A human stem cell resource to decipher the biochemical and cellular basis of neurodevelopmental defects in Lowe Syndrome

Human brain development is a complex process where multiple cellular and developmental events are co-ordinated to generate normal structure and function. Alteration in any of these events can impact brain development, manifesting clinically as neurodevelopmental disorders. Human genetic disorders of lipid metabolism often present with features of altered brain function. Lowe syndrome (LS), is a X-linked recessive disease with features of altered brain function. LS results from mutations in OCRL1 that encodes a phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase enzyme. However, the cellular mechanisms by which loss of OCRL1 leads to brain defects remain unknown. Human brain development involves several cellular and developmental features not conserved in other species and understanding such mechanisms remains a challenge. Rodent models of LS have been generated, but failed to recapitulate features of the human disease. Here we describe the generation of human stem cell lines from LS patients. Further, we present biochemical characterization of lipid metabolism in patient cell lines and demonstrate their use as a “disease-in-a-dish” model for understanding the mechanism by which loss of OCRL1 leads to altered cellular and physiological brain development.

Neuroevolutionary reinforcing learning of neural networks

The article presents the results of combining 4 different types of neural network learning: evolutionary, reinforcing, deep and extrapolating. The last two are used as the primary method for reducing the dimension of the input signal of the system and simplifying the process of its training in terms of computational complexity.In the presented work, the neural network structure of the control device of the modeled system is formed in the course of the evolutionary process, taking into account the currently known structural and developmental features of self-learning systems that take place in living nature. This method of constructing it makes it possible to bypass the specific limitations of models created on the basis of recombination of already known topologies of neural networks.

Tectonic aspects of super-viscous oil deposits formation and placement within the Volga-Ural anteclise

The article discusses the tectonics and developmental features of the Volga-Ural anteclise during the Baikalian, Caledonian, Hercynian and Alpine tectogenesis cycles. In this paper, particular attention is paid to stages and directional development during the evolution of geological structures. The main factors of the formation and destruction of Permian viscous oil and natural bitumen reservoirs are presented in the provisions of oil ontogenesis. It was noted the cyclical nature of these phenomena. Keywords: Volga-Ural anteclise; super-viscous oil; tectonic; reservoir; oil.

Teaching English in preschool age - selection of methods and techniques

The main purpose of this article is to present methods and techniques that can be used in the process of teaching a foreign language at preschool age. The first aspects to be addressed are developmental features of children, such as mechanical memory, short attention span, emotions and physiology of brain. The following issue described in the article refers to conventional methods, such as the Direct Method and the Audiolingual Method. The third part is devoted to unconventional methods, such as the Natural Approach, CLT, the Spiral Language System, as well as methods based on action (TPR), or - observation and words. They are supported by interesting techniques that are considered key factors in the discussed topic.

Developmental features of sleep electrophysiology in family dogs

Age-related differences in dog sleep and the age at which dogs reach adulthood as indexed by sleep electrophysiology are unknown. We assessed, in (1) a Juvenile sample (n = 60) of 2–14-month-old dogs (weight range: 4–68 kg), associations between age, sleep macrostructure, and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) EEG power spectrum, whether weight moderates associations, and (2) an extended sample (n = 91) of 2–30-months-old dogs, when sleep parameters stabilise. In Juvenile dogs, age was positively associated with time in drowsiness between 2 and 8 months, and negatively with time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep between 2 and 6 months. Age was negatively associated with delta and positively with theta and alpha power activity, between 8 and 14 months. Older dogs exhibited greater sigma and beta power activity. Larger, > 8-month-old dogs had less delta and more alpha and beta activity. In extended sample, descriptive data suggest age-related power spectrum differences do not stabilise by 14 months. Drowsiness, REM, and delta power findings are consistent with prior results. Sleep electrophysiology is a promising index of dog neurodevelopment; some parameters stabilise in adolescence and some later than one year. Determination of the effect of weight and timing of power spectrum stabilisation needs further inquiry. The dog central nervous system is not fully mature by 12 months of age.

CRITERIA FOR THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD, DEVELOPMENTAL FEATURES AND PERCEIVED ADULT STATUS AMONG BULGARIAN STUDENTS

The study focuses on emerging adulthood and the transition to adulthood in Bulgaria, a topic that is rarely studied in the country. The participants were 233 students aged 18-30. Indicators such as criteria for the transition to adulthood, developmental features, and perceived adult status are examined. The results confirm the presence of a specificity that highlights a period of emerging adulthood in Bulgaria. More than two-thirds of the sample is perceived as emerging adults. The most preferred criteria for the transition to adulthood is Starting a family, and the least preferred Chronological age. Identity and Opportunities / Experimentation are the most valued as dimensions of maturity during the emerging adulthood period. Similarities with data from other studies within EU countries have been identified and discussed.

Lexical richness development in Chinese second language writing: empirical research based on Cambodian Chinese learners

This study investigates the developmental features of lexical richness in Chinese compositions by Cambodian native speakers (n = 40) and the relationship between lexical richness and writing quality in Chinese Second Language (CSL) writing from three dimensions of lexical variation, lexical sophistication and lexical error rate.The results show that with the improvement of Chinese level, there are notable increases in lexical variation (p = 0.000 < 0.05) and lexical sophistication (p = 0.000 < 0.05). As for lexical errors, the overall lexical error rate is decreasing. Among which, the form error rate is decreasing obviously (p = 0.000 < 0.05), while the usage error rate is increasing, but not significantly (p = 0.039 > 0.005). Multiple regression analysis shows that lexical sophistication and lexical error rate are more closely related to CSL writing quality, which can predict writing quality well, while lexical variation has less impact on writing quality.

The Periphrastic Topic Structures in Chinese-English Interlanguage

Periphrastic topic structures, as Chinese-style topic structures, belong to the category of prepositional topic fronting constructions in TSVO sequences. Findings from studies on periphrastic topic structures are inconsistent and present only a fragmented understanding. Therefore, the present study is conducted to make up for the gap and aims to reveal the developmental features of periphrastic topic structures (henceforth PTS) through investigating the production and the recognition of PTSs in Chinese college English learners’ Chinese-English interlanguage. The result suggests that with advances in learners’ English proficiency levels, periphrastic topic structures diminish from the preliminary stage to the intermediate stage gradually, but present a much higher degree of fossilization at the advanced level. Theoretically, this finding may further support Yang’s findings(2008) and validate the Selective Fossilization Hypothesis model (SFH model) proposed by Han (2009).