Synchronization learning of coupled chaotic maps

We study the dynamics of an ensemble of globally coupled chaotic logistic maps under the action of a learning algorithm aimed at driving the system from incoherent collective evolution to a state of spontaneous full synchronization. Numerical calculations reveal a sharp transition between regimes of unsuccessful and successful learning as the algorithm stiffness grows. In the regime of successful learning, an optimal value of the stiffness is found for which the learning time is minimal

An analysis and tabulation of word perception errors in the Scott, Foresman and Company basic readers: Curriculum Foundation Series, to discover the frequency and persistency of word perception errors in grades one and two.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Systematic review of the current status of cadaveric simulation for surgical training

Background: There is growing interest in and provision of cadaveric simulation courses for surgical trainees. This is being driven by the need to modernize and improve the efficiency of surgical training within the current challenging training climate. The objective of this systematic review is to describe and evaluate the evidence for cadaveric simulation in postgraduate surgical training. Methods: A PRISMA‐compliant systematic literature review of studies that prospectively evaluated a cadaveric simulation training intervention for surgical trainees was undertaken. All relevant databases and trial registries were searched to January 2019. Methodological rigour was assessed using the widely validated Medical Education Research Quality Index (MERSQI) tool. Results: A total of 51 studies were included, involving 2002 surgical trainees across 69 cadaveric training interventions. Of these, 22 assessed the impact of the cadaveric training intervention using only subjective measures, five measured impact by change in learner knowledge, and 23 used objective tools to assess change in learner behaviour after training. Only one study assessed patient outcome and demonstrated transfer of skill from the simulated environment to the workplace. Of the included studies, 67 per cent had weak methodology (MERSQI score less than 10·7). Conclusion: There is an abundance of relatively low‐quality evidence showing that cadaveric simulation induces short‐term skill acquisition as measured by objective means. There is currently a lack of evidence of skill retention, and of transfer of skills following training into the live operating theatre

Ceramic identity contributes to mechanical properties and osteoblast behavior on macroporous composite scaffolds.

Implants formed of metals, bioceramics, or polymers may provide an alternative to autografts for treating large bone defects. However, limitations to each material motivate the examination of composites to capitalize on the beneficial aspects of individual components and to address the need for conferring bioactive behavior to the polymer matrix. We hypothesized that the inclusion of different bioceramics in a ceramic-polymer composite would alter the physical properties of the implant and the cellular osteogenic response. To test this, composite scaffolds formed from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) and either hydroxyapatite (HA), β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP), or bioactive glass (Bioglass 45S®, BG) were fabricated, and the physical properties of each scaffold were examined. We quantified cell proliferation by DNA content, osteogenic response of human osteoblasts (NHOsts) to composite scaffolds by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and changes in gene expression by qPCR. Compared to BG-PLG scaffolds, HA-PLG and TCP-PLG composite scaffolds possessed greater compressive moduli. NHOsts on BG-PLG substrates exhibited higher ALP activity than those on control, HA-, or TCP-PLG scaffolds after 21 days, and cells on composites exhibited a 3-fold increase in ALP activity between 7 and 21 days versus a minimal increase on control scaffolds. Compared to cells on PLG controls, RUNX2 expression in NHOsts on composite scaffolds was lower at both 7 and 21 days, while expression of genes encoding for bone matrix proteins (COL1A1 and SPARC) was higher on BG-PLG scaffolds at both time points. These data demonstrate the importance of selecting a ceramic when fabricating composites applied for bone healing

Methods for recording and measuring tonic GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition

Tonic inhibitory conductances mediated by GABA(A) receptors have now been identified and characterized in many different brain regions. Most experimental studies of tonic GABAergic inhibition have been carried out using acute brain slice preparations but tonic currents have been recorded under a variety of different conditions. This diversity of recording conditions is likely to impact upon many of the factors responsible for controlling tonic inhibition and can make comparison between different studies difficult. In this review, we will firstly consider how various experimental conditions, including age of animal, recording temperature and solution composition, are likely to influence tonic GABA(A) conductances. We will then consider some technical considerations related to how the tonic conductance is measured and subsequently analyzed, including how the use of current noise may provide a complementary and reliable method for quantifying changes in tonic current

Fractal and multifractal descriptors restore ergodicity broken by non-Gaussianity in time series

Ergodicity breaking is a challenge for biological and psychological sciences. Ergodicity is a necessary condition for linear causal modeling. Long-range correlations and non-Gaussianity characterizing various biological and psychological measurements break ergodicity routinely, threatening our capacity for causal modeling. Long-range correlations (e.g., in fractional Gaussian noise, a.k.a. "pink noise") break ergodicity--in raw Gaussian series, as well as in some but not all standard descriptors of variability, i.e., in coefficient of variation (CV) and root mean square (RMS) but not standard deviation (SD) for longer series. The present work demonstrates that progressive increases in non-Gaussianity conspire with long-range correlations to break ergodicity in SD for all series lengths. Meanwhile, explicitly encoding the cascade dynamics that can generate temporally correlated non-Gaussian noise offers a way to restore ergodicity to our causal models. Specifically, fractal and multifractal properties encode both scale-invariant power-law correlations and their variety, respectively, both of which features index the underlying cascade parameters. Fractal and multifractal descriptors of long-range correlated non-Gaussian processes show no ergodicity breaking and hence, provide a more stable explanation for the long-range correlated non-Gaussian form of biological and psychological processes. Fractal and multifractal descriptors offer a path to restoring ergodicity to causal modeling in these fields.Comment: 33 pages, 11 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2202.0109