Recognition memory, self-other source memory, and theory-of-mind in children with autism spectrum disorder.

This study investigated semantic and episodic memory in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using a task which assessed recognition and self-other source memory. Children with ASD showed undiminished recognition memory but significantly diminished source memory, relative to age- and verbal ability-matched comparison children. Both children with and without ASD showed an “enactment effect”, demonstrating significantly better recognition and source memory for self-performed actions than other-person-performed actions. Within the comparison group, theory-of-mind (ToM) task performance was significantly correlated with source memory, specifically for other-person-performed actions (after statistically controlling for verbal ability). Within the ASD group, ToM task performance was not significantly correlated with source memory (after controlling for verbal ability). Possible explanations for these relations between source memory and ToM are considered

Protecting eyewitness evidence: Examining the efficacy of a self-administered interview tool

Given the crucial role of eyewitness evidence, statements should be obtained as soon as possible after an incident. This is not always achieved due to demands on police resources. Two studies trace the development of a new tool, the Self-Administered Interview (SAI), designed to elicit a comprehensive initial statement. In Study 1, SAI participants reported more correct details than participants who provided a free recall account, and performed at the same level as participants given a Cognitive Interview. In Study 2, participants viewed a simulated crime and half recorded their statement using the SAI. After a delay of 1 week, all participants completed a free recall test. SAI participants recalled more correct details in the delayed recall task than control participants

Drawing to Remember: External Support of Older Adults’ Eyewitness Performance

Although healthy aging is accompanied by a general decline in memory functioning, environmental support at retrieval can improve older adults’ (+65 years) episodic remembering. Despite those over the age of 65years representing a growing proportion of the population, few environmental retrieval support methods have been empirically evaluated for use with older witnesses and victims of crime. Here, the efficacy of a novel retrieval technique, the Sketch Mental Reinstatement of Context, is compared with a standard Mental Reinstatement of Context and a no support control (Control). Fifty-one participants witnessed an unexpected live event, and 48 hours later were interviewed using one of three aforementioned techniques. In line with predictions emanating from cognitive theories of aging and the environmental support hypothesis, participants in the Sketch Mental Reinstatement of Context condition recalled significantly more correct information and fewer inaccurate items. The Sketch Mental Reinstatement of Context technique appears to scaffold memory retrieval in an age-appropriate manner during a post-event interview, possibly by encouraging more effortful retrieval and reducing dual-task load. As such, this procedure offers an effective alternative to current approaches, adding to the toolbox of techniques available to forensic and other interviewers

Recall of a live and personally experienced eyewitness event by adults with autism spectrum disorder

The aim of the present study was to (a) extend previous eyewitness research in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a live and personally experienced event; (b) examine whether witnesses with ASD demonstrate a facilitative effect in memory for self- over other-performed actions; (c) explore source monitoring abilities by witnesses with ASD in discriminating who performed which actions within the event. Eighteen high-functioning adults with ASD and 18 age- and IQ-matched typical counterparts participated in a live first aid scenario in which they and the experimenter each performed a number of actions. Participants were subsequently interviewed for their memory of the event using a standard interview procedure with free recall followed by questioning. The ASD group recalled just as many correct details as the comparison group from the event overall, however they made more errors. This was the case across both free recall and questioning phases. Both groups showed a self-enactment effect across both interview phases, recalling more actions that they had performed themselves than actions that the experimenter had performed. However, the ASD group were more likely than their typical comparisons to confuse the source of self-performed actions in free recall, but not in questioning, which may indicate executive functioning difficulties with unsupported test procedures. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications

Effect of probiotics on microbial level in Azerbaijan native duck (Anas platyrhynchos) meat

Probiotics are products of microbial cells that have useful effect on health and tranquility of human. According to several studies, valuable properties such as anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, increasing body immunity and resistance against entero-pathogens have been related to probiotics. Hence, the aim of this study was to specify the effect of probiotics usage in duck diet on microbial hazards of meat. In order to achieve this aim, two groups of 40 ducks each were used as treatment and control groups kept in the same condition. For the experiment, a 42-day period were chosen. Edible probiotic was given to treatment groups, then both groups were slaughtered in the slaughter house and about 100 g of skin and meat samples were taken from each carcass aseptically and then taken to food Hygiene laboratory of Veterinary Faculty and using the standard methods of 8923-1, 1194, 2198, 2197, 437, 1810, 2946, the total microbial count, Staphylococcus aureus count, fecal Streptococci count, Clostridium perfringens count, coliform count and detection of Salmonella and Escherichia coli were studied in the samples. The results were analyzed with the statistic test of Independent T-test and Chi-square test. The comparison of the means of microbial count in the control and treatment groups showed a significant reduction (P<0.005). Furthermore, detection of E. coli showed a significant reduction in the treatment group, but reductions of Salmonella and Clostridium had no significant difference. Consequently, it seems that using oral probiotics in diet causes reduction in bacterial entero-pathogens of duck meat. Therefore, if the frequency and contamination level of these microorganisms could be reduced in duck meat, it will be an effective step in the reduction of food born disease, meat hygienic quality and shelf life of duck meat.Keywords: Probiotic, hazards, duck, mea

Isolation of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus from meat and intestine of native ducks of Tabriz area

Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus is introduced as the third major source of animal origin food borne disease. This bacterium can proliferate and produce toxin in protein and carbohydrate foods leading to food-poisoning. The aim of this study was isolation, identification and enumerating of S. aureus in meat as well as intestinal contents of native duck around Tabriz area. For this purpose, a total number of 35 native ducks randomly was purchased in the nearby villages of Tabriz. Fifty g of thigh meat together with 10 g of intestinal content of each carcass were sampled and analyzed according to the ISIRI protocols. The isolates were confirmed by PCR technique. Results showed that 17.14% of meat and fecal samples were found contaminated with S. aureus. Mean values of S. aureus load in meat and feces were estimated at 87 CFU/g and 64 CFU/g, respectively. It was assumed that contamination of duck meat with S. aureus can be occurred through non-hygienic practices during slaughter as well as contamination with intestinal contents and/or skin of the carcass

Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Gas phase in urban atmosphere

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic pollutants released by various urban combustion sources. Tehran is the largest city in Iran with a population of about 8 million and it is faced with serious air quality problems. The gas phase samples collected from 21 sites in Tehran area throughout year 2005. The samples' PAHs were collected using a SKC trapping consisting of glass cartridge packed with XAD-2 resin supported by two polyurethane foam plugs. Sixteen PAHs were analyzed by HPLC with two detectors (fluorescence; UV-Vis) according to U. S. Environmental Protection Agency methods.The average concentrations of PAHs ranged from 16068.98 μg/m3 for Bahman site to 1000.24 μg/m3 for Nour site. The species that presented higher concentration were Acenaphtylene (2674.74 μg/m3), Naphthalene (2467.71 μg/m3) and Acenaphtene (1245.22 μg/m3). The PAHs with two and three rings were responsible by 87 % of the total concentration among 16 PAHs. A major source of PAHs, in Tehran area is related to traffic and the number of gasoline and diesel vehicles