Primate Motor Cortex: Individual and Ensemble Neuron-Muscle Output Relationships

The specific aims of this study were to: 1) investigate the encoding of forelimb muscle activity timing and magnitude by corticomotoneuronal (CM) cells, 2) test the stability of primary motor cortex (M1) output to forelimb muscles under different task conditions, and 3) characterize input/output relationships associated with different intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) methods. Neuronal recording and stimulating methods were used in combination with electromyographic (EMG) recording of 24 forelimb muscles to investigate questions related to M1 control of forelimb muscles. Target muscles of CM neurons were identified by the presence of post-spike facilitation (PSpF) in spike-triggered averages (SpTA) of EMG activity. Post-stimulus output effects were obtained with three different ICMS methods; stimulus-triggered averaging (StTA) of EMG activity, repetitive short duration ICMS (RS-ICMS) and repetitive long duration ICMS (RL-ICMS). Our results demonstrate that CM cells exhibit strong and consistent coactivation with their target muscles. Further, the summed activity of populations of identified CM cells was a better predictor of the common muscle's EMG activity than individual neurons. Our data support the view that M1 output encodes muscle activation related parameters. Regarding stability, we found that output effects in StTAs of EMG activity are remarkably stable and largely independent of changes in joint angle, or limb posture. This further validates the use of StTA for mapping and other studies of cortical motor output. RL-ICMS evoked EMG activity was also stable in sign, strength and distribution independent of starting position of the hand. Our data support a model in which RL-ICMS produces sustained co-activation of multiple agonist and antagonist muscles which then generates joint movements according to the length-tension properties of the muscles until an equilibrium position is achieved. Further, RL-ICMS evoked EMG activity did not sum with the existing level of activity; rather the stimulus forced a new EMG level that was independent of existing voluntary background. Our results further show that post-stimulus output effects on muscle activity obtained with StTA and RS-ICMS closely resemble one another. However, RL-ICMS produces effects that can deviate substantially from those observed with StTA

Formal Change Processes and Informal Teacher-Initiated Change Processes: A Longitudinal Case Study of Technology Integration at an Elementary School

Although teachers and students in nearly every classroom have access to technology, for various reasons many teachers are unable to integrate technology successfully into their classroom instruction. The primary purpose of this longitudinal, qualitative case study was to investigate how formal change processes and informal teacher-initiated change processes facilitated technology integration at a small, private school in the southeastern United States. The change processes investigated were (a) formal professional development (b) informal job-embedded professional development, (b) informal communities of practice, and (c) informal teacher leadership. The secondary purpose was to investigate changes in teaching that resulted from technology integration at the study school. The participants were six teachers who taught grades three, four, and five and the principal, all of whom worked at school during the first six years of technology integration, when the data were collected. Interview were collected from teachers in 2008, 2010, and 2011 and from the principal in 2011. All interview data were transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparative method and utilizing the ATLAS.ti coding program. The findings indicated that the change process to integrate technology was initially facilitated by the principal through the formal professional development she made available to teachers. Technology integration was then sustained and driven forward by the informal teacher-initiated change processes. Based on the data from each round of teacher interviews, teachers were located on two scales, the Stages of Concern and the Levels of Use (Hall & Hord, 2006), that gauge progress during a change process. These scales showed steady progress for all six teachers. Positive changes also occurred regarding teaching and learning. The teaching environment transformed from one in which technology was occasionally used to one in which technology was used extensively, students were more engaged, classrooms became student-centered, and teachers could better differentiate learning

Facilitating Successful Failures

Approximately 80,000 businesses fail each year in the United States. This article presents an original empirical study of over 400 business restructuring professionals focused on a critical, arguably contributing factor to these failures—the conduct of boards of directors and management. Anecdotal evidence suggests that management of distressed companies often bury their heads in the sand until it is too late to remedy the companies’ problems, a phenomenon commonly called “ostrich syndrome.” The data confirm this behavior, show a prevalent use of loss framing, and suggest trends consistent with prospect theory. The article draws on these data and behavioral economics to examine the genesis and contours of this problem. It then discusses potential changes to applicable law and introduces a new “meet and confer” process for encouraging timely restructuring negotiations. The meet and confer process is designed to promote meaningful changes in management conduct and to facilitate more “successful failures.” Policymakers should adopt regulations fostering that mentality, rather than rewarding fear or ignorance in the face of failure

Development of a Servant Leadership Questionnaire

The United States of America is in the midst of a leadership crisis with leaders putting their self-interest above that of their stakeholders. Servant Leadership is a perceived solution, but lacks empirical support. The researchers will develop a multidimensional instrument using Spears’10 constructs of Servant Leadership and exploratory factorial analysis (EFA). This study may shape the future of leadership training and development and support good decision-making.https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/archivedposters/1035/thumbnail.jp

Effect of salt and temperature stresses on survival and infectivity of Heterorhabditis spp. IJs

Heterorhabditis is frequently found in coastal sandy soils where it may experience both high salinity and high temperatures. We tested the ability of infective juveniles (IJs) of three taxonomic groups of Heterorhabditis to infect insects in saline sand. We also tested whether salinity (sea water) affected the IJs' ability to tolerate elevated temperatures in aqueous suspension and in sand. IJs of all three taxonomic groups killed Galleria mellonella in saline sand (25.6% insects killed), but at a lower level than in non-saline sand (96.5% insects killed). Exposure of IJs in sand to high temperature reduced their ability to kill G. mellonella at 20 degrees C; heating IJs in saline sand reduced G. mellonella mortality to a lesser extent (25.6% at 20 degrees C, 18.3% at 39 degrees C) than heating in non-saline sand (96.5% at 20 degrees C, 17.5% at 39 degrees C). In aqueous suspension, IJs of the North-West European and Irish types of Heterorhabditis tolerated high temperature better in sea water (at least 95% survived 1 h at 39 C) than in distilled water (none survived 1 h at 38 degrees C). H. bacteriophora was more temperature tolerant: survival and subsequent infectivity of IJs was unaffected by temperature up to 39 degrees C in either medium. It was concluded that high salinity (sea water) reduces the ability of Heterorhabditis IJs to infect, but improves their tolerance of high temperature

Effect of salt and temperature stresses on survival and infectivity of Heterorhabditis spp. IJs

Heterorhabditis is frequently found in coastal sandy soils where it may experience both high salinity and high temperatures. We tested the ability of infective juveniles (IJs) of three taxonomic groups of Heterorhabditis to infect insects in saline sand. We also tested whether salinity (sea water) affected the IJs' ability to tolerate elevated temperatures in aqueous suspension and in sand. IJs of all three taxonomic groups killed Galleria mellonella in saline sand (25.6% insects killed), but at a lower level than in non-saline sand (96.5% insects killed). Exposure of IJs in sand to high temperature reduced their ability to kill G. mellonella at 20 degrees C; heating IJs in saline sand reduced G. mellonella mortality to a lesser extent (25.6% at 20 degrees C, 18.3% at 39 degrees C) than heating in non-saline sand (96.5% at 20 degrees C, 17.5% at 39 degrees C). In aqueous suspension, IJs of the North-West European and Irish types of Heterorhabditis tolerated high temperature better in sea water (at least 95% survived 1 h at 39 C) than in distilled water (none survived 1 h at 38 degrees C). H. bacteriophora was more temperature tolerant: survival and subsequent infectivity of IJs was unaffected by temperature up to 39 degrees C in either medium. It was concluded that high salinity (sea water) reduces the ability of Heterorhabditis IJs to infect, but improves their tolerance of high temperature

Activist Investors, Distressed Companies, and Value Uncertainty

Hedge funds, private equity firms, and other alternative investment funds are frequently key players in corporate restructurings. Most commentators agree that the presence of a fund can change the dynamics of a chapter 11 case. They cannot agree, however, on the impact of this change—i.e., do funds create or destroy enterprise value? This essay contributes to the dialogue by analyzing data from chapter 11 cases in which funds are in a position to influence the debtor’s exit strategy. The data shed light on what such funds might achieve in chapter 11 cases and the potential implications for debtors and their other stakeholders. Although additional research is needed, the preliminary data suggest that the value of fund participation in chapter 11 cases likely depends on whom you ask and where they sit in the particular debtor’s capital structure

Minor ailment services from community pharmacy

University of Technology Sydney. Graduate School of Health.: Governments including the United Kingdom and Canada endeavour to optimise health care systems through investment in primary care reform. Community pharmacists are moving, encouraged by policy, to deliver self-care support in pharmacy. International studies indicate the role and scope of pharmacists in primary care could be expanded with clinical and economic savings. : Chapter 1 presents a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating self-management support interventions following the Cochrane handbook and PRISMA guidelines. Chapter 4 describes the qualitative research (a focus group with stakeholders, working meetings with general practitioners (GPs) to develop treatment pathways, and semi-structured interviews with community pharmacists) to co-design an Australian model minor ailment service (MAS) applicable to the Australian setting. Chapter 5 presents a protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) quantitatively evaluating the clinical, humanistic and economic effectiveness of MAS. MAS pharmacists were trained in treatment pathways pre-agreed with GPs and communication systems with GPs, and received monthly practice facilitator support. Control patients received usual pharmacist care (UC). Chapter 6 details the statistical analysis undertaken using modified Poisson regression. Chapter 7 details the cost utility analysis (CUA) conducted alongside the cRCT. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed. : A theoretical model was developed providing structure to self-management in practice (Chapter 1). Chapter 4 presents the community pharmacy MAS model with the following elements: (1) In-pharmacy consultation, (2) treatment protocols on a technology platform (HealthPathways), (3) communication channels between pharmacy and GPs (HealthLink), (4) educational training, and (5) practice change support. Chapter 6 highlights findings from the cRCT. Patients (n=894) were recruited from 30 pharmacies and 82% (n=732) responded to follow up. Patients receiving MAS were 1.5 times more likely to receive an appropriate referral (relative rate (RR)=1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07-2.11; p=0.018), and were 5 times more likely to adhere to referral, compared with UC patients (RR=5.08; 95%CI=2.02-12.79; p=0.001). MAS pharmacists were 2.6 times more likely to perform a clinical intervention (RR=2.62, 95%CI=1.28-5.38; p=0.009), compared with UC. MAS patients (94%) achieved symptom resolution or relief at follow up, while this was 88% with UC (RR=1.06; 95%CI=1-1.13; p=0.035). MAS patients had a greater mean difference in EQ-VAS at follow up (4.08; 95%CI=1.23-6.87; p=0.004). No difference in reconsultation was observed (RR=0.98; 95%CI=0.75-1.28; p=0.89). The CUA revealed MAS as cost-effective. MAS patients gained an additional 0.003 QALYs at an incremental cost of AUD $7.14, compared to UC. The resulting ICER was AUD$2,277/ QALY. The probabilistic SA revealed ICERs between AUD -$1,150 and$5,780/ QALY. : Findings suggest MAS should be implemented within the Australian context. A series of recommendations are made including the development of self-care policy in Australia to provide a policy framework for MAS

Clinical and Forensic Outcomes from the Illinois Mental Health Juvenile Justice Initiative

To address the mental health needs of youths who are arrested and detained in Illinois, an initiative was designed and implemented that identified youths with psychotic or affective disorders, linked them to community services, and monitored their cases. This study assessed whether such linkage is possible and whether it improves clinical and forensic outcomes. METHODS: Under the initiative, court staff refer youths who may have a mental illness to a clinical liaison. If the youth is eligible for the program, the liaison works with the family to develop a community-based action plan. For the analysis presented here, the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths-Mental Health Scale (CANS-MH) and the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) were used to assess outcomes among 314 youths who had completed the program at the time of the study. School and forensic outcomes were also monitored. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the youths were successfully linked to at least one mental health or community service. A comparison of average CANS-MH dimension scores at enrollment and program completion indicated that youths\u27 emotional problems decreased considerably within three months of referral. CAFAS scores six months after enrollment improved across nearly all dimensions. Home, community, and school functioning were significantly improved from baseline. Only 42 percent of the youths were rearrested, compared with a statewide rate of 72 percent of detained youths. CONCLUSIONS: By linking youths with significant mental health needs to existing community-based services, it appears possible both to ameliorate psychopathology and to reduce delinquency