High Processing Research Articles

Emerging atypical connectivity networks for processing angry and fearful faces in very preterm born children.

Very preterm born (VPT) children are those born before 32/40 weeks' gestational age and comprise 10% of the 15 million babies born prematurely worldwide each year. Due to advancements in neonatal medicine, the survival rate of VPT birth has increased, but few studies have investigated the nonmedical, social‐cognitive morbidities that affect these children. In this study, we examined emotional face processing networks in VPT compared to age and sex matched full‐term born (FT) children. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to test VPT and FT born children at 6 years (n = 78) and 8 years (n = 83). Children were assessed using an implicit emotion face‐processing task. Happy, fearful, and angry faces were presented for 150 ms, but children were asked to respond by button press to the location of a control pixelated image of the face displayed on the side of the screen opposite to the face. Children rated the valence of the images on a five‐point scale. Group differences showed that VPT children rated angry faces more positively than their FT peers. VPT children had reduced connectivity for angry and fearful faces at 8 years in networks including regions such as the bilateral amygdala, superior temporal sulci, and anterior cingulate gyrus. Interventions should target both emotion recognition, as well as higher cognitive processes related to emotional control and thinking about one's own emotions.

Peak Alpha Frequency in Relation to Cognitive Performance

Objective Peak alpha frequency (PAF) is reported to be a nervous system property which is genetically endowed and reflected in individual’s cognitive functioning. Cognitive performance denotes the mental processes for effective changes in response to situations in general and mental task in particular. None of the study has till now used reading comprehension as a measure of cognitive functioning, which is considered to be a measure of higher cognitive processes. The reading comprehension task used in the study implies certain cognitive processes such as reading ability, comprehension, memory performance involving information maintenance, and retrieval. Therefore, the study was conducted to test the hypothesis of differences in cognitive reading comprehension performance between high- and low-peak alpha subjects. Materials and Methods A group of 300 healthy participants were selected on the basis of incidental-cum-probabilistic sampling from seven districts of Indian state of Haryana. In the present study, reading comprehension task (Hindi–English; bilingual format) was used to assess the cognitive performance and multichannel electroencephalography alpha frequencies were recorded to measure PAF through power spectrum density analysis of each subject. Results The findings revealed that individuals with high-peak alpha frequency had significantly higher score ( p < 0.05) on reading comprehension task as compared with individuals with low PAF. Conclusion The present study concluded that the reading comprehension task is effected by peak alpha frequency of an individual. PAF can be considered to be a correlate of cognitive performance.

A novel median based image impulse noise suppression system using spiking neurons on FPGA

ABSTRACT The most common impulse noise suppression methods are based on the median filter. They are suitable for low noise densities, but employing a separate noise detection step makes them suitable for higher noise rates. Instead, this may degrade the performance for lower noise. Particularly, the adaptive median noise removal algorithm improves the results for both low and high noise corruption rates. This paper presents a novel noise detection and filtering algorithm that uses leaky integrate and fire spiking neurons which model natural computing of the brain. In the proposed method, at each process of the detection and the filtering, all pixels of an adaptive sliding window are fed to the spiking neurons performing the operations in parallel. As a result, higher processing speed and higher operating frequency are achieved. An FPGA is used to implement the algorithm due to its real-time application and reconfigurable structure. The proposed architecture represents a slight increase in the PSNR values, whereas it consumes less hardware resources compared to the previous works. The design is implemented on Cyclone IV device from Altera family. It includes 3231 LUTs and the maximum operating frequency of 187 MHz is achieved.

INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE EDUCATION AS A REVISION STRATEGY

The research aim was to identify the effect of revising the thematic unit “Changes in Chemical Reactions” using IBSE (based on confirmation inquiry) in the 8th grade of secondary school. This thematic unit is taught in chemistry lessons in the 2nd term of the 7th grade. A set of activities verified by a piece of pilot research was used to implement IBSE based on confirmation inquiry using the 5E Educational Model. The research was performed in ten Slovak secondary schools during the 1st term of the 2017/2018 school year. This research employed the quasi-experimental methodology involving pre-test–post-test two-group design. The research sample consisted of 292 8th grade students. They were divided randomly into a control (n=149) and experimental (n=143) group, and the intervention took place during 10 lessons. Cognitive tests based on the revised Bloom's taxonomy were used to measure students’ knowledge and skills before and after revision. The results indicate that using IBSE (based on confirmation inquiry) in the revision phase is more effective than teaching without using IBSE in terms of developing conceptual understanding. It affects the lower and higher cognitive processes (understanding, application, and analysis) and stimulates learning mainly in students with lower academic performance. Keywords: chemistry education, cognitive processes, confirmation inquiry, secondary school.

Visualization of Information in the Educational Process: Current Trends

It is known that eighty percent of people perceive and absorb experience that exists in a certain field of activity, mainly with the help of visual images. Reliance on the visual image provides the individual with the effectiveness of studying, reproducing and further developing his own experience, thinking, and activity. Thinking is a higher process of cognition, which is associated with sensory perception and is based on sensations and perceptions of the surrounding reality. It follows that the stimulus for thought processes is visually perceived objects, visual educational materials.

Current frequency effect on electromagnetic tube expansion

The frequency of capacitor discharge current is an important parameter in the electromagnetic forming process. In the present work, simulation and experimental study of electromagnetic expansion is carried out on aluminium tubes (Al 5052). The aim is to obtain the optimum frequency of discharge current that gives maximum tube expansion at constant discharge energy. A two-dimensional axisymmetric numerical simulation model is developed that couples electromagnetic and structural phenomenon sequentially. After validating experimental tube expansion results with numerical results, the simulation model is used to analyse the effect of variation in current frequency on the tube expansion. It is observed that maximum tube expansion and higher process efficiency occurred at 5 kHz, which is considered as the optimum frequency for the used experimental set-up. In contrast to sheet forming case observed in the literature, results of tube expansion show that maximum forming is obtained at a frequency where the ratio of skin depth to tube thickness is less than 1. It is also noticed that the optimum frequency depends on the inductance and resistance of the system.

Fast overlapped subaperture algorithm for high-squint spotlight SAR imaging

ABSTRACT The overlapped subaperture algorithm (OSA) is popular for high-squint spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging due to its ability of dealing with a much larger swath than the primary polar format algorithm. However, the traditional OSA suffers from the problem of low efficiency because of the high subaperture overlapping ratio (SOR) required to get rid of spurious targets. The contribution of this study is to loosen the original SOR limit by embedding an additional spatially variant apodization (SVA) into the architecture, resulting in a new fast OSA with lighter computational load and hence higher processing efficiency. Specifically, the algorithm is modified mainly from two aspects: First, a new spatial variant quadratic phase error (QPE) filter is induced to enable effective SVA implementation; Second, a new squint subaperture stitch method is induced to accommodate the subaperture extraction with the new data format led by the new QPE filter. The proposed approach is evaluated by both the point target simulations and the real airborne SAR data in aspects of spurious target suppression, image quality and processing efficiency.

\u03b3-Secretase modulators exhibit selectivity for modulation of APP cleavage but inverse \u03b3-secretase modulators do not

Backgroundγ-Secretase is a multiprotein protease that cleaves amyloid protein precursor (APP) and other type I transmembrane proteins. It has two catalytic subunits, presenilins 1 and 2 (PS1 and 2). In our previous report, we observed subtle differences in PS1- and PS2-mediated cleavages of select substrates and slightly different potencies of PS1 versus PS2 inhibition for select γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) on various substrates. In this study, we investigated whether γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) and inverse γ-secretase modulators (iGSMs) modulate γ-secretase processivity using multiple different substrates. We next used HEK 293T cell lines in which PSEN1 or PSEN2 was selectively knocked out to investigate processivity and response to GSMs and iGSMs.MethodsFor cell-free γ-secretase cleavage assay, recombinant substrates were incubated with CHAPSO-solubilized CHO or HEK 293T cell membrane with GSMs or iGSMs in suitable buffer. For cell-based assay, cDNA encoding substrates were transfected into HEK 293T cells. Cells were then treated with GSMs or iGSMs, and conditioned media were collected. Aβ and Aβ-like peptide production from cell-free and cell-based assay were measured by ELISA and mass spectrometry.ResultThese studies demonstrated that GSMs are highly selective for effects on APP, whereas iGSMs have a more promiscuous effect on many substrates. Surprisingly, iGSMs actually appear to act as like GSIs on select substrates. The data with PSEN1 or PSEN2 knocked out HEK 293T reveal that PS1 has higher processivity and response to GSMs than PS2, but PS2 has higher response to iGSM.ConclusionCollectively, these data indicate that GSMs are likely to have limited target-based toxicity. In addition, they show that iGSMs may act as substrate-selective GSIs providing a potential new route to identify leads for substrate-selective inhibitors of certain γ-secretase-mediated signaling events. With growing concerns that long-term β-secretase inhibitor is limited by target-based toxicities, such data supports continued development of GSMs as AD prophylactics.

Reflective Processes and Social Orientation at Different Stages of Professionalisation (on the Example of Preparation for Medical Activity)

Introduction. In recent decades, competency-based approach is considered to be the leading one in the system of vocational education in Russia. However, the preparation for future employment cannot be limited to competencies. This is particularly true for anthropocentric professions, for example, the training of medical workers. In such fields of employment, the personal qualities of a specialist are extremely important, i. e. his or her ability to communication, productive interaction, which implies a certain type of reflection.The aim of the present research was to identify the role of reflection, when forming the social orientation of physicians at different stages of their specialty training and realisation of oneself in this or that specialty – from university education to the end of career.Methodology and research methods. In the course of the research, psychodiagnostic methods based on the questionnaire “Differential Type of Reflection” by D. A. Leontiev et al. and FIRO – Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation questionnaire by A. Schutz in the adaptation of A. A. Rukavishnikov were employed, taking into account the key provisions of theories concerning personality psychology and social behaviour. Automated neural networks based on the architecture of a multilayer perceptron according to the type of regression analysis and analysis of Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient were used to process the data.Results. Reflective processes among future physicians and physicians-practitioners were studied on the sample of 384 people (aged from 17 to 76 years old) – 169 students of medical universities and 215 employees of stationary and outpatient clinics of Chelyabinsk region. It was revealed that at different stages of mastering the profession, the level of productive (systemic) reflection turned out to be different, but it was growing according to the increased degree of professionalisation. However, this level did not reach normative values in all groups, pointing to the need for psychological correction of self-determination and self-distancing. The identified ways of respondents’ social orientation demonstrate the contradictory nature of relations to oneself and to others; and such relations were mostly expressed at the beginning of training. Along with the fear of being rejected, manifested at an unconscious level, the respondents took the conscious decisions to preserve own individuality and to maintain the distance with other people. This contradiction means the presence of intra-personal conflict, which, like dissatisfaction with individual needs for interpersonal communication, provokes the prevalence of unproductive types of reflection – introspection and quasi-reflection.Scientific novelty. The integration of ideas about the role, structure, content and determinants of reflection can be represented as follows: traditional understanding from the perspective of inter-individual approach as a mechanism of social perception and interpretation from the point of view of intra-individual (personal) and subject-activity approaches as the higher mental process, which is formed in the process of the acquired profession. This integration allowed the authors to identify the relationships between the level of reflection development, personal peculiarities, experience and medical specialisation.Practical significance. The research materials and the authors’ conclusions can serve as a basis for the development of recommendations for the correction and prevention of unproductive forms of reflection at the initial stages of education in a medical university (e.g. specially organised extracurricular classes), as well as in the system of advanced training of practicing physicians.

Adolescent Health: A Framework for Developing an Innovative Personalized Well-Being Index.

Adolescence is not only typically considered a time of good health but also characterized by an emergence of risk factors that may have long-term consequences for well-being that represents strong predictors of adverse health outcomes. The aim of the study is to assess adolescence well-being through the development of an integrated Well-Being Index (WBI) including variables of lifestyle habits, social context, emotional status, and mental skills. One thousand two hundred forty-eight healthy adolescents (Female 48%; Male 52%; mean age 13 years) were recruited from five Italian junior high schools, by KIDSCREEN-52 and cognitive processing using the Stroop Test. School performance was estimated by questions concerning the scholastic achievement. Social context was the most important predictor of perceived well-being (β = 0.972, SE = 0.014, p < 0.0001), with parent relation (p < 0.0001) as the most observed variable. Subsequently, WBI was strongly represented by lifestyle habits (β = 0.954, SE = 0.017, p < 0.000) with autonomy (p < 0.0001), and emotional status (β = 0.949, SE = 0.017, p < 0.000) with psychological well-being perception (p < 0.0001). Finally, mental skills (β= −0.1417, SE = 0.031, p < 0.0.00) was the least important predictor for the WBI index (p < 0.0001). Personalised (P) WBI was obtained by the sum of each centered and scaled WBI variable, weighted by the corresponding ratio between factor loading and residual variance. Social context was the more important predictor of WBI, followed by lifestyle, emotional factors, and lastly mental skills. PWBI provides an integrated and personalized perspective of adolescents' well-being, on the basis of a cooperation between school, family, and community with the common intent to promote and protect adolescent health.

Effective Parallel Processing Social Media Analytics Framework

The widespread adoption of opinion mining and sentiment analysis in higher cognitive processes encourages the need for real-time processing of social media data to capture insights about user's sentiment polarity, user’s opinion, and current trends of the domain. In recent years lots of research were conducted and various machine learning algorithms were developed around the processing of data to achieve higher accuracy while reducing the processing time is still challenging. Big data technologies came unraveled these challenges but they have their own set of complexities along with having hardware deadweight on the system. The contribution of this research paper is to touch upon the mentioned challenges by presenting a climbable, instantaneous and fault-tolerant framework to process real-time data to extract hidden insights within it while not bearing any additional overhead of big data technologies. This framework is versatile enough to support batch processing along with real-time data streams in parallel and distributed environments. Experimental results concluded that 4-threaded parallel architecture of the framework performs at 2X speed compared to single-threaded architecture and shared URLs, embedded Images and Author's meta info it boosting the tweets prediction. Moreover, this research additionally provides a comparison of Support Vector Machines (SVM), Light GBM (LGBM) and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) supervised machine learning techniques for sentiment analysis and concluded LGBM is the most effective model.

Stepping forward, stepping backward: a movement-related cortical potential study unveils distinctive brain activities

Human locomotion is the product of complex dynamic systems, which rely on physical capacities as well as cognitive functions. In our daily life, we mostly experience forward walking, but also backward stepping can occur, as in protective stepping. In this work, we investigated the electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of cognitive processing underpinning step initiation by means of movement-related cortical potentials (MRCPs) analysis and force-plates recordings. Healthy young volunteers (N = 11) performed self-paced forward- and backward-oriented steps on two force platforms, which were synchronized to simultaneous EEG recordings. MRCPs and their source localization analyses were computed. Results demonstrate the involvement of cognitive processing during step preparation and execution, as showed by the prefrontal activity, which was enhanced in backward stepping. Further, the parietal activity was larger in forward than backward stepping, while motor-related regions were involved in both step directions. Thus, the neural timing and sources of forward and backward stepping suggest a functional distinction of these two actions, which undergo different cortical organizations. Backward stepping requires enhanced cognitive control and can be regarded as an avoidance behavior, while forward stepping would be assimilated to an oriented-to-action behavior mainly localized over parietal areas. In conclusion, preparing body locomotion involves high cognitive processing, with step direction showing different cortical organization and functional specialization.

Integrative Well-Being Leads Our Attentional System: An Eye-Tracking Study

Both hedonic and eudemonic components of well-being have been related to different variables such as mental and physical health, or social and economic factors. However, and despite the growing interest in the study of well-being, there is scarce evidence on the role that these components play in high cognitive processes such as attentional deployment towards emotional information. The aim of the present study is to disentangle the relation between current affect (state hedonic well-being), integrative well-being (i.e. hedonic, eudaimonic and social well-being), and attentional biases towards emotional information. Participants (N = 119) performed and eye-tracking task where they were asked to freely watch a series of 108 pairs of faces depicting happy, sad or neutral expressions in three types of conditions (i.e. happy vs. neutral, sad vs. neutral, and happy vs. sad faces). Results showed that both current affect and integrative well-being were associated with a maintenance attentional bias towards positive information (i.e. happy faces). Further, using bootstrapping mediation analysis, we found that the relation observed between current affect and positive maintenance attentional biases was totally mediated by integrative well-being levels. We discuss the relevance of the present results in the incipient research on cognitive and emotional processes and well-being.

Understanding Thermodynamic and Kinetic Stabilization of FeNiZr via Systematic High-Throughput In Situ XRD Analysis

The role of kinetically and thermodynamically driven microstructural evolution on FeNiZr was explored through in situ XRD analysis. A statistical approach based on log-likelihoods and composite link model was used to fit and extract important data from the XRD patterns. Best practices on using the statistical approach to obtained quantitative information from the XRD patterns was presented. It was shown that the alloyed powder used in the current study presents more thermodynamic stability than previously reported ball-milled powders. Based on hardness values, it was shown that mechanical strength is expected to be retained at higher processing temperatures. Lastly, a 2-dimensional heat transfer model was used to understand heat flow through the powder compacts.

Humor‐Associated Mirthful Laughter and Brain Health: Predominance of Beneficial EEG Gamma Frequency and Beta/Gamma Interaction in the Cerebral Cortex

For almost a century, the medical community has been intrigued with the potential health benefits of laughter, as the common phrase notes, “laughter is the best medicine”. However, the science underlying laughter and health is yet to be fully described.ObjectiveWe used electroencephalography (EEG) to explore the potential neurological benefits of humor‐associated mirthful laughter (HAML), compared to stress, and how HAML deferentially modulates brain frequencies (3–40Hz). Specific interests were: 1) increasing beneficial gamma frequency (31–40Hz) during HAML, and 2) identifying a beta/gamma interaction.MethodsIn a randomized crossover design, 31 university students, ages 18–25, were recruited. Subjects watched two 10‐minute videos: 1) HAML task (America’s Funniest Home Videos), and 2) Stress task (Saving Private Ryan movie scene). During each task, EEG data was recorded from nine cortical regions (F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, POz, P4). Power spectral density μV2 (PSD) values were calculated and placed into their respective frequency ranges: theta (3–7 Hz), alpha (8–13 Hz), beta (14–30 Hz), and gamma (31–40Hz). PSD values were standardized into Z‐scores for statistical analysis.ResultsTwo‐way ANOVA showed that during HAML, gamma (p&lt;0.001) had the greatest PSD across all assessed cortical regions. When comparing the HAML vs. Stress tasks, the central region showed significant differences between tasks (p&lt;0.05). Specifically, C3 and C4 regions showed the greatest increases in PSD (p&lt;0.05). Stratification of tasks revealed that HAML had significant differences between frequency PSDs; gamma was significantly greater than beta and theta (p=0.001), and beta was greater than theta (p=0.001). In the frontal region, gamma was significantly greater than alpha, beta, and theta PSD (p=0.0001), and beta was greater than theta (p=0.0001). In the parietal region, gamma PSD was significantly greater than alpha and theta PSD (p=0.01). Regression analysis of beta and gamma displayed a strong positive correlation between the two frequencies during both the HAML and Stress task (HAML: p&lt;0.001, R=0.96; Stress: p=0.004, R=0.843).ConclusionDuring HAML, EEG displayed increases in PSD, most remarkably in gamma frequency. Gamma oscillations play a “binding” role in higher cognitive processes, such as memory and processing of sensory stimuli, suggesting gamma’s role in proper neuronal network functions. Interestingly, our previous research has shown that HAML enhances short‐term memory in elderly adults. Relational analysis showed an interplay of beta oscillations dependent on and sub‐harmonic to gamma oscillations. Similar dynamics between beta and gamma underlie working memory. Further, current research has shown that increasing gamma activity through multi‐sensory methods reduces amyloid‐beta levels and modifies microglial activity, both measures associated with Alzheimer’s‐related disease. Based on our research findings and other previous research, we suggest that enhancement of gamma frequency via “humor therapy”/HAML may have adjunctive clinical value in promoting brain health.a–d. Brain Frequency PSD During HAML vs. Stress tasks in the Frontal, Central and Parietal Regions and Heat Map Analysis of Gamma Frequency (N=31)Figure 1Linear Regression Analysis of Beta/Gamma Relationship during HAML and Stress Task (N=31)Figure 2

Olfactory Influences on Visual Categorization: Behavioral and ERP Evidence.

Visual stimuli often dominate nonvisual stimuli during multisensory perception. Evidence suggests higher cognitive processes prioritize visual over nonvisual stimuli during divided attention. Visual stimuli should thus be disproportionally distracting when processing incongruent cross-sensory stimulus pairs. We tested this assumption by comparing visual processing with olfaction, a “primitive” sensory channel that detects potentially hazardous chemicals by alerting attention. Behavioral and event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were assessed in a bimodal object categorization task with congruent or incongruent odor–picture pairings and a delayed auditory target that indicated whether olfactory or visual cues should be categorized. For congruent pairings, accuracy was higher for visual compared to olfactory decisions. However, for incongruent pairings, reaction times (RTs) were faster for olfactory decisions. Behavioral results suggested that incongruent odors interfered more with visual decisions, thereby providing evidence for an “olfactory dominance” effect. Categorization of incongruent pairings engendered a late “slow wave” ERP effect. Importantly, this effect had a later amplitude peak and longer latency during visual decisions, likely reflecting additional categorization effort for visual stimuli in the presence of incongruent odors. In sum, contrary to what might be inferred from theories of “visual dominance,” incongruent odors may in fact uniquely attract mental processing resources during perceptual incongruence.

Evolution of the Hypothalamus and Inferior Lobe in Ray-Finned Fishes

The inferior lobes are prominent bilateral brain areas in the hypothalamus of neopterygians among the ray-finned fishes. They are known as multisensory integration centers. As such, they should play a major role in fish evolution. In this study, a comparative morphometric analysis was performed. The morphology of the hypothalamus, where the inferior lobe is considered as fully developed first in Lepisosteus, was then re-examined. One hundred brains from different species of 60 families of ray-finned fishes were stained with cresyl violet and embedded in methacrylate. They were then cut on a microtome while conducting block-face imaging. The volumes were determined for the whole brain, brain areas, and nuclei. Since visual input represents a major sensory input for the inferior lobe, the nucleus glomerulosus, a visual-related nucleus in paracanthopterygian and acanthopterygian teleosts, and the tectum opticum were included in the investigations. The morphometric analysis revealed that the relative volume of the inferior lobes increases significantly from species of the Lepisosteiformes to the Tetraodontiformes. In addition, a positive correlation was detected between the relative volume of the inferior lobes and either the relative volume of the nucleus glomerulosus or the relative volume of the tectum opticum. These correlations, in combination with findings from previous hodological and behavioral studies, give rise to the speculation that the inferior lobes may be involved in higher cognitive processes and complex social interactions.

Structural and Process Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care Provisions in Poland and the Netherlands: A Cross-National Study Using Cluster Analysis

ABSTRACTThis cross-national study involved 56 toddler classrooms in Poland and the Netherlands. A cluster analysis was conducted to identify classroom profiles based on observed quality and these were compared regarding structural (group size and children-to-teacher ratio) and curriculum (e.g. pre-academics and pretend play) characteristics. In total, 224 video clips were evaluated with the CLASS Toddler and 130 teachers reported on structural and curriculum aspects. Research Findings: The findings for both countries showed moderate to high emotional support and low to moderate support for learning; the pattern of self-reported provision of activities was shaped alike. Three quality profiles were distinguished: i) high positive climate and support for learning, ii) overall low quality, iii) high emotional and low educational support. Overall, favorable structural conditions and a balanced curriculum including a broad range of activities were associated with highest process quality. Practice or Policy: A variety of different activities and high levels of developmentally stimulating interactions in an overall positive and warm classroom climate can support toddlers’ broad development and learning. Professional development and a center’s pedagogical policy and vision can play an important role in improving quality and implementing age-appropriate play and activities when an official curriculum is lacking.

Pelleting on the Nutritional Quality of Broiler Feeds

In the pelleting process, mash feed passes through a conditioner were it is exposed to steam under high pressure and pushed through the die to form pellets. To determine the effect of adding different amounts of water and different thermal processing parameters on the pellet conversion percentage, pellet durability index (PDI) and solubility of protein in KOH of broiler feed. The processing factors were combined in a 4x2 factorial scheme: four moisture addition levels (0%; 0.7%; 1.4%; 2.1%), and two thermal processes (conditioning-pelleting or conditioning-expanding-pelleting). Eight samples of each treatment were collected to evaluate quality parameters. The feed used in this study was a typical corn-soybean broiler diet processed in a commercial feed mill. The pellet conversion percentage and PDI responded linearly and positively in the range of 0 to 2.1% moisture addition. Positive and linear equations relating moisture addition in the conditioner with pellet conversion percentage and PDI were obtained (p&lt;0.001). Expansion improved PDI and pellet percentage respectively by 18% and 21% when compared to simple conditioning-pelleting feed processing. However, an adverse effect on protein quality was observed when higher processing temperature was used. No particle size effect was observed for conditioned-expanded-pelleted feed. Medium particle size resulted in better PDI and higher pellet conversion percentage (p &lt; 0.001) compared to coarse grinding (% pellets – 66.97% versus 64.96%; PDI – 77.30% versus 66.10%).

A non-pragmatic view on education

The point of this essay is to argue that education may improve its quality if its fundamental principles transcend the pragmatic targets, e.g. preparing the offspring to adult life, the psychosocial needs, manual, intellectual and vocational skills, etc, and deal with such essential problems as the sense of life, the nature of the world, the phenomenon of consciousness and its evolution, i.e. problems which typically become the subject of philosophical speculations and deliberations. The point of departure of the argument is the classical view that education should be seen as educing the potential of every individual learner. The possibility of such a qualitative improvement may result from the capacity of consciousness to generate complex motivational drives of learning which are rooted in the higher mental processes.