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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion are associated with increased dementia risk. Accurate TBI/concussion exposure estimates are relatively unknown for less common neurodegenerative conditions like frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We evaluated lifetime TBI and concussion frequency in patients diagnosed with a range of FTD spectrum conditions and related prior head trauma to cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) characteristics observable on MRI.
Participants and Methods:
We administered the Ohio State University TBI Identification and Boston University Head Impact Exposure Assessment to 108 patients (age 69.5 ± 8.0, 35% female, 93% white or unknown race) diagnosed at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center with one of the following FTD or related conditions: behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (N=39), semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (N=16), nonfluent variant PPA (N=23), corticobasal syndrome (N=14), or progressive supranuclear palsy (N=16). Data were also obtained from 217 controls (“HC”; age 76.8 ± 8.0, 53% female, 91% white or unknown race). CSP characteristics were defined based on width or “grade” (0-1 vs. 2+) and length of anterior-posterior separation (millimeters). We first describe frequency of any and multiple (2+) prior TBI based on different but commonly used definitions: TBI with loss of consciousness (LOC), TBI with LOC or posttraumatic amnesia (LOC/PTA), TBI with LOC/PTA or other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, “seeing stars,” etc. (“concussion”). TBI/concussion frequency was then compared between FTD and HC using chi-square. Associations between TBI/concussion and CSP characteristics were analyzed with chi-square (CSP grade) and Mann-Whitney U tests (CSP length). We explored sex differences due to typically higher rates of TBI among males.
Results:
History of any TBI with LOC (FTD=20.0%, HC=19.2%), TBI with LOC/PTA (FTD:32.2%, HC=31.5%), and concussion (FTD: 50.0%, HC=44.3%) was common but not different between study groups (p’s>.4). In both FTD and HC, prior TBI/concussion was nominally more frequent in males but not significantly greater than females. Frequency of repeat TBI/concussion (2+) also did not differ significantly between FTD and HC (repeat TBI with LOC: 6.7% vs. 3.3%, TBI with LOC/PTA: 12.2% vs. 10.3%, concussion: 30.2% vs. 28.7%; p’s>.2). Prior TBI/concussion was not significantly related to CSP grade or length in the total sample or within the FTD or HC groups.
Conclusions:
TBI/concussion rates depend heavily on the symptom definition used for classifying prior injury. Lifetime symptomatic TBI/concussion is common but has an unclear impact on risk for FTD-related diagnoses. Larger samples are needed to appropriately evaluate sex differences, to evaluate whether TBI/concussion rates differ between specific FTD phenotypes, and to understand the rates and effects of more extensive repetitive head trauma (symptomatic and asymptomatic) in patients with FTD.
Infertility is classified as a disease by the WHO and is recognized to have significant impact on the lives of the couples it affects. It is defined by the WHO as the failure of a couple to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse and is estimated to affect 1:7 couples. To determine the underlying cause of infertility, both the female and male should be investigated in parallel. In approximately 40% of couples there is a coexisting male and female factor contributing towards infertility. Assessments should begin after 12 months unless the female age is over 35 years or there are known risk factors, when investigations should be implemented sooner. There is a responsibility of the clinician to explore other avenues of parenthood for couples from the outset, as it is important to manage patient expectations and acceptance of childlessness if treatments fail.
There are minimal data directly comparing plasma neurofilament light (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in aging and neurodegenerative disease research. We evaluated associations of plasma NfL and plasma GFAP with brain volume and cognition in two independent cohorts of older adults diagnosed as clinically normal (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or Alzheimer’s dementia.
Methods:
We studied 121 total participants (Cohort 1: n = 50, age 71.6 ± 6.9 years, 78% CN, 22% MCI; Cohort 2: n = 71, age 72.2 ± 9.2 years, 45% CN, 25% MCI, 30% dementia). Gray and white matter volumes were obtained for total brain and broad subregions of interest (ROIs). Neuropsychological testing evaluated memory, executive functioning, language, and visuospatial abilities. Plasma samples were analyzed in duplicate for NfL and GFAP using single molecule array assays (Quanterix Simoa). Linear regression models with structural MRI and cognitive outcomes included plasma NfL and GFAP simultaneously along with relevant covariates.
Results:
Higher plasma GFAP was associated with lower white matter volume in both cohorts for temporal (Cohort 1: β = −0.33, p = .002; Cohort 2: β = −0.36, p = .03) and parietal ROIs (Cohort 1: β = −0.31, p = .01; Cohort 2: β = −0.35, p = .04). No consistent findings emerged for gray matter volumes. Higher plasma GFAP was associated with lower executive function scores (Cohort 1: β = −0.38, p = .01; Cohort 2: β = −0.36, p = .007). Plasma NfL was not associated with gray or white matter volumes, or cognition after adjusting for plasma GFAP.
Conclusions:
Plasma GFAP may be more sensitive to white matter and cognitive changes than plasma NfL. Biomarkers reflecting astroglial pathophysiology may capture complex dynamics of aging and neurodegenerative disease.
Optical tracking systems typically trade off between astrometric precision and field of view. In this work, we showcase a networked approach to optical tracking using very wide field-of-view imagers that have relatively low astrometric precision on the scheduled OSIRIS-REx slingshot manoeuvre around Earth on 22 Sep 2017. As part of a trajectory designed to get OSIRIS-REx to NEO 101955 Bennu, this flyby event was viewed from 13 remote sensors spread across Australia and New Zealand to promote triangulatable observations. Each observatory in this portable network was constructed to be as lightweight and portable as possible, with hardware based off the successful design of the Desert Fireball Network. Over a 4-h collection window, we gathered 15 439 images of the night sky in the predicted direction of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Using a specially developed streak detection and orbit determination data pipeline, we detected 2 090 line-of-sight observations. Our fitted orbit was determined to be within about 10 km of orbital telemetry along the observed 109 262 km length of OSIRIS-REx trajectory, and thus demonstrating the impressive capability of a networked approach to Space Surveillance and Tracking.
Cell dimensions have been measured from correctly indexed powder patterns of thirty natural and two synthetic orthopyroxenes. The natural specimens (mostly metamorphic) contain exsolved phases largely avoided during microprobe chemical analysis. Linear regression analysis between the cell dimensions and Mg, Al, Ca contents (ignoring minor elements) was quite unsatisfactory until a term in Mg2 was added. Two separate regression analyses for the ranges Mg 0–0·5 and 0·5–1 using only Mg, Al, and Ca were satisfactory. Olivine yielded satisfactory regressions for the whole range without a term in Mg2 (Louisnathan and Smith, 1968). The difference between olivine and pyroxene results from absence of site preference by Mg and Fe in olivine compared to strong preference in pyroxene revealed by electron density and Mössbauer studies (Bancroft, Burns, and Howie, 1967; Ghose and Hafner, 1967).
The data were recalculated by means of a new best-fit procedure developed by Hey in which the errors in the chemical and physical parameters are considered simultaneously.
Earlier measurements of a and b for plutonic pyroxenes are consistent within possible experimental uncertainties with those given here; however a and b data obtained by Kuno and by Hess on volcanic specimens are considerably higher by variable amounts. Although there are uncertainties in the Ca content and its effect on a and b, the larger dimensions probably result from lower site preference as indicated by Mössbauer studies.
Prediction of Mg, Ca, and Al from just the cell dimensions is only moderately accurate even for metamorphic orthopyroxenes.
The results of a study on the suitability of the inductively coupled plasma source spectrometer for the analysis of rocks and minerals are presented. The preparation of a stable solution of the elements to be measured is a prerequisite, and methods of sample preparation are described. It is shown that it is possible to measure all the major elements (excluding H2O and Fe2+) with acceptable precision and accuracy, and a wide range of trace elements down to the ppm level in the rock or mineral. Excluding sample preparation time, analysis and print-out of results as percent or ppm requires 1–2 minutes for complete analysis. Data on possible interferences (spectral line overlap etc.) are presented and, using some analyses of rocks and minerals comparisons are made with other analytical methods.
Staff training in positive behaviour support (PBS) is a widespread treatment approach for challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability.
Aims
To evaluate whether such training is clinically effective in reducing challenging behaviour during routine care (trial registration: NCT01680276).
Method
We carried out a multicentre, cluster randomised controlled trial involving 23 community intellectual disability services in England, randomly allocated to manual-assisted staff training in PBS (n = 11) or treatment as usual (TAU, n = 12). Data were collected from 246 adult participants.
Results
No treatment effects were found for the primary outcome (challenging behaviour over 12 months, adjusted mean difference = −2.14, 95% CI: −8.79, 4.51) or secondary outcomes.
Conclusions
Staff training in PBS, as applied in this study, did not reduce challenging behaviour. Further research should tackle implementation issues and endeavour to identify other interventions that can reduce challenging behaviour.
The discovery of the first electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave signal has generated follow-up observations by over 50 facilities world-wide, ushering in the new era of multi-messenger astronomy. In this paper, we present follow-up observations of the gravitational wave event GW170817 and its electromagnetic counterpart SSS17a/DLT17ck (IAU label AT2017gfo) by 14 Australian telescopes and partner observatories as part of Australian-based and Australian-led research programs. We report early- to late-time multi-wavelength observations, including optical imaging and spectroscopy, mid-infrared imaging, radio imaging, and searches for fast radio bursts. Our optical spectra reveal that the transient source emission cooled from approximately 6 400 K to 2 100 K over a 7-d period and produced no significant optical emission lines. The spectral profiles, cooling rate, and photometric light curves are consistent with the expected outburst and subsequent processes of a binary neutron star merger. Star formation in the host galaxy probably ceased at least a Gyr ago, although there is evidence for a galaxy merger. Binary pulsars with short (100 Myr) decay times are therefore unlikely progenitors, but pulsars like PSR B1534+12 with its 2.7 Gyr coalescence time could produce such a merger. The displacement (~2.2 kpc) of the binary star system from the centre of the main galaxy is not unusual for stars in the host galaxy or stars originating in the merging galaxy, and therefore any constraints on the kick velocity imparted to the progenitor are poor.
The ICMS Workshop on Geometric and Combinatorial Methods in Group Theory, held at Heriot-Watt University in 1993, brought together some of the leading research workers in the subject. Some of the survey articles and contributed papers presented at the meeting are collected in this volume. The former cover a number of areas of current interest and include papers by: S. M. Gersten, R. I. Grigorchuk, P. H. Kropholler, A. Lubotzky, A. A. Razborov and E. Zelmanov. The contributed articles, all refereed, range over a wide number of topics in combinatorial and geometric group theory and related topics. The volume represents a summary of the state of knowledge of the field, and as such will be indispensable to all research workers in the area.
It is well established that altered maternal nutrition may induce long-term metabolic consequences in offspring. However, the effects of maternal undernutrition during different developmental windows on sex-specific growth and metabolism in offspring are not well defined. We investigated the effect of moderate maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and/or lactation on postnatal growth and metabolic outcomes in offspring. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) control (CONT) dams fed a standard diet throughout pregnancy and lactation; (2) dams undernourished to 50 % of CONT during pregnancy (UNP); (3) dams fed at 50 % of CONT throughout lactation (UNL); (4) dams fed at 50 % of CONT throughout pregnancy and lactation (UNPL). UNP and UNPL offspring were lighter at birth compared to CONT and UNL. UNL and UNPL offspring were growth restricted at weaning and remained smaller into adulthood. UNP males and females developed increased adiposity and hyperleptinaemia in adulthood compared to all other groups. Adiposity in UNL and UNPL males was similar to CONT offspring. In UNL and UNPL females, adiposity was lower than for CONT females. Markers of bone mass, lipid metabolism and hepatic function were altered in UNP offspring but were similar in UNL and UNPL offspring compared to CONT. Lack of catch-up growth during lactation in offspring of undernourished mothers prevented development of adiposity and related metabolic disorders in later life. These data highlight that the timing and duration of undernutrition during critical windows of development exert differential effects on postnatal outcomes in a sex-specific manner.
This article describes cracking during microcompression of Si, InAs, MgO, and MgAl2O4 crystals and compares this with previous observations on Si and GaAs micropillars. The most common mode of cracking was through-thickness axial splitting, the crack growing downward from intersecting slip bands in pillars above a critical size. The splitting behavior observed in all of these materials was quantitatively consistent with a previous analysis, despite the differences in properties and slip geometry between the different materials. Cracking above the slip bands also occurred either in the side or in the top surface of some pillars. The driving forces for these modes of cracking are described and compared with observations. However, only through-thickness axial splitting was observed to give complete failure of the pillar; it is, therefore, considered to be the most important in determining the brittle-to-ductile transitions that have been observed.
The structure theorem for completely 0-simple semigroups established by Rees [5] in 1940 has proved a very powerful tool in the investigation of such semigroups. In this paper the theorem is applied to an investigation of the subsemigroup of a completely 0-simple semigroup generated by its idempotents. Previous work on this problem has been carried out by Kim [4], but the present note offers a more direct approach.
Let {Si; i ε I} be a finite or infinite family of cancellative semigroups. Let U be a cancellative semigroup, and suppose that there exists, for each i in I, a monomorphism φi: u→ Si. We are interested in finding a semigroup T with the following properties.
(a) For each i in I, there is a monomorphism λi: Si → T such that uφiλi = uøjλi for all u ɛ U and all i, j in I. That is to say, there exists a monomorphism λ: U → T which equals øiλi for all i in I.
Let X be a finite set and let (X) be the full transformation semigroup on X, i.e. the set of all mappings from X into X, the semigroup operation being composition of mappings. This paper aims to characterize those elements of (X) which have square roots. An easily verifiable necessary condition, that of being quasi-square, is found in Theorem 2, and in Theorems 4 and 5 we find necessary and sufficient conditions for certain special elements of (X). The property of being compatibly amenable is shown in Theorem 7 to be equivalent for all elements of (X) to the possession of a square root.
In recent developments in the algebraic theory of semigroups attention has been focussing increasingly on the study of congruences, in particular on lattice-theoretic properties of the lattice of congruences. In most cases it has been found advantageous to impose some restriction on the type of semigroup considered, such as regularity, commutativity, or the property of being an inverse semigroup, and one of the principal tools has been the consideration of special congruences. For example, the minimum group congruence on an inverse semigroup has been studied by Vagner [21] and Munn [13], the maximum idempotent-separating congruence on a regular or inverse semigroup by the authors separately [9, 10] and by Munn [14], and the minimum semilattice congruence on a general or commutative semigroup by Tamura and Kimura [19], Yamada [22], Clifford [3] and Petrich [15]. In this paper we study regular semigroups and our primary concern is with the minimum group congruence, the minimum band congruence and the minimum semilattice congruence, which we shall consistently denote by α β and η respectively.
In the terminology of Clifford and Preston [2], a band B is a semigroup in which every element is idempotent. On such a semigroup there is a natural (partial) order relation defined by the rule
If the order relation ≧ is compatible with the multiplication in B, in the sense that e ≧ f and g ≧ h together imply that eg ≧ fh, we shall say that B is a naturally ordered band. The object of this note is to describe the structure of naturally ordered bands.
In the terminology of J. R. Isbell [5], an element d of a semigroup S is dominated by a subsemigroup U of S if, for an arbitrary semigroup X and arbitrary homomorphisms α β, from S into X, α(u) = β(u) for every u in U implies α(d) = β(d). The set of elements of S dominated by U is a subsemigroup of S containing U and is called the dominion of U. It was shown by Isbell that if one takes two disjoint isomorphic copies S+, S− of S and forms their amalgamated free product S+ * US− that is to say, the quotient of the free product S+ * S− by the congruence p generated by , (u+ and u− being the images of u in S+, S− respectively) then the homomorphisms: μ+: S→ S+ * uS−, μ−: S→ S+ * uS− defined by are one-one. Moreover, μ+(s) = μ−(t) only if s = t, and μ+(s)= μ−(s) if and only if s is in the dominion of U. In other words, the two natural copies of S in S+ * uS− intersect precisely in the dominion of U. Thus, in particular, and in the terminology of [3], the amalgam [S+, S−; U] is embeddable if and only if U is self-dominating (that is to say, its own dominion) in S.
Let m, n be infinite cardinals such that m < n, and let X be a set of cardinality m. Within the symmetric inverse semigroup on X the elements whose domain and range have complements of cardinality m form an inverse semigroup T. The closure Eω of the semilattice E of idempotents of T is a fundamental bismple inverse semigroup. Its maximum congruence is described. The quotient of Eο by this maximum congruence is a bisimple, congruence is a bisimple, congruence-free inverse semigroup.
Selection for increased growth rate in livestock may be accompanied by increases in requirements for energy and nutrients. It has been suggested that intensively selected broilers have altered food intake control mechanisms and could be constantly hungry, due to their high resource demands (Bokkers et al. 2004), which would be a major welfare issue. Such alterations in food intake control mechanisms as a side-effect of genetic selection would lead to changes in the feeding behaviour of birds, such as the clustering of visits into meals and the probability of birds starting a new meal in relation to the time since the last meal. The aim of this study was to test whether broilers intensively selected for growth showed any alteration in the structure of their feeding behaviour that would indicate a change in the underlying hunger and satiety control mechanisms.