Top-down attention switches coupling between low-level and high-level areas of human visual cortex

Top-down attention is an essential cognitive ability, allowing our finite brains to process complex natural environments by prioritizing information relevant to our goals. Previous evidence suggests that top-down attention operates by modulating stimulus-evoked neural activity within visual areas specialized for processing goal-relevant information. We show that top-down attention also has a separate influence on the background coupling between visual areas: adopting different attentional goals resulted in specific patterns of noise correlations in the visual system, whereby intrinsic activity in the same set of low-level areas was shared with only those high-level areas relevant to the current goal. These changes occurred independently of evoked activity, persisted without visual stimulation, and predicted behavioral success in deploying attention better than the modulation of evoked activity. This attentional switching of background connectivity suggests that attention may help synchronize different levels of the visual processing hierarchy, forming state-dependent functional pathways in human visual cortex to prioritize goal-relevant information.     

A Novel Framework to Eliminate the Effects of Casting Distortion when Fabricating a Fixed,Detachable Screw‐Retained Prosthesis

The ideal fixed, detachable framework sits passively on the implants and does not introduce any stress. Several techniques in the literature compensate for an ill‐fitting framework. These techniques require extra visits, chairtime, and laboratory time and only mitigate the stress; the stress is not eliminated. A framework is presented here that eliminates the stress transmitted to the implants by encircling the abutment cylinders and not directly incorporating them into the framework. Furthermore, the framework mitigates the stress from the polymerization distortion of acrylic when processing the acrylic onto the prosthesis.     

Linguistic Indicators of a False Confession

To date, most investigations of false confessions have focused on their prevention rather than their identification. In this study we investigated whether certain linguistic variables might help to distinguish between false confessional statements and true accounts. Using a within-subjects design, we elicited both false confessional statements and true accounts from 85 participants. We examined these for the presence of nouns, verbs and adjectives. Additionally, participants completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) to determine the relationship between noun, verb and adjective use and self-reported measures of state anxiety. Results showed that whereas nouns and verbs failed to discriminate between false confessions and true accounts, adjective use significantly decreased during false confessions. Anxiety was not associated with veracity. The current findings suggest that there are measurable linguistic differences between false confessions and true accounts that cannot be attributed to level of state anxiety.     

Evaluating Auditory Pathway by Electrical Auditory Middle Latency Response and Postoperative Hearing Rehabilitation

ABSTRACT

Objective: To establish an effective detection method to evaluate auditory pathway in patients by electrical evoked middle latency response (EMLR) before artificial cochlear implantation, and to analyze the relationship between postoperative hearing rehabilitation and auditory cortex functions. Methods: Twenty-three patients with artificial cochlear implant were recruited. EMLR was measured after adjusting the depth of anesthesia. The electrical auditory brainstem response (EABR) mode with monopolar stimulation and two-phase alternating current square waves was selected. The parameters of EMLR waveforms were recorded by the EABR measurement system. Nerve response telemetry (NRT) was examined by measuring threshold level (T value) and comfortable level (C value) 1 month after power-on, and hearing and speech development was followed up 12 months later.Results: The detection rate of EMLR was 95.65%. The waveforms of EMLR were comparable to those of auditory middle latency response (AMLR), showing decreased latency and interval but similar amplitude. The induction rate of NRT was 69.23%, which was much lower than that of EMLR. The EMLR thresholds were significantly correlated to the T and C values, and were comparable to the T values numerically. The Spearman's r value between EMLR waveforms and CAP scores after using the cochlear implant for 12 months was 0.673 (P < 0.01). Conclusion: An effective detection method to measure EMLR before artificial cochlear implant was established. The thresholds of EMLR were lower than those of NRT. The method can be useful for objective evaluation of auditory cortex functions and postoperative hearing rehabilitation.     

Developing a Conceptual Framework of Foster Family Placement

Contemporary models of family adjustment, namely the goodness of fit model and the organizational ecology conceptual frameworks, are limited in their application to the complexities of family foster care. However, the family adjustment and adaptation response (FAAR) model exists as a viable model for research and clinical applications in family foster care. In this article we discuss the FAAR model's relative advantages in understanding family foster placement and review available studies based on specific FAAR model components. Working with foster families using the FAAR model is described. We conclude by discussing research and practice implications derived from family foster placement research based on a FAAR conceptual framework. Finally, a case example involving application of the FAAR model is offered.     

汉语分类命名功能磁共振初步研究

目的 设计一种适合汉语分类命名的刺激任务,探索汉语词义分类命名(CF)的脑功能区分布特征.方法 对19名健康汉语志愿者进行CF语言任务刺激,同时采集血氧水平依赖性功能磁共振成像(BOLD-fMRI)数据,通过SPM8软件分析获取CF任务相关脑功能激活区位置、大小及强度.结果 任务态BOLD-fMRI图像显示汉语CF刺激在额、颞叶存在特定的激活区,主要分布于左额上回(BA8区)、右额上回(BA6区);负激活区位于右额上回(BA9区)、左颞中回(BA20区)及梭状回(BA37区).结论 利用该语言任务能有效激活汉语CF相关的脑功能区;同时BOLD-fMRI可以准确定位激活区,量化激活区的大小及激活强度,患者依从性好.此方法可适用于汉语分类联想相关脑功能疾病的研究.     

A knowledge based method for the medical question answering problem

In this paper, a restricted domain question answering (QA) system is described. The design architecture of this QA system and the features that allow the adaptation of the QA system to the medical domain are also presented. The advantages of this QA system include the simple process of defining the question taxonomy answered by the system as well as the possibility of locally or remotely managed document collections. The main computing methods of the QA system are based on the application of natural language processing (NLP) techniques to infer the logic forms and on the treatment of the logic forms. The knowledge of the system is acquired through the use of two different resources: Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) to handle the medical terminology and WordNet to manage the open-domain terminology.     

一体化医疗卫生服务体系评价框架研究

目的:建立一体化医疗卫生服务体系评价框架,为进一步构建相应的评价指标体系提供依据。方法:综合运用系统综述法、主题框架分析法及专家咨询法筛选、构建和完善一体化医疗卫生服务体系评价框架。结果:最终确定的一体化医疗卫生服务体系评价框架包括制度一体化、组织一体化、专业一体化、服务一体化4个一级指标和25个相应的二级指标。结论:本研究构建的一体化医疗卫生服务体系评价框架相关指标具有较强的有效性和必要性,为进一步开发相应的评价指标体系奠定了较好的基础。