Symbol Coding Research Articles

Third-order perturbation expansion of the two-point correlation function of the dissipative quantum φ4 theory

We analytically calculate the perturbation expansion of the two-point correlation function (propagator) of the scalar, dissipative quantum ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4}$ theory up to third order in the interaction parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. The calculations are carried out with two different methods. The first is based on a brute force computation of all interactions appearing in the perturbation expansion term by term at the given order of the perturbation, supported by the use of a symbolic mathematical code. The second uses an efficient perturbation scheme which allows one to hierarchically organize terms within a given order in the perturbation expansion based on the number of occurrences of the free evolution operator ${\mathcal{R}}_{s}^{\mathrm{free}}$; in addition, it allows one to utilize information from already computed lower-order terms in the calculation of higher-order terms. The two methods yield the same result. In the limit of zero dissipation (zero friction coefficient $\ensuremath{\gamma}$), our result coincides with that obtained from the Lagrangian approach in $D=d+1$ dimensions ($d$ denotes the number of space dimensions, while $D$ includes the time dimension) with the use of $D$-dimensional vectors, re-expressed in terms of only $d$-dimensional space integrals by integrating out the zero component. We have also verified that the value of the critical coupling constant ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{*}$ as a function of space dimensionality $d$, which can be used to evaluate perturbation expansions at the physical length scale ${\ensuremath{\ell}}_{m}$, comes out correctly from our third-order calculation.

DISCOURSE ANALYSIS ON TAYLOR SWIFT’S YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN MUSIC VIDEO WITH SEMIOTIC APPROACH

As a mode of expression, music video involves the process of meaning-making. Its unique method of assembling symbolic codes should be apprehended differently from films even though some film technical terms are found applicable. This research takes Taylor Swift’s music video for her song You Need to Calm Down (YNTCD) which won two MTV VMA as Video of the Year and Video for Good in 2019. Barthes’s theory of semiotics is firstly applied to scrutinize the music video which is done by answering how the denotation and connotation meaning is made to respond to these issues. Discourse analysis is then applied to study what discourses are influential in the signification system of the music video. As a response to issues of hate speech, LGBTQ, and media toxic contestation, meaning in this video is built by (1) the objects symbolizing personal experiences, (2) borrowing meaning from the iconic show, (3) cameos demonstrating social conflict, (4) stage-setting exemplifying media toxic contestation, and (5) the painting indicating historical context. Thus, the YNTCD music video symbolically voices a counter-discourse to the mentioned social problems.

Static Analysis at GitHub

The Semantic Code team at GitHub builds and operates a suite of technologies that power symbolic code navigation on github.com. We learned that scale is about adoption, user behavior, incremental improvement, and utility. Static analysis in particular is difficult to scale with respect to human behavior; we often think of complex analysis tools working to find potentially problematic patterns in code and then trying to convince the humans to fix them. Our approach took a different tack: use basic analysis techniques to quickly put information that augments our ability to understand programs in front of everyone reading code on GitHub with zero configuration required and almost immediate availability after code changes.

Prediction of Cognitive Decline Using Heart Rate Fragmentation Analysis: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Heart rate fragmentation (HRF), a new non-invasive metric quantifying cardiac neuroautonomic function, is associated with increasing age and cardiovascular disease. Since these are risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia, in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), we investigated whether disrupted cardiac neuroautonomic function, evidenced by increased HRF, would be associated with worse cognitive function assessed concurrently and at a later examination, and with greater cognitive decline.Methods: HRF was derived from the ECG channel of the polysomnographic recordings obtained in an ancillary study (n = 1,897) conducted in conjunction with MESA exam 5 (2010–2012). Cognitive function was assessed at exam 5 and 6.4 ± 0.5 years later at exam 6 (2016–2018) with tests of global cognitive performance (the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument, CASI), processing speed (Digit Symbol Coding, DSC) and working memory (Digit Span). Multivariable regression models were used to quantify the associations between HRF indices and cognitive scores.Results: The participants’ mean age was 68 ± 9 years (54% female). Higher HRF at baseline was independently associated with lower cognitive scores at both exams 5 and 6. Specifically, in cross-sectional analyses, a one-standard deviation (SD) (13.7%) increase in HRF was associated with a 0.51 (95% CI: 0.17–0.86) points reduction in CASI and a 1.12 (0.34–1.90) points reduction in DSC. Quantitatively similar effects were obtained in longitudinal analyses. A one-SD increase in HRF was associated with a 0.44 (0.03–0.86) and a 1.04 (0.28–1.81) points reduction in CASI and DSC from exams 5 to 6, respectively. HRF added predictive value to the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE-APOE-ε4) risk score and to models adjusted for serum concentration of NT-proBNP, an analyte associated with cognitive impairment and dementia.Conclusion: Increased HRF assessed during sleep was independently associated with diminished cognitive performance (concurrent and future) and with greater cognitive decline. These findings lend support to the links between cardiac neuroautonomic regulation and cognitive function. As a non-invasive, repeatable and inexpensive probe, HRF technology may be useful in monitoring cognitive status, predicting risk of dementia and assessing therapeutic interventions.

Comparative Evaluation of Marking Methods on Cast Parts of Al–Si Alloy with Image Processing

Quality issues caused by casting defects are commonly complicated to solve, because the part-specific process parameters are not traced to the individual cast part. This problem can be mitigated by the traceability of each cast part with an identifier code. Therefore, a study of the influence of marked surface topography and post-treatments on code symbol quality is desirable for a well-designed traceability system. In this work, the code symbol quality of laser, dot peen, and electrolytic marking methods on three as-cast surfaces of Al–Si alloy, after sandblasting and heat treatment, is evaluated comparatively with a customized image processing software. The result shows that the laser marking method produces the highest performance for different as-cast surfaces; electrolytic marking provides acceptable results only on the smooth surfaces of high-pressure die casting; dot peen marking produces the codes of high symbol contrasts, which are similar to those of laser marking, especially for rough as-cast surfaces of sand casting. However, for all marking methods, the code qualities of all surface topographies decrease substantially after post-treatments. Considering that dot peen marking has satisfying performances as well as low equipment and maintenance costs, this method is more suitable for small- and medium-size foundries to start to trace each cast part in an economical manner.

Network analysis of cognitive deficit in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

BackgroundCognitive impairments are found in 80% of patients with schizophrenia. The severity of these impairments significantly affects the recovery of patients in terms of social functioning.Network analysis is the most suitable approach for studying complex relationships among cognitive functions. AimTo build a network model of neurocognitive functions for identifying both the severity of impairments in individual functions and the vertices central to the whole model. MethodsThe study included 115 patients with schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders and a comparison group, comprising 99 healthy subjects. The severity of clinical symptoms was assessed using the PANSS, CDSS and YMRS, and the SAS and BARS for extrapyramidal symptoms and akathisia. Subjects from the comparison group completed screening questionnaires QIDS-SR and PQ-16. Neurocognitive functions were assessed using the BACS. ResultsThe patients performed worse than the healthy subjects on all tests. In the cognitive network models of healthy subjects, fewer connections were revealed and the central place was occupied by working memory, the functioning of which depends upon everyday functioning in the community. In the cognitive models of patients there was a greater connectedness of neurocognitive functions. Furthermore, the central place of the networks in patients is occupied by the processing speed, evaluated primarily using the Symbol Coding test, which reflects the dependence of patient activity on lower-order functions. ConclusionThe processing speed deficit is key to schizophrenia and it may be considered a potential endophenotype of the disease.

Longitudinal Associations between the Neighborhood Built Environment and Cognition in US Older Adults: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Few studies have examined associations between neighborhood built environments (BE) and longitudinally measured cognition. We examined whether four BE characteristics were associated with six-year change in global cognition and processing speed. We obtained data on 1816 participants without dementia from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. BE measures included social destination density, walking destination density, proportion of land dedicated to retail, and network ratio (street connectivity). Global cognition was measured with the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) and processing speed with the Digit Symbol Coding test (DSC). Multivariable random intercept logistic models tested associations between neighborhood BE at 2010–2012 and maintained/improved cognition (versus decline) from 2010–2018, and mediation by minutes of physical activity (PA)/week. The sample was an average of 67 years old (standard deviation = 8.2) (first cognitive measurement) and racially/ethnically diverse (29% African American, 11% Chinese, 17% Hispanic, 44% White). Compared to individuals with no walking destinations in the 1-mile surrounding their residence, those with 716 walking destinations (maximum observed) were 1.24 times more likely to have maintain/improved DSC score (Odds ratio: 1.24; 95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.45). No other associations were observed between BE and cognition, and PA minutes/week did not mediate the association between walking destination density and DSC change. This study provides limited evidence for an association between greater neighborhood walking destinations and maintained/improved processing speed in older age and no evidence for associations between the other BE characteristics and cognition. Future studies with finer grained BE and cognitive measures and longer-term follow up may be required.

Contribution of hypercapnia to cognitive impairment in severe sleep-disordered breathing.

Although cognitive impairment in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is primarily attributed to intermittent hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation, hypercapnia may also play a role in patients whose OSA is complicated by hypoventilation. This study investigated the impact of hypercapnia on cognitive function in severe sleep-disordered breathing (OSA accompanied by hypoventilation). Patients with severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index >30 events/h; n = 246) underwent evaluation for accompanying hypoventilation with polysomnography that included continuous transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO2) monitoring and awake arterial blood gas analysis. Patients were categorized as having no hypoventilation (n = 84), isolated sleep hypoventilation (n = 40), or awake hypoventilation (n = 122). Global cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), memory with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and processing speed with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), Digit Symbol Coding subtest (DSC). Apnea-hypopnea index was similar across groups (P = .15), but the sleep and awake hypoventilation groups had greater nocturnal hypoxemia compared with the no-hypoventilation group (P < .01). Within all groups, mean MoCA scores were < 26, which is the validated threshold to indicate mild cognitive impairment; RAVLT scores were lower than age-matched norms only in the awake-hypoventilation group (P ≤ .01); and DSC scores were lower than age-matched norms within all groups (P < .01). In multivariable regression analyses, higher arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and TcCO2 during wakefulness were associated with lower MoCA and DSC scores (P ≤ .03), independent of confounders including overlap syndrome (OSA + chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Awake hypoventilation is associated with greater deficits in cognitive function in patients with severe sleep-disordered breathing. Beaudin AE, Raneri JK, Ayas NT, Skomro RP, Smith EE, Hanly PJ; on behalf of Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network. Contribution of hypercapnia to cognitive impairment in severe sleep-disordered breathing. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(1):245-254.

Brain Atrophy Mediates the Relationship between Misfolded Proteins Deposition and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson’s disease is associated with cognitive decline, misfolded protein deposition and brain atrophy. We herein hypothesized that structural abnormalities may be mediators between plasma misfolded proteins and cognitive functions. Neuropsychological assessments including five domains (attention, executive, speech and language, memory and visuospatial functions), ultra-sensitive immunomagnetic reduction-based immunoassay (IMR) measured misfolded protein levels (phosphorylated-Tau, Amyloidβ-42 and 40, α-synuclein and neurofilament light chain) and auto-segmented brain volumetry using FreeSurfur were performed for 54 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and 37 normal participants. Our results revealed that PD patients have higher plasma misfolded protein levels. Phosphorylated-Tau (p-Tau) and Amyloidβ-42 (Aβ-42) were correlated with atrophy of bilateral cerebellum, right caudate nucleus, and right accumbens area (RAA). In mediation analysis, RAA atrophy completely mediated the relationship between p-Tau and digit symbol coding (DSC). RAA and bilateral cerebellar cortex atrophy partially mediated the Aβ-42 and executive function (DSC and abstract thinking) relationship. Our study concluded that, in PD, p-Tau deposition adversely impacts DSC by causing RAA atrophy. Aβ-42 deposition adversely impacts executive functions by causing RAA and bilateral cerebellum atrophy.

How do we measure attention? Using factor analysis to establish construct validity of neuropsychological tests

We investigated whether standardized neuropsychological tests and experimental cognitive paradigms measure the same cognitive faculties. Specifically, do neuropsychological tests commonly used to assess attention measure the same construct as attention paradigms used in cognitive psychology and neuroscience? We built on the “general attention factor”, comprising several widely used experimental paradigms (Huang et al., 2012). Participants (n = 636) completed an on-line battery (TestMyBrain.org) of six experimental tests [Multiple Object Tracking, Flanker Interference, Visual Working Memory, Approximate Number Sense, Spatial Configuration Visual Search, and Gradual Onset Continuous Performance Task (Grad CPT)] and eight neuropsychological tests [Trail Making Test versions A & B (TMT-A, TMT-B), Digit Symbol Coding, Forward and Backward Digit Span, Letter Cancellation, Spatial Span, and Arithmetic]. Exploratory factor analysis in a subset of 357 participants identified a five-factor structure: (1) attentional capacity (Multiple Object Tracking, Visual Working Memory, Digit Symbol Coding, Spatial Span), (2) search (Visual Search, TMT-A, TMT-B, Letter Cancellation); (3) Digit Span; (4) Arithmetic; and (5) Sustained Attention (GradCPT). Confirmatory analysis in 279 held-out participants showed that this model fit better than competing models. A hierarchical model where a general cognitive factor was imposed above the five specific factors fit as well as the model without the general factor. We conclude that Digit Span and Arithmetic tests should not be classified as attention tests. Digit Symbol Coding and Spatial Span tap attentional capacity, while TMT-A, TMT-B, and Letter Cancellation tap search (or attention-shifting) ability. These five tests can be classified as attention tests.

Neurocognitive Assessments Are More Important Among Adolescents Than Adults for Predicting Psychosis in Clinical High Risk

BackgroundFew studies have examined the effects of age on neurocognition to predict conversion to psychosis in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR). This study aimed to compare the extent and predictive performance of cognitive deficits between adolescents and adults at CHR. MethodsA comprehensive neuropsychological battery was performed on 325 CHR individuals and 365 healthy control (HC) subjects. The subjects were first divided into 189 CHR adolescents (age 12−17 years), 136 CHR adults (age 18−45 years), 88 HC adolescents, and 277 HC adults. CHR subjects were then divided into converters (CHR-Cs) (adolescents, n = 43; adults, n = 34) and nonconverters (CHR-NCs) (adolescents, n = 146; adults, n = 102) based on their 2-year follow-up clinical status. ResultsThe adolescents and adults at CHR performed significantly worse than their control groups on all neurocognitive tests, except for performance on the continuous performance test in adolescents. In the comparison between adolescents and adults, patterns of neurocognitive deficits seemed to vary in HC subjects rather than in CHR subjects. In the comparison between CHR and HC subjects, the rank order of effect sizes across the neurocognitive tests was similar for the top two tests of symbol coding and verbal learning. Comparison between CHR-Cs and CHR-NCs revealed that adolescent CHR-Cs performed significantly worse than CHR-NCs on seven of eight neurocognitive tests; however, adult CHR-Cs performed significantly worse than CHR-NCs only in the visuospatial memory test. ConclusionsThe role of neurocognitive dysfunction may have different patterns and weights during the onset of psychosis in adolescents and adults at CHR, implicating the development of specific strategies that could monitor and improve cognitive function in CHR adolescents.

Cognition of Graphical Notation for Processing Data in ERDAS IMAGINE

This article presents an evaluation of the ERDAS IMAGINE Spatial Model Editor from the perspective of effective cognition. Workflow models designed in Spatial Model Editor are used for the automatic processing of remote sensing data. The process steps are designed as a chain of operations in the workflow model. The functionalities of the Spatial Model Editor and the visual vocabulary are both important for users. The cognitive quality of the visual vocabulary increases the comprehension of workflows during creation and utilization. The visual vocabulary influences the user’s exploitation of workflow models. The complex Physics of Notations theory was applied to the visual vocabulary on ERDAS IMAGINE Spatial Model Editor. The results were supplemented and verified using the eye-tracking method. The evaluation of user gaze and the movement of the eyes above workflow models brought real insight into the user’s cognition of the model. The main findings are that ERDAS Spatial Model Editor mostly fulfils the requirements for effective cognition of visual vocabulary. Namely, the semantic transparency and dual coding of symbols are very high, according to the Physics of Notations theory. The semantic transparency and perceptual discriminability of the symbols are verified through eye-tracking. The eye-tracking results show that the curved connector lines adversely affect the velocity of reading and produce errors. The application of the Physics of Notations theory and the eye-tracking method provides a useful evaluation of graphical notation as well as recommendations for the user design of workflow models in their practice.

Association of Vascular Risk Scores and Cognitive Performance in a Diverse Cohort: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Vascular risk scores are associated with incident dementia. Information regarding their association with cognitive performance and decline in racially/ethnically diverse cohorts is lacking. In 4 392 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants (aged 60.1 ± 9.4 years; 53% women; 41% White, 11% Chinese American, 26% African American, 21% Hispanic), we compared associations of Exam 1 (2000-2002) Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE), Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (FSRP), and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease pooled cohort equation (ASCVD-PCE) risk scores with Exam 5 (2010-2012) Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI), Digit Symbol Coding (DSC), and Digit Span (DS) cognitive test performance using multivariable linear regression, and examined racial/ethnic interactions. In 1 838 participants with repeat CASI data at Exam 6 (2016-2018), we related risk scores to odds of a 1-SD decline in CASI performance using multivariable logistic regression. SD increments in each risk score were associated with worse cognitive performance. CAIDE had stronger associations with CASI performance than the FSRP and ASCVD-PCE, but associations of ASCVD-PCE with the DSC and DS were similar to CAIDE (difference in β [95% CI] = -0.57 [-1.48, 0.34] and -0.21 [-0.43, 0.01], respectively). Race/ethnicity modified associations. For example, associations between CAIDE and CASI were greater in African Americans and Hispanics than in Whites (difference in β = 0.69 [0.02, 1.36] and 1.67 [0.95, 2.39], respectively). Risk scores were comparably associated with decline in CASI performance. Antecedent vascular risk scores are associated with cognitive performance and decline in the 4 most common U.S. racial/ethnic groups, but associations differ among risk scores and by race/ethnicity.

Cognitive symptoms associated with antipsychotic course experience in residual schizophrenia

Urgency. The cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are recognized either as a part of a negative complex of symptomatic, where cognitive malfunction seem to be the secondary complication of emotional and motivational dysregulation; or as a separate group of schizophrenia manifestations that constitutes a massive part of a residual condition. Aim – to evaluate the cognitive functioning and analyze its violation levels in association with antipsychotic course experience in patients with residual schizophrenia. Results. The assessment of cognitive functions was established by direct testing in clinical setting. Education in years varied from 9 to 16, mean 11,27±2,12 in the population under study. The basic level of cognitive impairment was established: verbal memory test result was 31,6±11,6; digit sequencing test result was 13,4±5,7; token motor task test result was 40,1±18,3; verbal fluency test result was 41,2±10,7; symbol coding test result was 30,6±13,1; tower of london test result was 12,2±4,5. Some correlations were found: for chlorpromazine we can assume minor negative impact on token motor task (r= -0,22) and verbal fluency test (r= -0,27) results; for haloperidol we can assume more pronounced but still minor impact on token motor task (r= -0,22), verbal fluency test (r= -0,27), verbal memory test (r= -0,28) and tower of London test (r= -0,20) results; for trifluoperazine we can see minor negative impact on verbal fluency test (r= -0,26); for clozapine we can’t find any representative correlations with cognitive tests; chlorprothixene as we can assume have minor negative impact on verbal memory test (r= -0,32) result, but minor positive – on tower of London test (r= 0,21) result; for risperidone also assume minor positive impact on sequence coding test (r= 0,25), but other tests in battery show no significant correlations; for zuclopenthixol we can assume minor negative impact on token motor task (r= -0,22) and verbal fluency test (r= -0,31) results.

Lower cholinergic basal forebrain volumes link with cognitive difficulties in schizophrenia

A potential pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive difficulties in schizophrenia is a dysregulated cholinergic system. Particularly, the cholinergic basal forebrain nuclei (BFCN), the source of cortical cholinergic innervation, support multiple cognitive functions, ranging from attention to decision-making. We hypothesized that BFCN structural integrity is altered in schizophrenia and associated with patients’ attentional deficits. We assessed gray matter (GM) integrity of cytoarchitectonically defined BFCN region-of-interest in 72 patients with schizophrenia and 73 healthy controls, matched for age and gender, from the COBRE open-source database, via structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based volumetry. MRI-derived measures of GM integrity (i.e., volumes) were linked with performance on a symbol coding task (SCT), a paper-pencil-based metric that assesses attention, by correlation and mediation analysis. To assess the replicability of findings, we repeated the analyses in an independent dataset comprising 26 patients with schizophrenia and 24 matched healthy controls. BFCN volumes were lower in patients (t(139)=2.51, p = 0.01) and significantly associated with impaired SCT performance (r = 0.31, p = 0.01). Furthermore, lower BFCN volumes mediated the group difference in SCT performance. When including global GM volumes, which were lower in patients, as covariates-of-no-interest, these findings disappeared, indicating that schizophrenia did not have a specific effect on BFCN relative to other regional volume changes. We replicated these findings in the independent cohort, e.g., BFCN volumes were lower in patients and mediated patients’ impaired SCT performance. Results demonstrate lower BFCN volumes in schizophrenia, which link with patients’ attentional deficits. Data suggest that a dysregulated cholinergic system might contribute to cognitive difficulties in schizophrenia via impaired BFCN.

The Relationship Between Facial Expression and Cognitive Function in Patients With Depression.

Objective: Considerable evidence has shown that facial expression recognition ability and cognitive function are impaired in patients with depression. We aimed to investigate the relationship between facial expression recognition and cognitive function in patients with depression.Methods: A total of 51 participants (i.e., 31 patients with depression and 20 healthy control subjects) underwent facial expression recognition tests, measuring anger, fear, disgust, sadness, happiness, and surprise. The Chinese version of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), which assesses seven cognitive domains, was used.Results: When compared with a control group, there were differences in the recognition of the expressions of sadness (p = 0.036), happiness (p = 0.041), and disgust (p = 0.030) in a depression group. In terms of cognitive function, the scores of patients with depression in the Trail Making Test (TMT; p < 0.001), symbol coding (p < 0.001), spatial span (p < 0.001), mazes (p = 0.007), the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT; p = 0.001), category fluency (p = 0.029), and continuous performance test (p = 0.001) were lower than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. The accuracy of sadness and disgust expression recognition in patients with depression was significantly positively correlated with cognitive function scores. The deficits in sadness expression recognition were significantly correlated with the TMT (p = 0.001, r = 0.561), symbol coding (p = 0.001, r = 0.596), maze (p = 0.015, r = 0.439), and the BVMT (p = 0.044, r = 0.370). The deficits in disgust expression recognition were significantly correlated with impairments in the TMT (p = 0.005, r = 0.501) and symbol coding (p = 0.001, r = 0.560).Conclusion: Since cognitive function is impaired in patients with depression, the ability to recognize negative facial expressions declines, which is mainly reflected in processing speed, reasoning, problem-solving, and memory.

The Shattering Symmetries between the Imaginary and the Symbolic in Carter’s The Magic Toyshop

The Magic Toyshop tells the story of three siblings (Melanie, Jonathan and Victoria) and what they go through in Uncle Philip’s house, where they find themselves in a totally different psychic space which is characterised by the resonances of the imaginary and in which images function differently. Among these images, animal imagery is central to Melanie’s depiction of both the inhabitants of the house and the house itself. Through its emphasis on the images, along with the hard facts of life, the novel gives expression to the psychodynamics and the evolution (or lack of it) of the characters, and offers a context which attracts attention to the difference between the symbolic and the imaginary; also between the symbolic and the social, in Lacanian terms. Due to their foregrounded awareness of the imaginary dimension of material reality and Melanie’s role in transposing Finn to a union in which the symbolic codes prevail, the ending of the novel implies that rather than the traditional hierarchy of the patriarchal discourse, there will be another kind of relationship between Finn and Melanie. This essay aims to bring up a new hermeneutical frame about the novel through the discussion of the significance of their move from the symbolic to the imaginary, how they relate to material reality through images in Philip’s house, and how Melanie (with Finn) moves back to the symbolic, against the background of Lacanian ideas about the three registers, the logic of the signifiers, the imaginary father and ‘object little a’.

Mythologizing the face mask: How protective covers became political during the fine-dust and COVID-19 crises in South Korea

This study aimed to demonstrate how South Korean news media routinized and sensationalized the face mask amid two recent public health crises: the fine-dust crisis and the COVID-19 epidemic. News media appropriated the mythologized meaning of the face mask as a symbol of individual safety during the two crises. This study analyses news articles to answer three questions: (1) How was wearing the face mask mythologized as a routinized practice in days of uncertain risk? (2) How was the face mask politicized as a mythologized sign indicating China as an external threat? and (3) How was the face mask politicized as a symbolic code of the government’s responsibility for the crisis? Once signified as the primary means of individual protection in the context of Korean risk society, the face mask became politicized amid the shortage of the face mask. Placed in the context of the recent disastrous crises in Korea, China was identified as the culprit not only in the epidemic but also in the shortage of the face mask. The meaning of China as an external threat was continuously strengthened when the South Korean government opted out of the entry ban on Chinese citizens. The last analytic part presents how news media politicized the epidemic by associating the face mask crisis with the Korean government.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a potential novel biomarker for cognitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in schizophrenia. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor which is released into the circulation under stress or inflammation, is associated with cognition and also plays an important role in immunity. However, no study has investigated the relationship between macrophage migration inhibitory factor and cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia patients at baseline or after treatment. This study investigated the pre- and post-risperidone treatment correlations between serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels and cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia patients. A total of 83 first-episode schizophrenia patients who received risperidone monotherapy and 57 healthy controls - matched for sex, age, smoking status, education (years), marital status and waist-to-hip ratio - were included. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels were measured before and 10 weeks after treatment in the patient group and at baseline in the controls. Pre- and post-treatment cognitive functions in patients were assessed using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery. At baseline, macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels were significantly higher in first-episode schizophrenia patients than those in healthy controls (p < 0.01) and decreased in patients after 10 weeks of risperidone treatment compared with baseline (p < 0.05). The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery total score and the sub-scores for the Trail Making Test, Symbol Coding, Letter Number Sequence, Maze and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised improved significantly after risperidone treatment. After controlling for age, sex, education, waist-to-hip ratio and smoking status, partial correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between baseline macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels and patients' baseline MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery verbal memory scores (r = 0.29, p = 0.01). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor changes correlated negatively with verbal memory changes (r = -0.26, p = 0.04). Multiple linear regression analysis identified a definite correlation between the changes in word memory test score and macrophage migration inhibitory factor level (β = -0.09, p = 0.04). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor may be involved in the process of cognitive impairment in first-episode schizophrenia and repair mechanisms following risperidone treatment.

Codes With Availability for Multiple Code Symbols

Codes with availability allow us to access any code symbol simultaneously <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$t$ </tex-math></inline-formula> times using <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$t$ </tex-math></inline-formula> disjoint recovery sets in distributed data storage. Codes with availability that are studied in the literature provide availability for individual code symbols in the codeword. In this letter, we consider a new class of codes with availability. These codes provide availability <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$t$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for subsets of code symbols called multi-symbol sets. For these codes, an upper-bound on the minimum Hamming distance is derived. A construction for optimal codes with information multi-symbol availability is given. The optimal codes with multi-symbol availability allow us to access more symbols locally with the same locality, when compared to optimal codes with individual code symbol availability.