Perceived Academic Control and Academic Emotions Predict Undergraduate University Student Success: Examining Effects on Dropout Intention and Achievement

It is difficult to demonstrate that safety-critical software is completely free of dangerous faults. Prior testing can be used to demonstrate that the unsafe failure rate is below some bound, but in practice, the bound is not low enough to demonstrate the level of safety performance required for critical software-based systems like avionics. This paper argues higher levels of safety performance can be claimed by taking account of: 1)external mitigation to prevent an accident: 2) the fact that software is corrected once failures are detected in operation. A model based on these concepts is developed to derive an upper bound on the number of expected failures and accidents under different assumptions about fault fixing, diagnosis, repair and accident mitigation. A numerical example is used to illustrate the approach. The implications and potential applications of the theory are discussed

Common principles in the lateralization of auditory cortex structure and function for vocal communication in primates and rodents

This review summarizes recent findings on the lateralization of communicative sound processing in the auditory cortex (AC) of humans, non-human primates and rodents. Functional imaging in humans has demonstrated a left hemispheric preference for some acoustic features of speech, but it is unclear to which degree this is caused by bottom-up acoustic feature selectivity or top-down modulation from language areas. Although non-human primates show a less pronounced functional lateralization in AC, the properties of AC fields and behavioural asymmetries are qualitatively similar. Rodent studies demonstrate microstructural circuits that might underlie bottom-up acoustic feature selectivity in both hemispheres. Functionally, the left AC in the mouse appears to be specifically tuned to communication calls, whereas the right AC may have a more 'generalist' role. Rodents also show anatomical AC lateralization, such as differences in size and connectivity. Several of these functional and anatomical characteristics are also lateralized in human AC. Thus, complex vocal communication processing shares common features among rodents and primates. We argue that a synthesis of results from humans, non-human primates and rodents is necessary to identify the neural circuitry of vocal communication processing. However, data from different species and methods are often difficult to compare. Recent advances may enable better integration of methods across species. Efforts to standardize data formats and analysis tools would benefit comparative research and enable synergies between psychological and biological research in the area of vocal communication processing

The impact of emotions on practicum learning

Nine mature aged, experienced practitioners enrolled to gain a BSW qualification in social work were interviewed regarding a course requirement to complete the first placement. At the time of interview no recognition of prior learning for previous experience in the field was made possible for these students. As educators we had experienced considerable hostility from students who believed they should be exempt from completing this course requirement. This paper reports on interviews with the nine students, where we consider how student sentiment about completing the practice learning component might impact upon their learning experience. As anticipated, some students expressed strong negative views about being on placement. However, others were much more positive about the experience. These mixed views prompted us to explore further the relationship between emotion and practice learning. The article begins with a review of the literature concerning mature student engagement with tertiary education, followed by an overview of theory and research related to the ways feelings and emotion influence learning. Using passages from the interviews, expressions of participant anxiety, anger and excitement about the practicum are discussed with the view to extending discourse about practicum learning to include consideration of emotional intelligence and investment.<br /

Caregiving Study Questionnaires

This brief survey assessed primary and secondary control strategy use among caregivers of a family member with dementia. Psychological well-being was also measured, including perceived stress, sense of control, life satisfaction, and recent emotions. Finally, sociodemographic information relevant to caregiving was collected

Hemispheric asymmetry of intracortical myelin orientation in the mouse auditory cortex

Communication sound processing in mouse AC is lateralized. Both left and right AC are highly specialised and differ in auditory stimulus representation, functional connectivity and field topography. Previous studies have highlighted intracortical functional circuits that explain hemispheric stimulus preference. However, the underlying microstructure remains poorly understood. In this study, we examine structural lateralization of AC on the basis of immunohistochemically stained and tissue-cleared adult mouse brains (n = 11). We found hemispheric asymmetries of intracortical myelination, most prominently in layer 2/3, which featured more intercolumnar connections in the right AC. Furthermore, we found a larger structural asymmetry in the right AC. We also investigated sex differences. In male mice, myelination direction in the right AC is tilted to the anterior side. This pattern is inverted in female mice. However, the spatial distribution of neuronal cell bodies in the left and right AC along the laminar axis of the cortex was remarkably symmetric in all samples. These results suggest that basic developmentally defined structures such as cortical columns remain untouched by lateral specialisation, but more plastic myelinated axons show diverse hemispheric asymmetries. These asymmetries may contribute to specialisation on lateralized tasks such as vocal communication processing or specialisation on spectral or temporal complexity of stimuli

Molecular Cloning and Rare Cleavage Mapping of Human 2P, 6Q, 8Q, 12Q, and 18Q Telomeres

Large terminal fragments of human chromosomes 2p, 6q, 8q, 12q, and 18q were cloned using yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs). RecA-assisted restriction endonuclease (RARE) cleavage analysis of genomic DNA samples from 11 unrelated individuals using YAC-derived probes confirmed the telomeric localizations of the half-YACs studied. The cloned Fragments provide telomeric closure of maps for the respective chromosome arms and will supply the reagents needed for analyzing and sequencing these distal subtelomeric regions

Short-range human cortico-cortical white matter fibers have thinner axons and are less myelinated compared to long-range fibers despite a similar g-ratio

The size and complexity of the human brain require optimally sized and myelinated fibers. White matter fibers facilitate fast communication between distant areas, but also connect adjacent cortical regions via short association fibers. The difference in length and packing density of long and short association fibers pose different requirements on their optimal size and degree of myelination. The fundamental questions of (i) how thick the short association fibers are and (ii) how strongly they are myelinated as compared to long fibers, however, remain unanswered. We present a comprehensive two-dimensional transmission electron microscopic analysis of ~400,000 fibers of human white matter regions with long (corpus callosum) and short fibers (superficial white matter). Using a deep learning approach, we demonstrate a substantially higher fiber diameter and higher myelination thickness (both approximately 25% higher) in corpus callosum than in superficial white matter. Surprisingly, we do not find a difference in the ratio between axon diameter and myelin thickness (g-ratio), which is close to the theoretically optimal value of ~0.6 in both areas (0.54). This work reveals a fundamental principle of brain organization that provides a key foundation for understanding the human brain

Perceptions of Heat-Susceptibility in Older Persons: Barriers to Adaptation

The increase in the frequency of very hot weather that is a predicted consequence of climate change poses an emerging threat to public health. Extreme heat can be harmful to the health of older persons who are known to be amongst the most vulnerable in the community. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing the ability of older persons to adapt to hot conditions, and barriers to adaptation. A qualitative study was conducted in Adelaide, Australia, involving focus groups and interviews with stakeholders including key personnel involved in aged care, community services, government sectors, emergency services and policy making. Findings revealed a broad range of factors that underpin the heat-susceptibility of the aged. These were categorized into four broad themes relating to: physiology and an age-related decline in health; socioeconomic factors, particularly those influencing air conditioning use; psychological issues including fears and anxieties about extreme heat; and adaptive strategies that could be identified as both enablers and barriers. As a consequence, the ability and willingness to undertake behavior change during heatwaves can therefore be affected in older persons. Additionally, understanding the control panels on modern air conditioners can present challenges for the aged. Improving heat-health knowledge and addressing the social and economic concerns of the older population will assist in minimizing heat-related morbidity and mortality in a warming climate

The Smoking mind: a Psycho-cognitive perspective

Smoking behavior involves not only a biological addiction, but also psycho-cognitive components. This runs from smoking initiation, through to maintaining, attempts at quitting, and relapse. This perspective is an important element in studying and intervening in smoking behaviors. The main aim of this narrative review is to explore tobacco cigarette smoking behavior, considering the pivotal role of cognitive mechanisms embedded in decision-making and in risk judgment, with particular attention to the so-called Optimistic Bias (OB). The mechanisms through which this fallacy supports smoking initiation and continuance are explored, considering the transition from young to adult smokers and the case of light and intermittent smokers. Furthermore, additional cognitive mechanisms associated with the OB, which sustain smoking behavior and prevent the efficacy of smoking cessation, are described. Finally, a stimulus for reflection and for discussion about how the impact of the cognitive bias perspective in tobacco cigarette smoking is provided, focusing on how it could support tailored interventions, both in smoking initiation prevention in adolescents and young adults, as well as in smoking cessation in high-risk categorie