Expectations about word stress modulate neural activity in speech-sensitive cortical areas.

A recent dual-stream model of language processing proposed that the postero-dorsal stream performs predictive sequential processing of linguistic information via hierarchically organized internal models. However, it remains unexplored whether the prosodic segmentation of linguistic information involves predictive processes. Here, we addressed this question by investigating the processing of word stress, a major component of speech segmentation, using probabilistic repetition suppression (RS) modulation as a marker of predictive processing.

A comprehensive approach for correcting voxel-wise b-value errors in diffusion MRI.

Purpose: In diffusion MRI, the actual b-value played out on the scanner may deviate from the nominal value due to magnetic field imperfections. A simple image-based correction method for this problem is presented.

Methods: The apparent diffusion constant (ADC) of a water phantom was measured voxel-wise along 64 diffusion directions at b = 1000 s/mm .

Full utilization of conjugate symmetry: combining virtual conjugate coil reconstruction with partial Fourier imaging for g-factor reduction in accelerated MRI.

Purpose: In this study we propose a method to combine the parallel virtual conjugate coil (VCC) reconstruction with partial Fourier (PF) acquisition to improve reconstruction conditioning and reduce noise amplification in accelerated MRI where PF is used.

Methods: Accelerated measurements are reconstructed in k-space by GRAPPA, with a VCC reconstruction kernel trained and applied in the central, symmetrically sampled part of k-space, while standard reconstruction is performed on the asymmetrically sampled periphery. The two reconstructed regions are merged to form a full reconstructed dataset, followed by PF reconstruction.

Controlling the object phase for g-factor reduction in phase-Constrained parallel MRI using spatially selective RF pulses.

Purpose: Parallel imaging generally entails a reduction in the signal-to-noise ratio of the final image. Phase-constrained methods aim to improve reconstruction quality by using symmetry properties of k-space. Noise amplification in phase-constrained reconstruction depends heavily on the object background phase.