scholarly journals The semantic control network mediates the relationship between symbolic numerical order processing and arithmetic performance in children

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerrit Sommerauer ◽  
Karl-Heinz Grass ◽  
Roland H. Grabner ◽  
Stephan E. Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Numerical Magnitude ◽  
Control Network ◽  
List Type ◽  
Order Processing ◽  
Imaging Results ◽  
Numerical Order ◽  
Arithmetic Performance ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractBehavioral and neuroimaging studies have recently demonstrated that symbolic numerical order processing (i.e., deciding whether numbers are in an increasing/decreasing sequence or not) may engages different cognitive mechanisms and brain regions compared to symbolic numerical magnitude processing (e.g., deciding which of two numerals is larger). Because of this behavioral dissociation, growing interest has emerged to better understand the neurocognitive mechanisms of symbolic numerical order processing and their relationship to individual differences in arithmetic performance. In the present functional imaging work, we further investigated this link in a group of thirty children (7.2-10.25 years) from elementary school, who completed a symbolic numerical order verification (are the numbers going up? e.g., 1-2-3), a symbolic numerical magnitude comparison task (which is the larger number? e.g., 5-7), as well as an arithmetic fluency test outside the scanner. Behavioral results demonstrated the unique role of numerical order to predict children’s arithmetic skills and confirmed its mediating power to explain the association between numerical magnitude and arithmetic performance. Imaging results showed a significant association between numerical order and arithmetic in the intersection of the right inferior frontal gyrus and insula, as well as the posterior middle temporal gyrus. An age-dependent change in brain activity was found in the left intraparietal sulcus. These findings solidify the developmental importance of symbolic numerical order processing in children and provides new evidence that the semantic control network mediates the relationship with arithmetic performance.HighlightsReaction times of numerical order are a unique predictor of arithmetic (73)Numerical order mediates the relationship of numerical magnitude with arithmetic (83)Brain activation of numerical order processing changes with age in the left IPS (82)The semantic control network mediates the relationship with arithmetic (79)

scholarly journals The Neural Correlates of Semantic Control Revisited

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Network ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Control Network ◽  
Temporal Region ◽  
List Type ◽  
Semantic Cognition

AbstractSemantic control, the ability to selectively access and manipulate meaningful information on the basis of context demands, is a critical component of semantic cognition. The precise neural correlates of semantic control are disputed, with particular debate surrounding parietal involvement, the spatial extent of the posterior temporal contribution and network lateralisation. Here semantic control is revisited, utilising improved analysis techniques and a decade of additional data to refine our understanding of the network. A meta-analysis of 876 peaks over 121 contrasts illuminated a left-focused network consisting of inferior frontal gyrus, posterior middle temporal gyrus, posterior inferior temporal gyrus and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. This extended the temporal region implicated, and found no parietal involvement. Although left-lateralised overall, relative lateralisation varied across the implicated regions. Supporting analyses confirmed the multimodal nature of the semantic control network and situated it within the wider set of regions implicated in semantic cognition.Highlights➢A multimodal semantic control network was delineated with formal meta-analyses➢Semantic control recruits inferior and medial frontal and posterior temporal cortex➢A large extent of posterior temporal cortex was implicated and no parietal regions➢Semantic control is left-lateralised but regions show differential lateralisation➢The semantic control regions were situated in the context of the wider semantic network

EXPRESS: Order Processing of Number Symbols is Influenced by Direction, but not Format

2021 ◽  
pp. 174702182110268
Author(s):  
Becky Wong ◽  
Rebecca Bull ◽  
Daniel Ansari ◽  
David M. Watson ◽  
Gregory Arief D. Liem
Keyword(s):  
Processing Speed ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Mathematical Achievement ◽  
Number Sequence ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Order Processing ◽  
Number Words ◽  
Number Sequences ◽  
Numerical Order ◽  
The Relationship

This study probed the cognitive mechanisms that underlie order processing for number symbols, specifically the extent to which the direction and format in which number symbols are presented influence the processing of numerical order, as well as the extent to which the relationship between order processing and mathematical achievement is specific to Arabic numerals or generalisable to other notational formats. Seventy adults who were bilingual in English and Chinese completed a Numerical Ordinality Task, using number sequences of various directional conditions (i.e., ascending, descending, mixed) and notational formats (i.e., Arabic numerals, English number words, and Chinese number words). Order processing was found to occur for ascending and descending number sequences (i.e., ordered but not non-ordered trials), with the overall pattern of data supporting the theoretical perspective that the strength and closeness of associations between items in the number sequence could underlie numerical order processing. However, order processing was found to be independent of the notational format in which the stimuli were presented, suggesting that the psychological representations and processes associated with numerical order are abstract across different formats of number symbols. In addition, a relationship between the processing speed for numerical order and mathematical achievement was observed for Arabic numerals and Chinese number words, and to a weaker extent, English number words. Together, our findings have started to uncover the cognitive mechanisms that could underlie order processing for different formats of number symbols, and raise new questions about the generalisability of these findings to other notational formats.

Humor Comprehension and Appreciation: An fMRI Study

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 1789-1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Bartolo ◽  
Francesca Benuzzi ◽  
Luca Nocetti ◽  
Patrizia Baraldi ◽  
Paolo Nichelli
Keyword(s):  
Left Hemisphere ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Lesion ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Stage Model ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
The Right

Humor is a unique ability in human beings. Suls [A two-stage model for the appreciation of jokes and cartoons. In P. E. Goldstein & J. H. McGhee (Eds.), The psychology of humour. Theoretical perspectives and empirical issues. New York: Academic Press, 1972, pp. 81–100] proposed a two-stage model of humor: detection and resolution of incongruity. Incongruity is generated when a prediction is not confirmed in the final part of a story. To comprehend humor, it is necessary to revisit the story, transforming an incongruous situation into a funny, congruous one. Patient and neuroimaging studies carried out until now lead to different outcomes. In particular, patient studies found that right brain-lesion patients have difficulties in humor comprehension, whereas neuroimaging studies suggested a major involvement of the left hemisphere in both humor detection and comprehension. To prevent activation of the left hemisphere due to language processing, we devised a nonverbal task comprising cartoon pairs. Our findings demonstrate activation of both the left and the right hemispheres when comparing funny versus nonfunny cartoons. In particular, we found activation of the right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 47), the left superior temporal gyrus (BA 38), the left middle temporal gyrus (BA 21), and the left cerebellum. These areas were also activated in a nonverbal task exploring attribution of intention [Brunet, E., Sarfati, Y., Hardy-Bayle, M. C., & Decety, J. A PET investigation of the attribution of intentions with a nonverbal task. Neuroimage, 11, 157–166, 2000]. We hypothesize that the resolution of incongruity might occur through a process of intention attribution. We also asked subjects to rate the funniness of each cartoon pair. A parametric analysis showed that the left amygdala was activated in relation to subjective amusement. We hypothesize that the amygdala plays a key role in giving humor an emotional dimension.

scholarly journals Metabolic syndrome in psychiatry: advances in understanding and management

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cyrus S. H. Ho ◽  
Melvyn W. B. Zhang ◽  
Anselm Mak ◽  
Roger C. M. Ho
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
List Type ◽  
Type Number ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryMetabolic syndrome comprises a number of cardiovascular risk factors that increase morbidity and mortality. The increase in incidence of the syndrome among psychiatric patients has been unanimously demonstrated in recent studies and it has become one of the greatest challenges in psychiatric practice. Besides the use of psychotropic drugs, factors such as genetic polymorphisms, inflammation, endocrinopathies and unhealthy lifestyle contribute to the association between metabolic syndrome and a number of psychiatric disorders. In this article, we review the current diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome and propose clinically useful guidelines for psychiatrists to identify and monitor patients who may have the syndrome. We also outline the relationship between metabolic syndrome and individual psychiatric disorders, and discuss advances in pharmacological treatment for the syndrome, such as metformin.LEARNING OBJECTIVES•Be familiar with the definition of metabolic syndrome and its parameters of measurement.•Appreciate how individual psychiatric disorders contribute to metabolic syndrome and vice versa.•Develop a framework for the prevention, screening and management of metabolic syndrome in psychiatric patients.

Effect of Vibration on Rapeseed Header Loss and Optimization of Header Frame

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1247-1258
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Lizhang Xu ◽  
Zhipeng Gao ◽  
En Lu ◽  
Yaoming Li
Keyword(s):  
Modal Analysis ◽  
Engine Speed ◽  
Vibration Measurement ◽  
List Type ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Combine Harvester ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Combine Harvesters ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

HighlightsThe relationship of vibration and header loss was studied by multi-point vibration measurement and loss collection test.There was an approximately linear positive correlation between total header vibration and total rapeseed header loss.The header frame was analyzed and optimized through modal simulation and testing.The total rapeseed header loss of the improved header was reduced by 33.2% to 46.9%.Abstract. In view of the current large rapeseed header losses of rape combine harvesters, the effects of the header on rapeseed header loss were studied from the perspective of vibration. First, the vibrations at various measuring points on the header during rape harvest were studied using a data acquisition and analysis system while performing collection tests of rapeseed header loss with the sample slot method. The relationships between total header vibration and total rapeseed header loss and between vertical cutter vibration and rapeseed vertical cutter loss were shown to have a positive correlation, and they all increased with the increase in engine speed. Vertical cutter loss accounted for 31.2% to 42.4% of the total rapeseed header loss. Modal analysis and optimization of the header frame were then performed by simulation and test. The natural frequencies of the first-order and second-order modes of the optimized header were increased, and the possibility of resonance with other working parts was eliminated. Finally, the improved header was tested during rape harvest. The results showed that the total vibration of the improved header was reduced by 19.9% to 43.9%, and the total rapeseed header loss was reduced by 33.2% to 46.9%. The vertical cutter vibration was reduced by 30.5% to 49.8%, and the rapeseed vertical cutter loss was reduced by 20.8% to 34.7%. In addition, the vibration and rapeseed loss of the improved header had relatively slow rates of increase with the increase in engine speed. The method of reducing rapeseed loss by reducing the header vibration achieved an obvious and positive effect. Keywords: Frame optimization, Modal analysis, Rape combine harvester, Rapeseed header loss, Vibration.

Depression impact on the sexual desire

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1549-1549
Author(s):  
M. Lourenço ◽  
L.P. Azevedo ◽  
J.L. Gouveia
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
List Type ◽  
Sexual Performance ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
The One ◽  
The Relationship

IntroductionDepression as a pathology and the side effects of pharmacology therapy have been pointed proven to be as responsible for the lack of sexual desire. Among the drugs used in the treatment of depression, anti-depressives are the ones mostly connected to sexual dysfunction.Aims /objectivesTo study the relationship between depression and its impact on the sexual desire in psychiatric patients.MethodsThe chosen sample is composed of 89 subjects, 73 females and 16 males, with ages ranging from 21 to 70 years, who present with depressive symptomatology (mild to moderate symptomatology (MMS) and severe symptomatology (SS).To each patient 3 instruments were applied: 1)Questionnaire used to collect demographic and clinical data from the sample;2)Instrument of estimation of the depression degree (BDI - Beck Depression Inventory);3)Instrument of valuation of the sexual desire (SDS - Sexual Desire Scale).ResultsDepression average value obtained with BDI was 25.58 (SD = 11.86). The majority was satisfied with their marital relationship (72.7% and 52.9%, respectively), and the group with most sexual damaged (actual sexual performance regarding sexual desire) being the one with severe depression (54.5% versus 82.4%, respectively). Regarding total SDS value, the group with MMD present with higher levels of sexual desire (M = 54.93; DP = 14.56) than the group with SD (M = 41.82; DP = 11.86).ConclusionsThis study presents an exploratory character and the obtained results revealed that depressive symptomatology severity is directly related with sexual desire, by saying the higher the depression's severity is the lower sexual desire will be.

scholarly journals Statistical Analysis of Inventory Management Systems on Organizational Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-28
Author(s):  
Yoweri Rutagira ◽  
Richard Opaka Awichi
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Inventory Control ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Maintenance Policy ◽  
Materials Handling ◽  
Order Processing ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
The Relationship

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of physical distribution management on organizational performance by Rutungu Distributors Ltd, Kampala (U). The study assessed the relationship between order processing and organizational performance in Rutungu Distributors Ltd in an attempt to establish the relationship between storage and organizational performance in the organization. It also sought to find out the relationship between other aspects of inventory management on organizational performance within the company. The research used a case study design approach which was correlational considering both quantitative and qualitative approaches in the data collection, presentation, and analysis. The population of the study was several categories of employees of the company. Findings from the study depicted that there is a positive significant relationship between order processing and organizational performance implying that when a customer submits an order, it is verified to ensure the necessary information is included and processed promptly. Storage and organizational performance; this means that the company can reduce damage through good materials handling. There was a positive significant relationship between inventory control and organizational performance as a result of heavy investment in inventory control practices and procedures. There was also a positive significant relationship between transportation and organizational performance showing that the company has an effective automated transportation system, observes well-coordinated fleet management practices, and also has a good vehicle maintenance policy. The study thus recommends the company to continue reducing the time it takes to get an order to a customer’s premises and to replenish its stores as it is what every company desires, but while faster fulfilment and small order sizes make customers, and store managers happy, faster fulfilment comes at a cost.

scholarly journals Brain Activation of College Students in China With Premenstrual Syndrome Localized by BOLD-fMRI

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongmei Gao ◽  
Mingzhou Gao ◽  
Li An ◽  
Yanhong Yu ◽  
Jieqiong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Lobe ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Cerebellar Tonsil ◽  
Bold Fmri ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Most studies on the mechanism behind premenstrual syndrome (PMS) have focused on fluctuating hormones, but little evidence exists regarding functional abnormalities in the affected brain regions of college students. Thus, the aim of this study is to localize PMS's abnormal brain regions by BOLD-fMRI in college students.Methods: Thirteen PMS patients and fifteen healthy control (HC) subjects underwent a BOLD-fMRI scan during the luteal phase induced by depressive emotion pictures. The BOLD-fMRI data were processed by SPM 8 software and rest software based on MATLAB platform. Each cluster volume threshold (cluster) was greater than 389 continuous voxels, and the brain area with single voxel threshold P < 0.05 (after correction) was defined as the area with a significant difference. The emotion report form and the instruction implementation checklist were used to evaluate the emotion induced by picture.Results: Compared to the HC, right inferior occipital gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, right lingual gyrus, right fusiform gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, cerebelum_crus1_R，cerebelum_6_R, culmen, the cerebellum anterior lobe, tuber, cerebellar tonsil of PMS patients were enhanced activation. Sub-lobar，sub-gyral，extra-nuclear，right orbit part of superior frontal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, right Orbit part of inferior frontal gyrus, limbic lobe, right insula, bilateral anterior and adjacent cingulate gyrus, bilateral caudate, caudate head, bilateral putamen, left globus pallidus were decreased activation.Conclusion: Our findings may improve our understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in PMS.

Memory Effects of Speech and Gesture Binding: Cortical and Hippocampal Activation in Relation to Subsequent Memory Performance

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 821-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Straube ◽  
Antonia Green ◽  
Susanne Weis ◽  
Anjan Chatterjee ◽  
Tilo Kircher
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Premotor Cortex ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Semantic Integration ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Fmri Session ◽  
Abstract Content

In human face-to-face communication, the content of speech is often illustrated by coverbal gestures. Behavioral evidence suggests that gestures provide advantages in the comprehension and memory of speech. Yet, how the human brain integrates abstract auditory and visual information into a common representation is not known. Our study investigates the neural basis of memory for bimodal speech and gesture representations. In this fMRI study, 12 participants were presented with video clips showing an actor performing meaningful metaphoric gestures (MG), unrelated, free gestures (FG), and no arm and hand movements (NG) accompanying sentences with an abstract content. After the fMRI session, the participants performed a recognition task. Behaviorally, the participants showed the highest hit rate for sentences accompanied by meaningful metaphoric gestures. Despite comparable old/new discrimination performances (d′) for the three conditions, we obtained distinct memory-related left-hemispheric activations in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), the premotor cortex (BA 6), and the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), as well as significant correlations between hippocampal activation and memory performance in the metaphoric gesture condition. In contrast, unrelated speech and gesture information (FG) was processed in areas of the left occipito-temporal and cerebellar region and the right IFG just like the no-gesture condition (NG). We propose that the specific left-lateralized activation pattern for the metaphoric speech–gesture sentences reflects semantic integration of speech and gestures. These results provide novel evidence about the neural integration of abstract speech and gestures as it contributes to subsequent memory performance.

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