Auditory cortex modelled as a dynamical network of oscillators: Understanding event-related fields and their adaptation

Adaptation, the reduction of neuronal responses by repetitive stimulation, is a ubiquitous feature of auditory cortex (AC). It is not clear what causes adaptation, but short-term synaptic depression (STSD) is a potential candidate for the underlying mechanism. We examined this hypothesis via a computational model based on AC anatomy, which includes serially connected core, belt, and parabelt areas. The model replicates the event-related field (ERF) of the magnetoencephalogram as well as ERF adaptation. The model dynamics are described by excitatory and inhibitory state variables of cell populations, with the excitatory connections modulated by STSD. We analysed the system dynamics by linearizing the firing rates and solving the STSD equation using time-scale separation. This allows for characterization of AC dynamics as a superposition of damped harmonic oscillators, so-called normal modes. We show that repetition suppression of the N1m is due to a mixture of causes, with stimulus repetition modifying both the amplitudes and the frequencies of the normal modes. In this view, adaptation results from a complete reorganization of AC dynamics rather than a reduction of activity in discrete sources. Further, both the network structure and the balance between excitation and inhibition contribute significantly to the rate with which AC recovers from adaptation. This lifetime of adaptation is longer in the belt and parabelt than in the core area, despite the time constants of STSD being spatially constant. Finally, we critically evaluate the use of a single exponential function to describe recovery from adaptation

Optimizing Telehealth Experience Design Through Usability Testing in Hispanic American and African American Patient Populations: Observational Study.

BACKGROUND:Telehealth-delivered pulmonary rehabilitation (telePR) has been shown to be as effective as standard pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) at improving the quality of life in patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is not known how effective telePR may prove to be among low-income, urban Hispanic American and African American patient populations. To address this question, a collaborative team at Northwell Health developed a telePR intervention and assessed its efficacy among low-income Hispanic American and African American patient populations. The telePR intervention system components included an ergonomic recumbent bike, a tablet with a built-in camera, and wireless monitoring devices. OBJECTIVE:The objective of the study was to assess patient adoption and diminish barriers to use by initiating a user-centered design approach, which included usability testing to refine the telePR intervention prior to enrolling patients with COPD into a larger telePR study. METHODS:Usability testing was conducted in two phases to identify opportunities to streamline and improve the patient experience. The first phase included a prefield usability testing phase to evaluate technical, patient safety, and environmental factors comprising the system architecture. This was followed by an ergonomic evaluation of user interactions with the bicycle, telehealth tablets, and connected wearable devices to ensure optimal placement and practical support for all components of the intervention. The second phase of research included feasibility testing to observe and further optimize the system based on iterative rounds of telePR sessions. RESULTS:During usability and feasibility research, we identified and addressed multiple opportunities for system improvements. These included physical and environmental changes, modifications to accommodate individual patient factors, safety improvements, and technology upgrades. Each enrolled patient was subsequently identified and classified into one of the following 3 categories: (1) independent, (2) intermediate, or (3) dependent. This categorization was used to predict the level of training and support needed for successful participation in the telePR sessions. Feasibility results revealed that patients in the dependent category were unable to perform the rehab sessions without in-person support due to low technical acumen and difficulty with certain features of the system, even after modifications had been made. Intermediate and independent users, however, did exhibit increased independent utilization of telePR due to iterative improvements. CONCLUSIONS:Usability testing helped reduce barriers to use for two subsets of our population, the intermediate and independent users. In addition, it identified a third subset, dependent users, for whom the telePR solution was deemed unsuitable without in-person support. The study established the need for the development of standard operating procedures, and guides were created for both patients and remote respiratory therapists to facilitate the appropriate use of the telePR system intervention. Observational research also led to the development of standard protocols for the first and all subsequent telePR sessions. The primary goals in developing standardization protocols were to establish trust, ensure a positive experience, and encourage future patient engagement with telePR sessions

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Child Malnutrition in Bangladesh: Do They Differ by Region?

Socioeconomic inequality in child malnutrition is well-evident in Bangladesh. However, little is known about whether this inequality differs by regional contexts. We used pooled data from the 2011 and 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey to examine regional differences in socioeconomic inequalities in stunting and underweight among children under five. The analysis included 14,602 children aged 0-59 months. We used logistic regression models and the Concentration index to assess and quantify wealth- and education-related inequalities in child malnutrition. We found stunting and underweight to be more concentrated among children from poorer households and born to less-educated mothers. Although the poverty level was low in the eastern regions, socioeconomic inequalities were greater in these regions compared to the western regions. The extent of socioeconomic inequality was the highest in Sylhet and Chittagong for stunting and underweight, respectively, while it was the lowest in Khulna. Regression results demonstrated the protective effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on child malnutrition. The regional differences in the effects of SES tend to diverge at the lower levels of SES, while they converge or attenuate at the highest levels. Our findings have policy implications for developing programs and interventions targeted to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in child malnutrition in subnational regions of Bangladesh

comparison of three adjuvant chemotherapy regimes using an extended log-logistic model in women with operable breast cancer

Objective: The main objective of the present study was to compare the effects of three common chemotherapy regimes in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) of breast cancer (BC) patients; the three explored regimes were taxane-based, anthracycline-based and CMF (cyclophosphamide methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil). Materials and methods: In this historical-cohort study, we obtained the information of 62 patients with confirmed BC in non-metastatic stage and followed them for 8 years. All the patients had undergone modified radical mastectomy surgery and had received adjuvant chemotherapy in three medical centers in Tehran, Iran. DFS was considered as the end-point. Afterwards, an extended log-logistic regression model was used to compare these regimes. Results: The mean (SD) age of patients was 49.0 (10.3) years. The median time of follow-up was 20.0 months and the probability of 5-years DFS was 0.48. Survival analysis indicated that the type of chemotherapy (OR(CMF vs. taxane) = 0.33, OR(anthracycline vs. taxane) = 0.74), grade (OR(III vs. I or II) = 0.35), tumor size (OR(>5cm vs. <5cm)= 0.179) and nodal involvements (OR(Yes vs. No)= 0.36) affected DFS. Conclusion: The current study revealed that the efficacy of taxane-based, in terms of DFS, was more than CMF (p = 0.05). Moreover, taxane-based chemotherapy prolonged DFS more than anthracycline-based one although the difference was not significant (p= 0.63). Finally, considering the importance of tumor size, histological grade and number of involved lymph nodes in lengthening DFS, it is crucial to highlight the role of public education and screening programs in order to detect tumor in its early stages

First report of Parophonus dia (Col.: Carabidae) for the Iranian fauna

During a faunistic study of the family Carabidae in Guilan province in summer 2011, beetle specimens were collected directly or by using pitfall traps and light traps. A species of ground beetles was identified and later confirmed by Dr. R. Felix (Berkel Enschot, The Netherlands) as Parophonus dia (Reitter). This species is recorded from Iran for the first time

Cheyletid mites associated with stored rice in Iran; the first record of Chelacheles strabismus from Iran and a key for their identification

طی سال‌های 1386-1385 بررسی در خصوص شناسایی کنه‌های انباری برنج در استان گیلان انجام شد. در این بررسی شش گونه از کنه‌های خانواده‌ی Cheyletidae (Acari: Prostigmata) شاملCheletomorpha lepidopterorum ، Acaropsellina sollers،Chelacheles strabismus ،Cheyletus eruditus ،Cheyletus carnifex و Cheyletus malaccensis جمع‌آوری و شناسایی شدند. گونه‌ی Chelacheles strabismus Baker برای اولین‌بار از ایران گزارش می‌شود. کلیدی برای شناسایی گونه‌های کنه‌های خانواده Cheyletidae موجود در انبارهای برنج ارائه شده است

First report of the white stem borer, Scirpophaga innotata (Lep.: Crambidae: Schoenobiinae), from Iran

We collected moth specimens from rice fields in the vicinity of the city of Lahijan in Caspian province of Guilan between 2011 and 2012. The light traps in the rice fields of the village of Pahmadan (37°16'12" N, 50°03'00" E) captured a number of specimens of Scirpophaga innotata (Walker), commonly known as white stem borer. The white stem borer is a major pest of rice in the south and southeast of Asia and Australia. This species is recorded from Iran for the first time

First report of Pterostichus (Phonias) strenuus (Col.: Carabidae), for the Iranian fauna

The carabid beetle Pterostichus (Phonias) strenuus (Panzer) is newly recorded from Iran. It was collected by hand from Ghaleroudkhan forests in the Caspian province of Guilan. This carabid beetle is widely distributed throughout the Palaearctic region including Europe, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russian Far East

Aggregation response of Orius niger (Hem.: Anthocoridae) to different densities of Thrips tabaci (Thys.: Thripidae) under laboratory conditions

Aggregation response of the predatory bug Orius niger (Wolff) at different densities (5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50) of the second instar nymphs of Thrips tabaci Lind. was examined on a cucumber leaf disc as a patch. The number of predatory bugs and their allocated time per patch was recorded. The index (µ), in Hassell & May, at all densities of the predator (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32) appeared greater than zero and, was indicative of its tendency to aggregate in the patches where a higher density of prey occurred. The percentage time spent by the predatory bug at different patch densities of T. tabaci showed that it allocated more time in patches with higher densities of prey