Investigating the influence of music training on verbal memory

Previous research has shown that musical training is associated with enhanced verbal memory. The current study investigated the generality of this association by presenting undergraduates who had received musical training (n = 20) and undergraduates with no formal music training (n = 20) with four types of word list; high visual imagery, high auditory imagery, high tactile imagery, and abstract. Those who had received music training showed enhanced memory for all word lists, suggesting that music training leads to a general enhancement in verbal memory that is not restricted to specific types of words (e.g., those invoking auditory imagery). The findings support previous research in showing that music training enhances cognitive skills beyond those that are specific to the domain of music. The possible cognitive and neural factors underpinning this effect are discussed

Structural characterization of the carbohydrate-binding module of NanA sialidase, a pneumococcal virulence factor

This research was supported by the University of St Andrews and grants provided by the Medical Research Council.Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae Neuraminidase A (NanA) is a multi-domain protein anchored to the bacterial surface. Upstream of the catalytic domain of NanA is a domain that conforms to the sialic acid-recognising CBM40 family of the CAZY (carbohydrate-active enzymes) database. This domain has been identified to play a critical role in allowing the bacterium to promote adhesion and invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells, and hence may play a key role in promoting bacterial meningitis. In addition, the CBM40 domain has also been reported to activate host chemokines and neutrophil recruitment during infection. Results: Crystal structures of both apo- and holo- forms of the NanA CBM40 domain (residues 121 to 305), have been determined to 1.8 angstrom resolution. The domain shares the fold of other CBM40 domains that are associated with sialidases. When in complex with alpha 2,3- or alpha 2,6-sialyllactose, the domain is shown to interact only with the terminal sialic acid. Significantly, a deep acidic pocket adjacent to the sialic acid-binding site is identified, which is occupied by a lysine from a symmetry-related molecule in the crystal. This pocket is adjacent to a region that is predicted to be involved in protein-protein interactions. Conclusions: The structural data provide the details of linkage-independent sialyllactose binding by NanA CBM40 and reveal striking surface features that may hold the key to recognition of binding partners on the host cell surface. The structure also suggests that small molecules or sialic acid analogues could be developed to fill the acidic pocket and hence provide a new therapeutic avenue against meningitis caused by S. pneumoniae.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the First Amendment: Section 1201’s Disruptive Effects on the Fair Use Doctrine

Although the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) does not impede First Amendment rights directly, it does infringe on First Amendment rights indirectly as it impedes the functional operation of the right to fair use. Specifically, in the implementation of the anti-circumvention provision, the DMCA unfairly restricts fair use. The right to fair use is cited as one of the inherent balancers of First Amendment issues within the Copyright Clause thus, as the right to fair use is restricted under the DMCA, the current Copyright Clause creates challenges for the functional operation of First Amendment rights within copyright law

Choice as an Antecedent Intervention Provided to Children with Emotional Disturbances

It is estimated that 0.7% (349,000) of students aged three to 21 have been diagnosed with an emotional disturbance (ED; NCES, 2018). Students with ED typically demonstrate social, behavioral, and academic deficiencies within the school setting. A large part of educating students with ED is providing positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) embedded within the structured school day. Antecedent behavior interventions (ABI), including the provision of choice-making opportunities, are examples of effective practice within the PBIS framework. Although there have been studies addressing choice-making for students with ED, most of the literature has focused on choice-making provided during mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) instruction. Therefore, this study employed a single-subject multiple-baseline across-participants design to examine the effect of choice-making provided in social skills instruction on both academic (i.e., correct responses) and behavioral outcomes (i.e., task engagement, disruptions) for three elementary-aged students with ED. Results demonstrated improved behaviors of three student participants. All participants showed an increase in task engagement and a decrease in number of disruptions from baseline to intervention conditions, and one of three student participants increased the number of correct responses on social skills assignments from baseline to intervention condition. In this study, experimental control was not established and this precluded the establishment of a functional relationship. The results are inconclusive for social skills instruction. Limitations and discussion for future research in regard to choice-making for students with ED are provided

Choice as an Antecedent Intervention Provided to Children with Emotional Disturbances

Students with ED typically demonstrate social, behavioral, and academic deficiencies within the school setting. This article addresses the antecedent behavior interventions (ABI) of the provision of choice-making opportunities which are an effective practice within the PBIS framework. This study employed a single-subject multiple-baseline across-participants design to examine the effect of choice-making provided in social skills instruction on both academic (i.e., correct responses) and behavioral outcomes (i.e., task engagement, disruptions) for three elementary-aged students with ED. Results demonstrated improved behaviors of three student participants. All participants showed an increase in task engagement and a decrease in number of disruptions from baseline to intervention conditions, and one of three student participants increased the number of correct responses on social skills assignments from baseline to intervention condition. In this study, experimental control was not established and this precluded the establishment of a functional relationship. The results are inconclusive for social skills instruction

Health benefits of seafood: A review of resources available to General Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals

This review focused on the collection and critical review of relevant resources that were available to General Practitioners (GPs) and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) to use with patients as either a prevention or treatment measure for common lifestyle or medical conditions. All resources reviewed were in English and were designed to be used during a five to ten minute consultation. The identification process realised 120 current resources associated with the health benefits of regular consumption of seafood as part of a healthy diet that could be used by GPs and AHPs. The resource topics included arthritis (seven), cancer (six), dementia (one), dental health (two), diabetes (three), heart health (30), nutrition (40), osteoporosis (six) and preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding (25). The critical review of resources revealed information about the format, target group, reference to seafood, credibility and suitability of the identified resources.The majority of identified resources (88.4%, n=106) were available electronically as either PDF files or webpages, a preferable, quick and easy mode of access for GPs and AHPs. Just over half (57.5%, n=69) of the identified resources were targeted at specific audiences. All of the resources made reference to the health benefits of regular consumption of fish (100%, n=120), 22.5% (n=27) made reference to seafood and 5% (n=6%) made reference to fish oil as part of a healthy diet. Only 15% (n=18) of the identified resources were suitable for use with the general Australian population at or below the recommended reading level of Year Eight. The majority (87.5%, n=105) of resources were found to be ‘credible’ or ‘highly credible’. Resources that were found to be ‘definitely not credible’, ‘not credible’ or ‘somewhat credible’ (12.5%, n=15) were primarily due to information being provided by commercial entities with possible competing interests. In summary, the most pertinent outcome from this research was that only 15% (n=18) of the resources reviewed were suitable for use with the general Australian population at the recommended reading level of Year Eight or lower

Talking about sunbed tanning: Social representations and identity-work

Rationale Despite the publicised health risks associated with its usage, sunbed tanning remains popular in many Western countries. Previous research indicates that knowledge of the harmful effects does not necessarily lead to a reduction in sunbed use. Objective The aim of this study was to develop a more extensive social psychological understanding of sunbed use, in the United Kingdom, by exploring the social representations of sunbed tanning held by both those who use and who have never used sunbeds. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 sunbed users and 10 who had never used a sunbed. Results A thematic analysis identified two dimensions in the social representations of both the users and non-users; these were concerned with a) health and b) beauty. However, whereas non-users emphasised the health risks, users downplayed and minimised them, instead emphasising the health benefits. Similarly, whereas non-users emphasised the negative aspects of excessive concern with beauty, sunbed users challenged and distanced themselves from this negativity. Sunbed users were engaged in a form of identity-work to protect themselves from the wider negativity and disapproval of which they were aware. Conclusion Theoretically, social representations theory has provided a unique lens through which to explore this topic, highlighting the importance of taking into consideration the wider environment in which sunbed use takes place. Preliminary practical suggestions include that health workers should consider identity-work when designing interventions aimed at reducing sunbed use. Findings also suggest that, rather than continuing to educate sunbed users about the risks, campaigns and interventions should challenge the commonly drawn upon arguments about the health benefits. These benefits emerged as a particularly powerful discursive tool for the sunbed users in helping to justify their behaviour, but also to counteract negative stereotypes and assumptions they knew others held of them

A critical review of nutrition resources for general practitioners focusing on a healthy diet, including seafood

Background: General practitioners (GPs) are considered a trusted and reliable source of health-related information including nutritional advice. Preliminary investigation found that GPs wanted evidence-based nutrition resources that could be used within a 10 minute consultation. Aim: The aim of the study was to identify and critically review current resources available to GPs that promote seafood consumption within a healthy diet, as a preventative or treatment measure for common lifestyle or medical conditions. Methods: English language resources currently available to GPs in 2008 were sourced through multiple avenues including: individual organisations; medical service networks; health information services and internet search engines. Assessment included critical review of: format; appropriateness for target groups; reference to seafood and supporting evidence; credibility; readability; and suitability for use by practitioners in a short consultation. Results: One hundred and twenty resources were identified. The majority (88.4%, n=106) of identified resource were available electronically. Just over half (57.5%, n=69) of the resources were targeted at specific audiences. All of the resources made reference to the health benefits of regular consumption of fish (100%, n=120), 22.5% (n=27) made reference to seafood in general and 5% (n=6) made reference to fish oil. Only 15% (n=18) of the identified resources were suitable for use with the general Australian population at or below the recommended reading level of Year Eight. The majority (87.5%, n=105) of the identified resources were associated with credible sources of information about the health benefits of regular consumption of seafood.Conclusions: This study found that the majority of resources available to GPs were not suitable for use with the general Australian population at the recommended reading level of Year 8 or lower. Whilst it is acknowledged that written health information alone cannot change health behaviours, it can provide accurate information to assist in making changes to behaviours with support from appropriate health care professionals

The Cost of Defection: The Consequences of Quitting Al-Shabaab

This study investigates defections from the Al-Shabaab insurgency in Somalia. Thirty-two disengaged Al-Shabaab combatants were interviewed about their motivations, grievances, needs, and challenges in relation to the recruitment, defection, and post-defection phases. This paper focuses on post-defection challenges, where we found the primary concern to be lack of personal security. Without adequate security, disengaged combatants are vulnerable to being hunted and killed by Al-Shabaab. This significant threat discourages further mass and individual defections. We also found that disengaged combatants joined and defected out of religious zeal, to fight for what they believed to be a holy Islamic cause. This same zeal led them to defect, as they came to believe Al-Shabaab was not obeying the true Islamic faith. Indiscriminate killing by Al-Shabaab disenchants its religiously pious members, creating an opportunity to encourage mass and individual defections. However, if disengaged combatants are not protected from retribution, defection will lose its appeal