A priming method for investigating the selection of motor responses

We describe a priming method for investigating the mechanisms underlying the selection of motor responses. The empirical question addressed with the method is how the choice reaction time for a response depends on its relationship to a response that the subject was primed to perform. We explore the method in a study of manual response selection where we investigate the effects of requiring that two possible responses use the same finger or hand. A requirement of the method -- that subjects get ready to perform primed responses only -- is not met in some conditions of the experiment. When the two possible responses are made with different hands, it appears that multiple response preparation occurs prior to detection of the reaction signal, whereas when the two possible responses are made with different fingers of the same hand it appears that advance preparation is limited to a single response. This finding implies that subjects engage in different kinds of response preparation depending on the relationship between the alternative possible responses. We discuss the implications of this hypothesis for the priming method introduced here as well as for theories of response selection generally.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/23848/1/0000087.pd

Development, Implementation, and Assessment of Health Equity Action Training (HEAT): Implications for Local Health Departments

As inequities in health persistently plague our nation, rates of chronic disease continue to escalate, and increasing health care costs further debilitate our economy, the profession of public health is faced with monumental challenges. As a central community health institution, the local public health department plays an essential role in eliminating health inequities and preventing chronic disease. With the objective of preparing the local public health workforce to address the root factors associated with health, the Health Equity Action Training project trained 85 staff of the Hartford Department of Health & Human Services in the social determinants of health, social inequities, undoing racism, and cultural competency. Satisfaction results and pre/post assessments with a subsample of participants suggest that this training was effective at improving participants’ health equity attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Implications for local health departments are discussed

Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) regulates multipotent neural progenitor proliferation.

Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) was previously identified in a screen for genes enriched in neural progenitors. Here, we demonstrate expression of MELK by progenitors in developing and adult brain and that MELK serves as a marker for self-renewing multipotent neural progenitors (MNPs) in cultures derived from the developing forebrain and in transgenic mice. Overexpression of MELK enhances (whereas knockdown diminishes) the ability to generate neurospheres from MNPs, indicating a function in self-renewal. MELK down-regulation disrupts the production of neurogenic MNP from glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive progenitors in vitro. MELK expression in MNP is cell cycle regulated and inhibition of MELK expression down-regulates the expression of B-myb, which is shown to also mediate MNP proliferation. These findings indicate that MELK is necessary for proliferation of embryonic and postnatal MNP and suggest that it regulates the transition from GFAP-expressing progenitors to rapid amplifying progenitors in the postnatal brain

Laminar backward-facing step flow using the finite element method

Laminar, incompressible flow over a backward-facing step is calculated using a finite element spatial discretization with a piecewise continuous pressure approximation and an explicit time marching algorithm. The time-accurate evolution to steady state is demonstrated for both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) simulations. This approach is shown to accurately predict the lengths of the recirculation zone on the top wall and at the step for various meshes and domain lengths, for a Reynolds number of 800 based on the average inlet velocity and twice the inlet channel height. The instantaneous and steady-state results are investigated. The steady-state solutions are evaluated by comparison to published numerical and experimental results

Investigating Perceptual Congruence Between Data and Display Dimensions in Sonification

The relationships between sounds and their perceived meaning and connotations are complex, making auditory perception an important factor to consider when designing sonification systems. Listeners often have a mental model of how a data variable should sound during sonification and this model is not considered in most data:sound mappings. This can lead to mappings that are difficult to use and can cause confusion. To investigate this issue, we conducted a magnitude estimation experiment to map how roughness, noise and pitch relate to the perceived magnitude of stress, error and danger. These parameters were chosen due to previous findings which suggest perceptual congruency between these auditory sensations and conceptual variables. Results from this experiment show that polarity and scaling preference are dependent on the data:sound mapping. This work provides polarity and scaling values that may be directly utilised by sonification designers to improve auditory displays in areas such as accessible and mobile computing, process-monitoring and biofeedback

Current management of primary mitochondrial disorders in EU countries: the European Reference Networks survey

Background and purpose: Primary mitochondrial diseases (PMDs) are rare diseases for which diagnosis is challenging, and management and training programs are not well defined in Europe. To capture and assess care needs, five different European Reference Networks have conducted an exploratory survey. Methods: The survey covering multiple topics relating to PMDs was sent to all ERNs healthcare providers (HCPs) in Europe. Results: We have collected answers from 220 members based in 24/27 European member states and seven non-European member states. Even though most of the responders are aware of neurogenetic diseases, difficulties arise in the ability to deliver comprehensive genetic testing. While single gene analysis is widely available in Europe, whole exome and genome sequencing are not easily accessible, with considerable variation between countries and average waiting time for results frequently above 6 months. Only 12.7% of responders were happy with the ICD-10 codes for classifying patients with PMDs discharged from the hospital, and more than 70% of them consider that PMDs deserve specific ICD codes to improve clinical management, including tailored healthcare, and for reimbursement reasons. Finally, 90% of responders declared that there is a need for further education and training in these diseases. Conclusions: This survey provides information on the current difficulties in the care of PMDs in Europe. We believe that the results of this survey are important to help rare disease stakeholders in European countries identify key care and research priorities