A Future of Current Flow Modelling for Transcranial Electrical Stimulation?

Purpose of Review: Transcranialelectrical stimulation (tES) is used to non-invasively modulate brain activityin health and disease. Current flow modeling (CFM) provides estimates of whereand how much electrical current is delivered to in the brain during tES. Ittherefore holds promise as a method to reduce commonplace variability in tESdelivery and, in turn, the outcomes of stimulation. However, the adoption ofCFM has not yet been widespread and its impact on tES outcome variability isunclear. Here, we discuss the potential barriers to effective, practicalCFM-informed tES use. Recent Findings: CFMhas progressed from models based on concentric spheres to gyri-precise headmodels derived from individual MRI scans. Users can now estimate the intensityof electrical fields (E-fields), their spatial extent, and the direction ofcurrent flow in a target brain region during tES. Here. we consider the multi-dimensionalchallenge of implementing CFM to optimise stimulation dose: this requiresinformed decisions to prioritise E-field characteristics most likely to resultin desired stimulation outcomes, though the physiological consequences of themodelled current flow are often unknown. Second, we address the issue of adisconnect between predictions of E-field characteristics provided by CFMs andpredictions of the physiological consequences of stimulation which CFMs are notdesigned to address. Third, we discuss how ongoing development of CFM inconjunction with other modelling approaches could overcome these challengeswhile maintaining accessibility for widespread use. Summary: Theincreasing complexity and sophistication of CFM is a mandatory step towards dosecontrol and precise, individualised delivery of tES. However, it also riskscounteracting the appeal of tES as a straightforward, cost-effective tool forneuromodulation, particularly in clinical settings

Central CD4+ T cell tolerance: deletion versus regulatory T cell differentiation

The diversion of MHC class II-restricted thymocytes into the regulatory T (Treg) cell lineage, similarly to clonal deletion, is driven by intrathymic encounter of agonist self-antigens. Somewhat paradoxically, it thus seems that the expression of an autoreactive T cell receptor is a shared characteristic of T cells that are subject to clonal deletion and those that are diverted into the Treg cell lineage. Here, we discuss how thymocyte-intrinsic and -extrinsic determinants may specify the choice between these two fundamentally different T cell fates

Search for gravitational waves associated with gamma-ray bursts detected by Fermi and Swift during the LIGO–Virgo run O3b

We search for gravitational-wave signals associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the Fermi and Swift satellites during the second half of the third observing run of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo (2019 November 1 15:00 UTC–2020 March 27 17:00 UTC). We conduct two independent searches: a generic gravitational-wave transients search to analyze 86 GRBs and an analysis to target binary mergers with at least one neutron star as short GRB progenitors for 17 events. We find no significant evidence for gravitational-wave signals associated with any of these GRBs. A weighted binomial test of the combined results finds no evidence for subthreshold gravitational-wave signals associated with this GRB ensemble either. We use several source types and signal morphologies during the searches, resulting in lower bounds on the estimated distance to each GRB. Finally, we constrain the population of low-luminosity short GRBs using results from the first to the third observing runs of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. The resulting population is in accordance with the local binary neutron star merger rate

Gamelight - Gamification of the outdoor cycling experience

Copyright held by the owner/author(s). GameLight is a smart bicycle light that overlays a virtual game projected on the ground, within the user’s natural field of view while cycling. The system aims to enhance the cycling exertion experience by augmenting it with various game elements presented in two game modes: (1) an “Arcade" mode that implements a virtual coin collecting mechanic, and (2) a “Challenge" mode that provides timed effort challenges. The system consists of a pico-projector and mobile phone wirelessly connected to cadence, speed and heart rate sensors that serve as input to the virtually projected game to achieve a fun and playful effect while cycling in a controlled environment. This demo will be appealing to attendees interested in designing playful technology to support exertion