Thalamic neuron models encode stimulus information by burst-size modulation

Thalamic neurons have been long assumed to fire in tonic mode during perceptive states, and in burst mode during sleep and unconsciousness. However, recent evidence suggests that bursts may also be relevant in the encoding of sensory information. Here, we explore the neural code of such thalamic bursts. In order to assess whether the burst code is generic or whether it depends on the detailed properties of each bursting neuron, we analyzed two neuron models incorporating different levels of biological detail. One of the models contained no information of the biophysical processes entailed in spike generation, and described neuron activity at a phenomenological level. The second model represented the evolution of the individual ionic conductances involved in spiking and bursting, and required a large number of parameters. We analyzed the models' input selectivity using reverse correlation methods and information theory. We found that n-spike bursts from both models transmit information by modulating their spike count in response to changes to instantaneous input features, such as slope, phase, amplitude, etc. The stimulus feature that is most efficiently encoded by bursts, however, need not coincide with one of such classical features. We therefore searched for the optimal feature among all those that could be expressed as a linear transformation of the time-dependent input current. We found that bursting neurons transmitted 6 times more information about such more general features. The relevant events in the stimulus were located in a time window spanning ~100 ms before and ~20 ms after burst onset. Most importantly, the neural code employed by the simple and the biologically realistic models was largely the same, implying that the simple thalamic neuron model contains the essential ingredients that account for the computational properties of the thalamic burst code. Thus, our results suggest the n-spike burst code is a general property of thalamic neurons

Traveling waves and pattern formation for spatially discrete bistable reaction-diffusion equations (survey)

Analysis and Stochastic

Fan Attachment for Rocking Furniture.

Patent for a new and improved rocking-chair fan. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the fan-frame and fan, sleeve, cord, and the rocker, of the double clamping device for uniting the fan-frame to the rocker . . . and the connecting cord or wire" (lines 24-31)

Fan for Rocking Furniture.

Patent for a new and improved fan for rocking furniture. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the fan-supporting frame . . . the fan adjustably journaled to the bar, and the holding forks pivoted to uprights of the fan pivoted to the ends of the horizontal arms of the frame, all arranged to form a set of fans for front and rear service" (lines 94-100)

Fan Attachment.

Patent for a new and improved fan attachment. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the sewing-machine table and the upright of the fan-supporting frame, of the triangular base provided with a rubber-covered base hinged to a sleeve adjustably fitted upon said upright" (lines 111-115)

Forgiveness in Buyer–Seller Relationships Gone Bad

Getting out of a buyer–seller relationship gone bad can be even worse than an ugly divorce, with a multitude of examples for transgressions in business‐to‐business (B2B) relationships making headlines every year. But what happens to the relationship after a transgression has occurred? For example, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) threatened to terminate its collaboration with Siemens after accusing the latter of causing substantial losses to the power utility and sabotaging the SAP software used in managerial operations. In the end, however, the two firms decided to put the past behind them and KESC agreed to withdraw all court claims and instead continue the cooperation, thereby reestablishing an atmosphere of understanding and trust between the partners (Dawn 2007; Tribune 2013). Here, the customer decided to forgive the supplier after the transgression and to restore the relationship to its original state. Transgressions are violations of the relationship between at least two partners, e.g., customers and manufacturers or service providers (Tsarenko and Tojib 2011; Beverland et al. 2009), which can lead to dissatisfaction on both sides, and reactions such as negative word of mouth and relationship termination (Bendapudi and Berry 1997). While past research has especially focused on service failure and recovery (e.g., Maxham and Netemeyer 2002) and reinvigorations after transgressions in customer–brand relationships (e.g., Aaker et al. 2004), the impact of forgiveness as a complex social behavioral pattern in interorganizational buyer–seller relationships has not yet been empirically examined. We address this gap by investigating how forgiveness affects the performance and management of a buyer–seller relationship after a transgression. To this end, this qualitative study is first in advancing theory construction for the concept of forgiveness in interorganizational buyer–seller relationships. In doing so, it offers a number of theoretical and managerial contributions. From a theoretical perspective, our study (1) examines the potential effect of forgiveness as a moderator on the management and performance of the buyer–seller relationship, and thereby on the organizational success of both partner firms. Further, conclusions are drawn as to how full forgiveness (i.e., comprising both the cognitive and affective dimension) can be achieved in interorganizational contexts involving different groups of actors, in order to avoid the presumably negative effects of partial forgiveness on relationship quality and performance. (2) The construct is examined from an investment‐expectancy perspective, thus allowing for the development of explicit indicators of when it is appropriate for firms to either restore or terminate the business relationship. (3) Finally, it integrates prior findings from diverse disciplines such as psychology and management and thereby introduces the forgiveness construct into the relationship marketing research stream. From a managerial perspective, this research provides (1) key insights which allow examination of the conditions under which it is either appropriate to successfully restore or otherwise end the collaboration between buyer and seller, thereby facilitating effective relationship performance management. To this end, our study (2) enhances managers understanding of the transformation of the buyer–seller relationship after a transgression occurred, which may affect the satisfaction, trust, loyalty, and closeness of involved actors. (3) It identifies decisive influencing factors, which advise firms on what way to forgive is most effective in order to avoid long‐lasting discontent between partner firms (e.g., whether to display and/or communicate forgiveness openly, apologize, or compensate the victim). Our study is unique in its examination of the effect of forgiveness on buyer and supplier performance leading to a new way of thinking about transgressions in buyer–supplier relationships and highlighting the importance of appropriate reactions. In line with these first insights, this research provides a conceptual basis for future—qualitative and quantitative—examination of the implementation of forgiveness by both organizational actors (buyer and seller) and identifies forgiveness as a driver for future firm profits

Unusual complication and successful high-dose chemotherapy treatment of advanced Burkitt’s lymphoma in an adult HIV-positive patient

Adult Burkitt’s lymphoma emerged as an AIDS-defining condition in the 1980s. We describe a case of HIV-associated adult Burkitt’s lymphoma diagnosed and treated with high-dose chemotherapy in our institution, complicated by unusual bilateral renal vein tumour thrombi and tumour lysis syndrome. We believe this unique case highlights the need for early recognition of current and potential complications on staging computed tomography imaging, as well as successful use of a high-dose chemotherapy regimen

Differences in Resting State Functional Connectivity between Young Adult Endurance Athletes and Healthy Controls

Expertise and training in fine motor skills has been associated with changes in brain structure, function, and connectivity. Fewer studies have explored the neural effects of athletic activities that do not seem to rely on precise fine motor control (e.g., distance running). Here, we compared resting-state functional connectivity in a sample of adult male collegiate distance runners (n = 11; age = 21.3 +/- 2.5) and a group of healthy age matched non-athlete male controls (n = 11; age = 20.6 +/- 1.1), to test the hypothesis that expertise in sustained aerobic motor behaviors affects resting state functional connectivity in young adults. Although generally considered an automated repetitive task, locomotion, especially at an elite level, likely engages multiple cognitive actions including planning, inhibition, monitoring, attentional switching and multi-tasking, and motor control. Here, we examined connectivity in three resting-state networks that link such executive functions with motor control: the default mode network (DMN), the frontoparietal network (FPN), and the motor network (MN). We found two key patterns of significant between-group differences in connectivity that are consistent with the hypothesized cognitive demands of elite endurance running. First, enhanced connectivity between the FPN and brain regions often associated with aspects of working memory and other executive functions (frontal cortex), suggest endurance running may stress executive cognitive functions in ways that increase connectivity in associated networks. Second, we found significant anti-correlations between the DMN and regions associated with motor control (paracentral area), somatosensory functions (post-central region), and visual association abilities (occipital cortex). DMN deactivation with task-positive regions has been shown to be generally beneficial for cognitive performance, suggesting anti-correlated regions observed here are engaged during running. For all between-group differences, there were significant associations between connectivity, self-reported physical activity, and estimates of maximum aerobic capacity, suggesting a dose-response relationship between engagement in endurance running and connectivity strength. Together these results suggest that differences in experience with endurance running are associated with differences in functional brain connectivity. High intensity aerobic activity that requires sustained, repetitive locomotor and navigational skills may stress cognitive domains in ways that lead to altered brain connectivity, which in turn has implications for understanding the beneficial role of exercise for brain and cognitive function over the lifespan.NIA [AG025526, AG19610]; state of Arizona; ADHS; Arizona Advanced Research Institute for Biomedical Imaging; Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Research Foundation; University of ArizonaThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]