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A case for hybrid BCIs: combining optical and electrical modalities improves accuracy
No full textNear-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a promising research tool that found its way into the field of brain-computer interfacing (BCI). BCI is crucially dependent on maximized usability thus demanding lightweight, compact, and low-cost hardware. We designed, built, and validated a hybrid BCI system incorporating one optical and two electrical modalities ameliorating usability issues. The novel hardware consisted of a NIRS device integrated with an electroencephalography (EEG) system that used two different types of electrodes: Regular gelled gold disk electrodes and tri-polar concentric ring electrodes (TCRE). BCI experiments with 16 volunteers implemented a two-dimensional motor imagery paradigm in off- and online sessions. Various non-canonical signal processing methods were used to extract and classify useful features from EEG, tEEG (EEG through TCRE electrodes), and NIRS. Our analysis demonstrated evidence of improvement in classification accuracy when using the TCRE electrodes compared to disk electrodes and the NIRS system. Based on our synchronous hybrid recording system, we could show that the combination of NIRS-EEG-tEEG performed significantly better than either single modality only
Bridging Heterogeneity Dictates the Microstructure and Yielding Response of Polymer-Linked Emulsions
No full textSoft materials possessing tunable rheological properties are desirable in applications ranging from 3D printing to biological scaffolds. Here, we use a telechelic, triblock copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene (SEOS) to form elastic networks of polymer-linked droplets in cyclohexane-in-water emulsions. The SEOS endblocks partition into the dispersed cyclohexane droplets while the midblocks remain in the aqueous continuous phase, resulting in each chain taking on either a looping or bridging conformation. By controlling the fraction of chains that form bridges, we tune the linear elasticity of the emulsions and generate a finite yield stress. Polymers with higher molecular weight (Mw) endblocks form stronger interdroplet connections and display a higher bridging density. Beyond modifying the linear rheology, the telechelic, triblock copolymers also alter the yielding behavior and processability of the linked emulsions. We examine the yield transition of these polymer-linked emulsions through large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) and probe the emulsion structure through confocal microscopy, concluding that polymers that more readily form bridges generate a strongly percolated network, whereas those that are less prone to form bridges tend to produce networks composed of weakly linked clusters of droplets. When yielded, the emulsions consisting of linked clusters break apart into individual clusters that can rearrange upon the application of further shear. By contrast, when the systems containing a more homogeneous bridging density are yielded, the system remains percolated but with reduced elasticity and bridging density. The demonstrated ability of telechelic triblock copolymers to tune not only the linear viscoelasticity of complex fluids but also their nonlinear yield transition enables the use of these polymers as versatile and robust rheological modifiers. We expect our findings to therefore aid the design of the next generation of complex fluids and soft materials
Evolving Marketization, Societal Trends, and Indicators in Chile and the Andean Region
Get PDFThe effects of marketization on Chile and the broader Andean Region are profound and systemic. Key indicators reveal trends toward economic growth, improved social conditions, and sustainable development. The marketization of the Andean Region, however, is a complex and evolving process. We report on recent developments, which necessitate some reflection on trends and prognoses. In particular, while marketization has led to better education, increased social mobility, and enhanced well-being, one of the most important challenges facing countries in the region is ensuring that the benefits of marketization are shared equitably among all members of society. Priorities include further improvements in access to education and other social services for those who have been traditionally marginalized, and creating systemic changes to enhance sustainable development. Inclusive, collaborative, and pragmatic leadership by catalytic institutions, that transcend political posturing, is paramount going forward, and will require constructive engagement with all stakeholders of the region
Not Beloved, Only Broken: Sex Dolls, Robots, and Woman Hating: The Case for Resistance by Caitlin Roper (Spinifex Press, 2022)
Get PDFEl borrado del sexo: la captura global de las políticas sobre sexo por parte de los activistas de la identidad de género y los efectos sobre los derechos de las mujeres y las niñas
Get PDFEste artículo revisa los objetivos, la historia y el impacto de las nuevas políticas de identidad de género. Basadas en los Principios de Yogyakarta, estas nuevas ideas y políticas afectarán profundamente los derechos de las mujeres y las niñas en todo el mundo. Los Principios son un documento de una reunión internacional sobre orientación sexual e identidad de género en 2006. En 2017, el documento se actualizó a los Principios de Yogyakarta Plus 10. Los Principios recomiendan cambios legales por parte de los estados en todo el mundo, lo que resulta en la eliminación del sexo como una condición legal y categoría cultural. Estos principios se han utilizado ampliamente para cabildear por cambios legales que dieron como resultado cambios estructurales profundos que llevaron a socavar y eliminar las protecciones para mujeres y niñas contra la discriminación basada en el sexo y las obligaciones estatales para lograr la igualdad de sexos de facto. Una de las recomendaciones de mayor alcance es “Los estados [gobiernos nacionales] deben abolir todos los registros legales de sexo de todos los documentos legales, incluidos los certificados de nacimiento y los pasaportes”. Estas recomendaciones se están implementando a nivel mundial, aunque nunca han sido discutidas o adoptadas por los estados miembros ni por ninguna organización internacional, ni se consultó a ninguna organización oficial de mujeres. Este artículo fue escrito por un colectivo de muchas activistas feministas, investigadoras y proveedoras de servicios especializadas de Europa, Asia, América del Norte, América Latina y África que se reunían todas las semanas en las sesiones de la Declaración Internacional de Mujeres (WDI). Recolectaron evidencias y colaboraron en la creación de este documento desde 2019 a 2022
Transcranial Focal Electric Stimulation Avoids P-Glycoprotein Over-Expression during Electrical Amygdala Kindling and Delays Epileptogenesis in Rats
No full textRecent evidence suggests that P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression mediates hyperexcitability and is associated with epileptogenesis. Transcranial focal electrical stimulation (TFS) delays epileptogenesis and inhibits P-gp overexpression after a generalized seizure. Here, first we measured P-gp expression during epileptogenesis and second, we assessed if TFS antiepileptogenic effect was related with P-gp overexpression avoidance. Male Wistar rats were implanted in right basolateral amygdala and stimulated daily for electrical amygdala kindling (EAK), P-gp expression was assessed during epileptogenesis in relevant brain areas. Stage I group showed 85% increase in P-gp in ipsilateral hippocampus (p \u3c 0.001). Stage III group presented 58% and 57% increase in P-gp in both hippocampi (p \u3c 0.05). Kindled group had 92% and 90% increase in P-gp in both hippocampi (p \u3c 0.01), and 93% and 143% increase in both neocortices (p \u3c 0.01). For the second experiment, TFS was administrated daily after each EAK stimulation for 20 days and P-gp concentration was assessed. No changes were found in the TFS group (p \u3e 0.05). Kindled group showed 132% and 138% increase in P-gp in both hippocampi (p \u3c 0.001) and 51% and 92% increase in both cortices (p \u3c 0.001). Kindled + TFS group presented no changes (p \u3e 0.05). Our experiments revealed that progression of EAK is associated with increased P-gp expression. These changes are structure-specific and dependent on seizure severity. EAK-induced P-gp overexpression would be associated with neuronal hyperexcitability and thus, epileptogenesis. P-gp could be a novel therapeutical target to avoid epileptogenesis. In accordance with this, TFS inhibited P-gp overexpression and interfered with EAK. An important limitation of the present study is that P-gp neuronal expression was not evaluated under the different experimental conditions. Future studies should be carried out to determine P-gp neuronal overexpression in hyperexcitable networks during epileptogenesis. The TFS-induced lessening of P-gp overexpression could be a novel therapeutical strategy to avoid epileptogenesis in high-risk patients
Engaging Teachers in Genre-Based Pedagogy for Writing Arguments: A Case Study of Shifts in Practice and Understanding
No full textThis article reports on findings from the first year of a professional learning partnership aimed at supporting elementary teachers in improving their writing instruction for emergent bilingual students. Specifically, we present a case study of one fourth grade teacher\u27s writing instruction, exploring how an introduction to a functional approach to teaching argument writing contributed to shifts in practice and in her understanding of effective writing instruction for emergent bilingual students. The research team engaged in two cycles of data collection across 5 months, conducted before and after an introductory seven-hour professional development workshop on systemic functional linguistics (SFL) genre pedagogy, in order to document changes in how the focal teacher was enacting and conceptualizing writing instruction for emergent bilinguals. Findings revealed three central shifts in the teacher\u27s writing instruction: (1) from surface-level genre engagement to exploring functional relationships between genre stages, (2) from assessment-oriented writing instruction to learning activities grounded in authentic purpose and audience, and (3) from general language supports to targeted, contextualized writing scaffolds. This study builds upon existing scholarship by illustrating the potential of (even limited exposure to) SFL genre pedagogy to shift teachers\u27 writing instruction toward social semiotic perspectives of language and literacy. We also extend existing research by interrogating the institutional and ideological challenges teachers encounter when taking up SFL genre pedagogy and by offering some initial insights into the potential for engaging in SFL genre pedagogy in bilingual learning spaces
Wealth inequalities in physical and cognitive impairments across Japan and Europe: the role of health expenditure and infrastructure
Get PDFAlthough prior research has provided insights into the association between country-level factors and health inequalities, key research gaps remain. First, most previous studies examine subjective rather than objective health measures. Second, the wealth dimension in health inequalities is understudied. Third, a handful of studies explicitly focus on older adults. To bridge these research gaps, this study measures wealth-related inequalities in physical and cognitive impairments and examines the extent to which welfare states moderate wealth inequalities in physical and cognitive impairments among older people across Japan and Europe. We utilized harmonized data on non-institutionalized individuals aged 50–75 from the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR) and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) (N = 31,969 for physical impairments and 31,348 for cognitive impairments). Our multilevel linear regression analyses examined whether national public health spending and healthcare access resources explained cross-country differences in wealth inequalities in physical and cognitive impairments. We applied a concentration index to quantify the degree of wealth inequalities in impairments. The findings indicate that inequalities in both impairment outcomes favored wealthier individuals in all countries, but the magnitude of inequality varied by country. Furthermore, a higher share of public health spending, lower out-of-pocket expenditure, and higher investment in healthcare resources were associated with lower wealth inequalities, especially for physical impairments. Our findings suggest that different health interventions and policies may be needed to mitigate specific impairment inequalities
Technical Requirements for Clinical Exercise Physiologists as Qualified Health Professionals
No full textApply It! • Readers will be able to advocate for the field of clinical exercise physiology with an enhanced understanding of the current state of the profession. • Readers will have a platform to have discussions with other allied health professionals to increase awareness of the role of a clinical exercise physiologist in a health care setting
The timing of executive function development is associated with growth in math achievement from preschool through second grade
No full textWe examined whether the timing of executive function (EF) development was associated with growth in children\u27s math achievement across eight measurement occasions from preschool through second grade. Using a prospective longitudinal sample of 351 children, we found that children who developed EF later, entered preschool with the lowest levels of math performance and did not catch-up to their intermediate or early EF developing counterparts despite exhibiting a similar math growth rate through second grade. This trend was also observed after controlling for children\u27s biological sex, early language skills, and socioeconomic background. These findings suggest that developing EF late might place children at a unique risk for math difficulties independent of important child and family level characteristics and can provide insights for instructional strategies that take into account differences in children\u27s EF development