http://hdl.handle.net/2262/3 School of Psychology 2013-05-20T02:54:54Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/64937 Title: Periconceptional folic acid supplementation in a nationally representative sample of Irish mothers Author: McNally, Sinead; Bourke, Ashling Abstract: This study reports recent trends in periconceptional folic acid use in Ireland using archived data from Growing Up in Ireland – the National Longitudinal Study of Children. Of a sample of 10,891 mothers, 6,936 (64%) reported taking folic acid before conception and 10,157 (93%) reported taking folic acid during the first trimester of pregnancy. Younger (OR=0.38, 95% CI=0.29-0.50), lower income (OR=0.59, 95% CI=0.51-0.68), lower educated (OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.66-0.89), and single mothers (OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.40-0.52) were less likely to have taken folic acid pre-conception. A similar pattern was found post-conception with younger (OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.40-0.84), lower income (OR=0.40, 95% CI=0.30-0.53), lower educated (OR=0.50, 95% CI=0.38-0.66), and single mothers (OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.60-0.91) less likely to have taken folic acid post-conception. The findings highlight an ongoing need for targeted promotional campaigns to increase supplementation rates among younger and socially disadvantaged mothers. Description: PUBLISHED 2012-06-30T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/64110 Title: A Probabilistic Cognitive Simulator For HRA Studies (PROCOS) Author: LEVA, CHIARA Abstract: The paper deals with the development of a simulator for approaching human errors in complex operational frameworks (e.g., plant commissioning). The aim is to integrate the quantification capabilities of the so-called ‘first-generation’ human reliability assessment (HRA) methods with a cognitive evaluation of the operator. The simulator allows analysing both error prevention and error recovery. It integrates cognitive human error analysis with standard hazard analysis methods (Hazop and event tree) by means of a ‘semi static approach’. The comparison between the results obtained through the proposed approach and those of a traditional HRA method such as human error assessment and reduction technique, shows the capability of the simulator to provide coherent and accurate analysis. Description: PUBLISHED 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/64049 Title: Multisensory processing in review: From physiology to behaviour Author: NEWELL, FIONA Abstract: Research in multisensory processes has exploded over the last decade. Tremendous advances have been made in a variety of fields from single-unit neural recordings and functional brain imaging through to behaviour, perception and cognition. These diverse approaches have highlighted how the senses work together to produce a coherent multimodal representation of the external world that enables us to function better by exploiting the redundancies and complementarities provided by multiple sensory modalities. With large numbers of new students and researchers being attracted to multisensory research, and the multi-disciplinary nature of the work, our aim in this review is to provide an overview of multisensory processing that includes all fields in a single review. Our intention is to provide a comprehensive source for those interested in learning about multisensory processes, covering a variety of sensory combinations and methodologies, and tracing the path from single-unit neurophysiology through to perception and cognitive functions such as attention and speech. Description: PUBLISHED 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/63912 Title: A framework for analysis of the inclusion of human rights and vulnerable groups in health policies Author: MANNAN, HASHEEM; MacLachlan, Malcolm; McVeigh, Joanne Abstract: Ensuring that health policies uphold core concepts of human rights and are inclusive of vulnerable groups are imperative aspects of providing equity in health care, and of realizing the United Nations’ call for Health for All. We outline the process of extensive consultation undertaken across countries and stakeholders culminating in the development of EquiFrame, in conjunction with its associated definitions of core concepts of human rights and vulnerability. EquiFrame is a systematic policy analysis framework that assesses the degree to which 21 core concepts of human rights and 12 vulnerable groups are mentioned and endorsed in health policy documents. We illustrate the scope of the framework by reporting the results of its application to two health policy documents from (Northern) Sudan: the rather generalist Health Policy of (Northern) Sudan, and the more specific National Drug Policy of (Northern) Sudan. We outline some limitations of the framework and highlight issues for consideration in its interpretation. EquiFrame offers a systematic approach to analyzing and facilitating the inclusion of core concepts of human rights and vulnerability in existing or developing health policies and ultimately to promoting greater equity in health care. Description: PUBLISHED 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/63747 Title: EquiFrame: A framework for analysis of the inclusion of human rights and vulnerable groups in health policies. Author: MANNAN, HASHEEM Abstract: Ensuring that health policies uphold core concepts of human rights and are inclusive of vulnerable groups are imperative aspects of providing equity in health care, and of realizing the United Nations’ call for Health for All. We outline the process of extensive consultation undertaken across countries and stakeholders culminating in the development of EquiFrame, in conjunction with its associated definitions of core concepts of human rights and vulnerability. EquiFrame is a systematic policy analysis framework that assesses the degree to which 21 core concepts of human rights and 12 vulnerable groups are mentioned and endorsed in health policy documents. We illustrate the scope of the framework by reporting the results of its application to two health policy documents from (Northern) Sudan: the rather generalist Health Policy of (Northern) Sudan, and the more specific National Drug Policy of (Northern) Sudan. We outline some limitations of the framework and highlight issues for consideration in its interpretation. EquiFrame offers a systematic approach to analyzing and facilitating the inclusion of core concepts of human rights and vulnerability in existing or developing health policies and ultimately to promoting greater equity in health care. Description: PUBLISHED 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/61582 Title: Oscillatory Entrainment of Thalamic Neurons by Theta Rhythm in Freely-Moving Rats. Author: REILLY, RICHARD; O'MARA, SHANE MICHAEL Abstract: The anterior thalamic nuclei are assumed to support episodic memory with anterior thalamic dysfunction a core feature of diencephalic amnesia. To date, the electrophysiological characterization of this region in behaving rodents has been restricted to the anterodorsal nucleus. Here we compared single-unit spikes with population activity in the anteroventral nucleus (AV) of freely moving rats during foraging and during naturally occurring sleep. We identified AV units that synchronize their bursting activity in the 6–11 Hz range. We show for the first time in freely moving rats that a subgroup of AV neurons is strongly entrained by theta oscillations. This feature together with their firing properties and spike shape suggests they be classified as “theta” units. To prove the selectivity of AV theta cells for theta rhythm, we compared the relation of spiking rhythmicity to local field potentials during theta and non-theta periods. The most distinguishable non-theta oscillations in rodent anterior thalamus are sleep spindles. We therefore compared the firing properties of AV units during theta and spindle periods. We found that theta and spindle oscillations differ in their spatial distribution within AV, suggesting separate cellular sources for these oscillations. While theta-bursting neurons were related to the distribution of local field theta power, spindle amplitude was independent of the theta units' position. Slow- and fast-spiking bursting units that are selectively entrained to theta rhythm comprise 23.7% of AV neurons. Our results provide a framework for electrophysiological classification of AV neurons as part of theta limbic circuitry. Description: PUBLISHED 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/61018 Title: Theta-Modulated Head Direction Cells in the Rat Anterior Thalamus Author: REILLY, RICHARD; O'MARA, SHANE MICHAEL Abstract: A major tool in understanding how the brain processes information is the analysis of neuronal output at each hierarchical level along the pathway of signal propagation. Theta rhythm and head directionality are the two main signals found across all levels of Papez's circuit, which supports episodic memory formation. Here, we provide evidence that the functional interaction between both signals occurs at a subcortical level. We show that there is population of head direction cells (39%) in rat anteroventral thalamic nucleus that exhibit rhythmic spiking in the theta range. This class of units, termed HD-by-theta (head direction-by-theta) cells, discharged predominantly in spike trains at theta frequency (6–12 Hz). The highest degree of theta rhythmicity was evident when the animal was heading/facing in the preferred direction, expressed by the Gaussian peak of the directional tuning curve. The theta-rhythmic mode of spiking was closely related to the firing activity of local theta-bursting cells. We also found that 32% of anteroventral theta-bursting cells displayed a head-directional modulation of their spiking. This crossover between theta and head-directional signals indicates that anterior thalamus integrates information related to heading and movement, and may therefore actively modulate hippocampo-dencephalic information processing. Description: PUBLISHED 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60878 Title: The neural basis of video gaming Author: GARAVAN, HUGH PATRICK Abstract: Video game playing is a frequent recreational activity. Previous studies have reported an involvement of dopamine-related ventral striatum. However, structural brain correlates of video game playing have not been investigated. On magnetic resonance imaging scans of 154 14-year-olds, we computed voxel-based morphometry to explore differences between frequent and infrequent video game players. Moreover, we assessed the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task during functional magnetic resonance imaging and the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT). We found higher left striatal grey matter volume when comparing frequent against infrequent video game players that was negatively correlated with deliberation time in CGT. Within the same region, we found an activity difference in MID task: frequent compared with infrequent video game players showed enhanced activity during feedback of loss compared with no loss. This activity was likewise negatively correlated with deliberation time. The association of video game playing with higher left ventral striatum volume could reflect altered reward processing and represent adaptive neural plasticity. Description: PUBLISHED 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60814 Title: Human Dorsal Striatal Activity during Choice Discriminates Reinforcement Learning Behavior from the Gambler's Fallacy. Author: O'DOHERTY, JOHN PHILIP Abstract: Reinforcement learning theory has generated substantial interest in neurobiology, particularly because of the resemblance between phasic dopamine and reward prediction errors. Actor-critic theories have been adapted to account for the functions of the striatum, with parts of the dorsal striatum equated to the actor. Here, we specifically test whether the human dorsal striatum-as predicted by an actor-critic instantiation-is used on a trial-to-trial basis at the time of choice to choose in accordance with reinforcement learning theory, as opposed to a competing strategy: the gambler's fallacy. Using a partial-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning protocol focused on the striatum and other ventral brain areas, we found that the dorsal striatum is more active when choosing consistent with reinforcement learning compared with the competing strategy. Moreover, an overlapping area of dorsal striatum along with the ventral striatum was found to be correlated with reward prediction errors at the time of outcome, as predicted by the actor-critic framework. These findings suggest that the same region of dorsal striatum involved in learning stimulus-response associations may contribute to the control of behavior during choice, thereby using those learned associations. Intriguingly, neither reinforcement learning nor the gambler's fallacy conformed to the optimal choice strategy on the specific decision-making task we used. Thus, the dorsal striatum may contribute to the control of behavior according to reinforcement learning even when the prescriptions of such an algorithm are suboptimal in terms of maximizing future rewards. Description: PUBLISHED 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/60551 Title: Dissociation of dorsal hippocampal regional activation under the influence of stress in freely behaving rats. Author: DELLA CHIESA, ANDREA; O'MARA, SHANE MICHAEL; HOK, VINCENT; CHAH, EHSAN; PASSECKER, JOHANNES Abstract: Stress has deleterious effects on brain, body, and behavior in humans and animals alike. The present work investigated how 30-min acute photic stress exposure impacts on spatial information processing in the main sub-regions of the dorsal hippocampal formation [CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG)], a brain structure prominently implicated in memory and spatial representation. Recordings were performed from spatially tuned hippocampal and DG cells in rats while animals foraged in a square arena for food. The stress procedure induced a decrease in firing frequencies in CA1 and CA3 place cells while sparing locational characteristics. In contrast to the CA1-CA3 network, acute stress failed to induce major changes in the DG neuronal population. These data demonstrate a clear dissociation of the effects of stress on the main hippocampal sub-regions. Our findings further support the notion of decreased hippocampal excitability arising from behavioral stress in areas CA1 and CA3, but not in DG. Description: PUBLISHED 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z