University of Münster

About: University of Münster is a education organization based out in Münster, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 35609 authors who have published 69059 publications receiving 2278534 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Munster & University of Muenster.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Improves Language Learning

Abstract: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a reliable technique to improve motor learning. We here wanted to test its potential to enhance associative verbal learning, a skill crucial for both acquiring new languages in healthy individuals and for language reacquisition after stroke-induced aphasia. We applied tDCS (20 min, 1 mA) over the posterior part of the left peri-sylvian area of 19 young right-handed individuals while subjects acquired a miniature lexicon of 30 novel object names. Every subject participated in one session of anodal tDCS, one session of cathodal tDCS, and one sham session in a randomized and double-blinded design with three parallel versions of the miniature lexicon. Outcome measures were learning speed and learning success at the end of each session, and the transfer to the subjects' native language after the respective stimulation. With anodal stimulation, subjects showed faster and better associative learning as compared to sham stimulation. Mood ratings, r...

The association between smoking and smell and taste impairment in the general population

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of smoking on taste and smell impairment in a large population- based study. Cross-sectional survey in Dortmund, Germany. The population sample was randomly drawn from the city’s central registration office. Following a standardized interview, validated taste and smell tests were performed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was used in the analysis. Among the 1312 study participants, 3.6 % were functionally anosmic, and 18 % had olfactory dysfunction. Approximately 20 % recognized only three or less of the four tastes when presented at suprathreshold concentrations, indicating signs of taste impairment. Current smoking in general increased the risk for impairment of olfactory function (odds ratio 1.71, 95 % CI 1.19–2.47), but not the risk for taste impairment. Heavy smokers of 20 or more cigarettes/day had significant increased risks for impairment in both senses. Our results reveal that both olfactory and gustatory function are compromised in a significant proportion of the general population. Smoking increases significantly the risk of impairment of olfactory function. Our findings add an important detail to the large body of evidence that describes adverse health effects of smoking.

Double-hybrid density functional theory for excited electronic states of molecules

Abstract: Double-hybrid density functionals are based on a mixing of standard generalized gradient approximations (GGAs) for exchange and correlation with Hartree-Fock (HF) exchange and a perturbative second-order correlation part (PT2) that is obtained from the Kohn-Sham (GGA) orbitals and eigenvalues. This virtual orbital-dependent functional (dubbed B2PLYP) contains only two empirical parameters that describe the mixture of HF and GGA exchange (ax) and of the PT2 and GGA correlation (ac), respectively. Extensive testing has recently demonstrated the outstanding accuracy of this approach for various ground state problems in general chemistry applications. The method is extended here without any further empirical adjustments to electronically excited states in the framework of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) or the closely related Tamm-Dancoff approximation (TDA-DFT). In complete analogy to the ground state treatment, a scaled second-order perturbation correction to configuration interaction with...