Rapid modulation of sensory processing induced by stimulus conflict

Humans are constantly confronted with environmental stimuli that conflict with task goals and can interfere with successful behavior. Prevailing theories propose the existence of cognitive control mechanisms that can suppress the processing of conflicting input and enhance that of the relevant input. However, the temporal cascade of brain processes invoked in response to conflicting stimuli remains poorly understood. By examining evoked electrical brain responses in a novel, hemifield-specific, visual-flanker task, we demonstrate that task-irrelevant conflicting stimulus input is quickly detected in higher level executive regions while simultaneously inducing rapid, recurrent modulation of sensory processing in the visual cortex. Importantly, however, both of these effects are larger for individuals with greater incongruency-related RT slowing. The combination of neural activation patterns and behavioral interference effects suggest that this initial sensory modulation induced by conflicting stimulus inputs reflects performance-degrading attentional distraction because of their incompatibility rather than any rapid task-enhancing cognitive control mechanisms. The present findings thus provide neural evidence for a model in which attentional distraction is the key initial trigger for the temporal cascade of processes by which the human brain responds to conflicting stimulus input in the environment

Bond Repurchases: A Teaching Case

Companies can buy back and retire their own bonds before maturity, resulting in a possible gain or loss on the extinguishment of debt. What would happen if a company repurchased its own bonds before maturity but did not retire them, potentially holding them for resale later before the bonds mature? This case gives students an opportunity to explore how the repurchase of bonds held for resale should be accounted for, including the repurchase transaction, the disposition of any gain or loss, and the possible transaction to resell the bonds later

Examination of spotted sand bass (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus) pollutant bioaccumulation in San Diego Bay, San Diego, California

The spotted sand bass (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus) is an important recreational sport and subsistence food fish within San Diego Bay, a large industrialized harbor in San Diego, California. Despite this importance, few studies examining the species life history relative to pollutant tissue concentrations and the consumptive fishery exist. This study utilized data from three independent spotted sand bass studies from 1989 to 2002 to investigate PCB, DDT, and mercury tissue concentrations relative to spotted sand bass age and growth in San Diego Bay, with subsequent comparisons to published pollutant advisory levels and fishery regulations for recreational and subsistence consumption of the species. Subsequent analysis focused on examining temporal and spatial differences for different regions of San Diego Bay.Study results for growth confirmed previous work, finding the species to exhibit highly asymptotic growth, making tissue pollutant concentrations at initial take size difficult if not impossible to predict. This was corroborated by independent tissue concentration results for mercury, which found no relationship between fish size and pollutant bioaccumulation observed. However, a positive though highly variable relationship was observed between fish size and PCB tissue concentration.Despite these findings, a significant proportion of fish exhibited pollutant levels above recommended state recreational angler consumption advisory levels for PCBs and mercury, especially for fish above the minimum take size, making the necessity of at-size predictions less critical. Lastly, no difference in tissue concentration was found temporally or spatially within San Diego Bay

Inclusive and flexible curriculum design framework in work-based learning: providing high-impact transnational education opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Impactful pedagogies in Higher Education are required to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. This chapter outlines an inclusive, flexible and work-based learning curriculum design framework to respond to these needs. Two cases from Glasgow Caledonian University are used to illustrate this framework in a transnational educational context in Sub-Saharan Africa. Case one explores the impact of a Railway Operations Management programme in South Africa, where the views of two cohorts of 137 recent graduates were gathered through an online questionnaire. Case two examines the views of Optometry/Orthoptics students who undertook an intensive two-week clinical work experience on the train-based clinic (Phelophepa train) in South Africa; data was gathered through an online questionnaire from 58 participating students since 2014. Both examples highlight transformative personal experiences and impacts of their education beyond just their studies – to a clearer sense of personal and professional pride, to becoming role models for their families and to developing meta-cognitive skills to support lifelong learning. In the Railway Operations Management example, additional benefits were seen to their organisation – through improved interpersonal skills, decision making and problem solving and creating knowledge-sharing – whereas in the Optometry/Orthoptics case life-changing impacts to patients were delivered through this work experience

Financial Literacy and Credit Cards: A Multi-Campus Survey

In America, credit cards on campus have been a disaster, leaving students buried in debt before graduation, often with little hope of paying off the debt before high fees and interest double the amount. This research details a multi-campus survey of current American college students and their use of credit cards. In the current project, we surveyed business students across five campuses in the United States (n=725) in fall, 2009. We found significant differences between students on their knowledge of credit cards and several demographic factors. We conclude by discussing the implications for further research in this area

Quality Health Information On the Internet: Developing a Diabetes Pathfinder For the Chinese Population

A Web-based bilingual diabetes information pathfinder was created to help the Chinese population access quality health information on the Internet as part of a collaborative outreach project in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A survey was conducted to identify the demographics, Internet usage, health information needs, and preferences for training sessions of the Chinese population. Breast cancer, diabetes, and hepatitis B were the top three diseases of interest. The process of developing the pathfinder is described from start to finish, and it can serve as a model for the development of others. Pathfinder training sessions also were held. Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

A new WMO Guide for the measurement of cryospheric variables

Comunicación presentada en: TECO-2018 (Technical Conference on Meteorological and Environmental Instruments and Methods of Observation) celebrada en Amsterdam, del 8 al 11 de octubre de 2018.The Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) is being developed by the WMO as a mechanism for providing dependable data, information, and analysis on the past, current, and future state of the cryosphere. To achieve its goals, GCW promotes consistent and sustainable measurements, of demonstrated quality, of all cryospheric components such as solid precipitation, snow, glaciers and ice caps, ice sheets, ice shelves, icebergs, sea ice, lake and river ice, and permafrost and seasonally frozen ground. As part of the GCW Observations Working Group, a Best Practices team was tasked with compiling an authoritative guide on measurement best practices for cryospheric variables for use at the GCW CryoNet stations as well as broader applications involving cryospheric observations. Recognizing the complexity and diversity of this task, the first priority has been given to the development of best practices for snow, sea ice, and glaciers. The intent of the guide proposed by GCW is to fill a void where current measurement guidelines are incomplete or fragmented and to compile and update existing measurement procedures to reflect current technologies and associated recommendations. For example, results from the recently completed WMO Solid Precipitation Inter-Comparison Experiment (SPICE) are incorporated to add recommendations on the automated measurement of snow on the ground. The Guide for the Measurement of Cryospheric Variables will include specific chapters for each component of the cryosphere and a general chapter reflecting broader aspects of cryosphere observations. These will be published in conjunction with the Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation, WMO-No. 8, as it evolves to broaden its scope to include the full spectrum of observations within the context of the Integrated Global Observing System. This will ensure that the information will be widely accessible and used by the community. This presentation will provide an introduction to the new Guide for the Measurement of Cryospheric Variables and most recent developments

Stat-tracks and mediotypes: powerful tools for modern ichnology based on 3D models.

Vertebrate tracks are subject to a wide distribution of morphological types. A single trackmaker may be associated with a range of tracks reflecting individual pedal anatomy and behavioural kinematics mediated through substrate properties which may vary both in space and time. Accordingly, the same trackmaker can leave substantially different morphotypes something which must be considered in creating ichnotaxa. In modern practice this is often captured by the collection of a series of 3D track models. We introduce two concepts to help integrate these 3D models into ichnological analysis procedures. The mediotype is based on the idea of using statistically-generated three-dimensional track models (median or mean) of the type specimens to create a composite track to support formal recognition of a ichno type. A representative track (mean and/or median) is created from a set of individual reference tracks or from multiple examples from one or more trackways. In contrast, stat-tracks refer to other digitally generated tracks which may explore variance. For example, they are useful in: understanding the preservation variability of a given track sample; identifying characteristics or unusual track features; or simply as a quantitative comparison tool. Both concepts assist in making ichnotaxonomical interpretations and we argue that they should become part of the standard procedure when instituting new ichnotaxa. As three-dimensional models start to become a standard in publications on vertebrate ichnology, the mediotype and stat-track concepts have the potential to help guiding a revolution in the study of vertebrate ichnology and ichnotaxonomy