Towards a multimodal brain-computer interface: combining fNIRS and fTCD measurements to enable higher classification accuracy.

Previous brain-computer interface (BCI) research has largely focused on single neuroimaging modalities such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) or transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD). However, multimodal brain-computer interfaces, which combine signals from different brain modalities, have been suggested as a potential means of improving the accuracy of BCI systems. In this paper, we compare the classification accuracies attainable using NIRS signals alone, TCD signals alone, and a combination of NIRS and TCD signals. Nine able-bodied subjects (mean age=25.7) were recruited and simultaneous measurements were made with NIRS and TCD instruments while participants were prompted to perform a verbal fluency task or to remain at rest, within the context of a block-stimulus paradigm. Using Linear Discriminant Analysis, the verbal fluency task was classified at mean accuracies of 76.1±9.9%, 79.4±10.3%, and 86.5±6.0% using NIRS, TCD, and NIRS-TCD systems respectively. In five of nine participants, classification accuracies with the NIRS-TCD system were significantly higher (p<0.05) than with NIRS or TCD systems alone. Our results suggest that multimodal neuroimaging may be a promising method of improving the accuracy of future brain-computer interfaces.

Evaluation of a bicycle helmet safety program for children.

BACKGROUND: Helmets have been shown to decrease the risk of brain injury; however, helmets must be worn correctly and fit well in order to be effective. The objective of this study is to determine whether kindergarten-aged children could learn and retain appropriate helmet wearing technique through an educational bicycle safety program. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of scores in questionnaires administered before and after an educational intervention to kindergarten students four to six years of age. The study took place in Prince Edward Island, Canada. A Wilcoxon Sign-Rank Test was used to determine if there was a significant overall increase in knowledge; McNemar chi-square tests were used to determine if there was an increase in knowledge for individual questions. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in pre-test to immediate post-tests scores and pre-test to delay post-test scores when the results were stratified by age, sex, bike riding status, and helmet wearing status (p<0.001 for all comparisons). In particular, correct responses for the questions regarding appropriate helmet distances from the eyes increased from 38.9% in the pre-test to above 90% in the post-tests (p<0.001). Correct responses for the question pertaining to appropriate fitting of helmet straps increased from 71.7% pre-test to above 90% in the post-tests (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was improved knowledge of appropriate helmet-wearing technique among kindergarten-aged children as a result of the educational intervention, and knowledge gains were retained for at least one month.

Adherence to recommendations at a Canadian tertiary care Family Travel Clinic - A single centre analysis.

BACKGROUND: Infectious and non-infectious risks associated with international travel can be reduced with adherence to pre-travel advice from practitioners trained in travel medicine. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary care children's hospital to assess adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis, safe water and food consumption, mosquito bite protection, motor vehicle safety and travel vaccines using structured questionnaires. High risk groups assessed included child travelers and those visiting friends and relatives (VFRs). RESULTS: In total, 290 participants (133 children and 157 adults) were enrolled and completed at least one study questionnaire. In general, with the exception of vaccines, adherence to recommendations was sub-optimal. Among children and adults, adherence to malaria prophylaxis recommendations was lower in VFRs than in non-VFRs. The proportion of children VFRs (cVFRs) and adult VFRs (aVFRs) who adhered to the following recommendations were malaria chemoprophylaxis (47%, 33%), safe water (71%, 74%) and food recommendations (18%, 6%), insect bite avoidance (21%, 12%), and motor vehicle safety (13%, 11%) respectively. Adherence to recommended vaccines uptake was greater than 90% in all groups. CONCLUSION: With the exception of vaccine uptake, sub-optimal adherence levels to travel recommendations was identified in all groups, and in particular VFRs, highlighting the need for proactive discussions around barriers to adherence.

Infant Cries Rattle Adult Cognition.

The attention-grabbing quality of the infant cry is well recognized, but how the emotional valence of infant vocal signals affects adult cognition and cortical activity has heretofore been unknown. We examined the effects of two contrasting infant vocalizations (cries vs. laughs) on adult performance on a Stroop task using a cross-modal distraction paradigm in which infant distractors were vocal and targets were visual. Infant vocalizations were presented before (Experiment 1) or during each Stroop trial (Experiment 2). To evaluate the influence of infant vocalizations on cognitive control, neural responses to the Stroop task were obtained by measuring electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs) in Experiment 1. Based on the previously demonstrated existence of negative arousal bias, we hypothesized that cry vocalizations would be more distracting and invoke greater conflict processing than laugh vocalizations. Similarly, we expected participants to have greater difficulty shifting attention from the vocal distractors to the target task after hearing cries vs. after hearing laughs. Behavioral results from both experiments showed a cry interference effect, in which task performance was slower with cry than with laugh distractors. Electrophysiology data further revealed that cries more than laughs reduced attention to the task (smaller P200) and increased conflict processing (larger N450), albeit differently for incongruent and congruent trials. Results from a correlation analysis showed that the amplitudes of P200 and N450 were inversely related, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between attention and conflict processing. The findings suggest that cognitive control processes contribute to an attention bias to infant signals, which is modulated in part by the valence of the infant vocalization and the demands of the cognitive task. The findings thus support the notion that infant cries elicit a negative arousal bias that is distracting; they also identify, for the first time, the neural dynamics underlying the unique influence that infant cries and laughs have on cognitive control.

Evaluation of a ski and snowboard injury prevention program.

The objective was to study the effectiveness of a brochure and video at improving skiing and snowboarding knowledge. Sixty-nine Grade 7 students were randomised to an educational intervention (n = 35) or control (n = 34) group. The intervention group viewed an injury prevention video aimed at improving skiers and snowboarder's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about ski and snowboard safety and received a brochure. The control group participated in a teaching session and had a simple question and answer session about snow sports. Pre- and post-tests were administered and injuries during four trips were documented. Pre-test scores were similar between the two groups. Compared with the control group, there was a significantly greater improvement in post-test scores among the intervention group (WMD: 2.1; 95% CI: 0.19-4.01). There was no significant difference in injury rates (RR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.04, 3.39). All injuries were minor and did not require medical attention. The intervention aimed at youth skiers and snowboarders appears to be effective at improving knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of skiing and snowboarding safety.

Factors Affecting Ankle Support Device Usage in Young Basketball Players.

This cross-sectional study explores factors affecting the decision of basketball players to wear ankle support devices (ASDs). A questionnaire regarding attitudes towards ASD usage was developed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). The questionnaire assessed HBM perceptions (susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers) and modifying factors (demographic, personal history of ankle injury, influence of coach to preventive action) that may affect an athlete's decision to wear ASDs. One hundred forty basketball players competing at the recreational, high school, or university levels completed the questionnaire, with the questionnaires being completed at the basketball gymnasium or at home. It was found that athletes whose coaches enforced ASD use were significantly more likely to wear them (OR: 35.71; 95% CI: 10.01, 127.36), as were athletes who perceived ankle injuries to be severe (OR: 2.77; 95% CI: 1.04, 7.37). Previous injury did not significantly increase the odds of using an ASD. The combined influence of coach enforcement and previous injury had the greatest effect on increasing ASD use. The largest barrier to ASD use was a lack of aesthetic appeal. Strategies aimed at increasing players' willingness to wear ankle protection should be emphasized among coaches and parents as this may increase use of ASDs.