651 research outputs found
Pfaffian representations of cubic surfaces
Let K be a field of characteristic zero. We describe an algorithm which
requires a homogeneous polynomial F of degree three in K[x_0,x_1,x_2,x_3] and a
zero A of F in P^3_K and ensures a linear pfaffian representation of V(F) with
entries in K[x_0,x_1,x_2,x_3], under mild assumptions on F and A. We use this
result to give an explicit construction of (and to prove the existence of) a
linear pfaffian representation of V(F), with entries in K'[x_0,x_1,x_2,x_3],
being K' an algebraic extension of K of degree at most six. An explicit example
of such a construction is given.Comment: 17 pages. Expanded with some remarks. Published with minor
corrections in Geom. Dedicat
Rates for the reactions antiproton-proton --> pi phi and gamma phi
We study antiproton-proton annihilation at rest into and
. Rescattering by and
for states is sizable, of
order in the branching ratio, but
smaller than experiment. For the
rescattering contributions are negligible, but the channel is well
explained by a intermediate state combined with vector meson
dominance.Comment: 12 pages, plain latex, 2 postscript figures available upon request,
PSI-PR-93-2
Abnormal sensory integration affects balance control in hemiparetic patients within the first year after stroke
OBJECTIVE: Impairments in balance can be a consequence of changes in the motor, sensory, and integrative aspects of motor control. Abnormal sensory reweighting, i.e., the ability to select the most appropriate sensory information to achieve postural stability, may contribute to balance impairment. The Sensory Organization Test is a component of Computerized Dynamic Posturography that evaluates the impact of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs, as well as sensory reweighting, under conditions of sensory conflict. The aim of this study is to compare balance control in hemiparetic patients during the first year post-stroke and in age-matched neurologically normal subjects using the Berg Balance Scale and Computerized Dynamic Posturography. METHODS: We compared the Berg Balance Scale and Sensory Organization Test scores in 21 patients with hemiparesis after first-ever ischemic stroke and in 21 age-matched, neurologically normal subjects. An equilibrium score was defined for each Sensory Organization Test condition. RESULTS: Berg Balance Scale scores were significantly lower in the patients than in the neurologically normal subjects. Equilibrium scores were significantly lower in the patients than in the neurologically normal subjects for those Sensory Organization Test conditions that did not provide appropriate somatosensory information and under conditions of sensory conflict. A history of falls was more frequent in patients with lower equilibrium scores. CONCLUSION: During the first year after a stroke, defective sensory reweighting significantly impacts balance control in hemiparetic patients. These results are important for the planning of effective rehabilitation interventions
Effects of Somatosensory Stimulation on the Excitability of the Unaffected Hemisphere in Chronic Stroke Patients
INTRODUCTION: Somatosensory stimulation of the paretic upper limb enhances motor performance and excitability in the affected hemisphere, and increases activity in the unaffected hemisphere, in chronic stroke patients. We tested the hypothesis that somatosensory stimulation of the paretic hand would lead to changes in excitability of the unaffected hemisphere in these patients, and we investigated the relation between motor function of the paretic hand and excitability of the unaffected hemisphere. METHODS: Transcranial magnetic stimulation was administered to the unaffected hemisphere of nine chronic stroke patients. Patients were submitted to 2-h somatosensory stimulation in the form of median nerve stimulation and control stimulation using a cross-over design. Baseline Jebsen-Taylor test scores were evaluated. Resting motor threshold, intracortical facilitation, short-interval intracortical inhibition, and visual analog scores for attention, fatigue and drowsiness were measured across conditions. RESULTS: Better pre-stimulation baseline motor function was correlated with deeper SICI in the unaffected hemisphere. We found no overt changes in any physiological marker after somatosensory stimulation. There was increased drowsiness in the control session, which may have led to changes in intracortical facilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not support an overt effect of a single session of somatosensory stimulation of the paretic hand on motor cortical excitability of the unaffected hemisphere as measured by motor threshold, short-interval intracortical inhibition or intracortical facilitation. It remains to be determined if other markers of cortical excitability are modulated by somatosensory stimulation, and whether repeated sessions or lesion location may lead to different effects
Testing the performance of a blind burst statistic
In this work we estimate the performance of a method for the detection of
burst events in the data produced by interferometric gravitational wave
detectors. We compute the receiver operating characteristics in the specific
case of a simulated noise having the spectral density expected for Virgo, using
test signals taken from a library of possible waveforms emitted during the
collapse of the core of Type II Supernovae.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, Talk given at the GWDAW2002 worksho
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Biomarkers to Predict Motor Outcomes in Stroke: A Narrative Review
Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Motor impairments occur in most of the patients with stroke in the acute phase and contribute substantially to disability. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) biomarkers such as fractional anisotropy (FA) measured at an early phase after stroke have emerged as potential predictors of motor recovery. In this narrative review, we: (1) review key concepts of diffusion MRI (dMRI); (2) present an overview of state-of-art methodological aspects of data collection, analysis and reporting; and (3) critically review challenges of DTI in stroke as well as results of studies that investigated the correlation between DTI metrics within the corticospinal tract and motor outcomes at different stages after stroke. We reviewed studies published between January, 2008 and December, 2018, that reported correlations between DTI metrics collected within the first 24 h (hyperacute), 2â7 days (acute), and >7â90 days (early subacute) after stroke. Nineteen studies were included. Our review shows that there is no consensus about gold standards for DTI data collection or processing. We found great methodological differences across studies that evaluated DTI metrics within the corticospinal tract. Despite heterogeneity in stroke lesions and analysis approaches, the majority of studies reported significant correlations between DTI biomarkers and motor impairments. It remains to be determined whether DTI results could enhance the predictive value of motor disability models based on clinical and neurophysiological variables
Interictal abnormal fMRI activation of visual areas during a motor task cued by visual stimuli in migraine
Testing maximal electron and muon neutrino oscillations with sub-GeV SuperKamiokande atmospheric neutrino data
Motivated by the Exact Parity Model and other theories, the hypothesis that
each of the known neutrinos oscillates maximally with a sterile partner has
been put forward as an explanation of the atmospheric and solar neutrino
anomalies. We provide detailed predictions for muon and electron flux ratios
induced in the Kamiokande and SuperKamiokande detectors by sub-GeV atmospheric
neutrinos. Several different, carefully chosen cuts on momentum and zenith
angle are proposed, emphasizing the role of up-down flux asymmetries.Comment: LaTeX, 8 figures, 17 pages, version to appear in Phys. Rev. D Rapid
Communication
Solutions of the atmospheric, solar and LSND neutrino anomalies from TeV scale quark-lepton unification
There is a unique gauge model which
allows quarks and leptons to be unified at the TeV scale. It is already known
that the neutrino masses arise radiatively in the model and are naturally
light. We study the atmospheric, solar and LSND neutrino anomalies within the
framework of this model.Comment: Minor changes, 31 page
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