods were required to reach 90% photosynthetic induction and 90% stomatal induction in sun foliage than in shade foliage of the less shade-tolerant F. sylvatica and A. pseudoplatanus and in sun-demanding P. abies; however, in sun foliage of the strongly shade-tolerant species T. cordata and A. alba, the time needed for photosynthetic induction was similar to, or less than, that for shade foliage. Shade but not sun needles of P. abies and A. alba had significantly slower induction kinetics than the broadleaf tree species. Among species, the sun-demanding P. abies exhibited the shortest stomatal induction times in both sun and shade leaves. Independently of shade tolerance ranking, the transient stomatal and total limitations that characterize photosynthetic induction were relieved significantly earlier in shade foliage than in sun foliage. Sun foliage generally exhibited a hyperbolic photosynthetic induction response, whereas a sigmoidal induction response was more frequent in shade foliage. The different relative proportions of transient biochemical and stomatal limitations during photosynthetic induction in sun and shade foliage indicate an essential role of stomata in photosynthetic limitation during induction, mainly in shade foliage, with a consequent influence on the shape of the photosynthetic induction curve.
Practical ethical theory for nurses responding to complexity in care

In the context of health care system complexity, nurses need responsive leadership and organizational support to maintain intrinsic motivation, moral sensitivity and a caring stance in the delivery of patient care. The current complexity of nurses’ work environment promotes decreases in work motivation and moral satisfaction, thus creating motivational and ethical dissonance in practice. These and other work-related factors increase emotional stress and burnout for nurses, prompting both new and seasoned nurse professionals to leave their current position, or even the profession. This article presents a theoretical conceptual model for professional nurses to review and make sense of the ethical reasoning skills needed to maintain a caring stance in relation to the competing values that must coexist among nurses, health care administrators, patients and families in the context of the complex health care work environments in which nurses are expected to practice. A model, Nurses’ Ethical Reasoning Skills, is presented as a framework for nurses’ thinking through and problem solving ethical issues in clinical practice in the context of complexity in health care.
Synchrony between sensory and cognitive networks is associated with subclinical variation in autistic traits

Individuals with autistic spectrum disorders exhibit distinct personality traits linked to attentional, social, and affective functions, and those traits are expressed with varying levels of severity in the neurotypical and subclinical population. Variation in autistic traits has been linked to reduced functional and structural connectivity (i.e., underconnectivity, or reduced synchrony) with neural networks modulated by attentional, social, and affective functions. Yet, it remains unclear whether reduced synchrony between these neural networks contributes to autistic traits. To investigate this issue, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to record brain activation while neurotypical participants who varied in their subclinical scores on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) viewed alternating blocks of social and nonsocial stimuli (i.e., images of faces and of landscape scenes). We used independent component analysis (ICA) combined with a spatiotemporal regression to quantify synchrony between neural networks. Our results indicated that decreased synchrony between the executive control network (ECN) and a face-scene network (FSN) predicted higher scores on the AQ. This relationship was not explained by individual differences in head motion, preferences for faces, or personality variables related to social cognition. Our findings build on clinical reports by demonstrating that reduced synchrony between distinct neural networks contributes to a range of subclinical autistic traits.
Major malformations with valproic acid.

QUESTION Increasing numbers of pregnant patients are treated with valproic acid, not just for epilepsy, but also for psychiatric conditions. Are there teratogenic risks other than the risk of spina bifida? ANSWER It has now become evident that valproic acid might cause more than just neural tube defects (NTDs). In a systematic review of all cohort studies intended to answer this question, higher rates of major malformations (and not just NTDs) were found in most studies. The calculated relative risk was 2.59 when compared with other antiepileptic drugs and was 3.77 when compared with risk in the general population. There is compelling evidence that the risk is dose dependent. The risks appear to begin increasing at doses of 600 mg/d and to become more prominent at doses above 1000 mg/d.
IMPROVING STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION OF LEARNING USING BLENDED LEARNING STRATEGY FACILITATED WITH VARK LEARNING STYLE MODEL

The type of this research is Classroom Action Research aimed to improve students’ Motivation of Learning of Grade X AK 1 SMK Negeri 1 Bantul Academic Year of 2013/2014. The research is done in two cycles uses two kinds of data collection techniques, i.e. observation and questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed by qualitative analysis using three steps, data reduction, data presentation and conclusion formulation. The analysis is completed with descriptive quantitative analysis to calculate the score of Accounting Learning Motivation. Based on the research result, the implementation of Blended Learning Strategy facilitated with VARK Learning Style Model is able to improve students’ Accounting Motivation of Learning of the grade X AK 1 SMK Negeri 1 Bantl accounting academic year of 2013/2014. It is proven by the improvements of X AK 1’s average score of Learning Motivation from 76,71% on the first cycle and reaches to 84,18% on the implementation of the second cycle. This improvement shows that using Blended Learning Strategy facilitated with VARK Learning Style Model, the students’ Motivation of Learning is increasing classically, without any domination from a few of students of the class. Keywords: blended learning, VARK learning style model, motivation, motivation of learning
When the Need for Cognitive Structure does not Cause Heuristic Thinking: The Moderating Effect of the Perceived Ability to Achieve Cognitive Structure

This research explores the hypothesis that the relationship between need for cognitive structure (NCS) and the use of cognitive biases is moderated by the perceived ability to achieve cognitive structure (AACS). NCS is defined as the extent of preference to use cognitive structuring vs. piecemeal processing as a means to achieve certainty. AACS refers to the extent to which individuals believe that they are able to use information processing processes (cognitive structuring or piecemeal) that are consistent with their level of NCS. To examine this hypothesis, Study 1 explored the effect of the NCS by AACS interaction on the use of confirmation bias. Study 2, demonstrated this effect on the use of framing heuristic. The results of the two studies confirm the hypothesis.
Assessing effective physician-patient communication skills: “Are you listening to me, doc?”

The education of a physician includes much more than acquiring competence in medical knowledge and technical expertise. Physicians also need to have excellent communication skills in order to communicate with patients. Communication skills form the foundation for a more positive patient-provider relationship, leading to greater patient satisfaction and better patient compliance. In the patient’s eyes, the ability to communicate well forms a major component of a provider’s clinical competence. The ability to communicate effectively with patients can contribute significantly to improved patient outcomes. Because of their importance in the practice of medicine, teaching interviewing and communication skills are a part of the curriculum for medical schools. At the Mayo Medical School, a tool was developed to assist in the assessment of medical students when communicating with patients as they elicit a medical history. This rubric has been very useful for both teaching and assessment, and it may be applicable to other healthcare settings as well. Patients commonly complain that physicians do not listen to them. “Being a good doctor requires not only knowledge and technical skills, but also communication” [1]. Communication skills are not just restricted to talking, but also to listening and nonverbal communication [2]. Assessment of the provider’s ability to apply communication skills continues to be a concern of medical educators. Developing a positive relationship has historically contributed a great deal to a physician’s effectiveness and satisfaction within the profession [3]. Such relationships are crucial for successful medical treatment [4]. Good communication skills are a key to establishing these desired relationships, and the inability to display good communication skills has been shown to negatively affect many areas in patient care [5]. On the other hand, good communication skills have been shown to improve patient treatment compliance, thus leading to improved patient outcomes [6]. The benefits of good communication skills have been documented in the literature and recognized by physicians as early as Osler [7], who encouraged physicians to “care more particularly for the individual patient than for the special features of the disease. ” Ludmerer [8] noted, “For over a century, the goal of medical education has been to produce thinking physicians, scientifically competent, who are sensitive to the emotional as well as the medical condition of the patient. ” Unfortunately, there is evidence that suggests good communication skills are not universally practiced by physicians [5].
In vivo Modeling and Molecular Characterization: A Path Toward Targeted Therapy of Melanoma Brain Metastasis

Brain metastasis (B-Met) from melanoma remains mostly incurable and the main cause of death from the disease. Early stage clinical trials and case studies show some promise for targeted therapies in the treatment of melanoma B-Met. However, the progression-free survival for currently available therapies, although significantly improved, is still very short. The development of new potent agents to eradicate melanoma B-Met relies on the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that allow melanoma cells to reach and colonize the brain. The discovery of such mechanisms depends heavily on pre-clinical models that enable the testing of candidate factors and therapeutic agents in vivo. In this review we summarize the effects of available targeted therapies on melanoma B-Met in the clinic. We provide an overview of existing pre-clinical models to study the disease and discuss specific molecules and mechanisms reported to modulate different aspects of melanoma B-Met and finally, by integrating both clinical and basic data, we summarize both opportunities and challenges currently presented to researchers in the field.
Efficacy and adverse effects of clozapine in four elderly psychotic patients.

BACKGROUND Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic agent that is effective in refractory schizophrenic patients. Older patients may have various psychotic manifestations that may not be responsive to typical neuroleptic therapy. There may also be patient-specific factors--declines in reserve capacity and homeostasis, and age-related changes in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs--in older patients that increase their susceptibility to the side effects of psychotropic medications. While clozapine has few extrapyramidal side effects, it has other side effects that may be problematic in the older population. METHOD In our geropsychiatric unit, clozapine was prescribed for four patients over the age of 65 years. All patients were either experiencing psychotic symptoms refractory to other antipsychotic medications or had relative contraindications to a typical neuroleptic. Two of the four were chronic schizophrenics, and three of the four also presented with dementia. RESULTS Two of the four patients did eventually receive relief of psychotic symptoms from clozapine. All four experienced events after initiation of clozapine therapy, which included falls (2 patients), symptomatic bradycardia (2 patients), and delirium (1 patient). All these adverse effects occurred on doses ranging from 6.25 to 37.50 mg/day, and the three patients with moderate-to-severe dementia experienced these severe adverse effects after administration of the first dose. CONCLUSION Clozapine may be a useful drug for older patients with psychotic symptoms; however, at current dosage recommendations, adverse events may occur, especially on first dose. Well-designed studies need to be performed to assess the effectiveness and dosage ranges for this population.
Being Fieldworthy: Environmental Knowledge Practices and the Space of the Field in Forest Certification

This paper considers how environmental knowledge practices and learning are coproduced through heterogeneous assemblages of inscriptions, devices, skills, ecologies, and people in the field. Drawing on concepts from science and technology studies, I use the certification processes of the Forest Stewardship Council as an example, because its processes of verification through embodied and emplaced fieldwork explicitly seek to make abstract standards of environmental management ‘fieldworthy’ in different places and thus enable their implementation on the ground through specific environmental knowledge practices. Hence, it is only through the field as a shared space that certification processes can work (and travel) in the interests of better environmental management. The space of fieldwork thus enables knowledge workers to exploit the uncertainty, heterogeneity, and discretion in environmental science and management more readily than do other spaces, rendering these qualities more beneficial than problematic.
Rich Ties and Innovative Knowledge Transfer within a Firm

We show that contacts in formal, informal and especially multiplex networks explain transfer of innovative knowledge in an organization. The contribution of informal contacts has been much acknowledged, while that of formal contacts did not receive much attention in the literature in recent decades. No study thus far has included both these different kinds of contacts in a firm, let alone considered their combined effect. The exact overlap between formal as well as informal contacts between individuals, forming multiplex or what we call rich ties because of their contribution, especially drives the transfer of new, innovative knowledge in a firm. Studying two cases in very different settings suggests these rich ties have a particularly strong effect on knowledge transfer in an organization, even when controlling for the strength of ties. Some of the effects on knowledge transfer in an organization previously ascribed to either the formal network or the informal network may actually be due to their combined effect in a rich tie.
Acceptability of routine HIV counselling and testing among a sample of South African students: Testing the Health Belief Model

Routine HIV counseling and testing (RCT) is a necessary first step in accessing health care for persons who may test HIV-positive. Despite the availability of RCT in many South African settings, uptake has often been low. We sought to determine whether the main components of the Health Belief Model (HBM), namely perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers could predict acceptance of RCT, and whether cues to action predicted uptake of RCT. A sample of 1 113 students at a large South African university completed a battery of instruments measuring acceptability of RCT, previous uptake of HIV testing, and the various HBM variables. Regression analysis showed that perceived susceptibility to HIV, perceived severity of HIV, perceived benefits of RCT, and perceived barriers to RCT explained 25.1% of the variance in acceptance of RCT. The findings of the study are located in the context of existing literature on RCT.