Semantic Speech Networks Linked to Formal Thought Disorder in Early Psychosis.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Mapping a patient's speech as a network has proved to be a useful way of understanding formal thought disorder in psychosis. However, to date, graph theory tools have not explicitly modelled the semantic content of speech, which is altered in psychosis. STUDY DESIGN: We developed an algorithm, "netts," to map the semantic content of speech as a network, then applied netts to construct semantic speech networks for a general population sample (N = 436), and a clinical sample comprising patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), people at clinical high risk of psychosis (CHR-P), and healthy controls (total N = 53). STUDY RESULTS: Semantic speech networks from the general population were more connected than size-matched randomized networks, with fewer and larger connected components, reflecting the nonrandom nature of speech. Networks from FEP patients were smaller than from healthy participants, for a picture description task but not a story recall task. For the former task, FEP networks were also more fragmented than those from controls; showing more connected components, which tended to include fewer nodes on average. CHR-P networks showed fragmentation values in-between FEP patients and controls. A clustering analysis suggested that semantic speech networks captured novel signals not already described by existing NLP measures. Network features were also related to negative symptom scores and scores on the Thought and Language Index, although these relationships did not survive correcting for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these data suggest that semantic networks can enable deeper phenotyping of formal thought disorder in psychosis. Whilst here we focus on network fragmentation, the semantic speech networks created by Netts also contain other, rich information which could be extracted to shed further light on formal thought disorder. We are releasing Netts as an open Python package alongside this manuscript.

Sensorimotor ability and inhibitory control independently predict attainment in mathematics in children and adolescents.

We previously linked interceptive timing performance to mathematics attainment in 5- to 11-yr-old children, which we attributed to the neural overlap between spatiotemporal and numerical operations. This explanation implies that the relationship should persist through the teenage years. Here, we replicated this finding in adolescents (n = 200, 11-15 yr). However, an alternative explanation is that sensorimotor proficiency and academic attainment are both consequences of executive function. To assess this competing hypothesis, we developed a measure of a core executive function, inhibitory control, from the kinematic data. We combined our new adolescent data with the original children's data (total n = 568), performing a novel analysis controlling for our marker of executive function. We found that the relationship between mathematics and interceptive timing persisted at all ages. These results suggest a distinct functional link between interceptive timing and mathematics that operates independently of our measure of executive function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Previous research downplays the role of sensorimotor skills in the development of higher-order cognitive domains such as mathematics: using inadequate sensorimotor measures, differences in "executive function" account for any shared variance. Utilizing a high-resolution, kinematic measure of a sensorimotor skill previously linked to mathematics attainment, we show that inhibitory control alone cannot account for this relationship. The practical implication is that the development of children's sensorimotor skills must be considered in their intellectual development.

Correction to 'Sensorimotor control dynamics and cultural biases: learning to move in the right (or left) direction'.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160806.][This corrects the article DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160806.].

Getting Back Into the Loop: The Perceptual-Motor Determinants of Successful Transitions out of Automated Driving.

OBJECTIVE: To present a structured, narrative review highlighting research into human perceptual-motor coordination that can be applied to automated vehicle (AV)-human transitions. BACKGROUND: Manual control of vehicles is made possible by the coordination of perceptual-motor behaviors (gaze and steering actions), where active feedback loops enable drivers to respond rapidly to ever-changing environments. AVs will change the nature of driving to periods of monitoring followed by the human driver taking over manual control. The impact of this change is currently poorly understood. METHOD: We outline an explanatory framework for understanding control transitions based on models of human steering control. This framework can be summarized as a perceptual-motor loop that requires (a) calibration and (b) gaze and steering coordination. A review of the current experimental literature on transitions is presented in the light of this framework. RESULTS: The success of transitions are often measured using reaction times, however, the perceptual-motor mechanisms underpinning steering quality remain relatively unexplored. CONCLUSION: Modeling the coordination of gaze and steering and the calibration of perceptual-motor control will be crucial to ensure safe and successful transitions out of automated driving. APPLICATION: This conclusion poses a challenge for future research on AV-human transitions. Future studies need to provide an understanding of human behavior that will be sufficient to capture the essential characteristics of drivers reengaging control of their vehicle. The proposed framework can provide a guide for investigating specific components of human control of steering and potential routes to improving manual control recovery.

Hitting the Target: Mathematical Attainment in Children Is Related to Interceptive-Timing Ability.

Interceptive timing is a fundamental ability underpinning numerous actions (e.g., ball catching), but its development and relationship with other cognitive functions remain poorly understood. Piaget suggested that children need to learn the physical rules that govern their environment before they can represent abstract concepts such as number and time. Thus, learning how objects move in space and time may underpin the development of related abstract representations (i.e., mathematics). To test this hypothesis, we captured objective measures of interceptive timing in 309 primary school children (5-11 years old), alongside scores for general motor skill and national standardized academic attainment. Bayesian estimation showed that interceptive timing (but not general motor capability) uniquely predicted mathematical ability even after we controlled for age, reading, and writing attainment. This finding demonstrates that interceptive timing is distinct from other motor skills with specificity in predicting childhood mathematical ability independently of other forms of attainment and motor capability.

Counting on the mental number line to make a move: sensorimotor ('pen') control and numerical processing.

Mathematics is often conducted with a writing implement. But is there a relationship between numerical processing and sensorimotor 'pen' control? We asked participants to move a stylus so it crossed an unmarked line at a location specified by a symbolic number (1-9), where number colour indicated whether the line ran left-right ('normal') or vice versa ('reversed'). The task could be simplified through the use of a 'mental number line' (MNL). Many modern societies use number lines in mathematical education and the brain's representation of number appears to follow a culturally determined spatial organisation (so better task performance is associated with this culturally normal orientation-the MNL effect). Participants (counter-balanced) completed two consistent blocks of trials, 'normal' and 'reversed', followed by a mixed block where line direction varied randomly. Experiment 1 established that the MNL effect was robust, and showed that the cognitive load associated with reversing the MNL not only affected response selection but also the actual movement execution (indexed by duration) within the mixed trials. Experiment 2 showed that an individual's motor abilities predicted performance in the difficult (mixed) condition but not the easier blocks. These results suggest that numerical processing is not isolated from motor capabilities-a finding with applied consequences.

Sensorimotor control dynamics and cultural biases: learning to move in the right (or left) direction.

The nativist hypothesis suggests universal features of human behaviour can be explained by biologically determined cognitive substrates. This nativist account has been challenged recently by evolutionary models showing that the cultural transmission of knowledge can produce behavioural universals. Sensorimotor invariance is a canonical example of a behavioural universal, raising the issue of whether culture can influence not only which skills people acquire but also the development of the sensorimotor system. We tested this hypothesis by exploring whether culture influences the developing sensorimotor system in children. We took kinematic measures of motor control asymmetries in adults and children from differing cultures where writing follows opposite directions. British and Kuwaiti adults (n = 69) and first grade (5-6 year old) children (n = 140) completed novel rightward and leftward tracing tasks. The Kuwaitis were better when moving their arm leftward while the British showed the opposite bias. Bayesian analysis techniques showed that while children were worse than adults, they also showed asymmetries-with the asymmetry magnitude related to accuracy levels. Our findings support the idea that culture influences the sensorimotor system.

Laparoscopic Motor Learning and Workspace Exploration.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery requires operators to learn novel complex movement patterns. However, our understanding of how best to train surgeons' motor skills is inadequate, and research is needed to determine optimal laparoscopic training regimes. This difficulty is confounded by variables inherent in surgical practice, for example, the increasing prevalence of morbidly obese patients presents additional challenges related to restriction of movement because of abdominal wall resistance and reduced intra-abdominal space. The aim of this study was to assess learning of a surgery-related task in constrained and unconstrained conditions using a novel system linking a commercially available robotic arm with specialised software creating the novel kinematic assessment tool (Omni-KAT). METHODS: We created an experimental tool that records motor performance by linking a commercially available robotic arm with specialized software that presents visual stimuli and objectively measures movement outcome (kinematics). Participants were given the task of generating aiming movements along a horizontal plane to move a visual cursor on a vertical screen. One group received training that constrained movements to the correct plane, whereas the other group was unconstrained and could explore the entire "action space." RESULTS: The tool successfully generated the requisite force fields and precisely recorded the aiming movements. Consistent with predictions from structural learning theory, the unconstrained group produced better performance after training as indexed by movement duration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The data showed improved performance for participants who explored the entire action space, highlighting the importance of learning the full dynamics of laparoscopic instruments. These findings, alongside the development of the Omni-KAT, open up exciting prospects for better understanding of the learning processes behind surgical training and investigate ways in which learning can be optimized.

Utilidad de la hemoglobina glucosilada como indicador de la función renal en adultos mayores diabéticos y no diabéticos / Usefulness of glycosylated hemoglobin as an indicator of kidney function in diabetic and non-diabetic older adults

OBJETIVOS: Correlacionar el grado de funcionalidad renal de acuerdo a la clasificación de K-DOQUI con el control glucémico a través del porcentaje de hemoglobina glucosilada y de glucosa sérica, en adultos mayores diabéticos del módulo de diabetes, y comparar los resultados con los pacientes no diabéticos del módulo Gerontológico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron dos grupos: El primero conformado por diabéticos del módulo de diabetes, y el segundo por no diabéticos del módulo de gerontología. Muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia en adultos mayores de 60 años y más, se aplicó ficha de identificación, se envió al laboratorio para toma de productos, y se determinó funcionalidad renal en función del Grado K-Doqui. Se utilizaron pruebas de U de Mann Whitney, t de student para muestras independientes, Chi cuadrada y correlación de Spearman, nivel de significancia 0.05, programa estadístico SPSS v 18. RESULTADOS: El total fue de 240 pacientes, Para funcionalidad renal; nueve pacientes del módulo de diabetes presentaron estadio 4, por seis del módulo gerontológico. (p=0.455). Para el control glucémico por hemoglobina glucosilada, el promedio para el módulo de diabetes 6.8%, y para módulo gerontológico 6.2%, (p=0.000). Al asociar función renal y control glicémico por hemoglobina gucosilada, se obtuvo asociación directa con significancia estadística para el módulo de diabetes (p=0.002), mientras que para el módulo gerontológico no se presentó dicha asociación (p=0.118). CONCLUSIONES: A diferencia del grupo control, para el grupo de diabéticos se obtuvo asociación directa entre control glicémico y daño renal, aunque su correlación fue baja.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the renal functionality degree according to K-DOQUI classification with the glycemic control through the percentage of glycated hemoglobin and serum glucose, in elder diabetic from the diabetes module and to compare it with the non-diabetic patients from the gerontological module. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups were included, the first one consisting of diabetics from the diabetes module, the second one of non-diabetics from the gerontological module. No probabilistic of convenience sample in adults over 60 years, an identification card was applied, it was sent to the clinic's laboratory for taking products and determine the renal functionality based on the patients K-DOQUI degree. U Man Whitney, t Student for independent samples, Square Xi, and Spearman correlation were used. Significance level 0.05 Statistical Program SPSS 18 V. RESULTS: 240 total patients. For renal functionality 9 patients from the diabetes module presented stage 4, by 6 patients from the gerontological module (p=0.455). For glycemic control of glycated hemoglobin the average for diabetes module was 6.8%, and 6.2% for gerontological module (p=0.000). While associating the renal function and glycemic control of glycated hemoglobin, a direct association was obtained, with a statistical significance for the diabetes module (p=0.002). For the gerontological module there was no association (p=0.118). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the control group, for the non-diabetic group a direct association between glycemic control and kidney failure was obtained, though its correlation was low.

Infección de las vías urinarias: prevalencia, sensibilidad antimicrobiana y factores de riesgo asociados en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Urinary tract infection: prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and associated risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Objetivos: determinar la prevalencia de infección de vías urinarias, la sensibilidad antimicrobiana y los factores de riesgo asociados en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo, a 300 pacientes con diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus tipo 2, seleccionados mediante muestreo no probabilístico. Se aplicó ficha de identificación, y se realizó diagnóstico clínico y microbiológico de infección de vías urinarias. El análisis estadístico se realizó a través de razón de momios, intervalos de confianza y chi cuadrado, con el programa estadístico SPSS versión 17. Resultados: el porcentaje total de infección de vías urinarias fue de 17 por ciento, y se presentó 12,5 por ciento de bacteriuria asintomática y 38,4 por ciento de bacteriuria sintomática (p= 0,000; OR= 4,38; IC 95 por ciento 2,09-8,99). Se obtuvo una prevalencia de infección de vías urinarias de 6,5 por ciento para hombres y 22,8 por ciento para mujeres (p= 0,000; OR= 4,22; IC 95 por ciento 1,78-11,51). Escherichia coli se aisló en 68,6 por ciento, seguido de Klebsiella spp. en 13,7 por ciento. En relación con la sensibilidad a los antibióticos, E. coli presentó 74,3 por ciento de resistencia a la ciprofloxacina y 68,6 por ciento a la ampicilina. Conclusiones: E. coli y Klebsiella spp. fueron las bacterias de mayor prevalencia, con porcentajes altos de resistencia a la ampicilina y la cefalosporina, 2 de los antimicrobianos mayormente utilizados en estos procesos. De los factores de riesgo analizados, solo el sexo se asoció a infección de vías urinarias en el paciente diabético(AU)

Objectives: to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection, antimicrobial resistance and associated risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted in 300 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and selected by non-probabilistic sampling. The identification card was used and the clinical and microbiological diagnosis of urinary tract infection was performed. The statistical analysis used the SPSS statistical program version 17 through the odds ratio, the confidence intervals and the chi square test. Results: total percentage of urinary tract infection was 17 percent, asymptomatic bacteriuria reached 12.5 percent and symptomatic 38.4 percent (p= 0.000; OR= 4.38; IC 95 percent 2.09-8.99). The prevalence of urinary tract infection was 6.5 percent for men and 22.8 percent for women (p= 0.000; OR= 4.22; IC 95 percent 1.78-11.51). Escherichia coli was isolated in 68.6 percent of cases, followed by Klebsiella spp. in 13.7 percent. Regarding the antimicrobial resistance, E. coli exhibited 74.3 percent resistance to ciprofloxacin and 68.6 percent to ampicillin. Conclusions: E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were the preponderant bacteria with high percentages of resistance to ampicillin and to cephalosporin, two of the mostly used antimicrobials to control these processes. Sex was the only risk factor associated to urinary tract infection in the diabetic patient(AU)

Minimally invasive surgery training using multiple port sites to improve performance.

BACKGROUND: Structural learning theory suggests that experiencing motor task variation enables the central nervous system to extract general rules regarding tasks with a similar structure - rules that can subsequently be applied to novel situations. Complex minimally invasive surgery (MIS) requires different port sites, but switching ports alters the limb movements required to produce the same endpoint control of the surgical instrument. The purpose of the present study was to determine if structural learning theory can be applied to MIS to inform training methods. METHODS: A tablet laptop running bespoke software was placed within a laparoscopic box trainer and connected to a monitor situated at eye level. Participants (right-handed, non-surgeons, mean age = 23.2 years) used a standard laparoscopic grasper to move between locations on the screen. There were two training groups: the M group (n = 10) who trained using multiple port sites, and the S group (n = 10) who trained using a single port site. A novel port site was used as a test of generalization. Performance metrics were a composite of speed and accuracy (SACF) and normalized jerk (NJ; a measure of movement 'smoothness'). RESULTS: The M group showed a statistically significant performance advantage over the S group at test, as indexed by improved SACF (p < 0.05) and NJ (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the potential benefits of incorporating a structural learning approach within MIS training. This may have practical applications when training junior surgeons and developing surgical simulation devices.