Many studies have shown a co-variation of unilateral neglect with nonlateralised attentional functions. Recently, Posner has argued that there are two separate neural systems that influence the posterior attentional system which is presumed to be impaired in unilateral neglect, namely, the posterior system itself (located partly in the inferior parietal lobules) as well as a secondary modulatory sustained attention or vigilance system. This latter system is linked to the nor-epinephrine system, which is known to be more strongly represented in the right compared to the left hemisphere of the brain. If this hypothesis is true, then unilateral neglect should be improved by increasing activation of the sustained attention system. Eight patients suffering from chronic left unilateral neglect were trained to sustain their attention by a self-alerting procedure partially derived from Meichenbaum's self-instructional methods. Using a multiple-baseline-by-function design, as well as multiple-baseline-by-subject designs, statistically significant improvements in unilateral neglect as well in sustained attention were found following onset of sustained attention training, without corresponding improvements in control measures. Theoretical implications for the attentional underpinnings of unilateral neglect are discussed, as well as the rehabilitation implications of this training procedure.

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Herein, we report the preparation of Pongam seed shells-derived activated carbon and cobalt oxide (∼2-10 nm) nanocomposite (PSAC/Co3O4) by using a general and facile synthesis strategy. The as-synthesized PSAC/Co3O4 samples were characterized by a variety of physicochemical techniques. The PSAC/Co3O4-modified electrode is employed in two different applications such as high performance nonenzymatic glucose sensor and supercapacitor. Remarkably, the fabricated glucose sensor is exhibited an ultrahigh sensitivity of 34.2 mA mM(-1) cm(-2) with a very low detection limit (21 nM) and long-term durability. The PSAC/Co3O4 modified stainless steel electrode possesses an appreciable specific capacitance and remarkable long-term cycling stability. The obtained results suggest the as-synthesized PSAC/Co3O4 is more suitable for the nonenzymatic glucose sensor and supercapacitor applications outperforming the related carbon based modified electrodes, rendering practical industrial applications.

Well-dispersed, highly stable PtRu nanoparticles of ca. 2-3 nm on carbon mesoporous materials (PtRu-CMMs) were synthesized directly using SBA-15 mesoporous silica as the template, furfuryl alcohol and trimethylbenzene as the primary carbon source, and platinum and ruthenium acetylacetonates as the cofeeding metal and carbon precursors. Results obtained from X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that the Pt metal in the PtRu-CMMs was present in the form of a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystalline structure and the alloyed PtRu nanoparticles were composed mainly of Ru oxides, Ru(0), and Pt(0) metals. Further studies by X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed that a highly alloyed state of the PtRu nanoparticles is responsible for the superior electrocatalytic performance observed for the PtRu-CMMs, as compared to typical commercial electrocatalysts. The Pt 50 Ru 50 -CMM sample was found to possess the best electrocatalytic performance and long-term durability and should appeal to direct methanol fuel cell applications as anodic electrodecatalyst.