Attention is a central component of cognitive and behavioral processes and plays a key role in basic and higher-level functioning. Posner's model of attention describes three components or networks of attention: the alerting, which involves high intensity states of arousal; the orienting, which involves the selective direction of attention; and the executive control, which involves cognitive functions such as conflict resolution and working memory. The Attention Network Test (ANT) is a computerized testing measure that was developed to measure these three networks of attention. This project describes the ANT, its widely used variants, and the recently developed ANT Database, a repository of data extracted from all studies that have used the ANT as of 2019. To illustrate the potential uses of the database, two meta-analyses conducted using the ANT Database are described. One explores task performance in children with and without attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The other one explores regional differences between studies conducted in China, Europe, and the United States. We are currently in the process of integrating the database into a publicly available web interface. When that work is complete, researchers, clinicians, and the general public will be able to use the database to explore topics of interest related to attention.
Are there differences between bilinguals and monolinguals in non-linguistic cognitive processes related to attention? Recent interest in this question, which has a long history, was stimulated by ideas presented in Bialystok's 2001 book: Bilingualism in development: Language, literacy, and cognition. Because attention is a multi-faceted construct Costa et al. (Cognition 106(1):59-86, 2008, Cognition 113(2):135-149, 2009) sought to answer this question using the attention network test (ANT), a simple-toadminister tool that was designed to measure the efficacy of three attention networks: alerting, orienting and executive control. Using the ANT Database, a recently developed repository of data extracted from studies that have used the ANT to answer any question, we identified 16 papers that followed Costa's pioneering use of the ANT to address the question whether bilingualism is associated with differences in attention. In this paper we begin by reviewing the methods and findings from Costa's studies, and then report the results of three meta-analyses (conducted separately for children, young adults and middle-aged adults) of the data reported in these 16 papers. Whereas, there were no noteworthy effects of language status on alerting or orienting in any group, our meta-analysis of the studies that tested young adults revealed, in agreement with Costa et al. (2008) a bilingual advantage in executive control. A similar bilingual advantage was not observed in the other age groups.
Gut microbiota includes the microbes present in the gut; these microbes are an essential component in maintaining a healthy gut. Gut microbiota has a wide range of functions, including effects on colonization, pathogen resistance, intestinal epithelial maintenance, metabolizing food and pharmaceutical chemicals, and influencing immunological functions. Every disease
associated with the gut starts due to a disbalance in the composition of the gut microorganisms
and can be managed by balancing the composition of gut bacteria using various herbal remedies.
Mentha herbs are a variety of perennial herbs that are grown commercially in various parts of the
world. Mentha is a potent herb that shows anticholinergic action and can block PGE2 and GM1
receptors and interact with cholera toxins; it is used traditionally in different systems of medicines to treat various gastrointestinal diseases associated with the gut. Mentha herbs have potent
bactericidal, viricidal, and fungicidal properties. Mentha has been used to cure stomach and digestion issues as well as to treat a variety of disorders. This review article summarizes diseases
associated with the gut, the composition, and function of gut microbiota, and mentha's effectiveness along with its extraction methods and traditional uses. Research findings have revealed
mentha to be an essential source against a wide range of diseases, especially gastrointestinal disorders. From its ayurvedic claims to its present use, it has been confirmed to be clinically effective for human health. Mentha-based products are marketed in the form of oils, capsules, powder,
etc. The present work describes the mechanism of action along with the bioactives present in this
well-known herb from Ayurveda.
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