Social Media Use in UK Teens and their Perceived Effects: A Survey of UK Teenagers’ Use of and Views on Social Media

Background: The use of social media has been growing rapidly with easy access for young people. Psychologists have studied the social and psychological impact of social media use on adolescents; however there is very little qualitative data of social media use among adolescents and their views.Aims: To explore the views of adolescents in Sussex about the educational, social and psychological impacts of using social media sites and analyze adolescents’ descriptions of their own personal experiences of social media use.Method: 500 young people between the ages of 11 to 18 years in Sussex (UK) were invited to take part in a questionnaire survey exploring their use and views about social media.Results: A total of 465 (93%) of students completed the questionnaire. 73% of participants used three or more sites. On average each participant spent 22 hours weekly on social media sites. In all five domains explored, the majority of participants scored the negative impact of use of social media as low with an overall mean of 2 out of possible 5. Over 70% scored low negative impact for Education, 75% for relationships, 64% for Self-esteem, 73% for Health and 71% for Safety. On the other hand, the percentage scoring 4 or 5 for positive impact were 22% for Education, 36% for Relationships, 24% for Self-esteem, 12% for Health and 15% for Safety. However there was a difference between younger and older teens.Conclusion: Studies have shown negative social media impact on teens including self-esteem, anxiety and depression. However young people have a different view. Young people have balanced views about the effects of social media. They felt that social media use improved their relationships, particularly among younger students. Older teens perceived higher negative effect on their safety. Further work is needed to improve the safety awareness of young teens.

Vestibular Stimulation in Neuropsychiatry

Neuropsychiatric disorders involve brain areas of self-awareness, affect voluntary attention to stimuli, and show cognitive processes’ dysfunctions. Functional images demonstrated that the stimulation of the inner ear’s vestibular receptors enhances the activity of the insular cortex, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus, improving self-perception, attention, reasoning, and memory. Vestibular stimulation techniques (e.g., caloric, galvanic, and rotary) modulates those neuronal centers at the right or the left hemisphere depending on the kind of the stimuli and the side of stimulation, being a potentially useful therapeutic tool for mental disorders. Neuropsychiatric conditions are currently the leading cause of global disability. The present article reviews vestibular stimulation techniques in neuropsychiatry and discusses future directions.

Promoting Mental Health as a Key Priority for Sustainable Development in Ghana

Mental health is an essential element of health and equally important for the healthy functioning of families, communities and society. In 2005, the World Health Organization declared mental health as a universal human right. In spite of this right, mental health related problems affect 10% of the world population at any given time. About 75% of this worldwide disease burden is in the poor countries. On the average, about 21.6 million people live in Ghana and about 650,000 of these are suffering from a severe mental disorder. This shows that poor mental health is increasingly becoming a menace in the Ghanaian society. Therefore, the objective of this research is to assess the attitude of Ghanaian health care workers towards mental illness and to determine resource availability. The study adopted cross sectional study design and utilized quantitative data collection. Inferential statistics, specifically, correlation was used to determine the possible relationships of factors and mental disorders. Results of the study showed that 62.2% will hide mentally unstable due to social stigma and discrimination. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between attitude and gender toward mental health, r = .205, n = 250 and P < 0.01. Also, 30% and 32% respectfully stated that mental health services are not easily accessible or affordable. These results formed basis of the need for action plans to promote mental health in Ghana in order to meet the sustainable development goals.

Are Neural Transactions in the Retina Performed by Phase Ternary Computation?

Substantial evidence has accumulated to show that the action potential is always accompanied by a synchronized coupled soliton pressure pulse in the cell membrane, the action potential pulse (APPulse). Furthermore, it has been postulated that, in computational terms, the action potential is a compound ternary structure consisting of two digital phases (the resting potential and the action potential) and a third-time dependent analogue variable, the refractory period. Together, with the APPulse, these phases are described as the computational action potential (CAP), which allows computation by phase. The nature of transmission, and thus computation across membranes, is dependent upon their structures, which have similar components from one neuron to another. Because perception and therefore sentience must be defined by the capabilities of the brain computational model, we propose that phase-ternary mathematics (PTM) is the native mathematical process underlying perception, consciousness and sentience. In this review, we take the CAP concept and apply it to the working of a well-defined neural network, the vertebrate retina. We propose an accurate working computational model of the retina and provide an explanation of computation of the neural transactions within it using PTM, and provide evidence that could form the basis of understanding neural computation within the entire nervous system. Evidence is presented of phase ternary computation (PTC), defined in phase ternary mathematics and shows an exact mathematical correlation between the activity of the amacrine cells, the bipolar cells and ganglion cells of the retina, once these cells have been activated by light falling on the cones. In this model, the computation of luminosity of multiple cones synapsed to a bipolar cell is performed by phase ternary mathematics at the points of convergence of CAPs. Redaction by the refractory periods of converging CAPs eliminates all but the leading APPulse resulting in sampling and averaging. In phase ternary analysis (PTA), the physiology of synapses defines their primary action as latency changers, changing the time taken for impulses to travel between points of convergence. This paper describes a novel type of computation, PTC, with evidence that it is the fundamental computational method used by the retina and by association the rest of the brain. By comparing the morphology of neurons it is now possible to explain their function singly and in networks. This has profound consequences both for our understanding of the brain and in clinical practice.

Cool and Hot Executive Functions in Relation to Aggression and Testosterone/Cortisol Ratios in Male Prisoners

‘Cool’ executive functions (EF) refer to logical and strategic cognitive processes such as planning and reasoning, whereas ‘hot’ EF include affect-driven cognitive processes, such as risk-taking in decision making. In the present crosssectional study was investigated whether prisoners perform worse than non-prisoners on measures of hot and cool EF. Subsequent objectives were to determine if performance on tasks of executive functioning was related to measures of (reactive and proactive) aggression within the offender group, and whether testosterone and cortisol influenced the latter relationship. Male prisoners (n = 125) and a non-offender control group (n = 32) completed frequently applied measures of hot and cool EF (assessed with the Iowa Gambling task and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task respectively). Aggression characteristics in prisoners were assessed through self-report questionnaires, behavioural observations, and conviction histories. Endogenous testosterone and cortisol levels were obtained through saliva samples, while prenatal testosterone exposure was determined using the finger length of the index and ring fingers (the ‘2D:4D ratio’). The results indicated that prisoners performed significantly worse than non-prisoners on cool EF, and to a lesser extent on hot EF, but no meaningful relationship could be proven between measures of EF and aggression in the offender group. Weak to moderate significant correlations were found between testosterone/cortisol ratios (not prenatal testosterone exposure) and hot EF as well as self-reported aggression. These results lead to the conclusion that prisoners show significant problems in cool and hot EF compared to non-prisoners. These problems are not clearly associated with characteristics of aggression, but preliminary results indicate that these may be related to having high endogenous testosterone levels relative to cortisol levels.

The Origins of Behavioral Neuroscience from a Learning and Memory Perspective

The discipline of behavioral neuroscience grew out of earlier incarnations such as biological psychology, physiological psychology, and psychobiology. All of these labels essentially refer to the idea that the principles of biology could be productively applied to the study of topics that had been studied before, but only from a more psychological perspective. These topics would include, but are not limited to, motivation, sensation, perception, sleep, emotion, and learning and memory. In this brief review, I focus on the topic of learning and memory and provide a history of the important milestones in the development of ideas about how the brain biologically accomplishes the task of learning and memory. Included are the early ideas of Plato, René Descartes, Théodule Ribot, et al. The review continues to the modern era of learning and memory research that begins with the description of H.M. by Brenda Milner, as well as the gradual discovery that the brain contains multiple learning and memory systems that operate in fundamentally different ways and that are supported by anatomically discrete brain structures. I conclude with a brief description of the work that lead to 2000 Nobel Prize being awarded to Eric Kandel and the 2014 Nobel Prize being awarded to John O’Keefe, Edvard Moser, and May-Britt Moser.

Schema Games - An Extension of Wittgenstein’s Language Games

Methodological-epistemological PrologueFor more than three decades I developed a rather methodological philosophy of a comprehensive “schemainterpretationism” [1] including an epistemology, action theory as well as cognitive, social and cultural approaches. There is also a Kantian flavor involved - though more flexible than his categories and “schematism”. Human beings do cognize and act only by schematizing, i.e. by activating or using schemes. They are essentially schematizing beings and even, characteristically, meta-schematizing creatures: they would not only use schemata but can and do also talk about such schemes, patterns, structures, frames, conceptual schemata, configurations, constructions etc. on higher meta-levels. Activating and using schemes may be understood as interpreting. Forming, activating, understanding and applying schemes in the widest possible sense, are processes, if structural or exploratory etc. These are interpretative activities (see diagram below) or even conscious goal-oriented or ritualized acts proper.

Computational RSM Modeling of Neuromorphofunctional Relations of Dentate Nuclear Neurons and Dentatostriate Inter-Cluster Mapping with the Dentatostriate Neural Network Reconstruction: RLSR/PCR Regression and Canonical Correlation Analysis

Aim: The aim of this study is to find relational connections (interdependence) between the two most general categorical aspects of a neuron, i.e., between the form (morphology) and its function, using as a model for this task dentate nucleus neurons. Furthermore, the configuration of the dentatostriate nucleotopic inter-cluster mapping of the dentatostriate neural network is investigated in order to determine mutual, inter-neuronal, neuromorphofunctional remote influence, i.e. the neuromorphofunctional relations at the level of a neural network.Materials and methods: (Semi) virtual dentate and neostriate adult human neuronal samples were used. Neuromorphological parameters of each neuron have been directly measured, i.e. experimentally determined, whereas the corresponding neurofunctional parameters have been theoretically obtained. The neuromorphological parameters determine the following properties of a neuron: neuron shape, compartmental length and size/ surface, dendritic branching, complexity and organization of neuronal morphology. The group of neurofunctional parameters determines functional aspects of action potential (AV/AP), as well as neurofunctional properties of the perikaryodendritic compartment of a neuron. Data analysis is performed using response surface (RSM) modeling, along with partial least-squares (PLSR) and principal component regression analysis (PCR), accompanied by canonical and Pearson correlation analysis. A stepwise algorithm formulates the complete data analysis.Results: Obtained RSM models represent response-predictor relations, where a neuromorphological/functional response parameter is expressed as a function in terms of parameters of other category (morphology/function). Additionally, RSM modeling is also used to decipher the symmetry of the dentatostriate inter-cluster neural network by the corresponding inter-cluster inter-nuclear mapping, using so-called integral parameters/variables, obtained on a computational, theoretical manner. The obtained network is a fully connected, symmetric, Hopfield neural network.Conclusion: Neuronal morphology and function are definitely interrelated and depend on each other. By intensity, however, this interconnectedness can be treated as mild to moderate. It is determined by elementary neuromorphofunctional relations, observed at the macroscopic, phenomenological level, i.e. only through measured parameters as their observable and explicit manifestation without considering the microscopic, molecular causality of them. These relations are the strongest when acting upon a single neuron and their mutual remote influence on each other weakens in neural circuits and networks up to 10% of deterministic relational interconnection strength observed at the level of single neuron relations.

Valproic Acid Accelerates Neural Outgrowth during Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurogenesis In Vitro

Background: Valproic acid (VPA) is an anti-convulsant drug used to treat seizures and a variety of neural pathologies. Studies have shown that VPA exposure in rodent embryos leads to behavioral characteristics similar to those in humans with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Utilizing this rodent model of ASD, research has led to a recognized mechanism of action of VPA involving brain overgrowth and hyperconnectivity, likely caused by epigenetic alteration of gene expression through inhibition of histone deacetylases.Objective: To gain further insight concerning this mechanism we modeled the development of neural connectivity at the cellular level.Method: We cultured dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) taken from eight-day old chick embryos in a range of VPA concentrations and investigated aspects of neuronal structure and behavior. DRGs were cultured 48 hours, fixed, and immunostained to reveal the locations of neural networks with synaptic vesicles.Results: We found a concentration-dependant relationship with a significant increase in neurite length in VPA concentrations of 1 and 2 mM, and the effect was still present though weaker at 4 and 6 mM. Trichostatin A (TSA), another histone deacetylase inhibitor, caused similar responses. To further characterize the effects, we carried out time-lapse imaging of growth cones of extending neurites. We found that VPA increased the area changing activity of growth cones, augmenting their exploratory capabilities, along with significantly enhancing overall advancement, thus increasing the ability to extend and form synapses. The average total of stained synaptic areas surrounding each cultured DRG was significantly increased in 6 mM VPA, but not significantly at the lower concentrations compared to controls.Conclusion: Our results show that VPA, at 1 mM and higher concentrations increases growth cone activity, and increases the number of neurites and their extension, a neurotrophic effect. It also increases synaptogenesis at 6 mM, supporting the theory of developmental neuronal overgrowth.

Vascular Parkinsonism and Cognitive Impairment without Lobar Hemorrhage related to Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Clinical recognition of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy is difficult due to clinical and imagiological heterogeneity. The Modified Boston Criteria for diagnosis of ‘probable Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy’ pathologically validated in 2010 had an increase in sensitivity with only a modest decrease in specificity. Following case illustrates a diagnostic challenge to an elderly patient with vascular risk factors, neurodegenerative symptomatology with multiple cerebral vascular lesions (ischemic and hemorrhagic, without lobar hemorrhage). The use of a non-invasive amyloid marker would be useful in atypical clinical courses of patients with Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.