Left Hand Research Articles

Practice-induced SNARC: evidence from a null-SNARC sample.

The mental representation of numbers inherently involves a spatial organization, often positioning smaller numbers to the left and larger numbers to the right. The SNARC effect, characterized by faster responses to small numbers using the left hand and vice versa for large numbers, is typically attributed to this left-to-right oriented mental number line (MNL). However, the direction of the SNARC effect seems to rely on reading direction, with most research exploring these mechanisms conducted within left-to-right reading cultures where the SNARC effect is prevalent. This study takes advantage of a sample from a left-to-right reading culture that does not exhibit the SNARC effect, allowing us to isolate and elucidate the stand-alone effects of recent experiences on SNARC. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate how MNL-compatible and MNL-incompatible practices induce an effect within a sample lacking the SNARC effect. To accomplish this, we reinvited the individuals from the sample which had previously shown no SNARC, and retested those who agreed to take part in the current study after an MNL-compatible or MNL-incompatible practice manipulation. The findings revealed an absence of the SNARC effect with MNL-compatible practices. Conversely, MNL-incompatible practices yielded a reverse SNARC effect. These results prompt a discussion on SNARC mechanisms within the framework of practice effects.

HANDVIBE: HAND GESTURE VOLUME AND BRIGHTNESS CONTROL

Gesture Recognition has become increasingly relevant in the field of human-computer interaction, as it is a natural way to convey information. We aim to create a system that can identify specific human gestures and utilize them to transmit information for device control. This enables users to operate a computer by performing a specific gesture in front of the camera. The below approach can detect multiple hands simultaneously, that is left and right, each having its own purpose. It is detected by a standard webcam, and requires no extra equipment. The left hand is responsible in controlling the brightness and the right hand will be responsible for controlling the volume. Here we have used different computer vision techniques which includes border detection, and convex-hull detection. The system was able to detect the distance between two points present in the hand, namely fingertip of thumb as well as index finger. Then it calculates the distance between them which is used to apply for volume and brightness, i.e. If the fingers are pinched, the distance between them becomes “zero”, thereby setting the volume or brightness to zero. If it has the maximum distance ,then the volume or brightness is set to maximum that is “100”.The Volume or brightness is decided based upon the hand. The primary aim here is to enable users to adjust the volume as well as the brightness of their system with ease, either by increasing or decreasing it. This offers a promising alternative to touch-based controls as well as voice-based controls. Key Words: Hand Gesture, Volume Control , Brightness Control, Human Control Interaction, Edge Detection, OpenCV, Computer Vision

EXPRESS:Spatial Organisation in the Human Mind as a Function of the Distance Between Stimuli.

Studies investigating serial order in working memory have shown that participants from Western cultures are faster at responding to items presented at the beginning of a sequence using their left hand and faster at responding to items at the end with their right hand. This is known as the spatial positional association of response codes (SPoARC) effect. The SPoARC effect provides evidence that recently presented information is spatially organised in the cognitive system along a horizontal axis. This study investigated the flexibility of spatialisation by testing the effect that distance between items presented on a screen has on the magnitude of the SPoARC effect. It was hypothesised that by increasing the distance between items on a screen a larger SPoARC effect would be found. We used three conditions: central, narrow, and wide. In central, four random letters were presented sequentially at the centre of the screen, in narrow the letters were presented from left to right on the screen, wide was the same as narrow but the separation between the letters was larger. Participants consisted of 64 adults aged 18-55 years old. Participants were presented with four random letters, followed by single probe letter, participants had to indicate, by pressing a key on a normal keyboard, if the probe had been in the sequence. We analysed the data with multilevel modelling. We found evidence for the SPoARC effect in all three conditions. But no evidence that the effect varied between conditions.

“Down the Left Hand Path to Perdition”: Equity, the Actors Forum, and Anti-Communism

“Down the Left Hand Path to Perdition”: Equity, the Actors Forum, and Anti-Communism

A Case Study on the Integrated Rehabilitation of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in a Patient with Stage IV Breast Cancer

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant complication of cancer treatments, affecting a substantial proportion of patients and severely impacting their quality of life. Current management strategies often fall short in addressing the multifaceted nature of this condition, highlighting the need for integrated approaches that encompass physical, psychological, and social elements. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a multimodal rehabilitation program in improving physical function and psychological well-being in a patient with Stage IV breast cancer experiencing moderate CIPN. Methods: A 40-year-old female with Stage IV breast cancer underwent a 5-week multimodal rehabilitation program, including physical therapy, psychosocial support, and mobility therapy. Assessments of grip strength, knee and shoulder flexion, neuropathic pain (DN4), anxiety and depression (HADS), and overall quality of life were conducted pre- and post-intervention using a hand dynamometer, goniometer, and standardized psychological scales. Results: Post-treatment results demonstrated significant improvements: grip strength increased from 10 kg to 13 kg (right hand) and 9 kg to 14 kg (left hand); knee flexion improved from 120° to 129° (right) and 125° to 132° (left); shoulder flexion increased from 149° to 160° (right) and 152° to 159° (left). Psychological assessments showed a reduction in anxiety (HADS) scores from 12 to 8 and depression from 10 to 5. The DN4 score decreased from 7 to 4, indicating a reduction in neuropathic pain. Quality of life assessments also noted significant enhancements. Conclusion: The integrated rehabilitation program was effective in significantly improving both the physical and psychological parameters in a patient with severe CIPN. This case supports the potential benefits of multidisciplinary approaches in managing CIPN, suggesting wider applicability for similar comprehensive care models in oncological rehabilitation.

Effects of left-hand contraction on tennis serve performance

IntroductionThe tennis serve is commonly executed in high-pressure scenarios, often leading to performance decline; a condition commonly referred to as choking under pressure. One suggested effective method to avert choking involves contracting the left hand. We examined the effects of left-hand contraction on tennis serve performance using a wearable grasping material (polyurethane foam) which can be incorporated into sportswear.Materials and methodsWe assigned 40 right-handed skilled tennis players to either the contraction group (n = 20) or the no-contraction group (n = 20). They were instructed to perform a second-serve task during the pre-test and pressure test. The participants in the contraction group squeezed the grasping material for 20 s before executing the task in the pressure test. We measured performance, including total scores, the number of maximum score achievements, landing positions, and kinematic indices (i.e., ball speed, racket speed, and impact height).ResultsAlthough neither group demonstrated deteriorated performance on the pressure test, the contraction group experienced an increased number of maximum score achievements under the pressure situation compared with the pre-test (p = 0.021).DiscussionOur results suggest that when under pressure, left-hand contraction may improve performance during tennis serves.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Wake of the Eid al-Adha: A Single-Center, Five-Year Investigation.

(1) Background: The Festival of Sacrifice, commonly known as Eid al-Adha, has a profound religious and cultural impact on nations with a Muslim majority. This festival is celebrated every year in Muslim countries; however, it is a time in which patients present to the emergency department with serious injuries. In our study, we examined current injuries occurring during Eid al-Adha in one of the largest hospitals in Türkiye, providing the largest patient population to date. This included mapping tendon and maxillofacial injuries, a first in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest case series of injuries sustained during Eid al-Adha. The significance of this study lies in its potential to significantly benefit patients and healthcare systems by providing reference data. (2) Methods: Patients admitted to Ankara City Hospital during Eid al-Adha between 2019 and 2023 were examined. The demographic characteristics, injury patterns, and injury sites of patients admitted on the four days of Eid al-Adha were collected and analyzed. Maxillofacial traumas during the festival were analyzed. Tendon injuries on the left hand, which is the most commonly injured body part in the literature, were mapped into a figure. To compare the change in the number of patients, a comparison was made with the number of patients in our hospital for four consecutive days 2 weeks before Eid. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows. (3) Results: A total of 610 patients, including 101 female and 509 male patients, were included in this study. A statistically significant increase (p < 0.001 for all years) in hospital admission due to injury was observed. Individuals between the ages of 30 and 40 years were the most frequently admitted patients (n = 182, 29.8%). Knife injuries were significantly more common in all patients (p < 0.001). When the total number of patients was evaluated in terms of injured areas where patients present to the emergency department, left-hand injuries were found to be significantly more common than injuries in other areas (p < 0.001 for all). The extensor pollicus longus tendon was the most commonly injured tendon among all extensor and flexor tendon injuries (n = 104). The most commonly injured tendon was the flexor tendon in zone 2 of the first finger (n = 45). This study showed that injuries to the extensor tendon in zone 1 of the fifth finger, the flexor tendon in zone 4 of the first finger, and the flexor tendon in zone 1 of the fifth finger were never seen. Twenty-five patients with maxillofacial injuries were admitted to the hospital. Orbital floor fractures were the most common type of maxillofacial injury. The anesthesia technique we preferred for all patients was local anesthesia (n = 267). Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) was the second most preferred anesthetic technique. The number of patients who were selected in a random 4-day period for each year were compared with the number of patients who came during Eid al-Adha. The Mann-Whitney U tests revealed a significant increase in injuries on the first day of Eid al-Adha compared to non-festival days (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed on the subsequent days or in the overall injury counts during the festival period (p = 0.841 for day 2, p = 0.151 for day 3, p = 0.310 for day 4). (4) Conclusions: According to this study, which is the largest known case series in the literature, the number of patients admitted to the hospital increased annually. In our study, we observed a significant increase in injuries only on the first day of Eid al-Adha compared to a randomly selected 4-day period of the same year. Left-hand extensor tendon injuries from a knife were the most common injuries in middle-aged men. The extensor pollicis longus tendon was the most commonly injured extensor tendon, with zones 3 and 4 being the most commonly affected. The flexor pollicis longus tendon was the most commonly injured flexor tendon in zone 2. During this period, patients may not only need hand surgery but also maxillofacial plastic surgery. We recommend, in addition to the indications I,n the literature that during Eid al-Adha, the WALANT technique should be widely adopted in patients where local anesthesia will be insufficient. We also recommend utilizing a diagram to manage the patient load during Eid al-Adha and prevent overburdening the healthcare system.

The anterior cingulate cortex is involved in intero-exteroceptive integration for spatial image transformation of the self-body

Spatial image transformation of the self-body is a fundamental function of visual perspective-taking. Recent research underscores the significance of intero-exteroceptive information integration to construct representations of our embodied self. This raises the intriguing hypothesis that interoceptive processing might be involved in the spatial image transformation of the self-body. To test this hypothesis, the present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain activity during an arm laterality judgment (ALJ) task. In this task, participants were tasked with discerning whether the outstretched arm of a human figure, viewed from the front or back, was the right or left hand. The reaction times for the ALJ task proved longer when the stimulus presented orientations of 0°, 90°, and 270° relative to the upright orientation, and when the front view was presented rather than the back view. Reflecting the increased reaction time, increased brain activity was manifested in a cluster centered on the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), suggesting that the activation reflects the involvement of an embodied simulation in ALJ. Furthermore, this cluster of brain activity exhibited overlap with regions where the difference in activation between the front and back views positively correlated with the participants' interoceptive sensitivity, as assessed through the heartbeat discrimination task, within the pregenual ACC. These results suggest that the ACC plays an important role in integrating intero-exteroceptive cues to spatially transform the image of our self-body.

Abstract PO1-20-09: A rare unilateral expression of hand-foot syndrome: a case report

Abstract Introduction: Hand-foot syndrome, also known as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, is a common side effect observed in patients undergoing various chemotherapeutic treatments, including capecitabine. It is characterized by symmetrical palmoplantar numbness, pain, erythema with or without edema, and desquamation. Case Presentation: A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed with multifocal mucinous invasive carcinoma of the left breast, which was ER+, PR+, and HER-2-. She underwent neoadjuvant therapy with docetaxel and trastuzumab, followed by bilateral mastectomy. Postoperatively, radiation therapy was administered to the chest wall, and Tamoxifen and trastuzumab were prescribed. Disease progression occurred after 15 months, involving the sternum, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and supraclavicular areas. Gemcitabine plus trastuzumab was initiated, along with Zometa for supportive care, resulting in a favorable response for five months. Chemotherapy was discontinued, and the patient received goserelin with anastrozole. One month after discontinuing gemcitabine, she developed recurrent lung disease. Lapatinib plus Capecitabine were administered for 12 months, resulting in further progression to the brain. Brain lesions were managed through whole brain radiation, stereotactic radiosurgery, and a palliative craniectomy. The patient developed a chronic left-sided hemiparesis and a contracture in her left hand. Ado-trastuzumab was initiated but resulted in disease progression. Subsequently, Capecitabine and Neratinib were administered, with a positive response. However, within six months, she developed grade 2 hand-foot syndrome, characterized by erythema and desquamation of the right palm and soles. Supportive care and dose reduction of Capecitabine improved symptoms. Discussion: The pathogenesis of Hand-Foot Syndrome (HFS) remains incompletely understood and may vary depending on the chemotherapeutic agents used. Possible causes include direct toxicity to eccrine coils, activation of enzymes leading to increased metabolite concentration, micro-trauma causing persistent drug extravasation and tissue damage, and activation of inflammatory pathways. Further research is needed to better understand the neurovascular mechanisms involved in HFS. Conclusion: This case report provides insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of Hand-Foot Syndrome associated with capecitabine use. Preexisting hemiparesis may play a role in protecting against HFS development, suggesting the involvement of mechanical stress. Patients should be advised to avoid activities that subject the palms and soles to excessive friction. Clinicians should be aware of atypical presentations of HFS in patients with neurological disorders and medications that can trigger HFS. Future studies should focus on elucidating the neurovascular mechanisms to enhance patient management. Citation Format: Daniela Urueta Portillo, Kate Lathrop. A rare unilateral expression of hand-foot syndrome: a case report [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-20-09.

Abstract PO2-12-03: Home-based Resistance Exercise Improves Fatigue and Functional Strength in Female Breast Cancer Survivors Post Chemotherapy

Abstract Introduction: Chemotherapy is associated with an increase in fatigue and loss of strength in female breast cancer (BCa) survivors. Strength training has been found to reverse these effects, however, the COVID pandemic added a complexity to clinic-based exercise intervention. The purpose of this study is to determine if a home-based resistance exercise program can attenuate these debilitating effects in a cohort of breast cancer survivors that have recently completed chemotherapy. Methods: Ten BCa survivors who completed chemotherapy within the previous 6 months were recruited to participate in a 12-week home-based resistance exercise proof of concept study. Exercise was performed 3 times per week, supervised via Zoom. Participants completed 2-3 sets of upper body and lower body exercises to volitional fatigue. Self-reported fatigue was measured using the respective subscale from the EORTC QLQ-C30. Strength was measured using hand grip dynamometry and isometric leg strength. Physical function was measured using the 6-minute walk test. Assessments were completed at baseline and end of study. As a comparison, age matched controls (AMCs) were recruited to complete cross-sectional analysis of each of these variables. A one-way analysis variance was done with Tukey’s post hoc test. Significance was set at p&amp;lt; 0.05. Results: BCa survivors were 46.4 ± 12.5 years old with a BMI of 28.11 ± 5.25. AMCs were 50.3 ±13.3 years old with a BMI of 30.8 ± 5.8. There was no significant difference in patient characteristics. A significant difference in self-reported fatigue was found between groups (F=18.52; p&amp;lt; 0.0001). Post hoc analysis found significant difference in fatigue between BCa survivors at baseline (48 ± 23) and the age matched controls (p&amp;lt; 0.0001). Exercise was able to significantly reduce fatigue in BCa survivors (21 ± 15; p=0.003) to levels not significantly different to AMCs (3.3 ± 7.5). A significant difference was also observed between groups for right-hand grip strength (F= 4.923; p=0.015) and left-hand grip strength (F=8.685, p=0.001). Post hoc analysis found a significant increase in right hand grip strength in the BCa survivor group following the intervention (p=0.012). Left hand grip strength was found to be significantly lower at baseline than AMCs (p=0.048). Left hand grip strength was significantly increased in BCa survivors at end of study (p&amp;lt; 0.001). Finally, a significant difference was observed between groups for isometric leg strength (F= 3.699; p=0.038). Post hoc analysis found a significant difference in leg strength in the BCa survivor group following intervention (pre: 105.9 ± 50.6 N-M; post: 158.4 ± 13.2 N-M; p=0.030) which was 16.5% higher than AMCs (127.4 ± 36.5 N-M). No significant difference was found in 6-minute walk distance. However, there was a 21% increase in the distance walked for BCa survivors after interventions (pre: 441.2 ± 66.5m; post: 501.4 ± 123m), identical to distances walked by AMCs (501.4 ± 90.8m). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that a virtually supervised resistance exercise program can attenuate the negative effects of chemotherapy in BCa survivors to levels similar to their peers that never had breast cancer. Further research using powered sample sizes is needed to validate these results. Citation Format: Taylor Moncrief, Crisann Moon, Angela Gonzalez, Allison Stepanenko, Tiffany Cortes, Darpan Patel. Home-based Resistance Exercise Improves Fatigue and Functional Strength in Female Breast Cancer Survivors Post Chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-12-03.

2D/4D Finger Length Ratio in the Screening of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

To investigate whether there is a relationship between the 2nd finger and 4th finger length measurement ratios and developmental dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). Cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of the Study:Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Meram Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Konya, Turkiye, from January 2020 to May 2023. Infants were screened for DDH with Graff method for the ultrasounds of both hips. Lengths of the 2nd and 4th fingers of both hands were measured and recorded. Patients with additional risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip (breech birth, family history, oligohydramnios, swaddling) were excluded. Two hundred and fifty-six babies were screened including 55.1% (n = 141) girls and 44.9% (n = 115) boys. Their mean age was 2.51 ± 0.80 months. The average lengths were 31.73 ± 3.05 mm, for the left 2nd finger and 34.26 ± 3.48 mm for the left 4th finger. In the hip USG measurements, the mean alpha angles were 62.91 ± 3.12° for the right hip and, 63.20 ± 3.55° for the left hip. Eighteen (7%) of babies who underwent hip ultrasound (USG) had unilateral or bilateral DDH. Among these cases, 2.7% (n = 7) had right, 2.3% (n = 6) had left, and 2% (n = 5) had bilateral DDH. There was no statistically significant correlation between the ratios of right 2/4 finger lengths and the right alpha angle (rs = 0.051; p = 0.421). There was a statistically positive and statistically significant correlation between the ratios of left 2/4 finger lengths and the left alpha angle (rs = 0.154; p = 0.013). Only the left-hand finger ratio among the parameters in the model had a statistically significant effect on DDH. Therefore, the left hand 2D/4D finger length may be of value in screening for DDH. Developmental dysplasia of the hip, Second to fourth finger digit ratio, Ring finger, Digit ratios.

Associations between 2D:4D from direct and radiographic measurements with handgrip strength in young adult Tuvans

BackgroundDigit ratio (2D:4D) – the relative lengths of the index and ring finger – is sexually dimorphic (male < female), possibly because of the sex-differentiated impact of prenatal androgenization on fetal development in the 1st trimester. The sex difference remains stable with age and has been reported in children, adolescents, and adults from industrialized and non-industrialized societies. Handgrip strength (HGS) also is sexually dimorphic (males > females) and correlates negatively with 2D:4D. AimsTo examine in a sample of young adult Tuvans from Siberia (Russian Federation): i) the association between 2D:4D measured directly from the palms with 2D:4D measured from radiographic images of the same individuals and ii) the associations between 2D:4D and HGS in Tuvan men and women. Study design and subjectsThe study was cross-sectional. Participants were Tuvans (n = 185; 80 men; mean age = 21.02 years). 2D:4D was measured with a caliper from the ventral surface of the palm (both hands) and from radiographic images (left hand). HGS of both hands was measured with a digital hand dynamometer. Body height and weight were measured with an anthropometer and a body composition scale. Results2D:4D ratios and anthropometric measures (including HGS) were sexually dimorphic. Men had lower 2D:4D and higher HGS than women. Direct measures of 2D:4D correlated positively with 2D:4D measured from radiographs. Body mass index (BMI) was a significant predictor of HGS for both sexes. Male right 2D:4D and female right and left 2D:4D correlated negatively with HGS after controlling for the influence of BMI. There were no associations with radiographic measurements of 2D:4D. ConclusionOur findings provide evidence of sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D among young adult Tuvans. Together with previous research on Tuvan children and adolescents, these findings provide clear evidence of 2D:4D sexual dimorphism in pre- and postpubertal Tuvans. The small negative association between 2D:4D and HGS corresponds to similar reports across populations, suggesting that 2D:4D is a weak correlate of muscular fitness.

Flow-Through Procedure in Sequela After Complex Injuries of the Hand With Fingers’ Amputation

PurposeComplex injuries of the hand with finger amputation can result in important functional impairment. If the amputated fingers cannot be replanted, the developed sequelae should be further evaluated. Sometimes, in the presence of a few remaining local vascular resources, the use of the flow-through technique can help in solving the problem. MethodsThis study retrospectively reviews 4 cases who underwent single or multiple fingers reconstruction with toe transfers by using true flow-through or flow-through conduit flaps. A thorough description of the two methods is done, and the quality of the regained functionality of the hand is presented. ResultsAll the patients were males, aged between 21 and 45 (median age 31.75). One of them injured the left dominant hand, and the other three their right dominant hand. The median time between the accident and reconstructive surgery was 14.5 months (range, 3 months-36 months). All the initial lesions were work-related trauma. One patient had severe sequela after forearm compartment syndrome and amputation of the thumb and fifth finger; one patient had a metacarpal hand, one patient had amputation of two fingers (2nd and 4th); and one patient had three fingers amputated (2nd, 3rd, and 4th). In the first patient, a true flow-through flap and a second toe transfer was done, and in the other three patients multiple toe transfers by using the flow-through conduit technique were used. A good functionality of the reconstructed hand was obtained in all the patients. ConclusionsToe transfer remains one of the best methods in the reconstruction of hands with missing fingers. The use of both true flow-through flap and flow-through conduit methods are very useful, especially in cases with few vascular resources.

Osteoblastoma of the thumb with a novel PRSS44::ALK fusion and literature review of osteoblastoma of hands and feet bones.

Osteoblastomas (OBs) are benign neoplasms constituting approximately 1% of primary bone tumors with a predilection for the spine and sacrum. We describe an OB of the proximal phalanx of the left thumb in a 38-year-old female. MRI of left hand demonstrated a 29-mm mildly expansile enhancing lesion involving the entire proximal phalanx of the first digit. Histology displayed a bone-forming tumor consisting of trabeculae of remodeled woven bone framed by plump osteoblasts in a vascularized background. Next-generation sequencing analysis identified a PRSS44::ALK fusion gene.

Rectified Latent Variable Model-Based EMG Factorization of Inhibitory Muscle Synergy Components Related to Aging, Expertise and Force-Tempo Variations.

Muscle synergy has been widely acknowledged as a possible strategy of neuromotor control, but current research has ignored the potential inhibitory components in muscle synergies. Our study aims to identify and characterize the inhibitory components within motor modules derived from electromyography (EMG), investigate the impact of aging and motor expertise on these components, and better understand the nervous system's adaptions to varying task demands. We utilized a rectified latent variable model (RLVM) to factorize motor modules with inhibitory components from EMG signals recorded from ten expert pianists when they played scales and pieces at different tempo-force combinations. We found that older participants showed a higher proportion of inhibitory components compared with the younger group. Senior experts had a higher proportion of inhibitory components on the left hand, and most inhibitory components became less negative with increased tempo or decreased force. Our results demonstrated that the inhibitory components in muscle synergies could be shaped by aging and expertise, and also took part in motor control for adapting to different conditions in complex tasks.

Fingerprint Pattern of Fulani and Higgi ethnic groups in Michika LGA, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Developing countries experience surge of insurgency, banditry, cybercrime and other related violence. Criminals often go undetected because of poor forensic capabilities in human detection. Fingerprint features have been very effective in establishment of identity. The aim of this study was to determine fingerprint pattern of Fulani and Higgi ethnic groups of Michika, Adamawa State, Nigeria. A total of 5020 valid fingerprints patterns were captured using live fingerprint scanner. These included; 1230 Fulani male; 1250 Fulani female; 1280 Higgi male; 1260 Higgi female. SPSS version 26.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis and P &lt; 0.05 was set as a level of significance. Descriptive statistics were employed to determine the frequency of loops whorls and arches in all the fingers of both hands, both sexes and both ethnic groups. Loops were the most frequent pattern in all the observations followed by whorls, and then arches. However, there were relative differences in the percentage proportion across the digits, between left and right, male and female and Fulani and Higgi. The frequency of loop and whorl were equal in right ring (48.8 %) of Fulani male and right thumb (47.7 %) of Higgi male. The frequency of loop was less than that of whorl in left thumb (Loop: 39.8 %; Whorl: 48.8 %) and right thumb (Loop: 43.9 %; Whorl: 48.8 %) of Fulani male. Loops were more frequent in little fingers (85.1 %) followed by middle fingers (73.4 %) and least in thumbs (50.8 %) of left male Higgi; arches more frequent in left hand than right (11.4 % and 7.3 % in Fulani male thumbs respectively). These biological variations might suggest preferential selection of finger as potential predictors of other biological features such as blood group.

Unconscious activation of negative emotional memories increases pain unpleasantness.

The influence of unconscious emotional processes on pain remains poorly understood. The present study tested whether cues to forgotten unpleasant images might amplify pain (i.e., in the absence of conscious recall). 72 healthy female adults (19 to 34 years) performed an adapted Think/No-think paradigm (T/NT) using 72 combinations of neutral face images (cues) paired with 36 neutral & 36 unpleasant images. After completion of the T/NT task, cues associated with forgotten neutral or unpleasant images were identified. Cues to either neutral or unpleasant images from the NT condition were then presented in randomized order while participants received intermediate-level thermal pain stimulation on the left hand. Ratings of both pain intensity and unpleasantness were acquired after each trial. Mean pain unpleasantness ratings were greater during presentation of cues to forgotten negative vs. neutral images (5.52 [SD = 2.06] vs. 5.23 [SD = 2.10]; p = 0.02). This pattern was also present when comparing cues to remembered negative vs. neutral images (5.62 [SD = 1.94] vs. 5.04 [SD = 1.90]; p < .001). Mean pain intensity ratings were higher for cues to negative vs. neutral images when remembered (5.48 [SD = 1.79] vs. 5.00 [SD = 1.69]; p < .001), but not when forgotten (5.27 [SD = 1.96] vs. 5.16 [SD = 1.93]; p = 0.30). Using an adapted T/NT-Pain paradigm, this study demonstrated that cues to non-recallable (but potentially unconsciously activated) negative emotional memories amplify pain unpleasantness, similar to known effects of conscious negative emotions.

Do the physical elements improving archery performance?

Archery is a sport that uses a series of lower body coordination to maintain static balance in the upper body, which is then designed to shoot arrows at the target. This study aimed to determine differences in the physical condition of archery athletes in the provinces of East Java, West Java, and DKI Jakarta in the XX National Sports Week (PON) XX multi-event event in Papua. A total of 27 archery athletes as research subjects were divided into 3 groups: East Java, West Java, and Jakarta. Data collection used physical tests, including the Superman Back Hold (SBH) test, right (HGR), and left (HGL) hand grip strength and static balance tests. The results of the one-way ANOVA test showed significant results for all variables (p ≤ 0.05), and the Tukey’s HSD post hoc test showed that the East Java group had the best SBH, HGR, HGL, and statistical balance values compared to West Java and Jakarta. In conclusion, East Java Province has archery athletes with better physical conditions, superman back holds, hand grip strength, and static balance than the provinces of West Java and DKI Jakarta. Keywords: Archery, Hand Grip, Strenght, Superman Back Hold.

Dichotic listening and interhemispheric integration after callosotomy: A systematic review

The right-ear advantage (REA) for recalling dichotically presented auditory-verbal stimuli has been traditionally linked to the dominance of the left cerebral hemisphere for speech processing. Early studies on patients with callosotomy additionally found that the removal of the corpus callosum leads to a complete extinction of the left ear, and consequently the today widely used models to explain the REA assume a central role of callosal axons for recalling the left-ear stimulus in dichotic listening. However, later dichotic-listening studies on callosotomy patients challenge this interpretation, as many patients appear to be able to recall left-ear stimuli well above chance level, albeit with reduced accuracy. The aim of the present systematic review was to identify possible experimental and patient variables that explain the inconsistences found regarding the effect of split-brain surgery on dichotic listening. For this purpose, a systematic literature search was conducted (databases: Pubmed, Web of Knowledge, EBSChost, and Ovid) to identify all empirical studies on patients with surgical section of the corpus callosum (complete or partial) that used a verbal dichotic-listening paradigm. This search yielded ks = 32 publications reporting patient data either on case or group level, and the data was analysed by comparing the case-level incidence of left-ear suppression, left-ear extinction, and right-ear enhancement narratively or statistically considering possible moderator variables (i.a., extent of the callosal surgery, stimulus material, response format, selective attention). The main finding was an increased incidence of left-ear suppression (odds ratio = 7.47, CI95%: [1.21; 83.49], exact p = .02) and right-ear enhancement (odds ratio = 21.61, CI95%: [4.40; 154.11], p < .01) when rhyming as compared with non-rhyming stimuli were used. Also, an increase in left-ear reports was apparent when a response by the right hemisphere was allowed (i.e., response with the left hand). While the present review is limited by the overall small number of cases and a lack of an appropriate control sample in most of the original studies, the findings nevertheless suggest an adjustment of the classical dichotic-listening models incorporating right-hemispheric processing abilities as well as the perceptual competition of the left- and right-ear stimuli for attention.

An Unusual Presentation of Giant Schwannoma of Hand: A Case Report

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are uncommon. Peripheral nerve tumors (PNTs) constitute less than 5% of all hand tumors. Schwannomas, also known as neurolemmas, are benign tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath arising from Schwann cells. The median nerve schwannomas account for 0.1-0.3% of all cases. Here is a case of a seventeen-year-old male who presented with a painless lump on the thenar aspect of the left hand simulating lipoma clinically. The patient underwent various imaging modalities including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which suggested a peripheral nerve sheath tumour most likely Schwannoma. The lesion was excised under the regional block and was confirmed as Schwannoma histologically.