Biological evolution and human cognition are analogous information processing systems

The mechanisms that govern biological evolution and human cognition are analogous, as both follow the same principles of natural information processing systems. In this article, we describe the following five principles that provide an analogy between biological evolution and human cognition: (a) Randomness as Genesis Principle and (b) Borrowing and Reorganizing Principle, which indicate how natural information processing systems obtain information; (c) Narrow Limits of Change Principle and (d) Information Store Principle, which indicate how information is processed and stored; and (e) Environmental Organizing and Linking Principle, which indicate how stored information is used to generate actions appropriate to an environment. In human cognition, these analogs only apply to cognitive processes associated with biologically secondary knowledge, the knowledge typically taught in educational institutions. Based on these five principles, cognitive load theory researchers have provided diverse prescriptions to optimize instructional activities and materials. We conclude by discussing general instructional implications and future research directions based on this analogy

Integrating cognitive load theory with other theories, within and beyond educational psychology

Background and Aims: The long-standing aim of cognitive load theory (CLT) has been to generate instructional design principles that show teachers how to instruct students effectively, based on knowledge of the intricacies of human cognitive architecture. Historically, the focus of CLT has been on identifying cognitive processes related to learning and instruction. However, the theory has become more multidisciplinary over time, drawing on theoretical perspectives both within, and beyond, educational psychology. Results: This Editorial presents a brief historical overview of key developments in CLT and seven key themes that are pertinent to research on CLT. These themes are as follows: Level of Expertise, Cognitive Load Measurement, Embodied Cognition, Self-Regulated Learning, Emotion Induction, Replenishment of Working Memory, and Two Subprocessors of Working Memory. Summaries of the nine empirical contributions to the special issue are presented and discussed in relation to how they provide insight into one or more of these themes. Conclusions: Understanding the variables that impact student learning and instruction has always represented the core aim of CLT. The growing multidisciplinary features of CLT should provide researchers and practitioners with more holistic perspectives of the factors that predict student learning and, in turn, guide instructional design

Research avenues supporting embodied cognition in learning and instruction

Research on embodied cognition acknowledges that cognitive processing is tightly coupled with bodily activities and the environment. An important implication for education is that learning can be enhanced when the brain, body, and environment mutually influence each other, such as when making or observing human actions, especially those involving hand gestures and manipulation of objects. In this narrative review article, we describe the evidence from six research avenues that can help explain why embodied cognition can enhance learning and instruction. Through the exploration of these six interconnected research pathways, we aim to make a significant contribution by proposing innovative directions for learning and instruction research, all rooted in the principles of embodied cognition. We establish a direct link between the six research pathways and embodied phenomena, both in the contexts of making and observing human movements. When making human movements, the research avenues explaining the learning benefits due to these movements are physical activity, generative learning, and offloaded cognition. When observing human movements, the avenues researching these phenomena are specialized processor and signaling. Lastly, the research avenue social cognition is integral to both making and observing human movements. With originality in focus, we also include research that has not been traditionally associated with embodied cognition or embodiment. This article offers comprehensive discussions, substantiated with evidence and influencing features, for each of these research avenues. We conclude by outlining the implications of these findings for instruction and charting potential directions for future investigation

Potential risk of Artemia sp as a transmission vector of lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV)

4 páginas, 1 figura. XI Congreso Nacional de Acuicultura (Vigo, 24-28 septiembre 2007). Ed. Antonio Cerviño Eiroa, Alejandro Guerra Díaz y Carmen Pérez Acosta.[EN] Cysts and naupliis of Artemia sp. were analysed. Specific nested-PCR revealed lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) genome. Infective viral particle has been observed by CPE development in inoculated cell cultures. Viral genome was found by in situ hybridization in nauplii and adults of natural infected artemia, as in nauplii of bath challenged artemia. No morphological damages have been observed. Artemia is a bio-accumulator of fish pathogens, with a possible role as environmental reservoir of fish pathogens. These results have shown the risk of artemia as a source of viral pathogens to fish larvae.[ES] En el presente trabajo se han realizado estudios virológicos en distintos lotes de quistes comerciales de artemias utilizados como alimento de larvas de peces marinos en piscifactorías. Mediante nested-PCR se ha detectado genoma del virus de linfocistis (LCDV) en homogeneizados de quistes y nauplios de artemia. La existencia de partículas víricas infectivas en estos homogeneizados se ha demostrado mediante la aparición de efectos citopáticos en cultivos celulares. Los ensayos de hibridación in situ han demostrado la existencia del LCDV en artemias infectadas naturalmente, así como en artemias inoculadas mediante baño, sin observarse alteraciones morfológicas. Las artemias actúan por tanto como bioacumuladores, pudiendo desempeñar un papel importante como reservorios ambientales de patógenos de peces. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto el riesgo potencial de las artemias como fuente de patógenos víricos en estadios larvarios.Irene Cano es contratada postdoctoral en el ICMAN.CSIC dentro del Fondo social europeo- I3P-CSIC, en el marco del proyecto AGL2006-17777-C03-02/ACU (IP: Carmen Sarasquete).Peer reviewe

La cueva de el Sidron (Borines, Piloña, Asturias) : primeros resultados

Se exponen los resultados preliminares de las excavaciones arqueológicas llevadas a cabo en la Cueva de El Sidrón entre 2000 y 2002, de acuerdo con los tres objetivos principales que conciernen al registro fósil humano: las características antropológicas, cómo y cuándo llegaron allí y la relación entre fósiles y cultura. Las primeras conclusiones obtenidas son que los restos humanos pertenecen al Neandertal, que el registro arqueológico corresponde a un tecno-complejo del Paleolítico Medio y que están en posición secundaria.We expose the preliminary results ofthe archaeological excavations developed between 2000-2002 in Sidrón's Cave, according to the three main objectives that concern the human fossil record: the anthropological characteristics, how and when they arrived there and the relation between fossils and culture. We conclude preliminarily that the record belongs to Horno Neanderthalensis, archeological remains to the Middle Paleolithic techno-complex, and they are in a secondary [email protected]

Diferencias en el pronóstico de la insuficiencia cardiaca con función sistólica conservada o deprimida en pacientes mayores de 70 años que toman bloqueadores beta

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. Most studies have shown that prognosis of heart failure with preserved systolic function is as poor as that of heart failure with depressed systolic function, although these results may be biased by the fact that these types of heart failure have different characteristics (age, comorbidity, treatment), which can influence prognosis. Our aim was to determine whether short-term morbidity and mortality differed in these 2 subgroups of heart failure patients when they were comparable in terms of age, associated comorbidity, and therapy. Methods. We analyzed 2 groups of patients aged >70 years who were candidates to receive beta blockers (preserved systolic function, 245; depressed systolic function, 374), consecutively discharged from 53 participating Spanish hospitals with a diagnosis of heart failure, and compared cardiovascular morbidity and mortality 3 months after discharge. Results. Mean age was similar (77.5 ± 4.8 vs 78.2 ± 5.5 years). Left ventricular ejection fraction was 56.2% ± 8.1% vs 33% ± 6.9% (P<.001). The combined event rate (death, hospitalization for heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, or stroke) at 3 months after discharge was lower in patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function (13.4% vs 20.6%; P=.026). Depressed systolic function was an independent predictor of greater incidence of events (odds ratio=1.732; P=.048). Conclusions. In patients of similar age and receiving similar treatment, short-term prognosis is better in patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function than in those with depressed systolic function.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. La mayoría de los trabajos han puesto de manifiesto que el pronóstico de la insuficiencia cardiaca con función sistólica conservada es tan malo como el de la insuficiencia cardiaca con función sistólica deprimida, aunque estos resultados pueden estar sesgados debido a que estos dos tipos de insuficiencia cardiaca tienen características distintas (edad, comorbilidades, tratamiento) que pueden influir en el pronóstico. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar si la morbimortalidad a corto plazo es distinta en estos dos subgrupos de insuficiencia cardiaca, con pacientes homogéneos en cuanto a edad, comorbilidad y tratamiento recibido. Métodos. Analizamos dos grupos de pacientes mayores de 70 años y que pudieran recibir bloqueadores beta, dados de alta consecutivamente tras un ingreso por insuficiencia cardiaca en 53 hospitales españoles (función sistólica deprimida, 245; función sistólica conservada, 374), y se comparó la morbimortalidad cardiovascular a los 3 meses del alta. Resultados. Las medias de edad fueron similares (77,5 ± 4,8 frente a 78,2 ± 5,5 años). La fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda fue de 56,2 ± 8,1% frente a 33 ± 6,9% (p < 0,001). La incidencia del evento combinado (muerte, ingreso por insuficiencia cardiaca, síndrome coronario agudo o ictus) a los 3 meses del alta fue menor en los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y función sistólica conservada (el 13,4 frente al 20,6%; p = 0,026). Tener la función sistólica deprimida fue predictor independiente de mayor incidencia de eventos (odds ratio = 1,732; p = 0,048). Conclusiones. En pacientes de edad similar que reciben el mismo tratamiento, el pronóstico a corto plazo es mejor en los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y función sistólica conservada que en aquellos con función sistólica deprimida

Analytical methods in wineries: is it time to change?

A review of the methods for the most common parameters determined in wine—namely, ethanol, sulfur dioxide, reducing sugars, polyphenols, organic acids, total and volatile acidity, iron, soluble solids, pH, and color—reported in the last 10 years is presented here. The definition of the given parameter, official and usual methods in wineries appear at the beginning of each section, followed by the methods reported in the last decade divided into discontinuous and continuous methods, the latter also are grouped in nonchromatographic and chromatographic methods because of the typical characteristics of each subgroup. A critical comparison between continuous and discontinuous methods for the given parameter ends each section. Tables summarizing the features of the methods and a conclusions section may help users to select the most appropriate method and also to know the state-of-the-art of analytical methods in this area

Sleep Problems Are Related to a Worse Quality of Life and a Greater Non-Motor Symptoms Burden in Parkinson’s Disease

COPPADIS Study Group.[Introduction] The aim of the present study was to examine the frequency of self-reported sleep problems and their associated factors in a large cohort of PD patients.[Methods] PD patients and controls, recruited from 35 centers of Spain from the COPPADIS cohort were included in this cross-sectional study. Sleep problems were assessed by the Spanish version of the Parkinson’s disease Sleep Scale version 1 (PDSS-1). An overall score below 82 or a score below 5 on at least 1 item was defined as sleep problems.[Results] The frequency of sleep problems was nearly double in PD patients compared to controls: 65.8% (448/681) vs 33.5% (65/206) (p < 0.0001). Mean total PDSS score was lower in PD patients than controls: 114.9 ± 28.8 vs 132.8 ± 16.3 (p < 0.0001). Quality of life (QoL) was worse in PD patients with sleep problems compared to those without: PDQ-39SI, 19.3 ± 14 vs 13 ± 11.6 (p < 0.0001); EUROHIS-QoL8, 3.7 ± 0.5 vs 3.9 ± 0.5 (p < 0.0001). Non-motor symptoms burden (NMSS; OR = 1.029; 95%CI 1.015–1.043; p < 0.0001) and impulse control behaviors (QUIP-RS; OR = 1.054; 95%CI 1.009–1.101; p = 0.018) were associated with sleep problems after adjustment for age, gender, disease duration, daily equivalent levodopa dose, H&Y, UPDRS-III, UPDRS-IV, PD-CRS, BDI-II, NPI, VAS-Pain, VAFS, FOGQ, and total number of non-antiparkinsonian treatments.[Conclusion] Sleep problems were frequent in PD patients and were related to both a worse QoL and a greater non-motor symptoms burden in PD. These findings call for increased awareness of sleep problems in PD patients.Peer reviewe

La cueva de El Sidrón (Borines, Piloña, Asturias): primeros resultados

Se exponen los resultados preliminares de las excavaciones arqueológicas llevadas a cabo en la Cueva de El Sidrón entre 2000 y 2002, de acuerdo con los tres objetivos principales que conciernen al registro fósil humano: las características antropológicas, cómo y cuándo llegaron allí y la relación entre fósiles y cultura. Las primeras conclusiones obtenidas son que los restos humanos pertenecen al Neandertal, que el registro arqueológico corresponde a un tecno-complejo del Paleolítico Medio y que están en posición secundaria.We expose the preliminary results of the archaeological excavations developed between 2000-2002 in Sidrón's Cave, according to the three main objectives that concern the human fossil record: the anthropological characteristics, how and when they arrived there and the relation between fossils and culture. We conclude preliminarily that the record belongs to Horno Neanderthalensis, archeological remains to the Middle Paleolithic techno-complex, and they are in a secondary position.Este trabajo se ha realizado en el marco del Convenio Consejería de Cultura del Principado de Asturias/Universidad de Oviedo (CN-00-184-D3 y CN-01-132, 133, 134-B1) y del Plan I+D+I Concertada (Ficyt/Consejería de Cultura: FC-02-PC-SPV01-27)