High-definition tDCS of the temporo-parietal cortex enhances access to newly learned words

Learning associations between words and their referents is crucial for language learning in the developing and adult brain and for language re-learning after neurological injury. Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the posterior temporo-parietal cortex has been suggested to enhance this process. However, previous studies employed standard tDCS set-ups that induce diffuse current flow in the brain, preventing the attribution of stimulation effects to the target region. This study employed high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) that allowed the current flow to be constrained to the temporo-parietal cortex, to clarify its role in novel word learning. In a sham-controlled, double-blind, between-subjects design, 50 healthy adults learned associations between legal non-words and unfamiliar object pictures. Participants were stratified by baseline learning ability on a short version of the learning paradigm and pairwise randomized to active (20 mins; N = 25) or sham (40 seconds; N = 25) HD-tDCS. Accuracy was comparable during the baseline and experimental phases in both HD-tDCS conditions. However, active HD-tDCS resulted in faster retrieval of correct word-picture pairs. Our findings corroborate the critical role of the temporo-parietal cortex in novel word learning, which has implications for current theories of language acquisition

Probing the chiral nature of electromagnetic fields surrounding plasmonic nanostructures

Copyright © 2013 American Physical SocietyWe investigate the chiral properties of near fields around plasmonic nanostructures and their relation to the electromagnetic chirality C. By combining chiral metal nanoparticles with achiral dye molecules and measuring the circular polarization dependence of the enhanced photoluminescence, we find a correlation between the dissymmetry of the luminescence enhancement and the calculated values of C. These effects are strong (∼10−1), despite the weak circular dichroism of the particles (∼10−5). We further show that C represents the chiral selectivity of the near-field coupling between an emitter and a nanoantenna

Electronic structure of arsabenzene: Microwave spectrum, dipole moment, and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants

The microwave spectrum of arsabenzene was analyzed; a dipole transitions were observed. The following rotational constants were obtained; A = 4871.03 +/- 0.18 MHz, B = 2295.87 +/- 0.01 MHz, C = 1560.10 +/- 0.01 MHz. The dipole moment was 1.10 +/- 0.04 D. The nuclear quadrupole coupling constants due to the 75As nucleus were [chi]aa = -186.4 +/- 0.1 MHz, [chi]bb = 43.5 +/- 0.2 MHz, [chi]cc = 142.9 +/- 0.2 MHz, and the asymmetry parameter, [eta] = 0.533 +/- 0.002. Analysis of the quadrupole coupling constants indicated that the population of the 4p orbitals on arsenic decrease in the order na > nb > nc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/22180/1/0000611.pd

Use of the Resection Map system as guidance during hepatectomy

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An Umbrella Review of Aphasia Intervention descriPtion In Research: the AsPIRE project

Background: Recent reviews conclude that aphasia intervention is effective. However, replication and implementation require detailed reporting of intervention is and a specification of participant profiles. To date, reviews concentrate more on efficacy than on intervention reporting quality. Aims : The aim of this project is to review the descriptions of aphasia interventions and participants appearing in recent systematic reviews of aphasia intervention effectiveness. The relationship between the quality of these descriptions and the robustness of research design is explored, and the replicability of aphasia interventions is evaluated. Methods and Procedures : The scope of our search was an analysis of the aphasia intervention studies included in the and EBRSR 2018 systematic reviews, and in the RCSLT 2014 literature synthesis. Intervention descriptions published separately from the intervention study (i.e. published online, in clinical tools, or a separate trial protocols) were not included. The criteria for inclusion were that participants had aphasia, the intervention involved language and/or communication, and included the following research designs: Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT), comparison or control, crossover design, case series. Exclusion criteria included non-SLT interventions, studies involving fewer than four participants, conference abstracts, studies not available in English. Studies were evaluated for completeness of intervention description using the TIDieR Checklist. Additionally, we rated the quality of patient and intervention description, with particular reference to replicability. Outcomes and Results: Ninety-three studies were included. Only 14 studies (15%) had >50 participants. Fifty-six studies (60%) did not select participants with a specific aphasia profile, and a further 10 studies only described participants as non-fluent. Across the studies, an average of eight (of 12) TIDieR checklist items were given but information on where, tailoring, modification and fidelity items was rarely available. Studies that evaluated general aphasia intervention approaches tended to use RCT designs, whereas more specific intervention studies were more likely to use case series designs. Conclusions: Group studies were generally under-powered and there was a paucity of research looking at specific aphasia interventions for specific aphasia profiles. There was a trade-off between the robustness of the design and the level of specificity of the intervention described. While the TIDieR framework is a useful guide to information which should be included in an intervention study, it is insufficiently sensitive for assessing replicability. We consider possible solutions to the challenges of making large-scale trials more useful for determining effective aphasia intervention

Expression of functional traits during seedling establishment in two populations of Pinus ponderosa from contrasting climates

First-year tree seedlings represent a particularly vulnerable life stage and successful seedling establishment is crucial for forest regeneration. We investigated the extent to which Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson populations from different climate zones exhibit differential expression of functional traits that may facilitate their establishment. Seeds from two populations from sites with contrasting precipitation and temperature regimes east (PIPOdry) and west (PIPOmesic) of the Oregon Cascade mountains were sown in a common garden experiment and grown under two water availability treatments (control and drought). Aboveground biomass accumulation, vegetative phenology, xylem anatomy, plant hydraulic architecture, foliar stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C), gas exchange and leaf water relations characteristics were measured. No treatment or population-related differences in leaf water potential were detected. At the end of the first growing season, aboveground biomass was 74 and 44% greater in PIPOmesic in the control and drought treatments, respectively. By early October, 73% of PIPOdry seedlings had formed dormant buds compared with only 15% of PIPOmesic seedlings. Stem theoretical specific conductivity, calculated from tracheid dimensions and packing density, declined from June through September and was nearly twice as high in PIPOmesic during most of the growing season, consistent with measured values of specific conductivity. Intrinsic water-use efficiency based on δ13C values was higher in PIPOdry seedlings for both treatments across all sampling dates. There was a negative relationship between values of δ13C and leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity across populations and treatments, consistent with greater stomatal constraints on gas exchange with declining seedling hydraulic capacity. Integrated growing season assimilation and stomatal conductance estimated from foliar δ13C values and photosynthetic CO2-response curves were 6 and 28% lower, respectively, in PIPOdry seedlings. Leaf water potential at the turgor loss point was 0.33 MPa more negative in PIPOdry, independent of treatment. Overall, PIPOdry seedlings exhibited more conservative behavior, suggesting reduced growth is traded off for increased resistance to drought and extreme temperatures.Keywords: gas exchange, carbon isotope discrimination, phenology, osmotic potential, hydraulic architecture, genetic variatio

Acceptability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of low-moderate intensity Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy and Multi-Modality Aphasia Therapy in chronic aphasia after stroke

Background: High-intensity Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy Plus (CIAT-Plus) and Multi-Modality Aphasia Therapy (M-MAT) are effective interventions for chronic post-stroke aphasia but challenging to provide in clinical practice. Providing these interventions may be more feasible at lower intensities, but comparative evidence is lacking. We therefore explored feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the treatments at a lower intensity. Methods: A multisite, single-blinded, randomized Phase II trial was conducted within the Phase III COMPARE trial. Groups of participants with chronic aphasia from the usual care arm of the COMPARE trial were randomized to M-MAT or CIAT-Plus, delivered at the same dose as the COMPARE trial but at lower intensity (6 hours/week × 5 weeks rather than 15 hours/week × 2 weeks). Blinded assessors measured aphasia severity (Western Aphasia Battery-Revised Aphasia Quotient), word retrieval, connected speech, multimodal communication, functional communication, and quality of life immediately post interventions and after 12 weeks. Feasibility and acceptability were explored. Results: Of 70 eligible participants, 77% consented to the trial; 78% of randomized participants completed intervention and 98% of assessment visits were conducted. Fatigue and distress ratings were low with no related withdrawals. Adverse events related to the trial (n = 4) were mild in severity. Statistically significant treatment effects were demonstrated on word retrieval and functional communication and both interventions were equally effective. Conclusions: Low–moderateintensity CIAT-Plus and M-MAT were feasible and acceptable. Both interventions show preliminary efficacy at a low–moderate intensity. These results support a powered trial investigating these interventions at a low–moderate intensity

Progress On Compare: A Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Constraint-Induced And Multi-Modal Aphasia Therapy To Usual Care In People With Chronic Aphasia

Background/Aims: Chronic post-stroke aphasia impacts 30% of stroke survivors. The aim of this trial is to determine whether two contrasting, intensive treatments, Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT) and Multi-Modal Aphasia Therapy (M-MAT), are superior and cost-effective than usual care (UC). The variable response to these therapies may be accounted for by aphasia severity and co-occurring cognitive problems. Methods: 3-arm prospective, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Primary end point at 3 months post-treatment. Participants (n = 198) are randomised to CIAT, M-MAT or UC. CIAT and M-MAT both focus on intensive speech practice (30 hours over 2 weeks) using interactive game formats. However, while M-MAT involves gesture, writing, and drawing cues, CIAT focuses on speech alone. UC is usual health service-based aphasia therapy. Primary outcome immediately post treatment is the Aphasia Quotient of the Western Aphasia Battery. Secondary outcomes at 3-month follow-up include measures of connected speech, multi-modal communication, and quality of life. Participant cognitive and linguistic predictors of treatment response are identified. Re-randomised UC participants will undertake a less intense schedule (30 hours over 5 weeks) in a nested sub-study exploring the impact of treatment intensity on outcomes. A full cost-effectiveness analysis will be undertaken. Results: The trial is underway: ethics approval, trial registration, and database are established. Recruitment from five Australian states has commenced. Conclusions: This trial will determine if there is a significant therapeutic effect of, and variable response to treatment types in chronic aphasia. Essential economic evaluation information for service delivery standards for aphasia rehabilitation will be described.1 page(s

Coagulopathy, Bleeding Events, and Outcome According to Rotational Thromboelastometry in Patients With Acute Liver Injury/Failure

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/169284/1/hep31767_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/169284/2/hep31767-sup-0001-Supinfo.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/169284/3/hep31767.pd