Faces, Locations, and Tools: A Proposed Two-Stimulus P300 Brain Computer Interface

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology can be important for those unable to communicate due loss of muscle control. The P300 Speller allows communication at a rate up to eight selections per minute. Given this relatively slow rate of communication highly accurate classification is of great importance. Previous studies have shown that alternative stimuli (e.g., faces) can improve BCI speed and accuracy. The present study uses two new alternative stimuli, locations and graspable tools in a two-stimulus paradigm. Functional MRI studies have shown that images of familiar locations produce brain responses in the parahippocampal place area and graspable tools produce brain responses in premotor cortex.The current study shows that location and tool stimuli produce unique brain responses that can be used for classification in the two-stimulus paradigm. This study shows proof of concept for using two unique stimuli to improve speed and accuracy of the P300 Speller

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Acute Stress, and Working Memory

Working memory (WM) is a crucial component of cognitive function that affects learning, reasoning, and problem solving, all of which are important for daily functioning. Therefore, addressing factors that can impact working memory, such as stress, are incredibly relevant to understanding WM efficiency. WM is an important component of higher order cognitive function and high WM capacity has been shown to be important for academic and occupational performance. Thus, understanding the relationship between stress-related factors and WM could aid in identifying strategies to mitigate the deleterious effects of stress on working memory. Although some previous research has indicated a negative impact of acute stress on WM, other research has indicated no impact or even a positive impact of stress on WM. As the relationship between acute stress and WM is mixed, examining other stress-related factors may provide further insight into the relationship. The current study examines how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and acute stress influence WM, and how frontal theta and alpha activity are affected by WM task demands. Participants completed a working memory task while their EEG was recorded. Participants then completed the PANAS to assess their current emotional state. Following the PANAS, participants viewed a stressful or neutral video as an acute stress induction, followed by a second PANAS to ensure effectiveness of stress induction. Participants then completed the WM task a second time. Finally, the participants completed the ACEs questionnaire. Bayesian linear mixed effects models were used to examine the relationships between ACEs, acute stress, WM, and frontal theta and alpha frequencies. Findings suggest there is not enough evidence to support a relationship between acute stress, ACEs, WM, and WM-related theta and alpha. While the current study did not reveal a relationship, future research should explore how acute stress and exposure to specific stressors during childhood could explain individual differences in WM

Means efficacy: The proposed role of external resources on motivation

Means Efficacy is the belief in the utility of the resources that are necessary to complete a specific task. This research examined the relationship between means-efficacy and self-efficacy on perceptions of resources, perceptions of abilities, peformance expectations and actual peformance. This study sought to expand on the means efficacy literature by demonstrating the separate but parallel roles of the means efficacy and self-efficacy constructs on the the self-regulatory process

The Effects of Celiac Disease on Oral Health in Children and Adults

Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by intolerance to dietary gluten in genetically predisposed subjects. To ensure affected patients receive optimal dental care, it is necessary for dental professionals to recognize the oral manifestations of celiac disease in both children and adults. Upon associating oral conditions with celiac disease, the dental provider should be able to present recommendations to the patient, contributing to an improvement in their oral health. Methods: This review of the literature used PubMed to identify relevant professional research articles with publication after 2017. MesH terms utilized in the search process were “celiac disease,” “coeliac disease,” “oral manifestations,” “children,” and “adults.” The studies reviewed include primary and secondary sources from refereed journals. Results: From the research, both children and adults with CD presented with a variety of oral manifestations, such as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and dental enamel defects (DED). Children with CD experienced delayed tooth eruption and delayed dental maturity, while adults with CD developed sialadenitis, dry and cracked lips, and xerostomia. Other oral conditions observed in association with celiac disease include dentin sensitivity, gingival bleeding, and in some cases, increased levels of caries. Conclusions: Many oral manifestations are similar among children and adults with CD; however, irreversible conditions such as enamel hypoplasia only affect patients who contract CD while the teeth are still developing. Adhering to a gluten-free diet is necessary for these patients in reducing the risk of developing oral implications or managing existing conditions. Furthermore, dental professionals have the responsibility of identifying oral manifestations in CD patients and referring the patient to a nutritional counselor if a vitamin deficiency or inadequate diet is suspected.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/denh_student/1031/thumbnail.jp

An explicit mapping between the frequency domain and the time domain representations of nonlinear systems

Explicit expressions are presented that describe the input-output behaviour of a nonlinear system in both the frequency and the time domain. The expressions are based on a set of coefficients that do not depend on the input to the system and are universal for a given system. The anharmonic oscillator is chosen as an example and is discussed for different choices of its physical parameters. It is shown that the typical approach for the determination of the Volterra Series representation is not valid for the important case when the nonlinear system exhibits oscillatory behaviour and the input has a pole at the origin (in the frequency domain), e.g. the unit-step function. For this case, resonant effects arise and the analysis requires additional care.Comment: 27 pages, 5 figures, .pd

I am me : adolescent perspectives of a school-based universal intervention program designed to promote emotional competence

The aim of this paper is to describe a school-based universal intervention (the Tilly’s Life Center “I Am Me” program) to promote emotional competence and social-emotional skills in adolescents. We present results of a mixed-methods program evaluation conducted in public schools in Southern California. In Study 1, sixteen students (grades 10-12) participated in focus groups after twelve weeks of intervention. In Study 2, fifty-four students (grades 9-10) participated in either the universal intervention program (I Am Me) or a no-intervention comparison group for thirty-six weeks. We conducted focus groups with 50 adolescents in the I Am Me program and used quantitative methods to measure self-esteem and perceived stress at four time points for both groups in Study 2. Descriptive data suggested improvements in self-esteem and perceived stress among individuals participating in the I Am Me group. Thematic analysis of focus group data indicated that participants perceived improvement in key areas of emotional development, including: emotional competence (understanding, expressing, and regulating emotions), self-regulation, self-esteem, and social skills. Moreover, participants perceived the intervention as relevant and as having a positive lifelong impact on their development. Further research is needed to empirically validate these outcomes using a randomized experimental design.peer-reviewe

Incorporating Nutrition Education Classes into Food Pantry Settings: Lessons Learned in Design and Implementation

The project reported here evaluated the effectiveness of nutrition education at food pantries. We offer best practices for future Extension-based nutrition programming with this clientele. Three classes were offered at food pantries through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Entry and exit surveys were collected for each series, including 24-hour food recalls. Seventy-three percent of participants reported an increase in vegetable consumption, and 82% reported positive changes in consumption of at least one food group. Nutrition education in food pantries is promising, particularly for Extension-led programs like SNAP-Ed and EFNEP, to address nutrition behaviors among food insecure populations

Improving Newborn Hearing Screening Through Collaboration and Communication

Purpose: Hearing loss is the number one birth defect among children. There are significant consequences of delayed diagnosis and failure to obtain timely intervention, particularly for a child’s speech and language development. Design and implementation of successful newborn hearing screening (NHS) programs can be challenging. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate improved efficiency and effectiveness of a large NHS program through the implementation of a team approach engaging both ambulatory and hospital services. Methodology: A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis was used to develop an improved NHS program focused on improving patient care. The SWOT analysis outcomes were used to determine several key factors to be implemented, including dedicated technicians solely assigned to the NHS program and purchase of new equipment to improve accuracy and reduce disposable costs. In addition, a two-tiered approach was implemented whereby the dedicated technicians performed initial screenings, with all rescreens performed by an audiologist. Results: Implementation of the new NHS program demonstrated numerous successes including a significant reduction in the failure rate, improved care coordination, and increased communication between ambulatory and hospital services

The Effectiveness of Urban Teacher Education Programs: Listening to the Voices of Cooperating Teachers

The cooperating teacher has long been referred to as the most significant person in the education of teacher candidates. However, the voice of the cooperating teachers has been largely missing in teacher education evaluation research. Our study focused on obtaining feedback from the cooperating teachers about the effectiveness of our teacher education programs in emphasizing our college’s conceptual framework focused on social justice and equity. This mixed methods study utilized survey data from cooperating teachers over two academic years. The early childhood education (ECE) cooperating teachers gave significantly higher ratings to their programs than the middle secondary education (MSE) cooperating teachers. Cooperating teachers perceived extensive field experiences, effective supervisory support, and clear and consistent communication from faculty as a strength of the ECE programs. The MSE programs which were rated lower than the ECE programs were perceived as needing improvement in the structure of field experiences and in communication of expectations from the university