Dopamine in the prefrontal cortex plays multiple roles in the executive function of patients with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson’s disease can affect not only motor functions but also cognitive abilities,leading to cognitive impairment.One common issue in Parkinson’s disease with cognitive dysfunction is the difficulty in executive functioning.Executive functions help us plan,organize,and control our actions based on our goals.The brain area responsible for executive functions is called the prefrontal co rtex.It acts as the command center for the brain,especially when it comes to regulating executive functions.The role of the prefrontal cortex in cognitive processes is influenced by a chemical messenger called dopamine.However,little is known about how dopamine affects the cognitive functions of patients with Parkinson’s disease.In this article,the authors review the latest research on this topic.They start by looking at how the dopaminergic syste m,is alte red in Parkinson’s disease with executive dysfunction.Then,they explore how these changes in dopamine impact the synaptic structure,electrical activity,and connection components of the prefrontal cortex.The authors also summarize the relationship between Parkinson’s disease and dopamine-related cognitive issues.This information may offer valuable insights and directions for further research and improvement in the clinical treatment of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease.

Perspectives and Experiences of Education Stakeholders: A Quantitative Study on the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Executive Training Using Structural Equation Modeling

The recent increase in the use of artificial intelligence has led to fundamental changes in the development of training and teaching methods for executive education. However, the success of artificial intelligence in regional centers for teaching and training professions will depend on the acceptance of this technology by young executive trainees. This article discusses the potential benefits of adopting AI in executive training institutions in Morocco, specifically focusing on CRMEF Casablanca Settat. Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) (Venkatesh et al., 2003), this study proposes a model to identify the factors influencing the acceptance of artificial intelligence in regional centers for teaching professions and training in Morocco. To achieve this, a structural equation modeling approach was used to quantitatively describe the impact of each factor on AI adoption, utilizing data collected from 173 young executive trainees. The results indicate that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, trainer influence, and personal innovativeness influence the intention to use artificial intelligence. Our research provides managers of CRMEFs with a set of practical recommendations to enhance the implementation conditions of an artificial intelligence system. It aims to understand which factors should be considered in designing an artificial intelligence system within regional centers for teaching professions and training (CRMEFs).

The Trade-Off Between Performance and Security of Virtualized Trusted Execution Environment on Android

Nowadays,with the significant growth of the mobile market,security issues on the Android Operation System have also become an urgent matter.Trusted execution environment(TEE)technologies are considered an option for satisfying the inviolable property by taking advantage of hardware security.However,for Android,TEE technologies still contain restrictions and limitations.The first issue is that non-original equipment manufacturer developers have limited access to the functionality of hardware-based TEE.Another issue of hardware-based TEE is the cross-platform problem.Since every mobile device supports different TEE vendors,it becomes an obstacle for developers to migrate their trusted applications to other Android devices.A software-based TEE solution is a potential approach that allows developers to customize,package and deliver the product efficiently.Motivated by that idea,this paper introduces a VTEE model,a software-based TEE solution,on Android devices.This research contributes to the analysis of the feasibility of using a virtualized TEE on Android devices by considering two metrics:computing performance and security.The experiment shows that the VTEE model can host other software-based TEE services and deliver various cryptography TEE functions on theAndroid environment.The security evaluation shows that adding the VTEE model to the existing Android does not addmore security issues to the traditional design.Overall,this paper shows applicable solutions to adjust the balance between computing performance and security.

Critical Success Factors Influencing the Implementation of Sustainable Energy System in Uganda: A Case of Inter-University Council of East Africa Energy Project at the Head Quarters in Kampala, Uganda

The widespread usage of clean and sustainable energy sources is leading to a significant transformation of the world’s energy systems. Over-reliance on only the national grid energy system has made institutions fail to sustain energy systems. The council is only connected to the national grid electricity supply system, with diesel generators as the only alternative, which is unhealthy and unsafe. Surprisingly, even with such alternatives, power shortages have persisted despite government efforts to provide a solution to the shortages by installing numerous off-grid systems. Due to such a situation, the council would construct a sustainable energy system as a remedy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish critical success factors influencing the implementation of a sustainable energy system at the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) Head Quarters, Kampala-Uganda. A cross-sectional survey design was used;a sample size of 84 participants was selected. Questionnaire survey and interview methods were utilized. The study found that the most significant (p < 0.05) critical factors in the implementation of sustainable energy in institutions are;the use of innovative technologies and infrastructure, the use of efficient zero emissions for heating and cooling, integration of renewable energy use in the existing buildings, building and renovating in an energy-efficient way, integrating regional energy systems, improving energy efficiency in the buildings, enhanced zero emission power technologies, energy efficient equipment in place and stakeholder empowerment in energy management. This study concludes that institutions like;the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) need to clearly state policies and actions of energy management. The roles and responsibilities of each member have to be clearly stated while capturing the activities involved in energy conservation, energy security and energy efficiency.

Clinical study of different modes of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of post‑stroke executive dysfunction

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS)and high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)on post‑stroke executive impairment(PSEI).Methods:Ninety patients with PSEI who were hospitalized in the rehabilitation department of Xuzhou Central Hospital and Xuzhou Rehabilitation Hospital from April 2021 to June 2022 were selected and divided into iTBS group,high‑frequency group and control group.All three groups of patients received routine rehabilitation training,given rTMS treatment with iTBS,10 Hz and shame stimulation for 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,all the patients were evaluated with the Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA),the frontal assessment battery(FAB),troop color‑word test(SCWT),shape trails test(STT),digit span test(DST)and event related potential P300.Results:After treatment,MoCA,FAB,SCWT,STT,DST scores,P300 latency and amplitude were significantly better in the three groups than before treatment(P<0.05).MoCA,FAB,SCWT,STT‑B,DST scores,P300 latency and amplitude in the iTBS group and high‑frequency group were better than in the control group,with significant differences(P<0.05).The difference between iTBS group and high‑frequency group was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:iTBS can improve PSEI,and the efficacy is comparable to 10Hz rTMS.iTBS takes less time with better efficiency,and it is worth popularizing and applying in clinic.

ARCHITECTURE OF MANUFACTURING EXECUTION SYSTEM IN THE EXTENDED ENTERPRISE

The extended enterprise is formed according to the philosophy of dispersednetworked manufacturing. Manufacturing execution system (MES) can close the information gap whichexists between device control system and production information management system. The functions andthe web-based architecture of the MES in the extended enterprise are introduced. Using thecooperating system models of object-oriented and distributed agents and CORBA, all objects keep touniform interface standards and are easily inserted to object request broker. The utilization ofdistributed MES in extended enterprise can adapt fast change of manufacturing environment andresource. It also can improve the independent management capability of manufacturing cell and theenterprise response capability to global economic competition.

SecMVX:Analysis on the Vulnerability of Multi-Variant Execution

As an active defenses technique,multivariant execution(MVX)can detect attacks by monitoring the consistency of heterogeneous variants with parallel execution.Compared with patch-style passive defense,MVX can defend against known and even unknown vulnerability-based attacks without relying on attack feature information.However,variants generated with software diversity technologies will introduce new vulnerabilities when they execute in parallel.First,we analyze the security of MVX theory from the perspective of formal description.Then we summarize the general forms and techniques for attacks against MVX,and analyze the new vulnerabilities arising from the combination of variant generation technologies.We propose SecMVX,a secure MVX architecture and variant generation technology.Experimental evaluations based on CVEs and SPEC 2006 benchmark show that SecMVX introduces 11.29%of the average time overhead,and avoids vulnerabilities caused by the improper combination of variant generation technologies while keeping the defensive ability of MVX.

Specifying the Global Execution Context of Computer-Mediated Tasks: A Visual Notation and a Supporting Tool

This paper presents the notion of the global execution context of a task as a representational construct for analysing complexity in software evolution. Based on this notion a visual notation and a supporting tool are presented to support specification of a system’s global execution context. A system’s global execution context is conceived as an evolving network of use scenarios depicted by nodes and links designating semantic relationships between scenarios. A node represents either a base or a growth scenario. Directed links characterize the transition from one node to another by means of semantic scenario relationships. Each growth scenario is generated following a critique (or screening) of one or more base or reference scenarios. Subsequently, representative growth scenarios are compiled and consolidated in the global execution context graph. The paper describes the stages of this process, presents the tool designed to facilitate the construction of the global execution context graph and elaborates on recent practice and experience.

Auditory hallucinations: A review of the ERC “VOICE” project

In this invited review I provide a selective overview of recent research on brain mechanisms and cognitive processes involved in auditory hallucinations. The review is focused on research carried out in the "VOICE" ERC Advanced Grant Project, funded by the European Research Council, but I also review and discuss the literature in general. Auditory hallucinations are suggested to be perceptual phenomena, with a neuronal origin in the speech perception areas in the temporal lobe. The phenomenology of auditory hallucinations is conceptualized along three domains, or dimensions; a perceptual dimension, experienced as someone speaking to the patient; a cognitive dimension, experienced as an inability to inhibit, or ignore the voices, and an emotional dimension, experienced as the "voices" having primarily a negative, or sinister, emotional tone. I will review cognitive, imaging, and neurochemistry data related to these dimensions, primarily the first two. The reviewed data are summarized in a model that sees auditory hallucinations as initiated from temporal lobe neuronal hyper-activation that draws attentional focus inward, and which is not inhibited due to frontal lobe hypo-activation. It is further suggested that this is maintained through abnormal glutamate and possibly gamma-amino-butyric-acid transmitter mediation, which could point towards new pathways for pharmacological treatment. A final section discusses new methods of acquiring quantitative data on the phenomenology and subjective experience of auditory hallucination that goes beyond standard interview questionnaires, by suggesting an iP hone/iP od app.

Atrophy of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is associated with poor performance in verbal fluency in elderly poststroke women

This study aimed to investigate the association between atrophy in the prefrontal cortex with executive function and verbal fluency in elderly male and female patients poststroke. Thirty elderly female patients with non-aphasic ischemic stroke aged -〉 60 years and 30 age-matched non-aphasic male patients with ischemic stroke were recruited. Automatic magnetic resonance imaging segmentation was used to assess the volume of the whole prefrontal cortex, along with its subdivisions： anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The Semantic Verbal Fluency Test was administered at 3 and 15 months poststroke. At 3 months poststroke, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex volume was significantly correlated with Verbal Fluency Test score in female patients only （partial coefficient = 0.453, P = 0.045）, after controlling for age, education, diabetes, neurological deficit, white matter lesions volume, as well as the location and volume of infarcts. At 15 months poststroke, there remained a significant association between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex volume and Verbal Fluency Test （partial coefficient = 0.661, P = 0.001） and between the left prefrontal cortex volume and Verbal Fluency Test （partial coefficient = 0.573, P = 0.004） in female patients after the same adjustments. These findings indicate that atrophy of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex contributes to the impairment of verbal fluency in elderly female patients with stroke. Sex differences may be present in the neuropsychological mechanisms of verbal fluency impairment in patients with stroke.

Unit Commitment under the Environment of Wind Power and Large-Scale Bilateral Transactions

Bilateral electric power contract is settled based on contract output curve. This paper considered the bilateral transactions execution, new energy accommodation, power grid security and generation economy, considering the executive priority of different power components to establish a multi-objective coordination unit commitment model. Through an example to verify the effectiveness of the model in promoting wind power consumption, guaranteeing trade execution, and improving power generation efficiency, and analyzed the interactions to each other among the factors of wind power, trading and blocking. According to the results, when wind power causes reverse power flow in the congestion line, it will promote the implementation of contracts, the influence of wind power accommodation to trade execution should be analyzed combined with the grid block, the results can provide reference for wind power planning.

The Impact of Fidget Spinners on Fine Motor Skills in Individuals with and without ADHD: An Exploratory Analysis

Fidget spinners have been marketed as repetitive motion devices that improve attention and motor performance, and as such, they have become quite appealing to individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). To date, no studies have explored changes in brain activity that may occur due to fidgeting in ADHD. Our aim was to use functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during the performance of a standardized fine motor skills test after using a fidget spinner. Eight right-handed adults with ADHD and eight age and gender matched adults without ADHD (4F/4M, 4 control/4 fidget) performed the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) while their brain oxygenation was monitored using fNIRS. Relative neural efficiency (RNE) and involvement (RNI) were calculated and analyzed for all subtasks of PPT including the less cognitively demanding fine motor subtasks and more complex assembly tasks. The fidget spinner improved both task performance and RNE in the ADHD group but not the non-ADHD group for the less cognitively demanding subtasks. Our results indicate Fidget spinners may improve both relative neural efficiency and fine motor performance in adults with ADHD for less cognitively demanding tasks.

Visual feedback therapy for restoration of upper limb function of stroke patients

Objective:To investigate the effects of mirror neuron theory-based visual feedback therapy(VFT)on restoration of upper limb function of stroke patients and motor-related cortical function using functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI).Methods:Hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups:a VFT group and a control(CTL)group.Sixteen patients in the VFT group received conventional rehabilitation(CR)and VFT for 8 weeks,while 15 patients in the CTL group received only CR.The Barthel Index(BI)was used to assess the activities of daily living at baseline and the 8th week of the recovery training period.The Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA)scale,somatosensory evoked potential(SEP),and fMRI were used to evaluate the recovery effect of the training therapies.The latencies and amplitudes of N9 and N20 were measured.Before recovery training,fMRI was performed for all patients in the VFT and CTL groups.In addition,17 patients(9 in the VFT group and 8 in the CTL group)underwent fMRI for follow-up 2 months after treatment.Qualitative data were analyzed using the x2 test.The independent sample t-test was used to compare normally distributed data among different groups,the paired sample t-test was used to compare data between groups,and the non-parametric test was used to comparing data without normal distribution among groups.Results:There were no significant differences between the VFT and CTL group in all indexes.However,after 8 weeks of recovery training,these indexes were all significantly improved(P<0.05).As compared with the CTL group,the FMA scores,BI,and N9/N20 latencies and amplitudes of SEP in the VFT group were significantly improved(P<0.05).Two months after recovery training,fMRI showed that the degree of activation of the bilateral central anterior gyrus.parietal lobe,and auxiliary motor areas was significantly higher in the VFT group than the CTL group(P<0.05).Conclusions:VFT based on mirror neuron theory is an effective approach to improve upper extremity motor function and daily activity performance of stroke patients.The therapeutic mechanism promotes motor relearning by activating the mirror neuron system and motor cortex.SEP amplitudes increased only for patients who participated in visual feedback.VFT promotes sensory-motor plasticity and behavioral changes in both the motor and sensory domains.

The Dynamic Checking of Complex Real Time System

The paper presents an dynamic execution model of complex real-time software based on requirement description model RTRSM, and then propose a checking method based on configuration covering and its corresponding algorithm. This checking method can check the execution situations between parallel elements in a dynamic execution step of real-time software systems. It also can check all the states and transitions which assure the completeness of checking. In the end, related theorem is proofed.

Bibliographical Review on Rehabilitation of Executive Functions in Patients With Developmental Coordination Disorder(DCD)

The present study aims to establish a literature review on intervention programs for executive functions(EFs)through the use of fundamental motor skills,from a neuropsychopedagogical perspective in subjects with Developmental Coordination Disorder(DCD).An exploratory study was carried out through an integrative literature review.The research was carried out in the Scientific databases Electronic Library Online(SciELO),Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences(LILACS),Virtual Health Library-Psychology Brazil(BVSPSI),Electronic Journals of Psychology(PePSIC),in the periodicals available in the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations(BDTD)and on the website of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel(CAPES).The covering publications took place from 2018 to 2023,14 articles were selected for analysis.This literature review made it possible to create strategies for stimulating EF and Visuomotor Functions so that educators and other professionals can better deal with students with DCD.It was perceived the need to carry out and develop more empirical research regarding the intervention of EFs and Visuomotor Functions by educators and professionals,with a greater sampling amplitude,to increase the number of studies that enable interventions both in children and in teenagers with DCD.

Executive and Non-Executive Functions in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder of the Inattentive Type (ADHD-I): A Cognitive Profile

Objective: This study examined the hypothesis that individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I), show both executive function (EF) deficits and non-EF deficits. Method: A group with ADHD-I (n = 16) and a paired control group (n = 21) completed a battery of tasks covering the major domains of EF (planning, working memory, flexibility and inhibition) and non-EF (alertness, divided attention, flexibility, sustained attention, visual field and visual scanning). Results: EF impairments in planning, spatial working memory, flexibility, and inhibition as well as non-EF impairments in divided attention, flexibility, sustained attention and visual scanning were observed in the ADHD-I group. Conclusion: Our results do not support the traditional model of ADHD. Given that neither EF nor non-EF tests typically distinguish ADHD-I from ADHD-C, alternative methodologies are required to confirm the validity of ADHD subtypes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.

The Influence of Exercise and Caffeine on Cognitive Function in College Students

Exercise has widely been shown to improve cognition, potentially by making individuals more receptive to sensory stimulation or inhibiting irrelevant information. Caffeine, one of the world’s most widely used stimulants, seems to have similar effects. It seems that both exercise and caffeine improve cognitive function separately, but little research has been done examining their combined effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of caffeine and exercise, independently and combined, on cognitive function. 20 healthy college students completed the study. These participants were low caffeine consumers. Each participant came to the lab 5 times. During the first session, they completed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine ventilatory threshold (VT). The following four sessions were test sessions involving supplementation and exercise. During these, each participant engaged in 30 minutes of cycling (at 90% VT) or 30 minutes of quiet reading after consuming either caffeine (at 4 mg/kg body weight) or a placebo. The Contingent Continuous Performance Task (CPT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task were used to measure cognitive function and were completed 5 minutes and 20 minutes after exercise or quiet reading. There were no significant differences found for any variables tested, for condition effect, time effect or condition*time interaction, except for a significant time effect on false alarms on the Contingent CPT (p = 0.017). This study may have been limited by multiple variables including the population, executive function measures, caffeine dosage, or exercise prescription. These findings point to the need for future research to understand the changes in cognition from exercise and caffeine in combination. Future research may include looking at exercise at different intensities, different dosages of caffeine, or looking at the long-term cognitive effects.

The Feasibility of a Novel Dual-Task Exercise Program Which Integrates Balance, Gaze, Mobility and Cognition in Community Dwelling Older Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Pilot Trial

Background: Mobility limitations and cognitive impairments which are common with ageing often coexist, causing a reduction in the levels of physical and mental activity and are prognostic of future adverse health events and falls. Consequently, multi-task training paradigms that simultaneously address both mobility and cognition benefit healthy ageing are important to consider in rehabilitation as well as primary prevention. Objectives: An exploratory RCT is being conducted to: a) describe the feasibility and acceptability of the study design and process, procedures, resources and management in two game-based dual-task training programs delivered in the community;b) to explore the lived experiences of the study participants who completed their respective exercise programs. A secondary objective is to obtain preliminary data on the therapeutic effectiveness of the two dual-task training programs. Methods: Thirty healthy older community dwelling participants aged 70 - 85 with previous history of falls will be recruited and randomized to either dual- task treadmill walking (experimental group) or dual-task recumbent bicycle (control group). Data analysis: The qualitative data will be analyzed by two investigators using a content analysis approach. For the quantitative data, outcome measures will be collected pre and post intervention and included measures to assess core balance, spatial-temporal gait variables, visual tracking and cognitive function, as well as, balance and gait analysis under dual-task conditions. Discussion: This research will demonstrate the feasibility of the dual-task training programs in the community, and demonstrate the system’s ability to improve targeted and integrated (dual-task) aspects of balance, mobility, gaze, and cognitive performance. A blended analysis of balance, mobility gaze and cognition will also contribute to a better understanding of the functional consequences of decline in physical and mental skills with age. Trial registration: This pilot clinical trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System: NCT01940055.

Impact of Auditory-Verbal Therapy on executive functions in children with Cochlear Implants

Objective: Auditory-Verbal Therapy(AVT) can be considered one of the best practices for children with Cochlear Implants(CIs) who show impairments in cognitive skills such as executive functions. Hence,this research examined the impact of AVT on the executive functions in children with CIs.Methods: This was a randomized case control study with pre-and post-intervention assessments. The participants were 36 children with CIs and their mothers. They were randomly selected from rehabilitation centers and deaf pre-schools, and randomly allocated to a control(n = 18) and a study(n = 18)group. The mean age of the children in the study and control groups was 3.11 ± 0.31 years and 3.20 ± 0.29years, respectively. Participants in the study group received 20 sessions of AVT over 10 weeks at twice a week, while those in the control group did not. All mothers completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Pre-school Version(BRIEF-P) before and after children in the study group completed their AVT intervention. Data were analyzed by MANCOVA.Results: The results suggest that AVT significantly influenced executive functions and all subscales including shifting, inhibition, emotional control, working memory and organization/planning in children with CIs.Conclusions: These findings suggest that AVT may be effective in resulting in positive outcomes and may play an important role in improving executive functions in children with CIs.