Sensory-related word association differences in Parkinson's Disease for verb processing

Free word association tasks are tools to study spontaneous lexical organization in children and adults. Lexical organization resembles a network of words grounded on relevant sensory information; for example, verbs engage the most with motor information. Studying lexical networks in populations with motor disorders, like Parkinson's Disease (PD), will insight into the effect of relevant information deprivation in lexical organization.

We applied a free word association task with early-acquisition Spanish nouns as stimuli. Participants consisted of 20 with PD -divided into two groups depending on their cognitive state- and ten healthy older adults for control. Then, we used an artificial neural network to determine the semantic distance between stimuli-response dyads.

We found differentiated semantic distances for verb responses in all groups in an inverse u-shaped curve depending on their cognitive and PD state. Our findings suggest that lexical organization and meaning are not crystallized, but adapt from sensory information.

Motor-related word association differences in Parkinson Disease for verb processing

The “Direction and Orientation Strategy Questionnaire” (DOSQ) is a novel assessment based on giving directions around your hometown and how one remains oriented in real-world environments. The DOSQ produces three sub-scale scores: use of allocentric strategies, use of egocentric strategies, and sense-of-direction. Through an online survey, over one hundred Texas A&M undergraduates completed demographic questions, DOSQ, Santa Barbara Sense-of-Direction scale (Hegarty et al., 2002), Wayfinding Strategy Scale (Lawton, 1994), Questionnaire on Survey Representation (Pazzaglia & De Beni, 2006), Spatial Anxiety Scale (Lawton, 1994), and familiarity measures using the Texas A&M campus. Using factor analysis, we found that the DOSQ sub-scores were highly related to other measures of strategy use and sense-of-direction, establishing its convergent validity. DOSQ sub-scales were not related to the spatial anxiety or familiarity measures, establishing its discriminant validity. The DOSQ provides a method for briefly assessing spatial thinking strategies that support navigation through real-world environments.

Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the Direction and Orientation Strategy Questionnaire

From previous work we know that mechanical reasoning is associated with spatial skills, and that it could even be possible for mechanical reasoning training to lead to meaningful gains in spatial abilities. However, it is unknown whether the connection with mechanical reasoning applies to different types of spatial skills or is specific to only one or a subset of them. To answer this question, we presented participants with six different tasks, four of which corresponded to spatial assessments that were organized along a 2 (intrinsic/extrinsic) x 2 (static/dynamic) matrix of factors, and two evaluations that measured mechanical reasoning (gears and pulleys task and DAT-5 mechanical reasoning test). Three hundred adult participants from Chile responded from their personal computers to the stimuli presented on Open Lab, an online platform. The results shed light on the link between mechanical reasoning and the different subtypes of spatial skills.


What's the relationship between mechanical reasoning and different types of spatial skills?

Previous research has shown that proportions, ornateness, and lighting of indoor architectural spaces affect observers' mental states (Negami & Ellard 2021). However, most studies are limited to verbal self-reports, and focus either on photographs, or CAD-modeled rooms in which certain elements, (e.g. ceiling height), are experimentally manipulated. 
We study human psychological and physiological responses to historical indoor sites reconstructed in virtual reality (VR). Such spaces are often designed to evoke affective responses -- for example, sacred architecture is meant to evoke feelings of calm. Using drone footage, we record 3D geometry, visual and auditory sensory data of an indoor space.
We recreate the space in VR, and record humans’ eye-movements, heart-rate, galvanic skin response, and reports of affective states, during free exploration. We propose a cognitive model that interprets physiological responses as information-foraging, and identify the correlates of reported changes in affective states with specific properties of architectural space.


Human Information Seeking in Architectural Spaces Simulated in Virtual Reality

Land use and land cover dynamics in the north-eastern part (Jamalpur & Sherpur) of Bangladesh

Geological mapping of the Longobucco Basin (NE Calabria) revealed the multifaceted nature of the Paludi Formation, an unconformity-bounded, syn-orogenic, turbiditic/megaclastic unit. Sedimentology and lithostratigraphy were merged with nannoplancton and macroforams analysis. The Longobucco Basin belongs to the Calabria Peloritani Arc, an exotic crustal fragment, scraped off from its original paleogeographic position along with other continental ribbons (Kabilie, Alboran, Rif) and accreted to the Apennines during the southeastwards retreat of the Adria-Ionian slab. The Longobucco Basin hosts a Meso-Cenozoic succession overlying the Hercynian basement, and it records polyphase deformation: i) two extensional phases in the Early Jurassic, related to opening of the W Tethys, ii) a compressive phase in the ?late Oligocene/early Miocene followed by a poorly constrained extensional event. The Mesozoic succession ends with Hauterivian Maiolica-like deposits and is unconformably overlain by the Paludi Fm, which exhibits three lithofacies: a) reddish marls and shales (“Scaglia” facies), b) turbiditic sandstones and hybrid arenites, and c) clast- to matrix-supported breccias. The reddish marls are locally cannibalized by megaclastic and turbiditic deposits. Lithofacies (c) includes two mass transport deposits (MTD), >100m thick in the depocentres and with a lateral continuity of 6km. The basal megaclastic interval rests on the basement through a basin-wide SW-dipping onlap surface. Lithofacies (b) bears chaotic intervals, slumped megabeds to debrites, and calcarenites/hybrid arenites bearing macroforams in the form of resedimented loose grains forming biostratigraphically coherent assemblages, suggesting they are penecontemporaneous with the turbidites and thus provide reliable ages. Nannoplancton from the hemipelagites served for cross-checking the ages derived from benthic forams. Both methods produced an early Eocene age (Ypresian) for the basal Paludi and a late Oligocene/?Aquitanian age for the top. The style of basal interaction of the MTD with the substrate varies, with two main modes: i) deep plastic deformation of the substrate paired with sand injections, and ii) erosion, with scours and grooves. Clasts pertain to the Mesozoic succession or to the basement (phyllites, granitoids), ranging in size from pebbles to megablocks (longer axis up to 220m). Semi-consolidated clasts and bedstacks display common ductile/brittle features (asymmetric rootless folds, pseudo sigma structures, boudinage, shear zones). As sedimentation of the Paludi Fm is mainly the product of mass wasting processes, the unit as a whole can be referred to as a Mass Transport Complex. Clast composition, paired with biostratigraphic ages, suggests the Paludi Fm was sedimented in a foredeep setting, receiving the products of the dismantling of an Alpine orogen. This was followed by shortening during a proto-Apenninic phase, and eventually by accretion to the Apenninic orogen.

Sedimentological and biostratigraphic characterization of the Paludi Formation (Longobucco Basin, north-eastern Calabria): proto-Apenninic shortening of an Alpine foredeep?

The terrigenous sediments of the Bengal deep-sea fan (Indian Ocean) represent an archive of Himalayan source-to-sink processes. Mineralogical and geochemical data on silt- and sand-sized sediments of the Bengal Fan turbiditic depositional system allow us to unravel their provenance, to discriminate between pre-depositional and post-depositional processes controlling sediment mineralogy, and to link their depositional history to uplift and erosion of different tectono-stratigraphic Himalayan domains. The IODP Expedition 354 to ~8°N in the Bay of Bengal drilled seven sites along a 320 km transect across the Fan thus providing a spatial overview of the turbiditic depositional system. A complete section of the fan and pre-fan deposits was recovered at the deep-penetration U1451 drill site. Eighteen samples from the shallow drill site U1454 and two deep-penetration drill sites U1450 and U1451 collected down to a depth of 1200 m were analysed, together with four additional samples from drill site U1444 collected during IODP Expedition 353. The mineralogical and geochemical variability among different samples, both collected at different depths within the same core (intra-core) and among cores (inter-core) was investigated. Intra-core mineralogical variability provides information about provenance changes and/or diagenetic effects, wheras inter-core variability helps us to check for potential differences associated with lateral shifts of dispersal patterns through time. The intensity of mineral dissolution in silt versus sand samples will also be analysed to verify whether least stable minerals are prone to be preserved better in less permeable mud-rich layers. In Pleistocene sediments down to 400 m below sea floor, rich heavy-mineral suites include hornblende, epidote and garnet, with subordinate apatite, clinopyroxene, tourmaline, sillimanite, kyanite, zircon, titanite, and rare staurolite and rutile. In Pliocene-Miocene sediments, the heavy mineral concentration decreases, and assemblages are relatively enriched in garnet and epidote at the expense of amphibole. The relative abundance of zircon, tourmaline, and apatite increase progressively in older strata. Mineralogical and geochemical compositions testify to long-distance provenance from the Himalayan Range via the Ganga-Brahmaputra fluvio-deltaic-turbiditic system and confirm that the Bengal Fan was a major sink for Himalaya-derived material since the Miocene. Petrographic and mineralogical data, combined with biostratigraphic, paleomagnetic, and geochemical evidence, allow us to unravel the sedimentary history of the Bengal Fan as related to Himalayan uplift, erosion, and monsoon development during the last 10 Ma.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of Bengal Fan turbidites (IODP 354): Himalayan provenance and depositional history

Orogenic plateaus represent the most spectacular consequence of continental collisions in orogenic belts. The mechanisms related to the growth of an orogenic plateau are still debated and can be the result of multiple tectonic phases and changes in collisional dynamics between the involved plates. In the last decades, the study of landscapes and landforms experienced a significative growth providing new advanced numerical models to relate surface deformation, topographic evolution and plate dynamics. In the Mediterranean area, the Central Anatolian Plateau represents a good example of how different mantle and crustal processes can be involved in building a plateau. The study of the topographic features alongside the plateau margins, such as drainage systems and marine terraces, revealed significantly different uplift histories and mechanisms characterizing the northern and the southern margins. While the northern margin of the plateau experienced vertical uplift from 11Ma ca to the present that can be associated with the transpression along the Northern Anatolian Fault, the southern margin records a fast uplift phase during Pleistocene, causing 1500 km of vertical uplift in about 600.000 years, which has been related to the break-off of the subducting African plate. In our work, we present a summary of how the numerical modeling of the evolution of drainage systems and marine terraces provided significant insights on the uplift history and the topographic evolution of the Central Anatolian Plateau margins, and how these results are linked to the geodynamical processes involving the Anatolian plate boundaries.

Landscape evolution and plate boundary processes: the study case of the Central Anatolian Plateau margins

Topography and drainage systems are powerful recorders of tectonic activity especially in regions with limited geological data. The Atlas-Meseta system of Morocco experienced a late Cenozoic topographic rejuvenation related to mantle dynamics. This recent, large-scale, mantle-driven uplift is documented by a few geological evidence such as uplifted, late Miocene, shallow-water marine deposits in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Conversely, the Anti-Atlas doesn’t have any stratigraphic records that may allow deciphering this uplift history. The presence of a high standing, relict landscape and the transient state of river networks, however, can be used to reconstruct the recent surface evolution of this less understood orogen. Furthermore, the Anti-Atlas belt experienced limited Cenozoic crustal shortening and this offers the possibility to investigate the magnitude, timing and rates of the dynamic contribution. In this study, we combine geomorphic analysis of topography, stream profiles, celerity of knickpoints and linear inverse landscape modelling with available geological evidence, to decipher the spatio-temporal pattern of surface uplift in the Anti-Atlas. Our results highlight the presence of a landscape and a river network in a transient state of adjustment, and document ~ 1000 m and ~ 900 m of surface uplift and topographic paleo-relief since at least the Miocene. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that this late Cenozoic, regional topographic resurgence occurred during the late Miocene and is also influenced by climate oscillation, which play a key role in shaping the new topography. This approach allows to quantitatively constrain the transient state of landscape and hence to unravel the contribution of regional, mantle-driven, surface uplift on mountain building processes.

Rejuvenation of a tectonically inactive mountain belt: insights from the Anti-Atlas (Morocco)

Orogens of continental collisional zone may include high-standing plateaus, both internally and externally drained. These morphotectonic features contain deposits and landforms essential to reconstruct their topographic evolution. In particular, when endorheic basins are integrated into external drainage networks, the rivers could retain first order information on the modes of capture as well as on the interplay between climate and tectonic processes. The Eastern Anatolian Plateau (EAP) of the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone, is one of the most representative examples of collisional plateau. It has a mean elevation of ~2000 m, presents three main endorheic basins (Van, Sevan and Urmia lakes), and is mostly drained by two river networks: the Kura-Arax drainage system to the NE and the Euphrates-Tigris to the SW. Seismic data indicate the presence of a thinned or totally removed lithospheric mantle beneath the plateau explaining the high heat flow and the late Cenozoic volcanic activity in the area. Despite the great number of studies on the EAP, its uplift history is still debated. In this study we quantitatively investigated the drainage systems (river longitudinal profiles and chi-plots) and the general topographic features (swath profiles, slope, local relief, filtered topography) of the EAP. The results speak to a topographic configuration characterized by a high-standing, low-relief plateau centered in the area of Lake Van, but strongly disrupted by tectonic structures with the formation of local topographic highs and lows that include endorheic basins. The hydrographic pattern is strongly disorganized and controlled by active tectonic structures. The irregular river longitudinal profiles indicate that they are in a transient state of disequilibrium as a consequence of regional uplift, capture events, or more localized tectonic activity. The presence of an uppermost segment characterized by low channel steepness suggests that the plateau interior has not been reached by the erosive wave produced by the uplift. In the chi-plots of the rivers draining the northern portion of the plateau two distinct segments record an increase in uplift rate. Conversely, the chi-plots of the rivers draining the southern sector and the Van and Urmia lakes show a single pattern that could be associated with a constant uplift. This difference in uplift pattern is partially confirmed by the stratigraphic record documenting the passage from a marine to a continental depositional environment. Indeed, according to the age of the most recent marine sediments exposed on the plateau, the northern portion emerged from the sea level around 40 Ma while the central and southern ones around 18 Ma. Among these latter, their elevation decreases to the south. In conclusion, the EAP is a high-standing plateau where the integration of hydrography is ruled by regional differential uplift and active tectonic structures.

The uplift of a collisional plateau unraveled by river network analysis: the case of the Eastern Anatolian Plateau

The realization of tunnels, boreholes or quarry drifts in evaporite terrains often brings to face issues related to the geological and physical peculiarities of these rocks. In particular, typical problems are caused by the swelling behaviour of anhydrite, the high solubility in water and the high heterogeneity of gypsum facies. All these problems are particularly evident in the framework of quarry exploitation: the stability of rock pillars in underground quarries requires dedicated investigations. This study proposes an analysis of the main parameters that may affect the stability of underground gypsum pillars, considering in particular the effect of material heterogeneity and relative humidity. With this aim, the study proposes an investigation of a strongly heterogeneous facies of gypsum from the Messinian Salinity Crisis (i.e. branching selenite facies from Monferrato area, NW Italy). The textural and microstructural heterogeneity of the material is described with different techniques (MIP and SEM analyses). The study then includes a series of ad hoc designed mechanical tests to quantify strength and creep in function of the relative humidity. Results show the clear influence of material heterogeneity on the mechanical response. To this intrinsic mechanical variability, the influence of an external parameter as the humidity is observed to generate an additional reduction of material strength and to increase the creep strain rate in the long term tests. The effect of all these elements in the framework of a real underground quarry site is eventually discussed.

Effect of material heterogeneity and environmental humidity on the stability of gypsum in underground quarries

The north-western sector of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, on the border between Italy and Austria, is characterized by the presence of an extensive mountain massif where outcrop the intensely karstified Devonian limestones. The high average rainfall, together with the high permeability of carbonates, has favored the development of an extensive aquifer, the main source of which is represented by the Fontanon di Timau. Due to its high flow rate, between 250 and 5000 l/s, the spring is exploited both for the supply of drinking water and hydroelectric energy. Given the importance of the source, a research project has started, partially funded by the Geological Service of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, aiming at the hydrogeological characterization of the survey area in order to identify the its recharge area and evaluate its vulnerability. The present paper proposes a hydrogeochemical characterization of precipitation, surface waters and springs in the area located between Mt. Coglians and the Alta Valle del But, and between Eiskar glacier, the valley of the Valentina and the Anger valley for the Italian and Austrian sectors, respectively. The study was carried out over a period of about 5 years, during which a hydrogeological survey was carried out in order to identify all the sources present in the area and to design a geochemical monitoring network of the waters. Thanks to special rain gauges, monthly precipitations were collected for the isotopic composition analysis in order to determine the isotopic gradient of the area (Plocken, Mt. Croce Carnico, and Rivo). Surface and spring water samples were collected for the study of stable (O and H), unstable (3H) isotopes, radionuclides (Rn), major and trace elements. The trends related to the temperature and electrical conductivity of the water in correspondence of different sampling points were also defined. At the same time, tracing tests were also performed using uranine and tinopal, which made it possible to verify the hydrogeological connection between the western sector of the karst area and the Fontanon di Timau and to define the hydrodynamics of the underground system. Isotopes and trace element results highlighted that Fontanon di Timau spring is significantly fed by the massif of Mt. Coglians-Creta di Collinetta as well as by the waters that infiltrate the area of Pal Piccolo-Creta di Timau and partially also from the waters that infiltrate beyond the watershed in Austrian territory. All the other springs identified in the area, on the other hand, have much lower flow rates and drain waters from neighboring basins limited to the Italian side only.

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Motor-related word association differences in Parkinson Disease for verb processing

Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the Direction and Orientation Strategy Questionnaire

What's the relationship between mechanical reasoning and different types of spatial skills?

Human Information Seeking in Architectural Spaces Simulated in Virtual Reality

Land use and land cover dynamics in the north-eastern part (Jamalpur & Sherpur) of Bangladesh

Sedimentological and biostratigraphic characterization of the Paludi Formation (Longobucco Basin, north-eastern Calabria): proto-Apenninic shortening of an Alpine foredeep?

Mineralogy and geochemistry of Bengal Fan turbidites (IODP 354): Himalayan provenance and depositional history

Landscape evolution and plate boundary processes: the study case of the Central Anatolian Plateau margins

Rejuvenation of a tectonically inactive mountain belt: insights from the Anti-Atlas (Morocco)

The uplift of a collisional plateau unraveled by river network analysis: the case of the Eastern Anatolian Plateau

Effect of material heterogeneity and environmental humidity on the stability of gypsum in underground quarries

Geochemical characterization of the Timau Karst aquifer

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