Self-rated everyday prospective memory abilities of cigarette smokers and non-smokers: a web based study

The present study examined self-ratings of two aspects of everyday memory performance: long-term prospective memory—measured by the prospective memory questionnaire (PMQ), and everyday memory—measured by the everyday memory questionnaire (EMQ). Use of other substances was also measured and used as covariates in the study. To ensure confidentiality and to expand the numbers used in previous studies, an Internet study was carried out and data from 763 participants was gathered. After controlling for other drug use and strategy use, the data from the PMQ revealed that smokers reported a greater number of long-term prospective memory errors than non-smokers. There were also differences between light and heavier smokers in long-term prospective memory, suggesting that nicotine may have a dose-dependent impact upon long-term prospective memory performance. There was also a significant ANOVA group effect on the EMQ, although the trend for more memory errors amongst the heavier smokers was statistically only borderline (p = .057). These findings suggest there are selective memory deficits associated with smoking and that long-term prospective memory deficits should be added to the growing list of problems associated with cigarette use

Effects of alcohol on subjective ratings of prospective and everyday memory deficits

Background: Research has shown that heavy alcohol use has a detrimental effect on retrospective memory. Less is known about the effect of alcohol on everyday memory. Methods: This study examined self-ratings of two aspects of memory performance: prospective memory (for example, forgetting to pass on a message) and everyday memory (measured by cognitive failures, such as telling someone a joke that you have told them before). To ensure anonymity and expand on the numbers of participants used in previous studies, data were collected by using the Internet. Data from 763 participants remained after data screening. Results: After controlling for other drug and strategy use, there was clear evidence that differential use of alcohol was associated with impairments in the long-term aspect of prospective memory and with an increased number of cognitive failures. Conclusions: These results support and extend the findings of previous research: our findings are consistent with the idea that heavy use of alcohol does have a significant and negative effect on everyday cognitive performance. Possible causes of these impairments are discussed

Radiation from a Charge Uniformly Accelerated for All Time

A recent paper of Singal [Gen. Rel. Grav. 27 (1995), 953-967] argues that a uniformly accelerated particle does not radiate, in contradiction to the consensus of the research literature over the past 30 years. This note points out some questionable aspects of Singal's argument and shows how similar calculations can lead to the opposite conclusion.Comment: LaTeX, 9 pages, to appear in General Relativity and Gravitatio

Self-consistent calculation of electric potentials in Hall devices

Using a first-principles classical many-body simulation of a Hall bar, we study the necessary conditions for the formation of the Hall potential: (i) Ohmic contacts with metallic reservoirs, (ii) electron-electron interactions, and (iii) confinement to a finite system. By propagating thousands of interacting electrons over million time-steps we capture the build-up of the self-consistent potential, which resembles results obtained by conformal-mapping methods. As shown by a microscopic model of the current injection, the Hall effect is linked to specific boundary conditions at the particle reservoirs.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Targeted genome modifications in soybean with CRISPR/Cas9

Background: The ability to selectively alter genomic DNA sequences in vivo is a powerful tool for basic and applied research. The CRISPR/Cas9 system precisely mutates DNA sequences in a number of organisms. Here, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is shown to be effective in soybean by knocking-out a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene and modifying nine endogenous loci. Results: Targeted DNA mutations were detected in 95% of 88 hairy-root transgenic events analyzed. Bi-allelic mutations were detected in events transformed with eight of the nine targeting vectors. Small deletions were the most common type of mutation produced, although SNPs and short insertions were also observed. Homoeologous genes were successfully targeted singly and together, demonstrating that CRISPR/Cas9 can both selectively, and generally, target members of gene families. Somatic embryo cultures were also modified to enable the production of plants with heritable mutations, with the frequency of DNA modifications increasing with culture time. A novel cloning strategy and vector system based on In-Fusion (R) cloning was developed to simplify the production of CRISPR/Cas9 targeting vectors, which should be applicable for targeting any gene in any organism. Conclusions: The CRISPR/Cas9 is a simple, efficient, and highly specific genome editing tool in soybean. Although some vectors are more efficient than others, it is possible to edit duplicated genes relatively easily. The vectors and methods developed here will be useful for the application of CRISPR/Cas9 to soybean and other plant species

A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences of transitioning from secure forensic services – The TOPS Study

This was presented at the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care Lunchtime Research Seminar. The presentation discusses the current findings of Phase 1 and 2 of the TOPS study

Growing older in secure mental health care: the user experience

Background: The proportion of older adults using secure forensic psychiatric services is rising. Research is needed to examine the experience of older service users and evidence how adult services can adapt to meet their needs. Aim: To explore user experiences of being an older adult in secure forensic services. Methods: Thematic analysis of interviews and observations of weekly routines conducted with fifteen service users aged 50 and over residing in a low and medium secure NHS unit in England. Results: User experiences of ageing and age-related needs are reported using five themes: age-related identities; ward environments; participation in activities; management of physical health; and ageing futures. Older adults living with people their own age reported more social integration than those on wards dominated by younger adults. Most wished to self-manage their physical health needs with the support of primary care staff. Older adults were reluctant to identify as “old” or “vulnerable”. Some older adults downplayed their changing care needs. Conclusions: Placement of older people in adult secure services requires awareness of the age balance of the ward. A culture of inclusivity, sensitivity and respect for older persons’ agency is key to collaboratively meeting additional care needs and discharge planning

Theory of the quantum Hall effect in graphene

We study the quantum Hall effect (QHE) in graphene based on the current injection model. In our model, the presence of disorder, the edge-state picture, extended states and localized states, which are believed to be indispensable ingredients in describing the QHE, do not play an important role. Instead the boundary conditions during the injection into the graphene sheet, which are enforced by the presence of the Ohmic contacts, determine the current-voltage characteristics.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, rewritten, role of contacts for boundary conditions in small device