The Variational Calculus on Time Scales

The discrete, the quantum, and the continuous calculus of variations, have been recently unified and extended by using the theory of time scales. Such unification and extension is, however, not unique, and two approaches are followed in the literature: one dealing with minimization of delta integrals; the other dealing with minimization of nabla integrals. Here we review a more general approach to the calculus of variations on time scales that allows to obtain both delta and nabla results as particular cases.Comment: 15 pages; Published in: Int. J. Simul. Multidisci. Des. Optim. 4 (2010), 11--2

Use of TENA for Distributing Telemetry Data Within and Between Test Ranges

ITC/USA 2012 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Eighth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2012 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, CaliforniaSystems of Systems are becoming more the norm in technology applied to tactical military systems. Because of this it is necessary to greatly simplify the way telemetry data is formatted and shared with other systems that depend on near real-time information. This is becoming necessary for developmental testing, operational testing and tactical training in realistic battlefield environments. Interoperable data is necessary to fuse Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) participants to create realistic actual and synthetic environments for both testing and training. This need for simplified data communications is important for testing and training to link participants at different ranges, as well as to link distributed instrumentation capabilities within a single range. Live systems are either deployed tactical systems or developmental systems being evaluated for deployment. Virtual systems consist of actual tactical hardware and software operated in a laboratory environment rather than installed on operating tactical platforms (e.g. aircraft, ships or vehicles) in order to provide realistic data feeds without the expense of operating tactical platforms. Constructive participants consist of models or simulations to provide realistic effects (e.g. weather, electromagnetic threats, adjacent tactical elements, etc.) that are not available, affordable, or practical to use real assets. This Paper will describe the on-going efforts, including successes and lessons learned to-date at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.International Foundation for TelemeteringProceedings from the International Telemetering Conference are made available by the International Foundation for Telemetering and the University of Arizona Libraries. Visit http://www.telemetry.org/index.php/contact-us if you have questions about items in this collection

Spatial memory in Huntington's disease: A comparative review of human and animal data.

To improve the translational predictability of treatment strategies for Huntington's disease (HD), sensitive and analogous cognitive outcomes are needed across HD animal models and humans. Spatial memory measures are promising candidates because they are based on 'visual' or 'non-verbal' cognition, and are commonly tested in both animals and humans. Here, we consider the suitability of spatial memory for strengthening translational links between animals and humans in HD research and clinical trials. We describe findings of spatial memory impairments in human HD and mouse models, including which aspects of spatial memory are most affected and at which time points in disease progression. We also describe the neural systems that underlie spatial memory and link spatial memory impairments to HD neuropathology, focussing on striatal and hippocampal systems. We provide a critical analysis of the literature in terms of the suitability of spatial memory for bridging the translational gap between species. Finally, we discuss possible neural mechanisms that might explain the spatial memory impairments seen in HD, and their relevance to potential treatments

Clinical trial perspective for adult and juvenile Huntington′s disease using genetically-engineered mesenchymal stem cells

Progress to date from our group and others indicate that using genetically-engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports our plan to submit an Investigational New Drug application to the Food and Drug Administration for the future planned Phase 1 safety and tolerability trial of MSC/BDNF in patients with Huntington′s disease (HD). There are also potential applications of this approach beyond HD. Our biological delivery system for BDNF sets the precedent for adult stem cell therapy in the brain and could potentially be modified for other neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), Alzheimer′s disease, and some forms of Parkinson′s disease. The MSC/BDNF product could also be considered for studies of regeneration in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury. This work also provides a platform for our future gene editing studies, since we will again use MSCs to deliver the needed molecules into the central nervous system

Clinical trial perspective for adult and juvenile Huntington's disease using genetically-engineered mesenchymal stem cells.

Progress to date from our group and others indicate that using genetically-engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports our plan to submit an Investigational New Drug application to the Food and Drug Administration for the future planned Phase 1 safety and tolerability trial of MSC/BDNF in patients with Huntington's disease (HD). There are also potential applications of this approach beyond HD. Our biological delivery system for BDNF sets the precedent for adult stem cell therapy in the brain and could potentially be modified for other neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), Alzheimer's disease, and some forms of Parkinson's disease. The MSC/BDNF product could also be considered for studies of regeneration in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury. This work also provides a platform for our future gene editing studies, since we will again use MSCs to deliver the needed molecules into the central nervous system

Developing stem cell therapies for juvenile and adult-onset Huntington's disease.

Stem cell therapies have been explored as a new avenue for the treatment of neurologic disease and damage within the CNS in part due to their native ability to mimic repair mechanisms in the brain. Mesenchymal stem cells have been of particular clinical interest due to their ability to release beneficial neurotrophic factors and their ability to foster a neuroprotective microenviroment. While early stem cell transplantation therapies have been fraught with technical and political concerns as well as limited clinical benefits, mesenchymal stem cell therapies have been shown to be clinically beneficial and derivable from nonembryonic, adult sources. The focus of this review will be on emerging and extant stem cell therapies for juvenile and adult-onset Huntington's disease

Developing stem cell therapies for juvenile and adult-onset Huntington's disease.

Stem cell therapies have been explored as a new avenue for the treatment of neurologic disease and damage within the CNS in part due to their native ability to mimic repair mechanisms in the brain. Mesenchymal stem cells have been of particular clinical interest due to their ability to release beneficial neurotrophic factors and their ability to foster a neuroprotective microenviroment. While early stem cell transplantation therapies have been fraught with technical and political concerns as well as limited clinical benefits, mesenchymal stem cell therapies have been shown to be clinically beneficial and derivable from nonembryonic, adult sources. The focus of this review will be on emerging and extant stem cell therapies for juvenile and adult-onset Huntington's disease