Multimodal imaging of human brain activity: rational, biophysical aspects and modes of integration

Until relatively recently the vast majority of imaging and electrophysiological studies of human brain activity have relied on single-modality measurements usually correlated with readily observable or experimentally modified behavioural or brain state patterns. Multi-modal imaging is the concept of bringing together observations or measurements from different instruments. We discuss the aims of multi-modal imaging and the ways in which it can be accomplished using representative applications. Given the importance of haemodynamic and electrophysiological signals in current multi-modal imaging applications, we also review some of the basic physiology relevant to understanding their relationship

IR-Singularities in Noncommutative Perturbative Dynamics?

We analyse the IR-singularities that appear in a noncommutative scalar quantum field theory on $\mathcal{E}_4$. We demonstrate with the help of the quadratic one-loop effective action and an appropriate field redefinition that no IR-singularities exist. No new degrees of freedom are needed to describe the UV/IR-mixing.Comment: 6 pages, amsLaTe

Analyzing and Decoding Natural Reach-and-Grasp Actions Using Gel, Water and Dry EEG Systems

Reaching and grasping is an essential part of everybody’s life, it allows meaningful interaction with the environment and is key to independent lifestyle. Recent electroencephalogram (EEG)-based studies have already shown that neural correlates of natural reach-and-grasp actions can be identified in the EEG. However, it is still in question whether these results obtained in a laboratory environment can make the transition to mobile applicable EEG systems for home use. In the current study, we investigated whether EEG-based correlates of natural reach-and-grasp actions can be successfully identified and decoded using mobile EEG systems, namely the water-based EEG-VersatileTM system and the dry-electrodes EEG-HeroTM headset. In addition, we also analyzed gel-based recordings obtained in a laboratory environment (g.USBamp/g.Ladybird, gold standard), which followed the same experimental parameters. For each recording system, 15 study participants performed 80 self-initiated reach-and-grasp actions toward a glass (palmar grasp) and a spoon (lateral grasp). Our results confirmed that EEG-based correlates of reach-and-grasp actions can be successfully identified using these mobile systems. In a single-trial multiclass-based decoding approach, which incorporated both movement conditions and rest, we could show that the low frequency time domain (LFTD) correlates were also decodable. Grand average peak accuracy calculated on unseen test data yielded for the water-based electrode system 62.3% (9.2% STD), whereas for the dry-electrodes headset reached 56.4% (8% STD). For the gel-based electrode system 61.3% (8.6% STD) could be achieved. To foster and promote further investigations in the field of EEG-based movement decoding, as well as to allow the interested community to make their own conclusions, we provide all datasets publicly available in the BNCI Horizon 2020 database (http://bnci-horizon-2020.eu/database/data-sets)

Graphene oxide based functional hierarchical materials

Current synthetic composite structural materials typically exhibit a trade-off between mechanical properties, sacrificing one property for the enhancement of another. Comparatively, natural materials have been shown to optimize several properties simultaneously. The origin of this remarkable capacity is believed to be in large part due to the hierarchical structure observed in natural materials that span length scales over several orders of magnitude. Limitations in currently available processing methods and materials have restricted the ability to reproducibly and cost-effectively manufacture hierarchical, biomimetic materials. However, graphene oxide (GO) has proven to be an excellent candidate for the facile fabrication of such materials. In earlier studies, we have demonstrated four levels of the hierarchical structure of GO papers formed by vacuum filtration of aqueous GO dispersions – the nanometer thick graphene oxide sheets, ~75-nm thick lamellae of stacked nanosheets, ~400-nm thick superlamellae, and finally the paper itself on the micron scale. By incorporating various polymer materials into the GO papers with controlled ordering, we are able to tune the interactions of the intermediate length scale structures. The ability to fuse GO papers further allows for the creation of novel materials where properties vary in the direction of stacking. In addition, these materials can be rendered multifunctional, by means of postprocessing, to induce properties such as electrical conductivity. In this study, we provide an overview of this design process and demonstrate a system that replicates the structure of fish armor plating while adding electrical functionality. Earlier studies on the organization of fish armor plating reveal the complex structure of the individual scales, where each individual layer serves a discrete function in resisting puncture attacks to the fish. The uppermost layer, for example, would be of maximum stiffness to prevent penetration, whereas the underlying layers are more compliant, serving to dissipate energy. This example is one a realization of a toolbox for the fabrication of complex hierarchical structures with the ability to control mechanical, electrical, thermal, and transport properties

Natural regeneration of trees in selectively logged forest in western Amazonia.

We evaluated the impacts of selective logging on tree regeneration one, four, and eight years after harvests in Antimary State Forest in the State of Acre, Brazil. We inventoried tree seedlings, saplings, and poles (>50 cm tall to <10 cm DBH) on secondary roads, log landing, and skid trails, as well as in the bole and crown zones of canopy gaps created by felling; for comparison we also sampled areas not affected directly by logging. We compared these habitats on the basis soil (physical) characteristics, canopy cover, and floristic composition. For areas one and four years after logging, we supplemented the ground-based information with aerial LiDAR data. By eight years post-logging the size class distributions of tree regeneration in all habitat types resembled those in unlogged areas, and densities were only lower in crown gaps. Eight years after logging, relative densities of pioneer trees were highest on secondary roads and log landings; no among habitat differences were observed in the relative densities of non-pioneer species at any time along the chronosequence. Tree species diversity (Fisher's alpha) converged on unlogged values on skid trails, bole gaps, and crown gaps at 8-years post-logging, but values remained lower on secondary roads and log landings. Canopy openness was greatest one year after logging, especially in log landings (mean 45.4 ± SE 4.5%) whereas four and eight years post-logging it did not exceed 10% and no differences were found among habitats. Soil bulk density was elevated relative to un-logged areas only on log landings one and four years after logging, and this difference disappeared by eight years postlogging. The total area disturbed by logging varied from 7.0% to 8.6% with nearly half of the totals in felling gaps (3.0-3.7%)

Moregrasp: Restoration of Upper Limb Function in Individuals with High Spinal Cord Injury by Multimodal Neuroprostheses for Interaction in Daily Activities

The aim of the MoreGrasp project is to develop a noninvasive, multimodal user interface including a brain-computer interface (BCI) for intuitive control of a grasp neuroprosthesis to support individuals with high spinal cord injury (SCI) in everyday activities. We describe the current state of the project, including the EEG system, preliminary results of natural movements decoding in people with SCI, the new electrode concept for the grasp neuroprosthesis, the shared control architecture behind the system and the implementation of a user-centered design