Resource-sharing in multiple component working memory

Working memory research often focuses on measuring the capacity of the system and how it relates to other cognitive abilities. However, research into the structure of working memory is less concerned with an overall capacity measure but rather with the intricacies of underlying components and their contribution to different tasks. A number of models of working memory structure have been proposed, each with different assumptions and predictions, but none of which adequately accounts for the full range of data in the working memory literature. We report 2 experiments that investigated the effects of load manipulations on dual-task verbal temporary memory and spatial processing. Crucially, we manipulated cognitive load around the measured memory span of each individual participant. We report a clear effect of increasing memory load on processing accuracy, but only when memory load is increased above each participant’s measured memory span. However, increasing processing load did not affect memory performance. We argue that immediate verbal memory may rely both on a temporary phonological store and on activated traces in long-term memory, with the latter deployed to support memory performance for supraspan lists and when a high memory load is coupled with a processing task. We propose that future research should tailor the load manipulations to the capacities of individual participants and suggest that contrasts between models of working memory may be more apparent than real

The role of self-care interventions on men’s health-seeking behaviours to advance their sexual and reproductive health and rights

Background: Self-care interventions are influencing people’s access to, expectation and understanding of healthcare beyond formal health delivery systems. In doing so, self-care interventions could potentially improve health-seeking behaviours. While many men proactively engage in maintaining and promoting their health, the focus on men’s health comes from the recognition, at least partially, that male socialization and social norms can induce men and boys to have a lower engagement in institutionalized public health entities and systems around their sexual and reproductive health and rights, that could impact negatively on themselves, their partners and children. Main text: A research agenda could consider the ways that public health messaging and information on self care practices for sexual and reproductive health and rights could be tailored to reflect men’s lived realities and experiences. Three examples of evidence-based self-care interventions related to sexual and reproductive health and rights that men can, and many do, engage in are briefly discussed: condom use, HIV self-testing and use of telemedicine and digital platforms for sexual health. We apply four core elements that contribute to health, including men’s health (people-centred approaches, quality health systems, a safe and supportive enabling environment, and behaviour-change communication) to each intervention where further research can inform normative guidance. Conclusion: Engaging men and boys and facilitating their participation in self care can be an important policy intervention to advance global sexual and reproductive health and rights goals. The longstanding model of men neglecting or even sabotaging their wellbeing needs to be replaced by healthier lifestyles, which requires understanding how factors related to social support, social norms, power, academic performance or employability conditions, among others, influence men’s engagement with health services and with their own self care practices

Extinction and the Dimming of KIC 8462852

To test alternative hypotheses for the behavior of KIC 8462852, we obtained measurements of the star over a wide wavelength range from the UV to the mid-infrared from October 2015 through December 2016, using Swift, Spitzer and at AstroLAB IRIS. The star faded in a manner similar to the long-term fading seen in Kepler data about 1400 days previously. The dimming rate for the entire period reported is 22.1 +\- 9.7 milli-mag/yr in the Swift wavebands, with amounts of 21.0 +\- 4.5 mmag in the groundbased B measurements, 14.0 +\- 4.5 mmag in V, and 13.0 +\- 4.5 in R, and a rate of 5.0 +\- 1.2 mmag/yr averaged over the two warm Spitzer bands. Although the dimming is small, it is seen at >= 3 sigma by three different observatories operating from the UV to the IR. The presence of long-term secular dimming means that previous SED models of the star based on photometric measurements taken years apart may not be accurate. We find that stellar models with T_{eff} = 7000 - 7100 K and A_V ~ 0.73 best fit the Swift data from UV to optical. These models also show no excess in the near-simultaneous Spitzer photometry at 3.6 and 4.5 microns, although a longer wavelength excess from a substantial debris disk is still possible (e.g., as around Fomalhaut). The wavelength dependence of the fading favors a relatively neutral color (i.e., R_V >= 5, but not flat across all the bands) compared with the extinction law for the general ISM (R_V = 3.1), suggesting that the dimming arises from circumstellar material.Comment: accepted by the Astrophysical Journal; acknowledgements revised 9/1/201

The JNCC terrestrial biodiversity surveillance schemes: an assessment of coverage

Biodiversity information is needed to provide a sound evidence base for decision-making, including operational needs, statutory reporting requirements and strategic needs. In this study we sought to assess aspects of coverage so as to identify gaps in taxonomic, thematic (habitat) and spatial coverage which might need to be addressed in future

The Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Quality of Life and Muscle Strength in Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer and prostate cancer are two of the most common cancers seen in females and males respectively worldwide. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and androgen deprivation therapy are essential to combat cancerous cells. However, the lasting side effects of these lifesaving treatments can impact an individual’s quality of life and muscle strength without appropriate intervention. While exercise has been shown to be beneficial for patients with cancer, there is limited understanding of the effects of resistance training when performed concurrently with medical interventions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of resistance training on quality of life and muscle strength in patients with breast and prostate cancer undergoing cancer treatment. METHODS: An academic search was conducted beginning August of 2020 and ending January 2021. The databases searched consisted of PubMed, EBSCO, Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL, and Medline. This search yielded 18 randomized controlled trials, 11 pertaining to breast cancer and 7 pertaining to prostate cancer. RESULTS: All articles utilized a myriad of outcome measures to see changes in QoL and muscle strength. Studies evaluated resulted in either a positive short term or no improvement during the period of active intervention. However, some studies did note a lack of long-term significant differences in outcome measures between the intervention and control groups. Review of the literature did not reveal patient attrition was due to adverse effects of the intervention. CONCLUSION: Resistance training can be a safe and effective intervention to improve quality and life and muscle strength in patients undergoing cancer treatment. Current studies demonstrate the need for physical therapists to be included in the interdisciplinary approach from the moment of a cancer diagnosis.https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/research_posters2021/1044/thumbnail.jp

Glucocorticoid-Mediated Inhibition of Angiogenic Changes in Human Endothelial Cells Is Not Caused by Reductions in Cell Proliferation or Migration

Glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis is important in physiology, pathophysiology and therapy. However, the mechanisms through which glucocorticoids inhibit growth of new blood vessels have not been established. This study addresses the hypothesis that physiological levels of glucocorticoids inhibit angiogenesis by directly preventing tube formation by endothelial cells.Cultured human umbilical vein (HUVEC) and aortic (HAoEC) endothelial cells were used to determine the influence of glucocorticoids on tube-like structure (TLS) formation, and on cellular proliferation (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation), viability (ATP production) and migration (Boyden chambers). Dexamethasone or cortisol (at physiological concentrations) inhibited both basal and prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF(2α))-induced and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulated TLS formation in endothelial cells (ECs) cultured on Matrigel, effects which were blocked with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486. Glucocorticoids had no effect on EC viability, migration or proliferation. Time-lapse imaging showed that cortisol blocked VEGF-stimulated cytoskeletal reorganisation and initialisation of tube formation. Real time PCR suggested that increased expression of thrombospodin-1 contributed to glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of TLS formation.We conclude that glucocorticoids interact directly with glucocorticoid receptors on vascular ECs to inhibit TLS formation. This action, which was conserved in ECs from two distinct vascular territories, was due to alterations in cell morphology rather than inhibition of EC viability, migration or proliferation and may be mediated in part by induction of thrombospodin-1. These findings provide important insights into the anti-angiogenic action of endogenous glucocorticoids in health and disease

Sequence Ontology terminology for gene regulation

The Sequence Ontology (SO) is a structured, controlled vocabulary that provides terms and definitions for genomic annotation. The Gene Regulation Ensemble Effort for the Knowledge Commons (GREEKC) initiative has gathered input from many groups of researchers, including the SO, the Gene Ontology (GO), and gene regulation experts, with the goal of curating information about how gene expression is regulated at the molecular level. Here we discuss recent updates to the SO reflecting current knowledge. We have developed more accurate human-readable terms (also known as classes), including new definitions, and relationships related to the expression of genes. New findings continue to give us insight into the biology of gene regulation, including the order of events, and participants in those events. These updates to the SO support logical reasoning with the current understanding of gene expression regulation at the molecular level

A GO catalogue of human DNA-binding transcription factors

DNA-binding transcription factors recognise genomic addresses, specific sequence motifs in gene regulatory regions, to control gene transcription. A complete and reliable catalogue of all DNA-binding transcription factors is key to investigating the delicate balance of gene regulation in response to environmental and developmental stimuli. The need for such a catalogue of proteins is demonstrated by the many lists of DNA-binding transcription factors that have been produced over the past decade. The COST Action Gene Regulation Ensemble Effort for the Knowledge Commons (GREEKC) Consortium brought together experts in the field of transcription with the aim of providing high quality and interoperable gene regulatory data. The Gene Ontology (GO) Consortium provides strict definitions for gene product function, including factors that regulate transcription. The collaboration between the GREEKC and GO Consortia has enabled the application of those definitions to produce a new curated catalogue of human DNA-binding transcription factors, that can be accessed at https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/targetset/dbTF. In addition, this curation effort has led to the GO annotation of almost sixty thousand DNA-binding transcription factors in over a hundred species. Thus, this work will aid researchers investigating the regulation of transcription in both biomedical and basic science

Squirrelpox in a red squirrel in Fife

SQUIRRELPOX has been identified as a key factor in red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) decline in the UK.1 Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are thought to act as reservoir hosts for squirrelpox virus (SQPV), the causative agent of squirrelpox, with a reported asymptomatic seroprevalence of 61 per cent.2SQPV is implicated in the complete replacement of red squirrels by grey squirrels throughout mainland England and Wales,1 and poses a major threat to Scottish red squirrel populations since being first detected in 2007.3 To combat this threat, an mortality surveillance programme has been established at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, using opportunistic sampling of red squirrel carcases. This has been ongoing for several years, including a summary publication covering 262 cases submitted from 2005 to 2009.4As part of this monitoring programme, an adult female red squirrel carcase was submitted by a member of the public, after having been found in Townhall Wood (NT110894), on the outskirts of Dunfermline, Fife, in March 2024. Postmortem examination identified multiple lesions typically associated with squirrelpox, including ulcerative and exudative dermatitis of the periocular and perioral skin (Fig 1). Histopathology of the affected skin identified extensive ulceration alongside remnant areas of epithelium with marked ballooning degeneration and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Transmission electron microscopy of the affected tissue also identified numerous pox virions within the affected tissue, which through their size, shape and available surface morphology (Fig 2), were consistent with those of SQPV. In Britain there have been no additional identified diseases in red squirrels that present with periocular or perioral, ulcerative to exudative dermatitis due to a poxvirus,5indicating this case is highly likely due to SQPV.This finding represents the first identification of squirrelpox north of the central belt and is consistent with the predictions of previous modelling, which identified a high risk of northern SQPV spread from 2023 onwards.6 This modelling also suggests a rapid increase and spread of squirrelpox into more northerly and naive red squirrel populations is likely following establishment north of the central belt in central Scotland.6This case and modelling supports an increased requirement for targeted investigations, ongoing monitoring and grey squirrel interventions both around Dunfermline itself and within adjacent areas to establish the disease burden in this locality and limit further northerly squirrelpox spread.LA Wilson, veterinary pathology lecturer, M Marr, postdoctoral research fellow, C Logie, postmortem room technician, K Beckmann, conservation medicine lecturer, PWW Lurz, squirrel ecologist, R Ogden, director of conservation science, E Milne, professor emerita of veterinary clinical pathology Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG email: [email protected] DJ Everest, pathology scientist APHA Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NBReferences1 Tompkins DM, White AR, Boots M. Ecological replacement of native red squirrels by invasive greys driven by disease. Ecol Lett2003;6:189–962 Sainsbury AW, Nettleton P, Gilray J, et al. Grey squirrels have high seroprevalence to a parapoxvirus associated with deaths in red squirrels. Anim Conserv2000;3:229–33 3 Mclnnes CJ, Coulter L, Dagleish MP, et al. First cases of squirrelpox in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Scotland. Vet Rec2009;164:528–314 LaRose JP, Meredith AL, Everest DJ, et al. Epidemiological and postmortem findings in 262 red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Scotland, 2005 to 2009. Vet Rec2010;167:297–3025 Everest DJ, Tolhurst-Cherriman DAR, Davies H, et al. Assessing a potential non-invasive method for viral diagnostic purposes in European squirrels. Hystrix 2019;30:44–506 White A, Lurz PWW. A modelling assessment of control strategies to prevent/reduce squirrelpox spread. 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No 627. https://bit.ly/441TOgM (accessed 8 April 2024)PROFESSIONHistory of the veterinary professionI WRITE in response to the debate article by Bruce Vivash Jones (VR, 16/23 March 2024, vol 194, p 236). As a PhD researcher on the history of the RCVS and veterinary regulation, and a veterinary nurse, I would like to raise some issues with Vivash Jones’ historical evidence. He states that changes to the council structure would create an oligarchy. From his interpretation of an oligarchy I can assure him and our profession that the first RCVS council did work as This finding represents the first identification of squirrelpox north of the central belt20/27 April 2024 | VET RECORD312Fig 2: Squirrelpox virus virions detected in the affected tissue. Bar = 200 nmFig 1: Macroscopic lesions of ulcerative and exudative dermatitis surrounding the eye in a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)Letters 20 April.indd 312Letters 20 April.indd 31216/04/2024 12:4816/04/2024 12:4

Widely-tunable mid-infrared ring cavity pump-enhanced OPO and application in photo-thermal interferometric trace ethane detection

Funding: Innovate UK (133076); Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP//L01596X/1, EP/M01326X/1, EP/M024385/1); European Research Council (ERC-2018-STG 803665).The development of a broadly and accurately tunable single-frequency mid-infrared laser source and its application to a sensitive laser absorption detection method are described. Photo-thermal interferometric spectroscopy is employed as a phase-sensitive method to detect the minute refractive index change caused by the heating of a gas under laser radiation. A separate probe beam allows for the spectrally-interesting mid-infrared region to be examined whilst utilizing low cost, high detectivity photodetectors in the visible/near-infrared region. We also describe the implementation of a Sagnac interferometer to minimize the effects of environmental perturbation and provide inherent passive stability. A continuous-wave ring-cavity pump-enhanced OPO has been developed to provide excitation light from 3–4 µm at 140 mW with the ability to mode-hop tune continuously over 90 cm−1 in 0.07 cm−1 steps. Complementary use of both detection apparatus and excitation source has allowed for presence of ethane to be detected down to 200 parts per billion.developed to provide excitation light from 3–4 µm at 140 mW with the ability to mode-hop tune continuously over 90 cm−1 in 0.07 cm−1 steps. Complementary use of both detection apparatus and excitation source has allowed for presence of ethane to be detected down to 200 parts per billion.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe