Tics and developmental stuttering

Abstract Background. Developmental stuttering affects 1% of the population but its cause remains unclear. Recent PET studies of metabolism in the central nervous system suggest that it may be related to dysfunction in the basal ganglia or its connections with regions of the cortex associated with speech and motor control. Objective. To determine the presence and characteristics of involuntary movements (IMs) in people who stutter and to investigate the hypothesis that these movements may be of a very similar nature to the IMs seen in patients with movement disorders due to basal ganglia dysfunction. Methods. Sixteen adults with developmental stuttering and 16 controls matched for sex and age were audio-videotaped while freely speaking 300 words in conversation and reading aloud 300 words. The audio data was inspected for dysfluencies and the video data was scrutinised for the presence and characteristics of IMs. Results. Subjects who stuttered produced more IMs than controls during free speech (354 vs 187, p , 0:05Þ and reading (297 vs 47, p , 0:001Þ: Most of the IMs in both groups were tics, with a greater number of both simple and complex motor tics (CMTs) in subjects who stuttered. CMTs were more frequent than simple motor tics in those who stuttered, but not in controls. The combination of repetitive eye blink followed by prolonged eye closure was found exclusively in the stuttering group, as were simple tics consisting of eyebrow raise or jaw movement. Dystonia in the form of blepharospasm was identified in a small number of subjects who stuttered. Choreic movements were not associated with stuttering. Conclusions. Developmental stuttering is associated with the presence of IMs that are predominantly simple and CMTs. This association suggests that tics and stuttering may share a common pathophysiology and supports the view that, in common with tics, stuttering may reflect dysfunction in the basal ganglia or its immediate connections.

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Azimuthal anisotropy of charged jet production in root s(NN)=2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions

We present measurements of the azimuthal dependence of charged jet production in central and semi-central root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions with respect to the second harmonic event plane, quantified as nu(ch)(2) (jet). Jet finding is performed employing the anti-k(T) algorithm with a resolution parameter R = 0.2 using charged tracks from the ALICE tracking system. The contribution of the azimuthal anisotropy of the underlying event is taken into account event-by-event. The remaining (statistical) region-to-region fluctuations are removed on an ensemble basis by unfolding the jet spectra for different event plane orientations independently. Significant non-zero nu(ch)(2) (jet) is observed in semi-central collisions (30-50% centrality) for 20 <p(T)(ch) (jet) <90 GeV/c. The azimuthal dependence of the charged jet production is similar to the dependence observed for jets comprising both charged and neutral fragments, and compatible with measurements of the nu(2) of single charged particles at high p(T). Good agreement between the data and predictions from JEWEL, an event generator simulating parton shower evolution in the presence of a dense QCD medium, is found in semi-central collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe

Forward-central two-particle correlations in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Two-particle angular correlations between trigger particles in the forward pseudorapidity range (2.5 2GeV/c. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B. V.Peer reviewe

Event-shape engineering for inclusive spectra and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV

Peer reviewe

Pseudorapidity and transverse-momentum distributions of charged particles in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

The pseudorapidity (eta) and transverse-momentum (p(T)) distributions of charged particles produced in proton-proton collisions are measured at the centre-of-mass energy root s = 13 TeV. The pseudorapidity distribution in vertical bar eta vertical bar <1.8 is reported for inelastic events and for events with at least one charged particle in vertical bar eta vertical bar <1. The pseudorapidity density of charged particles produced in the pseudorapidity region vertical bar eta vertical bar <0.5 is 5.31 +/- 0.18 and 6.46 +/- 0.19 for the two event classes, respectively. The transverse-momentum distribution of charged particles is measured in the range 0.15 <p(T) <20 GeV/c and vertical bar eta vertical bar <0.8 for events with at least one charged particle in vertical bar eta vertical bar <1. The evolution of the transverse momentum spectra of charged particles is also investigated as a function of event multiplicity. The results are compared with calculations from PYTHIA and EPOS Monte Carlo generators. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe

Elliptic flow of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

The elliptic flow, v(2), of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity (2.5 <y <4) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)= 2.76TeVwith the ALICE detector at the LHC. The scalar product, two- and four-particle Q cumulants and Lee-Yang zeros methods are used. The dependence of the v(2) of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays on the collision centrality, in the range 0-40%, and on transverse momentum, p(T), is studied in the interval 3 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. A positive v(2) is observed with the scalar product and two-particle Q cumulants in semi-central collisions (10-20% and 20-40% centrality classes) for the p(T) interval from 3 to about 5GeV/c with a significance larger than 3 sigma, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties. The v(2) magnitude tends to decrease towards more central collisions and with increasing pT. It becomes compatible with zero in the interval 6 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. The results are compared to models describing the interaction of heavy quarks and open heavy-flavour hadrons with the high-density medium formed in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Centrality evolution of the charged-particle pseudorapidity density over a broad pseudorapidity range in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

Peer reviewe

Early Assurance Model for Physical Therapy Education: A Descriptive Study

Introduction: Various curriculum models for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education exist across the country. The purpose of this study was to provide an updated description of the Early Assurance (EA) program model, including administrative variables for institutional leaders to consider. This descriptive study may help equip students to choose an educational program that suits their desires and enable institutions to consider models that fit their needs given their typical admission draw, the local environment, student debt, and resources available. Applications to DPT programs are on the decline while there continues to be an expansion of programs. Institutions are looking for innovative models to address the changing landscape of higher education. Methods: An electronic survey was deployed to all Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredited DPT programs and contained 33 multiple-choice and free text questions. Responses were received from 30 EA programs and 60 programs without EA (non-EA). Quantitative data were reported in percentages and means, and a thematic analysis was used to determine themes from free text responses. Results: Admission criteria, progression criteria, majors leading to the DPT degree, and management of admissions processes varied across the programs. Four themes emerged from the non-EA programs regarding why they do not offer an EA pathway. Seventeen (28% of respondents) indicated they are now reviewing and considering an EA pathway. Conclusion: A variety of pathways leading into DPT graduate programs exist and may benefit students. Specifically, these variations may allow students to choose a program that fits their particular needs. The results of the study may inform prospective students who can utilize this information to ask more specific questions as they consider DPT programs. Moreover, as many allied health programs have accelerated pathways to the terminal degree, institutions can utilize these findings to inform decisions about EA programs and how these programs may address declines in admissions and retentio

Measuring the Average Peak Timing of Kinematic Variables in Youth and Adolescent Baseball Pitchers

# Background Previous studies have examined the timing of peak kinematic variables during the pitching cycle in high school, collegiate, and professional pitchers. These same variables have been studied less in younger populations. # Purpose To determine whether youth and adolescent baseball pitchers will experience peaks in certain kinematic variables at different times throughout the pitching cycle compared to professional/collegiate pitchers. # Study Design Cross-sectional, descriptive study # Methods Twenty-four participants were recruited for testing consisting of five recorded pitches using 3-Dimensional VICON® motion analysis system. The maximum values and timing of the peak kinematic variables were averaged across all trials using VICON Polygon® data analysis software. These values were recorded as percentages of the pitching cycle, defined from foot contact (0%) to ball release (100%). The following variables were examined: shoulder external rotation range of motion, shoulder internal rotation velocity, trunk rotation range of motion, trunk rotation velocity, pelvic rotation velocity, and stride length. Descriptive outcomes were calculated and results were compared to previous studies examining the same variables in collegiate and professional pitchers. # Results Twenty-four male participants (mean age 12.75 years, SD ± 2.02) were included in the study. Mean and standard deviations were identified for peak kinematic variables of shoulder external rotation ROM (158.71°, ±9.32), shoulder internal rotation velocity (92.26 rad/sec, ±19.29), trunk rotation velocity (15.94 rad/sec, ±1.68), trunk rotation ROM (23.57°, ±8.14), and average stride length (81.97% height ±4.57). Additionally, mean and standard deviations of peak kinematic variables were expressed as percentages to reflect when they occurred in the pitching cycle and included trunk rotation ROM (8.45%, ±12.72), pelvic rotation velocity (33.26%, ±16.42), trunk rotation velocity (41.59%, ±9.27), shoulder external rotation ROM (71.34%, ±6.61), and shoulder internal rotation velocity (86.93%, ±6.45). # Conclusion The sequential order of each variable was similar in youth and adolescents in comparison to collegiate and professional pitchers. However, the timing of each variable within the pitching cycle occurred approximately 10% earlier in the younger pitchers. The findings suggest differences in pitching mechanics exist between younger and more experienced populations. # Level of Evidence Level