Towards the Modeling of Neuronal Firing by Gaussian Processes

This paper focuses on the outline of some computational methods for the approximate solution of the integral equations for the neuronal firing probability density and an algorithm for the generation of sample-paths in order to construct histograms estimating the firing densities. Our results originate from the study of non-Markov stationary Gaussian neuronal models with the aim to determine the neuron's firing probability density function. A parallel algorithm has been implemented in order to simulate large numbers of sample paths of Gaussian processes characterized by damped oscillatory covariances in the presence of time dependent boundaries. The analysis based on the simulation procedure provides an alternative research tool when closed-form results or analytic evaluation of the neuronal firing densities are not available.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Scientiae Mathematicae Japonica

Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of a Historical Church: Limit Analysis and Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis

The seismic vulnerability of a historical Basilica church located in Italy is studied by means of limit analysis and nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis. Attention is posed to the failure mechanisms involving the façade of the church and its interaction with the lateral walls. In particular, the limit analysis and the nonlinear FE analysis provide an estimate of the load collapse multiplier of the failure mechanisms. Results obtained from both approaches are in agreement and can support the selection of possible retrofitting measures to decrease the vulnerability of the church under seismic loads

Hazardous cross-reaction in a thyroid fine needle aspiration.

Thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is one of the most performed medical procedures worldwide. <sup>1</sup> It is used as a diagnostic test to separate benign thyroid nodules (colloidal and hyperplastic nodules) from thyroid malignancies, either primary (papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC), anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC)) or less often metastatic. <sup>2</sup> The negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) of this procedure in The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) are respectively 97% and 98% for the benign and malignant categories. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Acute pulmonary hypertension caused by tumor embolism: a report of two cases.

Acute pulmonary hypertension leading to right ventricular failure and circulatory collapse is usually caused by thromboembolic obstruction of the pulmonary circulation. However, in rare instances, other causes can be associated with a similar clinical presentation. We present and discuss the clinical histories of two patients with acute right ventricular failure due to an atypical cause of pulmonary hypertension, disseminated pulmonary tumor embolism

Stability analysis of second-order time accurate schemes for ALE-FEM

In this work we will introduce and analyze the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian formulation for a model problem of a scalar advection-diffusion equation defined on a moving domain. Moving from the results illustrated in our previous work [J. Num. Math. 7 (1999) 105], we will consider first and second-order time advancing schemes and analyze how the movement of the domain might affect accuracy and stability properties of the numerical schemes with respect to their counterpart on fixed domains. Theoretical and numerical results will be presented, showing that stability properties are not, in general, preserved, while accuracy is maintained. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The Division of Family Work among Fathers and Mothers of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implications for Parents and Family Functioning

n often ignored aspect of parenting and family work is the responsibility-related caregiving (i.e. the monitoring, arranging, and planning) that is done to ensure that a child is cared for. Among fathers and mothers who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the intensity of meeting these needs is greater than for a typically developing child (e.g. additional coordination of schooling, interventions, healthcare, recreation, respite, and after-school services). As is the case for all parents, they must also attend to the demands of household labor (e.g. car maintenance, groceries, laundry, yard care), nurture their relationships (e.g. partner, friends, other family members) and find time to pursue interests outside of the home. The aim of this study was to examine parents’ management of and satisfaction with the division of responsibility-related caregiving and household labor, parenting stress, the couple’s relationship quality, and family functioning among parents of children with an ASD. Fathers (n = 66) and mothers (n = 104) of school-age children with an ASD responded to an online questionnaire. Most parents (mean 41.4 y.) were white (95%) and well-educated (98% had at least some college). All lived in the United States with the child and the child’s other parent. Parents provided information about their child (82% boys, mean 8.8 y.), including level of functioning. Fathers managed less responsibility-related caregiving than mothers, but they did not differ in their management of household labor. Parents were most satisfied with how the family work was shared when they managed less of it; however, when one parent always managed the work, satisfaction with the couple’s relationship was lowest and parenting stress was highest. Satisfaction with how the family work was shared was positively associated with overall family functioning. In general, parents, couples, and families fare better when the management of family work is shared between parents. Findings will further our understanding of the experience of fathers and mothers who have a child with an ASD, and may aid in our efforts to best support families affected by the autism spectrum disorders