Quantized reduction as a tensor product

Symplectic reduction is reinterpreted as the composition of arrows in the category of integrable Poisson manifolds, whose arrows are isomorphism classes of dual pairs, with symplectic groupoids as units. Morita equivalence of Poisson manifolds amounts to isomorphism of objects in this category. This description paves the way for the quantization of the classical reduction procedure, which is based on the formal analogy between dual pairs of Poisson manifolds and Hilbert bimodules over C*-algebras, as well as with correspondences between von Neumann algebras. Further analogies are drawn with categories of groupoids (of algebraic, measured, Lie, and symplectic type). In all cases, the arrows are isomorphism classes of appropriate bimodules, and their composition may be seen as a tensor product. Hence in suitable categories reduction is simply composition of arrows, and Morita equivalence is isomorphism of objects.Comment: 44 pages, categorical interpretation adde

Real Time Animation of Virtual Humans: A Trade-off Between Naturalness and Control

Virtual humans are employed in many interactive applications using 3D virtual environments, including (serious) games. The motion of such virtual humans should look realistic (or ‘natural’) and allow interaction with the surroundings and other (virtual) humans. Current animation techniques differ in the trade-off they offer between motion naturalness and the control that can be exerted over the motion. We show mechanisms to parametrize, combine (on different body parts) and concatenate motions generated by different animation techniques. We discuss several aspects of motion naturalness and show how it can be evaluated. We conclude by showing the promise of combinations of different animation paradigms to enhance both naturalness and control

Influencia percibida sobre comportamiento del contenido generado en las redes sociales: una aplicación empírica en el sector hotelero

ABSTRACT: This study develops an integrative model to explain the influence on behavior, as perceived by users, of the content posted by other users on social network sites. In particular, empirical research was carried out in the hotel sector, where social network sites are widely used by individuals in the pre-purchase stage (i.e. information search and choice). The results, obtained from a sample of 776 social network users in Spain and Portugal, indicated that the influence on behavior, as perceived by the individuals, of the content about hotels published by other users on the main social network site used by those individuals, is determined by the information value, the source credibility, and the interaction between both variables, but not by the similarity between the user and the generators of content on the social network sites.RESUMEN: Este estudio desarrolla un modelo integrador para explicar la influencia sobre el comportamiento, tal y como la percibe el usuario, del contenido publicado por otros usuarios en las redes sociales. En particular, la investigación empírica se llevó a cabo en el sector hotelero, donde las redes sociales son ampliamente utilizadas por los individuos en la etapa de pre-compra (esto es, búsqueda de información y elección). Los resultados, obtenidos de una muestra de 776 usuarios de redes sociales en España y Portugal, indicaron que la influencia percibida sobre el comportamiento, tal y como la percibe el individuo, del contenido sobre hoteles publicados por otros usuarios en la principal red social utilizada por ese individuo, está determinada por el valor de la información, la credibilidad de la fuente y la interacción entre ambas variables, pero no por la similaridad entre el usuario y los creadores de contenidos en las redes sociales

Alzheimers Dement

Disturbances in the brain's capacity to meet its energy demand increase the risk of synaptic loss, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline. Nutritional and metabolic interventions that target metabolic pathways combined with diagnostics to identify deficits in cerebral bioenergetics may therefore offer novel therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention and management. Many diet-derived natural bioactive components can govern cellular energy metabolism but their effects on brain aging are not clear. This review examines how nutritional metabolism can regulate brain bioenergetics and mitigate AD risk. We focus on leading mechanisms of cerebral bioenergetic breakdown in the aging brain at the cellular level, as well as the putative causes and consequences of disturbed bioenergetics, particularly at the blood-brain barrier with implications for nutrient brain delivery and nutritional interventions. Novel therapeutic nutrition approaches including diet patterns are provided, integrating studies of the gut microbiome, neuroimaging, and other biomarkers to guide future personalized nutritional interventions

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy or bimanual occupational therapy following injection of Botulinum toxin-A to improve bimanual performance in young children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial methods paper

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Use of Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) for treatment of upper limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy has become routine clinical practice in many paediatric treatment centres worldwide. There is now high-level evidence that upper limb BoNT-A injection, in combination with occupational therapy, improves outcomes in children with cerebral palsy at both the body function/structure and activity level domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Investigation is now required to establish what amount and specific type of occupational therapy will further enhance functional outcomes and prolong the beneficial effects of BoNT-A.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>A randomised, controlled, evaluator blinded, prospective parallel-group trial. Eligible participants were children aged 18 months to 6 years, diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy and who were able to demonstrate selective motor control of the affected upper limb. Both groups received upper limb injections of BoNT-A. Children were randomised to either the modified constraint-induced movement therapy group (experimental) or bimanual occupational therapy group (control). Outcome assessments were undertaken at pre-injection and 1, 3 and 6 months following injection of BoNT-A. The primary outcome measure was the Assisting Hand Assessment. Secondary outcomes included: the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test; Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory; Canadian Occupational Performance Measure; Goal Attainment Scaling; Pediatric Motor Activity Log; modified Ashworth Scale and; the modified Tardieu Scale.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The aim of this paper is to describe the methodology of a randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (a uni-manual therapy) versus bimanual occupational therapy (a bimanual therapy) on improving bimanual upper limb performance of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy following upper limb injection of BoNT-A. The paper outlines the background to the study, the study hypotheses, outcome measures and trial methodology. It also provides a comprehensive description of the interventions provided.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ACTRN12605000002684</p

Squid Axon Membrane Response to White Noise Stimulation

The current from a white noise generator was applied as a stimulus to a space-clamped squid axon in double sucrose gap. The membrane current and the voltage response of the membrane were then amplified, recorded on magnetic tape, and the stimulus was cross-correlated with the response. With subthreshold stimuli, a cross-correlation function resembling that obtained from a resonant parallel circuit is obtained. As the intensity of the input noise is increased, the cross-correlation function resembles that obtained from a less damped oscillatory circuit. When the noise intensity is further increased so that an appreciable frequency of action potentials is observed, an additional component appears in the experimental cross-correlogram. The subthreshold cross-correlogram is analyzed theoretically in terms of the linearized Hodgkin-Huxley equations. The subthreshold axon approximates a parallel resonant circuit. The circuit parameters are temperature dependent, with resonant frequency varying from approximately 100 Hz at 10°C to approximately 250 Hz at 20°C. The Q(10) of the resonant frequency is equal to 1.9. These values are in agreement with values found previously for subthreshold oscillations following a single action potential