Neuroscience

In recent decades, developments in research technologies and therapeutic advances have generated immense public recognition for neuroscience. However, its origins as a field, often linked to partnerships and projects at various brain-focused research centres in the United States during the 1960s, can be traced much further back in time.

In A New Field in Mind Frank Stahnisch documents and analyzes the antecedents of the modern neurosciences as an interdisciplinary field. Although postwar American research centres, such as Francis O. Schmitt's Neuroscience Research Program at MIT, brought the modern field to prominence, Stahnisch reveals the pioneering collaborations in the early brain sciences at centres in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the first half of the twentieth century. One of these, Heinrich Obersteiner's institute in Vienna, began its work in the 1880s. Through case studies and collective biographies, Stahnisch investigates the evolving relationships between disciplines - anatomy, neurology, psychiatry, physiology, serology, and neurosurgery - which created new epistemological and social contexts for brain research. He also shows how changing political conditions in Central Europe affected the development of the neurosciences, ultimately leading to the expulsion of many physicians and researchers under the Nazi regime and their migration to North America.

An in-depth and innovative study, A New Field in Mind tracks the emergence and evolution of neuroscientific research from the late nineteenth century to the postwar period.

The minimum frustration principle is a computational approach which states that, in the long timescales of evolution, proteins’ freeenergy decreases more than expected by thermodynamical contraints as their aminoacids assume conformations progressively closer to the lowest energetic state. Here we show that this general principle, borrowed from protein folding dynamics, can be fruitfully applied to nervous function too. Highligting the foremost role of energetic requirements, macromolecular dynamics, and, above all, intertwined timescales in brain activity, the minimum frustration principle elucidates a wide range of mental processes, from sensations to memory retrieval. Brain functions are compared to trajectories which, in long nervous timescales, are attracted towards the lowenergy bottom of funnel-like structures characterized both by robustness and plasticity. We discuss how the principle, as derived explicitly from evolution and selection of a funneling structure from microdyn...

"The presentation guides you to discover in a fresh way how TESOL is a partial and integral expression of the Christian path to wholeness by virtue of the process of cultural, linguistic and identity paradigm shifts. What a meta-cognitive model integrating TESOL and Christianity does, is build from the empirical to the realm of the mind, heart and spirit - which is core transformation.  It’s a journey to an unseen and ideal place, much like Norton’s “imagined communities”.  This can be translated, of course, to Abraham’s journey to a heavenly city.  We meet our students there, in no-man’s-land as it were, and this model gives teachers and students a handle on how to move forward.

The hypothesis to detect a sequence of events by analyzing the EEG activity of two human partners spatially separated and connected only mentally, was explored sending to a member of the couple a sequence of silence-signal events and analyzing the EEG activity of the second member of the couple. By using a special classification algorithm and five couples of participants characterized by a long friendship and a capacity in maintaining a focused mental concentration, we observed an overall percentage of correct coincidences of 78%, ranging from one-hundred percent for the first two segments, to approximately forty-three percent of the last two. The percentages of coincidences of the first five segments of the protocol were above eighty percent.
Furthermore a robust statistically significant correlation was observed in the alpha band in twelve out fifteen pairs of recordings.
The observed results seem supporting the possibility to connect two brains at distance excluding conventional means, paving the way to devise a sort of mental telecommunication at distance.

A growing number of publications have been exploring the possible effects of mindfulness-based interventions on teachers' well-being and their professional lives. Notwithstanding promising results in this domain, this paper identifies some difficulties involved in introducing teachers to mindfulness and proposes that there may be a need to develop alternative routes by which to expose more teachers to experiences of mindfulness. We report on a mixed methods study of a 5-week teacher learning program implemented in an Israeli middle school with 30 teachers, 28 of which were females, with an age range of 29-55. The program was designed to invite teachers into initial experiences with mindfulness without formally engaging in mindfulness practice but rather based on studying education-relevant brain theory through a contemplative pedagogical approach. Outcomes were analyzed quantitatively by comparing collaborative concept maps created by the participants before and after undergoing in the program, and qualitatively by analyzing themes extracted from the participants’ discourse. Findings show that the program: (a) mobilized teachers from fixed to growth mindsets in regards to their role as educators as reflected in a significant increase in teachers’ beliefs that basic brain abilities are malleable (as extracted from the concept maps, p=0.004), (b) offered them initial experiences of mindfulness, and (c) possibly opened them to consider more direct approaches to mindfulness practice that are offered in mindfulness-based interventions.

Virtual reality (VR) head-mounted displays (HMD) appear to be effective research tools,
which may address the problem of ecological validity in neuropsychological testing.
However, their widespread implementation is hindered by VR induced symptoms
and effects (VRISE) and the lack of skills in VR software development. This study
offers guidelines for the development of VR software in cognitive neuroscience and
neuropsychology, by describing and discussing the stages of the development of Virtual
Reality Everyday Assessment Lab (VR-EAL), the first neuropsychological battery in
immersive VR. Techniques for evaluating cognitive functions within a realistic storyline
are discussed. The utility of various assets in Unity, software development kits, and other
software are described so that cognitive scientists can overcome challenges pertinent
to VRISE and the quality of the VR software. In addition, this pilot study attempts to
evaluate VR-EAL in accordance with the necessary criteria for VR software for research
purposes. The VR neuroscience questionnaire (VRNQ; Kourtesis et al., 2019b) was
implemented to appraise the quality of the three versions of VR-EAL in terms of user
experience, game mechanics, in-game assistance, and VRISE. Twenty-five participants
aged between 20 and 45 years with 12–16 years of full-time education evaluated various
versions of VR-EAL. The final version of VR-EAL achieved high scores in every sub-score
of the VRNQ and exceeded its parsimonious cut-offs. It also appeared to have better
in-game assistance and game mechanics, while its improved graphics substantially increased the quality of the user experience and almost eradicated VRISE. The results
substantially support the feasibility of the development of effective VR research and
clinical software without the presence of VRISE during a 60-min VR session.

As hundreds of so-called "psychotherapies" have been foisted onto the public, all claiming to treat "mental illness," newer understandings of how the human brain actually works and the processes which drive the formations of mentation that we refer to as "the mind," demand a reassessment of what exactly we are referring to by the term "mental illness" and what kinds of intervention would be feasible in both the prevention of and recovery from cognitive and behavioral disorder. A fundamental process in the formation of an individual's mentation is the associations of experience. These associations not only account for constructive behavior, but can also lead to deleterious or negative behavior, suggesting that some associations are negative and therefore the negative behavior can be remolded through contrasting positive associations; however, to understand what this really means and how it works, we must start at the beginning and define what exactly is this negative behavior that we refer to by the term "mental illness." One of the most important axioms of life so simply but profoundly phrased by Oscar Wilde, is that "the truth is rarely pure and NEVER simple" (emphasis mine). Nothing can ever be explained by simple sound bites – oversimplification is just another word for misrepresentation – so to understand, we must truly engage the subject, and to engage the subject, we must first and foremost clearly define what it is that we are seeking to understand. In this case, it demands that we understand what exactly is mental illness.

External ventricular drains (EVDs) are commonly used to facilitate removal of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with neurologic dysfunction. Despite a high risk for infection (upward of 45%), many hospitals lack strict protocols for EVD placement and maintenance. In addition, EVD infections are typically not tracked with the same diligence as central-line catheter infections, because there are no widely accepted standards for routine management of EVDs. The purpose of this review is to provide a guide for the development of a standardized, best practice EVD protocol for catheter insertion, care, and maintenance to reduce ventriculostomy-related infections. A secondary goal of this review is to provide support for the future development of guidelines for the consistent tracking of EVD insertion and maintenance practices. At an academic medical center, an interdisciplinary team of nurses, advanced practice nurses, and neurointensivists reviewed recent medical and nursing literature as well as research-based institutional protocols on EVD insertion and maintenance from the United States and abroad to determine global best practices. The goal of this literature review was to identify key areas of focus in EVD insertion and maintenance as well as to identify recent studies that have shown success in managing EVDs with low rates of infection. The following terms were used in this search: EVD, externalized ventricular drains, EVD infections, EVD insertion, EVD Care and Maintenance, Nursing and EVDS. The following databases were utilized by each member of the interdisciplinary team to establish a state of the science on EVD management: American Association of Neurosurgical Surgeons, CINAHL, Cochrane, National Guidelines Clearinghouse, and PubMed. The following common EVD themes were identified: preinsertion hair removal and skin preparation, aseptic technique, catheter selection, monitoring of EVD insertion technique using a ''bundle'' approach, postinsertion dressing type and frequency of dressing changes, techniques for maintenance and cerebrospinal fluid sampling, duration of catheter placement, staff education/competence, and surveillance.

NB: Out of Stock. The 2nd edition, entitled "Neurology: Self-Assessment for MRCP(UK) Neurology SCE", was published in 2023 and is found here: https://www.academia.edu/96771620/Neurology_Self_Assessment_for_MRCP_UK_Neurology_SCE
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You will find 792 questions of different formats, distributed into 3 chapters. The 215 multiple choice questions of chapter one will surf you onto a rapid review of information to consolidate your background knowledge of neuro-anatomy, neuro-physiology, neuro-pharmacology, neuro-pathology,…etc. In addition, testing the clinical aspects of various diseases is also included. Chapter two will self-assess you in terms of how to make a provisional diagnosis, what features refute or confirm your preliminary diagnosis, how to investigate, what to do next, the best treatment option, and the prognosis of various diseases. The photographic materials are found in chapter three. You will encounter various neurological complications/manifestations/signs of system diseases as well. Brain CT scan, MRI, MRV, and EEG images,…etc of common diseases will test your ability to interpret/read/analyze their diagnosis and management. About 490 pages, full-color, on white.

This study investigated the effect of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on the selective attention of hyperactive children designated as favorable or adverse responders to stimulant medication. Using a type II incidental learning paradigm, it was found that children in the drug condition recalled more central and less incidental stimuli than those children in the placebo condition. While no differential effects on recall were found for responder type, methylphenidate did affect the
spontaneous overt labeling of central stimuli by the favorable responder group. Results were interpreted in terms of the role of methylphenidate in narrowing the focus of attention. Implications for the classification of hyperactive children
as favorable and adverse responders were also discussed.

Ritmo circadiano: el reloj maestro. Alteraciones que comprometen el estado de sueño y vigilia en el área de la salud Circadian rhythm: the master clock. Alterations involving the state of sleep and wakefulness in the area of healt. Resumen El sueño es un fenómeno periódico activo regular que se adapta a las variaciones biológicas del tiempo mediante ritmos biológicos como los circadianos, infradianos y ultradianos; el ritmo circadiano es descrito como un ciclo cercano a 24 horas, que permite reconocer los fenómenos de sueño-vigilia y su acción homeostática , en los procesos sistémicos de todo ser vivo. El sistema circadiano está compuesto por fotorreceptores, marcapasos y vías eferentes que permiten un funcionamiento regular del estado sueño y vigilia. Desde tiempos arcaicos el hombre ha organizado sus actividades apoyándose en fases de luz y oscuridad, por tal razón ha sido objeto de investigación desde aspectos moleculares, fisiológicos y patológicos. Se destaca la acción fisiológica de núcleos cerebrales, receptores de membrana y hormonas que cumplen un papel fundamental en el ciclo circadiano. En el personal de la salud se resaltan alteraciones en el ritmo biológico de sueño/vigilia que están involucrados con jornadas nocturnas y situaciones de estrés; por tanto, ciertos estudios de investigación descriptiva arrojaron cambios en el reloj biológico, lo cual generó una serie de variables en el aspecto físico, ergonómico y sicosocial. Abstract The sleep is a regular active periodic phenomenon that adapts itself to the biological changes of the time by means of biological rhythms as the circadian, infradiano and ultradian; the circadian rhythm is described as a cycle near to 24 hours, which allows