How ageing changes the mnemonic bias of visual behaviour

Published online: 02 Jun 2017.Ageing is associated with deficits in cognitive control, including attention and working memory processes. However, how ageing influences the interactions between these cognitive systems is not well understood. The present study compared the oculomotor behaviour and search performance of two different age groups in a well-established memory-guided visual selection paradigm. The results show that ageing can lead to impairments in the way memory representations bias the control of attention, which notably dissociate in the early stages of oculomotor orientation in search and the later process of attentional disengagement from memory distracters. The implications of these findings for theories of cognitive ageing are discussed.DS acknowledges support from the Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres/Units of Excellence in R&D (SEV-2015-490) and project grant PSI2016-76443-P (METAAWARE) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)

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Autism spectrum disorders and romantic intimacy

Few would deny that romantic intimacy is an important part of the human experience. People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may face impairments in communication, social understanding, and emotional responsiveness; however, the importance of romantic intimacy in their lives is no less significant than it is for typically developing people. In response to the dearth of voice in the literature from people with ASD as well a lack of previous research investigating the romantic perceptions and experiences of people with ASD, I set out to explore the lived experiences of individuals and couples with ASD in regard to romantic intimacy. The lived experience of eight participants including one couple, four individuals, and three guardians of participants with ASD were explored through a qualitative methodology using a Hermeneutic phenomenological approach via a critical disability lens. Three main themes emerged through the data analysis including: What Makes it Work?, What is Challenging?, and How is Intimacy Experienced? Themes that emerged indicated that overall aspects of romantic intimacy are similar for people with ASD and typically developing individuals, including the experience of attraction and various expressions of intimacy. Challenges regarding romantic intimacy are likely to be experienced that stem from characteristics of the disorder including sensory/processing issues and social/communication difficulties. Additional challenges may result from circumstances beyond the individual\u27s control such as his or her living situation and societal messages/pressures. Although such challenges may impede on one\u27s ability to be romantically intimate, a number of features have been identified that may transcend such barriers. Such features have been identified through the compatibility of partners, dedication and hard work on the part of both partners, and through helpful external supports. Implications for support services, interventions, and future areas for research are discussed

IXPE Mission System Concept and Development Status

The Goal of the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Mi SMEX), is to expand understanding of high-energy astrophysical processes and sources, in support of NASAs first science objective in Astrophysics: Discover how the universe works. IXPE, an international collaboration, will conduct X-ray imaging polarimetry for multiple categories of cosmic X-ray sources such as neutron stars, stellar-mass black holes, supernova remnants and active galactic nuclei. The Observatory uses a single science operational mode capturing the X-ray data from the targets. The IXPE Observatory consists of spacecraft and payload modules built up in parallel to form the Observatory during system integration and test. The payload includes three X-ray telescopes each consisting of a polarization-sensitive, gas pixel X-ray detector, paired with its corresponding grazing incidence mirror module assembly (MMA). A deployable boom provides the correct separation (focal length) between the detector units (DU) and MMAs. These payload elements are supported by the IXPE spacecraft which is derived from the BCP-small spacecraft architecture. This paper summarizes the IXPE mission science objectives, updates the Observatory implementation concept including the payload and spacecraft ts and summarizes the mission status since last years conference

A mixed methods approach to understanding the relationship between attachment and child outcomes: The connection of related findings, theory and cultural implications as explored through the perspectives and practices of attachment parents

In Chapter 2 of this paper, a quantitative analysis investigated the association between positive couple interaction and child outcomes (externalizing behavior and social competence) as mediated through positive parenting and a secure parent-child attachment. In Chapter 3, a qualitative approach was used to explore the perspectives and parenting behaviors of mothers who identify as attachment parents Additionally, the implications of attachment theory, evolutionary theory, and the societal context in which parenting practices are embedded are explored. A connection between the quantitative and qualitative findings of this study is drawn in Chapter 4 via the discussion section. In addition, consistencies and inconsistencies were explored between the results of both studies as well as between previous research findings and pre-established theory

Development of haemostatic decontaminants for treatment of wounds contaminated with chemical warfare agents. 3: Evaluation of in vitro topical decontamination efficacy using damaged skin

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Lydon, H. L., Hall, C. A., Dalton, C. H., Chipman, J. K., Graham, J. S., and Chilcott, R. P., ‘Development of haemostatic decontaminants for treatment of wounds contaminated with chemical warfare agends. 3: Evaluation of in vitro topical decontamination efficacy using damaged skin’, Journal of Applied Toxicology, Vol. 37 (8): 976-984, February 2017. The Version of Record is available online at doi: doi: 10.1002/jat.3446. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Previous studies have demonstrated that haemostatic products with an absorptive mechanism of action retain their clotting efficiency in the presence of toxic materials and are effective in decontaminating chemical warfare (CW) agents when applied to normal, intact skin. The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess three candidate haemostatic products for effectiveness in the decontamination of superficially damaged porcine skin exposed to the radiolabelled CW agents soman (GD), VX and sulphur mustard (HD). Controlled physical damage (removal of the upper 100 µm skin layer) resulted in significant enhancement of the dermal absorption of all three CW agents. Of the haemostatic products assessed, WoundStat™ was consistently the most effective, being equivalent in performance to a standard military decontaminant (fuller’s earth). These data suggest that judicious application of haemostatic products to wounds contaminated with CW agents may be a viable option for the clinical management of casualties presenting with contaminated, haemorrhaging injuries. Further studies using a relevant animal model are required to confirm the potential clinical efficacy of WoundStat™ for treating wounds contaminated with CW agents.Peer reviewe

Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer Mission Attitude Determination and Control Concept

The goal of the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Mission is to expand understanding of high-energy astrophysical processes and sources, in support of NASA's first science objective in Astrophysics: "Discover how the universe works." X-ray polarimetry is the focus of the IXPE science mission. Polarimetry uniquely probes physical anisotropies-ordered magnetic fields, aspheric matter distributions, or general relativistic coupling to black-hole spin-that are not otherwise measurable. The IXPE Observatory consists of Spacecraft and Payload modules. The Payload includes three polarization sensitive, X-ray detector units (DU), each paired with its corresponding grazing incidence mirror module assemblies (MMA). A deployable boom provides the correct separation (focal length) between the DUs and MMAs. These Payload elements are supported by the IXPE Spacecraft. A star tracker is mounted directly with the deployed Payload to minimize alignment errors between the star tracker line of sight (LoS) and Payload LoS. Stringent pointing requirements coupled with a flexible structure and a non-collocated attitude sensor-actuator configuration requires a thorough analysis of control-structure interactions. A non-minimum phase notch filter supports robust control loop stability margins. This paper summarizes the IXPE mission science objectives and Observatory concepts, and then it describes IXPE attitude determination and control implementation. IXPE LoS pointing accuracy, control loop stability, and angular momentum management are discussed

Evidence from high resolution topography for multiple earthquakes on high slip-to-length fault scarps: the Bilila-Mtakataka fault, Malawi

Geomorphological features such as fault scarps and stream knickpoints are indicators of recent fault activity. Determining whether these features formed during a single earthquake or over multiple earthquakes cycles has important implications for the interpretation of the size and frequency of past events. Here, we focus on the Bilila‐Mtakataka fault, Malawi, where the 20 m high fault scarps exceed the height expected from a single earthquake rupture. We use a high resolution digital elevation model (< 1 m) to identify complexity in the fault scarp and knickpoints in river profiles. Of 39 selected scarp profiles, 20 showed evidence of either multi‐scarps or composite scarps and of the seven selected river and stream profiles, five showed evidence for multiple knickpoints. A near uniform distribution of vertical offsets on the sub‐scarps suggests they were formed by separate earthquakes. These independent methods agree that at least two earthquakes have occurred with an average vertical offset per event of 10 and 12 m. This contrasts earlier studies which proposed that this scarp formed during a single event, and demonstrates the importance of high‐resolution topographic data for understanding tectonic geomorphology. We use a one‐dimensional diffusion model of scarp degradation to demonstrate how fault splays form multi‐scarps and estimate the diffusion age κt of the Bilila‐Mtakataka fault scarp to be 48 ± m25 m2, corresponding to 6400 ± 4000 years since formation. We calculate that a continuous rupture would equate to a MW 7.8 ± 0.3 earthquake, greater than the largest seismic event previously recorded in East Africa