A Case Study in the Implementation of a Human-Centric Higher Education Cybersecurity Program

This article contains a description of the implementation of a comprehensive cyber security program at a regional comprehensive university. The program was designed to create an effective cyber security management infrastructure and to train end users and other categories of security management personnel in data protection and cyber security. This work addresses the impetus for the program, the rather extensive planning and development that went into the program, its implementation, and insights gleaned from the experience. The paper concludes with a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the initiative

What are the most effective nonpharmacologic therapies for irritable bowel syndrome?

Herbal formulations, certain probiotics, elimination diets based on immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, cognitive behavioral therapy, and self-help books have been shown to decrease global symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and improve overall quality of life (strength of recommendation [SOR ]: B). For patients with severe refractory IBS, hypnosis has been shown to relieve symptoms (SOR : B). Soluble fiber is more effective than insoluble fiber at improving global IBS symptom ratings (SOR : C)

On higher-dimensional Fibonacci numbers, Chebyshev polynomials and sequences of vector convergents

We study higher-dimensional interlacing Fibonacci sequen\-ces, generated via both Chebyshev type functions and $m$-dimensional recurrence relations. For each integer $m$, there exist both rational and integer versions of these sequences, where the underlying prime congruence structures of the rational sequence denominators enables the integer sequence to be recovered. From either the rational or the integer sequences we construct sequences of vectors in $\mathbb{Q}^m$, which converge to irrational algebraic points in $\mathbb{R}^m$. The rational sequence terms can be expressed as simple recurrences, trigonometric sums, binomial polynomials, sums of squares, and as sums over ratios of powers of the signed diagonals of the regular unit $n$-gon. These sequences also exhibit a ``rainbow type'' quality, and correspond to the Fleck numbers at negative indices, leading to some combinatorial identities involving binomial coefficients. It is shown that the families of orthogonal generating polynomials defining the recurrence relations employed, are divisible by the minimal polynomials of certain algebraic numbers, and the three-term recurrences and differential equations for these polynomials are derived. Further results relating to the Christoffel-Darboux formula, Rodrigues' formula and raising and lowering operators are also discussed. Moreover, it is shown that the Mellin transforms of these polynomials satisfy a functional equation of the form $p_n(s)=\pm p_n(1-s)$, and have zeros only on the critical line $\Re (s)=1/2$

Effect of thermal phase fluctuations on the superfluid density of two-dimensional superconducting films

High precision measurements of the complex sheet conductivity of superconducting Mo77Ge23 thin films have been made from 0.4 K through Tc. A sharp drop in the inverse sheet inductance, 1/L(T), is observed at a temperature, Tc, which lies below the mean-field transition temperature, Tco. Just below Tc, the suppression of 1/L(T) below its mean-field value indicates that longitudinal phase fluctuations have nearly their full classical amplitude, but they disappear rapidly as T decreases. We argue that there is a quantum crossover at about 0.94 Tco, below which classical phase fluctuations are suppressed.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures. Subm. to PR

The Parkinson's progression markers initiative (PPMI) - establishing a PD biomarker cohort.

ObjectiveThe Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) is an observational, international study designed to establish biomarker-defined cohorts and identify clinical, imaging, genetic, and biospecimen Parkinson's disease (PD) progression markers to accelerate disease-modifying therapeutic trials.MethodsA total of 423 untreated PD, 196 Healthy Control (HC) and 64 SWEDD (scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit) subjects were enrolled at 24 sites. To enroll PD subjects as early as possible following diagnosis, subjects were eligible with only asymmetric bradykinesia or tremor plus a dopamine transporter (DAT) binding deficit on SPECT imaging. Acquisition of data was standardized as detailed at www.ppmi-info.org.ResultsApproximately 9% of enrolled subjects had a single PD sign at baseline. DAT imaging excluded 16% of potential PD subjects with SWEDD. The total MDS-UPDRS for PD was 32.4 compared to 4.6 for HC and 28.2 for SWEDD. On average, PD subjects demonstrated 45% and 68% reduction in mean striatal and contralateral putamen Specific Binding Ratios (SBR), respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was acquired from >97% of all subjects. CSF (PD/HC/SWEDD pg/mL) α-synuclein (1845/2204/2141) was reduced in PD vs HC or SWEDD (P < 0.03). Similarly, t-tau (45/53) and p-tau (16/18) were reduced in PD versus HC (P < 0.01).InterpretationPPMI has detailed the biomarker signature for an early PD cohort defined by clinical features and imaging biomarkers. This strategy provides the framework to establish biomarker cohorts and to define longitudinal progression biomarkers to support future PD treatment trials

Treatment of fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and related neurological problems

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects older adult carriers, predominantly males, of premutation alleles (55 to 200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X (FMR1) gene. Principal features of FXTAS are intention tremor, ataxia, parkinsonism, cognitive decline, and peripheral neuropathy; ancillary features include, autonomic dysfunction, and psychiatric symptoms of anxiety, depression, and disinhibition. Although controlled trials have not been carried out in individuals with FXTAS, there is a significant amount of anecdotal information regarding various treatment modalities. Moreover, there exists a great deal of evidence regarding the efficacy of various medications for treatment of other disorders (eg, Alzheimer disease) that have substantial phenotypic overlap with FXTAS. The current review summarizes what is currently known regarding the symptomatic treatment, or potential for treatment, of FXTAS