Domain Of Information Processing Research Articles

Field‐Driven Inverse Design of High‐Performance Polarization‐Multiplexed Meta‐devices

AbstractDuring the past few years, metasurface polarization optics has experienced remarkable advances, resulting in revolutionary applications in imaging, sensing, computing, etc. The realization of complex optical operations requires the consideration of both the individual meta‐atoms as well as their intricate couplings. However, conventional design methods face challenges as design degrees of freedom and functionality complexity. Additionally, previous studies are restricted to the local design of single meta‐atoms based on explicit mapping relationships while ignoring interactions, resulting in an inability to meet the on‐demand requirements of complex light‐field operations. Here, a global design strategy based on field‐driven polygon evolution to achieve the inverse design of large‐scale coupled meta‐atoms is proposed. Through two global simulations, it can effectively reshape any given target optical field into an optimal structural distribution of devices without knowing mapping relationship. Near‐perfect spin‐decoupled beam‐splitting and high‐performance focusing, as well as the generation of arbitrary vector optical fields on the Poincaré sphere with a maximal diffraction efficiency closely approaching 100%, are experimentally demonstrated. This strategy opens up a new avenue for a rapid inverse design of large‐scale, high‐performance multifunctional meta‐devices, which can hold significant implications for both classical and quantum information processing domains.

Association of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep quality with cognitive function: a study of middle-aged and elderly persons in India.

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and poor sleep quality affect around one in ten people in India. We aimed to determine if OSA symptoms and poor sleep quality are independently associated with cognition in middle-aged and elderly urban Indian populations. We studied the cross-sectional association between OSA symptoms (by Berlin Questionnaire), poor sleep quality (by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and cognitive function in adults ≥ 50years. Using a standard neuropsychological battery for cognitive function, a G-factor was derived as the first rotated principal component assessing domains of information processing, memory, and executive function. The associations of exposures with cognitive measures were modeled using linear regression, adjusted for metabolic risk factors, lifestyle factors, and psychosocial problems, followed by stratified analysis by decadal age group. A total of 7505 adults were enrolled.Excluding those with MMSE < 26 (n 710), of 6795 individuals (49.2% women), mean (SD) age 64.2 (9.0) years, 38.3% had high risk of OSA symptoms, and 15.9% had poor sleep quality. OSA symptoms were negatively associated with cognitive domains of information processing (adjusted beta coefficient of z-score - 0.02, p-value 0.006), memory (- 0.03, 0.014), and G-factor (- 0.11, 0.014) in full-model. Stratified analysis by age group showed significant adverse effects of OSA symptoms on cognition for middle-aged people (50-60years) (- 0.26, 0.001), but not in later age groups. Poor sleep quality was also associated with lower cognitive scores for G-factor (- 0.48, < 0.001), memory (- 0.08, 0.005), and executive domains (- 0.12, < 0.001), but not with information domain. The findings suggest that both symptoms of OSA and poor sleep quality have a direct adverse impact on cognition in an Indian setting. A modest effect of age on the relationship of OSA and cognition was also observed.

Cognitive impairment, fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis: Is there a difference between benign and non-benign MS?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The severity of disability in people with MS (PwMS) is generally measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). A variant of MS known as 'benign MS' (BMS) has been defined as an EDSS score of 3 or lower, combined with a disease duration of 10 years or longer; however, there is disagreement in the field about whether BMS really exists. Given that the EDSS does not capture cognitive issues, communication dysfunction, fatigue, depression, or anxiety properly, its ability to accurately represent disability in all PwMS, including BMS, remains questionable. In this study, 141 persons with BMS (PwBMS) were included, consisting of 115 females (82%) and 26 males (18%) with a mean age of 50.8 (±8.68). A computerized test battery (NeuroTrax®) was used to assess cognition, covering seven cognitive domains (memory, executive function, visual-spatial processing, verbal function, attention, information processing, and motor skills). Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess symptoms of depression. Cognitive impairment was defined for this study as when someone has a score lower than 85 in at least two subdomains of the cognitive test battery. Rates of impairment were compared to 158 persons with non-benign MS (PwNBMS; with a disease duration of 10 years and longer and an EDSS score higher than 3) and 487 PwMS with a disease duration of fewer than 10 years. Cognitive impairment was found in 38% of PwBMS and in 66% of PwNBMS (p<0.001). In PwBMS, the lowest rate of impairment was found in the verbal function domain (18%) and the highest rate of impairment in the domain of information processing (32%). Fatigue and depression were found in 78% and 55% of all PwBMS, with no difference in these rates between PwBMS and PwNBMS (p=0.787 and p=0.316 resp.) CONCLUSION: Cognitive impairment, fatigue and depression are common among people with an EDSS-based definition of benign MS. These aspects should be incorporated into a new and better definition of truly benign MS.

The impact of digital technologies on the modernization of management in Russian oil and gas companies in the context of global challenges

Aim. The presented study aims to outline directions for the modernization of management in Russian oil and gas companies forming under the influence of high-tech knowledge-intensive production cycles, human capital, and artificial intelligence with allowance for the global challenges of digital technologies.Tasks. The authors investigate theoretical and practical approaches to structural changes in the management of Russian oil and gas companies that lead to the continuous modernization of the life cycle of technological chains and innovative scenarios for the development of economic entities in the long term; consider management decisions from the perspective of targets and costs, since management systems are significantly corrected under the influence of global challenges in a unified digital model of regional socio-economic development.Methods. This study uses dialectical scientific methods of cognition, complex analysis of tools used in the formation of intellectual capital on the basis of integration processes of Internet mobility, cloud computing, analytical business processes of managerial influence and social media networks, synergetic effects in the modernization of management in oil and gas companies. The study also examines scenario approaches to the development of the economic segments of the real sector through the example of ten systemically important Russian companies.Results. Digital transformation of management in oil and gas companies based on blockchain tools, artificial intelligence, online banking, trade marketplaces, and targeted advertising determines the priorities of industrial development of national economic models in the context of global challenges. The conducted scientific analysis shows a significant modernization of management in the domains of information and analytical data processing, expert evaluation of the digital array of indicators, and marketing approaches of companies driving innovative development, which actively use crowdsourcing, public interfaces, cloud technologies, virtual space, artificial intelligence, and robotics in justifying scenarios for long-term development and enhancing the competitiveness of the oil and gas sector of the Russian economy.Conclusions. Priority directions for the modernization of management in oil and gas companies are based on the use of modern digital shells, IT platforms, services involving the introduction of structural resource-saving materials, and additive technologies. The transformational model of company management involves the use of modern management tools that make it possible to optimize asset management, forecasting systems, and monitoring of strategic business units aimed at optimizing budgeting in order to increase the efficiency of project activities. A comprehensive assessment of the management of economic entities in the context of global challenges is based on criteria for assessing the functioning of internal or external accelerators, business incubators, venture incentives, the availability of innovative potential for the implementation of promising projects in the Russian oil and gas complex in the context of global challenges using public-private partnership tools on the platforms of modern software products.

A stochastic algorithm for solving the posterior inference problem in topic models

Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) is an important probabilistic generative model and has usually used in many domains such as text mining, retrieving information, or natural language processing domains. The posterior inference is the important problem in deciding the quality of the LDA model, but it is usually non-deterministic polynomial (NP)-hard and often intractable, especially in the worst case. For individual texts, some proposed methods such as variational Bayesian (VB), collapsed variational Bayesian (CVB), collapsed Gibb’s sampling (CGS), and online maximum a posteriori estimation (OPE) to avoid solving this problem directly, but they usually do not have any guarantee of convergence rate or quality of learned models excepting variants of OPE. Based on OPE and using the Bernoulli distribution combined, we design an algorithm namely general online maximum a posteriori estimation using two stochastic bounds (GOPE2) for solving the posterior inference problem in LDA model. It also is the NP-hard non-convex optimization problem. Via proof of theory and experimental results on the large datasets, we realize that GOPE2 is performed to develop the efficient method for learning topic models from big text collections especially massive/streaming texts, and more efficient than previous methods.

Exceptional Speech Recognition Outcomes After Cochlear Implantation: Lessons From Two Case Studies.

Individual differences and variability in outcomes following cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with hearing loss remain significant unresolved clinical problems. Case reports of specific individuals allow for detailed examination of the information processing mechanisms underlying variability in outcomes. Two adults who displayed exceptionally good postoperative CI outcomes shortly after activation were administered a novel battery of auditory, speech recognition, and neurocognitive processing tests. A case study of two adult CI recipients with postlingually acquired hearing loss who displayed excellent postoperative speech recognition scores within 3 months of initial activation. Preoperative City University of New York sentence testing and a postoperative battery of sensitive speech recognition tests were combined with auditory and visual neurocognitive information processing tests to uncover their strengths, weaknesses, and milestones. Preactivation CUNY auditory-only (A) scores were < 5% correct while the auditory + visual (A + V) scores were > 74%. Acoustically with their CIs, both participants' scores on speech recognition, environmental sound identification and speech in noise tests exceeded average CI users scores by 1-2 standard deviations. On nonacoustic visual measures of language and neurocognitive functioning, both participants achieved above average scores compared with normal hearing adults in vocabulary knowledge, rapid phonological coding of visually presented words and nonwords, verbal working memory, and executive functioning. Measures of multisensory (A + V) speech recognition and visual neurocognitive functioning were associated with excellent speech recognition outcomes in two postlingual adult CI recipients. These neurocognitive information processing domains may underlie the exceptional speech recognition performance of these two patients and offer new directions for research explaining variability in postimplant outcomes. Results further suggest that current clinical outcome measures should be expanded beyond the conventional speech recognition measures to include more sensitive robust tests of speech recognition as well as neurocognitive measures of working memory, vocabulary, lexical access, and executive functioning.

Predicting Word Reading Deficits Using an App-Based Screening Tool at School Entry.

BackgroundReading is a crucial competence associated with academic development, mental health, and social adaptation. Reading difficulties are often detected at a late stage, with a possible negative impact on long-term reading development and secondary developmental disadvantages. The first manifestations of reading difficulties can be identified by word reading deficits in first and second grade, paving the way for specific interventions. For widespread implementation, instruments must be easy to use and motivating for children.ObjectivesDevelopment and validation of an economical, well-accepted, and accurate screening tool composed of the domains of phonological information processing, language skills, and non-verbal intelligence in regular school settings.DesignIn 2020, the screening tool was used on a sample of 409 first graders between the second and fifth weeks of school in a one-to-one setting. Additionally, information on parental education and the use of German and/or other languages by the child was collected using a parental questionnaire. A follow-up involving the use of established standardized word reading tests was conducted at the end of the first school year.ResultsA five-variable screening tool consisting of the dimensions of phonological information processing (letter knowledge, rapid naming, and phonological awareness) and linguistic skills (receptive vocabulary and morphosyntax) showed statistical relevance (AUC = 0.78; sensitivity 0.80, specificity 0.74) for predicting word reading problems concerning reading speed (<16th percentile) at the end of first grade, whereas gender, first language, and age of first exposure to the German language did not contribute to the prediction. The instrument was well accepted by the children and screeners and can be administered within an acceptable time frame.ConclusionWord reading deficits at the end of first grade can be predicted by the use of an app-based screening tool at school entry that includes phonological information processing and language skills. Further validation and assessment of empirical feasibility data are needed to support the screening instrument for German orthography.

A Review of Cognitive Changes During Acute Aerobic Exercise.

A growing body of work has investigated the effects of acute, or single bouts of, aerobic exercise on cognitive function. However, review of this research has largely focused on changes following exercise, with less focus on cognitive changes during exercise. The purpose of this review is to discuss the critical characteristics of this literature to date, including: (1) what has been done, (2) what has been found, and (3) what is next. Furthermore, previous meta-analytic reviews have demonstrated there is a small positive effect on cognition when measured during exercise, with executive functions showing the largest effects. However, these reviews group executive functions together. Here we explore how inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility are individually impacted by factors such as exercise intensity or duration. Searches of electronic databases and reference lists from relevant studies resulted in 73 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Studies were grouped by executive and non-executive cognitive domains, intensity and duration of exercise bouts. Within the executive domain, we found that effects on working memory and cognitive flexibility remain mixed, effects on inhibition are clearer. Moderate intensity exercise improves response time, vigorous intensity impairs accuracy. Moderate to vigorous intensity improves response time across non-executive domains of attention, motor speed and information processing, with no significant effects on accuracy. Memory processes are consistently improved during exercise. Effects of exercise duration on response time and accuracy are nuanced and vary by cognitive domain. Studies typically explore durations of 45 min or less, extended exercise durations remain largely unexplored. We highlight factors to consider when assessing exercise-cognition relationships, as well as current gaps and future directions for work in this field.

Cognitive recovery in people with relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis: A randomized clinical trial on virtual reality-based neurorehabilitation

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) can adversely affect several domains of cognitive function, including attention, information processing, memory and learning, executive functions and visuospatial skills. In recent years, technological innovations have proven effective in improving motor and cognitive impairment in neurological patients, including those affected by MS. ObjectiveThe study aims to evaluate cognitive outcomes after rehabilitation training with the Virtual Reality rehabilitation system (VRRS) in patients suffering from MS. MethodsAll patients were randomized into either the control group (CG: 15 patients) receiving conventional cognitive rehab or the experimental group (EG) using virtual reality (VR) (15 patients). Both groups underwent the same amount of cognitive training, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. They were submitted to neuropsychological assessment before (T0) and after the rehabilitation treatment (T1). ResultsOur data showed that both conventional and VR cognitive rehabilitation approaches improved mood (p < 0.001) and visuospatial skills. However, only in the EG a significant improvement in specific cognitive domains (p < 0.001), including learning ability, short-term verbal memory, lexical access ability, as well as quality of life related to mental states, was found. ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that VR can be a motivational and effective tool for cognitive recovery in MS patients.

Cognitive Outcomes Among Patients with Hematological Cancer with Access to Computerized Cognitive Training: Results from a Feasibility Study

Objective: Cancer-related cognitive impairment can affect patients after treatment of hematological cancers, but evidence of the effect of cognitive training interventions in this population is limited. The objective of this study was to explore cognitive outcomes among a sample of patients with hematological cancer who were given access to an online computerized cognitive training program after treatment completion.Methods: Patients who had completed primary treatment for lymphoma, or autologous stem cell transplant for either lymphoma or multiple myeloma were recruited to test the feasibility of an 8-week computerized cognitive training intervention. All participants were assigned to receive the intervention, which was self-administered by participants at home and consisted of online brain training exercises designed to enhance information processing abilities. As part of the study, cognitive outcomes were assessed before (T1) and after (T2) the 8-week intervention, comprised of a standardized battery of neuropsychological tests, a self-report questionnaire of cognitive symptoms, and a functional assessment of medication management ability. Raw scores on neuropsychological tests were converted to T-scores based on demographically-adjusted norms (for age, sex, and education, where applicable), which were used for analysis. Composite T-scores representing performance in four cognitive domains (learning efficiency/memory, information processing speed/psychomotor efficiency, working memory, executive functioning) were computed at each time point. Wilcoxon's sum rank test was used to assess the differences in outcomes at times 1 and 2.Results: 14 patients (12 lymphoma, 2 multiple myeloma) completed cognitive measures at T1 and T2. Participants were a median 48.5 years of age (range 24-70) and a median 53.5 days from treatment completion (range 28 - 490). At baseline, 7 participants met the criteria for overall cognitive impairment based on a Global Deficit Score (GDS) ≥0.5. After 8 weeks of access to the online computerized cognitive training program, there was a statistically significant improvement in the domains of information processing speed/psychomotor efficiency (MD = 4.18, std =4.55, p=0.0042) and working memory (MD = 2.09, std = 2.74, p=0.0127). Effect sizes (d) for changes in information speed/psychomotor efficiency and working memory were 0.92 and 0.76, respectively, suggesting large effects by Cohen's d classification. There was no sufficient evidence of a difference in learning efficiency/memory, executive functioning, cognitive symptoms or medication management ability.Conclusion: Cognitive functioning in the domains of information processing speed/psychomotor efficiency and working memory were improved over the course of participation in an online self-administered computerized cognitive training program in this small sample of participants treated for hematological cancers. Post-hoc analyses to explore dose-response and factors associated with training time are forthcoming. Adequately powered studies with the inclusion of a control condition are required to determine treatment efficacy in this growing group of cancer survivors. DisclosuresKuruvilla:BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy; Hoffman LaRoche: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Lundbeck: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Chen:Amgen: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Taxonomy and nature of fear-related expectancies.

People who expect harmful outcomes from encounters with feared events may adapt their behavior dramatically. Such behavioral change, on the one hand, most likely produces positive short-term effects (i.e., reduction of fear). On the other hand, there can also arise important negative side effects that are expressed in unintended unfavorable long-term consequences. For instance, socially anxious students may tend to avoid giving presentations because of fear of negative feedback from teachers and classmates. When such avoidance is possible, the immediate response will be relief. Yet, after some time has passed, these individuals often experience disappointment with themselves because they have not been able to master the situation. Such self-directed disappointment, in turn, will further reduce their already cracked self-esteem. Moreover, the avoidance behavior substantially conflicts with the students’ desire to successfully complete their studies and subsequently prosper in their jobs. Hence, fear of social failure yields a situation in which expectancies shape the future according to self-fulfilling prophecies, thereby substantially decreasing quality of life. This example thus shows that critical unfavorable expectancies need to be identified and targeted in the clinical context. With their review on the influence of expectancies on experienced fear, Hilleke et al. (2021) make an overdue contribution to the field of research on anxiety disorders. The authors rightfully point out that the sophisticated or differentiated nature of expectancies has long been ignored, a point that I would like to further develop in this commentary. Another important aspect that I will address relates to the fact that expectancies do not exist in isolation but can plausibly be assumed to interact with other information processing domains such as attention, interpretation, and memory. Finally, I will outline how advancements in expectancy categorizations and an in-depth investigation of the interplay of expectancies with other cognitive processes may inform therapeutic approaches.

Abnormal Gesture Perception and Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis.

Individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders exhibit abnormalities in the perception of expressive behaviors, which are linked to symptoms and visual information processing domains. Specifically, literature suggests these groups have difficulties perceiving gestures that accompany speech. While our understanding of gesture perception in psychotic disorders is growing, gesture perception abnormalities and clues about potential causes and consequences among individuals meeting criteria for a clinical high-risk (CHR) syndrome is limited. Presently, 29 individuals with a CHR syndrome and 32 healthy controls completed an eye-tracking gesture perception paradigm. In this task, participants viewed an actor using abstract and literal gestures while presenting a story and eye gaze data (eg, fixation counts and total fixation time) was collected. Furthermore, relationships between fixation variables and both symptoms (positive, negative, anxiety, and depression) and measures of visual information processing (working memory and attention) were examined. Findings revealed that the CHR group gazed at abstract gestures fewer times than the control group. When individuals in the CHR group did gaze at abstract gestures, on average, they spent significantly less time fixating compared to controls. Furthermore, reduced fixation (ie, count and time) was related to depression and slower response time on an attentional task. While a similar pattern of group differences in the same direction appeared for literal gestures, the effect was not significant. These data highlight the importance of integrating gesture perception abnormalities into vulnerability models of psychosis and inform the development of targeted treatments for social communicative deficits.

Modeling Imprecise and Bipolar Algebraic and Topological Relations using Morphological Dilations

Abstract In many domains of information processing, such as knowledge representation, preference modeling, argumentation, multi-criteria decision analysis, spatial reasoning, both vagueness, or imprecision, and bipolarity, encompassing positive and negative parts of information, are core features of the information to be modeled and processed. This led to the development of the concept of bipolar fuzzy sets, and of associated models and tools, such as fusion and aggregation, similarity and distances, mathematical morphology. Here we propose to extend these tools by defining algebraic and topological relations between bipolar fuzzy sets, including intersection, inclusion, adjacency and RCC relations widely used in mereotopology, based on bipolar connectives (in a logical sense) and on mathematical morphology operators. These definitions are shown to have the desired properties and to be consistent with existing definitions on sets and fuzzy sets, while providing an additional bipolar feature. The proposed relations can be used for instance for preference modeling or spatial reasoning. They apply more generally to any type of functions taking values in a poset or a complete lattice, such as L-fuzzy sets.

Efficacy of high-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive performance in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial

Background Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS). Progressive aerobic exercise (PAE) represents a promising approach toward preservation or even improvement of cognitive performance in people with MS (pwMS). Objective To investigate the effects of PAE on the cognitive domains of information processing, learning and memory, and verbal fluency in pwMS. Methods This randomized controlled trial included an exercise (n = 43, 24 weeks of supervised PAE, followed by self-guided physical activity) and a waitlist group (n = 43, 24 weeks of habitual lifestyle, followed by supervised PAE). Assessments included the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological tests (BRB-N), self-reported mood, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Published reference data were used to compute Z-scores for BRB-N scores. Cognitive impairment was defined as one or more Z-scores ⩽ –1.5SD. Results No between-group changes in the total group were observed in BRB-N scores following PAE. In the cognitively impaired subgroup (43% of the total group) the between-group point estimate suggested a potential clinical relevant improvement in the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (95% CI overlapping zero). Cardiorespiratory fitness increased in the total group and the cognitively impaired subgroup. Conclusion In the present representative MS group, 24 weeks of supervised PAE had no effect on any cognitive domain in the total group but potentially improved processing speed in the cognitively impaired subgroup.

Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: A Transformative Symbiosis in Favour of Financial Technology

The financial technology revolution is a reality, as the financial world is gradually transforming into a digital domain of high-volume information and high-speed data transformation and processing. The more this transformation takes place, the more consumer and investor behaviour shifts towards a pro-technology attitude of financial services offered by market participants, financial institutions and financial technology companies. This new norm is confirming that information technology is driving innovation for financial technology. In this framework, the value of big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques becomes apparent. The aim of this chapter is multi-fold. Firstly, a multidimensional descriptive analysis is shown to familiarise the reader with the extent of penetration of the above in the financial technology road-map. A short non-technical overview of the methods is then presented. Next, the impact of data analytics and relevant techniques on the evolution of financial technology is explained and discussed along with their applications’ landscape. The chapter also presents a glimpse of the shifting paradigm these techniques bring forward for several fintech related professions, while artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are tied with the future challenges of AI ethics, regulation technology and the smart data utilisation.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids status and cognitive function in young women

BackgroundResearch indicates that low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) may be associated with decreased cognitive function. This study examined the association between n-3 PUFA status and cognitive function in young Australian women.MethodsThis was a secondary outcome analysis of a cross-sectional study that recruited 300 healthy women (18–35 y) of normal weight (NW: BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) or obese weight (OB: BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2). Participants completed a computer-based cognition testing battery (IntegNeuro™) evaluating the domains of impulsivity, attention, information processing, memory and executive function. The Omega-3 Index (O3I) was used to determine n-3 PUFA status (percentage of EPA (20:5n-3) plus DHA (22:6n3) in the red cell membrane) and the participants were divided into O3I tertile groups: T1 < 5.47%, T2 = 5.47–6.75%, T3 > 6.75%. Potential confounding factors of BMI, inflammatory status (C-reactive Protein), physical activity (total MET-min/wk), alpha1-acid glycoprotein, serum ferritin and hemoglobin, were assessed. Data reported as z-scores (mean ± SD), analyses via ANOVA and ANCOVA.ResultsTwo hundred ninety-nine women (26.9 ± 5.4 y) completed the study (O3I data, n = 288). The ANOVA showed no overall group differences but a significant group × cognition domain interaction (p < 0.01). Post hoc tests showed that participants in the low O3I tertile group scored significantly lower on attention than the middle group (p = 0.01; ES = 0.45 [0.15–0.74]), while the difference with the high group was borderline significant (p = 0.052; ES = 0.38 [0.09–0.68]). After confounder adjustments, the low group had lower attention scores than both the middle (p = 0.01) and high (p = 0.048) groups. These findings were supported by univariate analyses which found significant group differences for the attention domain only (p = 0.004).ConclusionsCognitive function in the attention domain was lower in women with lower O3I, but still within normal range. This reduced but normal level of cognition potentially provides a lower baseline from which cognition would decline with age. Further investigation of individuals with low n-3 PUFA status is warranted.

The Implementation of Predictions During Sequencing.

Optimal control mechanisms require prediction capabilities. If one cannot predict the consequences of a motor act or behavior, one will continually collide with walls or become a social pariah. “Looking into the future” is thus one of the most important prerequisites for smooth movements and social interactions. To achieve this goal, the brain must constantly predict future events. This principle applies to all domains of information processing, including motor and cognitive control, as well as the development of decision-making skills, theory of mind, and virtually all cognitive processes. Sequencing is suggested to support the predictive capacity of the brain. To recognize that events are related, the brain must discover links among them in the spatiotemporal domain. To achieve this, the brain must often hold one event in working memory and compare it to a second one, and the characteristics of the two must be compared and correctly placed in space and time. Among the different brain structures involved in sequencing, the cerebellum has been proposed to have a central function. We have suggested that the operational mode of the cerebellum is based on “sequence detection” and that this process is crucial for prediction. Patterns of temporally or spatially structured events are conveyed to the cerebellum via the pontine nuclei and compared with actual ones conveyed through the climbing fibers olivary inputs. Through this interaction, data on previously encountered sequences can be obtained and used to generate internal models from which predictions can be made. This mechanism would allow the cerebellum not only to recognize sequences but also to detect sequence violations. Cerebellar pattern detection and prediction would thus be a means to allow feedforward control based on anticipation. We will argue that cerebellar sequencing allows implementation of prediction by setting the correct excitatory levels in defined brain areas to implement the adaptive response for a given pattern of stimuli that embeds sufficient information to be recognized as a previously encountered template. Here, we will discuss results from human and animal studies and correlate them with the present understanding of cerebellar function in cognition and behavior.

Experimental demonstration of suppressing residual geometric dephasing

The geometric phase is regarded as a promising strategy in fault tolerance quantum information processing (QIP) domain due to its phase only depending on the geometry of the path executed. However, decoherence caused by environmental noise will destroy the geometric phase. Traditional dynamic decoupling sequences can eliminate dynamic dephasing but can not reduce residual geometric dephasing, which is still vital for high-precision quantum manipulation. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate effective suppression of residual geometric dephasing with modified dynamic decoupling schemes, using a single trapped 171Yb+ ion. The experimental results show that the modified schemes can reduce dephasing rate up to more than one order of magnitude compared with traditional dynamic decoupling schemes, where residual geometric dephasing dominates. Besides, we also investigate the impact of intensity and correlation time of the low-frequency noise on coherence of the quantum system. And we confirm these methods can be used in many cases.

An Exploratory Study of Cytokine Markers of Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Hematological Malignancy

Introduction. Cancer-related cognitive impairment is a distressing symptom that affects numerous patients after cancer therapy, including those treated for hematological malignancy. The lack of effective interventions has driven interest in determining underlying mechanisms. Accumulating evidence in the context of solid tumours suggests inflammatory processes are involved in the development of cognitive symptoms. The objective of this study was to explore whether changes in serum markers of inflammation underlie differences in cognitive functioning among patients treated for hematological malignancies.Methods. The sample comprised participants treated for lymphoma or multiple myeloma who were participating in a feasibility study of a computerized cognitive training program. Prior to the intervention, a battery of neuropsychological tests were administered to assess cognitive function in the following domains: Learning Efficiency and Memory; Information Processing and Psychomotor Efficiency; and Executive Functioning and Working Memory. Composite T-scores for each domain were computed as the mean of demographically adjusted T-scores from constituent tests. Blood was drawn concurrently from consenting participants. Soluble proteins were quantified from serum using a multiplex sandwich elisa assay of 27 arrayed cytokine and chemokine analytes. Pearson's correlations between composite T-scores and cytokine concentrations were calculated. T-tests assessed differences in cytokine concentrations between participants who met the criteria for impairment (composite T-score<40) compared to those who did not.Results. Eleven participants (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: n=5; Hodgkin Lymphoma: n=3; Multiple Myeloma: n=3; Mean age = 52 years; 6 males/5 females) were included in this analysis. Six of the participants were treated with autologous stem cell transplant for either lymphoma or multiple myeloma; five with primary chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma. Participants were a median 59 days (range 28-265 days) from completion of treatment. Proportion of patients impaired in each domain were: Leaning Efficiency and Memory (5/11); Information Processing and Psychomotor Efficiency (5/11); and Executive Functioning and Working Memory (3/11). Serum concentration of Chemokine Ligand 4 (CCL4, also known as Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1β) was positively correlated with performance in Information Processing and Psychomotor Efficiency, such that increased CCL4 was associated with better cognitive performance (r=0.62, p=0.0418). Participants who met the criteria for impairment in the domain of Information Processing and Psychomotor Efficiency had a significantly lower concentration of CCL4 compared to those who did not (impaired: 8.14 pg/ml; non-impaired: 14.88 pg/ml; p= 0.0072). Participants who met the criteria for impairment in the domain of Information Processing and Psychomotor Efficiency also had a lower concentration of Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GCSF) compared to those who did not (impaired: 14.40 pg/ml; non-impaired: 22.47 pg/ml; p=0.0467). We did not detect any other significant relationships between cytokine concentration and cognitive performance.Conclusions. The findings from this exploratory study suggest that there may be a role for macrophage recruitment in modulating the pathogenesis of cancer-related cognitive impairment in hematological malignancies, particularly in the area of information processing and psychomotor speed. Larger studies are needed to validate this finding and clarify the role of CCL4 in the context of cell signalling pathways involved in cognitive functioning. DisclosuresKuruvilla:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Canada: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; Celgene: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; Lundbeck: Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Making waves: Comparing Morris water task performance in rats and prairie voles

Spatial processing is a critical component for survival. This domain of information processing has been extensively studied in rats and mice. Limited work has examined the capacity of other rodent species, like the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), to process spatial information. The Morris water task (MWT) is a classic spatial task that has been used to examine spatial cognition in rodents. This task involves an animal developing configural relationships between extra-maze cues and the location of a hidden platform to successfully escape from a pool of water. The current study compared performance in the MWT between rats and prairie voles. Rats were observed to outperform prairie voles in key aspects of the task including latency to find the platform, directness of swim paths to the platform, and degrees of heading error. These results may be attributed to potential interspecies differences in spatial cognition, stress reactivity, physiology, or motivation. This study provides the foundation for future work investigating the spatial cognition of prairie voles and the factors that contribute to water task performance in rodents.