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The differentiation-dedifferentiation hypothesis of general cognitive ability has been widely studied, but comparable research on crystallized intelligence is scarce. To close this gap, we conducted an empirical test of the age differentiation hypothesis of declarative knowledge as proposed in Cattell's investment theory, which predicts that knowledge differentiates into diverse forms after compulsory education ends. Thereto, a cross-sectional sample of 1,629 participants aged 18 to 70 years (M = 45.3) completed a comprehensive knowledge test comprising 120 broadly sampled questions from 12 knowledge domains, as well as a measure of openness. To investigate age-related differences in the level and structure of knowledge, we performed invariance tests in local structural equation models. The results did not provide any evidence for age-related differentiation of declarative knowledge but indicated age-related differences in the mean structure. Higher levels in openness were associated with higher levels in knowledge but not with more differentiated structure of knowledge. Contrary to predictions of the investment theory, our results suggest that declarative knowledge is a highly stable construct across major parts of the adult lifespan.

This research project aims at developing a classifier able to identify and categoriseliterary Tweets in large-scale Twitter archives.

The state-of-the-art General Circulation Models or Earth System Models are based on conservation equations like the conservation of mass, momentum (Navier-Stokes), energy, and water... These equations are written in the form of partial derivative equations and are resolved on a grid whose spatial increment is a few tens or hundreds of kilometers and whose time increment is a few minutes. This means that phenomena acting below the numerical resolution are not computed. But because of the nonlinearity of equations, large scales are not independent of small scales, therefore the cutoff in resolution induces errors. For example, the linear relation between energy fluxes and temperature gradients (Fourier law) is not true for a grid of this size. To overcome this issue, it is usual to add new equations in order to close the conservation equations. In these new equations, new parameters are added and are generally tuned to fit observations. Though they are all based on the same physics, every climate model has a different set of "closure equations" and tuned parameters, leading to different results. For instance, while model comparisons are satisfying when looking at temperatures, results may differ significantly between two models when looking at precipitations.Now, I am going to present an alternative way of resolving the climate system using zero tunable parameters. To achieve this, a paradigm change is needed. Partial derivative equations are no longer used, and variables are resolved with an optimization problem: maximizing a function under constraints (of conservations). The maximized function is the entropy production due to energy transfers and depends on temperatures only. Because solving the optimization problem isn't straightforward, the climate system is for now reduced to a vertical atmosphere, with only vertical energy fluxes. Such kind of model is sometimes called "radiative-convective" model and can be compared to tropical atmospheric observations because horizontal fluxes are less important there. The constraints imposed are the conservation of energy, the conservation of mass, and the conservation of water. Surprisingly, adding this last constraint to the model enables us to predict precipitations of about 1.2 m/year, in the good order of magnitude of average tropical precipitations. Theoretically, this means that precipitations depend mostly on the radiative transfer in the atmosphere.The maximization of entropy production is probably not a generic "law of Nature" and might not apply to any out-of-equilibrium system. Here, we choose not to enter the debate whether it should be true for the climate or not, but only to show that this procedure can be a useful and efficient tool to close equations without introducing any tunable parameters, even when applied to precipitations. Though the optimization problem may rapidly become intractable, we can still envision building a more complete model of the atmospheric water cycle on these premises.

Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms have previously been used to compile single short scales of psychological constructs. In the present article, we showcase the versatility of the ACO to simultaneously construct multiple parallel short scales that adhere to several competing and interacting criteria. Based on an initial pool of 120 knowledge items, we assembled three 12-item tests that (a) adequately cover the construct at a domain level, (b) follow a unidimensional measurement model, (c) allow reliable and (d) precise measurement of fact knowledge, and (e) are gender fair. Moreover, we aligned the test characteristic and test information functions of the three tests to establish the equivalence of the tests. We cross-validated the assembled short scales and investigated their association with the full scale and covariates that were not included in the optimization procedure. Finally, we discuss potential extensions in metaheuristic test assembly and the equivalence of parallel knowledge tests in general.

Supplementary Materials and Methods

CRMP5 depletion does not promote apoptosis.(A): Apoptosis is monitored in GL15 cells transfected with CRMP5-siRNA1 and control-siRNA using caspase 3 antibody (1/400, BD Pharmingen, 559565). 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) indicates proliferating cells in both conditions. (B): TUNEL staining (marker of apoptosis) (Promega, G3250) in CRMP5-siRNA1 transfected GL15 cells Scale bar=20µm. (C): TUNEL staining quantification in CRMP5-siRNA transfected GL15 cells after 4 days. The total number of cells counted is indicated by DAPI quantification; TUNEL-stained cells were counted for each condition. The results were obtained from 3 independent experiments.

Clinicopathological characteristics of patients according to CRMP5 status

Overview of infectious and non-infectious diseases in French Guiana in 2022 Source of many myths, French Guiana represents an exceptional territory due to the richness of its biodiversity and the variety of its communities. The only European territory in Amazonia, surrounded by the Brazilian giant and the little-known Suriname, Ariane 6 rockets are launched from Kourou while 50% of the population lives below the poverty line. This paradoxical situation is a source of health problems specific to this territory, whether they be infectious diseases with unknown germs, intoxications or chronic pathologies. Some infectious diseases such as Q fever, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis or HIV infection are in common with temperate countries, but present specificities leading to sometimes different management and medical reasoning. In addition to these pathologies, many tropical diseases are present in an endemic and / or epidemic mode such as malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, histoplasmosis or dengue. Besides, Amazonian dermatology is extremely varied, ranging from rare but serious pathologies (Buruli ulcer, leprosy) to others which are frequent and benign such as agouti lice (mites of the family Trombiculidae) or papillonitis. Envenomations by wild fauna are not rare, and deserve an appropriate management of the incriminated taxon. Obstetrical, cardiovascular and metabolic cosmopolitan pathologies sometimes take on a particular dimension in French Guiana that must be taken into account in the management of patients. Finally, different types of intoxication are to be known by practitioners, especially due to heavy metals. European-level resources offer diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities that do not exist in the surrounding countries and regions, thus allowing the management of diseases that are not well known elsewhere. Thanks to these same European-level resources, research in Guyana occupies a key place within the Amazon region, despite a smaller population than in the surrounding countries. Thus, certain pathologies such as histoplasmosis of the immunocompromised patient, Amazonian toxoplasmosis or Q fever are hardly described in neighboring countries, probably due to under-diagnosis linked to more limited resources. French Guiana plays a leading role in the study of these diseases. The objective of this overview is to guide health care providers coming to or practicing in French Guiana in their daily practice, but also practitioners taking care of people returning from French Guiana. Panorama des pathologies infectieuses et non infectieuses de Guyane en 2022 Source de nombreux mythes, la Guyane représente un territoire exceptionnel par la richesse de sa biodiversité et par la variété des communautés qui la composent. Seul territoire européen en Amazonie, entouré du géant brésilien et du méconnu Suriname, on y lance des fusées Ariane 6 depuis Kourou tandis que 50 % de la population vit en dessous du seuil de pauvreté. Cette situation paradoxale est source de problématiques de santé spécifiques à ce territoire, qu’il s’agisse de maladies infectieuses à germes méconnus, d’intoxications, ou de pathologies chroniques. Certaines maladies infectieuses telles que la fièvre Q, la toxoplasmose, la cryptococcose ou l’infection à VIH sont communes aux pays tempérés, mais présentent en Guyane des spécificités entraînant une prise en charge et un raisonnement médical parfois différents. Parallèlement à ces pathologies, de nombreuses maladies tropicales sont par ailleurs présentes sur un mode endémique et / ou épidémique telles que le paludisme, la leishmaniose, la maladie de Chagas, l’histoplasmose ou la dengue. De plus, la dermatologie amazonienne est extrêmement variée, allant de pathologies rares, mais graves (ulcère de Buruli, lèpre), à d’autres fréquentes et bénignes telles que les poux d’agouti (acariens de la famille des Trombiculidae) ou la papillonite. Les envenimations par la faune sauvage ne sont pas rares, et méritent une prise en charge appropriée au taxon incriminé. Les pathologies obstétricale, cardiovasculaire et métabolique cosmopolites prennent parfois en Guyane une dimension particulière à prendre en compte dans la prise en charge des patients. Enfin, différents types d’intoxication sont à connaître par les praticiens, notamment aux métaux lourds. Les ressources de niveau européen offrent des possibilités diagnostiques et thérapeutiques inexistantes dans les pays et régions des environs, permettant ainsi la prise en charge de maladies peu connues ailleurs. Du fait de ces mêmes ressources de niveau européen, la recherche en Guyane occupe une place clé au sein de la région amazonienne, malgré une population moins nombreuse que dans les pays alentour. Ainsi, certaines pathologies telles que l’histoplasmose du patient immunodéprimé, la toxoplasmose amazonienne ou la fièvre Q ne sont pratiquement pas décrites dans les pays voisins, probablement du fait d’un sous-diagnostic lié à des ressources plus limitées. La Guyane joue ainsi un rôle moteur dans l’étude de ces pathologies. L’objectif de ce panorama est d’orienter les soignants venant ou exerçant en Guyane dans leur pratique quotidienne, mais également les praticiens prenant en charge des personnes au retour de Guyane., MTSI, Vol. 3 No 1 (2023): MTSI-Revue