Boundaries of Semantic Distraction: Dominance and Lexicality Act at Retrieval

Three experiments investigated memory for semantic information with the goal of determining boundary conditions for the manifestation of semantic auditory distraction. Irrelevant speech disrupted the free recall of semantic category-exemplars to an equal degree regardless of whether the speech coincided with presentation or test phases of the task (Experiment 1) and occurred regardless of whether it comprised random words or coherent sentences (Experiment 2). The effects of background speech were greater when the irrelevant speech was semantically related to the to-be-remembered material, but only when the irrelevant words were high in output dominance (Experiment 3). The implications of these findings in relation to the processing of task material and the processing of background speech is discussed

Intramedullary fixation of intertrochanteric hip fractures : a comparison of two implant designs : a prospective randomised clinical trial

We report the results of a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing the Gamma 3 nail with the ACE trochanteric nail for the treatment of pertrochanteric femoral fractures. One hundred and twelve consecutive patients were enrolled in the study : 61 patients were treated with the Gamma 3 nail, 51 with the ACE trochanteric nail. The two groups were matched for age, fracture type and preoperative Merle d'Aubigne hip score. All patients were followed up clinically and radiographically on a regular basis between 6 weeks and one year postoperatively. Twenty-six patients (23%) died within the first postoperative year. Six patients were lost to follow-up. In each group, two patients were revised due to mechanical failure. Nonunion did not occur. The mean postoperative hip scores in the Gamma 3 and the ACE group were 14.19 and 14.12 respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.92). Walking ability was adequately restored in approximately 80% of the patients. Both implants appeared as safe and effective methods of treatment for intertrochanteric hip fractures

Praktische aanbevelingen bij de aanpak van acute ritmestoornissen: Verslag van de Belgische Interdisciplinaire Werkgroep van Acute Cardiologie (BIWAC)

Acute arrhythmia is a condition covering a wide variety of rhythm disturbances. The aim of this article is to give practical recommendations for the management of the patient presenting with an acute arrhythmia. We discuss bradycardia and tachycardia. Tachycardias are divided into the small QRS complex tachycardias and the wide QRS complex tachycardias. Other important issues are the distinction between the hemodynamic stable and unstable patient and the need for trombo-embolic prevention of the patient with atrial fibrillation. Flowcharts with diagnostic means and therapeutic schemes as well as a table with practical considerations for electrical cardioversion are provided.SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Here’s looking at you: eye gaze and collaborative recall

International audienceIn everyday life, we remember together often. Surprisingly, research reliably shows costs of collaboration. People remember less in groups than the same number of individuals remember separately. However, there is evidence that some groups are more successful than others, depending on factors such as group relationship and verbal communication strategies. To understand further the characteristics of more successful vs. less successful collaborative groups, we examined whether non-verbal eye gaze behaviour was associated with group outcomes. We used eye tracking glasses to measure how much collaborating dyads looked at each other during collaborative recall, and examined whether individual differences in eye-and face-directed gaze were associated with collaborative performance. Increased eye-and face-directed gaze was associated with higher collaborative recall performance, more explicit strategy use, more post-collaborative benefits, and increased memory overlap. However, it was also associated with pre-collaborative recall, indicating that gaze during collaboration may at least partially reflect pre-existing abilities. This research helps elucidate individual differences that underlie the outcomes of collaborative recall, and suggests that non-verbal communication differentiates more vs. less successful collaborative groups