Audio-synchronized textual enhancement in foreign language pronunciation learning from videos 3 Apr 10:06 AM (20 hours ago)
Title: Audio-synchronized textual enhancement in foreign language pronunciation learning from videos Author: Galimberti, Valeria; Mora, Joan C.; Gilabert Guerrero, Roger Abstract: The benefits of multimodal input on foreign language listening comprehension and vocabulary learning are well-established, but only recently has its impact on pronunciation been explored. In this study, we audio-synchronized the highlighting of target words in captions to promote the activation of their phonolexical representations at the time they are auditorily processed and improve phonological updating in the mental lexicon. We recorded the eye movements of 58 L1-Spanish/Catalan learners of English as they watched two videos with target words (TWs) highlighted 500 ms or 300 ms before auditory onset, highlighted from caption onset or, alternatively, under one of two control conditions (unenhanced and uncaptioned). We assessed updating of phonolexical forms in terms of more accurate and faster rejection of mispronunciations of the TWs from pre-to post-test. Results showed that 300 ms synchronized enhancement and unsynchronized enhancement led to longer fixation duration, unsynchronized enhancement reduced TW skipping probability, and both synchronized conditions promoted higher audio-visual synchrony in learners' caption reading. While only the unsynchronized condition resulted in more accurate responses at post-test, all enhancement conditions led to significantly faster rejection of mispronunciations. These initial findings call for further research on audio-synchronized enhancement and its potential benefits for L2 pronunciation learning.
Aging in bipolar disorder: Cognitive performance and clinical factors based on an adulthood-lifespan perspective 3 Apr 9:59 AM (20 hours ago)
Title: Aging in bipolar disorder: Cognitive performance and clinical factors based on an adulthood-lifespan perspective Author: Jiménez Martínez, Ester; Solé Cabezuelo, Brisa; Borràs, Roger; Montejo, Laura; Clougher, Derek; Reinares, María; Portella Moll, María Jesús; Martínez-Arán, Anabel, 1971-; Vieta i Pascual, Eduard, 1963-; Bonnin, Caterina del Mar; Torrent Font, Carla Abstract: Background: The evolution of cognitive performance throughout the lifespan in bipolar disorder (BD) is understudied. This cross-sectional study aims to describe the cognitive performance across age groups. Methods: A sample of 654 participants was recruited for this study (BD=432 and healthy controls -HC- =222). Three subgroups, divided according to age range (18 to 35, 36 to 49, and ≥ 50) were analyzed after administering a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including six cognitive domains. Demographic, clinical, and psychosocial functioning data were also analyzed. Generalized linear models (GLM) with age, diagnostic group, and age X group as main effects were carried out to examine their potential association on cognitive domains. A GLM in the BD sample was conducted to analyze interactions of several clinical variables by age on each cognitive domain. Results: Main effects of group and age were found in all cognitive domains. Significant group X age effect interaction was found for attention domain (p=0.02) demonstrating a worse cognitive evolution across age in BD, driven by older age, but not in HC. Significant interaction effects of higher number of manic episodes and older age were also found in attention and verbal memory. Older age was also associated with a longer duration of illness, higher number of episodes, more somatic comorbidities, and poorer psychosocial functioning. Conclusions: These results suggest that older age was associated with a selective cognitive decline in BD in the attentional domain. These findings highlight the importance of developing interventions targeting cognitive dysfunction throughout the BD adulthood lifespan.
Tacrolimus updated guidelines through popPK modeling: how to benefit more from CYP3A pre-emptive genotyping prior to kidney transplantation 3 Apr 9:50 AM (20 hours ago)
Title: Tacrolimus updated guidelines through popPK modeling: how to benefit more from CYP3A pre-emptive genotyping prior to kidney transplantation Author: Hesselink, Dennis A.; Woillard, Jean-Baptiste; Mourad, Michel; Neely, Michael; Capron, Arnaud; van Schaik, Ron H.; van Gelder, Teun; Lloberas Blanch, Núria; Marquet, Pierre; Haufroid, Vincent; Elens, Laure Abstract: Tacrolimus (Tac) is a profoundly effective immunosuppressant that reduces the risk of rejection after solid organ transplantation. However, its use is hampered by its narrow therapeutic window along with its highly variable pharmacological (pharmacokinetic [PK] and pharmacodynamic [PD]) profile. Part of this variability is explained by genetic polymorphisms affecting the metabolic pathway. The integration of CYP3A4 and CY3A5 genotype in tacrolimus population-based PK (PopPK) modeling approaches has been proven to accurately predict the dose requirement to reach the therapeutic window. The objective of the present study was to develop an accurate PopPK model in a cohort of 59 kidney transplant patients to deliver this information to clinicians in a clear and actionable manner. We conducted a non-parametric non-linear effects PopPK modeling analysis in Pmetrics®. Patients were genotyped for the CYP3A4∗22 and CYP3A5∗3 alleles and were classified into 3 different categories [poor-metabolizers (PM), Intermediate-metabolizers (IM) or extensive-metabolizers (EM)]. A one-compartment model with double gamma absorption route described very accurately the tacrolimus PK. In covariate analysis, only CYP3A genotype was retained in the final model (Δ-2LL = -73). Our model estimated that tacrolimus concentrations were 33% IC95%[20-26%], 41% IC95%[36-45%] lower in CYP3A IM and EM when compared to PM, respectively. Virtually, we proved that defining different starting doses for PM, IM and EM would be beneficial by ensuring better probability of target concentrations attainment allowing us to define new dosage recommendations according to patient CYP3A genetic profile.
Mis-splicing of a neuronal microexon promotes CPEB4 aggregation in ASD 3 Apr 9:47 AM (20 hours ago)
Title: Mis-splicing of a neuronal microexon promotes CPEB4 aggregation in ASD Author: Garcia Cabau, Carla; Bartomeu, Anna; Tesei, Giulio; Chit Cheung, Kai; Pose-Utrilla, Julia; Picó, Sara; Balaceanu, Andreea; Duran-Arqué, Berta; Fernández-Alfara, Marcos; Martín, Judit; De Pace, Cesare; Ruiz-Perez, Lorena; García Arroyo, Jesús; Battaglia, Giuseppe; Lucas, J. José; Hervás, Rubén; Lindorff-Larsen, Kresten; Méndez, Raúl; Salvatella i Giralt, Xavier Abstract: The inclusion of microexons by alternative splicing occurs frequently in neuronal proteins. The roles of these sequences are largely unknown, and changes in their degree of inclusion are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders1. We have previously shown that decreased inclusion of a 24-nucleotide neuron-specific microexon in CPEB4, a RNA-binding protein that regulates translation through cytoplasmic changes in poly(A) tail length, is linked to idiopathic autism spectrum disorder (ASD)2. Why this microexon is required and how small changes in its degree of inclusion have a dominant-negative effect on the expression of ASD-linked genes is unclear. Here we show that neuronal CPEB4 forms condensates that dissolve after depolarization, a transition associated with a switch from translational repression to activation. Heterotypic interactions between the microexon and a cluster of histidine residues prevent the irreversible aggregation of CPEB4 by competing with homotypic interactions between histidine clusters. We conclude that the microexon is required in neuronal CPEB4 to preserve the reversible regulation of CPEB4-mediated gene expression in response to neuronal stimulation.
Basilio Losada, de viva voz 3 Apr 9:45 AM (20 hours ago)
Title: Basilio Losada, de viva voz Author: González Fernández, Helena, 1967- Abstract: Basilio Losada, primeiro catedrático de Literaturas galega e portuguesa na Universidade de Barcelona, foi recoñecido dúas veces como académico pola Real Academia Galega. Nomeárono axiña académico correspondente, en 1969. O galeguismo largaba o aparello para pescar complicidades nas augas revoltas e intensas do tardofranquismo e con este recoñecemento dáballe un pulo á traxectoria universitaria e intelectual de Losada. Contento no seu papel de ponte cultural e axente de escritores cando isto non era unha profesión, o seu despacho na universidade converteuse na embaixada cultural de Galicia, e logo do Brasil e Portugal.
Is the effect of cognitive reserve in longitudinal outcomes in first-episode psychoses dependent on the use of cannabis? 3 Apr 9:39 AM (20 hours ago)
Title: Is the effect of cognitive reserve in longitudinal outcomes in first-episode psychoses dependent on the use of cannabis? Author: Amoretti Guadall, Silvia; Verdolini, Norma; Varo, Cristina; Mezquida Mateos, Gisela; Sánchez-Torres, Ana M.; Vieta i Pascual, Eduard, 1963-; García Rizo, Clemente; Lobo, Antonio; González-Pinto, Ana; Abregú Crespo, Renzo; Corripio, Iluminada; Serra, Maria; Serna Gómez, Elena de la; Mané Santacana, Anna; Ramos-Quiroga, Josep Antoni; Ribasés Haro, Marta; Cuesta, Manuel J.; Bernardo Vilamitjana, Mercè Abstract: Background: Cognitive reserve (CR) is a protective factor against cognitive and functional impairment in first-episode psychosis (FEP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical presentation according to the use of cannabis (cannabis users vs non-users) among patients presenting a FEP (non-affective vs affective psychosis), to investigate the impact of CR and cannabis use on several outcomes and to explore the potentially mediatory role played by CR in the relationship between cognitive domains or clinical status and functionality, depending on the use of cannabis. Methods: Linear regression analysis models were carried out to assess the predictive value of CR on clinical, functional and cognitive variables at baseline and at two-year follow-up. The mediation analyzes were performed according to the principles of Baron and Kenny. Results: CR was associated with better cognitive performance, regardless of cannabis consumption or diagnosis. In both diagnoses, CR was associated with better clinical and functional outcomes in those patients who did not use cannabis. In terms of mediation procedure, CR mediates the relationship between some cognitive domains and functioning at follow-up only in patients without cannabis use. Limitations: The small sample size of the affective group. Conclusions: CR plays a differential role in the outcome of psychoses according to whether patients are cannabis users or not. Both in affective and non-affective groups CR exerted a greater effect in patients without cannabis use. Our results suggest that the deleterious effect of cannabis use on functioning in FEP surpasses the protective effect of CR.
Poly-victimization and coping profiles: Relationship with externalizing symptoms in adolescents 3 Apr 9:31 AM (21 hours ago)
Title: Poly-victimization and coping profiles: Relationship with externalizing symptoms in adolescents Author: Guerra, Cristóbal; Pereda Beltran, Noemí; Guilera Ferré, Georgina Abstract: Externalizing symptoms correspond to a set of behavioral problems related to aggressiveness and the violation of norms. These disorders are common during adolescence, especially in poly-victimized populations. However, not much is known about the mechanism underlying the relationship between poly-victimization and symptoms or about the factors that could play a protective role in this relationship. It is necessary to understand the factors that influence the development of these disorders to prevent them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships among coping strategies, poly-victimization, and externalizing symptoms. The participants were 144 adolescent outpatients (M = 14.31, SD = 1.48) attending child and adolescent mental health services. The participants responded to three scales that examined their coping strategies, poly-victimization levels, and externalizing symptoms. The results showed that both poly-victimization and nonproductive coping were directly associated with externalizing symptomatology. In contrast, coping in reference to others and productive coping had inverse relationships with externalizing symptoms. Finally, the results of a cluster analysis revealed three groups of adolescents with different coping strategy profiles. The group with the least externalizing symptomatology was the “active-balanced” group (high use of coping in reference to others and productive coping combined with moderate use of nonproductive coping). The group with the greatest symptomatology was the “lonely” group (high use of productive and nonproductive coping but low use of coping in reference to others). The results suggest that poly-victimization and style of coping has an impact on the development of externalizing problems. These results may be useful for designing programs to prevent or treat externalizing disorders in adolescents.
Caloric Effects Induced by Uniform and Non-uniform Stress in Shape-Memory Materials 3 Apr 9:28 AM (21 hours ago)
Title: Caloric Effects Induced by Uniform and Non-uniform Stress in Shape-Memory Materials Author: Porta Tena, Marcel; Castán i Vidal, Maria Teresa; Saxena, A. (Avadh); Planes Vila, Antoni Abstract: A Ginzburg–Landau model is developed that is adequate to describe a square-to-rectangle martensitic transition with associated shape-memory and superelastic properties. Using this model we study caloric effects in the vicinity of the martensitic transition induced by stress and we compare the case of a uniform uniaxial stress and the case of a non-uniform continuous distribution of stresses that produce bending of the material. The former case corresponds to an elastocaloric effect and the latter corresponds to a flexocaloric effect. The aim of the work is to quantitatively compare both cases, which we show must be accomplished in terms of equal amounts of exchanged mechanical work. It is then obtained that the flexocaloric effect is more efficient for low exchanged work but less efficient for large exchanged work.
Multiple online victimization of Spanish adolescents: Results from a community sample 3 Apr 9:08 AM (21 hours ago)
Title: Multiple online victimization of Spanish adolescents: Results from a community sample Author: Montiel Juan, Irene; Carbonell Vayá, Enrique J.; Pereda Beltran, Noemí Abstract: Little is known about online victimization of Spanish adolescents. The present study aims to determine the past-year prevalence of online victimization in a community sample of Spanish adolescents. The final sample consisted of 3,897 adolescents between 12 and 17 years old (M=14.45, SD=1.59), 1,836 males and 2,049 females, recruited from 39 secondary schools in the east of Spain. The Cuestionario de victimización juvenil mediante internet y/o teléfono móvil (hereinafter, Juvenile Online Victimization Questionnaire, JOV-Q, Montiel & Carbonell, 2012) was applied for the assessment of eight types of online victimization grouped in two major domains: sexual (sexual coercion, sexual pressure, online grooming by an adult, unwanted exposure to sexual content and violation of privacy); and nonsexual victimization (online harassment, happy slapping, pressure to obtain personal information). Sixty-one percent of adolescents reported online victimization during the last year. Online sexual victimization was reported by 39.5% of adolescents and nonsexual victimization by 53.4% of them, whereas 31% of youth reported having experienced online victimization in both domains. The highest prevalence rates were recorded for online harassment (50%), unwanted exposure to sexual content (24.4%), pressure to obtain personal information (18.4%) and online grooming by an adult (17.2%), and the lowest for sexual coercion (6.7%) and happy slapping (2.2%). Thirty-five percent of the adolescents were considered online polyvictims and most of them experienced victimization in both sexual and nonsexual domains (88%). This study illustrates that Spanish adolescents experience high levels of online victimization and that multiple online victimization appears to be the norm among cybervictims.
Mesoporous Silica particles are phagocytosed by microglia and induce a mild inflammatory response in vitro. 3 Apr 7:37 AM (22 hours ago)
Title: Mesoporous Silica particles are phagocytosed by microglia and induce a mild inflammatory response in vitro. Author: Sala Jarque, Julia; García Lara, Elisa; Carreras Domínguez, Paula; Zhou, Chunfang; Rabaneda Lombarte, Neus; Solà i Subirana, Carme; Vidal Taboada, José Manuel; Feiler, Adam; Abrahamsson, Ninnie; Kozlova, Elena N.; Saura Martí, Josep Abstract: Aim: Mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) are broadly used drug delivery carriers. In this study, the authors analyzed the responses to MSPs of astrocytes and microglia, the two main cellular players in neuroinflammation. Materials & methods: Primary murine cortical mixed glial cultures were treated with rhodamine B-labeled MSPs. Results: MSPs are avidly internalized by microglial cells and remain inside the cells for at least 14 days. Despite this, MSPs do not affect glial cell viability or morphology, basal metabolic activity or oxidative stress. MSPs also do not affect mRNA levels of key proinflammatory genes; however, in combination with lipopolysaccharide, they significantly increase extracellular IL-1β levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that MSPs could be novel tools for specific drug delivery to microglial cells.