Correctness and response time distributions in the MemTrax continuous recognition task: Analysis of strategies and a reverse-exponential model

A critical issue in addressing medical conditions is measurement. Memory measurement is difficult, especially episodic memory, which is disrupted by many conditions. On-line computer testing can precisely measure and assess several memory functions. This study analyzed memory performances from a large group of anonymous, on-line participants using a continuous recognition task (CRT) implemented at https://memtrax.com. These analyses estimated ranges of acceptable performance and average response time (RT). For 344,165 presumed unique individuals completing the CRT a total of 602,272 times, data were stored on a server, including each correct response (HIT), Correct Rejection, and RT to the thousandth of a second. Responses were analyzed, distributions and relationships of these parameters were ascertained, and mean RTs were determined for each participant across the population. From 322,996 valid first tests, analysis of correctness showed that 63% of these tests achieved at least 45 correct (90%), 92% scored at or above 40 correct (80%), and 3% scored 35 correct (70%) or less. The distribution of RTs was skewed with 1% faster than 0.62 s, a median at 0.890 s, and 1% slower than 1.57 s. The RT distribution was best explained by a novel model, the reverse-exponential (RevEx) function. Increased RT speed was most closely associated with increased HIT accuracy. The MemTrax on-line memory test readily provides valid and reliable metrics for assessing individual episodic memory function that could have practical clinical utility for precise assessment of memory dysfunction in many conditions, including improvement or deterioration over time

In-beam Tests of a Ring Imaging Cerenkov Detector With a Multianode Photomultiplier Readout

A ring-imaging \v{C}erenkov counter read out by a 100-channel PMT of active area 10$\times$10 cm$^2$ was operated successfully in a test beam at the BNL AGS with several radiator gases, including the heavy fluorocarbon C$_4$F$_{10}$. Ring radii were measured for electrons, muons, pions and kaons over the particle momentum range from 2 to 12 GeV/$c$, and a best resolution of $\sigma_r/r = 2.3\%$ was obtained.Comment: 11 pages (LaTeX) plus 7 figures in Postscript (gz-compressed and uuencoded

Conveying more (or less) than we realize: The role of impression-management in feedback-seeking

This paper reports two studies concerning impression management, impression formation, and feedback-seeking. Study 1 demonstrated that people seek less feedback when being observed and respond to situational norms regarding the appropriate frequency of seeking. However, Study 2 showed that when an individual has a superior performance history, seeking enhances observers' impressions of the seeker's personal characteristics and performance potential in the organization. The implications of these findings for feedback-seeking and the provision of feedback in organizations are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29699/1/0000031.pd

Challenges in the delivery of e-government through kiosks

Kiosks are increasingly being heralded as a technology through which governments, government departments and local authorities or municipalities can engage with citizens. In particular, they have attractions in their potential to bridge the digital divide. There is some evidence to suggest that the citizen uptake of kiosks and indeed other channels for e-government, such as web sites, is slow, although studies on the use of kiosks for health information provision offer some interesting perspectives on user behaviour with kiosk technology. This article argues that the delivery of e-government through kiosks presents a number of strategic challenges, which will need to be negotiated over the next few years in order that kiosk applications are successful in enhancing accessibility to and engagement with e-government. The article suggests that this involves consideration of: the applications to be delivered through a kiosk; one stop shop service and knowledge architectures; mechanisms for citizen identification; and, the integration of kiosks within the total interface between public bodies and their communities. The article concludes by outlining development and research agendas in each of these areas.</p

Asymmetric synthesis of heterocyclic chloroamines and aziridines by enantioselective protonation of catalytically generated enamines

L.A.M. and J.W.B.F. thank EPSRC for postdoctoral funding (EP/S027165/1; EP/R025754/1). J.W.B.F. thanks the Leverhulme Trust for postdoctoral funding (RPG-2018-362). M.W.A. thanks the University of St Andrews for a PhD studentship.We report a method for the synthesis of chiral vicinal chloroamines via asymmetric protonation of catalytically generatedprochiral chloroenamines using chiral Brønsted acids. The processis highly enantioselective, with the origin of asymmetry and catalystsubstituent effects elucidated by DFT calculations. We show theutility of the method as an approach to the synthesis of a broadrange of heterocycle-substituted aziridines by treatment of thechloroamines with base in a one-pot process, as well as the utility ofthe process to allow access to vicinal diamines.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Examining Demographic Factors, Psychosocial Wellbeing and Cardiovascular Health in Subjective Cognitive Decline in the Brain Health Registry Cohort

BACKGROUND: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is defined as an individual’s perception of sustained cognitive decline compared to their normal state while still performing within boundaries for normal functioning. Demographic, psychosocial and medical factors have been linked to age-related cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). However, their relation to risk for SCD remains unclear. This study aims to identify demographic factors, psychosocial and cardiovascular health associated with SCD within the Brain Health Registry (BHR) online cohort. METHODS: Participants aged 55+ (N=27,596) in the BHR self-reported SCD measured using the Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog) and medical conditions, depressive symptoms, body mass index, quality of sleep, health, family history of AD, years of education, race, ethnicity and gender. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine whether SCD was associated with demographic, psychosocial, and medical conditions. RESULTS: We found that advanced age, depressive symptoms, poorer sleep quality and poorer quality of health were positively associated with more self-reported SCD in all models. No race or ethnicity differences were found in association with SCD. Males who reported alcohol and tobacco use or underweight BMI had higher ECog scores compared with females. CONCLUSION: In addition to well-established risk factors for cognitive decline, such as age, our study consistently and robustly identified a strong association between psychosocial factors and self-reported cognitive decline in an online cohort. These findings provide further evidence that psychosocial health plays a pivotal role in comprehending the risk of SCD and early-stage cognitive ageing. Our findings emphasise the significance of psychosocial factors within the broader context of cardiovascular and demographic risk factors

Types and correlates of school absenteeism among students with intellectual disability

Background: It appears that students with intellectual disability (ID) are more frequently absent from school compared with students without ID. The objective of the current study was to estimate the frequency of absence among students with ID and the reasons for absence. Potential reasons included the attendance problems referred to as school refusal, where absence is related to emotional distress; truancy, where absence is concealed from parents; school exclusion, where absence is instigated by the school; and school withdrawal, where absence is initiated by parents. Methods: Study participants were 629 parents (84.6% mothers) of Australian school students (Mage = 11.18 years; 1.8% Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) with an ID. Participants completed a questionnaire battery that included the School Non-Attendance ChecKlist via which parents indicated the reason their child was absent for each day or half-day absence their child had over the past 20 school days. The absence data presented to parents had been retrieved from school records. Results: Across all students, absence occurred on 7.9% of the past 20 school days. In terms of school attendance problems as defined in existing literature, school withdrawal accounted for 11.1% of absences and school refusal for 5.3% of absences. Students were also absent for other reasons, most commonly illness (32.0%) and appointments (24.2%). Of students with more than one absence (n = 217; 34.5%), about half were absent for more than one reason. Students attending mainstream schools had lower attendance than those attending special schools. Conclusions: Students with ID were absent for a range of reasons and often for multiple reasons. There were elevated rates of school withdrawal and school refusal. Understanding the reasons for absenteeism can inform targeted prevention and intervention supports.</p

Who are these youths? Language in the service of policy

In the 1990s policy relating to children and young people who offend developed as a result of the interplay of political imperatives and populist demands. The ‘responsibilisation’ of young offenders and the ‘no excuses’ culture of youth justice have been ‘marketed’ through a discourse which evidences linguistic changes. This article focuses on one particular area of policy change, that relating to the prosecutorial decision, to show how particular images of children were both reflected and constructed through a changing selection of words to describe the non-adult suspect and offender. In such minutiae of discourse can be found not only the signifiers of public attitudinal and policy change but also the means by which undesirable policy developments can be challenged