Outcomes from an intensive comprehensive aphasia program (ICAP): A retrospective look

Intensive comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAPs) are increasingly sought-after by consumers. It is important to examine outcomes from this unique clinical service model to determine feasibility, effectiveness, and potentially, to determine profiles of patient recovery. This poster presents retrospective data from first time participants in one ICAP over a 5 year period. Findings demonstrate significant improvements on language and activity/participation measures from pre-treatment to post-treatment

From Kiobel Back to Structural Reform: The Hidden Legacy of Holocaust Restitution Litigation

This paper offers a new approach to the issue of transnational corporate liability for human rights violations and more generally an inquiry into the place of domestic legal experiences in theorizing about transnational law. Grounded in a study of the Holocaust restitution litigation of the 1990s, we explain corporate liability as a type of bureaucratic liability and explore in depth the relationship between the Holocaust litigation and the theory of structural reform litigation developed in the U.S. to address the bureaucratic structure of rights violations. We read the restitution litigation in light of pluralist reformulations of structural reform, in which norms are not enunciated in a hierarchical manner by the judge but are produced contextually through dialogue between court and parties. We use this analysis to challenge contemporary theoretical treatments of transnational corporate responsibility for human rights violations and suggest more promising directions for theorization

Whistleblowing in the Compliance Era

International events over the last year have propelled theimportance of whistleblowers to the forefront. It is increasinglyevident that whistleblowers provide immense value to society.Yet, for years, whistleblowers have been victims of retaliation,commonly experiencing threats, discrimination, andemployment termination due to their reporting. Against thebackdrop of a society heavily defined by compliance-focusedinitiatives—where organizations and industries constructrobust compliance programs, internal policies, and codes ofconduct—this Article highlights a significant gap in legalprotections for would-be whistleblowers. While complianceinitiatives demonstrate that active self-regulation isincreasingly a staple of organizational governance, this Articlepinpoints the problems that arise when such initiatives extendbeyond applicable legal thresholds for retaliation protection.This over-extension leaves vulnerable employees and potentialwhistleblowers without legal recourse following adverseemployment actions, even if they comply with their employers’ internal policies and compliance programs. We examine thisgap in legal protections in the context of compliance initiativesin three domains: equal employment opportunity and sexualharassment; securities fraud; and anti-corruption. We thencompare these initiatives with the legal and regulatorycompliance postures under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of1964, the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and ConsumerProtection Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,respectively, to illustrate how most compliance initiatives failto mirror the retaliation protections under those statutes. Toremedy this gap in protections, we propose complementarysolutions under contract and tort law frameworks, coupledwith soft law initiatives

Impact of Personalization on Acquisition and Generalization of Script Training: A Preliminary Analysis

Eight individuals with chronic aphasia underwent intensive computer-based script training. Trained and untrained generalization scripts, matched for length and complexity, were developed. The two scripts shared personalized and non-personalized words/phrases. Training lasted three weeks. Script performance was probed periodically. For acquisition, the gain from baseline to post-treatment for both personalized and non-personalized words/phrases on the trained script was significant; the effect size of personalization over non-personalization was moderate. For generalization, the gain for both personalized and non-personalized items was also significant, but the effect size of personalization over non-personalization was small. Limitations of the study are discussed

Acquisition, Maintenance and Generalization of Script Training: A Comparison of Errorful and Error-Reducing Conditions

Relatively few studies have investigated errorless versus errorful learning in aphasia, and most have focused on the single word level. In a review of a series of anomia studies, Fillingham et al. (2003) found that rate of success was equivalent for errorless and errorful conditions; the number of therapies using errorful techniques outweighed those based on errorless learning; errorless approaches were likely to achieve positive immediate effects, but many of the errorless studies did not report long term effects and generalization; and there was a lack of studies reporting a direct comparison of errorful and errorless learning. More recent work has continued to support the findings that there is no essential difference between error-free and errorless learning approaches (Middleton & Schwartz, 2012). However, none have investigated and contrasted the errorless/errorful learning paradigm in the production of phrases and sentences. This pilot study directly measures and compare the acquisition, maintenance and generalization of script-training under both error-reducing and errorful conditions. We hypothesized that error-reducing training would improve acquisition of a trained script while errorful learning would improve maintenance of the trained script and generalization to untrained scripts

Intensive Language Therapy for Nonfluent Aphasia With And Without Surgical Implantation of an Investigational Cortical Stimulation Device: Preliminary Language and Imaging Results

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the feasibility of targeted epidural cortical stimulation delivered concurrently with speech-language therapy (SLT) in four subjects with chronic Broca’s aphasia. Four matched controls received identical SLT without stimulation. Investigational subjects showed a mean WAB-AQ change of 8.0 points immediately post-therapy and at 6-week follow-up, and 12.3 points at 12-week follow-up. The control group’s mean WAB-AQ change was 4.6, 5.5, and 3.6 points, respectively. Similar patterns of change were noted on the Communicative Effectiveness Index. fMRI changes suggested differential reorganization. Cortical stimulation in combination with intensive SLT may enhance language rehabilitation for chronic Broca’s aphasia

Aphasia Treatment over the Internet: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

We report results of a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating an aphasia treatment provided over the internet. Thirty-two persons with aphasia were randomized to receive 6 weeks of practice with Oral Reading for Language in Aphasia (ORLA) (N=19) or a commercial computer game (N=13). Results indicated significant changes on WAB-R subtests (AQ, reading and writing) with web-based ORLA; changes were maintained for six weeks. There was no significant difference between ORLA versus the placebo computer program.  Findings support the feasibility and efficacy of providing ORLA over the internet. Reasons for improvements with the commercial computer program are discussed

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Aphasia Treatment: A Pilot Study of Anodal, Cathodal and Sham Stimulation

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may potentially enhance language therapy outcomes in aphasia. We report behavioral results for twelve participants with chronic aphasia matched for severity and randomized to receive anodal, cathodal or sham stimulation to the left hemisphere, concurrent with intensive speech-language therapy. Importantly, tDCS (1mA for 13 minutes) given 5 days a week over a prolonged period of time (6 weeks) was found to be safe. There was an advantage of both anodal and cathodal stimulation over sham stimulation. Cathodal stimulation to the left hemisphere may be a viable option and should not be overlooked in future research

Investigating the Feasibility of Utilizing Carbon Nanotube Fibers for Spacesuit Dust Mitigation

Historical data from the Apollo missions has compelled NASA to identify dust mitigation of spacesuits and other components as a critical path prior to sending humans on potential future lunar exploration missions. Several studies thus far have proposed passive and active countermeasures to address this challenge. However, these technologies have been primarily developed and proven for rigid surfaces such as solar cells and thermal radiators. Integration of these technologies for spacesuit dust mitigation has remained an open challenge due to the complexity of suit design. Current research investigates novel methods to enhance integration of the Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) concept for spacesuits. We leverage previously proven EDS concept developed by NASA for rigid surfaces and apply new techniques to integrate the technology into spacesuits to mitigate dust contamination. The study specifically examines the feasibility of utilizing Carbon Nanotube (CNT) yarns manufactured by Rice University as electrodes in spacesuit material. Proof of concept testing was conducted at NASA Kennedy Space Center using lunar regolith simulant to understand the feasibility of the proposed techniques for spacesuit application. Results from the experiments are detailed in this paper. Potential challenges of applying this technology for spacesuits are also identified

Is More Better? Preliminary Results from a Computer Treatment Study for Aphasia

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of an oral reading treatment provided via computer, and compared outcomes for 10-hours versus 4-hours of weekly practice. An intent-to-treat analysis showed subjects receiving 6-weeks of computer treatment improved significantly more on the Aphasia Quotient of the Western Aphasia Battery than subjects receiving no treatment. 10-hours of weekly practice resulted in a mean WAB AQ change of 6.76 (SD=7.63) compared to a mean change of 3.92 (SD=6.22) in the 4-hour group. However, after 24 treatment hours, language improvements were greater when practice was less intensive. Implications for clinical treatment and research are discussed