Work-worlds colliding: Self-reflexivity, power and emotion in organizational ethnography

While organizational ethnographers have embraced the concept of self-reflexivity, problems remain. In this article we argue that the prevalent assumption that self-reflexivity is the sole responsibility of the individual researcher limits its scope for understanding organizations. To address this, we propose an innovative method of collective reflection that is inspired by ideas from cultural and feminist anthropology. The value of this method is illustrated through an analysis of two ethnographic case studies, involving a ‘pair interview’ method. This collective approach surfaced self-reflexive accounts, in which aspects of the research encounter that still tend to be downplayed within organizational ethnographies, including emotion, intersubjectivity and the operation of power dynamics, were allowed to emerge. The approach also facilitated a second contribution through the conceptualization of organizational ethnography as a unique endeavour that represents a collision between one ‘world of work’: the university, with a second: the researched organization. We find that this ‘collision’ exacerbates the emotionality of ethnographic research, highlighting the refusal of ‘researched’ organizations to be domesticated by the specific norms of academia. Our article concludes by drawing out implications for the practice of self-reflexivity within organizational ethnography

TH‐D‐210A‐07: Multi‐Modal Image Guidance in Neurosurgery: An Approach for Direct Targeting in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Purpose: To develop and evaluate an integrated multi‐modal image guidance methodology for DBS. Method and Materials: An image guidance methodology was developed to integrate multiple imaging methods as well as atlas and intraoperatively acquired electrophysiology data. Imaging techniques were developed using a 3T MRI to provide unique contrast of specific structures in the brain. A new sequence, the Fast Grey matter Acquisition T1 Inversion Recovery (FGATIR), was developed to produce images that specifically nullified the white matter signal. In addition, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography was acquired to provide differentiation of target subregions through structural connectivity. These imaging techniques as well as standard (T1, T2 FLAIR, and CT) imaging protocols were integrated on a single platform. This integration was accomplished by the development of a graphical user interface (GUI) to allow for viewing and targeting based off these images along with a deformed atlas and intraoperatively acquired electrophysiology maps. Results: The developed image guidance system allowed for targeting based off all data types mentioned previously. The new imaging techniques developed were compared against intraoperatively acquired microelectrode data. The two novel imaging techniques, FGATIR and DTI tractography, provided elucidation of structure not seen by standard imaging methods and showed good correspondence with microelectrode maps. Contrast measurements for the FGATIR versus T1 and T2 FLAIR showed a higher contrast to noise ratio (CNR) for FGATIR scans. For example, the CNR for ventral lateral thalamus versus the remainder of thalamus was 2.19, 2.81, and 7.27 for T1, T2 FLAIR, and FGATIR, respectively. Conclusion: Our methodology for image guidance in DBS surgery has the potential to allow for direct visualization and targeting of regions that can not be visualized by standard techniques. The integration of all these methods within a single framework demonstrates the potential for multi‐modal image guidance in neurosurgery

Effects of aerobic fitness on aging-related changes of interhemispheric inhibition and motor performance.

Physical fitness has been long associated with maintenance and improvement of motor performance as we age. In particular, measures of psychomotor speed and motor dexterity tend to be higher in physically fit aging adults as compared to their sedentary counterparts. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we explored the patterns of neural activity that may, in part, account for differences between individuals of varying physical fitness levels. In this study, we enrolled both sedentary and physically fit middle age (40-60) and younger (18-30) adults and measured upper extremity motor performance during behavioral testing. In a follow-up session, we employed TMS and fMRI to assess levels of interhemispheric communication during unimanual tasks. Results show that increased physical fitness is associated with better upper extremity motor performance on distal dexterity assessments and increased levels of interhemispheric inhibition in middle age adults. Further, the functional correlates of changes of ipsilateral activity appears to be restricted to the aging process as younger adults of varying fitness levels do not differ in hemispheric patterns of activity or motor performance. We conclude that sedentary aging confers a loss of interhemispheric inhibition that is deleterious to some aspects of motor function, as early as midlife, but these changes can be mediated by chronic engagement in aerobic exercise

The architecture of the golfer's brain

BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have shown practice-dependent structural alterations in humans. Cross-sectional studies of intensive practice of specific tasks suggest associated long-term structural adaptations. Playing golf at a high level of performance is one of the most demanding sporting activities. In this study, we report the relationship between a particular level of proficiency in playing golf (indicated by golf handicap level) and specific neuroanatomical features. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) of grey (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes and fractional anisotropy (FA) measures of the fibre tracts, we identified differences between skilled (professional golfers and golfers with an handicap from 1-14) and less-skilled golfers (golfers with an handicap from 15-36 and non-golfer). Larger GM volumes were found in skilled golfers in a fronto-parietal network including premotor and parietal areas. Skilled golfers revealed smaller WM volume and FA values in the vicinity of the corticospinal tract at the level of the internal and external capsule and in the parietal operculum. However, there was no structural difference within the skilled and less-skilled golfer group. CONCLUSION: There is no linear relationship between the anatomical findings and handicap level, amount of practice, and practice hours per year. There was however a strong difference between highly-practiced golfers (at least 800-3,000 hours) and those who have practised less or non-golfers without any golfing practise, thus indicating a step-wise structural and not a linear change