scholarly journals Consolidation alters motor sequence-specific distributed representations

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basile Pinsard ◽  
Arnaud Boutin ◽  
Ella Gabitov ◽  
Ovidiu Lungu ◽  
Habib Benali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Motor Sequence ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Complementary Sequence ◽  
Critical Phases ◽  
Local Circuits ◽  
Motor Representations ◽  
First Time

AbstractFMRI studies investigating the acquisition of sequential motor skills in humans have revealed learning-related functional reorganizations of the cortico-striatal and cortico-cerebellar motor systems in link with the hippocampus. Yet, the functional significance of these activity level changes is not fully understood as they convey the evolution of both sequence-specific knowledge and unspecific task expertise. Moreover, these changes do not specifically assess the occurrence of learning-related plasticity. To address these issues, we investigated local circuits tuning to sequence-specific information using multivariate distances between patterns evoked by consolidated or newly acquired motor sequences production. Results reveal that representations in dorsolateral striatum, prefrontal and secondary motor cortices are greater when executing consolidated sequences than untrained ones. By contrast, sequence representations in the hippocampus and dorsomedial striatum are less engaged. Our findings show, for the first time in humans, that complementary sequence-specific motor representations evolve distinctively during critical phases of skill acquisition and consolidation.

scholarly journals Consolidation alters motor sequence-specific distributed representations

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basile Pinsard ◽  
Arnaud Boutin ◽  
Ella Gabitov ◽  
Ovidiu Lungu ◽  
Habib Benali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Motor Sequence ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Complementary Sequence ◽  
Critical Phases ◽  
Local Circuits ◽  
Motor Representations ◽  
First Time

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies investigating the acquisition of sequential motor skills in humans have revealed learning-related functional reorganizations of the cortico-striatal and cortico-cerebellar motor systems accompanied with an initial hippocampal contribution. Yet, the functional significance of these activity-level changes remains ambiguous as they convey the evolution of both sequence-specific knowledge and unspecific task ability. Moreover, these changes do not specifically assess the occurrence of learning-related plasticity. To address these issues, we investigated local circuits tuning to sequence-specific information using multivariate distances between patterns evoked by consolidated or newly acquired motor sequences production. The results reveal that representations in dorsolateral striatum, prefrontal and secondary motor cortices are greater when executing consolidated sequences than untrained ones. By contrast, sequence representations in the hippocampus and dorsomedial striatum becomes less engaged. Our findings show, for the first time in humans, that complementary sequence-specific motor representations evolve distinctively during critical phases of skill acquisition and consolidation.

The experiences and needs of children living with a parent with young onset dementia: results from the NeedYD study

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 2001-2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joany K. Millenaar ◽  
Deliane van Vliet ◽  
Christian Bakker ◽  
Myrra J. F. J. Vernooij-Dassen ◽  
Raymond T. C. M. Koopmans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Styles ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Young Onset ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Young Parent ◽  
Young Onset Dementia ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Family Centered

ABSTRACTBackground:Children of patients with young onset dementia (YOD) who are confronted with a parent who has a progressive disease, often assist in caregiving tasks, which may have a great impact on their lives. The objective of the present study is to explore the experiences of children living with a young parent with dementia with a specific focus on the children's needs.Methods:Semi-structured interviews with 14 adolescent children between the ages of 15 and 27 years of patients with YOD were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Themes were identified based on the established codes.Results:The emerging categories were divided into three themes that demonstrated the impact of dementia on daily life, different ways of coping with the disease, and children's need for care and support. The children had difficulties managing all of the responsibilities and showed concerns about their future. To deal with these problems, they demonstrated various coping styles, such as avoidant or adaptive coping. Although most children were initially reluctant to seek professional care, several of them expressed the need for practical guidance to address the changing behavior of their parent. The children felt more comfortable talking to someone who was familiar with their situation and who had specific knowledge of YOD and the available services.Conclusion:In addition to practical information, more accessible and specific information about the diagnosis and the course of YOD is needed to provide a better understanding of the disease for the children. These findings underline the need for a personal, family-centered approach.

scholarly journals Campaign-Specific Information and Media Effects

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Francois Daoust ◽  
Katherine V.R. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Selection Bias ◽  
Political Information ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Bias Effect ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Traditional Media ◽  
Electoral Democracy ◽  
Nous Utilisons

Background  This article aims to revisit the role of digital media in acquiring campaign-specific information.Analysis  We use datasets from the Making Electoral Democracy Work project that include campaign-specific questions to analyze six regions in three democracies (Canada, Spain, and France).Conclusion and implications  Results demonstrate that voters have a moderate level of campaign-specific knowledge and that traditional media are, at first glance, more useful to acquire political information. Nevertheless, when in interaction with partisanship, traditional media display a surprisingly greater selection bias effect and appear less useful to acquire information. We thus argue that digital media are in fact not more vulnerable to potential echo chambers that would lead to a homogenous information environment.Contexte  Cet article cherche revoir le rôle numériques des medias dans l’acquisition d’information de campagne.Analyse  Nous utilisons les données du projet Making Electoral Democracy Work qui inclut des question d’information politique spécifiques de campagnes électorales pour analyser six regions dans trois démocraties (Canada, Espagne et France).Conclusion et implications  Les résultats démontrent que les électeurs ont un niveau modéré d’information politique de campagnes électorales et que les medias traditionnels sont, à première vue, plus utiles pour en faire l’acquisition. Néanmoins, en interaction avec les individus partisans, ces médias traditionnels sont l’objet d’un biais de sélection plus important et apparaissent donc moins utiles. Nous soutenons donc que les médias numériques ne sont pas plus vulnérable aux de chambre d’écho qui mènerait à un environnement d’information homogène.

scholarly journals First current density measurements in the ring current region using simultaneous multi-spacecraft CLUSTER-FGM data

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1849-1865 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Vallat ◽  
I. Dandouras ◽  
M. Dunlop ◽  
A. Balogh ◽  
E. Lucek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Local Current Density ◽  
Magnetospheric Configuration And Dynamics ◽  
Local Current ◽  
Current Region ◽  
First Time

Abstract. The inner magnetosphere's current mapping is one of the key elements for current loop closure inside the entire magnetosphere. A method for directly computing the current is the multi-spacecraft curlometer technique, which is based on the application of Maxwell-Ampère's law. This requires the use of four-point magnetic field high resolution measurements. The FGM experiment on board the four Cluster spacecraft allows, for the first time, an instantaneous calculation of the magnetic field gradients and thus a measurement of the local current density. This technique requires, however, a careful study concerning all the factors that can affect the accuracy of the J estimate, such as the tetrahedral geometry of the four spacecraft, or the size and orientation of the current structure sampled. The first part of this paper is thus providing a detailed analysis of the method accuracy, and points out the limitations of this technique in the region of interest. The second part is an analysis of the ring current region, which reveals, for the first time, the large latitudinal extent of the ring current, for all magnetic activity levels, as well as the latitudinal evolution of the perpendicular (and parallel) components of the current along the diffuse auroral zone. Our analysis also points out the sharp transition between two distinct plasma regions, with the existence of high diamagnetic currents at the interface, as well as the filamentation of the current inside the inner plasma sheet. A statistical study over multiple perigee passes of Cluster (at about 4 RE from the Earth) reveals the azimuthal extent of the partial ring current. It also reveals that, at these distances and all along the evening sector, there isn't necessarily a strong dependence of the local current density value on the magnetic activity level. This is a direct consequence of the ring current morphology evolution, as well as the relative positioning of the spacecraft with respect to the bulk of the ring current. It also proves the existence of a substantial ring current at these distances, all over the evening and the post-midnight sector. Keywords. Magnetospheric physics (Current systems; Energetic particles, trapped; Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics)

scholarly journals Presynaptic and extrasynaptic regulation of posterior nucleus of thalamus

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 507-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Park ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Radi Masri ◽  
Asaf Keller
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Presynaptic Receptors ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Wide Dynamic Range ◽  
Sensorimotor Processing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Maladaptive Plasticity ◽  
First Time

The posterior nucleus of thalamus (PO) is a higher-order nucleus involved in sensorimotor processing, including nociception. An important characteristic of PO is its wide range of activity profiles that vary across states of arousal, thought to underlie differences in somatosensory perception subject to attention and degree of consciousness. Furthermore, PO loses the ability to downregulate its activity level in some forms of chronic pain, suggesting that regulatory mechanisms underlying the normal modulation of PO activity may be pathologically altered. However, the mechanisms responsible for regulating such a wide dynamic range of activity are unknown. Here, we test a series of hypotheses regarding the function of several presynaptic receptors on both GABAergic and glutamatergic afferents targeting PO in mouse, using acute slice electrophysiology. We found that presynaptic GABAB receptors are present on both GABAergic and glutamatergic terminals in PO, but only those on GABAergic terminals are tonically active. We also found that release from GABAergic terminals, but not glutamatergic terminals, is suppressed by cholinergic activation and that a subpopulation of GABAergic terminals is regulated by cannabinoids. Finally, we discovered the presence of tonic currents mediated by extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in PO that are heterogeneously distributed across the nucleus. Thus we demonstrate that multiple regulatory mechanisms concurrently exist in PO, and we propose that regulation of inhibition, rather than excitation, is the more consequential mechanism by which PO activity can be regulated. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The posterior nucleus of thalamus (PO) is a key sensorimotor structure, whose activity is tightly regulated by inhibition from several nuclei. Maladaptive plasticity in this inhibition leads to severe pathologies, including chronic pain. We reveal here, for the first time in PO, multiple regulatory mechanisms that modulate synaptic transmission within PO. These findings may lead to targeted therapies for chronic pain and other disorders.

scholarly journals Sequence learning is driven by improvements in motor planning

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Ariani ◽  
Jörn Diedrichsen
Keyword(s):  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Sequence Learning ◽  
Forced Response ◽  
Learning Effects ◽  
Motor Execution ◽  
Motor Sequence ◽  
Single Action ◽  
Online Planning ◽  
Sequence Production ◽  
Planning Processes

AbstractThe ability to perform complex sequences of movements quickly and accurately is critical for many motor skills. While training improves performance in a large variety of motor-sequence tasks, the precise mechanisms behind such improvements are poorly understood. Here we investigated the contribution of single-action selection, sequence pre-planning, online planning, and motor execution to performance in a discrete sequence production (DSP) task. Five visually-presented numbers cued a sequence of five finger presses, which had to be executed as quickly and accurately as possible. To study how sequence planning influenced sequence production, we manipulated the amount of time that participants were given to prepare each sequence by using a forced-response paradigm. Over 4 days, participants were trained on 10 sequences and tested on 80 novel sequences. Our results revealed that participants became faster in selecting individual finger presses. They also preplanned 3-4 sequence items into the future, and the speed of pre-planning improved for trained, but not for untrained, sequences. Because pre-planning capacity remained limited, the remaining sequence elements had to be planned online during sequence execution, a process that also improved with sequence-specific training. Overall, our results support the view that motor sequence learning effects are best characterized by improvements in planning processes that occur both before and concurrently with motor execution.New & NoteworthyComplex skills often require the production of sequential movements. While practice improves performance, it remains unclear how these improvements are achieved. Our findings show that learning effects in a sequence production task can be attributed to an enhanced ability to plan upcoming movements. These results shed new light on planning processes in the context of movement sequences, and have important implications for our understanding of the neural mechanisms that underlie skill acquisition.

scholarly journals Skill reconsolidation does not operate at a rapid micro-timescale level

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Herszage ◽  
Marlene Bönstrup ◽  
Leonardo G Cohen ◽  
Nitzan Censor
Keyword(s):  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Memory Consolidation ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Early Learning ◽  
Motor Sequence ◽  
Abundant Evidence ◽  
After Hours ◽  
Stages Of Learning ◽  
Memory Consolidation And Reconsolidation

Abundant evidence shows that consolidated memories are susceptible to modifications following their reactivation through reconsolidation. Processes of memory consolidation and reconsolidation have been commonly documented after hours or days. Motivated by studies showing rapid consolidation in early stages of skill acquisition, here we asked whether skill memories are susceptible to modifications through rapid reconsolidation, even at initial stages of learning. In a set of experiments, we collected crowdsourced online motor sequence data to test whether post-reactivation interference and enhancement occur through rapid reconsolidation. Results indicate that memories forming during early learning are not susceptible to interference nor to enhancement within a rapid reconsolidation time window, relative to control conditions. This set of evidence suggests that memory reconsolidation might be dependent on consolidation at the macro-timescale level, requiring hours or days to occur.

scholarly journals AESTHETICS OF MINIMALISM: METAPHOR AND EPITHET IN THE ART SYSTEM OF THE OSSETIAN FOLK APHORISTICS

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
З.Б. ЦАЛЛАГОВА
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Functional Specificity ◽  
Integral Analysis ◽  
First Time

Анализ художественной структуры фольклорных произведений способствует углублению осмысления их идейно-эстетического богатства, национального своеобразия, позна- вательно-воспитательного значения, что предопределяет и актуальность рассмотрения функциональной специфики таких тропов осетинской этнопоэтики как метафора и эпи- тет в пословицах, поговорках, загадках, благопожеланиях, проклятиях. Научная новизна работы обусловлена рассмотрением малоизученного в этом ракурсе фольклорного пласта. Впервые отслеживается характер специфики одних и тех же тропов в родственных афористических подвидах. Анализируется художественная специфика эпитета и метафоры в малых жанрах фольклора. Исследование основано на применении метода целостного анализа афористических жанров осетинского фольклора как единой многовидовой художественной системы; для выявления общности и отличий характера поэтических тропов в разных жанрах афористики используется сравнительно-сопоставительный метод. Предложенный подход доказательно подтвердил диктуемую поэтикой минимализма нацеленность на специфическое использование тропов в малых жанрах: эпитеты играют здесь не только и не столько украшающую, сколько смысловую роль, а логические определения берут на себя еще и орнаментальные функции. Такой амбивалентный характер эпитета углубляет смысл афористической фразы и способствует ее лаконичному оформлению. Минимализму способствует и жанрово-специфическое использование метафоры: отсутствующий в афористическом тексте предмет уподобления метафоры подсказывается контекстом, ситуацией. Наряду с обще афористической спецификой использования тропов, применение метафоры и эпитета для создания образности в каждом из афористических подвидов имеет свои особенности. Пословицы посредством метафоры достигают широких обобщений; в загадке-метафоре связь между предметом и образом метафоры слаба, произвольна, и нацелена на то, чтобы затруднить отгадку; в поэтической системе благопожеланий и проклятий, имеющих антонимичную семантику, в качестве метафорических образов используются контрастные явления природы. Эпитет в пословицах углубляет свои семантические нюансы, в загадках несет конкретные сведения о цвете, размере, форме предмета, способствуя разгадке, а в благопожеланиях и проклятиях придает определяемому слову наряду с характерологической некоторую эмоциональную окраску. The analysis of the artistic structure of the folklore works promotes deepening of the comprehension of their ideological and aesthetic heritage, national identity, cognitive and educational significance, which predetermines the relevance of the review of the functional specificity of such tropes of the Ossetian ethno-poetics as metaphors and epithets in proverbs, sayings, riddles, good wishes, curses. The scientific novelty of the present work lies in the consideration of the folklore layer, which has not been studied from this perspective so far. The nature of the specifics of the same tropes in related aphoristic subspecies has been studied for the first time. The aim of the work is to study the artistic specifics of the epithet and metaphor in the small genres of the folklore. The research is based on the application of the method of integral analysis of the aphoristic genres of the Ossetian folklore as a single multi-species artistic system, and the comparative-correlative method has proved to be useful for revealing the generality and differences in the nature of poetic paths in different genres of aphorism. The proposed approach has proved the aim of the specific use of tropes in small genres, dictated by minimalist poetics, to prove that epithets here are not only loaded with decorative function, but are rather charged semantically, and logical definitions take on ornamental functions as well. This ambivalent character of the epithet deepens the meaning of the aphoristic phrase and contributes to its laconic formulation. Minimalism is facilitated by the genre-specific use of the metaphor: the metaphor that is absent in the aphoristic text is prompted by the context, the situation. Along with the generally aphoristic nature of the use of tropes, the use of metaphor and epithet in creating imagery in each of the aphoristic subspecies has its own characteristics. Proverbs, through metaphors, make broad generalizations; in the puzzle-metaphor, the connection between the object and the image of the metaphor is weak, arbitrary, and is aimed at making it difficult to guess; in the poetic system of goodwill and curses that have antonymous semantics, as metaphorical images, contrasting phenomena of nature are used. The epithet in proverbs expands and deepens the selfmystical nuances; in riddles, as a rule, it contains specific information about the color, size, shape of the object, contributing to the cliche, and in good wishes and curses it both characterizes the word it attributes and supplies it with some emotional coloring.

scholarly journals Surgeon Applications of Patient Preferences in Treatment Decision Making for First-Time Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596712096614
Author(s):  
Brian C. Lau ◽  
Carolyn A. Hutyra ◽  
Benjamin Streufert ◽  
Shelby D. Reed ◽  
Lori A. Orlando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Patient Preferences ◽  
Shoulder Dislocation ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Treatment Recommendation ◽  
Anterior Shoulder Dislocation ◽  
Clinical Variables ◽  
Treatment Decision Making ◽  
First Time

Background: Treatment of a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation (FTASD) is sensitive to patient preferences. The operative or nonoperative management debate provides an excellent opportunity to learn how surgeons apply patient preferences in treatment decisions. Purpose: To determine how patient preferences (repeat dislocation risk, recovery difficulties, fear of surgery, treatment costs) and surgeon factors influence a surgeon’s treatment plan for FTASD. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eight clinical vignettes of hypothetical patients with FTASD (including age, sex, and activity level) were presented to members of the Magellan Society. A second set of matched vignettes with patient preferences and clinical variables were also presented. The vignettes represented scenarios in which evidence does not favor one treatment over another. Respondents were asked how they would manage each hypothetical case. Respondents also estimated the risk of redislocation for the nonoperative cases for comparison with the published rates. Finally, respondents completed a Likert-scale questionnaire to determine their perceptions on factors influencing their decisions. Results: A total of 103 orthopaedic surgeons completed the survey; 48% practiced in an academic hospital; 79% were in practice for 10 years or longer; and 75% had completed a sports medicine fellowship. Patient preferences were the single most important factor influencing treatment recommendation, with activity type and age also important. Just 62% of the surgeon estimates of the risk of redislocation were consistent with the published rates. The inclusion of patient preferences to clinical variables changed treatment recommendations in 62.5% of our hypothetical cases. Respondents rated patient treatment preference as the leading factor in their treatment decision making. Conclusion: Patient preferences were important when deciding the appropriate treatment for FTASD. Respondents were inconsistent when applying evidence in their decision making and estimates of recurrent instability. Decision support tools that deliver patient preferences and personalized evidence-based outcome estimates improve the quality of decision making at the point of care.

scholarly journals Differences in Aerobic Fitness between an Obese Adolescent with Prader-Willi Syndrome and Other Obese Adolescents and Exercise Training Results

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1496
Author(s):  
Yentung Su ◽  
Hungya Huang ◽  
Shanghui Tuan ◽  
Minhui Li ◽  
Kolong Lin
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Training ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Prader Willi Syndrome ◽  
Obese Adolescent ◽  
Behavioral Abnormalities

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by specific physical and behavioral abnormalities and considered the most commonly known genetic cause of morbid obesity in children. Recent studies indicate that patients suffering from this syndrome have significant problems in skill acquisition, muscle force, cardiovascular fitness, and activity level. In this study, we report an obese adolescent PWS patient of poor aerobic fitness compared with 13 obesity adolescents, and great improvement in cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) outcomes of the PWS patient measured after two weeks of physical exercise training programs.

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