Haptic guidance needs to be intuitive not just informative to improve human motor accuracy.

Humans make both random and systematic errors when reproducing learned movements. Intuitive haptic guidance that assists one to make the movements reduces such errors. Our study examined whether any additional haptic information about the location of the target reduces errors in a position reproduction task, or whether the haptic guidance needs to be assistive to do so. Holding a haptic device, subjects made reaches to visible targets without time constraints. They did so in a no-guidance condition, and in guidance conditions in which the direction of the force with respect to the target differed, but the force scaled with the distance to the target in the same way. We examined whether guidance forces directed towards the target would reduce subjects' errors in reproducing a prior position to the same extent as do forces rotated by 90 degrees or 180 degrees, as it might because the forces provide the same information in all three cases. Without vision of the arm, both the accuracy and precision were significantly better with guidance directed towards the target than in all other conditions. The errors with rotated guidance did not differ from those without guidance. Not surprisingly, the movements tended to be faster when guidance forces directed the reaches to the target. This study shows that haptic guidance significantly improved motor performance when using it was intuitive, while non-intuitively presented information did not lead to any improvements and seemed to be ignored even in our simple paradigm with static targets and no time constraints

Neural origins of basal diencephalon in teleost fishes: Radial versus tangential migration

Teleost fish possess large lateral diencephalic regions such as the torus lateralis, the preglomerular area, and the diffuse nucleus of the hypothalamic inferior lobe. While their developmental origins traditionally were suggested to lie in diencephalic midline ventricular proliferative zones, more remote midbrain origins were reported recently. This review focuses on the preglomerular region and summarizes the data supporting three existing hypotheses on its developmental origins. The conclusion is that lateral torus, diffuse nucleus of hypothalamic inferior lobe, and preglomerular region are part of the diencephalon, but have a multiregional origin provided by both radially and tangentially migrating cells forming these regions in question

Acute stress differentially affects spatial configuration learning in high and low cortisol-responding healthy adults

Background: Stress and stress hormones modulate memory formation in various ways that are relevant to our understanding of stress-related psychopathology, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Particular relevance is attributed to efficient memory formation sustained by the hippocampus and parahippocampus. This process is thought to reduce the occurrence of intrusions and flashbacks following trauma, but may be negatively affected by acute stress. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that the efficiency of visuo-spatial processing and learning based on the hippocampal area is related to PTSD symptoms. Objective: The current study investigated the effect of acute stress on spatial configuration learning using a spatial contextual cueing task (SCCT) known to heavily rely on structures in the parahippocampus. Method: Acute stress was induced by subjecting participants (N = 34) to the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST). Following a counterbalanced within-subject approach, the effects of stress and the ensuing hormonal (i.e., cortisol) activity on subsequent SCCT performance were compared to SCCT performance following a no-stress control condition. Results: Acute stress did not impact SCCT learning overall, but opposing effects emerged for high versus low cortisol responders to the MAST. Learning scores following stress were reduced in low cortisol responders, while high cortisol-responding participants showed improved learning. Conclusions: The effects of stress on spatial configuration learning were moderated by the magnitude of endogenous cortisol secretion. These findings suggest a possible mechanism by which cortisol responses serve an adaptive function during stress and trauma, and this may prove to be a promising route for future research in this area

Is everything quantum spooky and weird? An exploration of popular communication about quantum science and technology in TEDx talks

Researchers point to four potential issues related to the popularisation of quantum science and technology. These include a lack of explaining underlying quantum concepts of quantum 2.0 technology, framing quantum science and technology as spooky and enigmatic, framing quantum technology narrowly in terms of public good and having a strong focus on quantum computing. To date, no research has yet assessed whether these potential issues are actually present in popular communication about quantum science. In this content analysis, we have examined the presence of these potential issues in 501 TEDx talks with quantum science and technology content. Results show that while most experts (70%) explained at least one underlying quantum concept (superposition, entanglement or contextuality) of quantum 2.0 technology, only 28% of the non-experts did so. Secondly, the spooky/enigmatic frame was present in about a quarter of the talks. Thirdly, a narrow public good frame was found, predominantly by highlighting the benefits of quantum science and technology (found in over 6 times more talks than risks). Finally, the main focus was on quantum computing at the expense of other quantum technologies. In conclusion, the proposed frames are indeed found in TEDx talks, there is indeed a focus on quantum computing, but at least experts explain underlying quantum concepts often.Comment: 30 pages, 7 figure

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of psychosis

The objective of the current research was to examine the relation between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) use and risk of psychosis. To this end we performed a longitudinal case-control study using prescription data from a Dutch health insurance company. Men aged 25 years or over and women aged 30 years or over were excluded to prevent inclusion of non-incident cases. This resulted in eighty-two cases and 359 randomly selected controls from the same population. The overall relative risk of incident antipsychotic use for NSAID users, adjusted for age and prescription frequency, was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.48-1.33). After stratification for gender the risk of psychosis was significantly lower (59%) in male NSAID users only. The relative risks for male and female subjects were 0.41 (95% CI: 0.17-0.97) and 1.31 (95% CI: 0.65-2.64), respectively. These results suggest that in men NSAIDs may lower the risk of psychosis. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved

Chromatic induction and the layout of colours within a complex scene

AbstractA target’s apparent colour is influenced by the colours in its surrounding. If the surrounding consists of a single coloured surface, the influence is a shift ‘away’ from the surface’s colour. If the surface is more than 1° from the target area the shift is very small. If there are many surfaces, then not only the average luminance and chromaticity of the surfaces matters, but also the chromatic variability. It is not yet clear whether it makes any difference where the chromatic variability is within the scene, so we constructed stimuli in which the chromatic variability was restricted to certain regions. We found that it made very little difference where the chromatic variability was located. The extent to which the average colour of nearby surfaces influences the apparent colour of the target seems to depend on the average chromatic variability of the whole scene

Operative Verfahren bei hohen kryptoglandulären Analfisteln: Systematische Übersicht und Metaanalyse

Purpose: Perianal fistulas, and specifically high perianal fistulas, remain a challenge for surgical treatment. Many techniques have been and are still being developed to improve the outcome after surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed for surgical treatment of high cryptoglandular perianal fistulas. Methods: Medline (Pubmed, Ovid), Embase and The Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials on surgical treatments for high cryptoglandular perianal fistulas. Two independent reviewers selected articles for inclusion based on title, abstract and outcomes described. The main outcome measurement was the recurrence/healing rate. Secondary outcomes were continence status, quality of life and complications. Results: The number of randomized trials available was low. Fourteen studies could be included in the review. A meta-analysis could only be performed for the mucosal advancement flap versus the fistula plug, and did not show a result in favour of either technique in recurrence or complication rate. The mucosal advancement flap was the most investigated technique but did not show any advantage over any other technique. Other techniques identified in randomized studies were seton treatment, medicated seton treatment, fibrin glue, autologous stem cells, island flap anoplasty, rectal wall advancement flap, ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract, sphincter reconstruction, sphincter-preserving seton and techniques combined with antibiotics. None of these techniques seemed superior to each other. Conclusions: The best surgical treatment for high cryptoglandular perianal fistulas could not be identified. More randomized controlled trials are needed to find the best treatment. The mucosal advancement flap is the most investigated technique available