The multisensory attentional consequences of tool use : a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Background: Tool use in humans requires that multisensory information is integrated across different locations, from objects seen to be distant from the hand, but felt indirectly at the hand via the tool. We tested the hypothesis that using a simple tool to perceive vibrotactile stimuli results in the enhanced processing of visual stimuli presented at the distal, functional part of the tool. Such a finding would be consistent with a shift of spatial attention to the location where the tool is used. Methodology/Principal Findings: We tested this hypothesis by scanning healthy human participants’ brains using functional magnetic resonance imaging, while they used a simple tool to discriminate between target vibrations, accompanied by congruent or incongruent visual distractors, on the same or opposite side to the tool. The attentional hypothesis was supported: BOLD response in occipital cortex, particularly in the right hemisphere lingual gyrus, varied significantly as a function of tool position, increasing contralaterally, and decreasing ipsilaterally to the tool. Furthermore, these modulations occurred despite the fact that participants were repeatedly instructed to ignore the visual stimuli, to respond only to the vibrotactile stimuli, and to maintain visual fixation centrally. In addition, the magnitude of multisensory (visual-vibrotactile) interactions in participants’ behavioural responses significantly predicted the BOLD response in occipital cortical areas that were also modulated as a function of both visual stimulus position and tool position. Conclusions/Significance: These results show that using a simple tool to locate and to perceive vibrotactile stimuli is accompanied by a shift of spatial attention to the location where the functional part of the tool is used, resulting in enhanced processing of visual stimuli at that location, and decreased processing at other locations. This was most clearly observed in the right hemisphere lingual gyrus. Such modulations of visual processing may reflect the functional importance of visuospatial information during human tool use

Development of hydrogel-based composite scaffolds containing eggshell particles for bone regeneration applications

The authors thank Dr. Jianqun Wang from the Nanoimaging Facility at Carleton University (Ottawa, ON) for his assistance in the acquisition of the SEM micrographs and EDS data, as well as Ms. Kathryn Culliton from the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory at The Ottawa Hospital for her contribution to mechanical testing of the scaffolds. This work was supported by Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) funding to Maxwell T. Hincke and Isabelle Catelas, and by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery grant to Maxwell T. Hincke (RGPIN‐2016‐04410). The FTIR analysis was supported by grants from the Ministerio de Economía y Compatitividad (CGL2015‐64683, Spain) and from the RNM‐179 group (Junta de Andalucıa, Spain) to Alejandro Rodriguez‐Navarro.This study describes the development and characterization of novel composite scaffolds, made of an alginate-chitosan hydrogel matrix containing eggshell (ES) particles, for bone tissue engineering applications. Scaffolds with ES particles, either untreated or treated with phosphoric acid to create a nanotextured particle surface, were compared to scaffolds without particles. Results indicate that the nanotexturing process exposed occluded ES proteins orthologous to those in human bone extracellular matrix. Scaffolds with ES or nanotextured ES (NTES) particles had a higher porosity (81 ± 4% and 89 ± 5%, respectively) than scaffolds without particles (59 ± 5%) (p = .002 and p < .001, respectively). Scaffolds with NTES particles had a larger median pore size (113 μm [interquartile range [IQ]: 88–140 μm]) than scaffolds with ES particles (94 μm [IQ: 75–112 μm]) and scaffolds without particles (99 μm [IQ: 74–135 μm]) (p < .001 and p = .011, respectively). The compressive modulus of the scaffolds with ES or NTES particles remained low (3.69 ± 0.70 and 3.14 ± 0.62 kPa, respectively), but these scaffolds were more resistant to deformation following maximum compression than those without particles. Finally, scaffolds with ES or NTES particles allowed better retention of human mesenchymal stem cells during seeding (53 ± 12% and 57 ± 8%, respectively, vs. 17 ± 5% for scaffolds without particles; p < .001 in both cases), as well as higher cell viability up to 21 days of culture (67 ± 17% and 61 ± 11%, respectively, vs. 15 ± 7% for scaffolds without particles; p < .001 in both cases). In addition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity increased up to 558 ± 164% on day 21 in the scaffolds with ES particles, and up to 567 ± 217% on day 14 in the scaffolds with NTES particles (p = .006 and p = .002, respectively, relative to day 0). Overall, this study shows that the physicochemical properties of the alginate-chitosan hydrogel scaffolds with ES or NTES particles are similar to those of cancellous bone. In addition, scaffolds with particles supported early osteogenic differentiation and therefore represent a promising new bone substitute, especially for non-load bearing applications.Egg Farmers of CanadaNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada RGPIN‐2016‐04410 NSERCMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad CGL2015‐64683 MINECOJunta de Andalucía, Spain RNM‐179 grou

Global green infrastructure: How is green infrastructure research translated into practice outside the UK?

The Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments at the University of the West of England, Bristol have been commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council(NERC) to conduct a review of how the evidence base for Green Infrastructure (GI) is being translated into practice across the international community. This builds on previous work that focussed on the grey literature targeted to a UK audience (Sinnett et al., 2016). This review will inform the future investment in GI from Innovation Programme and Partnershipswithin NERC.We reviewed 26 pieces of grey literature aimed at an international audience. These include those from government departments (e.g. US Department of Agriculture) and globalinstitutions (e.g. World Bank). Differences in the definition of GI internationally meant that some documents focussed almost exclusively on water management. Others included comprehensive reviews of the health and well-being outcomes associated with the use and presence of GI as well as broader evidence summaries.The review examined the extent to which academic evidence is cited in the grey literature and which ecosystem services are prioritised in these documents

National benchmark for green infrastructure: A feasibility study

This research examines whether a market exists for a national benchmark for green infrastructure (GI) in England. It is funded through a Natural Environment Research Council Innovation Fund (Grant Reference: NE/N016971/1). This builds on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the University of the West of England (UWE) and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, a project which includes the development of a local benchmark for Gloucestershire and the West of England and which focusses, naturally, on local priorities.This project sought to answer three main questions:•What is the demand for a GI benchmark in the built environment sector?•What types of GI and corresponding ecosystem services should the benchmark include?•What is the most appropriate model to ensure the long-term success of the benchmark?First, a desktop review of relevant assessment systems was conducted to examine a) if, and how, GI is incorporated into such systems and b) their overall operation to understand current practice within the built environment sector. The desktop review included 22 assessment systems, including benchmarks for green developments (building and community-scale) and other infrastructure, and audits, awards, guidance and tool kits that related more specifically to GI, green space or biodiversity.Second, five Expert Symposia were held to test the findings of the review as well as the initial work completed in the KTP on experts from the built environment and GI professions. Thus, the five symposia were co-hosted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Landscape Institute, Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), and Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA). Whilst the first three of these were quite profession specific, the latter two included participants from a broader range of backgrounds. A total of 55 experts participated in the symposia

The translation and use of green infrastructure evidence

The success of green infrastructure (GI) depends on the sharing of good practice and research between disciplines and sectors. This paper presents findings from a study to examine how GI research is shared with non-academic audiences. GI has been an active research area in recent years, with a wealth of evidence coming from the academic community. This has been mirrored by a body of grey literature aimed at different disciplines and sectors. But it is important to understand which evidence is being used in this grey literature and what the gaps are either in research or in its translation. In this study, 25 pieces of grey literature were reviewed to identify what research is represented; presented as the benefits or ecosystem services provided by different types of GI. This review was presented to around 70 academics, policy makers and practitioners working in GI through two workshops. Attendees were asked questions in order to further understanding of how research is translated and used, and the mechanisms by which it can be more effectively shared. The paper provides insights into how those working in GI can work collaboratively to ensure research findings are relevant and usable

Green infrastructure: Research into practice

The Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments at the University of the West of England, Bristol have been commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to conduct a review of how the evidence base for Green Infrastructure (GI) is being translated into practice. This review will inform the future investment in GI from Innovation Programme and Partnerships within NERC.First, a review of grey literature identified the evidence related to the benefits of GI to biodiversity, ecosystem services and where these have been monetised.Second, in order to gain further insight into GI practices and their relationship with academic research there were two events bringing together the GI community of research, policy and practice

Outcomes important to patients with non-infectious posterior segment-involving uveitis:a qualitative study

Objective: Uveitis, a group of disorders characterised by intraocular inflammation, causes 10–15% of total blindness in the developed world. The most sight-threatening forms of non-infectious uveitis are those affecting the posterior segment of the eye, collectively known as posterior-segment involving uveitis (PSIU). Numerous different clinical outcomes have been used in trials evaluating treatments for PSIU but these may not represent patients’ and carers’ concerns. Therefore, the aims of this study were to understand the impact of PSIU on adult patients’ and carers’ lives, and to explore what outcomes of treatment are important to them.Methods: Four focus group discussions were undertaken to understand the perspectives of adult patients (n=18) and carers (n=10) with PSIU. Participants were grouped according to whether or not their uveitis was complicated by the sight-threatening condition uveitic macular oedema (UMO). Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using the framework analytical approach. Outcomes were identified and grouped into outcome domains. Results: Eleven core domains were identified as important to patients and carers undergoing treatment for PSIU comprising: (1) visual function, (2) symptoms, (3) functional ability, (4) impact on relationships, (5) financial impact, (6) psychological morbidity and emotional well-being (7) psychosocial adjustment to uveitis, (8) doctor/patient/interprofessional relationships and access to health care, (9) treatment burden, (10) treatment side effects, (11) disease control.Conclusion: The domains identified represent patients and carers experience and perspectives and can be used to reflect on outcomes assessed in PSIU. They will directly inform the development of a core outcome set for PSIU clinical trials.Ethical approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the United Kingdom National Research Ethics Service (Reference 17-WM-0111).<br/

Fire retardancy and morphology of nylon 6-clay nanocomposite compositions

We investigated the effect of organically modified clay on the thermal and flammability behavior of nylon 6 nanocomposites. We also used zinc borate along with layered silicate with an aim of achieving synergistic effect in flame retardancy. It is found that addition of 10 wt% clay reduced the onset decomposition (5% wt loss) temperature of nylon 6 by 20°C, while addition of 5 wt% zinc borate and 5 wt% clay in combination reduced it by around 10°C. Differential thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the peak decomposition temperature was not affected by the addition of clay, but the rate of weight loss decreased with increasing clay concentration. The horizontal burning behavior of the nanocomposite films of approximately 0.5mm thickness changed with additive concentration. The nanocomposites with 2.5 wt% and 5 wt% clay burned for almost the same duration as neat nylon 6 but dripping was reduced. The 10 wt% clay nanocomposite sample burned without any dripping and the flame spread rate was reduced by 25-30%. The burn rate of 5 wt % zinc borate/5 wt% clay nanocomposite sample was about 20% higher than that of 10 wt% clay nanocomposite sample, which could be attributed to varying char morphology. Scanning electron microscopy images of the 10wt% clay nanocomposite char surface and cross- section revealed an integrated layer of clay platelets with increasing density gradient from the center to the surface, while the 5 wt% zinc borate/5 wt% clay nanocomposite char appeared foamy and porous. The 5 wt% zinc borate and 5 wt% clay sample developed into a very good intumescent system in cone calorimeter test, swelling about 10-13mm height prior to ignition forming a cellular char structure. This was as effective as the 10wt% clay nanocomposite sample in reducing the heat release and mass loss rate of nylon 6 by around 65%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the 10 wt% clay nanocomposite char showed the presence of amides, indicating possible residual polymer within the shielded char