• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.159-219
• /
• 2016

Mathematical ability is important for academic achievement and technological renovations in the STEM disciplines. This study concentrated on the relationship between neural basis of mathematical cognition and its mechanisms. These cognitive functions include domain specific abilities such as numerical skills and visuospatial abilities, as well as domain general abilities which include language, long term memory, and working memory capacity. Individuals can perform higher cognitive functions such as abstract thinking and reasoning based on these basic cognitive functions. The next topic covered in this study is about individual differences in mathematical abilities. Neural efficiency theory was incorporated in this study to view mathematical talent. According to the theory, a person with mathematical talent uses his or her brain more efficiently than the effortful endeavour of the average human being. Mathematically gifted students show different brain activities when compared to average students. Interhemispheric and intrahemispheric connectivities are enhanced in those students, particularly in the right brain along fronto-parietal longitudinal fasciculus. The third topic deals with growth and development in mathematical capacity. As individuals mature, practice mathematical skills, and gain knowledge, such changes are reflected in cortical activation, which include changes in the activation level, redistribution, and reorganization in the supporting cortex. Among these, reorganization can be related to neural plasticity. Neural plasticity was observed in professional mathematicians and children with mathematical learning disabilities. Last topic is about mathematical creativity viewed from Neural Darwinism. When the brain is faced with a novel problem, it needs to collect all of the necessary concepts(knowledge) from long term memory, make multitudes of connections, and test which ones have the highest probability in helping solve the unusual problem. Having followed the above brain modifying steps, once the brain finally finds the correct response to the novel problem, the final response comes as a form of inspiration. For a novice, the first step of acquisition of knowledge structure is the most important. However, as expertise increases, the latter two stages of making connections and selection become more important.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.153-165
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Recent neuroimaging studies focus on dysfunctions in connectivity between cognitive circuits and emotional circuits: anterior cingulate cortex that connects dorsolateral orbitofrontal cortex and prefrontal cortex to limbic system. Previous studies on pediatric depression using DTI have reported decreased neural connectivity in several brain regions, including the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, superior longitudinal fasciculus. We compared the neural connectivity of psychotropic drug naïve adolescent patients with a first onset of major depressive episode with healthy controls using DTI. Methods : Adolescent psychotropic drug naïve patients(n=26, 10 men, 16 women; age range, 13-18 years) who visited the Korea University Guro Hospital and were diagnosed with first onset major depressive disorder were registered. Healthy controls(n=27, 5 males, 22 females; age range, 12-17 years) were recruited. Psychiatric interviews, complete psychometrics including IQ and HAM-D, MRI including diffusion weighted image acquisition were conducted prior to antidepressant administration to the patients. Fractional anisotropy(FA), radial, mean, and axial diffusivity were estimated using DTI. FMRIB Software Library-Tract Based Spatial Statistics was used for statistical analysis. Results : We did not observe any significant difference in whole brain analysis. However, ROI analysis on right superior longitudinal fasciculus resulted in 3 clusters with significant decrease of FA in patients group. Conclusions : The patients with adolescent major depressive disorder showed statistically significant FA decrease in the DTI-based structure compared with healthy control. Therefore we suppose DTI can be used as a bio-marker in psychotropic drug-naïve adolescent patients with first onset major depressive disorder.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.6 no.3 s.21
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2004

Roads, like bikeways, parkways and walks, are to be just capable of supporting light traffic and traveling public, but they are required to be human friendly and environmental-oriented. Lately soil-solidifier mixture, a kind of soil-cement, has developed and has been applied to the recycling and environment-oriented pavement as the surfacing material. Soil-solidifier pavement structure has been designed by only experience. To design this pavement mechanically, it is necessary to find out basic engineering properties of soil-solidifier mixture. This study focuses on finding out mechanical characteristics of the mixture according to mixture proportions and aging. Test molds with various mixture proportions are made, and then unconfined strength tests are performed for test molds with aging of the mixture. As the result of this study, it is found that the strength of the mixture increases with amount of cement and that maximum strength is achieved at 6%$\sim$8% of the ratio of solidifier and water. The strength increase rapidly until 14 days, after then slowly. After 28 days the strength of the mixture approaches to the constant value. The heat of hydration during curing of the mixture is measured no significantly. It also shows that temperature characteristics of the mixture is similar to that of soil. Since this mixture is mixed with soil and is able to improve engineering problems in pavement due to temperature, this mixture is expected to use effectively in the environment-oriented pavement for light traffic.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.125-154
• /
• 2009

This paper describes the possibility of human physiological data, especially brain-wave activity, to detect cognitive overload, a phenomenon that may occur while learner uses an e-learning system. If it is found that cognitive overload to be detectable, providing appropriate feedback to learners may be possible. To illustrate the possibility, while engaging in cognitive activities, cognitive load levels were measured by EEG (electroencephalogram) to seek detection of cognitive overload. The task given to learner was a computerized listening and recall test designed to measure working memory capacity, and the test had four progressively increasing degrees of difficulty. Eight male, right-handed, university students were asked to answer 4 sets of tests and each test took from 61 seconds to 198 seconds. A correction ratio was then calculated and EEG results analyzed. The correction ratio of listening and recall tests were 84.5%, 90.6%, 62.5% and 56.3% respectively, and the degree of difficulty had statistical significance. The data highlighted learner cognitive overload on test level of 3 and 4, the higher level tests. Second, the SEF-95% value was greater on test3 and 4 than on tests 1 and 2 indicating that tests 3 and 4 imposed greater cognitive load on participants. Third, the relative power of EEG gamma wave rapidly increased on the 3rd and $4^{th}$ test, and signals from channel F3, F4, C4, F7, and F8 showed statistically significance. These five channels are surrounding the brain's Broca area, and from a brain mapping analysis it was found that F8, right-half of the brain area, was activated relative to the degree of difficulty. Lastly, cross relation analysis showed greater increasing in synchronization at test3 and $4^{th}$ at test1 and 2. From these findings, it is possible to measure brain cognitive load level and cognitive over load via brain activity, which may provide atimely feedback scheme for e-learning systems.