scholarly journals Revealing α oscillatory activity using voltage-sensitive dye imaging in monkey V1

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Chemla ◽  
Sebastien Roux ◽  
Alexandre Reynaud ◽  
Frédéric Chavane ◽  
Rufin VanRullen
Keyword(s):  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Neural Processing ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Voltage Sensitive Dye ◽  
Visual Patterns ◽  
Oscillatory Response ◽  
Α Rhythm

AbstractThe relevance of α oscillations (7-12Hz) in neural processing, although recognized long ago, remains a major research question in the field. While intensively studied in humans, α oscillations appear much less often investigated (and observed) in monkeys. Here we wish to provide data from non-human primates on stimulus-related α rhythm. Indeed, in humans, EEG α is enhanced in response to non-periodic dynamic visual stimulation (“perceptual echoes” or to a static stimulus (“flickering wheel illusion”). Do the same visual patterns induce an oscillatory response in monkey V1? We record voltage-sensitive dye signals from three anesthetized monkeys to investigate the population-based oscillatory neural response that is not resulting from attention-related feedback signals. We revealed α oscillations in monkey V1 which, when they occur, react in a manner comparable to human studies.

scholarly journals Participation in structured diabetes mellitus self-management education program and association with lifestyle behavior: results from a population-based study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e001066
Author(s):  
Solveig Carmienke ◽  
Jens Baumert ◽  
Lars Gabrys ◽  
Marcus Heise ◽  
Thomas Frese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Study Results

ObjectiveWhether participation in structured diabetes self-management education programs (DSME) for participants with diabetes mellitus is associated with a healthy lifestyle in routine care apart from randomized-controlled studies remains unclear and is this studies’ research question.Research design and methodsWe identified 1300 persons with diabetes mellitus drawn from the cross-sectional population-based analysis German Health Update 2014/2015 (GEDA 2014/2015), which integrated the modules of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) wave 2. Of those, 816 were ever-DSME participants and 484 never-participants. We conducted multivariable weighted logistic regression analyses for lifestyle differences comparing ever-DSME and never-DSME participants. Lifestyle was defined by physical activity (PA), current smoking, fruit/vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI). Age, sex, socioeconomic status, living together, limitation due to health problems for at least for 6 months, self-efficacy and attention to one’s health were included as confounders in the regression models.ResultsEver-DSME participants engaged significantly more often in cycling at least 1 day per week (OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.15–2.30) and performed significantly more often aerobic endurance training of 150 min per week (including walking: OR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.03–1.94, without walking: OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.08–2.03) compared with never-DSME participants. Ever-DSME participants were significantly more often ex-smoker compared with never-DSME participants (OR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.03–1.88). DSME attendance was not significantly associated with current smoking, BMI and fruit or vegetable consumption.ConclusionDSME participation is associated with a moderately healthier lifestyle particularly for PA even in routine healthcare. Study results emphasize the importance of a broadly dissemination of DSME access for nationwide diabetes healthcare. Future studies should adjust for DSME participation when investigating lifestyle in persons with diabetes.

scholarly journals Theta Phase-Dependent Modulation of Perception by Concurrent tACS and Periodic Visual Stimulation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elif Somer ◽  
John Allen ◽  
Joseph Brooks ◽  
Vaughan Buttrill ◽  
Amir-Homayoun Javadi
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Visual Stimulus ◽  
Auditory Perception ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Sensory Perception ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Matching Task ◽  
Phase 0 ◽  
Theta Frequency ◽  
Visual Matching

AbstractBackgroundSensory perception can be modulated by the phase of neural oscillations, especially in the theta and alpha ranges. Oscillatory activity in the visual cortex can be entrained by transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) as well as periodic visual stimulation (i.e., flicker). Combined tACS and visual flicker stimulation modulates blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) responses and concurrent 4 Hz auditory click-trains and tACS modulates auditory perception in a phase-dependent way.ObjectiveIn the present study, we investigated if phase synchrony between concurrent tACS and periodic visual stimulation (i.e., flicker) can modulate performance on a visual matching task.MethodsParticipants completed a visual matching task on a flickering visual stimulus while receiving either in-phase (0 degree) or asynchronous (180, 90, or 270 degrees) tACS at alpha or theta frequency. Stimulation was applied over either occipital cortex or dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).ResultsVisual performance was significantly better during theta frequency tACS over the visual cortex when it was in-phase (0 degree) with visual stimulus flicker, compared to anti-phase (180 degree). This effect did not appear with alpha frequency flicker or with DLPFC stimulation. Furthermore, a control sham group showed no effect. There were no significant performance differences amongst the asynchronous (180, 90, and 270 degrees) phase conditions.ConclusionExtending previous studies on visual and auditory perception, our results support a crucial role of oscillatory phase in sensory perception and demonstrate a behaviourally relevant combination of visual flicker and tACS. The spatial and frequency specificity of our results have implications for research on the functional organisation of perception.

Optimizing the Transformation of Knowledge Dissemination: Towards a Canadian Research Strategy: Preliminary Results

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Shearer ◽  
William F. Birdsall
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Knowledge Dissemination ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Scholarly Research ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Scholarly Communication System ◽  
Canadian Research

Academic researchers are the major actors in the scholarly communication system and, as such, it is extremely important that any research being conducted in this area be guided by their needs. This study assembles a diverse panel of Canadian academic researchers in order to define a research strategy for the dissemination of scholarly knowledge in Canada that is defined by relevance to the research community. The major research question addressed here is the nature of a research agenda for the dissemination of scholarly research in Canada. These results so far reflect a substantially different approach to defining a research agenda for the dissemination of scholarly research than those outlined in the past.Les chercheurs académiques sont les acteurs principaux du système de communication universitaire et en tant que tel, il est extrêmement important que toute recherche poursuivie dans ce domaine soit guidée par leurs besoins. Cette étude rassemble un groupe de chercheurs universitaires canadiens dans le but de définir une stratégie de recherche pour la diffusion des connaissances académiques canadiennes et qui sera considérée comme pertinente par le milieu de la recherche. La principale question de recherche soulevée ici est la nature de l’agenda de recherche pour la diffusion de la recherche universitaire au Canada. Jusqu’à présent, ces résultats reflètent une approche considérablement différente pour définir un agenda de recherche pour la diffusion de la recherche académique par rapport aux agendas produits dans le passé. 

Methods matter: exploring the ‘too much, too soon’ theory, part 1: causal questions in sports injury research

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (18) ◽  
pp. 1119-1122
Author(s):  
Rasmus Oestergaard Nielsen ◽  
Michael Lejbach Bertelsen ◽  
Merete Møller ◽  
Adam Hulme ◽  
Mohammad Ali Mansournia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Sports Injury ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Right ◽  
Injury Research

BackgroundIt is widely accepted that athletes sustain sports injury if they train ‘too much, too soon’. However, not all athletes are built the same; some can tolerate more training than others. It is for this reason that prescribing the same training programme to all athletes to reduce injury risk is not optimal from a coaching perspective. Rather, athletes require individualised training plans. In acknowledgement of athlete diversity, it is therefore essential to ask the right causal research question in studies examining sports injury aetiology.PurposeIn this first part of a British Journal of Sports Medicine educational series, we present four different causal research questions related to the ‘too much, too soon’ theory and critically discuss their relevance to sports injury prevention.ContentIf it is true that there is no ‘one size fits all’ training programme, then we need to consider by how much training can vary depending on individual athlete characteristics. To provide an evidence-base for subgroup-specific recommendations, a stronger emphasis on the following questions is needed: (1) How much training is ‘too much’ before athletes with different characteristics sustain sports-related injury? and (2) Does the risk of sports injury differ among athletes with a certain characteristic (eg, high experience) compared with athletes with other characteristics (eg, low experience) depending on how much training they perform?ConclusionWe recommend that sports injury researchers aiming to examine the ‘too much, too soon’ theory should carefully consider how they, assisted by coaches, athletes and clinicians, pose their causal research question. In the light of the limitations of population-based prevention that intends to provide all athletes with the same advice, we argue that a stronger emphasis on research questions targeting subgroups of athletes is needed. In doing so, researchers may assist athletes, clinicians and coaches to understand what training advice/programme works best, for whom and under what circumstances.

No-Cost and Low-Cost U.S. Legal Research

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Shea
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Research Library ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Legal Research ◽  
Different Types

AbstractWhen faced with a U.S. legal research question, what options does the non-U.S. based researcher have, short of purchasing a subscription to one of the fee-based databases or visiting a major research library? This article will briefly discuss a number of no-cost and low-cost resources in the context of the process required to perform U.S. legal research and will also provide explanations of the different types of primary sources that a legal researcher might encounter.

scholarly journals Multichannel brain recordings in behaving Drosophila reveal oscillatory activity and local coherence in response to sensory stimulation and circuit activation

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (7) ◽  
pp. 1703-1721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelique C. Paulk ◽  
Yanqiong Zhou ◽  
Peter Stratton ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
Bruno van Swinderen
Keyword(s):  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Field Potential ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Insect Brain ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Multichannel Recording ◽  
Frequency Bands

Neural networks in vertebrates exhibit endogenous oscillations that have been associated with functions ranging from sensory processing to locomotion. It remains unclear whether oscillations may play a similar role in the insect brain. We describe a novel “whole brain” readout for Drosophila melanogaster using a simple multichannel recording preparation to study electrical activity across the brain of flies exposed to different sensory stimuli. We recorded local field potential (LFP) activity from >2,000 registered recording sites across the fly brain in >200 wild-type and transgenic animals to uncover specific LFP frequency bands that correlate with: 1) brain region; 2) sensory modality (olfactory, visual, or mechanosensory); and 3) activity in specific neural circuits. We found endogenous and stimulus-specific oscillations throughout the fly brain. Central (higher-order) brain regions exhibited sensory modality-specific increases in power within narrow frequency bands. Conversely, in sensory brain regions such as the optic or antennal lobes, LFP coherence, rather than power, best defined sensory responses across modalities. By transiently activating specific circuits via expression of TrpA1, we found that several circuits in the fly brain modulate LFP power and coherence across brain regions and frequency domains. However, activation of a neuromodulatory octopaminergic circuit specifically increased neuronal coherence in the optic lobes during visual stimulation while decreasing coherence in central brain regions. Our multichannel recording and brain registration approach provides an effective way to track activity simultaneously across the fly brain in vivo, allowing investigation of functional roles for oscillations in processing sensory stimuli and modulating behavior.

Metasearch Result Visualization: An Exploratory Study

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry Koshman ◽  
Amanda Spink ◽  
Jonathan Weber ◽  
Bernard J. Jansen ◽  
Chris Blakely
Keyword(s):  
Search Engine ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Metasearch Engine

The Missing Pieces tool visualizes the overlap of search engine results including those generated by the metasearch engine, Dogpile. The major research question is: how well can users interact with and interpret the circular metasearch results display? This study has interesting implications for the use of visualization for presenting information in a web metasearch environment.L’outil “Missing Pieces” visualise le chevauchement des résultats des moteurs de recherche incluant ceux générés par le métamoteur Dogpile. La principale question de recherche est : de quelle manière les utilisateurs peuvent bien utiliser et interpréter l’affichage des résultats des métamoteurs circulaires ? Cette étude met en relief des implications intéressantes pour l’utilisation de la visualisation pour la présentation de l’information dans un environnement de métarecherche web. 

scholarly journals Designing to Serve: an Examination of WestJet's Domestic Check-in Space

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Stopa
Keyword(s):  
Design Theory ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Service Design ◽  
Customer Behavior ◽  
The Self ◽  
Central Research ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
Decision Points ◽  
Self Service

My major research paper (MRP) focuses on the service design of WestJet’s domestic check-in space at Toronto International Pearson Airport. In the context of this micro space, service design refers to all of the touch points or points of contact between the customer and the organization designed into this space. This includes anything that communicates with the customer in this space to direct their behavior. My central research question is: how does the service design of the domestic check-in space at WestJet affect customer behavior? In exploring this question, I examined two main aspects: (1) service design and (2) customer behavior. Service design theory is concerned with managing customers’ experience of service quality through the design of services. I observed how customers experienced the service design of the check-in space through their visible behaviors and reconstructed a service blueprint or map of each step in the check-in service with which to track these behaviors. This allowed me to identify variances between customers’ actual behaviors and the desired customer behaviors in the check-in space. I also conducted a series of interviews with select WestJet employees to understand the service objectives of the check-in space and the strategic objectives of the organization. An analysis of the self-service route of the check-in space indicates that some sub-touch points are not positioned at natural decision points for customers. This is despite the fact that the sub-touch points are designed to supply customers with information to make decisions at each major touch point in the check-in service. Consequently, actual customer behaviors vary from WestJet’s desired customer behaviors in the self-service route of the check-in space. These findings suggest that there are nuisances in the design of the check-in service that are impeding WestJet’s service objectives and resulting in inconsistent and potentially confusing customer experiences.

scholarly journals Spatial attention enhances cortical tracking of quasi-rhythmic visual stimuli

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Tabarelli ◽  
C. Keitel ◽  
J. Gross ◽  
D. Baldauf
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Attention ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Stimulus Frequency ◽  
Neural Representation ◽  
Neural Processing ◽  
Temporal Precision ◽  
Dynamic Stimuli ◽  
Visual Cortices

AbstractSuccessfully interpreting and navigating our natural visual environment requires us to track its dynamics constantly. Additionally, we focus our attention on behaviorally relevant stimuli to enhance their neural processing. Little is known, however, about how sustained attention affects the ongoing tracking of stimuli with rich natural temporal dynamics. Here, we used MRI-informed source reconstructions of magnetoencephalography (MEG) data to map to what extent various cortical areas track concurrent continuous quasi-rhythmic visual stimulation. Further, we tested how top-down visuo-spatial attention influences this tracking process. Our bilaterally presented quasi-rhythmic stimuli covered a dynamic range of 4 – 20Hz, subdivided into three distinct bands. As an experimental control, we also included strictly rhythmic stimulation (10 vs 12 Hz). Using a spectral measure of brain-stimulus coupling, we were able to track the neural processing of left vs. right stimuli independently, even while fluctuating within the same frequency range. The fidelity of neural tracking depended on the stimulation frequencies, decreasing for higher frequency bands. Both attended and non-attended stimuli were tracked beyond early visual cortices, in ventral and dorsal streams depending on the stimulus frequency. In general, tracking improved with the deployment of visuo-spatial attention to the stimulus location. Our results provide new insights into how human visual cortices process concurrent dynamic stimuli and provide a potential mechanism – namely increasing the temporal precision of tracking – for boosting the neural representation of attended input.

scholarly journals Adaptation in South Korean Society of North Korean Elite Defectors

Studia Humana ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 62-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Levi
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
North Korea ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Integration Policy ◽  
Major Research ◽  
The South ◽  
South Korean Government ◽  
Korean Society ◽  
South Korean ◽  
North Korean Defectors

Abstract This paper aims to explain the adaptation of North Korean elite defectors who fled from North Korea. Data used for the purpose of this article came from surveys of North Korean defectors conducted in the late 2000’s. Findings of the realized research indicate that the majority of senior defectors are experiencing less psychological and material issues when adjusting to society than regular North Korean defectors. The paper will proceed in three steps: explaining the notion of defectors, outlining their background, and focusing on their adaptation in South. Although defectors as a whole has emerged as of the most research group as a minority in South Korea, the so-called senior defectors have hardly been spotlighted. Basically North Korean senior defectors are supposed to strengthen the anti-Kim movement and legitimize the power of the South Korean government and the image of South Korea abroad. What has to be enlightened upon is the fact that North Korean senior defectors partially disagree with the integration policy of South Korean authorities. A major research question emerges: How are the experience of elite defectors localized in South Korea? How do their specific identities impact their opinion within the South Korean society? The aim of the article is also to categorize senior defectors and to provide in a single document a list of senior North Korea defectors based abroad. This kind of information is only available for Korean speaking readers. I wanted to make it accessible to the Englishspeaking community.

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