scholarly journals Mathematical Model of Network Dynamics Governing Mouse Sleep–Wake Behavior

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 3828-3840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia G. Diniz Behn ◽  
Emery N. Brown ◽  
Thomas E. Scammell ◽  
Nancy J. Kopell
Keyword(s):  
Unique Feature ◽  
Deterministic Model ◽  
Relaxation Oscillation ◽  
Qualitative Difference ◽  
State Transitions ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Neuronal Populations ◽  
Cell Groups ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Transition Type

Recent work in experimental neurophysiology has identified distinct neuronal populations in the rodent brain stem and hypothalamus that selectively promote wake and sleep. Mutual inhibition between these cell groups has suggested the conceptual model of a sleep–wake switch that controls transitions between wake and sleep while minimizing time spent in intermediate states. By combining wake- and sleep-active populations with populations governing transitions between different stages of sleep, a “sleep–wake network” of neuronal populations may be defined. To better understand the dynamics inherent in this network, we created a model sleep–wake network composed of coupled relaxation oscillation equations. Mathematical analysis of the deterministic model provides insight into the dynamics underlying state transitions and predicts mechanisms for each transition type. With the addition of noise, the simulated sleep–wake behavior generated by the model reproduces many qualitative and quantitative features of mouse sleep–wake behavior. In particular, the existence of simulated brief awakenings is a unique feature of the model. In addition to capturing the experimentally observed qualitative difference between brief and sustained wake bouts, the model suggests distinct network mechanisms for the two types of wakefulness. Because circadian and other factors alter the fine architecture of sleep–wake behavior, this model provides a novel framework to explore dynamical principles that may underlie normal and pathologic sleep–wake physiology.

scholarly journals Aging and Women’s Sexuality

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-287
Author(s):  
Bárbara Luque Salas
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Qualitative Difference ◽  
Feminist Research ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Sexual Practice ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative

We present results of our research, which has been aimed at understanding the experience, practice, and sexual life in women over 50 years of age. We studied a sample of 729 women of between 50 and 80 years of age. The research is part of qualitative feminist research methodology. Both qualitative and quantitative data have been collected through focus groups and a questionnaire drawn up by our research team. The results show the satisfaction of older women-of all ages-with their sex life and the importance of contextual and relational sexuality issues of women. Autoeroticism is the most established sexual practice in this group of older women and highlights who want to experience some changes in their current sex life around the desire for a more sensual and emotional sexuality, with a claim of more passionate and frequent relations. The data collected reveal a qualitative difference in the reality of sex over the age of 70.

Anesthesia-Induced State Transitions in Neuronal Populations

2009 ◽  
pp. 139-160
Author(s):  
Jamie Sleigh ◽  
Moira Steyn-Ross ◽  
Alistair Steyn-Ross ◽  
Logan Voss ◽  
Marcus Wilson
Keyword(s):  
State Transitions ◽  
Neuronal Populations

scholarly journals How Can We Find Out What Makes a Good Requirements Engineer in the Age of Digitalization?

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Yvonne Sedelmaier ◽  
Dieter Landes
Keyword(s):  
Requirements Engineering ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Competence Profile ◽  
Key Success Factor ◽  
Insight Into

Good requirements are commonly viewed as a key success factor for IT (and non-IT) projects, but still there seems to be insufficient insight into which competences requirements engineers need to have these days. Digitalization is likely to pose new challenges to requirements engineering. Chances are that digitalization will change the competences that are necessary for successful requirements engineering. This paper proposes a research design that will be used for clarifying which competences requirements engineers need nowadays and how these competences change due to digitalization. To that end, qualitative and quantitative research methods will be combined for developing a comprehensive competence profile for requirements engineering on a scientific basis. The resulting competence profile constitutes a starting point for devising competence-oriented learning settings. Thus, our research contributes to a better understanding of competences for requirements engineering and improves education of future requirements engineers, in particular for coping with challenges posed by digitalization.

scholarly journals Understanding the dimensions of managerial decency construct

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-62
Author(s):  
Belma Hadžiomerović ◽  
Emir Kurtić ◽  
Maja Arslanagić Kalajdžić
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Employee Development ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Mutual Trust ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Social ◽  
Insight Into

This study aims to improve the understanding of perceived managerial decency by developing an initial set of items for its measurement scale. Based on the social exchange theory and driven by the strong need for instilling more decency and civility in managerial discourse, this study makes a comprehensive overview of the scope and domain of perceived managerial decency and extracts the potential decency dimensions. After conducting a literature review, 50 collected interview responses on typical examples of managerial decency, as perceived by employees, served as a basis for further analysis. Using the content analysis tools, we generated a set of initial items and dimensions of decency. Those were further refined by 21 experts (5 from academia and 16 from the target audience) using the means of qualitative and quantitative assessment. as a result, we define the perceived managerial decency construct and outline its six potential dimensions: (1) respectful interactions, (2) treatment with good manners, (3) employee development, (4) mutual trust, (5) decent feedback, and (6) providing insight into a bigger picture, as well as generate a set of 75 valid items that reflect the decency construct. We further discuss the research implications for theory and practice.

scholarly journals Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern of Plant Communities along Altitudinal Gradient in Sangla Valley, Northwest Himalaya

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Sharma ◽  
J. C. Rana ◽  
Usha Devi ◽  
S. S. Randhawa ◽  
Rajesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Floristic Diversity ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Rapid Loss ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Northwest Himalaya ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Himalaya ◽  
Insight Into

Himalayas are globally important biodiversity hotspots and are facing rapid loss in floristic diversity and changing pattern of vegetation due to various biotic and abiotic factors. This has necessitated the qualitative and quantitative assessment of vegetation here. The present study was conducted in Sangla Valley of northwest Himalaya aiming to assess the structure of vegetation and its trend in the valley along the altitudinal gradient. In the forest and alpine zones of the valley, 15 communities were recorded. Study revealed 320 species belonging to 199 genera and 75 families. Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Apiaceae, and Ranunculaceae were dominant. Among genera,Artemisiafollowed byPolygonum,Saussurea,Berberis, andThalictrumwere dominant. Tree and shrub’s density ranged from 205 to 600 and from 105 to 1030 individual per hectare, respectively, whereas herbs ranged from 22.08 to 78.95 individual/m2. Nearly 182 species were native to the Himalaya. Maximum altitudinal distribution of few selected climate sensitive species was found to be highest in northeast and north aspects. This study gives an insight into the floristic diversity and community structure of the fragile Sangla Valley which was hitherto not available.

Does the source matter?

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Kotwica
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
Scientific Discourse ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Constant Feature ◽  
Quantitative Analyses ◽  
Changing Practices ◽  
Historical Variation ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract This article provides an insight into the expression of reportative evidentiality in Spanish scientific articles published between 1799 and 1920. Central to the discussion is the presence and specificity of sources in reportative constructions. While contemporary scientific discourse prioritizes the use of specific, reportative-quotative evidentials, this is not a constant feature of articles analyzed in this study. In order to trace this historical variation, we established a classification of reportative constructions according to the specificity of the evidence they convey and we conducted both qualitative and quantitative analyses. According to our results, different specificity patterns were prominent in different temporal stages of the period under review. We argue that this can be interpreted in light of the growth and changing practices of the scientific community.

Insight into the origin of 5’UTR and source of CpG reduction in SARS-CoV-2 genome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Afrasiabi ◽  
Hamid Alinejad-Rokny ◽  
Nigel Lovell ◽  
Zhenming Xu ◽  
Diako Ebrahimi
Keyword(s):  
Unique Feature ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Antiviral Protein ◽  
Binding Data ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Level ◽  
Bat Coronavirus ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractSARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, has an RNA genome, which is, overall, closely related to the bat coronavirus sequence RaTG13. However, the ACE2-binding domain of this virus is more similar to a coronavirus isolated from a Guangdong pangolin. In addition to this unique feature, the genome of SARS-CoV-2 (and its closely related coronaviruses) has a low CpG content. This has been postulated to be the signature of an evolutionary pressure exerted by the host antiviral protein ZAP. Here, we analyzed the sequences of a wide range of viruses using both alignment-based and alignment free approaches to investigate the origin of SARS-CoV-2 genome. Our analyses revealed a high level of similarity between the 5’UTR of SARS-CoV-2 and that of the Guangdong pangolin coronavirus. This suggests bat and pangolin coronaviruses might have recombined at least twice (in the 5’UTR and ACE2 binding regions) to seed the formation of SARS-CoV-2. An alternative hypothesis is that the lineage preceding SARS-CoV-2 is a yet to be sampled bat coronavirus whose ACE2 binding domain and 5’UTR are distinct from other known bat coronaviruses. Additionally, we performed a detailed analysis of viral genome compositions as well as expression and RNA binding data of ZAP to show that the low CpG abundance in SARS-CoV-2 is not related to an evolutionary pressure from ZAP.

scholarly journals Biofunctionality of Carotenoid Metabolites: An Insight into Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

10.5772/66210 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bangalore Prabhashankar Arathi ◽  
Poorigali Raghavendra-Rao Sowmya ◽  
Kariyappa Vijay ◽  
Vallikannan Baskaran ◽  
Rangaswamy Lakshminarayana
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Insight Into

Computing cellular automata spectra under fixed boundary conditions via limit graphs

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (07) ◽  
pp. 1650073
Author(s):  
Eurico L. P. Ruivo ◽  
Pedro P. B. De Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Automata ◽  
Time Behavior ◽  
Fixed Boundary ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Fully Discrete ◽  
Quantitative Characterisation ◽  
Fixed Boundary Condition ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Discrete Complex

Cellular automata are fully discrete complex systems with parallel and homogeneous behavior studied both from the theoretical and modeling viewpoints. The limit behaviors of such systems are of particular interest, as they give insight into their emerging properties. One possible approach to investigate such limit behaviors is the analysis of the growth of graphs describing the finite time behavior of a rule in order to infer its limit behavior. Another possibility is to study the Fourier spectrum describing the average limit configurations obtained by a rule. While the former approach gives the characterization of the limit configurations of a rule, the latter yields a qualitative and quantitative characterisation of how often particular blocks of states are present in these limit configurations. Since both approaches are closely related, it is tempting to use one to obtain information about the other. Here, limit graphs are automatically adjusted by configurations directly generated by their respective rules, and use the graphs to compute the spectra of their rules. We rely on a set of elementary cellular automata rules, on lattices with fixed boundary condition, and show that our approach is a more reliable alternative to a previously described method from the literature.

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