Understanding Of Cognition Research Articles

The interplay of age, gender and amyloid on brain and cognition in mid-life and older adults

Deficits in memory are seen as a canonical sign of aging and a prodrome to dementia in older adults. However, our understanding of age-related cognition and brain morphology occurring throughout a broader spectrum of adulthood remains limited. We quantified the relationship between cognitive function and brain morphology (sulcal width, SW) using three cross-sectional observational datasets (PISA, AIBL, ADNI) from mid-life to older adulthood, assessing the influence of age, sex, amyloid (Aβ) and genetic risk for dementia. The data comprised cognitive, genetic and neuroimaging measures of a total of 1570 non-clinical mid-life and older adults (mean age 72, range 49–90 years, 1330 males) and 1365 age- and sex-matched adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Among non-clinical adults, we found robust modes of co-variation between regional SW and multidomain cognitive function that differed between the mid-life and older age range. These cortical and cognitive profiles derived from healthy cohorts predicted out-of-sample AD and MCI. Furthermore, Aβ-deposition and educational attainment levels were associated with cognition but not SW. These findings underscoring the complex interplay between factors influencing cognition and brain structure from mid-life onwards, providing valuable insights for future research into neurodegeneration and the development of future screening algorithms.

A Comprehensive Comparative Study of Intuitive Physics Modeling in Machine Learning Trained with Cartoon and Realistic Data

Abstract. This study delves into the influence of training data typesspecifically cartoon versus realistic visual datasetson the development of intuitive physics modeling in machine learning. Intuitive physics, the inherent human ability to understand and predict the physical properties and dynamics of objects, presents a significant challenge for current AI systems to replicate accurately. Leveraging YOLOv5, a cutting-edge object detection model, this research systematically evaluates the cognitive understanding and performance of AI models trained on distinct types of visual data. The findings reveal that the visual complexity inherent in the training datasets plays a crucial role in shaping the model's ability to generalize and accurately perform intuitive physics tasks. Models trained on cartoon datasets exhibited different learning patterns and generalization capabilities compared to those trained on realistic data, providing valuable insights into the role of data representation in AI training. This research offers both theoretical advancements in understanding AI's cognitive limitations and practical guidance for designing AI systems that can interact with the physical world more effectively. Ultimately, the study contributes to bridging the gap between human cognition and machine learning, pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve in modeling complex, real-world phenomena.

Integrasi Penilaian Tes dan Non-Tes dalam Pendidikan Agama Islam: Menuju Evaluasi Holistik untuk Pembelajaran Berkelanjutan

This study discusses the development and implementation of an assessment model for Islamic Education (PAI) that integrates both test and non-test techniques. The study is conducted through a comprehensive literature review encompassing various academic sources related to PAI assessment. The findings reveal that test techniques, such as multiple-choice questions and essays, are highly effective in assessing students' cognitive understanding of Islamic concepts. However, these techniques have limitations in evaluating the affective and psychomotor domains, which are also crucial in shaping students' character. On the other hand, non-test techniques, including observations, portfolios, and projects, are better suited for assessing affective and psychomotor aspects, providing a more holistic view of students' development. The combination of test and non-test techniques allows for a more comprehensive, fair, and holistic evaluation of all aspects of student learning, encompassing knowledge, attitudes, and skills. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of a holistic assessment approach in Islamic education, as well as the need for teacher training in the application of non-test techniques to ensure objectivity and validity in assessments. Thus, this research makes a significant contribution to improving the quality of Islamic education through assessments that are more adaptive, responsive, and relevant to students' needs in the modern era

Update on the Neurobiology of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Review of Structural, Resting-State and Task-Based Brain Imaging Studies.

This review summarizes recent advances in research on the neurobiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD) according to structural brain imaging investigations and resting-state and task-based functional brain activation studies. Extending established findings on differences in regional brain volumes and cortical thickness between BPD and healthy controls, recent research illuminates shared and distinct brain structural characteristics compared to other psychiatric diagnoses, and uncovers relations of these brain structures with transdiagnostic symptoms and clinical features. Resting-state functional brain imaging studies reveal disruptions among adolescents and adults with BPD in frontolimbic and default-mode networks, which primarily underlie affect regulation and self-referential processes, respectively. Recent task-based functional brain imaging research builds on existing neurobiological understanding of emotion and cognition in BPD by revealing novel intersections with interpersonal- and stress-related processes. Studies of psychological and pharmacological interventions suggest possible effects on neural regions underlying emotion processing and behavioral control.

The Role of Religious Metaphors in Cognition Based on the Bible

The intricate relationship between religion and metaphor has long been a focal point of academic inquiry. This study uses the Bible as its main research topic to analyze the function and varieties of metaphors in religious texts and their effects on human cognition. It does this by drawing on cognitive linguistics and hermeneutic techniques. The study divides religious metaphors into two categories: single- and multi-interpretation kinds. It then uses concrete examples to examine how these metaphors are expressed and what cognitive underpinnings they have in the Bible. The paper underscores the diversity and dynamic nature of metaphor interpretation, revealing the essential role metaphors play in religious communication and belief formation. Ultimately, this study not only enhances our cognitive understanding of religious metaphors but also offers new perspectives for cross-cultural religious research.

Enhancing self-efficacy and coping mechanisms in special education: the effects of a cognitive behavioural therapy workshop on pre-service teachers in Israel

ABSTRACT This article examined a five-session Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) workshop’s impact on twelve third-year pre-service special education teachers in Israel. The primary objective was to investigate the efficacy of a five-session workshop tailored to enhance coping mechanisms and self-efficacy within the context of special education training. Results showed significant improvements in participants’ cognitive process understanding and coping abilities specific to special education demands. Challenges in implementing CBT techniques are identified, highlighting the need for practical training. The findings suggest that CBT workshops can effectively prepare pre-service teachers for the complexities of special education, improving their classroom management skills.

MeHA: A Computational Framework in Revealing the Genetic Basis of Animal Mental Health Traits Under an Intensive Farming System-A Case Study in Pigs.

Intensively farmed animals such as pigs inevitably experience a certain degree of psychological stress, which leads to a reduction in production performance. Mental health traits are currently difficult to measure, resulting in a gap in understanding their genetic basis. To address this challenge, we propose a computational framework called mental health of animals (MeHA), capable of revealing genes related to animal mental health traits. Using MeHA, we identified 109 candidate genes associated with pig mental health and discovered their intricate connections with critical functions, such as memory, cognition, and neural development, which are essential components of mental health and cognitive performance. Importantly, our findings provide evidence of the potential impact of these genes on economically important traits, including meat quality and piglet survival. This research underscores the importance of genetic studies in enhancing our understanding of animal behavior and cognition, as well as promoting agricultural practices. By applying our approach to study the genetic basis of mental health in pigs as a case, we confirmed that our framework is an effective way to reveal genetic factors affecting animal mental health traits, which contributes to animal welfare and has potential implications for understanding human mental disorders.

Deconstructing the Mapper algorithm to extract richer topological and temporal features from functional neuroimaging data

ABSTRACT Capturing and tracking large-scale brain activity dynamics holds the potential to deepen our understanding of cognition. Previously, tools from topological data analysis, especially Mapper, have been successfully used to mine brain activity dynamics at the highest spatiotemporal resolutions. Even though it is a relatively established tool within the field of topological data analysis, Mapper results are highly impacted by parameter selection. Given that noninvasive human neuroimaging data (e.g., from fMRI) is typically fraught with artifacts and no gold standards exist regarding “true” state transitions, we argue for a thorough examination of Mapper parameter choices to better reveal their impact. Using synthetic data (with known transition structure) and real fMRI data, we explore a variety of parameter choices for each Mapper step, thereby providing guidance and heuristics for the field. We also release our parameter exploration toolbox as a software package to make it easier for scientists to investigate and apply Mapper to any dataset.

What can the taxonomy of predicative possession in Malwai Punjabi tell us?

Abstract The study aims to examine the syntactic and semantic behaviors of predicative possession (i.e., have-possessive constructions) in Malwai Punjabi, an underdocumented dialect within the Indo-Aryan language family. Data were collected from longitudinal online interviews with native speakers as consultants, with audio recordings for transcribed target sentences. The results revealed that all the alienable possession, either permanent/temporary or abstract/concrete, could be marked by the postposition koḷ ‘near/with’, whereas inalienable possession, such as whole-part relation and kinship, could not be encoded using koḷ. The prototypicality model and schema-based metaphors explained why koḷ was widely used to express alienable possession in Malwai Punjabi. The analysis of companion and proximity schemata also justified the extended semantics of predicative possession, suggesting a metaphorical mapping of accompaniment and location onto possession. From a typological angle, the case study can not only provide further evidence for the existence of split possession but also contribute to a cognitive understanding of predicative possession in relation to other languages.

A dynamic link between respiration and arousal.

Viewing brain function through the lense of other physiological processes has critically added to our understanding of human cognition. Further advances though may need a closer look at the interactions between these physiological processes themselves. Here we characterise the interplay of the highly periodic, and metabolically vital respiratory process and fluctuations in arousal neuromodulation, a process classically seen as non-periodic. In data of three experiments (N = 56 / 27 / 25 women and men) we tested for covariations in respiratory and pupil size (arousal) dynamics. After substantiating a robust coupling in the largest dataset, we further show that coupling strength decreases during task performance compared with rest, and that it mirrors a decreased respiratory rate when participants take deeper breaths. Taken together, these findings suggest a stronger link between respiratory and arousal processes than previously thought. Moreover, these links imply a stronger coupling during periods of rest, and the effect of respiratory rate on the coupling suggests a driving role. As a consequence, studying the role of neuromodulatory arousal on cortical function may also need to consider respiratory influences.Significance statement We characterise the interplay of the respiratory rhythm and pupil diameter dynamics as a well-known proxy for arousal. Although we consistently find respiratory modulation of pupillary changes, they were most pronounced during periods of rest (compared to during task performance) and dependent on respiratory rate (deep vs. normal breathing).

Meningkatkan Kemampuan Bernalar Kritis Peserta Didik Pada Mata Pelajaran PAKBP Melalui Metode PBL Kelas IX SMPN 4 Menyuke

This research is motivated by the low learning motivation and critical thinking skills of students in the Catholic Religious Education subject at SMPN 4 Menyuke. The use of monotonous teaching methods is one of the main causes for the lack of stimulation for students to think critically. To address this issue, the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method was implemented as an interactive approach aimed at improving students' critical thinking skills and learning outcomes. This study used classroom action research conducted in two cycles. In cycle I, the observation of critical thinking skills showed that all students were in the "Developing" category with an average class score of 69.0. The most commonly achieved indicator was "Asking questions to clarify information," while the lowest was "Explaining assumptions used in the thinking process." In cycle II, there was a significant improvement with the average class score increasing to 81.1, reflecting the effectiveness of PBL in enhancing students' critical thinking and analysis. Cognitive learning outcomes also improved, where in cycle I most students were in the "Sufficient" category, and only 5 students reached the "Proficient" category with an average score of 78. In cycle II, the average score increased to 85, with several students reaching the "Proficient" category. This improvement between cycles indicates that PBL is effective in enhancing students' cognitive understanding.

Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Materi Kemampuan dan Keterbatasanku Melalui Problem Based Learning Peserta Didik pada Kelas 7 SMP Negeri 12 Kota Surakarta

This study explores the impact of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) on improving students' learning outcomes in the subject "Kemampuan dan Keterbatasanku" (My Abilities and Limitations) at SMP Negeri 12 Surakarta. Using Classroom Action Research (CAR), the study was conducted in two cycles involving Grade 7 students. Data were collected through tests, interviews, and observations, showing improvements in both cognitive understanding and student engagement. Problem Based Learning proved effective in helping students connect learning to real-life problems, fostering critical thinking and collaboration. Despite initial challenges in participation and motivation, students' outcomes significantly improved by the second cycle, with 75% of students meeting the learning goals. The findings suggest that Problem Based Learning can be an effective teaching model to enhance students' understanding and promote independentl earning.

Second-Order Neutral Differential Equations with a Sublinear Neutral Term: Examining the Oscillatory Behavior

This article highlights the oscillatory properties of second-order Emden–Fowler delay differential equations featuring sublinear neutral terms and multiple delays, encompassing both canonical and noncanonical cases. Through the proofs of several theorems, we investigate criteria for the oscillation of all solutions to the equations under study. By employing the Riccati technique in various ways, we derive results that expand the scope of previous research and enhance the cognitive understanding of this mathematical domain. Additionally, we provide three illustrative examples to demonstrate the validity and applicability of our findings.

Use of Offensive Animal Metaphor as an Interactional Activity in Online Forum Discussions

ABSTRACT This paper investigates offensive animal metaphors in blog comments about the management of donations of money and medical relief during the coronavirus pandemic in China. Rather than understanding the metaphorical usage of language as a cognitive process, we consider its situational usage as a social action and invoke insights from Conversation Analysis. Based on data retrieved from Sina Weibo, we show how discussants use animal metaphors to accomplish varying actions and construct intelligibility between themselves and others about the relationship between actions, moral accountability, and description of social events. We therefore argue that CA with its focus on topicality, action and societal membership can complement the cognitive understanding of the proximity between the source and the target domains.

교육과정 연계·통합 관점에 따른 빅 아이디어 제시 방식 분석: 싱가포르, 호주, IB, 한국을 중심으로

[Purpose] This study aims to analyze how big ideas are presented in domestic and international curricula from the perspective of curriculum linkage and integration, and to explore implications for improving South Korea's curriculum. [Methods] The study conducted a literature review of curricula from Singapore, Australia, IB, and South Korea that include big ideas. It examined the presentation patterns of big ideas, the scope of curriculum linkage and integration centered around big ideas, and the characteristics of the guidelines supporting big idea-centered curriculum linkage and integration in curriculum documents. [Results] First, foreign curricula present a small number of big ideas that penetrate the essence of each discipline. Second, a correlation between the presentation format of big ideas and the scope of curriculum linkage and integration was observed. Word-based formats are advantageous for broad interdisciplinary integration, while sentence-based formats are more appropriate for clear cognitive understanding at narrower, sub-disciplinary levels. Third, in foreign curricula, big ideas serve as a central axis for linking and integrating subjects or across disciplines. Fourth, foreign curricula provide specific guidelines to support big idea-centered curriculum linkage and integration. [Conclusion] Based on these findings, the study suggests the following for improving big ideas of South Korea's curriculum: introducing big ideas at an interdisciplinary level, enhancing the quality and optimizing the number of big ideas presented within subject domains, providing support for the effective implementation of big ideas, and establishing a process where big ideas are reviewed and redeveloped through thorough deliberation by subject areas.

Causal Explanations and the Growth of Understanding

Causal explanations are central to cognitive development. Once considered beyond the grasp of young children, causal reasoning is now understood to be present in infants, driving curiosity and learning. The search for causal explanations underlying recurring patterns is evident in nonverbal forms. Causal explanations are diverse, varying in granularity, spanning different content domains, and encompassing both deterministic and probabilistic forms. These explanations support counterfactual reasoning, diagnostic thinking, and learning. The emergence of causal explanatory thought in infants is suggested by their responses to anomalies and by the development of exploratory behaviors. In the preschool years, children build upon early abilities to request, evaluate, and generate explanations. The decline of causal explanation-seeking in young schoolchildren can be dramatic and seems to arise from a convergence of social, cultural, and motivational factors. Overall, the development of causal explanations is essential to cognitive growth and mature understanding, with enduring influences on learning and reasoning.

Who is responsible for migrant integration? Contextual political drivers of governance actors’ responsibility frames in small and medium European localities

ABSTRACT This article develops a comparative analysis of ‘responsibility frames’ of migrant integration – i.e. cognitive understandings about who should be responsible for migrant integration – held by actors involved in local integration governance across 36, rigorously selected, European small and medium towns and applies multilevel regression analysis to examine potential contextual and political drivers of the emergence of such frames. Our findings contribute to the existing literature on local integration frames indicating that, first, overall, frames that see integration as a responsibility of ‘migrants only’ prevail over other frames. Second, integration frames are localised, meaning that municipalities provide distinct contexts for the social construction of migrant integration. Third, political factors are crucial at both the individual and contextual level: not only elected local policymakers’ frames depend on their political party affiliation but also frames held by bureaucrats and non-public actors depend on the political affiliation of the local executive of their locality.

A short natural history of mental time travels: a journey still travelled?

Tulving's introduction of episodic memory and the metaphor of mental time travel has immensely enriched our understanding of human cognition. However, his focus on human psychology, with limited consideration of evolutionary perspectives, led to the entrenched notion that mental time travel is uniquely human. We contend that adopting a phylogenetic perspective offers a deeper insight into cognition, revealing it as a continuous evolutionary process. Adherence to the uniqueness of pre-defined psychological concepts obstructs a more complete understanding. We offer a concise natural history to elucidate how events that occurred hundreds of millions of years ago have been pivotal for our ability to mentally time travel. We discuss how the human brain, utilizing parts with ancient origins in a networked manner, enables mental time travel. This underscores that episodic memories and mental time travel are not isolated mental constructs but integral to our perception and representation of the world. We conclude by examining recent evidence of neuroanatomical correlates found only in great apes, which show great variability, indicating the ongoing evolution of mental time travel in humans.This article is part of the theme issue 'Elements of episodic memory: lessons from 40 years of research'.

Cognitive Mechanisms of Aberrant Self-Referential Social Perception in Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder: Insights From Computational Modeling.

Individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) show disruptions in self-referential gaze perception-a social perceptual process related to symptoms and functioning. However, our current mechanistic understanding of these dysfunctions and relationships is imprecise. The present study used mathematical modeling to uncover cognitive processes driving gaze perception abnormalities in SZ and BD, and how they relate to cognition, symptoms, and social functioning. We modeled the behavior of 28 SZ, 38 BD, and 34 controls (HC) in a self-referential gaze perception task using drift-diffusion models parameterized to index key cognitive components: drift rate (evidence accumulation efficiency), drift bias (perceptual bias), start point (expectation bias), threshold separation (response caution), and nondecision time (encoding/motor processes). Results revealed that aberrant gaze perception in SZ and BD was driven by less efficient evidence accumulation, perceptual biases predisposing self-referential responses, and greater caution (SZ only). Across SZ and HC, poorer social functioning was related to greater expectation biases. Within SZ, perceptual and expectancy biases were associated with hallucination and delusion severity, respectively. These findings indicate that diminished evidence accumulation and perceptual biases may underlie altered gaze perception in patients and that SZ may engage in compensatory cautiousness, sacrificing response speed to preserve accuracy. Moreover, biases at the belief and perceptual levels may relate to symptoms and functioning. Computational modeling can, therefore, be used to achieve a more nuanced, cognitive process-level understanding of the mechanisms of social cognitive difficulties, including gaze perception, in individuals with SZ and BD.

Defining mental health literacy: a systematic literature review and educational inspiration

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how the term “mental health literacy” (MHL) is defined and understand the implications for public mental health and educational interventions.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive search was conducted by searching PubMed, ERIC, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science. Keywords such as “mental health literacy” and “definition” were used. The publication year ranges from 1997 to 2023.FindingsIn total, 17 papers met the inclusion criteria. Three distinct themes characterise the definitions of MHL: cognitive understanding; affective empowerment; and behavioural change. In the mental health educational context, inspiration, transformation and practice can be viewed as three stages for curriculum development.Research limitations/implicationsDespite conducting a systematic literature review, there remains the possibility that certain relevant studies may not have been identified. Specifically, the selection criteria prioritise papers that explicitly addressed MHL.Practical implicationsTraditional educational approaches prioritise knowledge dissemination and attitude change; integrating MHL into mental health well-being curriculum advocates for action-oriented intervention to address mental health challenges.Social implicationsUnderstanding different definitions and concepts in a field can be valuable for consolidating shared understandings, highlighting tensions and contradictions, and enhancing communication among researchers. Ironically, perhaps, the process also highlights the provisional nature of these definitions.Originality/valueThe exploration of MHL with three themes of definitions sheds light on the understanding of this concept. Three core themes in MHL definitions guide future curriculum development. This study underscores the importance of prioritise action-oriented intervention in mental health education, emphasising the need to move beyond knowledge dissemination towards transformative practices that promote holistic mental well-being.