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Cognitive remediation is now widely recognized as an effective treatment for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Its effects are meaningful, durable, and related to improvements in everyday functional outcomes. As with many therapies, the evolution of cognitive remediation has resulted in treatment programs that use a variety of specific techniques, yet share common core principles. This paper is the product of a cognitive remediation expert working group consensus meeting to identify core features of the treatment and produce recommendations for its design, conduct, reporting, and implementation. Four techniques were identified as core features of cognitive remediation: facilitation by a therapist, cognitive exercise, procedures to develop problem-solving strategies, and procedures to facilitate transfer to real world functioning. Treatment techniques within each of these core features are presented to facilitate decisions for clinical trials and implementation in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between testing mode (taking a test on computer versus paper) and two other factors: (1) cognitive load and (2) scratch paper use in an undergraduate general chemistry class setting. Cognitive load was measured with two self-report questions (perceived mental effort and level of difficulty) and scratch paper use was analyzed manually. All 221 students completed three assessments administered either on computer or paper. The assessments included a variety of chemistry topics with an equal number of three question types (algorithmic, conceptual, and definition). There was no significant difference in the cognitive load imposed by computer or paper-based tests at the overall test level or by question type. Students utilized scratch paper more on paper-based than online tests, especially when the questions were conceptual, and they used scratch paper the most for algorithmic questions. Altogether, these results provide further support that online testing can be implemented in educational settings without imposing additional cognitive load on students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Exposing learners to cognitive computing concepts involves new learning strategies. Because cognitive computing is probabilistic, using massive sets of data is fundamental in understanding these concepts. One data set is the release of the Offshore Panama Papers Leaks Database (LeaksDB) in May 2016, in which researchers were able to access this graph database as part of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) Offshore Leaks investigation and to draw conclusions about companies, trusts, foundations, and funds incorporated in 21 tax havens. For the purpose of this research, GraphDB Server was installed and configured by faculty members from a mid-western university. In addition, DBPedia and GeoNames repositories were linked to LeaksDB, leading to the discovery of interesting patterns about these Geo facade relationships between Officers (persons or companies) and Countries. Highlights • Using massive data sets is fundamental to teaching cognitive computing concepts. • Repositories linked to Panama Papers LeaksDB uncovered patterns of relationships. • Top 20 countries are related to 80% of entities listed in the LeaksDB database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The papers in this issue provide an excellent example of how pertinent distinctions which emerge from analysis of significant data sets can be communicated to colleagues and used to make sense of observations. The distinctions are vividly described, illustrated and exemplified, and used to chart maturation in student use of examples from middle school, through high school and into university. Curiously, no corresponding maturation was detected in students' choice of examples to use for themselves. Contrast was detected between the way students used the same examples for comprehending a conjecture and testing its validity, and the way that some mathematicians used specifically constructed examples for locating underlying structure. What emerged for me from reading these papers is confirmation of the central role of attention, the productiveness of engaging students at the earliest ages and throughout their schooling with the detection and expression of generality, and the importance of being explicit about the scope of generality encompassed by a claim. Purposeful use of examples by students could be expected to develop as teachers explicitly use examples purposefully with and for students. A reasonable conjecture might be that getting students to be explicit about the scope of generality, of possible variation of which they are aware, might shed light on obstacles and barriers to reasoning which might otherwise lead to proof. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined two common mechanisms that are used to explain why reading on an electronic screen versus paper result in different reading outcomes: The Cognitive Map Mechanism and the Medium Materiality Mechanism. A laboratory experiment (N = 45), was conducted using a three-group comparison design (paper book vs. digital equivalent vs. digital disrupted view). Our hypotheses that were based on the cognitive map mechanism were largely supported. On the other hand, our hypotheses following the medium materiality mechanism were not sufficiently evidenced. Specifically, our results showed that the paper book was similar to its digital equivalent, and both were better than the digital disrupted view in terms of reading comprehension, feelings of fatigue, and psychological immersion. The findings implied that it is not the materiality of the presentation medium that influences reading outcomes, rather it is the extent to which the text presentation facilitates, or impedes, the reader's ability to construct a cognitive map that influences the reading process. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a synopsis on group-format dual-task training which reduces dual-task interference in mobility tasks in people with chronic stroke. Topics discussed include potential advantages in terms of increasing social interactions, improving adherence, and reducing costs; simultaneous performance practice of walking and concurrent tasks across numerous participants; and reductions in dual-task interference effects were observed only in the group receiving dual-task training.

• Interaction feature pair (IFP) is introduced as carriers of interaction intents. • A product information model is established for interaction intent transmission. • Behaviors of cognizing interaction structures are achieved based on IFP matching. • Parts are endowed with the cognition behavior to mate with each other autonomously. Interactions of a part with other parts in an assembly constitute the behavior of the part. However, currently parts interact with each other lifelessly in assembly environment due to their incapability of cognizing interaction structures between them, making the assembly modeling of complex products suffer from considerable manual interventions. An intelligent assembly modeling method is proposed for complex products in this paper, by endowing parts with the ability of cognizing interaction structures between them. In this method, the concept of interaction feature pair (IFP) and the corresponding automatic construction algorithms are developed to explicitly describe interaction intent (i.e., how a part will mate with other parts) in designer's mind, providing carriers for part cognition behaviors and dynamical interaction intent in the assembly modeling process. On this basis, an object-oriented product information model considering IFP is established to facilitate the complete capture of interaction intent at part modeling stage and the consistent transmission of it to assembly modeling stage, endowing parts with the cognition ability of foreseeing how to mate with other parts before and after loading into assembly modeling environment. Then, IFP matching algorithms are designed to support the part cognition behaviors of actively cognizing interaction structures, perceiving potential mating parts and mating with other parts with high efficiency. Assembly modeling case studies of a reducer and a Mecanum wheel with few manual interventions indicate the feasibility of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To synthesize the findings of cognitive interview and usability studies performed to assess the measurement equivalence of patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments migrated from paper to electronic formats (ePRO), and make recommendations regarding future migration validation requirements and ePRO design best practice.Methods: We synthesized findings from all cognitive interview and usability studies performed by a contract research organization between 2012 and 2015: 53 studies comprising 68 unique instruments and 101 instrument evaluations. We summarized study findings to make recommendations for best practice and future validation requirements.Results: Five studies (9%) identified minor findings during cognitive interview that may possibly affect instrument measurement properties. All findings could be addressed by application of ePRO best practice, such as eliminating scrolling, ensuring appropriate font size, ensuring suitable thickness of visual analogue scale lines, and providing suitable instructions. Similarly, regarding solution usability, 49 of the 53 studies (92%) recommended no changes in display clarity, navigation, operation, and completion without help. Reported usability findings could be eliminated by following good product design such as the size, location, and responsiveness of navigation buttons.Conclusions: With the benefit of accumulating evidence, it is possible to relax the need to routinely conduct cognitive interview and usability studies when implementing minor changes during instrument migration. Application of design best practice and selecting vendor solutions with good user interface and user experience properties that have been assessed in a representative group may enable many instrument migrations to be accepted without formal validation studies by instead conducting a structured expert screen review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A new patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument to measure fatigue symptoms and impacts in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) was developed in a qualitative stage, followed by psychometric validation and migration from paper to an electronic format.Methods: Adult patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were interviewed to elicit fatigue-related symptoms and impacts. A draft questionnaire was debriefed in cognitive interviews with further RRMS patients, and revised. Content confirmation interviews were conducted with patients with progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis (PRMS) and relapsing secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (RSPMS). Psychometric analyses used data from adult patients with different RMS subtypes and matched non-RMS controls in a multicenter, observational study. After item reduction, the final instrument was migrated to a smartphone (eDiary) and usability was confirmed in interviews with additional adult RMS patients.Results: The qualitative stage included 37 RRMS, 5 PRMS, and 5 RSPMS patients. Saturation of concepts was reached during concept elicitation. Cognitive interviews confirmed that participants understood the instructions, items, and response options of the instrument-named FSIQ-RMS-as intended. Psychometric validation included 164 RMS and 74 control patients. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were demonstrated. The symptoms domain discriminated along the RMS symptom-severity continuum and between patients and controls. Patients were able to attribute fatigue-related symptoms to RMS. Usability and conceptual equivalence of the eDiary were confirmed (n = 10 participants).Conclusions: With 7 symptom items and 13 impact items (in 3 impacts subdomains: physical, cognitive and emotional, and coping) after item reduction, the FSIQ-RMS is a comprehensive, valid, and reliable measure of fatigue-related symptoms and impacts in RMS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is a shift from a perspective biased towards visual methods to a broader understanding of the multisensory phenomenon known as "sensescape". Yet, the interplay among senses remains underexplored. • There is a lack of a universally agreed-upon definition for certain affects which are often characterized by their longer durations, ambiguity, and irreducibility. • Some functional studies explore attitudes to enhance cycling rates, while identity research emphasizes local context. Identities of cyclists in our sample face marginalization, stigma, disadvantage, and invisibility. • Retrospective surveys and interviews are dominant, but growing interest in mobile methods enhances real-time and context-specific data collection. • The positive values of cycling experiences have been largely ignored in our sample of studies, suggesting that the dominant narrative is still guided by the assumption that mobility is a disutility. When evaluating cycling subjective experiences (CSE), mobility researchers have questioned the depictions of cycling as an efficient, fast, and solitary mobility mode. By reframing cycling in terms of its emotional impact on the cyclist, research to date has explored dimensions such as fun, relaxation, and sociability of cycling experiences. Yet, these insights have not been integrated into a holistic understanding of CSE. Addressing this gap, this paper asks: what is the CSE exactly and how do we measure it? We selected and analysed in-depth 50 articles with the aim of unpacking the innate characteristics of CSE. The paper makes a contribution to the research on CSE by presenting a novel framework that clarifies the relationships within existing literature, and identifies measurement methods aligned with this framework. The three interrelated core aspects of CSE are 1) sensory interpretation, 2) affective states, and 3) cognitive construction. Additionally, the three identified methods are 1) retrospective, 2) interceptive, and 3) mobile methods. Notably, retrospective surveys and interviews emerged as the dominant methods employed in the field. However, there has been a growing interest in mobile methods, which enable the collection of real-time and context-specific data, thereby enhancing the generalizability of research findings. Through our analysis we have found that the positive values of cycling experiences have been largely ignored in our sample of studies, revealing a bias of researchers to focus on mobility as a disutility. Based on our findings, we urge planners and scholars to rethink their implicit efforts to mitigate the negative effects of cycling experiences and look for opportunities to optimize for positive cycling experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stakeholder participation is increasingly seen as beneficial for short and long term responses to climate change risks. Past research highlights the role social networks play as both a key outcome of participation, as well as an important step towards other environmental governance goals. This paper focuses on the social relation of mutual understanding , which is often discussed in the environmental governance literature, but has yet to be studied as an empirical social network in its own right. Our paper builds and tests a conceptual framework linking participation to mutual understanding and social learning. We analyze three waves of network and perceptions data gathered on stakeholders participating in the Integrated Coastal Resiliency Assessment (ICRA) project, a 2.5 year-long project aimed at developing a collaborative research assessment on the vulnerabilities to climate change experienced by an island community located in the Chesapeake Bay, USA. Our findings suggest that participation (measured as co-attendance in project events) leads to the formation of mutual understanding ties among stakeholders, but these ties do not necessarily lead to more similarity in stakeholders' perceptions on climate change. We reflect on these findings, and the project more broadly, noting that our study lends support to scholars arguing that feelings of mutual understanding are potentially more important for certain forms of collective action, as opposed to whether or not stakeholders increase their shared beliefs or perceptions about the environmental problem in question. • We conceptualize and test the links between participation, mutual understanding and social learning. • We use Stochastic Actor Oriented Models (SAOMs) to examine the evolution of mutual understanding as a non-directed, cognitive network. • Findings show tendencies for stakeholder participation leading to mutual understanding. • There is no support for mutual understanding leading to greater similarity in climate change perceptions. • For certain collective actions, mutual understanding is more important than increased similarity in perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examining the relationship between the responses of a number of different cognitive trainings on cognitive functioning in middle-aged and elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. Randomized controlled experimental studies published publicly from the time of inception to October 30, 2023 were searched through Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases. Traditional and network meta-analyses were performed using Stata 17.0 software. Fifty papers on 4 types of cognitive training were included. Traditional meta-analysis showed that virtual reality training (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI : [0.36,0.70], P = 0.00), neuropsychological training (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI : [0.18,0.70], P = 0.00), cognitive strategy training (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI : [0.16,0.36], P = 0.00), and cognitive behavioral therapy (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI : [0.08,0.41], P = 0.00) all had significant improvement effects on the cognitive function of middle-aged and elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. Network meta-analysis revealed neuropsychological training as the best cognitive training, and subgroup analysis of cognitive function subdimensions showed that neuropsychological training had the best effects on working memory, lobal cognitive function, memory, and cognitive flexibility improvement. Meanwhile, virtual reality training had the best effects on processing speed, verbal ability, overall executive function, spatial cognitive ability, and attention improvement. Cognitive training can significantly improve the cognitive function of middle-aged and elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, and neuropsychological training is the best intervention, most effective in interventions lasting more than 8 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 conspiracy theories have become widespread since the onset of the pandemic and compound the existing challenges of decisional capacity assessment. This paper aims to review the literature pertaining to decisional capacity assessment in the context of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and synthesize a practical approach with an emphasis on differential diagnosis and clinical pearls for the practicing physician. We reviewed papers on decisional capacity assessment and differential diagnosis in the context of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs. A literature search was conducted using the US National Library of Medicine's PubMed.gov resource and Google Scholar. The resulting article content was utilized to synthesize a practical approach to decisional capacity assessment in the context of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs. Specifically, aspects related to the history, taxonomy, evaluation, and management are reviewed. Appreciating the nuanced differences between delusions, overvalued ideas, and obsessions while with integrating the non-cognitive domains of capacity into the assessment are crucial to navigating the wide differential diagnosis of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs. It is important to attempt to clarify and optimize patient decision-making abilities by addressing circumstances, attitudes, and cognitive styles specific to patients with seemingly irrational beliefs about COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreases in cognitive function impair occupational performance, reduce occupational safety, and increase musculoskeletal injury risk. The aim of this paper was to identify measures that may be used to monitor cognitive function in the warfighter. A rapid review. A rapid search of Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and SPORTSDiscus databases was conducted. Eligibility criteria: original peer reviewed research articles, written in English, published between 2002 and 2022, and using human participants with no health issues in military training environments or active service. Of the 248 articles screened, 58 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 29 included in the review. Of these, 16 papers presented data from multi-stressor military training environments, or experimental studies where simulated military tasks were being performed. Thirteen papers focused on an aspect of military work and the implications for cognitive function (i.e., physical load, periods of extended wakefulness or fatigue, and hypoxic conditions). The domains of cognitive function that were assessed (i.e. vigilance, reaction time, working memory, situational awareness, and decision-making) were somewhat consistent among studies. Prolonged exposure to high-stress military environments compromises multiple aspects of cognitive function. These findings highlight the need for a suite of biomarkers to monitor cognitive function and assess the ability of military personnel to attend to and process mission-critical information and make appropriate decisions on the battlefield and other high-stress environments. Our findings suggest that a suite of common tests may provide useful information about cognitive function in the warfighter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlations between cognitive ability and psychopathology are well recognized, but prior research has been limited by focusing on individuals with intellectual disability, single-diagnosis psychiatric populations, or few measures of psychopathology. Here, we quantify relationships between full-scale IQ and multiple dimensions of psychopathology in a diverse care-seeking population, with a novel focus on differential coupling between psychopathology dimensions as a function of IQ. A total of 70 dimensional measures of psychopathology, plus IQ and demographic data, were collated for 2,752 children and adolescents from the Healthy Brain Network dataset. We first examined univariate associations between IQ and psychopathology, and then characterized how the correlational architecture of psychopathology differs between groups at extremes of the IQ distribution. Associations with IQ vary in magnitude between different domains of psychopathology: IQ shows the strongest negative correlations with attentional and social impairments, but is largely unrelated to affective symptoms and psychopathy. Lower IQ is associated with stronger coupling between internalizing problems and aggression, repetitive behaviors, and hyperactivity/inattentiveness. Our analyses reveal that variation in general cognitive ability is associated not only with significant and selective shifts in severity of psychopathology, but also in the coupling between different dimensions of psychopathology. These findings have relevance for the clinical assessment of mental health in populations with varying IQ, and may also inform ongoing efforts to improve the measurement of psychopathology and to understand how relationships between cognition and behavior are reflected in brain organization. We worked to ensure sex and gender balance in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure sex balance in the selection of non-human subjects. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper received support from a program designed to increase minority representation in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our reference list. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented sexual and/or gender groups in science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehension tends to be less effective when reading on screens than on paper, particularly with texts that require a deeper understanding or when reading under time pressure. Recent evidence indicates that digital readers exhibit a tendency towards more shallow or superficial text processing and less metacognitive regulation. Emerging evidence on the reading of dynamic digital texts reaffirms the importance of visual and attentional constraints as per the reading of static texts, but also highlights the critical role played by contextual factors in guiding the use of reading strategies in digital environments. Although readers can develop adaptive reading strategies in response to different conditions, the efficacy of those strategies depends on various cognitive, metacognitive, and motivational factors. People increasingly read text displayed on digital devices, including computers, handheld e-readers, and smartphones. Given this, there is rapidly growing interest in understanding how the cognitive processes that support the reading of static text (e.g., books, magazines, or newspapers) might be adapted to reading digital texts. Evidence from recent experiments suggests a complex interplay of visual and cognitive influences on how people engage with digital reading. Although readers can strategically adjust their reading behaviors in response to their immediate reading context, the efficacy of these strategies depends on cognitive, metacognitive, and motivational factors. A better understanding of the factors that influence reading offers the promise of leveraging digital technologies to enhance the reading experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Our study provide strong evidence of the correlation between T1 and T2 lesions and cognitive function in MS patients. • These findings emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment of lesions to preserve cognitive function. Considering the different results regarding the correlation between Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) structural measures and cognitive dysfunction in patients with MS, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta -analysis study to investigate the correlation between T1 and T2 weighted lesions and cognitive scores to find the most robust MRI markers for cognitive function in MS population. The literature of this paper was identified through a comprehensive search of electronic datasets including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase in February 2022. Studies that reported the correlation between cognitive status and T1 and T2 weighted lesions in MS patients were selected. 21 studies with a total of 3771 MS patients with mean ages ranging from 30 to 57 years were entered into our study. Our analysis revealed that the volume of T1 lesions was significantly correlated with Symbol Digit Modality test (SDMT) (r: −0.30, 95 %CI: −0.59, −0.01) and Paced Auditory Serial-Addition Task (PASAT) scores (r: −0.23, 95 %CI: −0.36, −0.10). We investigated the correlation between T2 lesions and cognitive scores. The pooled estimates of z scores were significant for SDMT (r: −0.27, 95 %CI: −0.51, −0.03) and PASAT (r: −0.27, 95 %CI: −0.41, −0.13). In conclusion, our systematic review and meta -analysis study provides strong evidence of the correlation between T1 and T2 lesions and cognitive function in MS patients. Further research is needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship and to develop targeted interventions to improve cognitive outcomes in MS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep AI and big data have reshaped the IT field. Since AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems for problem solving, the current landscape of IT provides an excellent opportunity for us to re-examine how human cognition has responded to new developments in IT. In this paper, we discuss several issues related to human cognition in IT at AI-enriched big data era. First, we note that deep AI reflects human beings' needs for causality and explanations, and review a couple of related aspects. We then examine human cognition in IT from two perspectives: On the theoretical side, recent developments in quantum computing has the potential to reveal complex nature of human cognition in the form of quantum cognition, and on the practical side, cognitive bias may play a negative role, as demonstrated in the way of dealing with fake news. The complexity of human cognition in IT leads to a proposed multi-layer concept description which is based on our view that a complete concept definition is impossible without incorporating human cognitive feedback in the loop. We conclude this paper by emphasizing the need for integrated study of human cognition in IT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans can make assertions and can judge the assertions of other to be true or false. In doing so, humans represent the world. As far as we know, only human being are capable of staking a claim in this way; rocks, roses, and rabbits can't do it. The question addressed in this paper is how children become capable of doing so. Philosophers have imagined that answering this question requires us to give a theory of the nature of the representational content of an assertion – that is, of the way it represents the world. In this paper I apply what we might call the metalinguistic approach , as championed by Talbot Taylor, to the problem of representational content. I do so by providing an account of how children come to be able to engage in acts of assertion and properly respond to the assertions of others in terms of their developing skills. For telling this story, I will rely on an embodied approach to cognition. In particular, I argue that reflexive linguistic skills enable the child to develop a sensitivity to the conditions under which speech acts are correct. Once the reflexive dimension of claim-making practices has come into focus, I conclude that no theory of content is required. Instead, I propose to shift talk away from content to an ability of individuals which I refer to as content-sensitivity. • I propose a metalinguistic approach to the notion of representational content philosophers take to be central to assertions. • This approach enables embodied approaches to cognition to explain how children come to be able to make assertions. • I talk about a child's developing content-sensitivity as expressed in reflexive skills instead of seeing contents as things. • Once we understand the normative reflexive dimension of language, a theory of language's true nature is no longer required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is now well-recognized as an independent risk factor for cognitive decline. Although extensive research has been conducted on cognitive outcomes following bariatric surgery in young adults, very little is known about the impact of advanced age on the cognitive benefits of weight-loss procedures. This study aimed to assess cognitive function in older Iranian patients before and after bariatric surgery. University Hospital In this prospective longitudinal study, 24 older adults were examined before and 4 months after bariatric surgery using the Digit Span Test (DGS), the computerized version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-64 (WCST-64), and the paper-and-pencil versions of the Trail Making Test (TMT), parts A and B, spanning the 4 cognitive domains of attention, working memory, processing speed, and executive functioning. The bariatric surgery group was simultaneously compared to a waiting list control group. At 4 months of follow-up, comparisons between the groups revealed that the surgical group performed significantly better than the control group on the forward DGS, WCST, and TMT parts A and B. In contrast, there was no significant difference between groups on the backward DGS. Further within-group comparisons demonstrated significant improvements from baseline in forward DGS, WCST, and TMT components A and B. Nevertheless, the same variables did not alter significantly over time in the control group. The study suggests measurable cognitive benefits following bariatric surgery in older adults. • This study assessed cognitive function in older Iranian patients before and 4 months after surgery and compared them with a waiting list control group. • At 4 months of follow-up, comparisons between the groups revealed that the surgical group performed significantly better than the control group on the Forward Digit Span Test (DGS), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-64 (WCST), and Trail Making Test (TMT) parts A and B. In contrast, there was no significant difference between groups on the Backward DGS. • Further within-group comparisons demonstrated significant improvements from baseline in Forward DGS, WCST, and TMT components A and B. Nevertheless, the same variables did not alter significantly over time in the control group. • The study suggests measurable cognitive benefits following bariatric surgery in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screen media activity (SMA) consumes considerable time in youth's lives, raising concerns about the effects it may have on youth development. Disentangling mixed associations between SMA of youth and developmental measures should move beyond overall screen time and consider types and patterns of SMA. This study aimed to identify reliable and generalizable SMA patterns among youth and examine their associations with behavioral developmental measures and developing brain functional connectivity. Three waves of Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) data were examined. The Lifespan Human Connectome Project in Development (HCP-D) was interrogated as an independent sample. ABCD participants included 11,876 children at baseline. HCP-D participants included 652 children and adolescents. Youth-reported SMA and behavioral developmental measures (neurocognitive performance, behavioral problems, psychotic-like experiences, impulsivity, and sensitivities to punishment/reward) were assessed with validated instruments. We identified SMA patterns in the ABCD baseline data using K-means clustering and sensitivity analyses. Generalizability and stability of the identified SMA patterns were examined in HCP-D data and ABCD follow-up waves, respectively. Relations between SMA patterns and behavioral and brain (resting-state brain functional connectivity) measures were examined using linear mixed effects modeling with false discovery rate (FDR) correction. SMA data from 11,815 children (mean [SD] age = 119.0 [7.5] months; 6,159 [52.1%] boys) were examined; 3,151 (26.7%) demonstrated a video-centric higher-frequency SMA pattern, and 8,664 (73.3%) demonstrated a lower-frequency pattern. SMA patterns were validated in similarly aged HCP-D youth. Compared with the lower-frequency SMA pattern group, the video-centric higher-frequency SMA pattern group showed poorer neurocognitive performance (β = −.12, 95% CI [−0.08, −0.16], FDR-corrected p <.001), more total behavioral problems (β =.13, 95% CI [0.09, 0.18], FDR-corrected p <.001), and more psychotic-like experiences (β =.31, 95% CI [0.27, 0.36], FDR-corrected p <.001). The video-centric higher-frequency SMA pattern group demonstrated higher impulsivity, more sensitivity to punishment/reward, and altered resting-state brain functional connectivity among brain areas implicated previously in cognitive processes. Most of the associations persisted with age in the ABCD data, with more participants (n = 3,378, 30.4%) in the video-centric higher-frequency SMA group at 1-year follow-up. A social communication–centric SMA pattern was observed in HCP-D adolescents. Video-centric SMA patterns are reliable and generalizable during late childhood. A higher-frequency video entertainment SMA pattern group showed altered resting-state brain functional connectivity and poorer developmental measures that persisted longitudinally. The findings suggest that public health strategies to decrease excessive time spent by children on video entertainment–related SMA are needed. Further studies are needed to examine potential video-centric/social communication–centric SMA bifurcation to understand dynamic changes and trajectories of SMA patterns and related outcomes developmentally. We worked to ensure sex and gender balance in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure race, ethnic, and/or other types of diversity in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure that the study questionnaires were prepared in an inclusive way. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our reference list. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students' ability to solve mathematical problems is a standard mathematical skill; however, its cognitive correlates are unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether spatial processing (mental rotation, paper folding, and the Corsi blocks test) and logical reasoning (abstract and concrete syllogisms) were correlated with mathematical problem-solving (word problems and geometric proofing) for college students. The regression results showed that after controlling for gender, age, general IQ, language processing, cognitive processing (visual perception, attention, and memory skills), and number sense and arithmetic computation skills, spatial processing skills still predicted mathematical problem-solving and geometry skills in Chinese college students. Contrastingly, logical reasoning measures related to syllogisms did not predict after controlling for these variables. Further, notably, it did not correlate significantly with geometry performance when no control variables were included. Our results suggest that spatial processing is a significant component of math skills involving word and geometry problems (even after controlling for multiple key cognitive factors). • Revealed the key cognitive factor predicting mathematical problem-solving. • The additional factors were strictly controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation is a technique being used increasingly in healthcare education which offers opportunities to evaluate nursing proficiencies. The use of valid and reliable instruments is recognised as the foundation for a robust assessment, however competency-based health assessment courses for graduate nurses can consequently become reductionist in measuring proficiencies. The specific review question was: In simulation-based education, what are the criteria that evaluate graduate nursing student's competence in obtaining a health history and performance of patient assessment? Eleven studies were included in the review. Papers were critically appraised with The Joanna Briggs Institute quasi-experimental studies checklist. Bloom's taxonomy was used to structure this narrative review. Seven papers evaluated cognition through questionnaires and two papers used a Likert-scale to determine self-perceived knowledge. Six papers evaluated psychomotor skills with a behavioural checklist. Diversity of application was factored into the studies when testing affective skills. Three papers used Likert-scales to evaluate preparedness, six papers used Likert-scales to evaluate self-confidence and one used a Likert-scale to evaluate autonomy. Three papers used a checklist to evaluate professionalism. Four papers used faculty member/ standardised patient feedback. Reductionist evaluation instruments create a barrier when evaluating competency. The limited validity and reliability of assessment instruments in simulation, as well as the lack of standardisation of affective skills assessment, presents a challenge in simulation research. Affective skills encompass attitudes, behaviours and communication abilities, which pose a significant challenge for standardised assessments due to their subjective nature. This review of the simulation literature highlights a lack of robustness in the evaluation of the affective domain. This paper proposes that simulation assessment instruments should include the standardisation of affective domain proficiencies such as: adaptation to patients' cognitive function, ability to interpret and synthesise relevant information, ability to demonstrate clinical judgement, readiness to act, recognition of professional limitations and faculty/standardised-simulated patient feedback. The incorporation of the affective domain in standardised assessment instruments is important to ensure comprehensive assessment of simulation particularly in the development of health history and physical assessment proficiencies. Attention to all of the domains in Blooms taxonomy during simulation assessment has the potential to better prepare professionals for the patient care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terms "extended cognition" and the "extended mind" identify two strands of philosophical argument that are commonly subsumed under the general heading of active externalism. The present paper describes an integrated approach to understanding extended cognition and the extended mind—one that papers over the differences between these two, ostensibly distinct, forms of cognitive extension. As an added bonus, the paper describes how active externalism might be applied to the realm of non-cognitive phenomena, thereby yielding an expansion in the theoretical and empirical scope of the active externalist enterprise. Both these points of progress stem from what is called the dispositional hypothesis. According to the dispositional hypothesis, extended cognition occurs when the mechanisms responsible for the manifestation of dispositional properties include components that lie beyond the borders of the thing to which the dispositional properties are ascribed. • A clearer explication of active externalist theses is required. • According to the dispositional hypothesis, cognitive extension occurs when the mechanisms responsible for the manifestation of dispositional properties extend beyond the borders of the entity to which dispositional properties are ascribed. • A consideration of dispositional properties provides the basis for a unified approach to understanding extended cognition and the extended mind. • Active externalism can be applied to phenomena that do not fall within the empirical orbit of cognitive science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) automatic target recognition (ATR) is a crucial technique utilized in various scenarios of geoscience and remote sensing. Despite the remarkable success of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in optical vision tasks, the application of CNNs in SAR ATR is still a challenging area due to the significant differences in the imaging mechanisms of SAR and optical images. This paper analytically addresses the cognitive gap of CNNs between optical and SAR images by leveraging multi-order interactions to measure their representation capacity. Furthermore, we propose a subjective evaluation strategy to compare human interactions with those of CNNs. Our findings reveal that CNNs operate differently for optical and SAR images. Specifically, for SAR images, CNNs' representation capacity is comparable to that of humans, as they can encode intermediate interactions better than simple and complex ones. In contrast, for optical images, CNNs excel at encoding simple and complex interactions, but not intermediate interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• What is the primary question addressed by this study? Can propofol enhance slow wave sleep in geriatric patients to address core pathophysiology of depression and associated cognitive dysfunction? • What is the main finding of this study? Two older adults with treatment-resistant depression received two morning infusions of propofol. One of the two demonstrated slow wave sleep enhancement and a sustained improvement of depression. • What is the meaning of the finding? The above case series lays the groundwork for an ongoing open-label Phase I clinical trial by providing proof-of-concept of propofol-induced slow wave sleep enhancement and antidepressant response. Slow wave sleep (SWS), characterized by large electroencephalographic oscillations, facilitates crucial physiologic processes that maintain synaptic plasticity and overall brain health. Deficiency in older adults is associated with depression and cognitive dysfunction, such that enhancing sleep slow waves has emerged as a promising target for novel therapies. Enhancement of SWS has been noted after infusions of propofol, a commonly used anesthetic that induces electroencephalographic patterns resembling non-rapid eye movement sleep. This paper 1) reviews the scientific premise underlying the hypothesis that sleep slow waves are a novel therapeutic target for improving cognitive and psychiatric outcomes in older adults, and 2) presents a case series of two patients with late-life depression who each received two propofol infusions. One participant, a 71-year-old woman, had a mean of 2.8 minutes of evening SWS prior to infusions (0.7% of total sleep time). SWS increased on the night after each infusion, to 12.5 minutes (5.3% of total sleep time) and 24 minutes (10.6% of total sleep time), respectively. Her depression symptoms improved, reflected by a reduction in her Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score from 26 to 7. In contrast, the other participant, a 77-year-old man, exhibited no SWS at baseline and only modest enhancement after the second infusion (3 minutes, 1.3% of total sleep time). His MADRS score increased from 13 to 19, indicating a lack of improvement in his depression. These cases provide proof-of-concept that propofol can enhance SWS and improve depression for some individuals, motivating an ongoing clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04680910). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper presents a unique set of data relating to 1,573 older people attending the Memory Clinic of the University Hospital of Angers, France, from the MERE cohort. • Orthostatic hypotension (OH) was associated with executive disorder on the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). • Among the sub-scores of the FAB, only that for the motor sequence of Luria was associated with OH. • These findings shed new light on the relationship between orthostatic hypotension and executive function, which appears to be clinically relevant and may suggest an effect of OH on brain motor control. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) seems to be implicated in cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, not all the cognitive functions affected by OH have been identified. Participants from the MERE cohort were evaluated for OH (i.e. drop in blood pressure ≥20 mmHg for systolic and ≥10 mmHg for diastolic between lying and standing) and executive functions, implicated in brain motor control, and evaluated with the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and its sub-scores. Of the 1573 patients selected, 338 had OH (21.5 %). We found an inverse cross-sectional association between OH and linear FAB score and an association with the sub-score for the motor sequence of Luria. In the MERE cohort, OH was associated with executive function disorder and with a pathological motor sequence of Luria as a melo-kinetic praxis disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Van Duijn and colleagues propose that minimal cognition can be understood in terms of sensorimotor coordination – that is the coordination between sensory apparatus of an organism and the motor processes that move it around the environment (2006). Despite there being much to recommend this account it still faces some challenges. For example, it does not accord with the intuition that there are cognitive processes that have little to do with sensorimotor coupling, it relies on a strong distinction between metabolic and cognitive processes, and perhaps counterintuitively it denies cognition to plants but grants it to the bacteria on their roots that perform various functions for them. Moreover, it is difficult to see how to account for cognition over the transition from single to multicellular organisms. This paper proposes taking a more radical view of cognition to be what happens in swarms – the coordination of multiple processes through the traces of their actions in the environment. Key to this approach is the observation that the structure of the environment plays an active coordinative role and that this structure results in part from the actions of the system that it helps coordinate. Systems develop sensitivity to the appropriate trace variables in the environment. Viewed as collections of processes bacteria, biofilms, plants, animals can be viewed as cognitive systems in this framework and it has the potential to be applied to the social world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A synopsis of recent papers about the reuniens and rhomboid nuclei (ReRh) is proposed. • Recent findings confirm a key role of ReRh nuclei in a multi-structural circuitry supporting numerous cognitive functions. • ReRh gate the information flow and coordinate activity between the medial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus • ReRh nuclei are affected in diseases or disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, depression, alcohol abuse, A. ALS). Over the past twenty years, the reuniens and rhomboid (ReRh) nuclei, which constitute the ventral midline thalamus, have received constantly growing attention. Since our first review article about the functional contributions of ReRh nuclei (Cassel et al., 2013), numerous (>80) important papers have extended anatomical knowledge, including at a developmental level, introduced new and very original electrophysiological insights on ReRh functions, and brought novel results on cognitive and non-cognitive implications of the ReRh. The current review will cover these recent articles, more on Re than on Rh, and their contribution will be approached according to their affiliation with work before 2013. These neuroanatomical, electrophysiological or behavioral findings appear coherent and point to the ReRh nuclei as two major components of a multistructural system supporting numerous cognitive (and non-cognitive) functions. They gate the flow of information, perhaps especially from the medial prefrontal cortex to the hippocampus and back, and coordinate activity and processing across these two (and possibly other) brain regions of major cognitive relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The computational theory of cognition, or computationalism, holds that cognition is a form of computation. Two issues related to this view are comprised by the goal of this paper: A) Computing systems are traditionally seen as representational systems, but functional and enactive approaches support non-representational theories; B) Recently, a sociocultural theory against computationalism was proposed with the aim of ontologically reducing computing to cognition. We defend, however, that cognition and computation are in action, thus cognition is just a form of computing and that cognition is the explanatory basis for computation. We state that: 1. Representational theories of computing recurring to intentional content run into metaphysical problems. 2. Functional non-representational theories do not incur this metaphysical problem when describing computing in terms of the abstract machine. 3. Functional theories are consistent with enactive in describing computing machines not in a strictly functional way, but especially in terms of their organization. 4. Enactive cognition is consistent with the computationalism in describing Turing machines as functionally and organizationally closed systems. 5. The cognitive explanatory basis for computing improves the computational theory of cognition. When developed in the human linguistic domain, computer science is seen as a product of human socionatural normative practices, however, cognition is just an explanatory, not ontological, basis for computing. The paper concludes by supporting that computation is in action, that cognition is just one form of computing in the world and the explanatory basis for computation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Atypical cultural goods offer novelty and influence how cultural markets evolve. • Measures taken to contain crises such as COVID-19 lockdowns induce negative affects. • Both cognition and affects determine how individuals evaluate categorical atypicality. • Negative affects negatively moderate the impact of atypicality on audiences' evaluations. This paper investigates the impact of atypicality on cultural goods reception. While prior research has assumed controlled and highly cognitive mechanisms in audience evaluations, this paper probes the influence of affective states. We suggest that crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, trigger affective states and sway evaluations of atypical cultural goods. In a longitudinal study on movie evaluations ("Study 1"), we analyze how the external shock of the COVID-19 lockdown announcement — proxying heightened negative affects including anxiety — interacted with movies' atypicality and their subsequent audience evaluations. Furthermore, two preregistered controlled experiments establish causal links at the individual level. Study 2 corroborates the causal relationship between the COVID-19 lockdown announcement and increased negative affects. Study 3 shows that higher negative affects moderate how perceived novelty mediates atypicality's effect on audience evaluations. Overall, this paper has important implications for research on categorization, social evaluations, and the consequences of COVID-19 policy consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military information is gradually overloaded due to the diversity of sources and the exponential growth in quantity, which greatly affects the accuracy of intelligence personnel in extracting and analyzing military information. The modern warfare approach has also evolved from the traditional physical domain to the cognitive domain, and competing for advantages in the cognitive domain has become a key objective of combat. Therefore, constructing domain knowledge graphs and mining the relationships between data play an important role in cognitive domain analysis. In this paper, we propose a convolutional network recognition method based on improved two-layer bi-directional BiLSTM networks named the BERT- α BiLSTMs-RECNN-CRF (BDBRC) model. For the difficulties of military entities generally having long names and low extraction accuracy, as well as the existence of a large number of composite entities that are difficult to recognize, an improved two-layer BiLSTM model is devised first. In view of the fact that the BiLSTMs model always extracts features equally in long-distance text sequences without actually considering the different influences of different sentence contexts, contribution factor a is added to extract the contribution of the above and below to the target entity in different sentences respectively. Then, aiming at the strong problem of the domain of military news texts and the high level of inter-entity ambiguity, we propose a method that utilizes a modified convolutional network (RECNN) for partial feature extraction and jointly with a modified two-layer BiLSTM network for entity recognition. The experiment on the self-constructed dataset shows that the F1 value of the model proposed in this paper reaches 93.18%, and the F1 value, P, and H of our model are all better than the baseline model, which verifies the performance of the model. At the same time, we use public data sets MSRA and CLUB2020, and the experimental results show that the model proposed in this paper also has a good performance in the public data set, verifying the universality of the model. It can provide methodological support for the construction of the military knowledge graph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need for effective interventions to stave off cognitive decline in older adults. Cognitive training has variably produced gains in untrained tasks and daily functioning. Combining cognitive training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may augment cognitive training effects; however, this approach has yet to be tested on a large-scale. This paper will present the primary findings of the Augmenting Cognitive Training in Older Adults (ACT) clinical trial. We hypothesize that receiving active stimulation with cognitive training will result in greater improvements on an untrained fluid cognition composite compared to sham following intervention. 379 older adults were randomized, and 334 were included in intent-to-treat analyses for a 12-week multidomain cognitive training and tDCS intervention. Active or sham tDCS was administered at F3/F4 during cognitive training daily for two weeks then weekly for 10 weeks. To assess the tDCS effect, we fitted regression models for changes in NIH Toolbox Fluid Cognition Composite scores immediately following intervention and one year from baseline controlling for covariates and baseline scores. Across the entire sample, there were improvements in NIH Toolbox Fluid Cognition Composite scores immediately post-intervention and one year following baseline; however, there were no significant tDCS group effects at either timepoint. The ACT study models rigorous, safe administration of a combined tDCS and cognitive training intervention in a large sample of older adults. Despite potential evidence of near-transfer effects, we failed to demonstrate an additive benefit of active stimulation. Future analyses will continue to assess the intervention's efficacy by examining additional measures of cognition, functioning, mood, and neural markers. • Post-tDCS and cognitive training, the sample improved on an untrained fluid cognition composite. • Improvements on the untrained fluid cognition composite maintained one year following baseline. • In the overall sample, there were no significant tDCS effects on changes in cognitive performance. • It is feasible to administer tDCS and cognitive training safely in older adults on a large scale. • Using individualized tDCS dosing parameters may better facilitate a treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite evidence that cognitive remediation improves cognitive and employment outcomes in persons with severe mental illnesses (SMI), its effects have not been systematically compared between Black and White participants. Considering that Black adults have more negative experiences receiving mental health treatment, providers may have greater difficulty engaging and retaining Black Americans in cognitive remediation. Due to the effects of structural racism on reducing employment opportunities for Black Americans, it is unclear whether Black participants will reap the same benefits of cognitive remediation on work outcomes as White Americans. This paper addressed this question. A secondary analysis was conducted of five randomized controlled trials comparing cognitive remediation (the Thinking Skills for Work program: TSW) and vocational rehabilitation vs. vocational rehabilitation only in 137 Black and 147 White Americans (64.2% schizophrenia-schizoaffective disorder) who were followed up for two years. Comparable proportions of Black and White participants were engaged and retained in TSW (>75%). Participants who received TSW improved significantly more in cognition than those receiving vocational services alone, with no racial differences in benefit. Participants in TSW obtained more work, earned more wages, and worked more weeks than those receiving vocational services alone, with no differences between the races. The findings indicate that Black Americans with SMI receiving vocational services could be successfully engaged in and benefit from cognitive remediation, highlighting the vital role of healthcare service systems in giving credence to structural racism to more effectively mitigate racial disparities in treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sensor technologies enable real-time, continuous, and objective monitoring of activity and functioning in later life. • Continuous assessment of functional status to prevent/maintain the health and functioning of older adults and reduce health care costs is a key priority among health organizations. • While there are a plethora of commercially available and proprietary sensor technologies that may be used, consideration should be given to the type and size of the hardware, usability of the software, and the sensitivity and specificity of the measures that will be required for the project. Sensor technologies enable real-time, continuous, and objective monitoring of activity and functioning in later life. In long-term care, timely assessment of functional status is needed to prevent falls and other acute events. However, the electronic forms and paper and pencil tools currently used are time-consuming and conducted too infrequently (e.g., every 6 months) to provide the sensitivity and specificity required. Staff are also unable to detect subtle changes in functioning through observation alone. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of a wearable real-time locating system that utilizes ultra wideband radio technology to continuously and objectively measure activity and aspects of functional status. This paper discusses the associated conceptualization and development of the scoring algorithms, raw data transformation, use of traditional paper and pencil tools and electronic health record data to validate sensor data, and other tips for those interested in this type of wearable sensor technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Cognitive impairment is common and debilitating in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), and further is poorly-managed by pharmacotherapy. Cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training have been identified as promising behavioral approaches for managing MS-related cognitive impairment based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses. However, each body of literature is associated with similar sets of methodological shortcomings, as has been identified by periodic systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Thus, there is little generalizability or transportability research supporting either behavioral approach for managing cognitive dysfunction in this population under real-world conditions (i.e., as a standard-of-care). To that end, this paper aims to catalyze the advancement of cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training research in MS, respectively, towards the successful implementation of generalizability/transportability trials. This first involves critical examinations of the respective cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training literatures in MS from a chronological perspective, with particular emphasis on how the fields have each evolved in response to systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Accordingly, the current paper then provides a roadmap for harmonizing research in those areas to systematically and efficiently inform the development of generalizability/transportability trials for behavioral approaches to manage MS-related cognitive dysfunction. This involves the recognition of overlapping facilitators and impediments for progress in each field, including considerations for the implementation of neuroimaging. Ultimately, the provision of such a framework aims to shorten the timeline for research to influence clinical practice and improve the lives of cognitively-impaired persons with MS. • Cognitive impairment is common and disabling in multiple sclerosis (MS). • Rehabilitative approaches are promising for managing cognitive problems in MS. • The two most promising approaches are cognitive rehabilitation and exercise. • However, there is little research on either approach under real-world conditions. • This paper provides a framework for advancing such research into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Editor's Introduction to the Cognitive Systems Research special issue, "Innovative Dynamical Approaches to Cognitive Systems," has three aims: First, the background and motivation for the topic are stated. Second, overviews of the contributing papers are presented. Third, based on the papers, speculations on future directions in dynamical approaches to the investigation of cognitive systems are presented. Here, the focus is on concepts, data analysis methods, and computational modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A commonly held position is that AEDs slow patients with epilepsy down. • An open question is whether it is really speed or the cognitive processing which is affected. • Test parameters representing cognitive processing show much greater correlation to drug treatment than psychomotor speed. • Adverse AED side effects may be missed by focusing on speed. • Drug monitoring should address psychomotor speed and cognitive processing independently. The study evaluated whether it is psychomotor speed or higher-order cognitive processing which is primarily affected by antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment in epilepsy and whether computerized testing versus paper-pencil testing of executive functions is more sensitive. In this retrospective observational study, 55 patients with epilepsy underwent NeuroCog FXⓇ , a computerized battery assessing "psychomotor speed/alertness" and "cognitive processing" via 8 tasks, and EpiTrackⓇ , a paper-pencil screening of "executive functions and working memory" based on 6 subtests. Test performance was related to the number of drugs and the Defined Daily Dose and the presence/absence of AEDs with known adverse psychotropic effects. EpiTrackⓇ performance correlated with "cognitive processing" of the NeuroCog FXⓇ but not with "psychomotor speed/alertness". Significant correlations with drug load were mainly yielded for EpiTrackⓇ (number of AEDs: r = –0.551, total DDD: r = –0.452) and "cognitive processing" (number of AEDs: r = -0.433, total DDD: r = –0.415). "Psychomotor speed/alertness" was less related to drug load (number of AEDs: r = -0.285, total DDD: r = –0.232). Statistical control for "psychomotor speed/alertness" hardly changed the correlations of EpiTrackⓇ or "cognitive processing" with drug load indices. AEDs with known adverse profiles negatively affected EpiTrackⓇ and the "cognitive processing" but not the "psychomotor speed/alertness" domain of the computerized test. The results demonstrate that it is less basal psychomotor speed than higher-order cognitive processing which is negatively affected by antiepileptic pharmacotherapy. The results question the value of (computer-)tests with a major emphasis on psychomotor speed and alertness for cognitive drug monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second-generation antidepressants (SGAs) are used widely in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) for the treatment of mood disorder, sleep disturbance and psychiatric symptoms. Several evidences from AD mice confirmed that antidepressants could delaying cognitive decline. However, the conclusions varied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on patients. This meta-analysis summarizes the cognitive impact of SGAs on AD patients with different neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). Results show there is no effect on cognition and depression between SGAs treatment and controls, and this remains in subgroups analyses of duration of medication (<12 weeks or ≥12 weeks), drug classes (SSRIs or non-SSRIs), combination with anti-dementia medication, various NPS, and degree of AD. The available evidence provides no support for the efficacy of SGAs for cognition and depression of AD patients. The implications of the findings and their mechanism relevance are also discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• COVID-19 associated impairment in neural stem cell activity may contribute to cognitive impairment and hyposmia. • Neural stem cell dysfunction may be a neuropathological link between neurodegeneration and hyposmia. • Therapeutic upregulation of neural stem cell activity may improve symptoms of long COVID. • SARS-CoV-2 may have a role in oncolytic virotherapy by targeting brain tumour stem cells. Endogenous neural stem cells are thought to continue to generate new neurons throughout life in the human brain. Endogenous neurogenesis has been proposed to contribute to physiological roles in maintaining and regenerating olfaction, as well as promoting normal cognition, learning and memory. Specific impairments in these processes in COVID-19 – impaired olfaction and cognition – may implicate the SARS-CoV-2 virus in attenuating neurogenesis. Furthermore, neurogenesis has been linked with neuroregeneration; and impaired neuroregeneration has previously been linked with neurodegenerative diseases. Emerging evidence supports an association between COVID-19 infection and accelerated neurodegeneration. Also, structural changes indicating global reduction in brain size and specific reduction in the size of limbic structures – including orbitofrontal cortex, olfactory cortex and parahippocampal gyrus – as a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been demonstrated. This paper proposes the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 infection may impair endogenous neural stem cell activity. An attenuation of neurogenesis may contribute to reduction in brain size and/or neurodegenerative processes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, as neural stem cells are thought to be the cell of origin in glioma, better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 interaction with tumorigenic stem cells is indicated, with a view to informing therapeutic modulation. The subacute and chronic implications of attenuated endogenous neurogenesis are explored in the context of long COVID. Modulating endogenous neurogenesis may be a novel therapeutic strategy to address specific neurological manifestations of COVID-19 and potential applicability in tumour virotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with specific learning disorder (SLD) have some cognitive and postural stability problems compared to typically developing (TD) children. Their single and dual-task gait performance may be affected depending on these problems. Are there any differences between the gait parameters of children with SLD and TD under single- and dual-task conditions? A comparative-descriptive study was conducted among 35 children with SLD and 33 TD children. All participants were assessed for gait parameters using a custom wireless inertial sensor under single and dual-task conditions. In the dual-task gait tests, there were the following tasks: to carry a glass of water and to tell apart the color of the paper. The children with SLD exhibited gait deterioration in both single and dual-task gait (p < 0.05). Dual-task cost cognitive values were higher in children with SLD (p < 0.05). This study highlights the worse gait performance of children with SLD under single- and dual-task conditions compared with TD children. However, interventions for their gait impairments are limited. At this point, SLD specialists can focus on multitasking to improve their walking skills. • Single- and dual-task gait parameters were affected in children with SLD. • Dual-task cost cognitive values increased in children with SLD. • Dual-task trainings should be added to SLD rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the discourse of 19 episodes from Seasons 1 and 2 of "Paranormal Survivor," a reality TV show about ghosts, haunted property, eeriness, fear, dread, and relief. Using various approaches to discourse analysis and multimodal discourse analysis we uncover the macro-, meso, and micro-level patterns of meaning creation in "Paranormal Survivor" that relate dually to the affective/psychological/sensory experiences of the protagonists as well as the cognitive puzzles, doubts, and (un)certainties underlying such paranormal phenomena. The macro-level analysis relates to the narrative structure of the program delivered through achronological multi-party perspectives, reflecting varying levels of emotional intensity/objectivity. The meso-level uncovers the various coherently related themes underlying the program. The micro-level examines the smaller bits of discourse that combine as they build the meso- (thematic) and macro- (structural) components of the larger spates of discourse through affect, emotion, believability, evidence, and empathy. This three-tiered analytic approach serves to systematically reveal the ways in which discursive mechanisms combine to enhance suspense, intensify horror, bolster both believability and relatability, and ultimately seek to establish and augment audience engagement. • Stance-taking is a discursively psycho-social cognitive and affective reaction to external stimuli. • Reality TV is both a reflection and magnification of everyday life. • Audience engagement in reality TV is a complex communicative process. • Suspense, curiosity, and surprise link both the affective and epistemic/cognitive domains of stance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• What is known on the subject?. The number of dementia patients in the world is increasing year by year, and the disease leads to progressive decline in the cognitive function of patients, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. CST is currently recognized as a non-drug intervention with significant efficacy for dementia patients. However, the application effect of CST in dementia patients, especially on neuropsychiatric symptoms, remains unclear. • What the paper adds to existing knowledge?. CST has no significant effect on neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia patients. The effect of CST on anxiety and depression levels in dementia patients was not statistically significant. • What are the implications for practice?. CST can be used to improve the cognitive ability and quality of life of dementia patients, and to help them maintain their language skills. It is necessary to conduct in-depth discussion and research on the effect of CST on the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia patients, and carry out more rigorous and reliable high-quality studies. Many scholars have explored the effect of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) on dementia patients, however, due to different experimental designs and insufficient sample sizes, research results are inconsistent. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of high-quality quantitative results. To assess the effectiveness of CST for improving cognition, quality of life (QoL) and neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia (PwD). Chinese and English databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) between establishment of and April 2022, with another search done in May 2022. Finally, 10 studies on the application of CST in PwD for improving cognition, QoL, behavior, language and activities of daily living were reviewed. Based on the results of the 10 RCTs, CST significantly improved cognitive performance (MMSE: WMD = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.24–2.72, P <0.01), QoL (WMD = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.52–3.72, P <0.01), language (NLT: WMD = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.07–4.35, P <0.01) and activities of daily living (DAD: WMD = 7.27, 95% CI: 0.97–13.56, P <0.01) in PwD. However, no significant improvements in ADAS-Cog (WMD = 0.55, 95% CI: -3.04–4.14, P = 0.76), depression (SMD = -0.12,95% CI: -0.29–0.04, P = 0.15), anxiety (RAID: WMD = -1.05, 95% CI: -3.85–1.75, P = 0.46) or neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI: WMD = 0.23, 95% CI: -2.62–3.07, P = 0.88) were found. CST improved the cognitive ability, QoL, language and activities of daily living of PwD. However, the effect of neuropsychiatric symptoms on PwD requires further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Given the centrality of insight in promoting change, the relevance of measures for assessing this construct has become increasingly clear. This paper describes a new self-report measure for assessing some of the characteristics of insight, the insight orientation scale (IOS).Aims: In study 1, we evaluated the factor structure and the reliability of the scale. In study 2, we analyzed the concurrent and discriminant validity of the scale in patients with different clinical diagnoses.Methods: In study 1 participants were 600 individuals (41.1% male, 58.9% female) with a mean age of 33.95 years (SD = 13.04). In study 2 participants were 136 individuals divided into the following groups: 1) schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (n = 26); 2) substance-related disorders (n = 55); 3) depressive disorders (n = 27); and 4) personality disorders (n = 28).Instruments: Instruments are the insight orientation scale (IOS) and the Beck cognitive insight scale.Results: The goodness-of-fit indices showed a satisfactory fit of a one factor model. We found also a good internal consistency (α = .77).Conclusions: These findings support the dimensionality of the IOS and suggest that it may be useful as an assessment tool for use in guiding psychotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In language comprehension, we use perceptual cues to infer meanings. Some of these cues reside on perceptual dimensions. For example, the difference between bear and pear is cued by a difference in voice onset time (VOT), which is a continuous perceptual dimension. The present paper asks whether, and when, experience with a single value on a dimension behaving unexpectedly is used by the learner to reweight the whole dimension. We show that learners reweight the whole VOT dimension when exposed to a single VOT value (e.g., 45 ms) and provided with feedback indicating that the speaker intended to produce a /b/ 50% of the time and a /p/ the other 50% of the time. Importantly, dimensional reweighting occurs only if 1) the 50/50 feedback is unexpected for the VOT value, and 2) there is another dimension that is predictive of feedback. When no predictive dimension is available, listeners reassociate the experienced VOT value with the more surprising outcome but do not downweight the entire VOT dimension. These results provide support for perceptual representations of speech sounds that combine cues and dimensions, for viewing perceptual learning in speech as a combination of error-driven cue reassociation and dimensional reweighting, and for considering dimensional reweighting to be reallocation of attention that occurs only when there is evidence that reallocating attention would improve prediction accuracy (Harmon, Z., Idemaru, K., & Kapatsinski, V. 2019. Learning mechanisms in cue reweighting. Cognition , 189 , 76–88.). • We investigate the learning mechanisms behind perceptual adaptation to a new accent. • Learners experience a single cue residing on a perceptual dimension (voice onset time). • When this would improve prediction accuracy, learners reweight the whole dimension. • Learners also reassociate experienced cues with a priori unexpected outcomes. • Error-driven learning involves both reassociating cues and reweighting dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reducing modifiable risk factors could prevent the onset of cognitive decline. • Physical multimorbidity–cognitive function association was mediated by depression. • Routine screening for depression in multimorbidity patient may delay dementia onset. This paper explores the role of depressive symptoms (mediator/moderator) in the association between physical multimorbidity (exposure) and cognitive function (outcome) among older adults in the three most populous middle-income countries. This study used cross-sectional data from China (2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study), India (2017/2018 Longitudinal Ageing Study in India), and Indonesia (2014/2015 Indonesian Family Life Survey), with a total sample of 73,199 respondents aged ≥ 45 years. Three domains of cognitive tests were harmonised across surveys, including time orientation, word recall, and numeracy. The four-way decomposition analysis assessed the mediation and interaction effects between exposure, mediator/moderator, and outcome, adjusted for covariates. The mean age of the respondents (in years) was slightly younger in Indonesia (56.0, SD = 8.8) than in China (59.5, SD = 9.3) and India (60.0, SD = 10.5). The proportion of male respondents was 49.3 % in China, 47.3 % in India, and 47.5 % in Indonesia. Respondents in China had the highest mean cognitive function z scores (54.7, SD = 19.9), followed by India (51.1, SD = 20.0) and Indonesia (51.0, SD = 18.4). Physical multimorbidity was associated with lower cognitive function in China and India (p < 0.0001), with 48.4 % and 40.0 % of the association explained by the mediating effect of depressive symptoms ('overall proportion due to mediation'). The association was not found in Indonesia. Cognitive functions were lower among individuals with physical multimorbidity, and depressive symptoms mainly explained the association. Addressing depressive symptoms among persons with physical multimorbidity is likely to have not only an impact on their mental health but could prevent cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]