Effects of third-language learning on inhibitory control with consideration of task complexity and language proficiency

Aims and Objectives: The present study explores the question of whether learning a third language (L3) in an English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom setting induces improved inhibitory control compared with that found in bilinguals, considering task complexity and language proficiency. Methodology: Thirty-six Chinese–English second language (L2) young adult learners and 121 Chinese–English–Japanese/French/Russian/German L3 young adult learners with three levels of L3 proficiency participated in the study. Simon arrow tasks were employed to measure two types of inhibitory control: response inhibition (the less complex task with univalent stimuli) and interference suppression (the more complex task with bivalent stimuli). Data and Analysis: Statistics using ANOVAs and multiple comparisons were employed to analyze the effects of L3 learning on the reaction time and accuracy for response inhibition and interference suppression, respectively. Findings: The results demonstrated that L3 learners did not outperform L2 learners in the two types of inhibitory control: response inhibition (less complex) and interference suppression (more complex). Moreover, L3 learners with a higher proficiency did not display better inhibitory control than those with a lower proficiency in response inhibition and interference suppression. However, as the L3 proficiency increased, some specific aspects of inhibitory control did improve and exhibited a nonlinear pattern. Originality: The present study extends bilingual advantage in inhibitory control to formal L3 learning, exploring whether bilingual advantage in inhibitory control also appears in L3 learners, considering task complexity and language proficiency. Significance/implications: The present study contributes to the theory of the relationship between multilingualism and inhibitory control by showing that this relationship may be more complex than it is understood currently. Learning an additional language to L2, particularly short-term learning, may not lead to an incremental advantage in overall inhibitory control. However, as learning time increases, changes may appear in specific aspects of inhibitory control, and may be a nonlinear one.

Spatial tuning of translational optic flow responses in hawkmoths of varying body size

To safely navigate their environment, flying insects rely on visual cues, such as optic flow. Which cues insects can extract from their environment depends closely on the spatial and temporal response properties of their visual system. These in turn can vary between individuals that differ in body size. How optic flow-based flight control depends on the spatial structure of visual cues, and how this relationship scales with body size, has previously been investigated in insects with apposition compound eyes. Here, we characterised the visual flight control response limits and their relationship to body size in an insect with superposition compound eyes: the hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum. We used the hawkmoths’ centring response in a flight tunnel as a readout for their reception of translational optic flow stimuli of different spatial frequencies. We show that their responses cut off at different spatial frequencies when translational optic flow was presented on either one, or both tunnel walls. Combined with differences in flight speed, this suggests that their flight control was primarily limited by their temporal rather than spatial resolution. We also observed strong individual differences in flight performance, but no correlation between the spatial response cutoffs and body or eye size.

Drilling Through Fractured Gas Bearing Formation to Access Previously Inaccessible Parts of an Offshore Reservoir in Abu Dhabi Using Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling - Case Study

Drilling through fractured gas bearing formations to access the oil reserves underneath has been one of the most challenging tasks for the drilling Team due to the embedded risks such as; total circulation losses, Gas migration, well control issues, hole instability, cutting beds accumulation and stuck pipe. This paper explains an approach in drilling fractured gas bearing formations that was performed for the first time in offshore Abu Dhabi field-A, Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling (PMCD). Drilling through fractured Gas bearing formation causes the loss of the mud column and the consequent intrusion of hydrocarbon gas to the wellbore, thus initiating well control response, which adds to the flat time and might cause cutting slippage, stuck pipe and eventually loss of well objective. PMCD is best suited to deal with such situation, as it allows drilling to continue under the mentioned circumstances by filling the well with sacrificial fluid while the well is closed, fractures take seawater, cuttings and the formations pressure lefts the underbalanced annular fluid to reduce losses volume. Two wells were drilled successfully using the PMCD technique in Field A where the anticipated fracture gas bearing formations system was encountered shortly below the 9-5/8″ casing shoe. The performance increased substantially in the second well as lessons learnt were implemented to avoid any time loss. Drilling the 8-1/2″ Hole section started in well #2 conventionally with required 200 psi overbalance mud weight, the drilling fluid system is directly changed to sacrificial fluid (Sea water) once the fracture system is hit and total losses observed. A light Annular mud (Seawater) is pumped in the well's annulus. After having stable PMCD parameters, drilling continued at an ROP of 100-150 FPH. TQ & Drag real-time monitoring & intermittent pumping of 3 × 50 bbls weighted HVP to clean bit & BHA from cuttings were essential to avoid getting the pipe mechanically stuck. The 6,710 ft section was drilled successfully, Striped BHA Out of hole, Ran 7,160 ft of 7″ Liner, perform cement Job & achieved isolation. Comparing with offset wells drilling conventionally in field-A through the gas bearing fractured zone, PMCD saved +/− 44 days of the well time, cost and achieved the target. and greatly improved the operational safety by providing closed-loop drilling. The PMCD application on the two wells is the first of its type in offshore Abu Dhabi, it allowed accessing parts of the reservoir that have been inaccessible due to the fracture system. Additionally, it increased safety of operation & saved rig days that would have been spent in treating losses and well control operation. Pressurized Mud Cap Drilling application in field-A provides a solution for a wider implementation in developing fractured gas cap resources in future.

The Case of China

This article describes, from a sociopolitical, socioeconomic, and sociocultural perspective, the governance practices of the COVID-19 epidemic control response in China. We describe that, in line with the “whole of government approach,” strong resource mobilization and control of government departments, companies, and citizen communities has worked efficiently to rapidly contain the epidemic. Community participation at the grassroots level has played a decisive part. We assume that the deeply rooted collectivistic Chinese culture has made residents trust the government’s decisions and comply with the prevention and control strategies. We pose some intriguing questions for more analytical comparative research. They concern the normative interpretation of the influences of sociopolitical, economic, and cultural forces, as well as the balance between “collectivism” and “individualism” in societies.

Perspective on the relationship between GABAA receptor activity and the apparent potency of an inhibitor

Background : In electrophysiological experiments inhibition of a receptor-channel, such as the GABAA receptor, is measured by co-applying an agonist producing a predefined control response with an inhibitor to calculate the fraction of the control response remaining in the presence of the inhibitor. The properties of the inhibitor are determined by fitting the inhibition concentration-response relationship to the Hill equation to estimate the midpoint (IC50) of the inhibition curve. Objective: We sought to estimate here the sensitivity of the fitted IC50 to the level of activity of the control response. Methods: The inhibition concentration-response relationships were calculated for models with distinct mechanisms of inhibition. In Model I, the inhibitor acts allosterically to stabilize the resting state of the receptor. In Model II, the inhibitor competes with the agonist for a shared binding site. In Model III, the inhibitor stabilizes the desensitized state. Results: The simulations indicate that the fitted IC50 of the inhibition curve is sensitive to the degree of activity of the control response. In Models I and II, the IC50 of inhibition was increased as the probability of being in the active state (PA) of the control response increased. In Model III, the IC50 of inhibition was reduced at higher PA. Conclusions: We infer that the apparent potency of an inhibitor depends on the PA of the control response. While the calculations were carried out using the activation and inhibition properties that are representative of the GABAA receptor, the principles and conclusions apply to a wide variety of receptor-channels.

Modelling Automatic Exposure Control Response to the Presence of the Patient Scanning Bed in a Hybrid Pet/Ct Scanner

Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) systems optimise radiation dose to the patient while providing adequate image quality. This study examined the effect that the increased localiser region of interest of a hybrid PET/CT has on the CTDIvol, focussing on the role of extraneous objects and patient attenuation profiles. A Siemens Biograph™ 16 Horizon PET/CT system and a Siemens Somatom Sensation 64, both employing the Siemens CAREDose 4D AEC system, were used for acquisition of a range of phantoms. The effect of patient miscentring and effect of the patient bed impinging on the localiser was established and modelled. For PA localiser scans, a non-linear relationship between miscentring and CTDIvol was observed, attributable to the presence of the patient bed being misinterpreted as the patient width. The model identified how the presence of the patient bed led to an increase in the CTDIvol significantly larger than expected (~12%, or 1 mSv), particularly prevalent for smaller patients.

Family Vector Control Response Kit: Equipping Households to Prevent Amplification of Aedes-transmitted Diseases

BACKGROUNDNatural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods create ideal mosquito breeding conditions while simultaneously disrupting government services that prevent outbreaks where Aedes-transmitted diseases, and possibly other vector-borne diseases (VBD), are circulating. UNICEF, the MENTOR Initiative, and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) evaluated novel UNICEF Family Vector Control Response Kits distributed to households (HH) in Wajir Town, Northeast (NE) Kenya at the end of the rainy season (January/February 2019). This region regularly experiences epidemics of VBD during, and for several months after, rainy seasons. The premise behind this study was to determine if HHs can adopt the use of the kit contents based solely on pictures rather than needing a comprehensive education campaign. This was necessary for the following two reasons: 1. Successful disruption of a disease outbreak often requires transmission be stopped at the HH level as soon as possible, 2. In the beginning of most large-scale rapid response emergencies, it is challenging to enact and align comprehensive education campaigns with delivery of supplies. To stop transmission early, it is often faster, in UNICEF’s experience, to deliver supplies directly to HHs, especially if the global/regional/national supplies are strategically prepositioned in warehouses. The study aimed to determine key outcomes when HHs were given simple picture-based application instructions, without any other education, for different combinations of evidence-based insecticidal products, including adulticides, spatial repellents, larvicides, insecticidal window curtains, and personal protection. The products were those commonly expected to be found in retail markets or will become available through public health procurement channels. METHODSSix different vector control kit configurations were distributed to six randomly selected groups each of 60 HH in Wajir Town. The number of HH successfully used for data collection totalled 324, comprising 60 HH (19%) for direct observation to document behaviors as the kits were opened and contents were being used, and 264 HH (81%) for interviews after using the kit contents. MENTOR measured the uptake, proper application, ability to follow pictorial directions for use, and acceptability at household level. RESULTSEach kit contained a booklet of pictogram Directions for Use (DFU) that described how the product was to be put to practical use, safety precautions, and specific directions where the products should be applied for best performance against Aedes mosquitoes. No further explanation or education was provided. Most interview respondents indicated positively they understood the pictograms for each product. This was an important outcome, given the low literacy level of the responders. The results of the research study provide an operational evidence-base as to the effectiveness of HH managing their own control practices using these kits in a highly insecure and challenging operational setting. CONCLUSIONSThis is the first such study of its kind and has particular relevance adding a new approach to the emergency response capacity for disease control across similar operational settings. The results of the study are relevant wherever there is potential for disease outbreaks caused by Aedes sp and other mosquito vectors in emergency situations.

A cross-sectional study on the impact of the prevention and control response of the COVID-19 pandemic on minor’s orthopedic trauma in Shanghai

Background The Chinese government has taken strong prevention and control measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the pandemic is far from over, it has been effectively controlled in China. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to study the influence of governmental prevention and control response on orthopedic trauma in minors. Methods We collected and reviewed data and information on minor’s orthopedic trauma from 1 January to 30 June of the past three year (2018, 2019 and 2020). The data were divided according to the time of prevention and control response level in 2020 (the first level response is from January 24 to March 22, the second level response is from March 23 to May 7, and the third level response is May 8 to now). By comparing the relevant data from orthopedic emergency and operating rooms from the past three years, the influence of governmental pandemic prevention measures on orthopedic trauma in minors was analyzed. Results A total of 36,301 minors were included in the study cohort. Before the prevention and control response, the data of the orthopedic emergency department of National Children Medical Center (Shanghai) in 2020 was the same as the previous two years. The condition of children undergoing surgery at the time of injury is significantly different under different levels of prevention and control response. Under the first-level response, the number of fractures, open injuries, radial head subluxation, and surgery were significantly reduced, and the severity of patients with surgery was also significantly reduced. Under the second-level response, the number of operations began to increase, and the severity of the disease also began to rise. Under the third-level response control, the number of fractures, open injuries, and operations have returned to the levels of the previous two years. The severity of the operation has also returned to its previous level. The number of subluxations of the radial head is still different from before. Conclusion The prevention and control response for the pandemic of COVID-19 can reduce the incidence of orthopedic trauma in minors by strengthening the guardian’s care and restricting children’s outdoor activities. With the control of the pandemic, the amount of orthopedic trauma in minors will not be affected by low-level prevention and control.