Mnemonic discrimination relates to perforant path integrity: An ultra-high resolution diffusion tensor imaging study.

Pattern separation describes the orthogonalization of similar inputs into unique, non-overlapping representations. This computational process is thought to serve memory by reducing interference and to be mediated by the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Using ultra-high in-plane resolution diffusion tensor imaging (hrDTI) in older adults, we previously demonstrated that integrity of the perforant path, which provides input to the dentate gyrus from entorhinal cortex, was associated with mnemonic discrimination, a behavioral outcome designed to load on pattern separation. The current hrDTI study assessed the specificity of this perforant path integrity-mnemonic discrimination relationship relative to other cognitive constructs (identified using a factor analysis) and white matter tracts (hippocampal cingulum, fornix, corpus callosum) in 112 healthy adults (20-87 years). Results revealed age-related declines in integrity of the perforant path and other medial temporal lobe (MTL) tracts (hippocampal cingulum, fornix). Controlling for global effects of brain aging, perforant path integrity related only to the factor that captured mnemonic discrimination performance. Comparable integrity-mnemonic discrimination relationships were also observed for the hippocampal cingulum and fornix. Thus, whereas perforant path integrity specifically relates to mnemonic discrimination, mnemonic discrimination may be mediated by a broader MTL network

Recognition Memory Dysfunction Relates to Hippocampal Subfield Volume: A Study of Cognitively Normal and Mildly Impaired Older Adults.

ObjectivesThe current study examined recognition memory dysfunction and its neuroanatomical substrates in cognitively normal older adults and those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsParticipants completed the Mnemonic Similarity Task, which provides simultaneous measures of recognition memory and mnemonic discrimination. They also underwent structural neuroimaging to assess volume of medial temporal cortex and hippocampal subfields.ResultsAs expected, individuals diagnosed with MCI had significantly worse recognition memory performance and reduced volume across medial temporal cortex and hippocampal subfields relative to cognitively normal older adults. After controlling for diagnostic group differences, however, recognition memory was significantly related to whole hippocampus volume, and to volume of the dentate gyrus/CA3 subfield in particular. Recognition memory was also related to mnemonic discrimination, a fundamental component of episodic memory that has previously been linked to dentate gyrus/CA3 structure and function.DiscussionResults reveal that hippocampal subfield volume is sensitive to individual differences in recognition memory in older adults independent of clinical diagnosis. This supports the notion that episodic memory declines along a continuum within this age group, not just between diagnostic groups

Limbic Tract Integrity Contributes to Pattern Separation Performance Across the Lifespan.

Accurate memory for discrete events is thought to rely on pattern separation to orthogonalize the representations of similar events. Previously, we reported that a behavioral index of pattern separation was correlated with activity in the hippocampus (dentate gyrus, CA3) and with integrity of the perforant path, which provides input to the hippocampus. If the hippocampus operates as part of a broader neural network, however, pattern separation would likely also relate to integrity of limbic tracts (fornix, cingulum bundle, and uncinate fasciculus) that connect the hippocampus to distributed brain regions. In this study, healthy adults (20-89 years) underwent diffusion tensor imaging and completed the Behavioral Pattern Separation Task-Object Version (BPS-O) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). After controlling for global effects of brain aging, exploratory skeleton-wise and targeted tractography analyses revealed that fornix integrity (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and radial diffusivity; but not mode) was significantly related to pattern separation (measured using BPS-O and RAVLT tasks), but not to recognition memory. These data suggest that hippocampal disconnection, via individual- and age-related differences in limbic tract integrity, contributes to pattern separation performance. Extending our earlier work, these results also support the notion that pattern separation relies on broad neural networks interconnecting the hippocampus

Neural substrates of mnemonic discrimination: A whole-brain fMRI investigation.

IntroductionA fundamental component of episodic memory is the ability to differentiate new and highly similar events from previously encountered events. Numerous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have identified hippocampal involvement in this type of mnemonic discrimination (MD), but few studies have assessed MD-related activity in regions beyond the hippocampus. Therefore, the current fMRI study examined whole-brain activity in healthy young adults during successful discrimination of the test phase of the Mnemonic Similarity Task.MethodIn the study phase, participants made "indoor"/"outdoor" judgments to a series of objects. In the test phase, they made "old"/"new" judgments to a series of probe objects that were either repetitions from the memory set (targets), similar to objects in the memory set (lures), or novel. We assessed hippocampal and whole-brain activity consistent with MD using a step function to identify where activity to targets differed from activity to lures with varying degrees of similarity to targets (high, low), responding to them as if they were novel.ResultsResults revealed that the hippocampus and occipital cortex exhibited differential activity to repeated stimuli relative to even highly similar stimuli, but only hippocampal activity predicted discrimination performance.ConclusionsThese findings are consistent with the notion that successful MD is supported by the hippocampus, with auxiliary processes supported by cortex (e.g., perceptual discrimination)

Investigation of resolution limits for indirect microwave holographic imaging

This work describes how indirect holography which has previously been applied to the determination of antenna radiation patterns can be adapted for the imaging of passive objects. It provides details of how complex scattered field values can be obtained in a simple and inexpensive manner from sampled scalar intensity measurements taken over a single scanning aperture. This work uses indirect holographic techniques to image a number of simple objects including a rectangular metallic plate, a small metal plate covered by a dielectric sheet and a small metallic circular annulus. This work demonstrates that good quality images can be reconstructed from simple scalar intensity patterns. It demonstrates that clear outlines can be obtained in particular from reconstructed phase patterns and that good images can be obtained from objects with dimensions of the order of a half wavelength

Transfer information remotely via noise entangled coherent channels

In this contribution, a generalized protocol of quantum teleportation is suggested to investigate the possibility of remotely transfer unknown multiparities entangled coherent state. A theoretical technique is introduced to generate maximum entangled coherent states which are used as quantum channels. We show that the mean photon number plays a central role on the fidelity of the transferred information. The noise parameter can be considered as a control parameter only for small values of the mean photon number

Examining Healthcare Professionals\u27 Acceptance oF Electronic Medical Records Using UTAUT

With the growing demand for digital information in health care, the electronic medical record (EMR) represents the foundation of health information technology. It is essential, however, in an industry still largely dominated by paper-based records, that such systems be accepted and used. This research evaluates registered nurses’, certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants’ acceptance of EMR’s as a means to predict, define and enhance use. The research utilizes the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as the theoretical model, along with the Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis to estimate the variance. Overall, the findings indicate that UTAUT is able to provide a reasonable assessment of health care professionals’ acceptance of EMR’s with social influence a significant determinant of intention and use

Omni-channel customer experience: An investigation into the use of digital technology in physical stores and its impact on the consumer's decision-making process

Increasing use of mobile devices and the evolution of digital technology not only change the way consumers engage with brands and retailers but also how they shop. More marketers and retailers are experimenting with Omni-channel tools to close the gap between online and offline shopping. This research provides an overview of the Omni-channel landscape in Europe and the United States and identifies digital elements embedded into retailers' physical stores. We examine the salience of in-store technology, its impact on consumer decision-making process, and its effect on the customer shopping experience. Our major findings are that most High street shoppers are generally technology-savvy Omni-channel consumers who are constantly connected. They expect retailers to provide them with opportunities to purchase anytime and anywhere. Nevertheless, when it comes to customer service and product queries, interactive in-store technology is the third choice after real sales staff and their own mobile devices. This study makes a valuable contribution by laying out where the challenges of Omni-channel retailing remain—namely making the technology easier to use, faster, and more fun. In this area, more research needs be done to better understand how the omni-channel world broadens the scope of channels, and how it influences customer/brand/retail interactions and innovative new paths to purchas

Generalized Heisenberg algebra coherent states for Power-law potentials

Coherent states for power-law potentials are constructed using generalized Heisenberg algabras. Klauder's minimal set of conditions required to obtain coherent states are satisfied. The statistical properties of these states are investigated through the evaluation of the Mandel's parameter. It is shown that these coherent states are useful for describing the states of real and ideal lasers.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure