Hydroxyl migration disorders the surface structure of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Xiajie; Wu, Hong; Zhang, Li; Ma, Xingtao; Zhang, Xingdong; Yang, Mingli

2017-09-01

The surface structure of nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP) was investigated using a combined simulated annealing and molecular dynamics method. The stationary structures of nano-HAP with 4-7 nm in diameter and annealed under different temperatures were analyzed in terms of pair distribution function, structural factor, mean square displacement and atomic coordination number. The particles possess different structures from bulk crystal. A clear radial change in their atomic arrangements was noted. From core to surface the structures change from ordered to disordered. A three-shell model was proposed to describe the structure evolution of nano-HAP. Atoms in the core zone keep their arrangements as in crystal, while atoms in the surface shell are in short-range order and long-range disorder, adopting a typically amorphous structure. Atoms in the middle shell have small displacements and/or deflections but basically retain their original locations as in crystal. The disordered shell is about 1 nm in thickness, in agreement with experimental observations. The disordering mainly stems from hydroxyl migration during which hydroxyls move to the surface and bond with the exposed Ca ions, and their left vacancies bring about a rearrangement of nearby atoms. The disordering is to some extent different for particles unannealed under different temperatures, resulting from fewer number of migrated hydroxyls at lower temperatures. Particles with different sizes have similar surface structures, and their surface energy decreases with increasing size. Moreover, the surface energy is reduced by hydroxyl migration because the exposed Ca ions on the surface are ionically bonded with the migrated hydroxyls. Our calculations proposed a new structure model for nano-HAP, which indicates a surface structure with activities different from those without surface reorganization. This is particularly interesting because most bioactivities of biomaterials are dominated by their surface activity.

Disorder-driven topological phase transition in B i 2 S e 3 films

DOE PAGES

Brahlek, Matthew; Koirala, Nikesh; Salehi, Maryam; ...

2016-10-03

Topological insulators (TI) are a phase of matter that host unusual metallic states on their surfaces. Unlike the states that exist on the surface of conventional materials, these so-called topological surfaces states (TSS) are protected against disorder-related localization effects by time reversal symmetry through strong spin-orbit coupling. By combining transport measurements, angle-resolved photo-emission spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that there exists a critical level of disorder beyond which the TI Bi 2Se 3 loses its ability to protect the metallic TSS and transitions to a fully insulating state. The absence of the metallic surface channels dictates that theremore » is a change in material’s topological character, implying that disorder can lead to a topological phase transition even without breaking the time reversal symmetry. This observation challenges the conventional notion of topologically-protected surface states, and will provoke new studies as to the fundamental nature of topological phase of matter in the presence of disorder.« less

Anza palaeoichnological site. Late Cretaceous. Morocco. Part II. Problems of large dinosaur trackways and the first African Macropodosaurus trackway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masrour, Moussa; Lkebir, Noura; Pérez-Lorente, Félix

2017-10-01

The Anza site shows large ichnological surfaces indicating the coexistence in the same area of different vertebrate footprints (dinosaur and pterosaur) and of different types (tridactyl and tetradactyl, semiplantigrade and rounded without digit marks) and the footprint variability of long trackways. This area may become a world reference in ichnology because it contains the second undebatable African site with Cretaceous pterosaur footprints - described in part I - and the first African site with Macropodosaurus footprints. In this work, problems related to long trackways are also analyzed, such as their sinuosity, the order-disorder of the variability (long-short) of the pace length and the difficulty of morphological classification of the theropod footprints due to their morphological variability.

Body dysmorphic disorder in the dermatology patient.

PubMed

Koblenzer, Caroline S

Body dysmorphic disorder is primarily a psychiatric disorder, in which the patient believes that some normal or very near normal aspect of his or her physical appearance is distorted or ugly. Should there be a minor abnormality, it is grossly exaggerated in the mind of the patient, causing feelings of shame and embarrassment and leading daily to spending hours at the mirror, or any reflecting surface, as the patient tries to conceal or remove the perceived abnormality through the development of ritualistic behavior. Although other organs can be involved-for example, the shape of the nose or a portion of an ear- the skin, hair, and nails are most commonly involved, while the patient constantly seeks reassurance about appearance from friends and family. There is a broad spectrum of severity in body dysmorphic disorder, ranging from obsessional worry to frank delusion, and the psychiatric comorbidities-anxiety, depression, and personality disorder-are prominent parts of the picture. Unfortunately, the psychiatric comorbidities and the negative impact on every aspect of the patient's life may not be recognized by dermatologists and other non-psychiatric physicians, so that effective treatment is often not instituted or appropriate referrals made. This paper describes the incidence, possible etiologies, and clinical picture of body dysmorphic disorder in dermatology patients and discusses interpersonal approaches that may permit appropriate treatment or referral to take place. Specific treatments and prognosis are also discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cortical Abnormalities Associated With Pediatric and Adult Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Findings From the ENIGMA Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Working Group.

PubMed

Boedhoe, Premika S W; Schmaal, Lianne; Abe, Yoshinari; Alonso, Pino; Ameis, Stephanie H; Anticevic, Alan; Arnold, Paul D; Batistuzzo, Marcelo C; Benedetti, Francesco; Beucke, Jan C; Bollettini, Irene; Bose, Anushree; Brem, Silvia; Calvo, Anna; Calvo, Rosa; Cheng, Yuqi; Cho, Kang Ik K; Ciullo, Valentina; Dallaspezia, Sara; Denys, Damiaan; Feusner, Jamie D; Fitzgerald, Kate D; Fouche, Jean-Paul; Fridgeirsson, Egill A; Gruner, Patricia; Hanna, Gregory L; Hibar, Derrek P; Hoexter, Marcelo Q; Hu, Hao; Huyser, Chaim; Jahanshad, Neda; James, Anthony; Kathmann, Norbert; Kaufmann, Christian; Koch, Kathrin; Kwon, Jun Soo; Lazaro, Luisa; Lochner, Christine; Marsh, Rachel; Martínez-Zalacaín, Ignacio; Mataix-Cols, David; Menchón, José M; Minuzzi, Luciano; Morer, Astrid; Nakamae, Takashi; Nakao, Tomohiro; Narayanaswamy, Janardhanan C; Nishida, Seiji; Nurmi, Erika; O'Neill, Joseph; Piacentini, John; Piras, Fabrizio; Piras, Federica; Reddy, Y C Janardhan; Reess, Tim J; Sakai, Yuki; Sato, Joao R; Simpson, H Blair; Soreni, Noam; Soriano-Mas, Carles; Spalletta, Gianfranco; Stevens, Michael C; Szeszko, Philip R; Tolin, David F; van Wingen, Guido A; Venkatasubramanian, Ganesan; Walitza, Susanne; Wang, Zhen; Yun, Je-Yeon; Thompson, Paul M; Stein, Dan J; van den Heuvel, Odile A

2018-05-01

Brain imaging studies of structural abnormalities in OCD have yielded inconsistent results, partly because of limited statistical power, clinical heterogeneity, and methodological differences. The authors conducted meta- and mega-analyses comprising the largest study of cortical morphometry in OCD ever undertaken. T 1 -weighted MRI scans of 1,905 OCD patients and 1,760 healthy controls from 27 sites worldwide were processed locally using FreeSurfer to assess cortical thickness and surface area. Effect sizes for differences between patients and controls, and associations with clinical characteristics, were calculated using linear regression models controlling for age, sex, site, and intracranial volume. In adult OCD patients versus controls, we found a significantly lower surface area for the transverse temporal cortex and a thinner inferior parietal cortex. Medicated adult OCD patients also showed thinner cortices throughout the brain. In pediatric OCD patients compared with controls, we found significantly thinner inferior and superior parietal cortices, but none of the regions analyzed showed significant differences in surface area. However, medicated pediatric OCD patients had lower surface area in frontal regions. Cohen's d effect sizes varied from -0.10 to -0.33. The parietal cortex was consistently implicated in both adults and children with OCD. More widespread cortical thickness abnormalities were found in medicated adult OCD patients, and more pronounced surface area deficits (mainly in frontal regions) were found in medicated pediatric OCD patients. These cortical measures represent distinct morphological features and may be differentially affected during different stages of development and illness, and possibly moderated by disease profile and medication.

Autism spectrum disorder - childhood disintegrative disorder

MedlinePlus

... part of the larger developmental disorder category of autism spectrum disorder . ... American Psychiatric Association. Autism spectrum disorder. ... ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing: 2013;50-59. ...

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brahlek, Matthew; Koirala, Nikesh; Salehi, Maryam

Topological insulators (TI) are a phase of matter that host unusual metallic states on their surfaces. Unlike the states that exist on the surface of conventional materials, these so-called topological surfaces states (TSS) are protected against disorder-related localization effects by time reversal symmetry through strong spin-orbit coupling. By combining transport measurements, angle-resolved photo-emission spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that there exists a critical level of disorder beyond which the TI Bi 2Se 3 loses its ability to protect the metallic TSS and transitions to a fully insulating state. The absence of the metallic surface channels dictates that theremore » is a change in material’s topological character, implying that disorder can lead to a topological phase transition even without breaking the time reversal symmetry. This observation challenges the conventional notion of topologically-protected surface states, and will provoke new studies as to the fundamental nature of topological phase of matter in the presence of disorder.« less

75 FR 51335 - Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Mental Disorders

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-19

... Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).\\3\\ We have also gained considerable adjudicative experience in... ``mild'' range in the current edition of the DSM, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental... sometimes four, parts.\\10\\ The first part of every mental disorder listing is a brief introductory paragraph...

Disorder engineering of undoped TiO2 nanotube arrays for highly efficient solar-driven oxygen evolution.

PubMed

Salari, M; Aboutalebi, S H; Aghassi, A; Wagner, P; Mozer, A J; Wallace, G G

2015-02-28

The trade-off between performance and complexity of the device manufacturing process should be balanced to enable the economic harvest of solar energy. Here, we demonstrate a conceptual, yet practical and well-regulated strategy to achieve efficient solar photocatalytic activity in TiO2 through controlled phase transformation and disorder engineering in the surface layers of TiO2 nanotubes. This approach enabled us to fine-tune the bandgap structure of undoped TiO2 according to our needs while simultaneously obtaining robust separation of photo-excited charge carriers. Introduction of specific surface defects also assisted in utilization of the visible part of sunlight to split water molecules for the production of oxygen. The strategy proposed here can serve as a guideline to overcome the practical limitation in the realization of efficient, non-toxic, chemically stable photoelectrochemical systems with high catalytic activity at neutral pH under visible illumination conditions. We also successfully incorporated TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) with free-based porphyrin affording a pathway with an overall 140% enhanced efficiency, an oxygen evolution rate of 436 μL h(-1) and faradic efficiencies over 100%.

Epidemiological patterns of traumatic musculoskeletal injuries and non-traumatic disorders in Japan Self-Defense Forces.

PubMed

Amako, Masatoshi; Yato, Yoshiyuki; Yoshihara, Yasuo; Arino, Hiroshi; Sasao, Hiroshi; Nemoto, Osamu; Imai, Tomohito; Sugihara, Atsushi; Tsukazaki, Satoshi; Sakurai, Yutaka; Nemoto, Koichi

2018-05-01

The epidemiological patterns of musculoskeletal injuries or disorders in military personnel have not been well documented and a better understanding is required for proper preventative measures and treatment. Here, we investigated musculoskeletal injuries or disorders among members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. All orthopedic patients (n = 22,340) who consulted to Japan Self-Defense Forces Hospitals were investigated for their type of injury or disorder, the injured body part, the mechanism, and the cause of injuries. Thirty-nine percent of the cases were classified as traumatic injuries, and 61% were classified as non-traumatic disorders. Of the traumatic injury patients, the injured body part was the upper extremity in 32%, the trunk in 23%, and the lower extremities in 45% of the cases. The most common injured body location was the knee followed by the hand/finger and ankle. Exercise was the most common cause of injury, followed by traffic accident and military training. Contusions were the most common traumatic injuries, followed by sprains and fractures. Of non-traumatic disorders, the lower extremities were reported as the injured part in 43% of the disorders. Lumbar spine disorders were the most common non-traumatic disorders, followed by tendon and joint disorders. Over one-third of orthopedic cases among members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces are traumatic injuries, with the knee being the body part most commonly injured and exercise being the leading cause of injury.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes due to mutations in ALG2 and ALG14.

PubMed

Cossins, Judith; Belaya, Katsiaryna; Hicks, Debbie; Salih, Mustafa A; Finlayson, Sarah; Carboni, Nicola; Liu, Wei Wei; Maxwell, Susan; Zoltowska, Katarzyna; Farsani, Golara Torabi; Laval, Steven; Seidhamed, Mohammed Zain; Donnelly, Peter; Bentley, David; McGowan, Simon J; Müller, Juliane; Palace, Jacqueline; Lochmüller, Hanns; Beeson, David

2013-03-01

Congenital myasthenic syndromes are a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders that arise from impaired signal transmission at the neuromuscular synapse. They are characterized by fatigable muscle weakness. We performed linkage analysis, whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing to determine the underlying defect in patients with an inherited limb-girdle pattern of myasthenic weakness. We identify ALG14 and ALG2 as novel genes in which mutations cause a congenital myasthenic syndrome. Through analogy with yeast, ALG14 is thought to form a multiglycosyltransferase complex with ALG13 and DPAGT1 that catalyses the first two committed steps of asparagine-linked protein glycosylation. We show that ALG14 is concentrated at the muscle motor endplates and small interfering RNA silencing of ALG14 results in reduced cell-surface expression of muscle acetylcholine receptor expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. ALG2 is an alpha-1,3-mannosyltransferase that also catalyses early steps in the asparagine-linked glycosylation pathway. Mutations were identified in two kinships, with mutation ALG2p.Val68Gly found to severely reduce ALG2 expression both in patient muscle, and in cell cultures. Identification of DPAGT1, ALG14 and ALG2 mutations as a cause of congenital myasthenic syndrome underscores the importance of asparagine-linked protein glycosylation for proper functioning of the neuromuscular junction. These syndromes form part of the wider spectrum of congenital disorders of glycosylation caused by impaired asparagine-linked glycosylation. It is likely that further genes encoding components of this pathway will be associated with congenital myasthenic syndromes or impaired neuromuscular transmission as part of a more severe multisystem disorder. Our findings suggest that treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors may improve muscle function in many of the congenital disorders of glycosylation.

Autism spectrum disorder - Asperger syndrome

MedlinePlus

... part of the larger developmental disorder category of autism spectrum disorder . ... American Psychiatric Association. Autism spectrum disorder. ... VA: American Psychiatric Publishing: 2013;50-59. Raviola GJ, ...

Genetics Home Reference: bipolar disorder

MedlinePlus

... with other common mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia . Understanding the genetics of bipolar disorder and other ... anxiety, and psychotic disorders (such as depression or schizophrenia ). These disorders may run in families in part ...

Surface modification and fatigue behavior of nitinol for load bearing implants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernard, Sheldon A.

Musculoskeletal disorders are recognized amongst the most significant human health problems that exist today. Even though considerable research and development has gone towards understanding musculoskeletal disorders, there is still lack of bone replacement materials that are appropriate for restoring lost structures and functions, particularly for load-bearing applications. Many materials on the market today, such as titanium and stainless steel, suffer from significantly higher modulus than natural bone and low bioactivity leading to stress shielding and implant loosening over longer time use. Nitinol (NiTi) is an equiatomic intermetallic compound of nickel and titanium whose unique biomechanical and biological properties contributed to its increasing use as a biomaterial. An innovative method for creating dense and porous net shape NiTi alloy parts has been developed to improve biological properties while maintaining comparable or better mechanical properties than commercial materials that are currently in use. Laser engineered net shaping (LENS(TM)) and surface electrochemistry modification was used to create dense/porous samples and micro textured surfaces on NiTi parts, respectively. Porous implants are known to promote cell adhesion and have a low elastic modulus, a combination that can significantly increase the life of an implant. However, porosity can significantly reduce the fatigue life of an implant, and very little work has been reported on the fatigue behavior of bulk porous metals, specifically on porous nitinol alloy. High-cycle rotating bending and compression-compression fatigue behavior of porous NiTi fabricated using LENS(TM) were studied. In cyclic compression loading, plastic strain increased with increasing porosity and it was evident that maximum strain was achieved during the first 50000 cycles and remained constant throughout the remaining loading. No failures were observed due to loading up to 150% of the yield strength. When subjected to rotary bending fatigue, samples demonstrated a high tolerance to failure, up to 50% of the yield stress. Using anodization, improvements to the surface wettability were made by lowering the contact angle from 32° to less than 5°, which prove to enhance the bioactivity of the nitinol surface in the cell study. The surface free energy was also calculated to show comparable properties to that of cpTi. Ni ion release was studied over a 8 week duration and found that anodization not only reduces the amount of metal ion release but also decreases the rate of release as well. This work was aimed at understanding the effects of porosity characteristics, microstructure, surface morphology and fatigue behavior of nitinol on its mechanical and biological properties.

Honeybee colony disorder in crop areas: the role of pesticides and viruses.

PubMed

Simon-Delso, Noa; San Martin, Gilles; Bruneau, Etienne; Minsart, Laure-Anne; Mouret, Coralie; Hautier, Louis

2014-01-01

As in many other locations in the world, honeybee colony losses and disorders have increased in Belgium. Some of the symptoms observed rest unspecific and their causes remain unknown. The present study aims to determine the role of both pesticide exposure and virus load on the appraisal of unexplained honeybee colony disorders in field conditions. From July 2011 to May 2012, 330 colonies were monitored. Honeybees, wax, beebread and honey samples were collected. Morbidity and mortality information provided by beekeepers, colony clinical visits and availability of analytical matrix were used to form 2 groups: healthy colonies and colonies with disorders (n = 29, n = 25, respectively). Disorders included: (1) dead colonies or colonies in which part of the colony appeared dead, or had disappeared; (2) weak colonies; (3) queen loss; (4) problems linked to brood and not related to any known disease. Five common viruses and 99 pesticides (41 fungicides, 39 insecticides and synergist, 14 herbicides, 5 acaricides and metabolites) were quantified in the samples.The main symptoms observed in the group with disorders are linked to brood and queens. The viruses most frequently found are Black Queen Cell Virus, Sac Brood Virus, Deformed Wing Virus. No significant difference in virus load was observed between the two groups. Three acaricides, 5 insecticides and 13 fungicides were detected in the analysed samples. A significant correlation was found between the presence of fungicide residues and honeybee colony disorders. A significant positive link could also be established between the observation of disorder and the abundance of crop surface around the beehive. According to our results, the role of fungicides as a potential stressor for honeybee colonies should be further studied, either by their direct and/or indirect impacts on bees and bee colonies.

Honeybee Colony Disorder in Crop Areas: The Role of Pesticides and Viruses

PubMed Central

Simon-Delso, Noa; San Martin, Gilles; Bruneau, Etienne; Minsart, Laure-Anne; Mouret, Coralie; Hautier, Louis

2014-01-01

As in many other locations in the world, honeybee colony losses and disorders have increased in Belgium. Some of the symptoms observed rest unspecific and their causes remain unknown. The present study aims to determine the role of both pesticide exposure and virus load on the appraisal of unexplained honeybee colony disorders in field conditions. From July 2011 to May 2012, 330 colonies were monitored. Honeybees, wax, beebread and honey samples were collected. Morbidity and mortality information provided by beekeepers, colony clinical visits and availability of analytical matrix were used to form 2 groups: healthy colonies and colonies with disorders (n = 29, n = 25, respectively). Disorders included: (1) dead colonies or colonies in which part of the colony appeared dead, or had disappeared; (2) weak colonies; (3) queen loss; (4) problems linked to brood and not related to any known disease. Five common viruses and 99 pesticides (41 fungicides, 39 insecticides and synergist, 14 herbicides, 5 acaricides and metabolites) were quantified in the samples.The main symptoms observed in the group with disorders are linked to brood and queens. The viruses most frequently found are Black Queen Cell Virus, Sac Brood Virus, Deformed Wing Virus. No significant difference in virus load was observed between the two groups. Three acaricides, 5 insecticides and 13 fungicides were detected in the analysed samples. A significant correlation was found between the presence of fungicide residues and honeybee colony disorders. A significant positive link could also be established between the observation of disorder and the abundance of crop surface around the beehive. According to our results, the role of fungicides as a potential stressor for honeybee colonies should be further studied, either by their direct and/or indirect impacts on bees and bee colonies. PMID:25048715

High surface conductivity of Fermi-arc electrons in Weyl semimetals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Resta, Giacomo; Pi, Shu-Ting; Wan, Xiangang; Savrasov, Sergey Y.

2018-02-01

Weyl semimetals (WSMs), a new type of topological condensed matter, are currently attracting great interest due to their unusual electronic states and intriguing transport properties such as chiral anomaly induced negative magnetoresistance, a semiquantized anomalous Hall effect, and the debated chiral magnetic effect. These systems are close cousins of topological insulators (TIs) which are known for their disorder-tolerant surface states. Similarly, WSMs exhibit unique topologically protected Fermi-arc surface states. Here, we analyze electron-phonon scattering, a primary source of resistivity in metals at finite temperatures, as a function of the shape of the Fermi arc where we find that the impact on surface transport is significantly dependent on the arc curvature and disappears in the limit of a straight arc. Next, we discuss the effect of strong surface disorder on the resistivity by numerically simulating a tight-binding model with the presence of quenched surface vacancies using the coherent potential approximation and Kubo-Greenwood formalism. We find that the limit of a straight arc geometry is remarkably disorder tolerant, producing surface conductivity that is one to two orders of magnitude larger than a comparable setup with surface states of TI. This is primarily attributed to a significantly different hybridization strength of the surface states with the remaining electrons in two systems. Finally, a simulation of the effects of surface vacancies on TaAs is presented, illustrating the disorder tolerance of the topological surface states in a recently discovered WSM material.

[The role of shame in development of the mental disorders II. Measurement of shame and relationship].

PubMed

Vizin, Gabriella; Unoka, Zsolt

2015-01-01

Our review is an overview of research literature aimed at evaluating the differential association of shame with various mental disorders. In the first part of this review, we present questionnaire and experimental methods applied in clinical trials for measuring shame. In the second part of our review, we review research that investigated the association between shame, and shame induced behavioral and emotional reactions, as well as the following mental disorders: anxiety disorders (social phobia, PTSD, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, OCD), mood disorders (unipolar depression, bipolar disorder), suicide attempts, self-harm behavior, eating disorders, somatization, personality disorders, aggression, addictions, autism and paranoia. The results of the reviewed studies suggest that this excessive emotional state associated with negative self-esteem on global self plays a central role in mental disorders, although shame is very rarely applied as diagnostic criterion in DSM.

Creativity, mental disorders and their treatment: recovery-oriented psychopharmacotherapy.

PubMed

Jakovljević, Miro

2013-09-01

This paper discusses interrelations between creativity, mental disorders and their treatment. The psychology of creativity is very important for successful psychopharmacotherapy, but our knowledge about creativity is still insufficient. Even that which is known is not within the armamentarium of most practicing psychiatrists. In the first part of this article creativity and possible associations between creativity, mental health, and well-being are described. The second part deals with the intriguing relationship between creativity and mental disorders. The third part emphasizes the role of creativity in the treatment of mental disorders. This paper ends by underlining the importance of a creativity-enhancing oriented, and personal recovery-focused psychopharmacotherapy in helping psychiatric patients achieve fulfilled and purposeful lives.

Differences in the ICD-10 diagnostic subtype of depression in bipolar disorder compared to recurrent depressive disorder.

PubMed

Kessing, Lars Vedel; Jensen, Hans Mørch; Christensen, Ellen Margrethe

2008-01-01

The aim of the study was to investigate whether patients with bipolar depression and patients with recurrent depressive disorder present with different subtypes of depressive episode as according to ICD-10. All patients who got a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder, current episode of depression, or a diagnosis of recurrent depressive disorder, current episode of depression, in a period from 1994 to 2002 at the first outpatient treatment or at the first discharge from psychiatric hospitalization in Denmark were identified in a nationwide register. Totally, 389 patients got a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, current episode of depression, and 5.391 patients got a diagnosis of recurrent depressive disorder, current episode of depression, at first contact. Compared with patients with a diagnosis of recurrent depressive disorder, patients with bipolar disorder, current episode of depression, were significantly less often outpatients (49.4 vs. 68.0%), significantly more often got a diagnosis of severe depression (42.7 vs. 23.3%) or a diagnosis of depression with psychotic symptoms (14.9 vs. 7.2%). The rate of subsequent hospitalization was increased for patients with bipolar disorder, current episode of depression, compared with patients with a current depression as part of a recurrent depressive disorder (HR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.20-1.86). The results consistently indicate that a depressive episode is severer and/or more often associated with psychotic symptoms when it occurs as part of a bipolar disorder than as part of a recurrent depressive disorder.

Deformations of amygdala morphology in familial pediatric bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Kelley, Ryan; Chang, Kiki D; Garrett, Amy; Alegría, Dylan; Thompson, Paul; Howe, Meghan; L Reiss, Allan

2013-11-01

Smaller amygdalar volumes have been consistently observed in pediatric bipolar disorder subjects compared to healthy control subjects. Whether smaller amygdalar volume is a consequence or antecedent of the first episode of mania is not known. Additionally, smaller volume has not been localized to specific amygdala subregions. We compared surface contour maps of the amygdala between 22 youths at high risk for bipolar disorder, 26 youths meeting full diagnostic criteria for pediatric familial bipolar disorder, and 24 healthy control subjects matched for age, gender, and intelligence quotient. Amygdalae were manually delineated on three-dimensional spoiled gradient echo images by a blinded rater using established tracing protocols. Statistical surface mesh modeling algorithms supported by permutation statistics were used to identify regional surface differences between the groups. When compared to high-risk subjects and controls, youth with bipolar disorder showed surface deformations in specific amygdalar subregions, suggesting smaller volume of the basolateral nuclei. The high-risk subjects did not differ from controls in any subregion. These findings support previous reports of smaller amygdala volume in pediatric bipolar disorder and map the location of abnormality to specific amygdala subregions. These subregions have been associated with fear conditioning and emotion-enhanced memory. The absence of amygdala size abnormalities in youth at high risk for bipolar disorder suggests that reductions might occur after the onset of mania. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Thalamic morphology in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

PubMed

Smith, Matthew J; Wang, Lei; Cronenwett, Will; Mamah, Daniel; Barch, Deanna M; Csernansky, John G

2011-03-01

Biomarkers are needed that can distinguish between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder to inform the ongoing debate over the diagnostic boundary between these two disorders. Neuromorphometric abnormalities of the thalamus have been reported in individuals with schizophrenia and linked to core features of the disorder, but have not been similarly investigated in individuals with schizoaffective disorder. In this study, we examine whether individuals with schizoaffective disorder have a pattern of thalamic deformation that is similar or different to the pattern found in individuals with schizophrenia. T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were collected from individuals with schizophrenia (n = 47), individuals with schizoaffective disorder (n = 15), and controls (n = 42). Large-deformation, high-dimensional brain mapping was used to obtain three-dimensional surfaces of the thalamus. Multiple analyses of variance were used to test for group differences in volume and measures of surface shape. Individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder have similar thalamic volumes. Thalamic surface shape deformation associated with schizophrenia suggests selective involvement of the anterior and posterior thalamus, while deformations in mediodorsal and ventrolateral regions were observed in both groups. Schizoaffective disorder had distinct deformations in medial and lateral thalamic regions. Abnormalities distinct to schizoaffective disorder suggest involvement of the central and ventroposterior medial thalamus which may be involved in mood circuitry, dorsolateral nucleus which is involved in recall processing, and the lateral geniculate nucleus which is involved in visual processing. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thalamic Morphology in Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder

PubMed Central

Smith, Matthew J.; Wang, Lei; Cronenwett, Will; Mamah, Daniel; Barch, Deanna M.; Csernansky, John G.

2010-01-01

Background Biomarkers are needed that can distinguish between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder to inform the ongoing debate over the diagnostic boundary between these two disorders. Neuromorphometric abnormalities of the thalamus have been reported in individuals with schizophrenia and linked to core features of the disorder, but have not been similarly investigated in individuals with schizoaffective disorder. In this study, we examine whether individuals with schizoaffective disorder have a pattern of thalamic deformation that is similar or different to the pattern found in individuals with schizophrenia. Method T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were collected from individuals with schizophrenia (n=47), individuals with schizoaffective disorder (n=15), and controls (n=42). Large-deformation, high-dimensional brain mapping was used to obtain three-dimensional surfaces of the thalamus. Multiple analyses of variance were used to test for group differences in volume and measures of surface shape. Results Individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder have similar thalamic volumes. Thalamic surface shape deformation associated with schizophrenia suggests selective involvement of the anterior and posterior thalamus, while deformations in mediodorsal and ventrolateral regions were observed in both groups. Schizoaffective disorder had distinct deformations in medial and lateral thalamic regions. Conclusions Abnormalities distinct to schizoaffective disorder suggest involvement of the central and ventroposterior medial thalamus which may be involved in mood circuitry, dorsolateral nucleus which is involved in recall processing, and the lateral geniculate nucleus which is involved in visual processing. PMID:20797731

Restorative Rehabilitation of a Patient with Dental Erosion

PubMed Central

AlShahrani, Mohammed Thamer; Alqarni, Mohammed

2017-01-01

Dental erosion is the chemical dissolution of the tooth structure. Factors like eating disorders and gastrointestinal diseases are recognized as intrinsic factors for dental erosion. Advanced stages of dental erosion extensively damage the tooth morphology, consequently affecting both esthetics and functions. Reports indicate the growing prevalence of erosion, and hence knowledge of restorative rehabilitation of tooth erosion is an integral part of the contemporary dental practice. This clinical report describes an adult patient with gastroesophageal reflux induced dental erosion involving the palatal surface of the maxillary anterior teeth. The extensive involvement of the palatal surfaces compromised the esthetics, incisal guidance, and functional occlusal efficiency. Indirect all-ceramic restorations were utilized to restore the esthetics and occlusal reconstruction. In conclusion, patients affected by severe dental erosion require prosthetic rehabilitation besides the management of the associated medical condition. PMID:28828189

Restorative Rehabilitation of a Patient with Dental Erosion.

PubMed

AlShahrani, Mohammed Thamer; Haralur, Satheesh B; Alqarni, Mohammed

2017-01-01

Dental erosion is the chemical dissolution of the tooth structure. Factors like eating disorders and gastrointestinal diseases are recognized as intrinsic factors for dental erosion. Advanced stages of dental erosion extensively damage the tooth morphology, consequently affecting both esthetics and functions. Reports indicate the growing prevalence of erosion, and hence knowledge of restorative rehabilitation of tooth erosion is an integral part of the contemporary dental practice. This clinical report describes an adult patient with gastroesophageal reflux induced dental erosion involving the palatal surface of the maxillary anterior teeth. The extensive involvement of the palatal surfaces compromised the esthetics, incisal guidance, and functional occlusal efficiency. Indirect all-ceramic restorations were utilized to restore the esthetics and occlusal reconstruction. In conclusion, patients affected by severe dental erosion require prosthetic rehabilitation besides the management of the associated medical condition.

Nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy of surfactants at liquid interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miranda, Paulo Barbeitas

Surfactants are widely used to modify physical and chemical properties of interfaces. They play an important role in many technological problems. Surfactant monolayers are also of great scientific interest because they are two-dimensional systems that may exhibit a very rich phase transition behavior and can also be considered as a model system for biological interfaces. In this Thesis, we use a second-order nonlinear optical technique (Sum-Frequency Generation - SFG) to obtain vibrational spectra of surfactant monolayers at liquid/vapor and solid/liquid interfaces. The technique has several advantages: it is intrinsically surface-specific, can be applied to buried interfaces, has submonolayer sensitivity and is remarkably sensitive to the conformational order of surfactant monolayers. The first part of the Thesis is concerned with surfactant monolayers at the air/water interface (Langmuir films). Surface crystallization of an alcohol Langmuir film and of liquid alkanes are studied and their phase transition behaviors are found to be of different nature, although driven by similar intermolecular interactions. The effect of crystalline order of Langmuir monolayers on the interfacial water structure is also investigated. It is shown that water forms a well-ordered hydrogen-bonded network underneath an alcohol monolayer, in contrast to a fatty acid monolayer which induces a more disordered structure. In the latter case, ionization of the monolayer becomes more significant with increase of the water pH value, leading to an electric-field-induced ordering of interfacial water molecules. We also show that the orientation and conformation of fairly complicated molecules in a Langmuir monolayer can be completely mapped out using a combination of SFG and second harmonic generation (SHG). For a quantitative analysis of molecular orientation at an interface, local-field corrections must be included. The second part is a study of self-assembled surfactant monolayers at the solid/liquid interface. It is shown that the conformation of a monolayer adsorbed onto a solid substrate and immersed in a liquid is highly dependent on the monolayer surface density and on the nature of intermolecular interactions in the liquid. Fully packed monolayers are well ordered in any environment due to strong surfactant-surfactant interactions and limited liquid penetration into the monolayer. In contrast, loosely packed monolayers are very sensitive to the liquid environment. Non-polar liquids cause a mild increase in the surfactant conformational disorder. Polar liquids induce more disorder and hydrogen-bonding liquids produce highly disordered conformations due to the hydrophobic effect. When immersed in alkanes, under certain conditions the surfactant chains may become highly ordered due to their interaction with the liquid molecules (chain-chain interaction). In the case of long-chain alcohols, competition between the hydrophobic effect and chain-chain interaction is observed.

Schedule for personality assessment from notes and documents (SPAN-DOC): Preliminary validation, links to the ICD-11 classification of personality disorder, and use in eating disorders.

PubMed

Kim, Youl-Ri; Tyrer, Peter; Lee, Hong-Seock; Kim, Sung-Gon; Connan, Frances; Kinnaird, Emma; Olajide, Kike; Crawford, Mike

2016-05-01

The underlying core of personality is insufficiently assessed by any single instrument. This has led to the development of instruments adapted for written records in the assessment of personality disorder. To test the construct validity and inter-rater reliability of a new personality assessment method. This study (four parts) assessed the construct validity of the Schedule for Personality Assessment from Notes and Documents (SPAN-DOC), a dimensional assessment from clinical records. We examined inter-rater reliability using case vignettes (Part 1) and convergent validity in three ways: by comparison with NEO Five-Factor Inventory in 130 Korean patients (Part 2), with agreed ICD-11 personality severity levels in two populations (Part 3) and determining its use in assessing the personality status in 90 British patients with eating disorders (Part 4). Internal consistency (alpha = .90) and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ .88) were satisfactory. Each factor in the five-factor model of personality was correlated with conceptually valid SPAN-DOC variables. The SPAN-DOC domain traits in those with eating disorders were categorized into 3 clusters: self-aggrandisement, emotionally unstable, and anxious/dependent. This study provides preliminary support for the usefulness of SPAN-DOC in the assessment of personality disorder. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5): Development and First Psychometric Evidence of a New Scale for Assessing Anxiety Disorders Symptoms of Children and Adolescents.

PubMed

Muris, Peter; Simon, Ellin; Lijphart, Hester; Bos, Arjan; Hale, William; Schmeitz, Kelly

2017-02-01

The Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5) is a new self- and parent-report questionnaire to assess anxiety disorder symptoms in children and adolescents in terms of the contemporary classification system. International panels of childhood anxiety researchers and clinicians were used to construct a scale consisting of two parts: part one consists of 28 items and measures the major anxiety disorders including separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, whereas part two contains 22 items that focus on specific phobias and (given its overlap with situational phobias) agoraphobia. In general, the face validity of the new scale was good; most of its items were successfully linked to the intended anxiety disorders. Notable exceptions were the selective mutism items, which were frequently considered as symptoms of social anxiety disorder, and some specific phobia items especially of the natural environment, situational and other type, that were regularly assigned to an incorrect category. A preliminary investigation of the YAM-5 in non-clinical (N = 132) and clinically referred (N = 64) children and adolescents indicated that the measure was easy to complete by youngsters. In addition, support was found for the psychometric qualities of the measure: that is, the internal consistency was good for both parts, as well as for most of the subscales, the parent-child agreement appeared satisfactory, and there was also evidence for the validity of the scale. The YAM-5 holds promise as a tool for assessing anxiety disorder symptoms in children and adolescents.

The nature of the association between childhood ADHD and the development of bipolar disorder: a review of prospective high-risk studies.

PubMed

Duffy, Anne

2012-12-01

The author reviewed prospective longitudinal studies of the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder to inform our understanding of the nature of the association between childhood ADHD and the risk of developing bipolar disorder in adolescence and young adulthood. A literature review of published prospective cohort studies of the offspring of bipolar parents since 1985 was undertaken using a comprehensive search strategy in several electronic databases. The author provides a qualitative synthesis of results focusing on ADHD and the association with bipolar disorder in prospectively assessed high-risk offspring. These results are discussed in light of findings from other prospective epidemiological and clinical cohort studies. From the reviewed high-risk studies, evidence suggests that the clinical diagnosis of childhood ADHD is not a reliable predictor of the development of bipolar disorder. However, the author found evidence that symptoms of inattention may be part of a mixed clinical presentation during the early stages of evolving bipolar disorder in high-risk offspring, appearing alongside anxiety and depressive symptoms. The author also found preliminary evidence that childhood ADHD may form part of a neurodevelopmental phenotype in offspring at risk for developing a subtype of bipolar disorder unresponsive to lithium stabilization. While childhood ADHD does not appear to be part of the typical developmental illness trajectory of bipolar disorder, subjective problems with attention can form part of the early course, while neurodevelopmental abnormalities may be antecedents in a subgroup of high-risk children.

The use of surface electromyography as a tool in differentiating temporomandibular disorders from neck disorders.

PubMed

Ferrario, Virgilio F; Tartaglia, Gianluca M; Luraghi, Francesca E; Sforza, Chiarella

2007-11-01

The aim of this study was to assess the electromyographic characteristics of the masticatory muscles (masseter and temporalis) of patients with either "temporomandibular joint disorder" or "neck pain". Surface electromyography of the right and left masseter and temporalis muscles was performed during maximum teeth clenching in 38 patients aged 21-67 years who had either (a) temporomandibular joint disorder (24 patients); (b) "neck pain" (13 patients). Ninety-five control, healthy subjects were also examined. During clenching, standardized total muscle activities (electromyographic potentials over time) were significantly different in the three groups: 75 microV/microVs% in the temporomandibular joint disorder patients, 124 microV/microVs% in the neck pain patients, and 95 microV/microVs% in the control subjects (analysis of variance, P<0.001). The temporomandibular joint disorder patients also had significantly (P<0.001) more asymmetric muscle potentials (78%) than either neck pain patients (87%) or control subjects (92%). A linear discriminant function analysis allowed a significant separation between the two patient groups, with a single patient error of 18.2%. Surface electromyographic analysis during clenching allowed to differentiate between patients with a temporomandibular joint disorder and patients with a neck pain problem.

Sucrose esters as biocompatible surfactants for penetration enhancement: An insight into the mechanism of penetration enhancement studied using stratumcorneum model lipids and Langmuir monolayers.

PubMed

Todosijević, Marija N; Brezesinski, Gerald; Savić, Snežana D; Neubert, Reinhard H H

2017-03-01

Up to now, the molecular mechanism of the penetration enhancing effect of sucrose esters (SEs) on stratumcorneum (SC) has not been explained in details. In this study, variety of surface sensitive techniques, including surface pressure-area (π-A) isotherms, infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), have been used to investigate interactions between SEs and SC intercellular lipids. A monolayer of the mixture of ceramide AS C18:18, stearic acid and cholesterol in the molar ratio of 1:1:0.7 on an aqueous subphase is a good model to mimic a single layer of intercellular SC lipids. The π-A isotherms of mixed monolayers and parameters derived from the curves demonstrated the interaction between nonionic surfactants such as SEs and SC lipids. With increasing SE concentration, the resultant monolayer films became more fluid and better compressible. IRRAS measurements showed that SEs disordered the acyl chains of SC lipids, and the BAM images demonstrated the modification of the domain structures in SC monolayers. Longer chain-SE has a stronger disordering effect and is better miscible with ceramides in comparison to SE with a shorter hydrophobic part. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the disordering effect of SEs on the biomimetic SC model, pointing out that small changes in the structure of surfactant may have a strong influence on a penetration enhancement of lipophilic drugs through intercellular lipids of skin. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of cigarette smoking on cortical thickness in major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Zorlu, Nabi; Cropley, Vanessa Louise; Zorlu, Pelin Kurtgoz; Delibas, Dursun Hakan; Adibelli, Zehra Hilal; Baskin, Emel Pasa; Esen, Özgür Sipahi; Bora, Emre; Pantelis, Christos

2017-01-01

Findings of surface-based morphometry studies in major depressive disorder (MDD) are still inconsistent. Given that cigarette smoking is highly prevalent in MDD and has documented negative effects on the brain, it is possible that some of the inconsistencies may be partly explained by cigarette use. The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of cigarette smoking on brain structure in MDD. 50 MDD patients (25 smokers and 25 non-smokers) and 22 age, education, gender and BMI matched non-smoker healthy controls underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. Thickness and area of the cortex were measured using surface-based morphometry implemented with Freesurfer (v5.3.0). The non-smoker MDD patients had significantly increased cortical thickness, including in the left temporal cortex (p < 0.001), right insular cortex (p = 0.033) and left pre- and postcentral gyrus (p = 0.045), compared to healthy controls. We also found decreased cortical thickness in MDD patients who smoked compared to non-smoking patients in regions that overlapped with the regions found to be increased in non-smoking patients in comparison to controls. Non-smoker MDD patients had increased surface area in the right lateral occipital cortex (p = 0.009). We did not find any region where cortical thickness or surface area significantly differed between controls and either smoker MDD patients or all MDD patients. The findings of the current study suggest that cigarette smoking is associated with cortical thinning in regions found to be increased in patients with MDD. However, these results should be considered preliminary due to methodological limitations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural disorder in the decagonal Al-Co-Ni. I. Patterson analysis of diffuse x-ray scattering data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kobas, Miroslav; Weber, Thomas; Steurer, Walter

The three-dimensional (3D) difference Patterson (autocorrelation) function of a disordered quasicrystal (Edagawa phase) has been analyzed. 3D diffuse x-ray diffraction data were collected in situ at 300, 1070, and 1120 K. A method, the punch-and-fill technique, has been developed for separating diffuse scattering and Bragg reflections. Its potential and limits are discussed in detail. The different Patterson maps are interpreted in terms of intercluster correlations as a function of temperature. Both at high and low temperatures, the clusters decorate the vertices of the same quasiperiodic covering. At low temperatures, for the disordered part of the structure, short-range intercluster correlations aremore » present, whereas at higher temperatures, medium-range intercluster correlations are formed. This indicates disorder mainly inside clusters at low temperatures, whereas at higher temperatures disorder takes place inside larger superclusters. Qualitatively, the Patterson maps may be interpreted by intercluster correlations mainly inside pentagonal superclusters below 1120 K, and inside the larger decagonal superclusters at 1120 K. The results of our diffraction study are published in two parts. Part I focuses on the 3D Patterson analysis based on experimental data, Part II reports modeling of structural disorder in decagonal Al-Co-Ni.« less

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: What an Educator Needs to Know

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chaturvedi, Amrita; Murdick, Nikki L.; Gartin, Barbara C.

2014-01-01

The presence of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) impairs social, emotional and academic functioning. Individuals with OCD may have co-morbid disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, or Tourette syndrome. Challenges occur when students with OCD become a part of the general education…

Use of cortical stimulation in neuropathic pain, tinnitus, depression, and movement disorders.

PubMed

Panov, Fedor; Kopell, Brian Harris

2014-07-01

Medical treatment must strike a balance between benefit and risk. As the field of neuromodulation develops, decreased invasiveness, in combination with maintenance of efficacy, has become a goal. We provide a review of the history of cortical stimulation from its origins to the current state. The first part discusses neuropathic pain and the nonpharmacological treatment options used. The second part covers transitions to tinnitus, believed by many to be another deafferentation disorder, its classification, and treatment. The third part focuses on major depression. The fourth section concludes with the discussion of the use of cortical stimulation in movement disorders. Each part discusses the development of the field, describes the current care protocols, and suggests future avenues for research needed to advance neuromodulation.

Biological markers for anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD: A consensus statement. Part II: Neurochemistry, neurophysiology and neurocognition

PubMed Central

Bandelow, Borwin; Baldwin, David; Abelli, Marianna; Bolea-Alamanac, Blanca; Bourin, Michel; Chamberlain, Samuel R.; Cinosi, Eduardo; Davies, Simon; Domschke, Katharina; Fineberg, Naomi; Grünblatt, Edna; Jarema, Marek; Kim, Yong-Ku; Maron, Eduard; Masdrakis, Vasileios; Mikova, Olya; Nutt, David; Pallanti, Stefano; Pini, Stefano; Ströhle, Andreas; Thibaut, Florence; Vaghix, Matilde M.; Won, Eunsoo; Wedekind, Dirk; Wichniak, Adam; Woolley, Jade; Zwanzger, Peter; Riederer, Peter

2017-01-01

Objective Biomarkers are defined as anatomical, biochemical or physiological traits that are specific to certain disorders or syndromes. The objective of this paper is to summarise the current knowledge of biomarkers for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods Findings in biomarker research were reviewed by a task force of international experts in the field, consisting of members of the World Federation of Societies for Biological Psychiatry Task Force on Biological Markers and of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Anxiety Disorders Research Network. Results The present article (Part II) summarises findings on potential biomarkers in neurochemistry (neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine or GABA, neuropeptides such as cholecystokinin, neurokinins, atrial natriuretic peptide, or oxytocin, the HPA axis, neurotrophic factors such as NGF and BDNF, immunology and CO2 hypersensitivity), neurophysiology (EEG, heart rate variability) and neurocognition. The accompanying paper (Part I) focuses on neuroimaging and genetics. Conclusions Although at present, none of the putative biomarkers is sufficient and specific as a diagnostic tool, an abundance of high quality research has accumulated that should improve our understanding of the neurobiological causes of anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD. PMID:27419272

Extensions to the Speech Disorders Classification System (SDCS)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shriberg, Lawrence D.; Fourakis, Marios; Hall, Sheryl D.; Karlsson, Heather B.; Lohmeier, Heather L.; McSweeny, Jane L.; Potter, Nancy L.; Scheer-Cohen, Alison R.; Strand, Edythe A.; Tilkens, Christie M.; Wilson, David L.

2010-01-01

This report describes three extensions to a classification system for paediatric speech sound disorders termed the Speech Disorders Classification System (SDCS). Part I describes a classification extension to the SDCS to differentiate motor speech disorders from speech delay and to differentiate among three sub-types of motor speech disorders.…

Biological restoration of central nervous system architecture and function: part 3-stem cell- and cell-based applications and realities in the biological management of central nervous system disorders: traumatic, vascular, and epilepsy disorders.

PubMed

Farin, Azadeh; Liu, Charles Y; Langmoen, Iver A; Apuzzo, Michael L J

2009-11-01

STEM CELL THERAPY has emerged as a promising novel therapeutic endeavor for traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, and epilepsy in experimental studies. A few preliminary clinical trials have further supported its safety and early efficacy after transplantation into humans. Although not yet clinically available for central nervous system disorders, stem cell technology is expected to evolve into one of the most powerful tools in the biological management of complex central nervous system disorders, many of which currently have limited treatment modalities. The identification of stem cells, discovery of neurogenesis, and application of stem cells to treat central nervous system disorders represent a dramatic evolution and expansion of the neurosurgeon's capabilities into the neurorestoration and neuroregeneration realms. In Part 3 of a 5-part series on stem cells, we discuss the theory, experimental evidence, and clinical data pertaining to the use of stem cells for the treatment of traumatic, vascular, and epileptic disorders.

Fibromyalgia: A Critical and Comprehensive Review.

PubMed

Borchers, Andrea T; Gershwin, M Eric

2015-10-01

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is part of a spectrum of syndromes that lack precise classification. It is often considered as part of the global overview of functional somatic syndromes that are otherwise medically unexplained or part of a somatization disorder. Patients with fibromyalgia share symptoms with other functional somatic problems, including issues of myalgias, arthralgias, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Indeed, there is often diagnostic and classification overlap for the case definitions of a variety of somatization disorders. Fibromyalgia, however, is a critically important syndrome for physicians and scientists to be aware of. Patients should be taken very seriously and provided optimal care. Although inflammatory, infectious, and autoimmune disorders have all been ascribed to be etiological events in the development of fibromyalgia, there is very little data to support such a thesis. Many of these disorders are associated with depression and anxiety and may even be part of what has been sometimes called affected spectrum disorders. There is no evidence that physical trauma, i.e., automobile accidents, is associated with the development or exacerbation of fibromyalgia. Treatment should be placed on education, patient support, physical therapy, nutrition, and exercise, including the use of drugs that are approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Treatment should not include opiates and patients should not become poly pharmacies in which the treatment itself can lead to significant morbidities. Patients with fibromyalgia are living and not dying of this disorder and positive outlooks and family support are key elements in the management of patients.

The relationship between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder

PubMed Central

Zimmerman, Mark; Morgan, Theresa A.

2013-01-01

It is clinically important to recognize both bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) in patients seeking treatment for depression, and it is important to distinguish between the two. Research considering whether BPD should be considered part of a bipolar spectrum reaches differing conclusions. We reviewed the most studied question on the relationship between BPD and bipolar disorder: their diagnostic concordance. Across studies, approximately 10% of patients with BPD had bipolar I disorder and another 10% had bipolar II disorder. Likewise, approximately 20% of bipolar II patients were diagnosed with BPD, though only 10% of bipolar I patients were diagnosed with BPD. While the comorbidity rates are substantial, each disorder is nontheless diagnosed in the absence of the other in the vast majority of cases (80% to 90%). In studies examining personality disorders broadly, other personality disorders were more commonly diagnosed in bipolar patients than was BPD. Likewise, the converse is also true: other axis I disorders such as major depression, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder are also more commonly diagnosed in patients with BPD than is bipolar disorder. These findings challenge the notion that BPD is part of the bipolar spectrum. PMID:24174890

A Place for Sexual Dysfunctions in an Empirical Taxonomy of Psychopathology

PubMed Central

Forbes, Miriam K.; Baillie, Andrew J.; Eaton, Nicholas R.; Krueger, Robert F.

2017-01-01

Sexual dysfunctions commonly co-occur with various depressive and anxiety disorders. An emerging framework for understanding the classification of mental disorders suggests that such comorbidity is a manifestation of underlying dimensions of psychopathology (or “spectra”). In this review, we synthesize the evidence that sexual dysfunctions should be included in the empirical taxonomy of psychopathology as part of the internalizing spectrum, which accounts for comorbidity among the depressive and anxiety disorders. The review has four parts. Part 1 summarizes the empirical basis and utility of the empirical taxonomy of psychopathology. Part 2 reviews the prima facie evidence for the hypothesis that sexual dysfunctions are part of the internalizing spectrum (i.e., high rates of comorbidity; shared cognitive, affective, and temperament characteristics; common neural substrates and biomarkers; shared course and treatment response; and the lack of causal relationships between them). Part 3 critically analyzes and integrates the results of the eight studies that have addressed this hypothesis. Finally, Part 4 examines the implications of reconceptualizing sexual dysfunctions as part of the internalizing spectrum, and explores avenues for future research. PMID:28121167

A Place for Sexual Dysfunctions in an Empirical Taxonomy of Psychopathology.

PubMed

Forbes, Miriam K; Baillie, Andrew J; Eaton, Nicholas R; Krueger, Robert F

Sexual dysfunctions commonly co-occur with various depressive and anxiety disorders. An emerging framework for understanding the classification of mental disorders suggests that such comorbidity is a manifestation of underlying dimensions of psychopathology (or "spectra"). In this review, we synthesize the evidence that sexual dysfunctions should be included in the empirical taxonomy of psychopathology as part of the internalizing spectrum, which accounts for comorbidity among the depressive and anxiety disorders. The review has four parts. Part 1 summarizes the empirical basis and utility of the empirical taxonomy of psychopathology. Part 2 reviews the prima facie evidence for the hypothesis that sexual dysfunctions are part of the internalizing spectrum (i.e., high rates of comorbidity; shared cognitive, affective, and temperament characteristics; common neural substrates and biomarkers; shared course and treatment response; and the lack of causal relationships between them). Part 3 critically analyzes and integrates the results of the eight studies that have addressed this hypothesis. Finally, Part 4 examines the implications of reconceptualizing sexual dysfunctions as part of the internalizing spectrum, and explores avenues for future research.

Surface-based brain morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging in schizoaffective disorder.

PubMed

Landin-Romero, Ramón; Canales-Rodríguez, Erick J; Kumfor, Fiona; Moreno-Alcázar, Ana; Madre, Mercè; Maristany, Teresa; Pomarol-Clotet, Edith; Amann, Benedikt L

2017-01-01

The profile of grey matter abnormalities and related white-matter pathology in schizoaffective disorder has only been studied to a limited extent. The aim of this study was to identify grey- and white-matter abnormalities in patients with schizoaffective disorder using complementary structural imaging techniques. Forty-five patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition criteria and Research Diagnostic Criteria for schizoaffective disorder and 45 matched healthy controls underwent structural-T1 and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging to enable surface-based brain morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging analyses. Analyses were conducted to determine group differences in cortical volume, cortical thickness and surface area, as well as in fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. At a threshold of p = 0.05 corrected, all measures revealed significant differences between patients and controls at the group level. Spatial overlap of abnormalities was observed across the various structural neuroimaging measures. In grey matter, patients with schizoaffective disorder showed abnormalities in the frontal and temporal lobes, striatum, fusiform, cuneus, precuneus, lingual and limbic regions. White-matter abnormalities were identified in tracts connecting these areas, including the corpus callosum, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi, anterior thalamic radiation, uncinate fasciculus and cingulum bundle. The spatial overlap of abnormalities across the different imaging techniques suggests widespread and consistent brain pathology in schizoaffective disorder. The abnormalities were mainly detected in areas that have commonly been reported to be abnormal in schizophrenia, and to some extent in bipolar disorder, which may explain the clinical and aetiological overlap in these disorders.

Proposed changes in personality and personality disorder assessment and diagnosis for DSM-5 Part I: Description and rationale.

PubMed

Skodol, Andrew E; Clark, Lee Anna; Bender, Donna S; Krueger, Robert F; Morey, Leslie C; Verheul, Roel; Alarcon, Renato D; Bell, Carl C; Siever, Larry J; Oldham, John M

2011-01-01

A major reconceptualization of personality psychopathology has been proposed for DSM-5 that identifies core impairments in personality functioning, pathological personality traits, and prominent pathological personality types. A comprehensive personality assessment consists of four components: levels of personality functioning, personality disorder types, pathological personality trait domains and facets, and general criteria for personality disorder. This four-part assessment focuses attention on identifying personality psychopathology with increasing degrees of specificity, based on a clinician's available time, information, and expertise. In Part I of this two-part article, we describe the components of the new model and present brief theoretical and empirical rationales for each. In Part II, we will illustrate the clinical application of the model with vignettes of patients with varying degrees of personality psychopathology, to show how assessments might be conducted and diagnoses reached.

Etiology, pathogenesis, and therapy according to Pierre Janet concerning conversion disorders and dissociative disorders.

PubMed

Bühler, Karl-Ernst; Heim, Gerhard

2011-01-01

Pierre Janet's works on conversion disorders or dissociative disorders has mainly fallen to the wayside in favour of Freud's works. In the first part of this paper, Janet's conception of hysteria is discussed and his place in French psychiatry described. Different aspects of Janet's diathesis-stress approach are presented (particularly the pathogenic concept of fixed ideas), which refer not only to a conception of hysteria but also to traumatic (stress) disorders and other psychological disturbances. The second part of the paper details the varieties of Janetian therapeutic treatments of these disorders: the "liquidation" of fixed ideas by hypnosis and suggestion, confrontation techniques, which resemble contemporary cognitive behavioural approaches, and special cognitive ("logagogic") interventions. Finally, we discuss the various treatment strategies based on psychoeconomic considerations such as physical or psycho-phyical therapies, psychoeducation, treatment through rest, and simplification of life for dealing with basic disturbances of psychic disorders.

38 CFR 3.384 - Psychosis.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

....384 Psychosis. For purposes of this part, the term “psychosis” means any of the following disorders listed in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR): (a) Brief Psychotic Disorder; (b) Delusional Disorder; (c...

Narcotic Bowel Syndrome

MedlinePlus

... Disorders Motility Disorders Working with Your Doctor Successful relationships with healthcare providers are an important part of managing life with a long-term digestive disorder. Doctor–Patient Communication How to Help Your Doctor Help You ...

Inherited disorders in the Afrikaner population of southern Africa. Part II. Skeletal, dermal and haematological conditions; the Afrikaners of Gamkaskloof; demographic considerations.

PubMed

Botha, M C; Beighton, P

1983-10-15

In addition to the genetic conditions reviewed in Part I of this article, sclerosteosis, spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia, lipoid proteinosis, keratolytic winter erythema and various haematological disorders also occur in high frequency in the Afrikaner community. The recognition of the presence of these serious inherited disorders is important in differential diagnosis and is fundamental to the establishment of public health programmes for amelioration and prevention.

Disorder-driven metal-insulator-transition assisted by interband Coulomb repulsion in a surface transfer doped electron system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Francisco Sánchez-Royo, Juan

2012-12-01

The two-dimensional conducting properties of the Si(111) \\sqrt {3} \\times \\sqrt {3} surface doped by the charge surface transfer mechanism have been calculated in the frame of a semiclassical Drude-Boltzmann model considering donor scattering mechanisms. To perform these calculations, the required values of the carrier effective mass were extracted from reported angle-resolved photoemission results. The calculated doping dependence of the surface conductance reproduces experimental results reported and reveals an intricate metallization process driven by disorder and assisted by interband interactions. The system should behave as an insulator even at relatively low doping due to disorder. However, when doping increases, the system achieves to attenuate the inherent localization effects introduced by disorder and to conduct by percolation. The mechanism found by the system to conduct appears to be connected with the increasing of the carrier effective mass observed with doping, which seems to be caused by interband interactions involving the conducting band and deeper ones. This mass enhancement reduces the donor Bohr radius and, consequently, promotes the screening ability of the donor potential by the electron gas.

Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, part 2: a review of clinical studies with supporting preclinical evidence.

PubMed

Sarris, Jerome; McIntyre, Erica; Camfield, David A

2013-04-01

Research in the area of herbal psychopharmacology has revealed a variety of promising medicines that may provide benefit in the treatment of general anxiety and specific anxiety disorders. However, a comprehensive review of plant-based anxiolytics has been absent to date. Thus, our aim was to provide a comprehensive narrative review of plant-based medicines that have clinical and/or preclinical evidence of anxiolytic activity. We present the article in two parts. In part one, we reviewed herbal medicines for which only preclinical investigations for anxiolytic activity have been performed. In this current article (part two), we review herbal medicines for which there have been both preclinical and clinical investigations of anxiolytic activity. A search of MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, Scopus and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted (up to 28 October 2012) for English language papers using the search terms 'anxiety' OR 'anxiety disorder' OR 'generalized anxiety disorder' OR 'social phobia' OR 'post-traumatic stress disorder' OR 'panic disorder' OR 'agoraphobia' OR 'obsessive compulsive disorder' in combination with the search terms 'Herb*' OR 'Medicinal Plants' OR 'Botanical Medicine' OR 'Chinese herb*', in addition to individual herbal medicines. This search of the literature revealed 1,525 papers, of which 53 plants were included in the review (having at least one study using the whole plant extract). Of these plants, 21 had human clinical trial evidence (reviewed here in part two), with the other 32 having solely preclinical evidence (reviewed in part one). Support for efficacy was found for chronic use (i.e. greater than one day) of the following herbs in treating a range of anxiety disorders in human clinical trials: Piper methysticum, Matricaria recutita, Ginkgo biloba, Scutellaria lateriflora, Silybum marianum, Passiflora incarnata, Withania somniferum, Galphimia glauca, Centella asiatica, Rhodiola rosea, Echinacea spp., Melissa officinalis and Echium amoenum. For several of the plants studied, conclusions need to be tempered due to methodological issues such as small sample sizes, brief intervention durations and non-replication. Current evidence does not support Hypericum perforatum or Valeriana spp. for any anxiety disorder. Acute anxiolytic activity was found for Centella asiatica, Salvia spp., Melissa officinalis, Passiflora incarnata and Citrus aurantium. Bacopa monnieri has shown anxiolytic effects in people with cognitive decline. The therapeutic application of psychotropic plant-based treatments for anxiety disorders is also discussed, specifically Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caarti (ayahuasca), Psilocybe spp. and cannabidiol-enriched (low tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC)) Cannabis spp.

Model non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of heat transfer from a hot gold surface to an alkylthiolate self-assembled monolayer.

PubMed

Zhang, Yue; Barnes, George L; Yan, Tianying; Hase, William L

2010-05-07

Model non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are presented of heat transfer from a hot Au {111} substrate to an alkylthiolate self-assembled monolayer (H-SAM) to assist in obtaining an atomic-level understanding of experiments by Wang et al. (Z. Wang, J. A. Carter, A. Lagutchev, Y. K. Koh, N.-H. Seong, D. G. Cahill, and D. D. Dlott, Science, 2007, 317, 787). Different models are considered to determine how they affect the heat transfer dynamics. They include temperature equilibrated (TE) and temperature gradient (TG) thermostat models for the Au(s) surface, and soft and stiff S/Au(s) models for bonding of the S-atoms to the Au(s) surface. A detailed analysis of the non-equilibrium heat transfer at the heterogeneous interface is presented. There is a short time temperature gradient within the top layers of the Au(s) surface. The S-atoms heat rapidly, much faster than do the C-atoms in the alkylthiolate chains. A high thermal conductivity in the H-SAM, perpendicular to the interface, results in nearly identical temperatures for the CH(2) and CH(3) groups versus time. Thermal-induced disorder is analyzed for the Au(s) substrate, the S/Au(s) interface and the H-SAM. Before heat transfer occurs from the hot Au(s) substrate to the H-SAM, there is disorder at the S/Au(s) interface and within the alkylthiolate chains arising from heat-induced disorder near the surface of hot Au(s). The short-time rapid heating of the S-atoms enhances this disorder. The increasing disorder of H-SAM chains with time results from both disorder at the Au/S interface and heat transfer to the H-SAM chains.

Interfacial Engineering of Inorganic Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samiee, Mojtaba

Since the micrometer-sized bulk materials have reached their inherent limits, development of new materials with high performance is essential for low cost and environmentally friendly electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. One approach is to take advantage of interfacial engineering in order to modify currently developed materials, thus improving their properties for specific applications. The advantage of interfacial engineering is that it can also be applied to newly developed materials to further improve their properties for the specific applications. In first part of this dissertation, a systematic study is performed to investigate the effect of annealing in reducing atmospheres with different oxygen partial pressures and presence of other species (Ar, H2, N2, vacuum or hydrocarbon) on visible-light photocatalytic activity of TiO2. In second part, a facile nitridation method is used to improve the rate capability of TiO 2 as anode material for Li ion batteries. The enhanced high-rate capacities are attributed to moderate surface nitridation with less-disordered nitridated regions, which may enhance the surface electronic conductivity without forming discrete, nanoscale, and surface amorphous films to block the lithium transport. In third part, pseudocapacitive properties of V2O5-based adsorbates supported on TiO2 nanoparticles is systematically measured. Surface amorphous films (SAFs), which form naturally at thermodynamic equilibria at 550-600 °C with self-regulating or "equilibrium" thicknesses on the order of 1 nm, exhibit superior electrochemical performance at moderate and high scan rates (20-500 mV/s) that are of prime importance for supercapacitor applications, as compared with submonolayer and monolayer adsorbates formed at lower equilibration temperatures. In fourth part, we perform a combined experimental and computational investigation into the effects of aliovalent doping in NASICON on both bulk and grain boundary ionic conductivity. Our results show that the dopants with low solid solubility limits in NASICON solid solution lead to the formation of a conducting secondary phase at grain boundaries, thereby improving effective grain boundary conductivity that is otherwise hindered by the poorly-conducting Na3PO4 and ZrO2 secondary phases in undoped NASICON. In fifth part, inline electron holography technique is used to directly observe and investigate the space charge layers at grain boundaries of Y-doped BaZrO3.

There is Diversity in Disorder-"In all Chaos there is a Cosmos, in all Disorder a Secret Order".

PubMed

Nielsen, Jakob T; Mulder, Frans A A

2016-01-01

The protein universe consists of a continuum of structures ranging from full order to complete disorder. As the structured part of the proteome has been intensively studied, stably folded proteins are increasingly well documented and understood. However, proteins that are fully, or in large part, disordered are much less well characterized. Here we collected NMR chemical shifts in a small database for 117 protein sequences that are known to contain disorder. We demonstrate that NMR chemical shift data can be brought to bear as an exquisite judge of protein disorder at the residue level, and help in validation. With the help of secondary chemical shift analysis we demonstrate that the proteins in the database span the full spectrum of disorder, but still, largely segregate into two classes; disordered with small segments of order scattered along the sequence, and structured with small segments of disorder inserted between the different structured regions. A detailed analysis reveals that the distribution of order/disorder along the sequence shows a complex and asymmetric distribution, that is highly protein-dependent. Access to ratified training data further suggests an avenue to improving prediction of disorder from sequence.

Speech Perception and Short-Term Memory Deficits in Persistent Developmental Speech Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kenney, Mary Kay; Barac-Cikoja, Dragana; Finnegan, Kimberly; Jeffries, Neal; Ludlow, Christy L.

2006-01-01

Children with developmental speech disorders may have additional deficits in speech perception and/or short-term memory. To determine whether these are only transient developmental delays that can accompany the disorder in childhood or persist as part of the speech disorder, adults with a persistent familial speech disorder were tested on speech…

[DSM-5--what has changed in therapy for and research on substance-related and addictive disorders?].

PubMed

Baumgärtner, G; Soyka, M

2013-11-01

The new edition of the DSM, which was published in May of 2013, has brought the following changes in the now called category "substance-related and addictive disorders". The terms dependency and misuse or abuse will be replaced by the terminus "substance use disorder". There is a moderate substance use disorder, if two or three criterias are fulfilled for a period of 12 months. To speak of a severe substance use disorder, it has to be four or more criteria for the duration of 12 months. Furthermore, pathological gambling will be a part of the DSM-5 as a non-substance use disorder, but rather an addictive disorder. It is possible, that internet addiction will be a part of a revised version in DSM-5 for addictive disorders. The now changed criteria will have consequences on diagnosis, therapy and research concerning substance-related and addictive disorders. The leading diagnosis standards DSM-5 and ICD-10 or the following ICD-11 will continue to drift further apart from each other. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Cortical surface area reduction in identification of subjects at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder: A pilot study.

PubMed

Hu, Hao; Sun, Yawen; Su, Shanshan; Wang, Yao; Qiu, Yongming; Yang, Xi; Zhou, Yan; Xiao, Zeping; Wang, Zhen

2018-01-01

Victims of motor vehicle accidents often develop post-traumatic stress disorder, which causes significant social function loss. For the difficulty in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, identification of subjects at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder is essential for providing possible intervention. This paper aims to examine the cortical structural traits related to susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder. To address this issue, we performed structural magnetic resonance imaging study in motor vehicle accident victims within 48 hours from the accidents. A total of 70 victims, available for both clinical and magnetic resonance imaging data, enrolled in our study. Upon completion of 6-month follow-up, 29 of them developed post-traumatic stress disorder, while 41 of them didn't. At baseline, voxelwise comparisons of cortical thickness, cortical area and cortical volume were conducted between post-traumatic stress disorder group and trauma control group. As expected, several reduced cortical volume within frontal-temporal loop were observed in post-traumatic stress disorder. For cortical thickness, no between-group differences were observed. There were three clusters in left hemisphere and one cluster in right hemisphere showing decreased cortical area in post-traumatic stress disorder patients, compared with trauma controls. Peak voxels of the three clusters in left hemisphere were separately located in superior parietal cortex, insula and rostral anterior cingulate cortex. The finding of reduced surface area of left insula and left rostral anterior cingulate cortex suggests that shrinked surface area in motor vehicle accident victims could act as potential biomarker of subjects at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Compact terahertz spectrometer based on disordered rough surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Tao; Jiang, Bing; Ge, Jia-cheng; Zhu, Yong-yuan; Li, Xing-ao; Huang, Wei

2018-01-01

In this paper, a compact spectrometer based on disordered rough surfaces for operation in the terahertz band is presented. The proposed spectrometer consists of three components, which are used for dispersion, modulation and detection respectively. The disordered rough surfaces, which are acted as the dispersion component, are modulated by the modulation component. Different scattering intensities are captured by the detection component with different extent of modulation. With a calibration measurement process, one can reconstruct the spectra of the probe terahertz beam by solving a system of simultaneous linear equations. A Tikhonov regularization approach has been implemented to improve the accuracy of the spectral reconstruction. The reported broadband, compact, high-resolution terahertz spectrometer is well suited for portable terahertz spectroscopy applications.

Exploring the Perception of Asperger's Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kite, Donna M.; Tyson, Graham A.; Gullifer, Judith M.

2011-01-01

With current preparation for the release of the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5) in 2013, many changes have been proposed for the diagnostic criteria, including changes to the pervasive development disorder category--of which Asperger's disorder is a part. Using focus group discussions…

Crystalline Structure and Vacancy Ordering across a Surface Phase Transition in Sn/Cu(001).

PubMed

Martínez-Blanco, J; Joco, V; Quirós, C; Segovia, P; Michel, E G

2018-01-18

We report a surface X-ray diffraction study of the crystalline structure changes and critical behavior across the (3√2 × √2)R45° → (√2 × √2)R45° surface phase transition at 360 K for 0.5 monolayers of Sn on Cu(100). The phase transition is of the order-disorder type and is due to the disordering of the Cu atomic vacancies present in the low temperature phase. Two different atomic sites for Sn atoms, characterized by two different heights, are maintained across the surface phase transition.

Body Awareness in Preschool Children with Psychiatric Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simons, J.; Leitschuh, C.; Raymaekers, A.; Vandenbussche, I.

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the body awareness of preschool children with a psychiatric disorder as measured by the test imitation of gestures (Berges & Lezine, 1978), using the subsections for pointing to body parts (passive vocabulary) and naming body parts (active vocabulary). Seventy-seven children from 37 to 72 months of age…

TBI-ROC Part Nine: Diagnosing TBI and Psychiatric Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elias, Eileen; Weider, Katie; Mustafa, Ruman

2011-01-01

This article is the ninth of a multi-part series on traumatic brain injury (TBI). It focuses on the process of diagnosing TBI and psychiatric disorders. Diagnosing traumatic brain injury can be challenging. It can be difficult differentiating TBI and psychiatric symptoms, as both have similar symptoms (e.g., memory problems, emotional outbursts,…

Adsorption, vibration and diffusion of oxygen on Ag(110)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rawal, Takat; Hong, Sampyo; Pulkkinen, Aki; Alatalo, Matti; Rahman, Talat

2015-03-01

We have performed density functional theory calculations for the adsorption, vibration and diffusion of oxygen on Ag(110). At low coverage, O2 adsorbs at the four-fold hollow (FFH) with the molecular axis aligned along the [ 1 1 0 ] direction. The dissociation of O2 is easier along the [001] direction than along the [ 1 1 0 ] direction. For O2 species in FFH aligned along the [001] the O-O intra-molecular stretching mode is coupled with the substrate vibration and thus its dissociation can be induced by surface phonon. In addition, O diffusion barrier from FFH to next FFH along the [ 1 1 0 ] is small (0.07 eV only) but is by far larger (0.4 eV) along [001]. On the other hand, O species in the short-bride (SB) site prefers to diffuse along the [001] (to FFH) rather than along the [ 1 1 0 ] direction (to next SB). Finally, the preference of atomic oxygen to form O-Ag-O complex on Ag(110) is responsible for disordering of the surface by means of substantial lateral and vertical displacements of Ag atoms in the topmost layer. In fact, such disordering phase of Ag(110) may act as a precursor of the reconstructed phase of Ag(110). Work supported in part by NSF under Grant CHE-1310327.

Heavy Cigarette Smokers in a Chinese Population Display a Compromised Permeability Barrier

PubMed Central

Xin, Shujun; Ye, Li; Lv, Chengzhi; Elias, Peter M.

2016-01-01

Cigarette smoking is associated with various cutaneous disorders with defective permeability. Yet, whether cigarette smoking influences epidermal permeability barrier function is largely unknown. Here, we measured skin biophysical properties, including permeability barrier homeostasis, stratum corneum (SC) integrity, SC hydration, skin surface pH, and skin melanin/erythema index, in cigarette smokers. A total of 99 male volunteers were enrolled in this study. Smokers were categorized as light-to-moderate (<20 cigarettes/day) or heavy smokers (≥20 cigarettes/day). An MPA5 was used to measure SC hydration and skin melanin/erythema index on the dorsal hand, forehead, and cheek. Basal transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and barrier recovery rates were assessed on the forearm. A Skin-pH-Meter pH900 was used to measure skin surface pH. Our results showed that heavy cigarette smokers exhibited delayed barrier recovery after acute abrogation (1.02% ± 13.06 versus 16.48% ± 6.07), and barrier recovery rates correlated negatively with the number of daily cigarettes consumption (p = 0.0087). Changes in biophysical parameters in cigarette smokers varied with body sites. In conclusion, heavy cigarette smokers display compromised permeability barrier homeostasis, which could contribute, in part, to the increased prevalence of certain cutaneous disorders characterized by defective permeability. Thus, improving epidermal permeability barrier should be considered for heavy cigarette smokers. PMID:27437403

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic studies of the Au-pentacene interface: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation.

PubMed

Adil, D; Guha, S

2013-07-28

It has recently been shown [D. Adil and S. Guha, J. Phys. Chem. C 116, 12779 (2012)] that a large enhancement in the Raman intensity due to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is observed from pentacene when probed through the Au contact in organic field-effect transistors (OFET) structures. Here, the SERS spectrum is shown to exhibit a high sensitivity to disorder introduced in the pentacene film by Au atoms. The Raman signature of the metal-semiconductor interface in pentacene OFETs is calculated with density-functional theory by explicitly considering the Au-pentacene interaction. The observed enhancement in the 1380 cm(-1) and the 1560 cm(-1) regions of the experimental Raman spectrum of pentacene is successfully modeled by Au-pentacene complexes, giving insights into the nature of disorder in the pentacene sp(2) network. Finally, we extend our previous work on high-operating voltage pentacene OFETs to low-operating voltage pentacene OFETs. No changes in the SERS spectra before and after subjecting the OFETs to a bias stress are observed, concurrent with no degradation in the threshold voltage. This shows that bias stress induced performance degradation is, in part, caused by field-induced structural changes in the pentacene molecule. Thus, we confirm that the SERS spectrum can be used as a visualization tool for correlating transport properties to structural changes, if any, in organic semiconductor based devices.

Disorder-Specific Alteration in White Matter Structural Property in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder Relative to Adults With ADHD and Adult Controls.

PubMed

Chiang, Huey-Ling; Chen, Yu-Jen; Lin, Hsiang-Yuan; Tseng, Wen-Yih Isaac; Gau, Susan Shur-Fen

2017-01-01

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not only often comorbid but also overlapped in behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. Little is known about whether these shared phenotypes are based on common or different underlying neuropathologies. Therefore, this study aims to examine the disorder-specific alterations in white matter (WM) structural property. The three comparison groups included 23 male adults with ASD (21.4 ± 3.1 years), 32 male adults with ADHD (23.4 ± 3.3 years), and 29 age-matched healthy male controls (22.4 ± 3.3 years). After acquisition of the diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI), whole brain tractography was reconstructed by a tract-based automatic analysis. Generalized fractional anisotropy (GFA) values were computed to indicate tract-specific WM property with adjusted P value < 0.05 for false discovery rate correction. Post hoc analyses revealed that men with ASD exhibited significant lower GFA values than men with ADHD and male controls in six identified fiber tracts: the right arcuate fasciculus, right cingulum (hippocampal part), anterior commissure, and three callosal fibers (ventrolateral prefrontal cortex part, precentral part, superior temporal part). There was no significant difference in the GFA values of any of the fiber tracts between men with ADHD and controls. In men with ASD, the GFA values of the right arcuate fasciculus and right cingulum (hippocampal part) were negatively associated with autistic social-deficit symptoms, and the anterior commissure GFA value was positively correlated with intelligence. This study highlights the disorder-specific alteration of the microstructural property of WM tracts in male adults with ASD. Hum Brain Mapp 38:384-395, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Proprioception in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Part 1: Basic science and principles of assessment and clinical interventions.

PubMed

Röijezon, Ulrik; Clark, Nicholas C; Treleaven, Julia

2015-06-01

Impaired proprioception has been reported as a feature in a number of musculoskeletal disorders of various body parts, from the cervical spine to the ankle. Proprioception deficits can occur as a result of traumatic damage, e.g., to ligaments and muscles, but can also occur in association with painful disorders of a gradual-onset nature. Muscle fatigue can also adversely affect proprioception and this has implications for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Due to the importance of proprioception for sensorimotor control, specific methods for assessment and training of proprioception have been developed for both the spine and the extremities. The aim of this first part of a two part series on proprioception in musculoskeletal rehabilitation is to present a theory based overview of the role of proprioception in sensorimotor control, assessment, causes and findings of altered proprioception in musculoskeletal disorders and general principles of interventions targeting proprioception. An understanding of the basic science of proprioception, consequences of disturbances and theories behind assessment and interventions is vital for the clinical management of musculoskeletal disorders. Part one of this series supplies a theoretical base for part two which is more practically and clinically orientated, covering specific examples of methods for clinical assessment and interventions to improve proprioception in the spine and the extremities. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bipolar disorders in the Arab world: a critical review.

PubMed

Kronfol, Ziad; Zakaria Khalil, Mostafa; Kumar, Pankaj; Suhre, Karsten; Karam, Elie; McInnis, Melvin

2015-05-01

Bipolar disorders are common psychiatric disorders that affect 1-5% of the population worldwide. Major advances in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of the disorders have recently occurred. The majority of published reports, however, originate from the Western hemisphere, mostly Europe and the United States. There is a shortage of data from the Arab world on bipolar disorders. In an era of globalization and rapid communication, it is not clear to what extent research findings pertaining to one part of the world are by necessity applicable to other parts. Psychiatric disorders are known to be affected by the culture in which they occur, and knowledge of variations in illness presentation in different ethnic groups is also increasing. However, knowledge of variations affecting Arab populations remains quite limited. This paper provides a critical review of the literature on bipolar affective disorders in the Arab world, pointing to major gaps in knowledge and future opportunities to fill these gaps. © 2015 New York Academy of Sciences.

Possible involvement of TLRs and hemichannels in stress-induced CNS dysfunction via mastocytes, and glia activation.

PubMed

Aguirre, Adam; Maturana, Carola J; Harcha, Paloma A; Sáez, Juan C

2013-01-01

In the central nervous system (CNS), mastocytes and glial cells (microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) function as sensors of neuroinflammatory conditions, responding to stress triggers or becoming sensitized to subsequent proinflammatory challenges. The corticotropin-releasing hormone and glucocorticoids are critical players in stress-induced mastocyte degranulation and potentiation of glial inflammatory responses, respectively. Mastocytes and glial cells express different toll-like receptor (TLR) family members, and their activation via proinflammatory molecules can increase the expression of connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels in glial cells. These membrane pores are oligohexamers of the corresponding protein subunits located in the cell surface. They allow ATP release and Ca(2+) influx, which are two important elements of inflammation. Consequently, activated microglia and astrocytes release ATP and glutamate, affecting myelinization, neuronal development, and survival. Binding of ligands to TLRs induces a cascade of intracellular events leading to activation of several transcription factors that regulate the expression of many genes involved in inflammation. During pregnancy, the previous responses promoted by viral infections and other proinflammatory conditions are common and might predispose the offspring to develop psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases. Such disorders could eventually be potentiated by stress and might be part of the etiopathogenesis of CNS dysfunctions including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.

Nutritional Intervention in Young Women with Eating Disorders: A Brief Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McAleavey, Kristen

2010-01-01

Eating disorders in young women are often associated with a number of comorbid conditions, including mood disorders and cognitive problems. Although group therapy is often used as part of overall treatment for eating disorders in many types of settings, specific nutritional interventions used in such settings have rarely been evaluated. In this…

A high-mobility electronic system at an electrolyte-gated oxide surface

DOE PAGES

Gallagher, Patrick; Lee, Menyoung; Petach, Trevor A.; ...

2015-03-12

Electrolyte gating is a powerful technique for accumulating large carrier densities at a surface. Yet this approach suffers from significant sources of disorder: electrochemical reactions can damage or alter the sample, and the ions of the electrolyte and various dissolved contaminants sit Angstroms from the electron system. Accordingly, electrolyte gating is well suited to studies of superconductivity and other phenomena robust to disorder, but of limited use when reactions or disorder must be avoided. Here we demonstrate that these limitations can be overcome by protecting the sample with a chemically inert, atomically smooth sheet of hexagonal boron nitride. We illustratemore » our technique with electrolyte-gated strontium titanate, whose mobility when protected with boron nitride improves more than 10-fold while achieving carrier densities nearing 10 14 cm –2. In conclusion, our technique is portable to other materials, and should enable future studies where high carrier density modulation is required but electrochemical reactions and surface disorder must be minimized.« less

Disorder Effects in Charge Transport and Spin Response of Topological Insulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Lukas Zhonghua

Topological insulators are a class of solids in which the non-trivial inverted bulk band structure gives rise to metallic surface states that are robust against impurity backscattering. First principle calculations predicted Bi2Te3, Sb2Te3 and Bi2Se3 to be three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators with a single Dirac cone on the surface. The topological surface states were subsequently observed by angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The investigations of charge transport through topological surfaces of 3D topological insulators, however, have faced a major challenge due to large charge carrier densities in the bulk donated by randomly distributed defects such as vacancies and antisites. This bulk disorder intermixes surface and bulk conduction channels, thereby complicating access to the low-energy (Dirac point) charge transport or magnetic response and resulting in the relatively low measured carrier mobilities. Moreover, charge inhomogeneity arising from bulk disorder can result in pronounced nanoscale spatial fluctuations of energy on the surface, leading to the formation of surface `puddles' of different carrier types. Great efforts have been made to combat the undesirable effects of disorder in 3D topological insulators and to reduce bulk carriers through chemical doping, nanostructure fabrication, and electric gating. In this work we have developed a new way to reduce bulk carrier densities using high-energy electron irradiation, thereby allowing us access to the topological surface quantum channels. We also found that disorder in 3D topological insulators can be beneficial. It can play an important part in enabling detection of unusual magnetic response from Dirac fermions and in uncovering new excitations, namely surface superconductivity in Dirac `puddles'. In Chapter 3 we show how by using differential magnetometry we could probe spin rotation in the 3D topological material family (Bi2Se 3, Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3), and describe our detection of paramagnetic singularity in the magnetic susceptibility at low magnetic fields that persists up to room temperature, and which we have demonstrated to arise from the surfaces of the samples. The singularity is universal to the entire family, largely independent of the bulk carrier density, and consistent with the existence of electronic states near the spin-degenerate Dirac point of the 2D helical metal. The exceptional thermal stability of the signal points to an intrinsic surface cooling process, probably of thermoelectric organ, and establishes a sustainable platform for the singular field-tunable Dirac spin response. In Chapter 4 we describe our discovery of surface superconductivity in a hole-conducting topological insulator Sb2Te3 with transition to zero resistance induced through a minor tuning of growth chemistry that depletes bulk conduction channels. The depletion shifts Fermi energy towards the Dirac point as witnessed by over two orders of magnitude reduced bulk hole density and by the largest carrier mobility (~ 25,000 cm 2 V-1 s-1) found in any topological material. Direct evidence from transport, the unprecedentedly large diamagnetic screening, and the presence of up to ~ 25 meV gaps in differential conductance detected by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STM) reveal the superconducting condensate to emerge first in surface puddles at unexpectedly high temperature, near 50 K. Percolative Josephson paths mediated by diffusing quasiparticles establish global phase coherence around 9 K. Rich structure of this state lends itself to manipulation and tuning via growth conditions and the topological material's parameters such as Fermi velocity and mean free path. In Chapter 5 we describe a new approach we have developed to reaching stable charge neutrality in 3D topological materials. The technique uses swift (~ 2.5 MeV energy) electron beams to compensate charged bulk defects and bring the Fermi level back into the bulk gap. By controlling the beam fluence we could tune bulk conductivity from p- (hole-like) to n-type (electron-like), crossing the Dirac point and back, while preserving the robust topological signatures of surface channels. We establish that at charge neutrality conductance has a two-dimensional (2D) character with a minimum value on the order of ten conductance quanta G=e 2 /h. From quantum interference contribution to 2D conductance we demonstrate in two systems, Bi2Te3 and Bi2Se 3, that at charge neutrality only two quantum channels corresponding to two topological surfaces are present. The charge neutrality point achieved using electron irradiation with long penetration range shows a route to intrinsic quantum transport of the topological states unconstrained by the bulk size.

The eating disorders: 2. Behavioural and dental management.

PubMed

Ashcroft, Angela; Milosevic, Alexander

2007-12-01

The eating disorders are a group of related but distinct disturbances in eating behaviour with wide-ranging effects. The first part in this series described the scientific background, clinical features and impact upon oro-dental health. This second part discusses behavioural and dental management. Dentists should have knowledge of the behavioural management of eating disorders (ED), especially if their ED patients are seeing other healthcare professionals. Dentists with this understanding may better engage with an ED patient in order to provide successful dental management within an overall holistic approach to patient care.

Interaction of Co with an Fe(111) surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seip, U.; Tsai, M.-C.; Christmann, K.; Küppers, J.; Ertl, G.

1984-04-01

Adsorption of CO on Fe(111) below 300 K causes the appearance of three different non-dissociated species as distinguished by their CO stretch frequencies of about 1530 cm -1 (a), 1800 cm -1 (b), and 2000 cm -1 (c). At T ≳ 220 K the b-state is first filled up and saturates after 1.5 L exposure; upon increasing the temperature it partly desorbs around 400 K and partly dissociates. Recombination of the C and O atoms followed by CO desorption takes place at about 800 K. Above 1.5 L exposure the a- and c-states are occupied simultaneously; in the thermal desorption spectrum in turn they show up as a relatively broad shoulder at ˜ 340 K, which indicates similar adsorption energies for these two species. Saturation of the surface is reached after about 6 L exposure, which is paralleled by a continuous work function increase of up to Δφ = 1.6 eV. A high background intensity in the LEED pattern suggests substantial disorder in the adlayer. Evaluation of the TDS data yields about 2:1 population of the b- and (c + a)-states. The unusual low CO frequency of the a-state finds its analogues in reports on CO adsorption at stepped surfaces, as well as with complex compounds where the π-orbitals of the ligand directly interact with a neighboring metal atom. This species is therefore identified with adsorption in the "deep hollow" sites on the rather open Fe(111) surface. The b-state is tentatively attributed to the "shallow hollow" sites, and the c-state to adsorption on the "on top" sites.

Neuronal Surface Autoantibodies in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Are There Implications for Depression?

PubMed Central

Zong, Shenghua; Hoffmann, Carolin; Mané-Damas, Marina; Molenaar, Peter; Losen, Mario; Martinez-Martinez, Pilar

2017-01-01

Autoimmune diseases are affecting around 7.6–9.4% of the general population. A number of central nervous system disorders, including encephalitis and severe psychiatric disorders, have been demonstrated to associate with specific neuronal surface autoantibodies (NSAbs). It has become clear that specific autoantibodies targeting neuronal surface antigens and ion channels could cause severe mental disturbances. A number of studies have focused or are currently investigating the presence of autoantibodies in specific mental conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. However, less is known about other conditions such as depression. Depression is a psychiatric disorder with complex etiology and pathogenesis. The diagnosis criteria of depression are largely based on symptoms but not on the origin of the disease. The question which arises is whether in a subgroup of patients with depression, the symptoms might be caused by autoantibodies targeting membrane-associated antigens. Here, we describe how autoantibodies targeting membrane proteins and ion channels cause pathological effects. We discuss the physiology of these antigens and their role in relation to depression. Finally, we summarize a number of studies detecting NSAbs with a special focus on cohorts that include depression diagnosis and/or show depressive symptoms. PMID:28725222

Periodic Fever: A Review on Clinical, Management and Guideline for Iranian Patients - Part II

PubMed Central

Ahmadinejad, Zahra; Mansouri, Sedigeh; Ziaee, Vahid; Aghighi, Yahya; Moradinejad, Mohammad-Hassan; Fereshteh-Mehregan, Fatemeh

2014-01-01

Periodic fever syndromes are a group of diseases characterized by episodes of fever with healthy intervals between febrile episodes. In the first part of this paper, we presented a guideline for approaching patients with periodic fever and reviewed two common disorders with periodic fever in Iranian patients including familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and periodic fever syndromes except for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA). In this part, we review other autoinflammatory disorders including hyper IgD, tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes, autoinflammatory bone disorders and some other rare autoinflammatory disorders such as Sweet’s and Blau syndromes. In cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes group, we discussed chronic infantile neurologic cutaneous and articular (CINCA) syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome and familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome. Autoinflammatory bone disorders are categorized to monogenic disorders such as pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma ;gangraenosum and acne (PAPA) syndrome, the deficiency of interleukine-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA) and Majeed syndrome and polygenic background or sporadic group such as chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) or synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome are classified in sporadic group. Other autoinflammatory syndromes are rare causes of periodic fever in Iranian system registry. PMID:25562014

Lithium intercalation carbon and method for producing same

DOEpatents

Even, Jr., William R.; Guidotti, Ronald A.

2001-01-01

Disordered carbons were synthesized at 700.degree. C. from methacrylonitrile-divinylbenzene precursors. The disorder, even at the free surface, was confirmed with TEM. These powdered carbons were subjected to rapid surface heating by a pulsed infrared laser (59 MW pulses). While the bulk structure remained essentially unchanged, there was substantial "surface reconstruction" to a depth of 0.25 .mu.m presumably due to ablation, re-deposition, and "recrystallization" of the surface carbon after heating by the laser. The surface ordering appears similar to the bulk microstructure of carbons isothermally annealed at 2,200.degree. C. (i.e., turbostatic). Improvements were observed in first cycle irreversible loss, rate capability, and coulombic efficiencies of the "reconstructed" carbons, relative to the untreated carbon.

Disordered eating and body image issues and their associated factors among adolescents in urban secondary schools in Sarawak, Malaysia.

PubMed

Cheah, Whye Lian; Hazmi, Helmy; Chang, Ching Thon

2017-04-01

Eating disorders are common health issues among the adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of eating disorders and their relationship with body mass index, body part satisfaction and perception on body weight among urban secondary school children. It was a cross-sectional study conducted in Kuching, Sarawak. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire that consist of the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), perception on body part satisfaction and body weight, and anthropometric measurement. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS version 22. A total of 329 respondents participated in this study with 59% females and 60.5% Malays. There were 14.3% of the respondents overweight and obese, with higher percentage among males (19.3%). About 18.5% of the respondents were found to be at risk of eating disorders with higher prevalence among males (19.3%). More females reported to have higher prevalence of body part dissatisfaction (46.9%) and body weight (37.6%) compared to males (40%, 28.1%). The statistical results indicated there were significant associations between EAT-26 and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.039), body part satisfaction (p=0.004), and perception of body weight (p=0.038). Eating disorders are becoming more prevalent amongst adolescents, particularly among males. As eating disorder are strongly associated with adolescent mental and physical health, intervention programme on their developmental challenges and issues for both males and females should be in place particularly in the school education syllabus.

Facilitating Social Inclusion of Young Adults with Learning Disorders through Football Fandom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grünke, Matthias; Ropohl, Benedikt; Semmling, Holger

2016-01-01

Young people with learning disorders often remain on the fringes of society, feeling that they do not fit in. Sharing hobbies with other members of their community can help them to become part of a mainstream group. Football (which is called "soccer" in the US and parts of Canada) is a popular sport, especially among men. Identifying as…

Atherogenic index of plasma and atherogenic coefficient are increased in major depression and bipolar disorder, especially when comorbid with tobacco use disorder.

PubMed

Nunes, Sandra Odebrecht Vargas; Piccoli de Melo, Luiz Gustavo; Pizzo de Castro, Márcia Regina; Barbosa, Décio Sabbatini; Vargas, Heber Odebrecht; Berk, Michael; Maes, Michael

2015-02-01

There is a robust comorbidity between mood disorders and cardiovascular disorder (CVD). The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and the atherogenic coefficient (AC) are important atherogenic indexes. The aims of this study were to delineate whether AIP and AC are increased in mood disorders especially when comorbid with tobacco use disorder (TUD). In this case-control study we included 134 patients with mood disorders, bipolar disorder and unipolar depression (cases), and 197 individuals without mood disorder (controls) divided into those with and without TUD (defined as never-smokers). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) were measured. AIP and AC were computed as log (TG/HDLc) and non-HDLc/HDLc, respectively. The AIP and AC indexes were significantly increased in patients with mood disorders versus controls, both in depression and bipolar disorder. Patients with mood disorder without TUD and patients with TUD without mood disorder showed higher AIP and AC values than never-smokers while those with comorbid mood disorders and TUD showed significantly higher AIP and AC levels than all other individuals. A large part of the variance in the AIC (26.4%) and AC (20.4%) was explained by mood disorders, TUD, male gender and body mass index. The findings suggest that lipid abnormalities leading to an increased atherogenic potential are involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder) and especially comorbid mood disorder and TUD. The comorbidity between mood disorders and CVD may be partly explained increased through AIP and AC indexes, impacting increments in atherogenic potential. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Review of Psychodynamic diagnostics manual (PDM).

PubMed

Moses, Ira

2008-03-01

Reviews the book, Psychodynamic diagnostics manual (PDM) by Alliance of Psychoanalytic Organizations (2006). This volume is divided into three major sections, Part 1--Classification of Adult Mental Heath Disorder, Part 2--Classification of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Disorder, and Part 3--Conceptual and Research Foundations for a Psychodynamically Based Classification System for Mental Health Disorders. Unlike the standard DSM which highlights the patient's presenting symptom (Axis I) with secondary consideration given to an underlying personality disorder (Axis II), the major thesis of classification scheme of this volume is that diagnostic evaluation should provide a more patient centered and a more clinically useful picture of the individual by understanding the symptom(s) through the essential dimensions of the patient's personality and mental functions (interpersonal and cognitive capacities). Part 3, which could stand on its own as a separate volume, is a thorough critique of psychotherapy outcome research in which the authors delineate how major design flaws have derived from "favoring what is measurable over what is meaningful." The authors cogently demonstrate that diagnostic assessment is a continuous effort toward providing individualized and clinically relevant evaluations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

[Pandora's digital box: mental disorders in cyberspace].

PubMed

Kryspin-Exner, Ilse; Felnhofer, Anna; Kothgassner, Oswald D

2011-01-01

The emersion of the Internet did not only change human communication and information seeking, it also contributed to manifold alterations in the manifestation, perception and treatment of mental disorders. Thus, one focus of current psychological research lies on the relationship between the new medium and psychosocial functioning. This review embraces recent results on this topic following a discussion from two different perspectives: first, it poses the question, whether the Internet - due to its very specific character - is capable of creating new mental disorders and second, it asks whether rare disorders may possibly be uncovered by the Internet or if already known disorders may be sustained and intensified by the online medium. Accordingly, the first part of this review deals with the conceptual basis of problematic Internet use, Internet addiction and problematic online-gaming as an example of specific internet use. Predisposing psychosocial factors, such as social isolation, depression and compulsive behavior are reviewed as potential triggers for these new internet- related disorders. The second part however draws upon two already existing groups of psychological disorders: eating disorders in relation to Pro-Ana and Pro-Mia on the one hand and Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) on the other hand. Recent research is discussed to explore the sustaining and intensifying effect of the Internet on these disorders.

Genetic similarities between tobacco use disorder and related comorbidities: an exploratory study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Tobacco use disorder (TUD), defined as the use of tobacco to the detriment of a person’s health or social functioning, is associated with various disorders. We hypothesized that mutual variation in genes may partly explain this link. The aims of this study were to make a non-exhaustive inventory of the disorders using (partially) the same genetic pathways as TUD, and to describe the genetic similarities between TUD and the selected disorders. Methods We developed a 3 stage approach: (i) selection of genes influencing TUD using Gene2Mesh and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), (ii) selection of disorders associated with the selected genes using IPA and (iii) genetic similarities between disorders associated with TUD using Jaccard distance and cluster analyses. Results Fourteen disorders and thirty-two genes met our inclusion criteria. The Jaccard distance between pairs of disorders ranged from 0.00 (e.g. oesophageal cancer and malignant hypertension) to 0.45 (e.g. bladder cancer and addiction). A lower number in the Jaccard distance indicates a higher similarity between the two disorders. Two main clusters of genetically similar disorders were observed, one including coexisting disorders (e.g. addiction and alcoholism) and the other one with the side-effects of smoking (e.g. gastric cancer and malignant hypertension). Conclusions This exploratory study partly explains the potential genetic components linking TUD to other disorders. Two principle clusters of disorders were observed (i) coexisting disorders of TUD and (ii) side-effects of TUD disorders. A further deepening of this observation in a real life study should allow strengthening this hypothesis. PMID:25060307

Extensions to the Speech Disorders Classification System (SDCS)

PubMed Central

Shriberg, Lawrence D.; Fourakis, Marios; Hall, Sheryl D.; Karlsson, Heather B.; Lohmeier, Heather L.; McSweeny, Jane L.; Potter, Nancy L.; Scheer-Cohen, Alison R.; Strand, Edythe A.; Tilkens, Christie M.; Wilson, David L.

2010-01-01

This report describes three extensions to a classification system for pediatric speech sound disorders termed the Speech Disorders Classification System (SDCS). Part I describes a classification extension to the SDCS to differentiate motor speech disorders from speech delay and to differentiate among three subtypes of motor speech disorders. Part II describes the Madison Speech Assessment Protocol (MSAP), an approximately two-hour battery of 25 measures that includes 15 speech tests and tasks. Part III describes the Competence, Precision, and Stability Analytics (CPSA) framework, a current set of approximately 90 perceptual- and acoustic-based indices of speech, prosody, and voice used to quantify and classify subtypes of Speech Sound Disorders (SSD). A companion paper, Shriberg, Fourakis, et al. (2010) provides reliability estimates for the perceptual and acoustic data reduction methods used in the SDCS. The agreement estimates in the companion paper support the reliability of SDCS methods and illustrate the complementary roles of perceptual and acoustic methods in diagnostic analyses of SSD of unknown origin. Examples of research using the extensions to the SDCS described in the present report include diagnostic findings for a sample of youth with motor speech disorders associated with galactosemia (Shriberg, Potter, & Strand, 2010) and a test of the hypothesis of apraxia of speech in a group of children with autism spectrum disorders (Shriberg, Paul, Black, & van Santen, 2010). All SDCS methods and reference databases running in the PEPPER (Programs to Examine Phonetic and Phonologic Evaluation Records; [Shriberg, Allen, McSweeny, & Wilson, 2001]) environment will be disseminated without cost when complete. PMID:20831378

Interface induced ferromagnetism in topological insulator above room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Chi; Chang, Cui-Zu; Liu, Yawen; Chen, Tingyong; Moodera, Jagadeesh; Shi, Jing

The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) observed in magnetic topological insulators (TI), an outcome of time reversal symmetry broken surface states, exhibits many exotic properties. However, a major obstacle towards high temperature QAHE is the low Curie temperature in the disordered magnetically doped TI systems. Here we report a study on heterostructures of TI and magnetic insulator in which the magnetic insulator, namely thulium iron garnet or TIG, has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. At the TIG/TI interface, TIG magnetizes the surface states of the TI film by exchange coupling, as revealed by the anomalous Hall effect (AHE). We demonstrate that squared AHE hysteresis loops persist well above room temperature. The interface proximity induced high-temperature ferromagnetism in topological insulators opens up new possibilities for the realization of QAHE at high temperatures. This work was supported as part of the SHINES, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences under Award # SC0012670.

A new method for 3D thinning of hybrid shaped porous media using artificial intelligence. Application to trabecular bone.

PubMed

Jennane, Rachid; Aufort, Gabriel; Benhamou, Claude Laurent; Ceylan, Murat; Ozbay, Yüksel; Ucan, Osman Nuri

2012-04-01

Curve and surface thinning are widely-used skeletonization techniques for modeling objects in three dimensions. In the case of disordered porous media analysis, however, neither is really efficient since the internal geometry of the object is usually composed of both rod and plate shapes. This paper presents an alternative to compute a hybrid shape-dependent skeleton and its application to porous media. The resulting skeleton combines 2D surfaces and 1D curves to represent respectively the plate-shaped and rod-shaped parts of the object. For this purpose, a new technique based on neural networks is proposed: cascade combinations of complex wavelet transform (CWT) and complex-valued artificial neural network (CVANN). The ability of the skeleton to characterize hybrid shaped porous media is demonstrated on a trabecular bone sample. Results show that the proposed method achieves high accuracy rates about 99.78%-99.97%. Especially, CWT (2nd level)-CVANN structure converges to optimum results as high accuracy rate-minimum time consumption.

Bioactivation of particles

DOEpatents

Pinaud, Fabien [Berkeley, CA; King, David [San Francisco, CA; Weiss, Shimon [Los Angeles, CA

2011-08-16

Particles are bioactivated by attaching bioactivation peptides to the particle surface. The bioactivation peptides are peptide-based compounds that impart one or more biologically important functions to the particles. Each bioactivation peptide includes a molecular or surface recognition part that binds with the surface of the particle and one or more functional parts. The surface recognition part includes an amino-end and a carboxy-end and is composed of one or more hydrophobic spacers and one or more binding clusters. The functional part(s) is attached to the surface recognition part at the amino-end and/or said carboxy-end.

Vacuum ultraviolet photon fluxes in argon-containing inductively coupled plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radovanov, S. B.; Persing, H. M.; Wang, S.; Culver, C. L.; Boffard, J. B.; Lin, C. C.; Wendt, A. E.

2013-09-01

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photons emitted from excited atomic states are ubiquitous in material processing plasmas. Damage of materials is induced by energy transfer from the VUV photons to the surface, causing disorder in the surface region, surface reactions, and affecting bonds in the material bulk. Monitoring of the surface flux of VUV photons from inductively coupled plasmas (ICP) and its dependence on discharge parameters is thus highly desirable. Results of non-invasive, direct windowless VUV detection using a photosensitive diode will be presented. Relative VUV fluxes were also obtained using a sodium salicylate coating on the inside of a vacuum window, converting VUV into visible light detected through the vacuum window. The coating is sensitive to wavelengths in the range 80-300 nm, while the photodiode is only sensitive to wavelengths below 120 nm. In argon the VUV emissions are primarily produced by spontaneous decay from 3p5 4 s resonance levels (1s2,1s4) and may be reabsorbed by ground state atoms. Real-time resonance level concentrations were measured and used to predict the VUV photon flux at the detector for a range of different ICP pressures, powers, and for various admixtures of Ar with N2, and H2. This work was supported in part by NSF grant PHY-1068670.

Surface-based morphometry reveals the neuroanatomical basis of the five-factor model of personality

PubMed Central

Riccelli, Roberta; Toschi, Nicola; Nigro, Salvatore; Terracciano, Antonio

2017-01-01

Abstract The five-factor model (FFM) is a widely used taxonomy of human personality; yet its neuro anatomical basis remains unclear. This is partly because past associations between gray-matter volume and FFM were driven by different surface-based morphometry (SBM) indices (i.e. cortical thickness, surface area, cortical folding or any combination of them). To overcome this limitation, we used Free-Surfer to study how variability in SBM measures was related to the FFM in n = 507 participants from the Human Connectome Project. Neuroticism was associated with thicker cortex and smaller area and folding in prefrontal–temporal regions. Extraversion was linked to thicker pre-cuneus and smaller superior temporal cortex area. Openness was linked to thinner cortex and greater area and folding in prefrontal–parietal regions. Agreeableness was correlated to thinner prefrontal cortex and smaller fusiform gyrus area. Conscientiousness was associated with thicker cortex and smaller area and folding in prefrontal regions. These findings demonstrate that anatomical variability in prefrontal cortices is linked to individual differences in the socio-cognitive dispositions described by the FFM. Cortical thickness and surface area/folding were inversely related each others as a function of different FFM traits (neuroticism, extraversion and consciousness vs openness), which may reflect brain maturational effects that predispose or protect against psychiatric disorders. PMID:28122961

Oral health among preschool children with autism spectrum disorders: A case-control study.

PubMed

Du, Rennan Y; Yiu, Cynthia Ky; King, Nigel M; Wong, Virginia Cn; McGrath, Colman Pj

2015-08-01

To assess and compare the oral health status of preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorders. A random sample of 347 preschool children with autism spectrum disorder was recruited from 19 Special Child Care Centres in Hong Kong. An age- and gender-matched sample was recruited from mainstream preschools as the control group. Dental caries status, gingival health status, tooth wear, malocclusion, dental trauma and oral mucosal health were assessed and compared between the two groups. It was feasible to conduct a comprehensive oral health screening among 74.1% (257) of the children with autism spectrum disorder. The mean age was 59 ± 10 months (range from 32 to 77 months), of whom 84.4% were males. Children with autism spectrum disorder had better gingival health than children without autism spectrum disorder (mean plaque score and gingival score p < 0.001). Children with autism spectrum disorder had less caries experiences than children without autism spectrum disorder (mean decayed, missing and filled surfaces and decayed surfaces, p < 0.05). Children with and without autism spectrum disorder had similar prevalence of tooth wear, malocclusion, dental trauma experience and oral mucosal lesions (p > 0.05). Differences in oral health status exist among preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Preschool children with autism spectrum disorder exhibited lower caries experiences and better gingival health than children without autism spectrum disorder. © The Author(s) 2014.

The use of inverse phase gas chromatography to measure the surface energy of crystalline, amorphous, and recently milled lactose.

PubMed

Newell, H E; Buckton, G; Butler, D A; Thielmann, F; Williams, D R

2001-05-01

To assess differences in surface energy due to processing induced disorder and to understand whether the disorder dominated the surfaces of particles. Inverse gas chromatography was used to compare the surface energies of crystalline, amorphous, and ball milled lactose. The milling process made ca 1% of the lactose amorphous, however the dispersive contribution to surface energy was 31.2, 37.1, and 41.6 mJ m(-2) for crystalline, spray dried and milled lactose, respectively. A physical mixture of crystalline (99%) and amorphous (1%) material had a dispersive surface energy of 31.5 mJ m(-2). Milling had made the surface energy similar to that of the amorphous material in a manner that was very different to a physical mixture of the same amorphous content. The milled material will have similar interfacial interactions to the 100% amorphous material.

Particle Trapping Mechanisms Are Different in Spatially Ordered and Disordered Interacting Gels.

PubMed

Hansing, Johann; Netz, Roland R

2018-06-05

Using stochastic simulations, we study the influence of spatial disorder on the diffusion of a single particle through a gel that consists of rigid, straight fibers. The interaction between the particle and the gel fibers consists of an invariant short-range repulsion, the steric part, and an interaction part that can be attractive or repulsive and of varying range. The effect that spatial disorder of the gel structure has on the particle diffusivity depends crucially on the presence of nonsteric interactions. For attractive interactions, disorder slows down diffusion, because in disordered gels, the particle becomes strongly trapped in regions of locally increased fiber density. For repulsive interactions, the diffusivity is minimal for intermediate disorder strength, because highly disordered lattices exhibit abundant passageways of locally low fiber density. The comparison with experimental data on protein and fluorophore diffusion through various hydrogels is favorable. Our findings shed light on particle-diffusion mechanisms in biogels and thus on biological barrier properties, which can be helpful for the optimal design of synthetic diffusors as well as synthetic mucus constructs. Copyright © 2018 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Child development and personality disorder.

PubMed

Cohen, Patricia

2008-09-01

The evidence is surprisingly strong that even early adolescent personality disorders or elevated personality disorder symptoms have a broad range of negative effects well into adulthood, for the most part comparable to or even larger than those of Axis I disorders. Current evidence suggests that the most severe long-term prognosis is associated with borderline and schizotypal PDs and elevated symptoms. And of course, childhood conduct disorder is in a peculiar status, disappearing in adulthood to be manifest as a very severe disorder-antisocial PD-in a minority of those with the adolescent disorder.

An Assessment of Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Eating Attitudes among College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pettit, Michele L.; Jacobs, Sue C.; Page, Kyle S.; Porras, Claudia V.

2010-01-01

Background: Disordered eating patterns continue to surface on college campuses. Studies are needed to examine the potential influence of emotional intelligence on disordered eating behavior. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess relationships between perceived emotional intelligence factors and eating disorder symptoms among male and…

Sleep disorder risk factors among student athletes.

PubMed

Monma, Takafumi; Ando, Akira; Asanuma, Tohru; Yoshitake, Yutaka; Yoshida, Goichiro; Miyazawa, Taiki; Ebine, Naoyuki; Takeda, Satoko; Omi, Naomi; Satoh, Makoto; Tokuyama, Kumpei; Takeda, Fumi

2018-04-01

To clarify sleep disorder risk factors among student athletes, this study examined the relationship between lifestyle habits, competition activities, psychological distress, and sleep disorders. Student athletes (N = 906; male: 70.1%; average age: 19.1 ± 0.8 years) in five university sports departments from four Japanese regions were targeted for analysis. Survey items were attributes (age, gender, and body mass index), sleep disorders (recorded through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), lifestyle habits (bedtime, wake-up time, smoking, drinking alcohol, meals, part-time jobs, and use of electronics after lights out), competition activities (activity contents and competition stressors), and psychological distress (recorded through the K6 scale). The relation between lifestyle habits, competition activities, psychological distress, and sleep disorders was explored using logistic regression analysis. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis with attributes as adjustment variables showed that "bedtime," "wake-up time," "psychological distress," "part-time jobs," "smartphone/cellphone use after lights out," "morning practices," and "motivation loss stressors," were risk factors that were independently related to sleep disorders. Sleep disorders among student athletes are related to lifestyle habits such as late bedtime, early wake-up time, late night part-time jobs, and use of smartphones/cellphones after lights out; psychological distress; and competition activities such as morning practices and motivation loss stressors related to competition. Therefore, this study suggests the importance of improving these lifestyle habits, mental health, and competition activities. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Primary Headache Disorders- Part 2: Tension-type headache and medication overuse headache.

PubMed

Jay, Gary W; Barkin, Robert L

2017-12-01

In Part 2 of Primary Headache disorders, we discuss the fourth Primary Headache Disorder, Tension-Type Headache (TTHA). We are again using the ICHD-III (Beta) definitions of such headaches, taking into consideration episodic and chronic TTHA, as well as the presence or absence of pericranial muscle tenderness. We discuss the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutic treatment of TTHA, and the aspects of the Myofascial Pain Syndrome that enhance and help the development of TTHA. We then discuss Medication Overuse Headache (MOH), itself a Secondary headache disorder, but one that is extremely important as it assists with the chronification of both migraine and TTHA. Finally we discuss how to manage and treat those patients with MOH. Chronic migraine, which is TTHA, Migraine as well as, in many patients, MOH, is discussed along with the treatment of this multifaceted disorder. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Part I: A Comparison of Parenting Stress

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watson, Shelley L.; Coons, Kelly D.; Hayes, Stephanie A.

2013-01-01

Background: There is a long history of research on parents of children with disabilities, but to the authors' knowledge, no study has compared the stress of parents of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: Twenty-five parents of children with ASD and 25 parents of…

Review of Part 67 of the Federal Air Regulations and the Medical Certification of Civilian Airmen. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-01

schizoaffective disorder and atypical psycho3, infantile autism , childhood onset pervasive developmental disorder, and atypical pervasive devvlopmental...classified, including schizophreniform disorder, brief reactive psychosis, schizoaffective disorder and atypical psychosis, infantile autism ...procedures if the applicant !S free of symptoms and postoperative complications. After splenectomy, vaccination against pneumococcus is recommended, Awms and

Use of the Impact on Family Scale in Children with Tic Disorders: Descriptive Data, Validity, and Tic Severity Impact

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woods, Douglas W.; Himle, Michael B.; Osmon, David C.

2005-01-01

Individuals with tic disorders are at risk for experiencing functional impairment in a variety of domains. However, the impact of tic disorders on family functioning remains unclear partly because psychometrically sound assessment instruments with normative data from a tic disorder population do not exist. The current study provides preliminary…

Implicit Family Process Rules in Eating-Disordered and Non-Eating-Disordered Families

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillett, Kyle S.; Harper, James M.; Larson, Jeffry H.; Berrett, Michael E.; Hardman, Randy K.

2009-01-01

Family environment has been shown to be one of the factors related to the presence of eating disorders among young-adult females. Clinical experience and theories about eating disorders postulate that implicit family rules are an intricate part of family process that may have a great effect on the creation and maintenance of such problems. This…

Dry eye disease: an immune-mediated ocular surface disorder

PubMed Central

Stevenson, William; Chauhan, Sunil K.; Dana, Reza

2013-01-01

Dry eye disease is a multifactorial disorder of the tears and ocular surface characterized by symptoms of dryness and irritation. Although the pathogenesis of dry eye disease is not fully understood, it is recognized that inflammation has a prominent role in the development and propagation of this debilitating condition. Factors that adversely affect tear film stability and osmolarity can induce ocular surface damage and initiate an inflammatory cascade that generates innate and adaptive immune responses. These immunoinflammatory responses lead to further ocular surface damage and the development of a self-perpetuating inflammatory cycle. Herein, we review the fundamental links between inflammation and dry eye disease and discuss the clinical implications of inflammation in disease management. PMID:22232476

Psychiatric disorders and sleep issues.

PubMed

Sutton, Eliza L

2014-09-01

Sleep issues are common in people with psychiatric disorders, and the interaction is complex. Sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, can precede and predispose to psychiatric disorders, can be comorbid with and exacerbate psychiatric disorders, and can occur as part of psychiatric disorders. Sleep disorders can mimic psychiatric disorders or result from medication given for psychiatric disorders. Impairment of sleep and of mental health may be different manifestations of the same underlying neurobiological processes. For the primary care physician, key tools include recognition of potential sleep effects of psychiatric medications and familiarity with treatment approaches for insomnia in depression and anxiety. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The School Neuropsychology of ADHD: Theory, Assessment, and Intervention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldstein, Sam; Naglieri, Jack A.

2008-01-01

Although the five-part diagnostic criteria of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision" (DSM-IV-TR) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are behavioral and descriptive in nature, this condition has increasingly been defined as a disorder resulting from impaired behavioral inhibition…

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Decade of the Brain.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neuwirth, Sharyn

This guide to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is organized in three parts which address understanding the problem, getting help, and sustaining hope. A question-and-answer format addresses the following topics: symptoms of ADHD; other conditions which may produce similar symptoms; other disorders which may accompany ADHD; causes of…

Interventions for Speech Sound Disorders in Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, A. Lynn, Ed.; McLeod, Sharynne, Ed.; McCauley, Rebecca J., Ed.

2010-01-01

With detailed discussion and invaluable video footage of 23 treatment interventions for speech sound disorders (SSDs) in children, this textbook and DVD set should be part of every speech-language pathologist's professional preparation. Focusing on children with functional or motor-based speech disorders from early childhood through the early…

Errors of Logic and Scholarship Concerning Dissociative Identity Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ross, Colin A.

2009-01-01

The author reviewed a two-part critique of dissociative identity disorder published in the "Canadian Journal of Psychiatry". The two papers contain errors of logic and scholarship. Contrary to the conclusions in the critique, dissociative identity disorder has established diagnostic reliability and concurrent validity, the trauma histories of…

Understanding Panic Disorder.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendrix, Mary Lynn

This booklet is part of the National Institute of Mental Health's efforts to educate the public and health care professionals about panic disorder. Discussed here are the causes, definition, and symptoms of the disorder. Panic attacks, which can seriously interfere with a person's life, may strike more than three million U.S. citizens at some time…

HEARING, LANGUAGE, AND SPEECH DISORDERS. NINDB RESEARCH PROFILE NUMBER 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Inst. of Neurological Diseases and Blindness (NIH), Bethesda, MD.

AS PART OF HIS ANNUAL STATEMENT TO CONGRESS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES AND BLINDNESS DESCRIBES RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN SPEECH AND HEARING DISORDERS. THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREVALENCE AND CAUSES OF COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS (HEARING, SPEECH, LANGUAGE, VOICE, AND READING) IN CHILDREN AND…

Targeted Treatments in Autism and Fragile X Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gurkan, C. Kagan; Hagerman, Randi J.

2012-01-01

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder consisting of a constellation of symptoms that sometimes occur as part of a complex disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication and behavioral domains. It is a highly disabling disorder and there is a need for treatment targeting the core symptoms. Although autism is accepted…

Peer Victimization in Youth with Tourette Syndrome and Other Chronic Tic Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zinner, Samuel H.; Conelea, Christine A.; Glew, Gwen M.; Woods, Douglas W.; Budman, Cathy L.

2012-01-01

Chronic tic disorders including Tourette syndrome have negative impact across multiple functional domains. We explored associations between peer victimization status and tic subtypes, premonitory urges, internalizing symptoms, explosive outbursts, and quality of life among youth with chronic tic disorders, as part of the internet-based omnibus…

What Kinds of Things Cause Children's Reading Difficulties?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coltheart, Max

2015-01-01

The first part of this paper explains the distinction between proximal and distal causes of developmental disorders of cognition, with special reference to developmental disorders of reading. A number of different proximal causes of developmental disorders of reading have been identified. These correspond to a number of different patterns of…

Effect of processing history on the surface interfacial properties of budesonide in carrier-based dry-powder inhalers.

PubMed

Shur, Jagdeep; Pitchayajittipong, Chonladda; Rogueda, Philippe; Price, Robert

2013-08-01

Influence of air-jet micronization, post-micronization conditioning and storage on the surface properties of budesonide in dry-powder inhaler formulations was investigated. Crystalline budesonide was air jet-micronized and conditioned using organic vapor. Particle engineering was also used to fabricate respirable particles of budesonide. Surface imaging by atomic force microscopy suggested that micronized material possessed process-induced surface disorder, which relaxed upon conditioning with organic vapor. Particle engineered material was devoid of such surface disorder. Surface interfacial properties of all batches were different and correlated to in vitro fine particle delivery. The surface properties and in vitro performance of the conditioned material changed upon storage of the budesonide at 44% relative humidity and 25°C, while the micronized and particle-engineered material remained stable. These data suggest that processing conditions of budesonide affected the surface properties of the material, which was demonstrated to have direct affect on dry-powder inhaler formulation performance.

Disrupted prediction errors index social deficits in autism spectrum disorder

PubMed Central

Balsters, Joshua H; Apps, Matthew A J; Bolis, Dimitris; Lehner, Rea; Gallagher, Louise; Wenderoth, Nicole

2017-01-01

Abstract Social deficits are a core symptom of autism spectrum disorder; however, the perturbed neural mechanisms underpinning these deficits remain unclear. It has been suggested that social prediction errors—coding discrepancies between the predicted and actual outcome of another’s decisions—might play a crucial role in processing social information. While the gyral surface of the anterior cingulate cortex signalled social prediction errors in typically developing individuals, this crucial social signal was altered in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Importantly, the degree to which social prediction error signalling was aberrant correlated with diagnostic measures of social deficits. Effective connectivity analyses further revealed that, in typically developing individuals but not in autism spectrum disorder, the magnitude of social prediction errors was driven by input from the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. These data provide a novel insight into the neural substrates underlying autism spectrum disorder social symptom severity, and further research into the gyral surface of the anterior cingulate cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex could provide more targeted therapies to help ameliorate social deficits in autism spectrum disorder. PMID:28031223

The bizarre request for amputation.

PubMed

Barnes, Rachel

2011-12-01

Apotemnophilia is a condition where sufferers wish to be an amputee. Currently, belief in the medical profession is that it is part of the spectrum of body dysmorphic disorder and as such patients are denied surgical correction. This can lead sufferers to extreme lengths. Proponents seek to have the disorder reclassified to a body identity integrity disorder such as gender identity disorder. In this way treatment modalities could be reassessed.

Burning Eye Syndrome: Do Neuropathic Pain Mechanisms Underlie Chronic Dry Eye?

PubMed

Kalangara, Jerry P; Galor, Anat; Levitt, Roy C; Felix, Elizabeth R; Alegret, Ramon; Sarantopoulos, Constantine D

2016-04-01

Dry eye is a multi-factorial disorder that manifests with painful ocular symptoms and visual disturbances, which can only be partly attributed to tear dysfunction. This disorder may also involve neuroplasticity in response to neuronal injury. This review will emphasize the key characteristics of dry eye pain and its pathologic mechanisms, making the argument that a subset of dry eye represents a neuropathic pain disorder of the eye, more appropriately called "burning eye syndrome." A literature review was conducted using a PubMed search focusing on dry eye, corneal nociception, and neuropathic pain. Articles were reviewed and those discussing clinical course, pathophysiology, and neuronal regulation of chronic ocular pain as related to dry eye were summarized. We found that there is a discordance between ocular pain and dryness on the ocular surface. Although tear dysfunction may be one of the initial insults, its persistence may be associated with repeated ocular sensory nerve injury leading to an acute-to-chronic pain transition associated with neuropathologic changes (peripheral and central sensitization), neuronal dysfunction, and spontaneous ocular pain. Dry eye is becoming a major health concern due to its increasing incidence, significant morbidity, and economic burden. Recent evidence suggests that a subset of dry eye may be better represented as a chronic neuropathic pain disorder due to its features of dysesthesia, spontaneous pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. Future therapies targeted at the underlying neuroplasticity may yield improved efficacy for patients with this subset of dry eye, which we term "burning eye syndrome." © 2015 American Academy of Pain Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

I Situ Surface X-Ray Diffraction Studies of Electrochemically Deposited Monolayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yee, Dennis

1995-01-01

In situ x-ray diffraction has been used to determine the detailed atomic structure of electrochemically deposited lead, thallium, and bismuth monolayers on the silver (111) electrode surface. A review of our previously published lead and thallium monolayer results and the first in situ surface x-ray crystallographic study of the bismuth monolayer structure is presented. The crystallographic analysis of the bismuth Bragg rod intensities and the interference between the bismuth Bragg rod and silver crystal truncation rod scattering were used to determine the detailed atomic structure of the bismuth on silver (111) system at the liquid-solid interface. Our previous in situ x-ray diffraction studies showed that the bismuth monolayer lattice is rectangular and uniaxially incommensurate with the underlying hexagonal silver surface. A crystallographic analysis of the measured structure factor magnitudes reveals that the monolayer forms chains of atoms on the silver surface, similar to the bulk Bi(110)_{rh} plane, with a near neighbor distance of 3.12 +/- 0.01 A and a bond angle of 93 +/- 1^circ, consistent with the bulk Bi(110) _{rh} plane values. The crystallographic refinement also shows that the bismuth monolayer atoms are anisotropically disordered with a rms disorder of 0.25 +/- 0.03 A in the incommensurate direction and 0.09 +/- 0.03 A rms in the commnensurate direction. The interference between the Bi(20) Bragg rod and the Ag(10L)_ {h} crystal truncation rod scattering reveals that one set of bismuth atoms is registered near the bridge sites of the silver (111) surface while another set is registered near the 3-fold hollow sites. In addition, the Bi-Ag d-spacing (3.1 +/- 0.1 A) is found to be consistent with the bulk bismuth near neighbor distance. The bismuth z-direction rms disorder (1.01 +/- 0.08 A) is found to be dominated by the roughness of the underlying silver (sigma_{Ag} = 0.9 +/- 0.1 A rms). Using the estimated bismuth-bismuth spring constant of 1.41 +/- 0.07 eV/A^2 from our measured bismuth two-dimensional compressibility, two simple models are used to try and understand the origin of the anisotropic disorder. A simple two-dimensional isotropic thermal fluctuation model shows that thermal fluctuations are not large enough to account for all of the measured excess disorder in the incommensurate direction. A simple one-dimensional Frenkel-Kontorova model shows that the substrate-induced disorder can account for the anisotropic disorder, assuming a substrate sinusoidal potential strength of 0.35 +/- 0.02 eV.

Healthy Adult Male Facial Skin Surface Lipid Pheromone p.o. to Treat Opioid Addiction

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-03-20

Opioid Addiction; Opioid Abuse, Continuous Use; Opioid Use; Opioid-Related Disorders; Paternal Pheromone Deficiency; Opioid Dependence; Opioid Abuse; Opioid-use Disorder; Opioid Intoxication; Opioid Abuse, Episodic

Recent advancements in the field of nanotechnology for the delivery of anti-Alzheimer drug in the brain region.

PubMed

Agrawal, Mukta; Saraf, Swarnlata; Saraf, Shailendra; Antimisiaris, Sophia G; Hamano, Nobuhito; Li, Shyh-Dar; Chougule, Mahavir; Shoyele, Sunday A; Gupta, Umesh; Ajazuddin; Alexander, Amit

2018-06-01

Brain is supposed to be the most complicated part of the body which is very far from the reach of drug moieties. The drug entry in to the brain region depends upon various factors, and among those, the blood-brain-barrier remains the most prominent one. This barrier restricts the entry of almost all the drug and most of the essential biological components like proteins, peptides, etc. and hinders treatment of the CNS disorders. Alzheimer Disease (AD) is one such brain disorder, more specifically a neurodegenerative disorder which primarily affects the older adults. Areas covered: From solubility enhancement to targeted delivery, the nanoparticulate system became the answer for almost all the criticality related to drug delivery. Hence, nanoparticulate drug carrier system has been widely utilizing to remove the hurdles of brain drug delivery. Keeping this in mind, we have underlined the proficiencies of the nanocarrier systems which claim to improve the drug efficacy for the treatment of the AD. Expert opinion: The nanotechnological approaches are highly exploited by the researchers to enhance the drug permeation across the BBB to improve its bioavailability and efficacy by protecting the drug from peripheral degradation. However, still in this area of drug targeting provides vast scope for discoveries towards the enhancement of drug efficacy through surface modifications, site specification, reduced toxicity of the nanocarrier system and so on.

Comparing two methods to record maximal voluntary contractions and different electrode positions in recordings of forearm extensor muscle activity: Refining risk assessments for work-related wrist disorders.

PubMed

Dahlqvist, Camilla; Nordander, Catarina; Granqvist, Lothy; Forsman, Mikael; Hansson, Gert-Åke

2018-01-01

Wrist disorders are common in force demanding industrial repetitive work. Visual assessment of force demands have a low reliability, instead surface electromyography (EMG) may be used as part of a risk assessment for work-related wrist disorders. For normalization of EMG recordings, a power grip (hand grip) is often used as maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the forearm extensor muscles. However, the test-retest reproducibility is poor and EMG amplitudes exceeding 100% have occasionally been recorded during work. An alternative MVC is resisted wrist extension, which may be more reliable. To compare hand grip and resisted wrist extension MVCs, in terms of amplitude and reproducibility, and to examine the effect of electrode positioning. Twelve subjects participated. EMG from right forearm extensors, from four electrode pairs, was recorded during MVCs, on three separate occasions. The group mean EMG amplitudes for resisted wrist extension were 1.2-1.7 times greater than those for hand grip. Resisted wrist extension showed better reproducibility than hand grip. The results indicate that the use of resisted wrist extension is a more accurate measurement of maximal effort of wrist extensor contractions than using hand grip and should increase the precision in EMG recordings from forearm extensor muscles, which in turn will increase the quality of risk assessments that are based on these.

Disorder-Induced Topological State Transition in Photonic Metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Changxu; Gao, Wenlong; Yang, Biao; Zhang, Shuang

2017-11-01

The topological state transition has been widely studied based on the quantized topological band invariant such as the Chern number for the system without intense randomness that may break the band structures. We numerically demonstrate the disorder-induced state transition in the photonic topological systems for the first time. Instead of applying the ill-defined topological band invariant in a disordered system, we utilize an empirical parameter to unambiguously illustrate the state transition of the topological metamaterials. Before the state transition, we observe a robust surface state with well-confined electromagnetic waves propagating unidirectionally, immune to the disorder from permittivity fluctuation up to 60% of the original value. During the transition, a hybrid state composed of a quasiunidirectional surface mode and intensively localized hot spots is established, a result of the competition between the topological protection and Anderson localization.

Inferring pathobiology from structural MRI in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Modeling head motion and neuroanatomical specificity.

PubMed

Yao, Nailin; Winkler, Anderson M; Barrett, Jennifer; Book, Gregory A; Beetham, Tamara; Horseman, Rachel; Leach, Olivia; Hodgson, Karen; Knowles, Emma E; Mathias, Samuel; Stevens, Michael C; Assaf, Michal; van Erp, Theo G M; Pearlson, Godfrey D; Glahn, David C

2017-08-01

Despite over 400 peer-reviewed structural MRI publications documenting neuroanatomic abnormalities in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, the confounding effects of head motion and the regional specificity of these defects are unclear. Using a large cohort of individuals scanned on the same research dedicated MRI with broadly similar protocols, we observe reduced cortical thickness indices in both illnesses, though less pronounced in bipolar disorder. While schizophrenia (n = 226) was associated with wide-spread surface area reductions, bipolar disorder (n = 227) and healthy comparison subjects (n = 370) did not differ. We replicate earlier reports that head motion (estimated from time-series data) influences surface area and cortical thickness measurements and demonstrate that motion influences a portion, but not all, of the observed between-group structural differences. Although the effect sizes for these differences were small to medium, when global indices were covaried during vertex-level analyses, between-group effects became nonsignificant. This analysis raises doubts about the regional specificity of structural brain changes, possible in contrast to functional changes, in affective and psychotic illnesses as measured with current imaging technology. Given that both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder showed cortical thickness reductions, but only schizophrenia showed surface area changes, and assuming these measures are influenced by at least partially unique sets of biological factors, then our results could indicate some degree of specificity between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3757-3770, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structure and Formation Mechanism of Black TiO 2 Nanoparticles

DOE PAGES

Tian, Mengkun; Mahjouri-Samani, Masoud; Eres, Gyula; ...

2015-10-27

The remarkable properties of black TiO 2 are due to its disordered surface shell surrounding a crystalline core. However, the chemical composition and the atomic and electronic structure of the disordered shell and its relationship to the core remain poorly understood. Using advanced transmission electron microscopy methods, we show that the outermost layer of black TiO 2 nanoparticles consists of a disordered Ti 2O 3 shell. The measurements show a transition region that connects the disordered Ti 2O 3 shell to the perfect rutile core consisting first of four to five monolayers of defective rutile, containing clearly visible Ti interstitialmore » atoms, followed by an ordered reconstruction layer of Ti interstitial atoms. Our data suggest that this reconstructed layer presents a template on which the disordered Ti 2O 3 layers form by interstitial diffusion of Ti ions. In contrast to recent reports that attribute TiO 2 band-gap narrowing to the synergistic action of oxygen vacancies and surface disorder of nonspecific origin, our results point to Ti 2O 3, which is a narrow-band-gap semiconductor. In conclusion, as a stoichiometric compound of the lower oxidation state Ti 3+ it is expected to be a more robust atomic structure than oxygen-deficient TiO 2 for preserving and stabilizing Ti 3+ surface species that are the key to the enhanced photocatalytic activity of black TiO 2.« less

Ultrasonic material hardness depth measurement

DOEpatents

Good, M.S.; Schuster, G.J.; Skorpik, J.R.

1997-07-08

The invention is an ultrasonic surface hardness depth measurement apparatus and method permitting rapid determination of hardness depth of shafts, rods, tubes and other cylindrical parts. The apparatus of the invention has a part handler, sensor, ultrasonic electronics component, computer, computer instruction sets, and may include a display screen. The part handler has a vessel filled with a couplant, and a part rotator for rotating a cylindrical metal part with respect to the sensor. The part handler further has a surface follower upon which the sensor is mounted, thereby maintaining a constant distance between the sensor and the exterior surface of the cylindrical metal part. The sensor is mounted so that a front surface of the sensor is within the vessel with couplant between the front surface of the sensor and the part. 12 figs.

Shame, pride and eating disorders.

PubMed

Goss, Kenneth; Allan, Steven

2009-01-01

This paper explores shame and shame-based responses in eating disorders. Research linking shame with eating disorders and the possible role of shame and pride in the onset and maintenance of eating disorders is reviewed. The experience of shame is likely to be complex, dynamic and variable. However, the key to identifying shame is often via the various coping strategies adopted, which in turn may form part of a maintenance cycle for eating disorder beliefs and behaviours. An outline model of shame and pride cycles in the maintenance of eating disorders is presented with clinical implications.

Errors of logic and scholarship concerning dissociative identity disorder.

PubMed

Ross, Colin A

2009-01-01

The author reviewed a two-part critique of dissociative identity disorder published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. The two papers contain errors of logic and scholarship. Contrary to the conclusions in the critique, dissociative identity disorder has established diagnostic reliability and concurrent validity, the trauma histories of affected individuals can be corroborated, and the existing prospective treatment outcome literature demonstrates improvement in individuals receiving psychotherapy for the disorder. The available evidence supports the inclusion of dissociative identity disorder in future editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The role of surfaces, chemical interfaces, and disorder on plutonium incorporation in pyrochlores

DOE PAGES

Perriot, Romain; Dholabhai, Pratik P.; Uberuaga, Blas P.

2016-07-27

Pyrochlores, a class of complex oxides with formula A 2B 2O 7, are one of the candidates for nuclear waste encapsulation, due to the natural occurrence of actinide-bearing pyrochlore minerals and laboratory observations of high radiation tolerance. In this work, we use atomistic simulations to determine the role of surfaces, chemical interfaces, and cation disorder on the plutonium immobilization properties of pyrochlores as a function of pyrochlore chemistry. We find that both Pu 3+ and Pu 4+ segregate to the surface for the four low-index pyrochlore surfaces considered, and that the segregation energy varies with the chemistry of the compound.more » We also find that pyrochlore/pyrochlore bicrystals A 2B 2O 7/A 2'B 2'O 7 can be used to immobilize Pu 3+ and Pu 4+ either in the same or separate phases of the compound, depending on the chemistry of the material. Finally, we find that Pu 4+ segregates to the disordered phase of an order/disorder bicrystal, driven by the occurrence of local oxygen-rich environments. However, Pu 3+ is weakly sensitive to the oxygen environment, and therefore only slightly favors the disordered phase. This behavior suggests that, at some concentration, Pu incorporation can destabilize the pyrochlore structure. Together, these results provide new insight into the ability of pyrochlore compounds to encapsulate Pu and suggest new considerations in the development of waste forms based on pyrochlores. Particularly, the phase structure of a multi-phase pyrochlore composite can be used to independently getter decay products based on their valence and size.« less

Fabrication of Si3N4 nanowire membranes: free standing disordered nanopapers and aligned nanowire assemblies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haitao; Fang, Minghao; Huang, Zhaohui; Huang, Juntong; Liu, Yan-gai; Wu, Xiaowen

2016-08-01

Herein, ultralong silicon nitride nanowires were synthesized via a chemical vapor deposition method by using the low-cost quartz and silicon powder as raw materials. Simple processes were used for the fabrication of disordered and ordered nanowire membranes of pure silicon nitride nanowires. The nanowires in the disordered nanopapers are intertwined with each other to form a paper-like structure which exhibit excellent flame retardancy and mechanical properties. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal gravity analysis were employed to characterize the refractory performance of the disordered nanopapers. Highly ordered nanowire membranes were also assembled through a three-phase assembly approach which make the Si3N4 nanowires have potential use in textured ceramics and semiconductor field. Moreover, the surface nanowires can also be modified to be hydrophobic; this characteristic make the as-prepared nanowires have the potential to be assembled by the more effective Langmuir-Blodgett method and also make the disordered nanopapers possess a super-hydrophobic surface.

Alcohol Use Disorders and the Use of Treatment Services Among College-Age Young Adults

PubMed Central

Wu, Li-Tzy; Pilowsky, Daniel J.; Schlenger, William E.; Hasin, Deborah

2007-01-01

Objectives This study examined the utilization of and the perceived need for alcohol treatment services among college-age young adults (18–22 years) according to their educational status: full-time college students, part-time college students, noncollege students (currently in school with the highest grade level below college), and nonstudents (N=11,337). This breakdown of young adults had not been addressed previously. Methods Secondary analyses were conducted on data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Results Full-time college students (21%) were as likely to have an alcohol use disorder as nonstudents (19%), but were more likely than part-time college students (15%) and noncollege students (12%). Only 4% of full-time college students with an alcohol use disorder received any alcohol services in the past year. Of those with an alcohol use disorder who did not receive treatment services, only 2% of full-time college students, close to 1% of part-time college students, and approximately 3% of young adults who were not in college reported a perceived need for alcohol treatment. Full-time college students were less likely than noncollege students to receive treatment for alcohol use disorders. All young adults with an alcohol use disorder were very unlikely to perceive a need for alcohol treatment or counseling. Conclusions College-age adults have a high prevalence of alcohol use disorders, yet they are very unlikely to receive alcohol treatment or early intervention services or to perceive a need for such services. Underutilization of alcohol-related services among college-age young adults deserves greater research attention. PMID:17287375

Alcohol use disorders and the use of treatment services among college-age young adults.

PubMed

Wu, Li-Tzy; Pilowsky, Daniel J; Schlenger, William E; Hasin, Deborah

2007-02-01

This study examined the utilization of and the perceived need for alcohol treatment services among college-age young adults (18-22 years) according to their educational status: full-time college students, part-time college students, noncollege students (currently in school with the highest grade level below college), and nonstudents (N=11,337). This breakdown of young adults had not been addressed previously. Secondary analyses were conducted on data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Full-time college students (21%) were as likely to have an alcohol use disorder as nonstudents (19%), but were more likely than part-time college students (15%) and noncollege students (12%). Only 4% of full-time college students with an alcohol use disorder received any alcohol services in the past year. Of those with an alcohol use disorder who did not receive treatment services, only 2% of full-time college students, close to 1% of part-time college students, and approximately 3% of young adults who were not in college reported a perceived need for alcohol treatment. Full-time college students were less likely than noncollege students to receive treatment for alcohol use disorders. All young adults with an alcohol use disorder were very unlikely to perceive a need for alcohol treatment or counseling. College-age adults have a high prevalence of alcohol use disorders, yet they are very unlikely to receive alcohol treatment or early intervention services or to perceive a need for such services. Underutilization of alcohol-related services among college-age young adults deserves greater research attention.

Histologic features of alopecias: part II: scarring alopecias.

PubMed

Bernárdez, C; Molina-Ruiz, A M; Requena, L

2015-05-01

The diagnosis of disorders of the hair and scalp can generally be made on clinical grounds, but clinical signs are not always diagnostic and in some cases more invasive techniques, such as a biopsy, may be necessary. This 2-part article is a detailed review of the histologic features of the main types of alopecia based on the traditional classification of these disorders into 2 major groups: scarring and nonscarring alopecias. Scarring alopecias are disorders in which the hair follicle is replaced by fibrous scar tissue, a process that leads to permanent hair loss. In nonscarring alopecias, the follicles are preserved and hair growth can resume when the cause of the problem is eliminated. In the second part of this review, we describe the histologic features of the main forms of scarring alopecia. Since a close clinical-pathological correlation is essential for making a correct histopathologic diagnosis of alopecia, we also include a brief description of the clinical features of the principal forms of this disorder. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and AEDV. All rights reserved.

Histologic features of alopecias-part I: nonscarring alopecias.

PubMed

Bernárdez, C; Molina-Ruiz, A M; Requena, L

2015-04-01

The diagnosis of disorders of the hair and scalp can generally be made on clinical grounds, but clinical signs are not always diagnostic and in some cases more invasive techniques, such as a biopsy, may be necessary. This 2-part article is a detailed review of the histologic features of the main types of alopecia based on the traditional classification of these disorders into 2 major groups: scarring and nonscarring alopecias. Scarring alopecias are disorders in which the hair follicle is replaced by fibrous scar tissue, a process that leads to permanent hair loss. In nonscarring alopecias, the follicles are preserved and hair growth can resume when the cause of the problem is eliminated. In the first part of this review, we describe the histologic features of the main forms of nonscarring alopecia. Since a close clinical-pathological correlation is essential for making a correct histologic diagnosis of alopecia, we also include a brief description of the clinical features of the principal forms of this disorder. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and AEDV. All rights reserved.

Collaborative Care for Patients With Severe Personality Disorders: Preliminary Results and Active Ingredients From a Pilot Study (Part I).

PubMed

Stringer, Barbara; van Meijel, Berno; Karman, Pieter; Koekkoek, Bauke; Hoogendoorn, Adriaan W; Kerkhof, Ad J F M; Beekman, Aartjan T F

2015-07-01

To test if a collaborative care program (CCP) with nurses in a coordinating position is beneficial for patients with severe personality disorders. A pilot study with a comparative multiple case study design using mixed methods investigating active ingredients and preliminary results. Most patients, their informal caregivers, and nurses value (parts of) the CCP positively; preliminary results show a significant decrease in severity of borderline symptoms. With the CCP, we may expand the supply of available treatments for patients with (severe) personality disorders, but a larger randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm our preliminary results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Three-Dimensional Models of Topological Insulators: Engineering of Dirac Cones and Robustness of the Spin Texture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soriano, David; Ortmann, Frank; Roche, Stephan

2012-12-01

We design three-dimensional models of topological insulator thin films, showing a tunability of the odd number of Dirac cones driven by the atomic-scale geometry at the boundaries. A single Dirac cone at the Γ-point can be obtained as well as full suppression of quantum tunneling between Dirac states at geometrically differentiated surfaces. The spin texture of surface states changes from a spin-momentum-locking symmetry to a surface spin randomization upon the introduction of bulk disorder. These findings illustrate the richness of the Dirac physics emerging in thin films of topological insulators and may prove utile for engineering Dirac cones and for quantifying bulk disorder in materials with ultraclean surfaces.

Stability of flat zero-energy states at the dirty surface of a nodal superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikegaya, Satoshi; Asano, Yasuhiro

2017-06-01

We discuss the stability of highly degenerate zero-energy states that appear at the surface of a nodal superconductor preserving time-reversal symmetry. The existence of such surface states is a direct consequence of the nontrivial topological numbers defined in the restricted Brillouin zones in the clean limit. In experiments, however, potential disorder is inevitable near the surface of a real superconductor, which may lift the high degeneracy at zero energy. We show that an index defined in terms of the chiral eigenvalues of the zero-energy states can be used to measure the degree of degeneracy at zero energy in the presence of potential disorder. We also discuss the relationship between the index and the topological numbers.

Kant on mental disorder. Part 1: an overview.

PubMed

Frierson, Patrick

2009-09-01

This paper sets out Kant's anthropological account of mental disorder. I begin with a discussion of the nature of Kant's 'pragmatic anthropology' and the implications of the fact that his discussion of mental disorder takes place in that context. I then set out Kant's taxonomy of the mind and discuss the various disorders affecting the cognitive faculty and the faculties of feeling and desire. I end with a brief discussion of Kant's views on the causes, preventions, and treatments of mental disorder.

Encyclopaedia of tumour-associated familial disorders. Part I: from AIMAH to CHIME syndrome

PubMed Central

Sijmons, Rolf H

2008-01-01

Cancer is associated with a wide range of hereditary disorders. Recognizing these disorders in cancer patients may be of great importance for the medical management of both patients and their relatives. Conversely, recognizing the fact that cancer may develop as a complication of a particular hereditary disorder which has already been diagnosed may be important for the same reason. The Familial Cancer Database (FaCD) is a web-based application which has been developed at our department with the intention to assist clinicians and genetic counsellors in making a genetic differential diagnosis in cancer patients, as well as in becoming aware of the tumour spectrum associated with hereditary disorders that have already been diagnosed in their patients. This encyclopaedia is published in parts and discusses the disorders included in the FaCD database in alphabetical order. It lists names, synonyms, OMIM number, mode of inheritance, associated genes, phenotype, clinical discussion and references. The purpose of presenting this encyclopaedia in paper format is simply that we hope that you as clinicians and researchers find it helpful to browse through it and familiarize yourself even better with the scope of genetic disorders that have been associated with increased tumour risk. PMID:19706204

Handbook of Qualitative Research in Communication Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ball, Martin J., Ed.; Müller, Nicole, Ed.; Nelson, Ryan L., Ed.

2013-01-01

This volume provides a comprehensive and in-depth handbook of qualitative research in the field of communication disorders. It introduces and illustrates the wide range of qualitative paradigms that have been used in recent years to investigate various aspects of communication disorders. The first part of the Handbook introduces in some detail the…

Neuropsychological Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder in Infancy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Solovieva, Yulia; Quintanar, Luis

2017-01-01

The syndrome of attention deficit disorder is one of the most frequent pictures of disabilities in pre-scholars. The present study analyses the results of fulfillment of tasks for mechanisms of control and spatial functions. 14 pre-scholars with attention deficit disorder took part in the study. The neuropsychological evaluation was applied before…

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Part II: A Qualitative Comparison of Parenting Stress

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watson, Shelley L.; Hayes, Stephanie A.; Coons, Kelly D.; Radford-Paz, Elisa

2013-01-01

Background: Researchers investigating the impact of parenting children with disabilities suggest that regardless of the specific diagnosis, parents experience increased levels of stress. However, particular disabilities may be associated with distinct stressors and strains. Method: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and…

Multidisciplinary Treatment of Eating Disorders - Part 2: Primary Goals and Content of Treatment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, Tiffany M.; Williamson, Donald A.

2004-01-01

This article describes the program content of a multidisciplinary, hospital-based program for severe eating disorders. Common goals for treatment of patients with eating disorders are discussed. Details about the specific therapeutic strategies used in individual and group therapy are provided. Also, information about dietary counseling and…

Is temporomandibular pain in chronic whiplash-associated disorders part of a more widespread pain syndrome?

PubMed

Visscher, Corine; Hofman, Nico; Mes, Carola; Lousberg, Richel; Naeije, Machiel

2005-01-01

The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder is a controversial issue that may be influenced by the widespread pain character and psychologic distress frequently observed in patients with chronic pain. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder pain, widespread pain, and psychologic distress in persons with chronic whiplash-associated disorder pain, using a controlled, single blind study design. The prevalence of temporomandibular disorder pain in the chronic whiplash-associated disorder pain group was compared with 2 control groups: a chronic neck pain group and a no neck pain group. From 65 persons, a standardized oral history was taken, a physical examination of the neck and the masticatory system was performed, widespread pain was investigated by tender point palpation, and psychologic distress was measured with a questionnaire (SCL-90). Because the recognition of temporomandibular disorder pain and neck pain remains a matter of debate, 3 well-defined classification systems were used: one based on the oral history, a second on a combination of oral history and pain on active movements and palpation, and a third one based on a combination of oral history and function tests. Irrespective of the classification system used, the chronic whiplash-associated disorder pain group more often suffered from temporomandibular disorder pain (0.001

Treatment dropout in web-based cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with eating disorders.

PubMed

Ter Huurne, Elke D; Postel, Marloes G; de Haan, Hein A; van der Palen, Job; DeJong, Cor A J

2017-01-01

Treatment dropout is an important concern in eating disorder treatments as it has negative implications for patients' outcome, clinicians' motivation, and research studies. Our main objective was to conduct an exploratory study on treatment dropout in a two-part web-based cognitive behavioral therapy with asynchronous therapeutic support. The analysis included 205 female patients with eating disorders. Reasons for dropout, treatment experiences, and predictors of dropout were analyzed. Overall treatment dropout was 37.6%, with 18.5% early dropout (before or during treatment part 1) and 19.0% late dropout (after part 1 or during part 2). Almost half of the participants identified personal circumstances as reason for dropout. The other participants mostly reported reasons related to the online delivery or treatment protocol. Predictors of early dropout included reporting less vigor and smoking at baseline and a longer average duration per completed treatment module of part 1. Late dropout was predicted by reporting less vigor at baseline and uncertainty about recommendation of the treatment to others after completion of treatment part 1. Generally, the web-based treatment and online therapeutic support were evaluated positively, although dropouts rated the treatment as significantly less helpful and effective than completers did. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders: Part II, Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder, Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder, Free-Running Disorder, and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm

PubMed Central

Sack, Robert L; Auckley, Dennis; Auger, R. Robert; Carskadon, Mary A.; Wright, Kenneth P.; Vitiello, Michael V.; Zhdanova, Irina V.

2007-01-01

Objective: This the second of two articles reviewing the scientific literature on the evaluation and treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs), employing the methodology of evidence-based medicine. We herein report on the accumulated evidence regarding the evaluation and treatment of Advamced Sleep Phase Disorder (ASPD), Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD), Free-Running Disorder (FRD) and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm ISWR). Methods: A set of specific questions relevant to clinical practice were formulated, a systematic literature search was performed, and relevant articles were abstracted and graded. Results: A substantial body of literature has accumulated that provides a rational basis the evaluation and treatment of CRSDs. Physiological assessment has involved determination of circadian phase using core body temperature and the timing of melatonin secretion. Behavioral assessment has involved sleep logs, actigraphy and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Treatment interventions fall into three broad categories: 1) prescribed sleep scheduling, 2) circadian phase shifting (“resetting the clock”), and 3) symptomatic treatment using hypnotic and stimulant medications. Conclusion: Circadian rhythm science has also pointed the way to rational interventions for CRSDs and these treatments have been introduced into the practice of sleep medicine with varying degrees of success. More translational research is needed using subjects who meet current diagnostic criteria. Citation: Sack R; Auckley D; Auger RR; Carskadon MA; Wright KP; Vitiello MV; Zhdanova IV. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders: Part II, advanced sleep phase disorder, delayed sleep phase disorder, free-running disorder, and irregular sleep-wake rhythm. SLEEP 2007;30(11):1484-1501. PMID:18041481

Elevated Responding to Safe Conditions as a Specific Risk Factor for Anxiety Versus Depressive Disorders: Evidence From a Longitudinal Investigation

PubMed Central

Craske, Michelle G.; Wolitzky–Taylor, Kate B.; Mineka, Susan; Zinbarg, Richard; Waters, Allison M.; Vrshek–Schallhorn, Suzanne; Epstein, Alyssa; Naliboff, Bruce; Ornitz, Edward

2013-01-01

The current study evaluated the degree to which startle reflexes (SRs) in safe conditions versus danger conditions were predictive of the onset of anxiety disorders. Specificity of these effects to anxiety disorders was evaluated in comparison to unipolar depressive disorders and with consideration of level of neuroticism. A startle paradigm was administered at baseline to 132 nondisordered adolescents as part of a longitudinal study examining risk factors for emotional disorders. Participants underwent a repetition of eight safe-danger sequences and were told that delivery of an aversive stimulus leading to a muscle contraction of the arm would occur only in the late part of danger conditions. One aversive stimulus occurred midway in the safe-danger sequences. Participants were assessed for the onset of anxiety and unipolar depressive disorders annually over the next 3 to 4 years. Larger SR magnitude during safe conditions following delivery of the aversive stimulus predicted the subsequent first onset of anxiety disorders. Moreover, prediction of the onset of anxiety disorders remained significant above and beyond the effects of comorbid unipolar depression, neuroticism, and subjective ratings of intensity of the aversive stimulus. In sum, elevated responding to safe conditions following an aversive stimulus appears to be a specific, prospective risk factor for the first onset of anxiety disorders. PMID:21988452

Antisocial personality and bipolar disorder: interactions in impulsivity and course of illness

PubMed Central

Swann, Alan C

2011-01-01

SUMMARY Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and bipolar disorder are both characterized by impulsive behavior, increased incarceration or arrest, addictive disorders and suicidal behavior. These characteristics appear more severe in the combined disorders. Individuals with ASPD who also have bipolar disorder have higher rates of addictive disorders and suicidal behavior and are more impulsive, as measured by questionnaires or behavioral laboratory tests. Those with bipolar disorder who have ASPD have higher rates of addictive, criminal and suicidal behavior, earlier onset of bipolar disorder with a more recurrent and predominately manic course and increased laboratory-measured, but not questionnaire-rated, impulsivity. These characteristics may result in part from differential impulsivity mechanisms in the two disorders, with bipolar disorder driven more by excessive catecholamine sensitivity and ASPD by deficient serotonergic function. PMID:22235235

Scratching the surface of ice: Interfacial phase transitions and their kinetic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Limmer, David

The surface structure of ice maintains a high degree of disorder down to surprisingly low temperatures. This is due to a number of underlying interfacial phase transitions that are associated with incremental changes in broken symmetry relative to the bulk crystal. In this talk I summarize recent work attempting to establish the nature and locations of these different phase transitions as well as how they depend on external conditions and nonequilibrium driving. The implications of this surface disorder is discussed in the context of simple kinetic processes that occur at these interfaces. Recent experimental work on the roughening transition is highlighted.

Sleep disorders and chronic craniofacial pain: Characteristics and management possibilities.

PubMed

Almoznino, Galit; Benoliel, Rafael; Sharav, Yair; Haviv, Yaron

2017-06-01

Chronic craniofacial pain involves the head, face and oral cavity and is associated with significant morbidity and high levels of health care utilization. A bidirectional relationship is suggested in the literature for poor sleep and pain, and craniofacial pain and sleep are reciprocally related. We review this relationship and discuss management options. Part I reviews the relationship between pain and sleep disorders in the context of four diagnostic categories of chronic craniofacial pain: 1) primary headaches: migraines, tension-type headache (TTH), trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) and hypnic headache, 2) secondary headaches: sleep apnea headache, 3) temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and 4) painful cranial neuropathies: trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic trigeminal neuropathy, painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Part II discusses the management of patients with chronic craniofacial pain and sleep disorders addressing the factors that modulate the pain experience as well as sleep disorders and including both non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Westgate Service and Related Referral, Assessment, and Treatment Processes.

PubMed

Bennett, Alice L

2015-12-01

The formerly named "Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder" (DSPD) units are no longer standalone services within the criminal justice system in England and Wales. These sites now provide personality disorder treatment services in the high-security prison estate as part of the new national Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway Strategy. The OPD Pathway intends to take responsibility for the assessment, treatment, and management of offenders who are likely to have a personality disorder and who present a high risk of re-offending (men and women) and serious harm to others (men). Further PD treatment and progression services are being commissioned in lower security prisons and in the community as part of the new PD Strategy. While the suitability criteria for the two male high-security PD treatment sites are the same, the individual units have their own assessment and treatment methods. This article aims to communicate the referral, assessment, and treatment methods employed within the prison-based Westgate Personality Disorder Treatment Service, HMP Frankland. © The Author(s) 2014.

Psychosocial interventions among children and adolescents

PubMed Central

Jayarajan, Deepak; Jacob, Preeti

2018-01-01

Substance use disorders in children and adolescents are a significant cause of concern as they can have long term implications in practically every sphere. The etiological factors that contribute to substance use disorders are complex and the formulation must amalgamate and synthesize all the different factors including the predisposing, perpetuating, precipitating and protective factors in order to plan management. Interventions must stem from this comprehensive formulation and must be child-focused, multidisciplinary, multisystemic, with strong family participation and community involvement. The treating team must actively collaborate with the young person and help him/her understand the rationale for treatment in order for them to engage in it. Assessment and treatment of comorbidities are an important part of intervention package. Skill training for problem solving, emotional regulation, social skills, and communication are an essential part of the treatment for substance use disorders in adolescents. Relapse prevention strategies, including how to seek help when there is a lapse must be part and parcel of the interventions delivered to the young person. Substance use disorder interventions must be part of a larger plan that addresses other areas of concern in the young person's life. While there are few studies, and so a relatively weak and preliminary evidence base for pharmacotherapeutic interventions, early evidence shows that their combination with psychosocial interventions may have a synergistic effect on substance use reduction. Substance use disorders affect the entire family and the community at large and thus must be treated holistically, but by individualising the treatment to suit the needs of that particular child and family. PMID:29540929

Nanostructure of cellulose microfibrils in spruce wood.

PubMed

Fernandes, Anwesha N; Thomas, Lynne H; Altaner, Clemens M; Callow, Philip; Forsyth, V Trevor; Apperley, David C; Kennedy, Craig J; Jarvis, Michael C

2011-11-22

The structure of cellulose microfibrils in wood is not known in detail, despite the abundance of cellulose in woody biomass and its importance for biology, energy, and engineering. The structure of the microfibrils of spruce wood cellulose was investigated using a range of spectroscopic methods coupled to small-angle neutron and wide-angle X-ray scattering. The scattering data were consistent with 24-chain microfibrils and favored a "rectangular" model with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces exposed. Disorder in chain packing and hydrogen bonding was shown to increase outwards from the microfibril center. The extent of disorder blurred the distinction between the I alpha and I beta allomorphs. Chains at the surface were distinct in conformation, with high levels of conformational disorder at C-6, less intramolecular hydrogen bonding and more outward-directed hydrogen bonding. Axial disorder could be explained in terms of twisting of the microfibrils, with implications for their biosynthesis.

Surface spins disorder in uncoated and SiO2 coated maghemite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeb, F.; Nadeem, K.; Shah, S. Kamran Ali; Kamran, M.; Gul, I. Hussain; Ali, L.

2017-05-01

We studied the surface spins disorder in uncoated and silica (SiO2) coated maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles using temperature and time dependent magnetization. The average crystallite size for SiO2 coated and uncoated nanoparticles was about 12 and 29 nm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the nanoparticles are spherical in shape and well separated. Temperature scans of zero field cooled (ZFC)/field cooled (FC) magnetization measurements showed lower average blocking temperature (TB) for SiO2 coated maghemite nanoparticles as compared to uncoated nanoparticles. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of SiO2 coated maghemite nanoparticles was also lower than the uncoated nanoparticles and is attributed to smaller average crystallite size of SiO2 coated nanoparticles. For saturation magnetization vs. temperature data, Bloch's law (M(T)= M(0).(1- BTb)) was fitted well for both uncoated and SiO2 coated nanoparticles and yields: B =3×10-7 K-b, b=2.22 and B=0.0127 K-b, b=0.57 for uncoated and SiO2 coated nanoparticles, respectively. Higher value of B for SiO2 coated nanoparticles depicts decrease in exchange coupling due to enhanced surface spins disorder (broken surface bonds) as compared to uncoated nanoparticles. The Bloch's exponent b was decreased for SiO2 coated nanoparticles which is due to their smaller average crystallite size or finite size effects. Furthermore, a sharp increase of coercivity at low temperatures (<25 K) was observed for SiO2 coated nanoparticles which is also due to contribution of increased surface anisotropy or frozen surface spins in these smaller nanoparticles. The FC magnetic relaxation data was fitted to stretched exponential law which revealed slower magnetic relaxation for SiO2 coated nanoparticles. All these measurements revealed smaller average crystallite size and enhanced surface spins disorder in SiO2 coated nanoparticles than in uncoated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

Hydrogenated TiO2 nanotube photonic crystals for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Ming; Zhou, Sihua; Yang, Lun; Gan, Zhixing; Liu, Kuili; Tian, Fengshou; Zhu, Yu; Li, ChunYang; Liu, Weifeng; Yuan, Honglei; Zhang, Yan

2018-04-01

We report the design, fabrication and characterization of novel TiO2 nanotube photonic crystals with a crystalline core/disordered shell structure as well as substantial oxygen vacancies for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The novel TiO2 nanotube photonic crystals are fabricated by annealing of anodized TiO2 nanotube photonic crystals in hydrogen atmosphere at various temperatures. The optimized novel TiO2 nanotube photonic crystals produce a maximal photocurrent density of 2.2 mA cm-2 at 0.22 V versus Ag/AgCl, which is two times higher that of the TiO2 nanotube photonic crystals annealed in air. Such significant PEC performance improvement can be ascribed to synergistic effects of the disordered surface layer and oxygen vacancies. The reduced band gap owing to the disordered surface layer and localized states induced by oxygen vacancies can enhance the efficient utilization of visible light. In addition, the disordered surface layer and substantial oxygen vacancies can promote the efficiency for separation and transport of the photogenerated carriers. This work may open up new opportunities for the design and construction of the high efficient and low-cost PEC water splitting system.

Hydrogenated TiO2 nanotube photonic crystals for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting.

PubMed

Meng, Ming; Zhou, Sihua; Yang, Lun; Gan, Zhixing; Liu, Kuili; Tian, Fengshou; Zhu, Yu; Li, ChunYang; Liu, Weifeng; Yuan, Honglei; Zhang, Yan

2018-04-02

We report the design, fabrication and characterization of novel TiO 2 nanotube photonic crystals with a crystalline core/disordered shell structure as well as substantial oxygen vacancies for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The novel TiO 2 nanotube photonic crystals are fabricated by annealing of anodized TiO 2 nanotube photonic crystals in hydrogen atmosphere at various temperatures. The optimized novel TiO 2 nanotube photonic crystals produce a maximal photocurrent density of 2.2 mA cm -2 at 0.22 V versus Ag/AgCl, which is two times higher that of the TiO 2 nanotube photonic crystals annealed in air. Such significant PEC performance improvement can be ascribed to synergistic effects of the disordered surface layer and oxygen vacancies. The reduced band gap owing to the disordered surface layer and localized states induced by oxygen vacancies can enhance the efficient utilization of visible light. In addition, the disordered surface layer and substantial oxygen vacancies can promote the efficiency for separation and transport of the photogenerated carriers. This work may open up new opportunities for the design and construction of the high efficient and low-cost PEC water splitting system.

Return to work after early part-time sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Viikari-Juntura, Eira; Kausto, Johanna; Shiri, Rahman; Kaila-Kangas, Leena; Takala, Esa-Pekka; Karppinen, Jaro; Miranda, Helena; Luukkonen, Ritva; Martimo, Kari-Pekka

2012-03-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of early part-time sick leave on return to work (RTW) and sickness absence among patients with musculoskeletal disorders. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in six occupational health units of medium- and large-size enterprises. Patients aged 18-60 years with musculoskeletal disorders (N=63) unable to perform their regular work were randomly allocated to part- or full-time sick leave. In the former group, workload was reduced by restricting work time by about a half. Remaining work tasks were modified when necessary, as specified in a "fit note" from the physician. The main outcomes were time to return to regular work activities and sickness absence during 12-month follow-up. Time to RTW sustained for ≥4 weeks was shorter in the intervention group (median 12 versus 20 days, P=0.10). Hazard ratio of RTW adjusted for age was 1.60 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.98-2.63] and 1.76 (95% CI 1.21-2.56) after further adjustment for pain interference with sleep and previous sickness absence at baseline. Total sickness absence during the 12-month follow-up was about 20% lower in the intervention than the control group. Compliance with the intervention was high with no discontinuations of part-time sick leave due to musculoskeletal reasons. Early part-time sick leave may provide a faster and more sustainable return to regular duties than full-time sick leave among patients with musculoskeletal disorders. This is the first study to show that work participation can be safely increased with early part-time sick leave.

Psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for patients with dissociative identity disorder.

PubMed

Gentile, Julie P; Dillon, Kristy S; Gillig, Paulette Marie

2013-02-01

There is a wide variety of what have been called "dissociative disorders," including dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, depersonalization disorder, dissociative identity disorder, and forms of dissociative disorder not otherwise specified. Some of these diagnoses, particularly dissociative identity disorder, are controversial and have been questioned by many clinicians over the years. The disorders may be under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed, but many persons who have experienced trauma report "dissociative" symptoms. Prevalence of dissociative disorders is unknown, but current estimates are higher than previously thought. This paper reviews clinical, phenomenological, and epidemiological data regarding diagnosis in general, and illustrates possible treatment interventions for dissociative identity disorder, with a focus on psychotherapy interventions and a review of current psychopharmacology recommendations as part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plan.

Selective layer disordering in III-nitrides with a capping layer

DOEpatents

Wierer, Jr., Jonathan J.; Allerman, Andrew A.

2016-06-14

Selective layer disordering in a doped III-nitride superlattice can be achieved by depositing a dielectric capping layer on a portion of the surface of the superlattice and annealing the superlattice to induce disorder of the layer interfaces under the uncapped portion and suppress disorder of the interfaces under the capped portion. The method can be used to create devices, such as optical waveguides, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, solar cells, modulators, laser, and amplifiers.

Movement disorders in paraneoplastic and autoimmune disease

PubMed Central

Panzer, Jessica; Dalmau, Josep

2013-01-01

Purpose of review The most relevant advances in immune-mediated movement disorders are described, with emphasis on the clinical–immunological associations, novel antigens, and treatment. Recent findings Many movement disorders previously considered idiopathic or degenerative are now recognized as immune-mediated. Some disorders are paraneoplastic, such as anti-CRMP5-associated chorea, anti-Ma2 hypokinesis and rigidity, anti-Yo cerebellar ataxia and tremor, and anti-Hu ataxia and pesudoathetosis. Other disorders such as Sydenham's chorea, or chorea related to systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome occur in association with multiple antibodies, are not paraneoplastic, and are triggered by molecular mimicry or unknown mechanisms. Recent studies have revealed a new category of disorders that can be paraneoplastic or not, and associate with antibodies against cell-surface or synaptic proteins. They include anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis, which may cause dyskinesias, chorea, ballismus or dystonia (NMDAR antibodies), the spectrum of Stiff-person syndrome/muscle rigidity (glutamic acid decarboxylase, amphiphysin, GABAA-receptor-associated protein, or glycine receptor antibodies), neuromyotonia (Caspr2 antibodies), and opsoclonus–myoclonus–ataxia (unknown antigens). Summary Neurologists should be aware that many movement disorders are immune-mediated. Recognition of these disorders is important because it may lead to the diagnosis of an occult cancer, and a substantial number of patients, mainly those with antibodies to cell-surface or synaptic proteins, respond to immunotherapy. PMID:21577108

Scientists adopt new strategy to find Huntington's disease therapies

MedlinePlus

... Disorders and Stroke, part of NIH. “It’s an example of how precision medicine may be applied to neurological disorders.” The study was conducted by the Genetic Modifiers of Huntington’s ...

The Examination of the Link between Pesticides in Food and Learning Disorders in Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raby, Sue Ellen

The relationship between pesticides in food and the occurrence of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school age children is considered. Pesticides include chlorinated hydrocarbons and organic phosphates that are commonly present in fruits and vegetables, which are a large part of the diet of…

Annual Research Review: Attachment Disorders in Early Childhood--Clinical Presentation, Causes, Correlates, and Treatment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeanah, Charles H.; Gleason, Mary Margaret

2015-01-01

Background: Though noted in the clinical literature for more than 50 years, attachment disorders have been studied systematically only recently. In part because of the ubiquity of attachments in humans, determining when aberrant behavior is best explained as an attachment disorder as opposed to insecure attachment has led to some confusion. In…

Preliminary Investigation of Intolerance of Uncertainty Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hewitt, Sarah N.; Egan, Sarah; Rees, Clare

2009-01-01

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is the tendency to react negatively to uncertain situations or events, and it has been found to be an important maintaining factor in a number of different anxiety disorders. It is often included as a part of cognitive behavioural interventions for anxiety disorders but its specific contribution to treatment outcome…

Commentary: Launch of a quality improvement network for evidence-based management of uncommon pediatric endocrine disorders: Turner syndrome as a prototype

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Traditional, hypothesis-oriented research approaches have thus far failed to generate sufficient evidence to achieve consensus about the management of children with many endocrine disorders, partly because of the rarity of these disorders and because of regulatory burdens unique to research in child...

Preparing To Integrate Students with Behavioral Disorders. Working with Behavioral Disorders: CEC Mini-Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gable, Robert A.; And Others

This booklet reviews the literature and offers guidelines to assist in the integration of students with behavioral disorders into mainstream settings and the delivery of appropriate instructional services to these students. In Part I, Robert A. Gable and Virginia K. Laycock offer practical advice on how principals, other administrators, and…

Neurophysiology of conversion disorders: a historical perspective.

PubMed

Crommelinck, M

2014-10-01

The aim of this paper is to present a short historical perspective on the neurophysiological approach to hysteria and conversion disorders. The body of this paper will be constituted of three main parts. In the first part, we will present the significant progress due to some pioneers of neurology/psychiatry during the XIXth century. As we shall see, this period was particularly rich in personalities whose work gradually laid the foundations to a true medical approach to hysteria. In the first half of the XXth century, different factors have led to a long eclipse of the neurological approach to hysteria. In the second part, we will show how, by the 1960's-1970's, the conceptual and methodological advances in neurophysiology, as well as the turning point of cognitive sciences (and cognitive psychology in particular) allowed a gradual reinstatement of hysteria within the fields of neurology and clinical neurophysiology. Finally, and this is the third part of this paper, we will show how over the past three decades, an entirely new neurophysiological approach to hysteria and conversion disorders has emerged. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Accessing and Healing Emotional Injuries for Anxiety Disorders.

PubMed

Alladin, Assen

2016-07-01

Although anxiety disorders on the surface may appear simple, they often represent complex problems that are compounded by underlying factors. For these reasons, treatment of anxiety disorders should be individualized. This article describes cognitive hypnotherapy, an individual comprehensive treatment protocol that integrates cognitive, behavioral, mindfulness, psychodynamic, and hypnotic strategies in the management of anxiety disorders. The treatment approach is based on the self-wounds model of anxiety disorders, which provides the rationale for integrating diverse strategies in the psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Due to its evidence-based and integrated nature, the psychotherapy described here provides accuracy, efficacy, and sophistication in the formulation and treatment of anxiety disorders. This model can be easily adapted to the understanding and treatment of other emotional disorders.

The effect of part-time sick leave for employees with mental disorders.

PubMed

Høgelund, Jan; Holm, Anders; Eplov, Lene Falgaard

2012-12-01

Part-time sick leave (PTSL) allows employees on full-time sick leave (FTSL) to resume work at reduced hours. When the partly absent employee's health improves, working hours are increased until the employee is able to work regular hours. Studies have found that PTSL is an effective instrument for reducing sick leave durations for employees with musculoskeletal disorders and for employees on sick leave in general. This is the first published article to document how PTSL affects sick leave durations for employees with mental disorders. The aim is to estimate the effect of PTSL on the duration until returning to regular working hours for employees with mental disorders. We compare this effect to that of PTSL for employees with non-mental disorders ('other disorders'). We use combined survey and register data about 226 employees on long-term sick leave with mental disorders and 638 employees with other disorders. These data contain information about type of disorder, PTSL and FTSL (full-time sick leave) durations, and various background characteristics. We use a mixed proportional hazard regression model that allows us to control for unobserved differences between employees on PTSL and those on FTSL. Our analyses show that PTSL has no effect on the duration until returning to regular working hours for employees with mental disorders. Furthermore, looking at specific disorders such as depression and stress-related conditions, we find no significant effects of PTSL. In contrast, in line with previous research, we find that PTSL significantly reduces the duration until returning to regular working hours for employees with other disorders. The analyses also illustrate the importance of controlling for unobserved differences between employees on PTSL and those on FTSL. Without this control, PTSL significantly reduces the duration until returning to regular working hours. When we control for unobserved characteristics, this effect decreases, and for employees with mental disorders the effect vanishes entirely. The lack of an effect of PTSL for employees with mental disorders needs replication in other studies. If subsequent studies confirm our findings, one should not necessarily conclude that PTSL is an ineffective intervention: PTSL may play a role in combination with other workplace interventions and in combination with person-centred interventions. The study is limited by self-reported data about disorders and a relatively small number of employees with mental disorders. Our findings suggest that while PTSL reduces sick leave durations for employees with other disorders, it does not affect sick leave durations for employees with mental disorders. These results may indicate that PTSL by itself is insufficient for promoting the return to work of employees with mental disorders. Future studies could benefit from larger data sets with disorder information based on medical assessments. In addition to quantitative effect studies, future studies could focus on qualitative workplace mechanisms that may counteract the potential positive effects of PTSL for employees on sick leave with mental disorders.

Clinical Considerations Regarding Regression in Psychotherapy with Patients with Conversion Disorder.

PubMed

Kaplan, Marcia

Regression is a ubiquitous phenomenon in psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, typically part of a reorganization that leads to progression, at least with respect to recruiting elements in the unconscious to consciousness. Regression in patients with conversion disorder (i.e., pseudo-neurological symptoms without an organic basis) is often itself somatic/physical rather than psychic in nature. Psychotherapists working with these patients must be prepared for confusing or frightening forms of regression that should be expected as part of the therapeutic process. In conversion disorder patients with adequate character structure, this regression, when handled effectively by the psychotherapist, ultimately leads to verbalized thoughts and feelings and a gradually strengthening alternative to physically experienced psychic conflict.

Manufacture of silicon-based devices having disordered sulfur-doped surface layers

DOEpatents

Carey, III; Edward, James [Newton, MA; Mazur, Eric [Concord, MA

2008-04-08

The present invention provides methods of fabricating a radiation-absorbing semiconductor wafer by irradiating at least one surface location of a silicon substrate, e.g., an n-doped crystalline silicon, by a plurality of temporally short laser pulses, e.g., femtosecond pulses, while exposing that location to a substance, e.g., SF.sub.6, having an electron-donating constituent so as to generate a substantially disordered surface layer (i.e., a microstructured layer) that incorporates a concentration of that electron-donating constituent, e.g., sulfur. The substrate is also annealed at an elevated temperature and for a duration selected to enhance the charge carrier density in the surface layer. For example, the substrate can be annealed at a temperature in a range of about 700 K to about 900 K.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders: Part I, Basic Principles, Shift Work and Jet Lag DisordersAn American Academy of Sleep Medicine Review

PubMed Central

Sack, Robert L; Auckley, Dennis; Auger, R. Robert; Carskadon, Mary A.; Wright, Kenneth P.; Vitiello, Michael V.; Zhdanova, Irina V.

2007-01-01

Objective: This the first of two articles reviewing the scientific literature on the evaluation and treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs), employing the methodology of evidence-based medicine. In this first part of this paper, the general principles of circadian biology that underlie clinical evaluation and treatment are reviewed. We then report on the accumulated evidence regarding the evaluation and treatment of shift work disorder (SWD) and jet lag disorder (JLD). Methods: A set of specific questions relevant to clinical practice were formulated, a systematic literature search was performed, and relevant articles were abstracted and graded. Results: A substantial body of literature has accumulated that provides a rational basis the evaluation and treatment of SWD and JLD. Physiological assessment has involved determination of circadian phase using core body temperature and the timing of melatonin secretion. Behavioral assessment has involved sleep logs, actigraphy and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Treatment interventions fall into three broad categories: 1) prescribed sleep scheduling, 2) circadian phase shifting (“resetting the clock”), and 3) symptomatic treatment using hypnotic and stimulant medications. Conclusion: Circadian rhythm science has also pointed the way to rational interventions for the SWD and JLD, and these treatments have been introduced into the practice of sleep medicine with varying degrees of success. More translational research is needed using subjects who meet current diagnostic criteria. Citation: Sack RL; Auckley D; Auger RR; Carskadon MA; Wright KP; Vitiello MV; Zhdanova IV. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders: Part I, basic principles, shift work and jet lag disorders. SLEEP 2007;30(11):1460-1483. PMID:18041480

Crystal structure of iron(III) perchlorate nona­hydrate

PubMed Central

Hennings, Erik; Schmidt, Horst; Voigt, Wolfgang

2014-01-01

Since the discovery of perchlorate salts on Mars and the known occurrence of ferric salts in the regolith, there is a distinct possibility that the title compound could form on the surface of Mars. [Fe(H2O)6](ClO4)3·3H2O was crystallized from aqueous solutions at low temperatures according to the solid–liquid phase diagram. It consists of Fe(H2O)6 octa­hedra (point group symmetry -3.) and perchlorate anions (point group symmetry .2) as well as non-coordinating water mol­ecules, as part of a second hydrogen-bonded coordination sphere around the cation. The perchlorate appears to be slightly disordered, with major–minor component occupancies of 0.773 (9):0.227 (9). PMID:25552970

Quantitative analysis of valence photoemission spectra and quasiparticle excitations at chromophore-semiconductor interfaces.

PubMed

Patrick, Christopher E; Giustino, Feliciano

2012-09-14

Investigating quasiparticle excitations of molecules on surfaces through photoemission spectroscopy forms a major part of nanotechnology research. Resolving spectral features at these interfaces requires a comprehensive theory of electron removal and addition processes in molecules and solids which captures the complex interplay of image charges, thermal effects, and configurational disorder. Here, we develop such a theory and calculate the quasiparticle energy-level alignment and the valence photoemission spectrum for the prototype biomimetic solar cell interface between anatase TiO(2) and the N3 chromophore. By directly matching our calculated photoemission spectrum to experimental data, we clarify the atomistic origin of the chromophore peak at low binding energy. This case study sets a new standard in the interpretation of photoemission spectroscopy at complex chromophore-semiconductor interfaces.

[Mental disorders and female infertility].

PubMed

Schweiger, U; Wischmann, T; Strowitzki, T

2012-11-01

Approximately 5-10% of women in the reproductive years are affected by infertility which is associated with depression, anxiety and disturbed eating behavior. Part of this association can be explained by the emotional stress resulting from infertility. As mental disorders, such as depressive disorder or eating disorders are also prospectively associated with infertility, a bidirectional relationship is assumed. A special relationship exists between mental disorders and the main causes of ovulatory infertility, hypothalamic amenorrhea and polycystic ovary disease. The results of pilot studies support the assumption that psychotherapy may constitute an important component of the treatment of infertility.

Effects of Structural and Electronic Disorder in Topological Insulator Sb2Te3 Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korzhovska, Inna

Topological quantum matter is a unique and potentially transformative protectorate against disorder-induced backscattering. The ultimate disorder limits to the topological state, however, are still not known - understanding these limits is critical to potential applications in the fields of spintronics and information processing. In topological insulators spin-orbit interaction and time-reversal-symmetry invariance guarantees - at least up to a certain disorder strength - that charge transport through 2D gapless Dirac surface states is robust against backscattering by non-magnetic disorder. Strong disorder may destroy topological protection and gap out Dirac surface states, although recent theories predict that under severe electronic disorder a quantized topological conductance might yet reemerge. Very strong electronic disorder, however, is not trivial to install and quantify, and topological matter under such conditions thus far has not been experimentally tested. This thesis addresses the behavior of three-dimensional (3D) topological insulator (TI) films in a wide range of structural and electronic disorder. We establish strong positional disorder in thin (20-50 nm) Sb2Te 3 films, free of extrinsic magnetic dopants. Sb 2Te3 is a known 2nd generation topological insulator in the low-disorder crystalline state. It is also a known phase-change material that undergoes insulator-to-metal transition with the concurrent orders of magnitude resistive drop, where a huge range of disorder could be controllably explored. In this work we show that even in the absence of magnetic dopants, disorder may induce spin correlations detrimental to the topological state. Chapter 1 contains a brief introduction to the topological matter and describes the role played by disorder. This is followed by theory considerations and a survey of prior experimental work. Next we describe the motivation for our experiments and explain the choice of the material. Chapter 2 describes deposition techniques used for material growth, including the parameters significance and effects on the material properties. Chapter 3 describes structural and electrical characterization techniques employed in the work. In Chapter 4-5 we discuss the experimental results. Sb2Te 3 films at extreme disorder, where spin correlations dominate the transport of charge, are discussed in Chapter 4. We employ transport measurements as our main tool to explore disorder-induced changes in the Sb2Te 3. In addition we directly detect disorder-induced spin response in thin Sb2Te3 films free of extrinsic magnetic dopants; it onsets at a surprisingly high temperature ( 200 K) and vanishes when disorder is reduced. Localized spins control the hopping (tunneling) transport through spin memory induced by the non-equilibrium charge currents. The observed spin-memory phenomenon emerges as negative magnetoresistance distinct from orbital quantum interference effects. The hopping mechanism and spin correlations dominate transport over an extensive disorder range. Spin correlations are eventually suppressed by the restoration of positional order in the (bulk) crystalline state, implying a disorder threshold to the topological state. As disorder is reduced the material undergoes structural and electronic transitions, which are discussed in Chapter 5. We obtain a number of characteristic attributes that change sharply at the structural and electronic transitions: localization length, dimensionality, and the nature of conductance. Structural transition is clearly seen in the changes in lattice vibrations tracked by Raman spectroscopy, which we use here as a metric of disorder. The significance of the disorder-induced localization transition is discussed. Next we investigate the effects of structural and electronic disorder on the bulk and surfaces in the crystalline state of Sb2Te3. The nontrivial topology of this strongly spin-orbit coupled material comes from the band inversion in the bulk. One of the key transport signatures of topological surfaces is weak antilocalization (WAL) correction to conductivity; it is associated with the topological pi Berry phase and should display a two-dimensional (2D) character. In our work, we establish the disorder level at which 2D WAL appears. The conduction at this threshold is one conduction quantum G0; it corresponds to the topological quantum channel. Finally, we summarize our key findings and discuss open questions and next steps toward the understanding of disorder-induced correlations in the spin and charge channels that can alter the emergent behaviors of the topological states.

Autonomic Nervous System Disorders

MedlinePlus

Your autonomic nervous system is the part of your nervous system that controls involuntary actions, such as the beating of your heart ... breathing and swallowing Erectile dysfunction in men Autonomic nervous system disorders can occur alone or as the result ...

Triggering of Erythrocyte Cell Membrane Scrambling by Emodin.

PubMed

Mischitelli, Morena; Jemaà, Mohamed; Almasry, Mustafa; Faggio, Caterina; Lang, Florian

2016-01-01

The natural anthraquinone derivative emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is a component of several Chinese medicinal herbal preparations utilized for more than 2000 years. The substance has been used against diverse disorders including malignancy, inflammation and microbial infection. The substance is effective in part by triggering suicidal death or apoptosis. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells erythrocytes may enter suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling involved in the triggering of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study aimed to test, whether emodin induces eryptosis and, if so, to elucidate underlying cellular mechanisms. Phosphatidylserine abundance at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, ROS formation from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Exposure of human erythrocytes for 48 hours to emodin (≥ 10 µM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, and at higher concentrations (≥ 50 µM) significantly increased forward scatter. Emodin significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence (≥ 10 µM), DCFDA fluorescence (75 µM) and ceramide abundance (75 µM). The effect of emodin on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Emodin triggers phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to stimulation of Ca2+ entry and paralleled by oxidative stress and ceramide appearance at the erythroctye surface. © 2016 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Mussel adhesion is dictated by time-regulated secretion and molecular conformation of mussel adhesive proteins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrone, Luigi; Kumar, Akshita; Sutanto, Clarinda N.; Patil, Navinkumar J.; Kannan, Srinivasaraghavan; Palaniappan, Alagappan; Amini, Shahrouz; Zappone, Bruno; Verma, Chandra; Miserez, Ali

2015-10-01

Interfacial water constitutes a formidable barrier to strong surface bonding, hampering the development of water-resistant synthetic adhesives. Notwithstanding this obstacle, the Asian green mussel Perna viridis attaches firmly to underwater surfaces via a proteinaceous secretion (byssus). Extending beyond the currently known design principles of mussel adhesion, here we elucidate the precise time-regulated secretion of P. viridis mussel adhesive proteins. The vanguard 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (Dopa)-rich protein Pvfp-5 acts as an adhesive primer, overcoming repulsive hydration forces by displacing surface-bound water and generating strong surface adhesion. Using homology modelling and molecular dynamics simulations, we find that all mussel adhesive proteins are largely unordered, with Pvfp-5 adopting a disordered structure and elongated conformation whereby all Dopa residues reside on the protein surface. Time-regulated secretion and structural disorder of mussel adhesive proteins appear essential for optimizing extended nonspecific surface interactions and byssus' assembly. Our findings reveal molecular-scale principles to help the development of wet-resistant adhesives.

Hydrogen-Exchange Mass Spectrometry for the Study of Intrinsic Disorder in Proteins

PubMed Central

Balasubramaniam, Deepa; Komives, Elizabeth A.

2012-01-01

Amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange detected by mass spectrometry (HXMS) is seeing wider use for the identification of intrinsically disordered parts of proteins. In this review, we discuss examples of how discovery of intrinsically disordered regions and their removal can aid in structure determination, biopharmaceutical quality control, the characterization of how posttranslational modifications affect weak structuring of disordered regions, the study of coupled folding and binding, and the characterization of amyloid formation. PMID:23099262

Experimental study of disorder in a semiconductor microcavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurioli, M.; Bogani, F.; Wiersma, D. S.; Roussignol, Ph.; Cassabois, G.; Khitrova, G.; Gibbs, H.

2001-10-01

A detailed study of the structural disorder in wedge semiconductor microcavities (MC's) is presented. We demonstrate that images of the coherent emission from the MC surface can be used for a careful characterization of both intrinsic and extrinsic optical properties of semiconductor MC's. The polariton broadening can be measured directly, avoiding the well-known problem of inhomogeneous broadening due to the MC wedge. A statistical analysis of the spatial line shape of the images of the MC surface shows the presence of static disorder associated with dielectric fluctuations in the Bragg reflector. Moreover, the presence of local fluctuations of the effective cavity length can be detected with subnanometer resolution. The analysis of the resonant Rayleigh scattering (RRS) gives additional information on the origin of the disorder. We find that the RRS is dominated by the scattering of the photonic component of the MC polariton by disorder in the Bragg reflector. Also the RRS is strongly enhanced along the [110] and [11¯0] directions. This peculiar scattering pattern is attributed to misfit dislocations induced by the large thickness of the mismatched AlGaAs alloy in the Bragg mirrors.

Flushing Disorders Associated with Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Part 1, Neuroendocrine Tumors, Mast Cell Disorders and Hyperbasophila.

PubMed

Rastogi, Vaibhav; Singh, Devina; Mazza, Joseph J; Yang, Dennis; Parajuli, Dipendra; Yale, Steven H

2018-04-12

Flushing is the subjective sensation of warmth accompanied by visible cutaneous erythema occurring throughout the body with a predilection for the face, neck, pinnae, and upper trunk where the skin is thinnest and cutaneous vessels are superficially located and in greatest numbers. Flushing can be present in either a wet or dry form depending upon whether neural-mediated mechanisms are involved. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system results in wet flushing, accompanied by diaphoresis, due to concomitant stimulation of eccrine sweat glands. Wet flushing is caused by certain medications, panic disorder and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD). Vasodilator mediated flushing due to the formation and release of a variety of biogenic amines, neuropeptides and phospholipid mediators such as histamine, serotonin and prostaglandins respectively, typically presents as dry flushing where sweating is characteristically absent. Flushing occurring with neuroendocrine tumors accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms is generally of the dry flushing variant, which may be an important clinical clue to the differential diagnosis. A number of primary diseases of the gastrointestinal tract cause flushing, and conversely extra-intestinal conditions are associated with flushing and gastrointestinal symptoms. Gastrointestinal findings vary and include one or more of the following non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. The purpose of this review is to provide a focused comprehensive discussion on the presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and management of those diseases that arise from the gastrointestinal tract or other site that may cause gastrointestinal symptoms secondarily accompanied by flushing. The paper is divided into two parts given the scope of conditions that cause flushing and affect the gastrointestinal tract. Part 1 covered is neuroendocrine tumors, (carcinoid, pheochromocytomas, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid) polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, skin changes (POEMS), and conditions involving mast cells and basophils. Part 2 covered is dumping syndrome, mesenteric traction syndrome, rosacea, hyperthyroidism and thyroid storm, anaphylaxis, panic disorders, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, and food, alcohol and medications. © 2018 Marshfield Clinic.

Ferrokinetic study of splenic erythropoiesis: Relationships among clinical diagnosis, myelofibrosis, splenomegaly, and extramedullary erythropoiesis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Beguin, Y.; Fillet, G.; Bury, J.

1989-10-01

Splenic erythropoiesis was demonstrated by surface counting of {sup 59}Fe in 129 of 1,350 ferrokinetic studies performed over a 15 year period. These 129 studies were carried out in 108 patients, including 40 with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 24 with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM), 18 with polycythemia vera (PV), six with a myelodysplastic syndrome, five with acute leukemia, three with prostate or breast carcinoma, two each with aplastic anemia or Hodgkin's disease, and one each with idiopathic thrombocythemia, multiple myeloma, chronic renal failure, or treated hypopituitarism. Splenomegaly was present in 83% of the studies and hepatomegaly in 72%. Grade II-IIImore » myelofibrosis was demonstrated in 62% of the cases. Hepatic erythropoiesis was present in 77% of the studies (only 38% in PV), and marrow erythropoiesis was undetectable in 33%. Total erythropoiesis was about twice normal (range 0.2 to 8 times normal) but was ineffective to varying degrees in 86% of the studies. Relationships between organomegaly, myelofibrosis, and extramedullary erythropoiesis, as well as differences among clinical disorders, are discussed. Differences observed between CML in chronic or blastic phase suggested that the erythroid cell line was involved in the proliferative process. It is concluded that splenic erythropoiesis (1) is encountered in a variety of clinical conditions; (2) is not necessarily associated with splenomegaly or myelofibrosis, even in the myeloproliferative disorders; (3) is part of a predominantly extramedullary (in the liver as well as in the spleen), expanded, and largely inefficient total erythropoiesis; and (4) can be evaluated in a semiquantitative manner by surface counting.« less

The effects of different substrates on the electron stimulated desorption dynamics of O - from physisorbed O2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hedhili, M. N.; Parenteau, L.; Huels, M. A.; Azria, R.; Tronc, M.; Sanche, L.

1997-11-01

We report condensed phase measurements of kinetic energy (Ek) distributions of O-, produced by dissociative electron attachment (DEA) at 6 eV incident electron energy; they are obtained under identical experimental conditions from submonolayer quantities of 16O2 deposited on disordered multilayer substrates of 18O2, Ar, Kr, Xe, CH4, and C2H6, all condensed at 20 K on polycrystalline platinum (Pt). The results suggest that the desorption dynamics of O- DEA fragments is, in part, determined by large angle elastic scattering of O- prior to desorption, as well as the net image charge potential (Ep) induced in the condensed dielectric solid and the Pt metal. The measurements also indicate that, particularly at small Kr substrate thicknesses, the Ep may not necessarily be uniform across the surface, but may fluctuate due to surface roughness. Thus, in addition to energy losses in the substrate prior to, and during, DEA, these effects may influence the dissociation dynamics of the O2- resonance itself, as well as the desorption of the DEA O- fragment.

Puberty as a critical risk period for eating disorders: a review of human and animal studies.

PubMed

Klump, Kelly L

2013-07-01

This article is part of a Special Issue "Puberty and Adolescence". Puberty is one of the most frequently discussed risk periods for the development of eating disorders. Prevailing theories propose environmentally mediated sources of risk arising from the psychosocial effects (e.g., increased body dissatisfaction, decreased self-esteem) of pubertal development in girls. However, recent research highlights the potential role of ovarian hormones in phenotypic and genetic risk for eating disorders during puberty. The goal of this paper is to review data from human and animal studies in support of puberty as a critical risk period for eating disorders and evaluate the evidence for hormonal contributions. Data are consistent in suggesting that both pubertal status and pubertal timing significantly impact risk for most eating disorders in girls, such that advanced pubertal development and early pubertal timing are associated with increased rates of eating disorders and their symptoms in both cross-sectional and longitudinal research. Findings in boys have been much less consistent and suggest a smaller role for puberty in risk for eating disorders in boys. Twin and animal studies indicate that at least part of the female-specific risk is due to genetic factors associated with estrogen activation at puberty. In conclusion, data thus far support a role for puberty in risk for eating disorders and highlight the need for additional human and animal studies of hormonal and genetic risk for eating disorders during puberty. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Annual Research Review: The neurobehavioral development of multiple memory systems: implications for childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders

PubMed Central

Goodman, Jarid; Marsh, Rachel; Peterson, Bradley S.; Packard, Mark G.

2014-01-01

Extensive evidence indicates that mammalian memory is organized into multiple brains systems, including a “cognitive” memory system that depends upon the hippocampus and a stimulus-response “habit” memory system that depends upon the dorsolateral striatum. Dorsal striatal-dependent habit memory may in part influence the development and expression of some human psychopathologies, particularly those characterized by strong habit-like behavioral features. The present review considers this hypothesis as it pertains to psychopathologies that typically emerge during childhood and adolescence. These disorders include Tourette syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Human and nonhuman animal research shows that the typical development of memory systems comprises the early maturation of striatal-dependent habit memory and the relatively late maturation of hippocampal-dependent cognitive memory. We speculate that the differing rates of development of these memory systems may in part contribute to the early emergence of habit-like symptoms in childhood and adolescence. In addition, abnormalities in hippocampal and striatal brain regions have been observed consistently in youth with these disorders, suggesting that the aberrant development of memory systems may also contribute to the emergence of habit-like symptoms as core pathological features of these illnesses. Considering these disorders within the context of multiple memory systems may help elucidate the pathogenesis of habit-like symptoms in childhood and adolescence, and lead to novel treatments that lessen the habit-like behavioral features of these disorders. PMID:24286520

Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy for Patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder

PubMed Central

Gentile, Julie P.; Dillon, Kristy S.

2013-01-01

There is a wide variety of what have been called “dissociative disorders,” including dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, depersonalization disorder, dissociative identity disorder, and forms of dissociative disorder not otherwise specified. Some of these diagnoses, particularly dissociative identity disorder, are controversial and have been questioned by many clinicians over the years. The disorders may be under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed, but many persons who have experienced trauma report “dissociative” symptoms. Prevalence of dissociative disorders is unknown, but current estimates are higher than previously thought. This paper reviews clinical, phenomenological, and epidemiological data regarding diagnosis in general, and illustrates possible treatment interventions for dissociative identity disorder, with a focus on psychotherapy interventions and a review of current psychopharmacology recommendations as part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plan. PMID:23556139

The Scope and Nature of Reading Comprehension Impairments in School-Aged Children with Higher Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIntryre, Nancy S.; Solari, Emily J.; Gonzalez, Joseph E.; Solomon, Marjorie; Lerro, Lindsay E.; Novotny, Stephanie; Oswald, Tasha M.; Mundy, Peter C.

2017-01-01

This study of 8-16-year-olds was designed to test the hypothesis that reading comprehension impairments are part of the social communication phenotype for many higher-functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Students with HFASD (n = 81) were compared to those with high attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology…

The Scope and Nature of Reading Comprehension Impairments in School-Aged Children with Higher-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIntyre, Nancy S.; Solari, Emily J.; Gonzales, Joseph E.; Solomon, Marjorie; Lerro, Lindsay E.; Novotny, Stephanie; Oswald, Tasha M.; Mundy, Peter C.

2017-01-01

This study of 8-16-year-olds was designed to test the hypothesis that reading comprehension impairments are part of the social communication phenotype for many higher-functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Students with HFASD (n = 81) were compared to those with high attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology…

Influence of disorder on the superconducting critical temperature in indium-opal nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakharchuk, I.; Januzaj, A.; Mikhailin, N. Yu.; Traito, K. B.; Chernyaev, A. V.; Romanov, S. G.; Safonchik, M.; Shamshur, D. V.; Lähderanta, E.

2018-06-01

Transport properties of bulk indium-opal and indium-porous glass superconducting nanocomposites possessing moderate and strong disorder are investigated. A strongly nonmonotonous dependence of the global critical temperature Tc versus normal state conductivity of samples is found. The maximum, which is observed at moderate disorder, has Tc higher than that of clean bulk indium. The increasing part can be explained by the Eliashberg equations with disorder and an additional mechanism of interaction between superconducting and dielectric granules. The descending part of the maximum at higher disorder can be explained by the increasing of long-range Coulomb repulsion due to diffusion of charges. Negative slope in magnetic field dependence of resistivity and a peak in the temperature dependence of resistivity, observed in the sample near the proximity to the disorder-induced superconductor-insulator transition (SIT). A large difference between the onset temperature of superconducting fluctuations, Tcon , and global critical temperature Tc is found and considered in the framework of the weak multifractal theory. Slow time-logarithmic relaxation of the resistivity between Tc and Tcon is observed, which assumes existence of the precursor state near the SIT. This unusual state is discussed in the scope of the many-body localization theory.

Attitudes Toward Autism Spectrum Disorders Among Students of Allied Health Professions.

PubMed

Simonstein, Frida; Mashiach-Eizenberg, Michal

2016-12-01

The prevalence of autism has increased dramatically. The objectives of this study were to explore attitudes toward prenatal diagnosis to detect autism prenatally and avoid having an affected child and to understand social acceptability of these disorders among students of allied health professions. In this study, college students of nursing and health systems management answered a structured self-report questionnaire (n = 305). The first part addressed the respondent's personal data. The second part targeted the respondent's attitudes toward prenatal diagnosis of non-life-threatening disorders, including autism spectrum disorders. We found that almost two thirds of the students responded that they would not proceed with a pregnancy if the child were diagnosed with autism, and more than half thought that they would not continue with a pregnancy if the fetus were diagnosed with Asperger's. Age, level of religiosity, and years of education were influential. This study is limited in scope; however, the positive attitude of the students toward prenatal diagnosis to avoid having an affected child might also reflect a negative view of autism spectrum disorders in future health care professionals. Further research of attitudes and the social acceptability of autism spectrum disorders, particularly among health care professionals, is required.

Preterm birth and developmental problems in the preschool age. Part I: minor motor problems.

PubMed

Ferrari, Fabrizio; Gallo, Claudio; Pugliese, Marisa; Guidotti, Isotta; Gavioli, Sara; Coccolini, Elena; Zagni, Paola; Della Casa, Elisa; Rossi, Cecilia; Lugli, Licia; Todeschini, Alessandra; Ori, Luca; Bertoncelli, Natascia

2012-11-01

Nearly half of very preterm (VP) and extremely preterm (EP) infants suffers from minor disabilities. The paper overviews the literature dealing with motor problems other than cerebral palsy (CP) during infancy and preschool age. The term "minor motor problems" indicates a wide spectrum of motor disorders other than CP; "minor" does not mean "minimal", as a relevant proportion of the preterm infants will develop academic and behavioural problems at school age. Early onset disorders consist of abnormal general movements (GMs), transient dystonia and postural instability; these conditions usually fade during the first months. They were underestimated in the past; recently, qualitative assessment of GMs using Prechtl's method has become a major item of the neurological examination. Late onset disorders include developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and/or minor neurological dysfunction (MND): both terms cover partly overlapping problems. Simple MND (MND-1) and complex MND (MND-2) can be identified and MND-2 gives a higher risk for learning and behavioural disorders. A relationship between the quality of GMs and MND in childhood has been recently described. The Touwen infant neurological examination (TINE) can reliably detect neurological signs of MND even in infancy. However, the prognostic value of these disorders requires further investigations.

Broadband surface-wave transformation cloak

DOE PAGES

Xu, Su; Xu, Hongyi; Gao, Hanhong; ...

2015-06-08

Guiding surface electromagnetic waves around disorder without disturbing the wave amplitude or phase is in great demand for modern photonic and plasmonic devices, but is fundamentally difficult to realize because light momentum must be conserved in a scattering event. A partial realization has been achieved by exploiting topological electromagnetic surface states, but this approach is limited to narrow-band light transmission and subject to phase disturbances in the presence of disorder. Recent advances in transformation optics apply principles of general relativity to curve the space for light, allowing one to match the momentum and phase of light around any disorder asmore » if that disorder were not there. This feature has been exploited in the development of invisibility cloaks. An ideal invisibility cloak, however, would require the phase velocity of light being guided around the cloaked object to exceed the vacuum speed of light—a feat potentially achievable only over an extremely narrow band. In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally show that the bottlenecks encountered in previous studies can be overcome. We introduce a class of cloaks capable of remarkable broadband surface electromagnetic waves guidance around ultrasharp corners and bumps with no perceptible changes in amplitude and phase. These cloaks consist of specifically designed nonmagnetic metamaterials and achieve nearly ideal transmission efficiency over a broadband frequency range from 0 + to 6 GHz. Finally, this work provides strong support for the application of transformation optics to plasmonic circuits and could pave the way toward high-performance, large-scale integrated photonic circuits.« less

Surface-water Interface Induces Conformational Changes Critical for Protein Adsorption: Implications for Monolayer Formation of EAS Hydrophobin

PubMed Central

Ley, Kamron; Christofferson, Andrew; Penna, Matthew; Winkler, Dave; Maclaughlin, Shane; Yarovsky, Irene

2015-01-01

The class I hydrophobin EAS is part of a family of small, amphiphilic fungal proteins best known for their ability to self-assemble into stable monolayers that modify the hydrophobicity of a surface to facilitate further microbial growth. These proteins have attracted increasing attention for industrial and biomedical applications, with the aim of designing surfaces that have the potential to maintain their clean state by resisting non-specific protein binding. To gain a better understanding of this process, we have employed all-atom molecular dynamics to study initial stages of the spontaneous adsorption of monomeric EAS hydrophobin on fully hydroxylated silica, a commonly used industrial and biomedical substrate. Particular interest has been paid to the Cys3-Cys4 loop, which has been shown to exhibit disruptive behavior in solution, and the Cys7-Cys8 loop, which is believed to be involved in the aggregation of EAS hydrophobin at interfaces. Specific and water mediated interactions with the surface were also analyzed. We have identified two possible binding motifs, one which allows unfolding of the Cys7-Cys8 loop due to the surfactant-like behavior of the Cys3-Cys4 loop, and another which has limited unfolding due to the Cys3-Cys4 loop remaining disordered in solution. We have also identified intermittent interactions with water which mediate the protein adsorption to the surface, as well as longer lasting interactions which control the diffusion of water around the adsorption site. These results have shown that EAS behaves in a similar way at the air-water and surface-water interfaces, and have also highlighted the need for hydrophilic ligand functionalization of the silica surface in order to prevent the adsorption of EAS hydrophobin. PMID:26636091

Surface-water Interface Induces Conformational Changes Critical for Protein Adsorption: Implications for Monolayer Formation of EAS Hydrophobin.

PubMed

Ley, Kamron; Christofferson, Andrew; Penna, Matthew; Winkler, Dave; Maclaughlin, Shane; Yarovsky, Irene

2015-01-01

The class I hydrophobin EAS is part of a family of small, amphiphilic fungal proteins best known for their ability to self-assemble into stable monolayers that modify the hydrophobicity of a surface to facilitate further microbial growth. These proteins have attracted increasing attention for industrial and biomedical applications, with the aim of designing surfaces that have the potential to maintain their clean state by resisting non-specific protein binding. To gain a better understanding of this process, we have employed all-atom molecular dynamics to study initial stages of the spontaneous adsorption of monomeric EAS hydrophobin on fully hydroxylated silica, a commonly used industrial and biomedical substrate. Particular interest has been paid to the Cys3-Cys4 loop, which has been shown to exhibit disruptive behavior in solution, and the Cys7-Cys8 loop, which is believed to be involved in the aggregation of EAS hydrophobin at interfaces. Specific and water mediated interactions with the surface were also analyzed. We have identified two possible binding motifs, one which allows unfolding of the Cys7-Cys8 loop due to the surfactant-like behavior of the Cys3-Cys4 loop, and another which has limited unfolding due to the Cys3-Cys4 loop remaining disordered in solution. We have also identified intermittent interactions with water which mediate the protein adsorption to the surface, as well as longer lasting interactions which control the diffusion of water around the adsorption site. These results have shown that EAS behaves in a similar way at the air-water and surface-water interfaces, and have also highlighted the need for hydrophilic ligand functionalization of the silica surface in order to prevent the adsorption of EAS hydrophobin.

Dimer formation and surface alloying: a STM study of lead on Cu(211)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartels, L.; Zöphel, S.; Meyer, G.; Henze, E.; Rieder, K.-H.

1997-02-01

We present a STM investigation of Pb adsorption on the Cu(211) surface in the temperature range between 30 K and room temperature. We observe three different kinds of ordered 1D Pb and PbCu chains (nanowires) located at the intrinsic step edges of the Cu(211) surface. On room temperature prepared samples, Pb is found to be incorporated into the step edges of the (211) surface. The first ordered structure consists of CuPb chains at the step edges (p(2 × disorder)) and is followed with increasing coverage by a close packed row of Pb-atoms (p(4 × disorder)). Preparation at low temperature yields Pb-dimers, and the first ordered structure is a row of Pb-dimers at the step edge (p(3 × disorder)) followed with increased coverage by a structure as described above. By systematic manipulation with the tunneling tip, we could get additional insight into the structural elements of the PbCu layer on the atomic scale. Furthermore, by measuring the threshold resistance to detach atoms from different ad-sites, we can approximately determine the binding energy and gain some insight into the thermodynamical parameters involved.

Evolution of intrinsic disorder in eukaryotic proteins.

PubMed

Ahrens, Joseph B; Nunez-Castilla, Janelle; Siltberg-Liberles, Jessica

2017-09-01

Conformational flexibility conferred though regions of intrinsic structural disorder allows proteins to behave as dynamic molecules. While it is well-known that intrinsically disordered regions can undergo disorder-to-order transitions in real-time as part of their function, we also are beginning to learn more about the dynamics of disorder-to-order transitions along evolutionary time-scales. Intrinsically disordered regions endow proteins with functional promiscuity, which is further enhanced by the ability of some of these regions to undergo real-time disorder-to-order transitions. Disorder content affects gene retention after whole genome duplication, but it is not necessarily conserved. Altered patterns of disorder resulting from evolutionary disorder-to-order transitions indicate that disorder evolves to modify function through refining stability, regulation, and interactions. Here, we review the evolution of intrinsically disordered regions in eukaryotic proteins. We discuss the interplay between secondary structure and disorder on evolutionary time-scales, the importance of disorder for eukaryotic proteome expansion and functional divergence, and the evolutionary dynamics of disorder.

Probing the Influence of Disorder on Lanthanide Luminescence Using Eu-Doped LaPO4 Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals (NCs) differ from their bulk counterparts due to their large surface to volume ratio. It is generally assumed that the optical properties are not affected by size effects as electronic transitions occur within the well-shielded 4f shell of the lanthanide dopant ions. However, defects and disorder in the surface layer can affect the luminescence properties. Trivalent europium is a suitable ion to investigate the subtle influence of the surface, because of its characteristic luminescence and high sensitivity to the local environment. Here, we investigate the influence of disorder in NCs on the optical properties of lanthanide dopants by studying the inhomogeneous linewidth, emission intensity ratios, and luminescence decay curves for LaPO4:Eu3+ samples of different sizes (4 nm to bulk) and core–shell configurations (core, core–isocrystalline shell, and core–silica shell). We show that the emission linewidths increase strongly for NCs. The ratio of the intensities of the forced electric dipole (ED) and magnetic dipole (MD) transitions, a measure for the local symmetry distortion around Eu3+ ions, is higher for samples with a large fraction of Eu3+ ions close to the surface. Finally, we present luminescence decay curves revealing an increased nonradiative decay rate for Eu3+ in NCs. The effects are strongest in core and core–silica shell NCs and can be reduced by growth of an isocrystalline LaPO4 shell. The present systematic study provides quantitative insight into the role of surface disorder on the optical properties of lanthanide-doped NCs. These insights are important in emerging applications of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals. PMID:28919934

Protein Crystallization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chernov, Alexander A.

2005-01-01

Nucleation, growth and perfection of protein crystals will be overviewed along with crystal mechanical properties. The knowledge is based on experiments using optical and force crystals behave similar to inorganic crystals, though with a difference in orders of magnitude in growing parameters. For example, the low incorporation rate of large biomolecules requires up to 100 times larger supersaturation to grow protein, rather than inorganic crystals. Nucleation is often poorly reproducible, partly because of turbulence accompanying the mixing of precipitant with protein solution. Light scattering reveals fluctuations of molecular cluster size, its growth, surface energies and increased clustering as protein ages. Growth most often occurs layer-by-layer resulting in faceted crystals. New molecular layer on crystal face is terminated by a step where molecular incorporation occurs. Quantitative data on the incorporation rate will be discussed. Rounded crystals with molecularly disordered interfaces will be explained. Defects in crystals compromise the x-ray diffraction resolution crucially needed to find the 3D atomic structure of biomolecules. The defects are immobile so that birth defects stay forever. All lattice defects known for inorganics are revealed in protein crystals. Contribution of molecular conformations to lattice disorder is important, but not studied. This contribution may be enhanced by stress field from other defects. Homologous impurities (e.g., dimers, acetylated molecules) are trapped more willingly by a growing crystal than foreign protein impurities. The trapped impurities induce internal stress eliminated in crystals exceeding a critical size (part of mni for ferritin, lysozyme). Lesser impurities are trapped from stagnant, as compared to the flowing, solution. Freezing may induce much more defects unless quickly amorphysizing intracrystalline water.

Resonant x-ray diffraction revealing chemical disorder in sputtered L10 FeNi on Si(0 0 1)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frisk, Andreas; Lindgren, Bengt; Pappas, Spiridon D.; Johansson, Erik; Andersson, Gabriella

2016-10-01

In the search for new rare earth free permanent magnetic materials, FeNi with a L10 structure is a possible candidate. We have synthesized the phase in the thin film form by sputtering onto HF-etched Si(0 0 1) substrates. Monatomic layers of Fe and Ni were alternately deposited on a Cu buffer layer, all of which grew epitaxially on the Si substrates. A good crystal structure and epitaxial relationship was confirmed by in-house x-ray diffraction (XRD). The chemical order, which to some part is the origin of an uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, was measured by resonant XRD. The 0 0 1 superlattice reflection was split in two symmetrically spaced peaks due to a composition modulation of the Fe and Ni layers. Furthermore the influence of roughness induced chemical anti-phase domains on the RXRD pattern is exemplified. A smaller than expected magnetic uniaxial anisotropy energy was obtained, which is partly due to the composition modulations, but the major reason is concluded to be the Cu buffer surface roughness.

Resonant x-ray diffraction revealing chemical disorder in sputtered L10 FeNi on Si(0 0 1).

PubMed

Frisk, Andreas; Lindgren, Bengt; Pappas, Spiridon D; Johansson, Erik; Andersson, Gabriella

2016-10-12

In the search for new rare earth free permanent magnetic materials, FeNi with a L10 structure is a possible candidate. We have synthesized the phase in the thin film form by sputtering onto HF-etched Si(0 0 1) substrates. Monatomic layers of Fe and Ni were alternately deposited on a Cu buffer layer, all of which grew epitaxially on the Si substrates. A good crystal structure and epitaxial relationship was confirmed by in-house x-ray diffraction (XRD). The chemical order, which to some part is the origin of an uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, was measured by resonant XRD. The 0 0 1 superlattice reflection was split in two symmetrically spaced peaks due to a composition modulation of the Fe and Ni layers. Furthermore the influence of roughness induced chemical anti-phase domains on the RXRD pattern is exemplified. A smaller than expected magnetic uniaxial anisotropy energy was obtained, which is partly due to the composition modulations, but the major reason is concluded to be the Cu buffer surface roughness.

Composite, nanostructured, super-hydrophobic material

DOEpatents

D'Urso, Brian R [Clinton, TN; Simpson, John T [Clinton, TN

2007-08-21

A hydrophobic disordered composite material having a protrusive surface feature includes a recessive phase and a protrusive phase, the recessive phase having a higher susceptibility to a preselected etchant than the protrusive phase, the composite material having an etched surface wherein the protrusive phase protrudes from the surface to form a protrusive surface feature, the protrusive feature being hydrophobic.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders: When Panic, Fear, and Worries Overwhelm

MedlinePlus

... part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Search form Search Site Menu Home Latest Issue Past Issues Special Issues Subscribe March 2016 Print this issue Understanding Anxiety Disorders When Panic, Fear, and Worries Overwhelm ...

Transmission Electron Microscopy of Itokawa Regolith Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keller, Lindsay P.; Berger, E. L.

2013-01-01

Introduction: In a remarkable engineering achievement, the JAXA space agency successfully recovered the Hayabusa space-craft in June 2010, following a non-optimal encounter and sur-face sampling mission to asteroid 25143 Itokawa. These are the first direct samples ever obtained and returned from the surface of an asteroid. The Hayabusa samples thus present a special op-portunity to directly investigate the evolution of asteroidal sur-faces, from the development of the regolith to the study of the effects of space weathering. Here we report on our preliminary TEM measurements on two Itokawa samples. Methods: We were allocated particles RA-QD02-0125 and RA-QD02-0211. Both particles were embedded in low viscosity epoxy and thin sections were prepared using ultramicrotomy. High resolution images and electron diffraction data were ob-tained using a JEOL 2500SE 200 kV field-emission scanning-transmission electron microscope. Quantitative maps and anal-yses were obtained using a Thermo thin-window energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectrometer. Results: Both particles are olivine-rich (Fo70) with µm-sized inclusions of FeS and have microstructurally complex rims. Par-ticle RA-QD02-0125 is rounded and has numerous sub-µm grains attached to its surface including FeS, albite, olivine, and rare melt droplets. Solar flare tracks have not been observed, but the particle is surrounded by a continuous 50 nm thick, stuctur-ally disordered rim that is compositionally similar to the core of the grain. One of the surface adhering grains is pyrrhotite show-ing a S-depleted rim (8-10 nm thick) with nanophase Fe metal grains (<5 nm) decorating the outermost surface. The pyrrhotite displays a complex superstructure in its core that is absent in the S-depleted rim. Particle RA-QD02-0211 contains solar flare particle tracks (2x109 cm-2) and shows a structurally disordered rim 100 nm thick. The track density corresponds to a surface exposure of 103-104 years based on the track production rate of [1]. The dis-ordered rim is nanocrystalline with minor amorphous material between crystalline domains. Quantitative element maps show the outermost 10 nm of the disordered rim is Si-rich. Discussion and Conclusions: Both particles record the ef-fects of space weathering processes on Itokawa. Noguchi et al. [2] proposed that the disordered rims they observed on Itokawa particles largely result from solar wind radiation damage and we arrive at a similar conclusion for the two particles we analyzed. The microstructure of the S-depleted layer on the pyrrhotite grain in RA-QD02-0125 is similar to that observed in troilite irradiated with 1018 4 kV He+ [3, 4]. Prolonged irradiation has also been shown to disorder pyrrhotite such that the superstructure reflec-tions are lost [5].

Competition between surface adsorption and folding of fibril-forming polypeptides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Ran; Kleijn, J. Mieke; Abeln, Sanne; Cohen Stuart, Martien A.; Bolhuis, Peter G.

2015-02-01

Self-assembly of polypeptides into fibrillar structures can be initiated by planar surfaces that interact favorably with certain residues. Using a coarse-grained model, we systematically studied the folding and adsorption behavior of a β -roll forming polypeptide. We find that there are two different folding pathways depending on the temperature: (i) at low temperature, the polypeptide folds in solution into a β -roll before adsorbing onto the attractive surface; (ii) at higher temperature, the polypeptide first adsorbs in a disordered state and folds while on the surface. The folding temperature increases with increasing attraction as the folded β -roll is stabilized by the surface. Surprisingly, further increasing the attraction lowers the folding temperature again, as strong attraction also stabilizes the adsorbed disordered state, which competes with folding of the polypeptide. Our results suggest that to enhance the folding, one should use a weakly attractive surface. They also explain the recent experimental observation of the nonmonotonic effect of charge on the fibril formation on an oppositely charged surface [C. Charbonneau et al., ACS Nano 8, 2328 (2014), 10.1021/nn405799t].

The role of charged surface residues in the binding ability of small hubs in protein-protein interaction networks

PubMed Central

Patil, Ashwini; Nakamura, Haruki

2007-01-01

Hubs are highly connected proteins in a protein-protein interaction network. Previous work has implicated disordered domains and high surface charge as the properties significant in the ability of hubs to bind multiple proteins. While conformational flexibility of disordered domains plays an important role in the binding ability of large hubs, high surface charge is the dominant property in small hubs. In this study, we further investigate the role of the high surface charge in the binding ability of small hubs in the absence of disordered domains. Using multipole expansion, we find that the charges are highly distributed over the hub surfaces. Residue enrichment studies show that the charged residues in hubs are more prevalent on the exposed surface, with the exception of Arg, which is predominantly found at the interface, as compared to non-hubs. This suggests that the charged residues act primarily from the exposed surface rather than the interface to affect the binding ability of small hubs. They do this through (i) enhanced intra-molecular electrostatic interactions to lower the desolvation penalty, (ii) indirect long – range intermolecular interactions with charged residues on the partner proteins for better complementarity and electrostatic steering, and (iii) increased solubility for enhanced diffusion-controlled rate of binding. Along with Arg, we also find a high prevalence of polar residues Tyr, Gln and His and the hydrophobic residue Met at the interfaces of hubs, all of which have the ability to form multiple types of interactions, indicating that the interfaces of hubs are optimized to participate in multiple interactions. PMID:27857564

The role of charged surface residues in the binding ability of small hubs in protein-protein interaction networks.

PubMed

Patil, Ashwini; Nakamura, Haruki

2007-01-01

Hubs are highly connected proteins in a protein-protein interaction network. Previous work has implicated disordered domains and high surface charge as the properties significant in the ability of hubs to bind multiple proteins. While conformational flexibility of disordered domains plays an important role in the binding ability of large hubs, high surface charge is the dominant property in small hubs. In this study, we further investigate the role of the high surface charge in the binding ability of small hubs in the absence of disordered domains. Using multipole expansion, we find that the charges are highly distributed over the hub surfaces. Residue enrichment studies show that the charged residues in hubs are more prevalent on the exposed surface, with the exception of Arg, which is predominantly found at the interface, as compared to non-hubs. This suggests that the charged residues act primarily from the exposed surface rather than the interface to affect the binding ability of small hubs. They do this through (i) enhanced intra-molecular electrostatic interactions to lower the desolvation penalty, (ii) indirect long - range intermolecular interactions with charged residues on the partner proteins for better complementarity and electrostatic steering, and (iii) increased solubility for enhanced diffusion-controlled rate of binding. Along with Arg, we also find a high prevalence of polar residues Tyr, Gln and His and the hydrophobic residue Met at the interfaces of hubs, all of which have the ability to form multiple types of interactions, indicating that the interfaces of hubs are optimized to participate in multiple interactions.

Physical evaluations of Co-Cr-Mo parts processed using different additive manufacturing techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghani, Saiful Anwar Che; Mohamed, Siti Rohaida; Harun, Wan Sharuzi Wan; Noar, Nor Aida Zuraimi Md

2017-12-01

In recent years, additive manufacturing with highly design customization has gained an important technique for fabrication in aerospace and medical fields. Despite the ability of the process to produce complex components with highly controlled architecture geometrical features, maintaining the part's accuracy, ability to fabricate fully functional high density components and inferior surfaces quality are the major obstacles in producing final parts using additive manufacturing for any selected application. This study aims to evaluate the physical properties of cobalt chrome molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys parts fabricated by different additive manufacturing techniques. The full dense Co-Cr-Mo parts were produced by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) with default process parameters. The density and relative density of samples were calculated using Archimedes' principle while the surface roughness on the top and side surface was measured using surface profiler. The roughness average (Ra) for top surface for SLM produced parts is 3.4 µm while 2.83 µm for DMLS produced parts. The Ra for side surfaces for SLM produced parts is 4.57 µm while 9.0 µm for DMLS produced parts. The higher Ra values on side surfaces compared to the top faces for both manufacturing techniques was due to the balling effect phenomenon. The yield relative density for both Co-Cr-Mo parts produced by SLM and DMLS are 99.3%. Higher energy density has influence the higher density of produced samples by SLM and DMLS processes. The findings of this work demonstrated that SLM and DMLS process with default process parameters have effectively produced full dense parts of Co-Cr-Mo with high density, good agreement of geometrical accuracy and better surface finish. Despite of both manufacturing process yield that produced components with higher density, the current finding shows that SLM technique could produce components with smoother surface quality compared to DMLS process with default parameters.

Process of preparing metal parts to be heated by means of infrared radiance

DOEpatents

Mayer, Howard Robinson [Cincinnati, OH; Blue, Craig A [Knoxville, TN

2009-06-09

A method for preparing metal for heating by infrared radiance to enable uniform and consistent heating. The surface of one or more metal parts, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy parts, is treated to alter the surface finish to affect the reflectivity of the surface. The surface reflectivity is evaluated, such as by taking measurements at one or more points on the surface, to determine if a desired reflectivity has been achieved. The treating and measuring are performed until the measuring indicates that the desired reflectivity has been achieved. Once the treating has altered the surface finish to achieve the desired reflectivity, the metal part may then be exposed to infrared radiance to heat the metal part to a desired temperature, and that heating will be substantially consistent throughout by virtue of the desired reflectivity.

Effect of mandibular mobilization on electromyographic signals in muscles of mastication and static balance in individuals with temporomandibular disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The stomatognathic system and dysfunction in this system may be related to postural control. The proposal of the present study is to assess the effect of mandibular mobilization in individuals with temporomandibular disorder using surface electromyography of the muscles of mastication and stabilometric variables. Methods/Design A randomized, controlled, blind, clinical trial will be carried out, with the participants divided into three groups: 1) facial massage therapy (control group), 2) nonspecific mandibular mobilization and 3) specific mandibular mobilization. All groups will be assessed before and after treatment using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, surface electromyography of the masseter and temporal muscles and stabilometry. This study is registered with the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR9x8ssz). Discussion A large number of studies have employed surface electromyography to investigate the function/dysfunction of the muscles of mastication and associations with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. However, it has not yet been determined whether stabilometric variables offer adequate reliability in patients with this disorder. The results of the proposed study will help determine whether specific and/or nonspecific mandibular mobilization exerts an effect on the muscles of mastication and postural control. Moreover, if an effect is detected, the methodology defined in the proposed study will allow identifying whether the effect is local (found only in the muscles of mastication), global (found only in postural control) or generalized. PMID:24083628

Subregional Shape Alterations in the Amygdala in Patients with Panic Disorder.

PubMed

Yoon, Sujung; Kim, Jieun E; Kim, Geon Ha; Kang, Hee Jin; Kim, Bori R; Jeon, Saerom; Im, Jooyeon Jamie; Hyun, Heejung; Moon, Sohyeon; Lim, Soo Mee; Lyoo, In Kyoon

2016-01-01

The amygdala has been known to play a pivotal role in mediating fear-related responses including panic attacks. Given the functionally distinct role of the amygdalar subregions, morphometric measurements of the amygdala may point to the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying panic disorder. The current study aimed to determine the global and local morphometric alterations of the amygdala related to panic disorder. Volumetric and surface-based morphometric approach to high-resolution three-dimensional T1-weighted images was used to examine the structural variations of the amygdala, with respect to extent and location, in 23 patients with panic disorder and 31 matched healthy individuals. There were no significant differences in bilateral amygdalar volumes between patients with panic disorder and healthy individuals despite a trend-level right amygdalar volume reduction related to panic disorder (right, β = -0.23, p = 0.09, Cohen's d = 0.51; left, β = -0.18, p = 0.19, Cohen's d = 0.45). Amygdalar subregions were localized into three groups including the superficial, centromedial, and laterobasal groups based on the cytoarchitectonically defined probability map. Surface-based morphometric analysis revealed shape alterations in the laterobasal and centromedial groups of the right amygdala in patients with panic disorder (false discovery rate corrected p < 0.05). The current findings suggest that subregion-specific shape alterations in the right amygdala may be involved in the development and maintenance of panic disorder, which may be attributed to the cause or effects of amygdalar hyperactivation.

Subregional Shape Alterations in the Amygdala in Patients with Panic Disorder

PubMed Central

Kim, Geon Ha; Kang, Hee Jin; Kim, Bori R.; Jeon, Saerom; Im, Jooyeon Jamie; Hyun, Heejung; Moon, Sohyeon; Lim, Soo Mee; Lyoo, In Kyoon

2016-01-01

Background The amygdala has been known to play a pivotal role in mediating fear-related responses including panic attacks. Given the functionally distinct role of the amygdalar subregions, morphometric measurements of the amygdala may point to the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying panic disorder. The current study aimed to determine the global and local morphometric alterations of the amygdala related to panic disorder. Methods Volumetric and surface-based morphometric approach to high-resolution three-dimensional T1-weighted images was used to examine the structural variations of the amygdala, with respect to extent and location, in 23 patients with panic disorder and 31 matched healthy individuals. Results There were no significant differences in bilateral amygdalar volumes between patients with panic disorder and healthy individuals despite a trend-level right amygdalar volume reduction related to panic disorder (right, β = -0.23, p = 0.09, Cohen's d = 0.51; left, β = -0.18, p = 0.19, Cohen's d = 0.45). Amygdalar subregions were localized into three groups including the superficial, centromedial, and laterobasal groups based on the cytoarchitectonically defined probability map. Surface-based morphometric analysis revealed shape alterations in the laterobasal and centromedial groups of the right amygdala in patients with panic disorder (false discovery rate corrected p < 0.05). Conclusions The current findings suggest that subregion-specific shape alterations in the right amygdala may be involved in the development and maintenance of panic disorder, which may be attributed to the cause or effects of amygdalar hyperactivation. PMID:27336300

Legislative change enabling use of early part-time sick leave enhanced return to work and work participation in Finland.

PubMed

Viikari-Juntura, Eira; Virta, Lauri J; Kausto, Johanna; Autti-Rämö, Ilona; Martimo, Kari-Pekka; Laaksonen, Mikko; Leinonen, Taina; Husgafvel-Pursiainen, Kirsti; Burdorf, Alex; Solovieva, Svetlana

2017-09-01

Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the use of part-time sick leave at the early (first 12 weeks) stage of work disability due to mental disorder or musculoskeletal disease on sustained return to work (RTW) and overall work participation. Methods In a nation-wide register-based quasi-experimental study, we compared sustained RTW (ie, ≥28 consecutive days at work) and 2-year work participation between the part- and full-time sickness absence (SA) benefit groups (N=1878 in each group) using propensity-score matching. Persons who received partial or full SA benefit due to musculoskeletal diseases or mental disorders between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011 were eligible as cases or controls, respectively. Results A higher proportion showed sustained RTW after part- compared to full-time sick leave [absolute risk difference 8.0%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5.3-10.9]. Moreover, the proportion of time at work was at a 10.5% higher level in the part- compared to full-time sick leave group. The prevalence of full disability retirement was almost three-fold among the full- compared to part-time sick leave group, whereas partial disability retirement was 4.5-fold more prevalent in the part- compared to full-time sick leave group. Conclusions The use of part-time sick leave during the first three months of SA enhances RTW and overall work participation during two years among persons with mental disorders and musculoskeletal diseases. The prescription of part-time sick leave can be recommended at an early stage of work disability.

Temporomandibular disorders, head and orofacial pain: cervical spine considerations.

PubMed

Kraus, Steve

2007-01-01

Head and orofacial pain originates from dental, neurologic, musculoskeletal, otolaryngologic, vascular, metaplastic, or infectious disease. It is treated by many health care practitioners, such as dentists, oral surgeons, and physicians. The article focuses on the nonpathologic involvement of the musculoskeletal system as a source of head and orofacial pain. The areas of the musculoskeletal system that are reviewed include the temporomandibular joint and muscles of mastication--collectively referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and cervical spine disorders. The first part of the article highlights the role of physical therapy in the treatment of TMDs. The second part discusses cervical spine considerations in the management of TMDs and head and orofacial symptoms. It concludes with and overview of the evaluation and treatment of the cervical spine.

Traditional uses of medicinal plants in gastrointestinal disorders in Nepal.

PubMed

Rokaya, Maan B; Uprety, Yadav; Poudel, Ram C; Timsina, Binu; Münzbergová, Zuzana; Asselin, Hugo; Tiwari, Achyut; Shrestha, Shyam S; Sigdel, Shalik R

2014-12-02

Gastrointestinal disorders cause morbidity and can lead to mortality, especially in the developing world where sanitation is deficient. A large part of the human population relies on medicinal plants for treating various diseases, including gastrointestinal disorders. The present review summarizes the traditional uses of medicinal plants of Nepal used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, and evaluates their bio-efficacy based on a review of the available phytochemical and pharmacological literature. We searched different electronic databases and libraries for the literature on medicinal plants used in Nepal to treat gastrointestinal disorders. For each species, we also searched the literature for information on conservation status, as well as for phytochemical and pharmacological studies in support of the ethnobotanical information. We used principal component analysis to explore the relation among disorders and plant families, plant life forms, plant parts and preparation modes. We also performed permutation tests to determine if botanical families were used more often than expected considering their availability in the Nepali flora. We documented a total of 947 species belonging to 158 families and 586 genera used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in Nepal. Diarrhea was the disorder treated by the highest number of species (348), followed by stomachache (340) and dysentery (307). Among the reported species, five were endemic to Nepal, whereas 16 orchid species were protected under CITES Appendices II and III. The randomization test showed that species belonging to 14 families were used less often than expected, whereas plants belonging to 25 families were used more often than expected. The PCA scatter plot showed distinct groups of gastrointestinal disorders treated with similar plant life forms, plant parts, and/or preparation modes. We found 763 phytochemical studies on 324 species and 654 pharmacological studies on 269 species. We showed the diversity and importance of medicinal plants used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in the traditional health care system of Nepal. As such disorders are still causing several deaths each year, it is of the utmost importance to conduct phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the most promising species. It is also crucial to increase access to traditional medicine, especially in rural areas. Threatened species need special attention for traditional herbal medicine to be exploited sustainably. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bridging Neuroanatomy, Neuroradiology and Neurology: Three-Dimensional Interactive Atlas of Neurological Disorders

PubMed Central

Nowinski, W.L.; Chua, B.C.

2013-01-01

Understanding brain pathology along with the underlying neuroanatomy and the resulting neurological deficits is of vital importance in medical education and clinical practice. To facilitate and expedite this understanding, we created a three-dimensional (3D) interactive atlas of neurological disorders providing the correspondence between a brain lesion and the resulting disorder(s). The atlas contains a 3D highly parcellated atlas of normal neuroanatomy along with a brain pathology database. Normal neuroanatomy is divided into about 2,300 components, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, spinal cord, arteries, veins, dural sinuses, tracts, cranial nerves (CN), white matter, deep gray nuclei, ventricles, visual system, muscles, glands and cervical vertebrae (C1-C5). The brain pathology database contains 144 focal and distributed synthesized lesions (70 vascular, 36 CN-related, and 38 regional anatomy-related), each lesion labeled with the resulting disorder and associated signs, symptoms, and/or syndromes compiled from materials reported in the literature. The initial view of each lesion was preset in terms of its location and size, surrounding surface and sectional (magnetic resonance) neuroanatomy, and labeling of lesion and neuroanatomy. In addition, a glossary of neurological disorders was compiled and for each disorder materials from textbooks were included to provide neurological description. This atlas of neurological disorders is potentially useful to a wide variety of users ranging from medical students, residents and nurses to general practitioners, neuroanatomists, neuroradiologists and neurologists, as it contains both normal (surface and sectional) brain anatomy and pathology correlated with neurological disorders presented in a visual and interactive way. PMID:23859280

Bridging neuroanatomy, neuroradiology and neurology: three-dimensional interactive atlas of neurological disorders.

PubMed

Nowinski, W L; Chua, B C

2013-06-01

Understanding brain pathology along with the underlying neuroanatomy and the resulting neurological deficits is of vital importance in medical education and clinical practice. To facilitate and expedite this understanding, we created a three-dimensional (3D) interactive atlas of neurological disorders providing the correspondence between a brain lesion and the resulting disorder(s). The atlas contains a 3D highly parcellated atlas of normal neuroanatomy along with a brain pathology database. Normal neuroanatomy is divided into about 2,300 components, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, spinal cord, arteries, veins, dural sinuses, tracts, cranial nerves (CN), white matter, deep gray nuclei, ventricles, visual system, muscles, glands and cervical vertebrae (C1-C5). The brain pathology database contains 144 focal and distributed synthesized lesions (70 vascular, 36 CN-related, and 38 regional anatomy-related), each lesion labeled with the resulting disorder and associated signs, symptoms, and/or syndromes compiled from materials reported in the literature. The initial view of each lesion was preset in terms of its location and size, surrounding surface and sectional (magnetic resonance) neuroanatomy, and labeling of lesion and neuroanatomy. In addition, a glossary of neurological disorders was compiled and for each disorder materials from textbooks were included to provide neurological description. This atlas of neurological disorders is potentially useful to a wide variety of users ranging from medical students, residents and nurses to general practitioners, neuroanatomists, neuroradiologists and neurologists, as it contains both normal (surface and sectional) brain anatomy and pathology correlated with neurological disorders presented in a visual and interactive way.

Potential influences of complement factor H in autoimmune inflammatory and thrombotic disorders.

PubMed

Ferluga, Janez; Kouser, Lubna; Murugaiah, Valarmathy; Sim, Robert B; Kishore, Uday

2017-04-01

Complement system homeostasis is important for host self-protection and anti-microbial immune surveillance, and recent research indicates roles in tissue development and remodelling. Complement also appears to have several points of interaction with the blood coagulation system. Deficiency and altered function due to gene mutations and polymorphisms in complement effectors and regulators, including Factor H, have been associated with familial and sporadic autoimmune inflammatory - thrombotic disorders, in which autoantibodies play a part. These include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome, anti-phospholipid syndrome and age-related macular degeneration. Such diseases are generally complex - multigenic and heterogeneous in their symptoms and predisposition/susceptibility. They usually need to be triggered by vascular trauma, drugs or infection and non-complement genetic factors also play a part. Underlying events seem to include decline in peripheral regulatory T cells, dendritic cell, and B cell tolerance, associated with alterations in lymphoid organ microenvironment. Factor H is an abundant protein, synthesised in many cell types, and its reported binding to many different ligands, even if not of high affinity, may influence a large number of molecular interactions, together with the accepted role of Factor H within the complement system. Factor H is involved in mesenchymal stem cell mediated tolerance and also contributes to self-tolerance by augmenting iC3b production and opsonisation of apoptotic cells for their silent dendritic cell engulfment via complement receptor CR3, which mediates anti-inflammatory-tolerogenic effects in the apoptotic cell context. There may be co-operation with other phagocytic receptors, such as complement C1q receptors, and the Tim glycoprotein family, which specifically bind phosphatidylserine expressed on the apoptotic cell surface. Factor H is able to discriminate between self and nonself surfaces for self-protection and anti-microbe defence. Factor H, particularly as an abundant platelet protein, may also modulate blood coagulation, having an anti-thrombotic role. Here, we review a number of interaction pathways in coagulation and in immunity, together with associated diseases, and indicate where Factor H may be expected to exert an influence, based on reports of the diversity of ligands for Factor H. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Conversion disorders: psychiatric and psychotherapeutic aspects.

PubMed

Cottencin, O

2014-10-01

Hysteria is still stigmatized and frequently associated with lying or malingering. However, conversion disorder is not malingering, nor factitious disorder. The first step for the clinician faced with suspected conversion disorder is to make a positive diagnosis, which is in fact an integral part of treatment. In the emergency situation, it is important to look for an underlying somatic disorder. Although no specific treatment exists, there is a consensus in favor of a positive role of psychotherapy. First of all, the main problem is to explain to patients that their physical complaint has a psychological cause. In order to deliver the diagnosis in the most appropriate and useful manner, physicians have to first convince themselves before trying to convince patients. Combined consultation (medicine and psychiatry) is a useful tool to help patients. With or without combined consultation, this approach requires patience and open-mindedness to motivate patients to recognize the value of psychotherapy. Coordination between specialists and general practitioners is an important part of this treatment, which frequently requires long-term intervention. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Quantitative EEG neurofeedback for the treatment of pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders, and epilepsy.

PubMed

Hurt, Elizabeth; Arnold, L Eugene; Lofthouse, Nicholas

2014-07-01

Neurofeedback (NF) using surface electroencephalographic signals has been used to treat various child psychiatric disorders by providing patients with video/audio information about their brain's electrical activity in real-time. Research data are reviewed and clinical recommendations are made regarding NF treatment of youth with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, learning disorders, and epilepsy. Most NF studies are limited by methodological issues, such as failure to use or test the validity of a full-blind or sham NF. The safety of NF treatment has not been thoroughly investigated in youth or adults, although clinical experience suggests reasonable safety. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Treatment of selective mutism].

PubMed

Melfsen, Siebke; Warnke, Andreas

2007-11-01

Selective mutism is a communication disorder of childhood in which the child does not speak in specific social situations despite the ability to speak in other situations. A literature review was completed in order to provide practical guidelines for the assessment and treatment of children with selective mutism. There are many different behavioral approaches in the treatment of this disorder, e.g. contingency management, shaping, stimulus fading, escape-avoidance, self-modeling, learning theory approaches. A clearer diagnostic understanding of the disorder as part of anxiety or oppositional disorders needs to be realized prior to generalize an effective treatment for this disorder.

Modeling of the Structure of Disordered Metallic Alloys and Its Transformation Under Thermal Forcing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cress, Ryan Paul

The morphology of disordered binary metallic alloys is investigated. The structure of disordered binary metallic alloys is modeled as a randomly close packed (RCP) assembly of atoms. It was observed through a 2-D binary hard sphere experiment that RCP structure can be modeled as a mixture of nano-crystallites and glassy matter. We define the degree of crystallinity as the fraction of atoms contained in nano-crystallites in an RCP medium. Nano-crystallites by size in a crystallite size distribution were determined experimentally to define the morphology of the RCP medium. Both the degree of crystallinity and the crystallite size distribution have been found to be determined by the composition of a given binary mixture. A 2-D Monte Carlo simulation was developed in order to replicate the RCP structure observed in the experiment which is then extended to cases of arbitrary composition. Crystallites were assumed to be spherical with isotropic cross sections. The number of atoms in an individual crystallite in 2-D is simply transformed into the number of atoms in 3-D; we then obtain the crystallite size distribution in 3-D. This experiment accounts for the contribution from the repulsive core of the inter-atomic potential. The attractive part of the potential is recovered by constructing spherical nano-crystallites of a given radius from a crystalline specimen of each given alloy. A structural model of a disordered alloy is thus obtained. With the basic structure of the RCP medium defined, the response to heating would be in the form of changes to the crystallite size distribution. This was first investigated in a hard sphere mechanical oven experiment. The experimental setup consists of a 2-D cell which is driven by two independent stepper motors. The motors drive a binary RCP bed of spheres on a slightly tilted plane according to a chaotic algorithmm. The motors are driven at four different speed settings. The RCP medium was analyzed using a sequence of digital images taken of the beds. The bursts of images provide a Gaussian distribution of particle speeds in x and y directions thus giving rise to the notion of "temperature." This temperature scales with the motor speed settings. The measured average degree of crystallinity is found to decrease as the effective temperature was raised suggesting that nano-crystallites dissociate under thermal forcing. The evolution of a specimen's structure is calculated rigorously by means of the law of mass action formalism. A system of thermal dissociation reaction equations is written out for the set of nano-crystallites according to the 3-D crystallite size distribution. The equilibrium treatment is justified because the energy differences between metastable RCP structures fall within kT. Thermal dissociation of one surface atom at a time is assumed because the energy cost in dissociation of a surface atom on a nano-crystallite is significantly less than that of a multi atom cluster. The full set of reaction equations cover all possible dissociation steps, which may amount to several thousand for a disordered alloy specimen. The primary determining factor in each of these dissociation equations is the dissociation potential or the amount of attractive energy needed to remove a surface atom on a nano-crystallite of a given size. The attractive potential between atoms is calculated using a Lennard-Jones potential between a pair of atoms for which quantum chemistry calculations exist in the literature. All interactions impinged on the surface atom by all other atoms in a crystallite are summed. As the nano-crystallites dissociate due to heating, the structure of the alloy changes, and this leads to modifications of alloy's transport properties. The model is found to predict the melting temperature of various disordered binary alloys as well as refractory metals in good agreement with known data. The structure model for disordered binary alloys gives an excellent characterization of the alloy morphology. It therefore provides fruitful avenues for making predictions about how thermophysical properties of disordered binary alloys change as the alloy temperature is raised by heating.

Autistic Traits and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Are Differentially Related to Attention to Others' Eyes in Social Anxiety Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kleberg, Johan Lundin; Högström, Jens; Nord, Martina; Bölte, Sven; Serlachius, Eva; Falck-Ytter, Terje

2017-01-01

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) have partly overlapping symptoms. Gaze avoidance has been linked to both SAD and ASD, but little is known about differences in social attention between the two conditions. We studied eye movements in a group of treatment-seeking adolescents with SAD (N = 25), assessing SAD and ASD…

A Description of Medical Conditions in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Follow-Up of the 1980s Utah/UCLA Autism Epidemiologic Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Kyle B.; Cottle, Kristina; Bakian, Amanda; Farley, Megan; Bilder, Deborah; Coon, Hilary; McMahon, William M.

2016-01-01

This study describes medical conditions experienced by a population-based cohort of adults with autism spectrum disorder whose significant developmental concerns were apparent during childhood. As part of a 25-year outcome study of autism spectrum disorder in adulthood, medical histories were collected on 92 participants (N = 69 males) who were…

Neurosarcoidosis

MedlinePlus

Sarcoidosis - nervous system ... Sarcoidosis is a long-term disorder that affects many parts of the body, mostly the lungs. In ... is another part of the nervous system that sarcoidosis can affect. People may have weakness in their ...

77 FR 31762 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-30

..., Steel Part Surface Inspection (Impedance Plane Display), of Part 6, Eddy Current, of the Boeing 707, 720... Subject 51-00-00 Figure 24, Steel Part Surface Inspection (Impedance Plane Display), of Part 6, Eddy...

[Asthenic disorders in children].

PubMed

Chutko, L S; Surushkina, S Iu; Nikishena, I S; Iakovenko, E A; Anisimova, T I; Kuzovenkova, M P

2010-01-01

The present study comprised two parts. In the first part, authors attempted to work out the systematics of asthenic disorders based on our own observations of 189 children aged 7-14 years. The following clinical variants of asthenic states in children were singled out: cerebrogenic asthenia (14.3%), somatogenic (13.8%), residual (16.4%), dysontogenetic (20.1%) and neurasthenia (35.4%). In the second part, we summarized the results of treatment of neurasthenia with adaptol (32 patients) compared to pantoham (30 patients). The efficacy of adaptol was higher: the improvement was seen in 71.9% of cases compared to pantoham (56.7%). The good tolerability of adaptol which clinical efficacy is confirmed by neurophysiological and psychological studies is discussed.

Effect of Surface Treatments on Electron Beam Freeform Fabricated Aluminum Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taminger, Karen M. B.; Hafley, Robert A.; Fahringer, David T.; Martin, Richard E.

2004-01-01

Electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) parts exhibit a ridged surface finish typical of many layer-additive processes. This, post-processing is required to produce a net shape with a smooth surface finish. High speed milling wire electrical discharge machining (EDM), electron beam glazing, and glass bead blasting were performed on EBF3-build 2219 aluminum alloy parts to reduce or eliminate the ridged surface features. Surface roughness, surface residual stress state, and microstructural characteristics were examined for each of the different surface treatment to assess the quality and effect of the surface treatments on the underlying material. The analysis evaluated the effectivenes of the different surface finishing techniques for achieving a smooth surface finish on an electron beam freeform fabricated part.

76 FR 64017 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; South Carolina; Update to...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-17

.... * * * * * * * Section II Provisions for Specific Sources. Part B Surface Coating of 8/24/1990 2/4/1992 57 FR 4158 Coils. Part C Surface Coating of 8/24/1990 2/4/1992 57 FR 4158 Paper, Vinyl, and Fabric. Part D Surface Coating of 8/24/1990 2/4/1992 57 FR 4158 Metal Furniture and Large Appliances. * * * * * * * Part G...

Making psychiatric semiology great again: A semiologic, not nosologic challenge.

PubMed

Micoulaud-Franchi, J-A; Quiles, C; Batail, J-M; Lancon, C; Masson, M; Dumas, G; Cermolacce, M

2018-06-06

This article analyzes whether psychiatric disorders can be considered different from non-psychiatric disorders on a nosologic or semiologic point of view. The supposed difference between psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders relates to the fact that the individuation of psychiatric disorders seems more complex than for non-psychiatric disorders. This individuation process can be related to nosologic and semiologic considerations. The first part of the article analyzes whether the ways of constructing classifications of psychiatric disorders are different than for non-psychiatric disorders. The ways of establishing the boundaries between the normal and the pathologic, and of classifying the signs and symptoms in different categories of disorder, are analyzed. Rather than highlighting the specificity of psychiatric disorders, nosologic investigation reveals conceptual notions that apply to the entire field of medicine when we seek to establish the boundaries between the normal and the pathologic and between different disorders. Psychiatry is thus very important in medicine because it exemplifies the inherent problem of the construction of cognitive schemes imposed on clinical and scientific medical information to delineate a classification of disorders and increase its comprehensibility and utility. The second part of this article assesses whether the clinical manifestations of psychiatric disorders (semiology) are specific to the point that they are entities that are different from non-psychiatric disorders. The attribution of clinical manifestations in the different classifications (Research Diagnostic Criteria, Diagnostic Statistic Manual, Research Domain Criteria) is analyzed. Then the two principal models on signs and symptoms, i.e. the latent variable model and the causal network model, are assessed. Unlike nosologic investigation, semiologic analysis is able to reveal specific psychiatric features in a patient. The challenge, therefore, is to better define and classify signs and symptoms in psychiatry based on a dual and mutually interactive biological and psychological perspective, and to incorporate semiologic psychiatry into an integrative, multilevel and multisystem brain and cognitive approach. Copyright © 2018 L'Encéphale, Paris. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Kinetics of Structural Changes on GaSb(001) Singular and Vicinal Surfaces During the UHV Annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasev, A. V.; Putyato, M. A.; Preobrazhenskii, V. V.; Bakarov, A. K.; Toropov, A. I.

2018-05-01

The dynamics of processes of antimony desorption was investigated on the singular and vicinal GaSb(001) surface by RHEED method. The role of the terraces edges was determined during antimony evaporation in Langmuir desorption mode. It is shown that the structural transition (2x5) -> (1x3) is a complex of two transitions - order -> disorder and disorder -> order. The influence of the degree of surface miscut from the singular face on the dimension of the transition (2x5) -> DO was studied. The activation energies of structural transitions ex(2x5) -> (2x5), (2x5) -> DO and DO -> (1x3) on singular and vicinal faces GaSb(001) were determined.

Thalamus surface shape deformity in obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia.

PubMed

Kang, Do-Hyung; Kim, Sun Hyung; Kim, Chi-Won; Choi, Jung-Seok; Jang, Joon Hwan; Jung, Myung Hun; Lee, Jong-Min; Kim, Sun I; Kwon, Jun Soo

2008-04-16

The authors performed a three-dimensional shape deformation analysis to clarify the various patterns of specific thalamic nuclei abnormality using three age-matched and sex-matched groups of 22 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 22 patients with schizophrenia and 22 control participants. Compared with the healthy volunteers, the anterior, lateral outward surface deformities of the thalamus were significant in OCD patients, whereas the posterior, medial outward deformities of the thalamus were prominent in schizophrenia patients. In terms of thalamic asymmetry, both OCD and schizophrenia patients exhibited the loss of a leftward pattern of asymmetry on the posterior, medial surface of the thalamus. Different patterns of shape abnormality of specific thalamic nuclei may be related to the different phenomenology of OCD and schizophrenia.

76 FR 63549 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Indiana; Miscellaneous Metal and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-13

... Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Indiana; Miscellaneous Metal and Plastic Parts Surface... and plastic parts surface coating rules. These rules are approvable because they satisfy the... amendments added limits for miscellaneous metal and plastic parts surface coating operations, consistent with...

What we have changed our minds about: Part 1. Borderline personality disorder as a limitation of resilience.

PubMed

Fonagy, Peter; Luyten, Patrick; Allison, Elizabeth; Campbell, Chloe

2017-01-01

This paper sets out a recent transition in our thinking in relation to psychopathology associated with personality disorder, in an approach that integrates our thinking about attachment, mentalizing (understanding ourselves and others in terms of intentional mental states) and epistemic trust (openness to the reception of social communication that is personally relevant and of generalizable significance) with recent findings on the structure of both adult and child psychopathology and resilience. In this paper - the first of two parts - we review evidence suggesting that a general psychopathology or p factor underlies vulnerability for psychopathology. We link this p factor to a lack of resilience using Kalisch and colleagues' positive appraisal style theory of resilience (PASTOR). We argue that vulnerability for (severe) psychopathology results from impairments in three central mechanisms underlying resilience - positive situation classification, retrospective reappraisal of threat, and inhibition of retraumatizing triggers - which in turn result from a lack of flexibility in terms of social communicative processes. We suggest that, from this perspective, personality disorders, and borderline personality disorder (BPD) in particular, can be considered to be the prototype of disorders characterized by a lack of resilience. Part 2 proposes an evolutionary developmental psychopathology account linking this inflexibility in social communication to problems with the development of epistemic trust - that is, an evolutionary pre-wired social communication system that normally facilitates resilience through salutogenesis, that is, the capacity to learn and derive benefit from the (social) environment.

A Chemical Approach to Understanding Oxide Surface Structure and Reactivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enterkin, James Andrew

Transmission electron microscopy and diffraction are powerful tools for solving complex structural problems. They complement other analytical techniques, such as x-ray diffraction, elucidating problems which cannot be solved by other techniques. One area where they are of particularly great value is in the determination of surface structures. The research presented herein uses electron microscopy and diffraction as the primary experimental techniques in the development of a chemistry of surface structures. High-resolution electron microscopy revealed that the La4Cu 3MoO12 structure has turbostratic disorder and a lower symmetry space group (Pm) than was previously found. The refinement of the x-ray data was significantly improved by using a disordered model and the Pm space group. A bond valence analysis confirmed that the disordered structure is the superior model. Strontium titanate, SrTiO3, single crystal surfaces were examined principally via transmission electron diffraction. A homologous series with intergrowths was discovered on the (110) surface of strontium titanate, marking the first time that these important concepts of solid state chemistry have been found at the surface. Atmospheric adsorbates, such as H2O and CO2, were found to help to stabilize undercoordinated surface structures on the (100) surface. It was shown that chemical bonding, bond valence, atomic coordination, and stoichiometry greatly influence the development of surface structures. Additionally, such chemistry based analysis was demonstrated to be able to predict surface structure stability and reactivity. Application of a modified Wulff construction to the observed shape of strontium titanate nanocuboids revealed that the surface structure and particle stoichiometry are interlinked, with control over one allowing equally precise control over the other. Platinum nanoparticles on the strontium titanate nanocuboids were shown via high resolution electron microscopy to have cube-on-cube epitaxy, with the shape of the platinum nanoparticles governed by the Winterbottom construction. Precise modification of the support surface will therefore allow engineering of supported metal particles with precise control over which facets are exposed. These results suggest that control over the support surface chemistry can be used to engineer thermodynamically stable, face selective catalysts.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Movement Disorders of Basal Ganglia Origin: Restoring Function or Functionality?

PubMed

Wichmann, Thomas; DeLong, Mahlon R

2016-04-01

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is highly effective for both hypo- and hyperkinetic movement disorders of basal ganglia origin. The clinical use of DBS is, in part, empiric, based on the experience with prior surgical ablative therapies for these disorders, and, in part, driven by scientific discoveries made decades ago. In this review, we consider anatomical and functional concepts of the basal ganglia relevant to our understanding of DBS mechanisms, as well as our current understanding of the pathophysiology of two of the most commonly DBS-treated conditions, Parkinson's disease and dystonia. Finally, we discuss the proposed mechanism(s) of action of DBS in restoring function in patients with movement disorders. The signs and symptoms of the various disorders appear to result from signature disordered activity in the basal ganglia output, which disrupts the activity in thalamocortical and brainstem networks. The available evidence suggests that the effects of DBS are strongly dependent on targeting sensorimotor portions of specific nodes of the basal ganglia-thalamocortical motor circuit, that is, the subthalamic nucleus and the internal segment of the globus pallidus. There is little evidence to suggest that DBS in patients with movement disorders restores normal basal ganglia functions (e.g., their role in movement or reinforcement learning). Instead, it appears that high-frequency DBS replaces the abnormal basal ganglia output with a more tolerable pattern, which helps to restore the functionality of downstream networks.

Functional topography of serotonergic systems supports the Deakin/Graeff hypothesis of anxiety and affective disorders.

PubMed

Paul, Evan D; Lowry, Christopher A

2013-12-01

Over 20 years ago, Deakin and Graeff hypothesized about the role of different serotonergic pathways in controlling the behavioral and physiologic responses to aversive stimuli, and how compromise of these pathways could lead to specific symptoms of anxiety and affective disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests these serotonergic pathways arise from topographically organized subpopulations of serotonergic neurons located in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei. We argue that serotonergic neurons in the dorsal/caudal parts of the dorsal raphe nucleus project to forebrain limbic regions involved in stress/conflict anxiety-related processes, which may be relevant for anxiety and affective disorders. Serotonergic neurons in the "lateral wings" of the dorsal raphe nucleus provide inhibitory control over structures controlling fight-or-flight responses. Dysfunction of this pathway could be relevant for panic disorder. Finally, serotonergic neurons in the median raphe nucleus, and the developmentally and functionally-related interfascicular part of the dorsal raphe nucleus, give rise to forebrain limbic projections that are involved in tolerance and coping with aversive stimuli, which could be important for affective disorders like depression. Elucidating the mechanisms through which stress activates these topographically and functionally distinct serotonergic pathways, and how dysfunction of these pathways leads to symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders, may lead to the development of novel approaches to both the prevention and treatment of anxiety and affective disorders.

[Verbal communication disorders and language disorders in cortical dementias (I). The current state of the art in research].

PubMed

Benedet, M J

This is the first part of a research work into primary and secondary language disorders (LD) in the stages of minimum to mild pathological deterioration in the degenerative process of cortical dementias. AIMS. In this first part, in the light of recent models of symbolic computation of language processing, we review the most significant publications on the subject matter. We begin with an introduction to the historical development of the approaches used to deal with the subject. Following that, we briefly describe the components of the language processing system (LPS) in the light of symbolic computation models. We then analyse the publications dealing with those models. Our aim was to determine whether the LD reported in those publications are the result of a primary involvement of any of the LPS components, or whether they are only the result of disorders affecting other components of the cognitive system. In this case, the supposed LD would be secondary and thus a communication, but not language, disorder. Despite the important variations from one individual to another that have been systematically observed by different authors, it seems that only LD belonging to so called primary progressive aphasia are actually cases of this disorder. In all the other dementias in the above mentioned stages of the development process these disorders are secondary to the involvement of other subsystems of the LPS.

Trehalose protects against ocular surface disorders in experimental murine dry eye through suppression of apoptosis.

PubMed

Chen, Wei; Zhang, Xiaobo; Liu, Mimi; Zhang, Jingna; Ye, Ya; Lin, Ying; Luyckx, Jacques; Qu, Jia

2009-09-01

The disaccharide trehalose is a key element involved in anhydrobiosis (the capability of surviving almost complete dehydration) in many organisms. Its presence also confers resistance to desiccation and high osmolarity in bacterial and human cells by protecting proteins and membranes from denaturation. The present study used a novel murine dry eye model induced by controlled low-humidity air velocity to determine whether topically applied trehalose could heal ocular surface epithelial disorders caused by ocular surface desiccation. In addition, the efficacy of 87.6 mM trehalose eyedrops was compared with that of 20% serum, the efficacy of which has been well documented. Mice ocular surface epithelial disorders were induced by exposure of murine eyes to continuous controlled low-humidity air velocity in an intelligently controlled environmental system (ICES) for 21 days, which accelerated the tear evaporation. The mice were then randomized into three groups: the control group received PBS (0.01 M) treatment; a second group received 87.6 mM trehalose eyedrops treatment; and the third group received mice serum eyedrops treatment. Each treatment was administered as a 10 microl dose every 6 h for 14 days. The resultant changes in corneal barrier function and histopathologic examination of cornea and conjunctiva were analyzed and the level of apoptosis on the ocular surface was assessed using active caspase-3. After 14 days of treatment, the corneal fluorescein staining area, the ruffling and desquamating cells on the apical corneal epithelium, as well as the apoptotic cells on ocular surface epithelium had significantly reduced in eyes treated with trehalose compared with those treated with serum and PBS. In contrast, after 14 days of treatment, improvements in the thickness of the corneal epithelium, the squamous metaplasia in conjunctival epithelium and the number of goblet cells of the conjunctiva were less marked in eyes treated with trehalose compared with serum. These results demonstrated that trehalose could improve the appearance of ocular surface epithelial disorders due to desiccation through suppression of apoptosis. Trehalose produces some of the same responses as serum upon topical application and can maintain corneal health.

Hurlburt Field, Florida. Revised Uniform Summary of Surface Weather Observations (RUSSWO). Parts A-F.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-20

SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS 2 2 SEP W ISJRLSURT FLD FL MSC #747770 E 30 26 w o86 41 FLU ELEV 38 FT FRT PARTS A-F POR FROM HOURLY OBS: JAN 67 - DEC 70...amounts and extreme valuesl; C) Surface winds; (D) Ceiling versus Visibility; Sky Cover; ( E )-Psychrometric Summaries (daily maximum and minimum...for this station: PART A WEATHER CONDITIONS PART E DAILY MAX, MIN, & MEAN TEMP ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA EXTREME MAX & MIN TEMP PART I PRECIPITATION

Nature of peptide wrapping onto metal nanoparticle catalysts and driving forces for size control.

PubMed

Ramezani-Dakhel, Hadi; Bedford, Nicholas M; Woehl, Taylor J; Knecht, Marc R; Naik, Rajesh R; Heinz, Hendrik

2017-06-22

Colloidal metal nanocrystals find many applications in catalysis, energy conversion devices, and therapeutics. However, the nature of ligand interactions and implications on shape control have remained uncertain at the atomic scale. Large differences in peptide adsorption strength and facet specificity were found on flat palladium surfaces versus surfaces of nanoparticles of 2 to 3 nm size using accurate atomistic simulations with the Interface force field. Folding of longer peptides across many facets explains the formation of near-spherical particles with local surface disorder, in contrast to the possibility of nanostructures of higher symmetry with shorter ligands. The average particle size in TEM correlates inversely with the surface coverage with a given ligand and with the strength of ligand adsorption. The role of specific amino acids and sequence mutations on the nanoparticle size and facet composition is discussed, as well as the origin of local surface disorder that leads to large differences in catalytic reactivity.

Engineering the Band Gap States of the Rutile TiO2 (110) Surface by Modulating the Active Heteroatom.

PubMed

Yu, Yaoguang; Yang, Xu; Zhao, Yanling; Zhang, Xiangbin; An, Liang; Huang, Miaoyan; Chen, Gang; Zhang, Ruiqin

2018-04-19

Introducing band gap states to TiO 2 photocatalysts is an efficient strategy for expanding the range of accessible energy available in the solar spectrum. However, few approaches are able to introduce band gap states and improve photocatalytic performance simultaneously. Introducing band gap states by creating surface disorder can incapacitate reactivity where unambiguous adsorption sites are a prerequisite. An alternative method for introduction of band gap states is demonstrated in which selected heteroatoms are implanted at preferred surface sites. Theoretical prediction and experimental verification reveal that the implanted heteroatoms not only introduce band gap states without creating surface disorder, but also function as active sites for the Cr VI reduction reaction. This promising approach may be applicable to the surfaces of other solar harvesting materials where engineered band gap states could be used to tune photophysical and -catalytic properties. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Selective visual attention for ugly and beautiful body parts in eating disorders.

PubMed

Jansen, Anita; Nederkoorn, Chantal; Mulkens, Sandra

2005-02-01

Body image disturbance is characteristic of eating disorders, and current treatments use body exposure to reduce bad body feelings. There is however little known about the cognitive effects of body exposure. In the present study, eye movement registration (electroculography) as a direct index of selective visual attention was used while eating symptomatic and normal control participants were exposed to digitalized pictures of their own body and control bodies. The data showed a decreased focus on their own 'beautiful' body parts in the high symptomatic participants, whereas inspection of their own 'ugly' body parts was given priority. In the normal control group a self-serving cognitive bias was found: they focused more on their own 'beautiful' body parts and less on their own 'ugly' body parts. When viewing other bodies the pattern was reversed: high symptom participants allocated their attention to the beautiful parts of other bodies, whereas normal controls concentrated on the ugly parts of the other bodies. From the present findings the hypothesis follows that a change in the processing of information might be needed for body exposure to be successful.

Paraneoplastic autoimmune movement disorders.

PubMed

Lim, Thien Thien

2017-11-01

To provide an overview of paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders presenting with various movement disorders. The spectrum of paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders has been expanding with the discovery of new antibodies against cell surface and intracellular antigens. Many of these paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders manifest as a form of movement disorder. With the discovery of new neuronal antibodies, an increasing number of idiopathic or neurodegenerative movement disorders are now being reclassified as immune-mediated movement disorders. These include anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis which may present with orolingual facial dyskinesia and stereotyped movements, CRMP-5 IgG presenting with chorea, anti-Yo paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration presenting with ataxia, anti-VGKC complex (Caspr2 antibodies) neuromyotonia, opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome, and muscle rigidity and episodic spasms (amphiphysin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, glycine receptor, GABA(A)-receptor associated protein antibodies) in stiff-person syndrome. Movement disorders may be a presentation for paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders. Recognition of these disorders and their common phenomenology is important because it may lead to the discovery of an occult malignancy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Periodic Fever: A Review on Clinical, Management and Guideline for Iranian Patients - Part I

PubMed Central

Ahmadinejad, Zahra; Mansori, Sedigeh; Ziaee, Vahid; Alijani, Neda; Aghighi, Yahya; Parvaneh, Nima; Mordinejad, Mohammad-Hassan

2014-01-01

Periodic fever syndromes are a group of diseases characterized by episodes of fever with healthy intervals between febrile episodes. The first manifestation of these disorders are present in childhood and adolescence, but infrequently it may be presented in young and middle ages. Genetic base has been known for all types of periodic fever syndromes except periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA). Common periodic fever disorders are Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and PFAPA. In each patient with periodic fever, acquired infection with chronic and periodic nature should be ruled out. It depends on epidemiology of infectious diseases. Some of them such as Familial Mediterranean fever and PFAPA are common in Iran. In Iran and other Middle East countries, brucellosis, malaria and infectious mononucleosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of periodic fever disorders especially with fever and arthritis manifestation. In children, urinary tract infection may be presented as periodic disorder, urine analysis and culture is necessary in each child with periodic symptoms. Some malignancies such as leukemia and tumoral lesions should be excluded in patients with periodic syndrome and weight loss in any age. After excluding infection, malignancy and cyclic neutropenia, FMF and PFAPA are the most common periodic fever disorders. Similar to other countries, Hyper IgD, Chronic Infantile Neurologic Cutaneous and Articular, TRAPS and other auto-inflammatory syndromes are rare causes of periodic fever in Iranian system registry. In part 1 of this paper we reviewed the prevalence of FMF and PFAPA in Iran. In part 2, some uncommon auto-inflammatory disorders such as TRAPS, Hyper IgD sydrome and cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes will be reviewed. PMID:25793039

Autonomy-connectedness mediates sex differences in symptoms of psychopathology

PubMed Central

Bekker, Marrie H. J.; van Assen, Marcel A. L. M.

2017-01-01

Objectives This study aimed to examine if autonomy-connectedness, capacity for self-governance under the condition of connectedness, would mediate sex differences in symptoms of various mental disorders (depression, anxiety, eating disorders, antisocial personality disorder). Method Participants (N = 5,525) from a representative community sample in the Netherlands filled out questionnaires regarding the variables under study. Results Autonomy-connectedness (self-awareness, SA; sensitivity to others, SO; capacity for managing new situations, CMNS) fully mediated the sex differences in depression and anxiety, and partly in eating disorder -(drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction) and anti-social personality disorder characteristics. The mediations followed the expected sex-specific patterns. SO related positively to the internalizing disorder indices, and negatively to the anti-social personality disorder. SA related negatively to all disorder indices; and CMNS to all internalizing disorder indices, but positively to the anti-social personality disorder. Conclusion Treatment of depression, anxiety, but also eating disorders and the antisocial personality disorder may benefit from a stronger focus on autonomy strengthening. PMID:28771498

Autonomy-connectedness mediates sex differences in symptoms of psychopathology.

PubMed

Bekker, Marrie H J; van Assen, Marcel A L M

2017-01-01

This study aimed to examine if autonomy-connectedness, capacity for self-governance under the condition of connectedness, would mediate sex differences in symptoms of various mental disorders (depression, anxiety, eating disorders, antisocial personality disorder). Participants (N = 5,525) from a representative community sample in the Netherlands filled out questionnaires regarding the variables under study. Autonomy-connectedness (self-awareness, SA; sensitivity to others, SO; capacity for managing new situations, CMNS) fully mediated the sex differences in depression and anxiety, and partly in eating disorder -(drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction) and anti-social personality disorder characteristics. The mediations followed the expected sex-specific patterns. SO related positively to the internalizing disorder indices, and negatively to the anti-social personality disorder. SA related negatively to all disorder indices; and CMNS to all internalizing disorder indices, but positively to the anti-social personality disorder. Treatment of depression, anxiety, but also eating disorders and the antisocial personality disorder may benefit from a stronger focus on autonomy strengthening.

Aharonov-Bohm Oscillations in Singly Connected Disordered Conductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aleiner, I. L.; Andreev, A. V.; Vinokur, V.

2015-02-01

We show that transport and thermodynamic properties of singly-connected disordered conductors exhibit quantum Aharonov - Bohm oscillations with the total magnetic flux through the system. The oscillations are associated with the interference contribution from a special class of electron trajectories confined to the surface of the sample.

Multiple Surface Regions on the Niemann-Pick C2 Protein Facilitate Intracellular Cholesterol Transport.

PubMed

McCauliff, Leslie A; Xu, Zhi; Li, Ran; Kodukula, Sarala; Ko, Dennis C; Scott, Matthew P; Kahn, Peter C; Storch, Judith

2015-11-06

The cholesterol storage disorder Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is caused by defects in either of two late endosomal/lysosomal proteins, NPC1 and NPC2. NPC2 is a 16-kDa soluble protein that binds cholesterol in a 1:1 stoichiometry and can transfer cholesterol between membranes by a mechanism that involves protein-membrane interactions. To examine the structural basis of NPC2 function in cholesterol trafficking, a series of point mutations were generated across the surface of the protein. Several NPC2 mutants exhibited deficient sterol transport properties in a set of fluorescence-based assays. Notably, these mutants were also unable to promote egress of accumulated intracellular cholesterol from npc2(-/-) fibroblasts. The mutations mapped to several regions on the protein surface, suggesting that NPC2 can bind to more than one membrane simultaneously. Indeed, we have previously demonstrated that WT NPC2 promotes vesicle-vesicle interactions. These interactions were abrogated, however, by mutations causing defective sterol transfer properties. Molecular modeling shows that NPC2 is highly plastic, with several intense positively charged regions across the surface that could interact favorably with negatively charged membrane phospholipids. The point mutations generated in this study caused changes in NPC2 surface charge distribution with minimal conformational changes. The plasticity, coupled with membrane flexibility, probably allows for multiple cholesterol transfer routes. Thus, we hypothesize that, in part, NPC2 rapidly traffics cholesterol between closely appositioned membranes within the multilamellar interior of late endosomal/lysosomal proteins, ultimately effecting cholesterol egress from this compartment. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

A developmental and genetic classification for midbrain-hindbrain malformations

PubMed Central

Millen, Kathleen J.; Dobyns, William B.

2009-01-01

Advances in neuroimaging, developmental biology and molecular genetics have increased the understanding of developmental disorders affecting the midbrain and hindbrain, both as isolated anomalies and as part of larger malformation syndromes. However, the understanding of these malformations and their relationships with other malformations, within the central nervous system and in the rest of the body, remains limited. A new classification system is proposed, based wherever possible, upon embryology and genetics. Proposed categories include: (i) malformations secondary to early anteroposterior and dorsoventral patterning defects, or to misspecification of mid-hindbrain germinal zones; (ii) malformations associated with later generalized developmental disorders that significantly affect the brainstem and cerebellum (and have a pathogenesis that is at least partly understood); (iii) localized brain malformations that significantly affect the brain stem and cerebellum (pathogenesis partly or largely understood, includes local proliferation, cell specification, migration and axonal guidance); and (iv) combined hypoplasia and atrophy of putative prenatal onset degenerative disorders. Pertinent embryology is discussed and the classification is justified. This classification will prove useful for both physicians who diagnose and treat patients with these disorders and for clinical scientists who wish to understand better the perturbations of developmental processes that produce them. Importantly, both the classification and its framework remain flexible enough to be easily modified when new embryologic processes are described or new malformations discovered. PMID:19933510

Imaging Dirac-mass disorder from magnetic dopant atoms in the ferromagnetic topological insulator Crx(Bi0.1Sb0.9)2-xTe3.

PubMed

Lee, Inhee; Kim, Chung Koo; Lee, Jinho; Billinge, Simon J L; Zhong, Ruidan; Schneeloch, John A; Liu, Tiansheng; Valla, Tonica; Tranquada, John M; Gu, Genda; Davis, J C Séamus

2015-02-03

To achieve and use the most exotic electronic phenomena predicted for the surface states of 3D topological insulators (TIs), it is necessary to open a "Dirac-mass gap" in their spectrum by breaking time-reversal symmetry. Use of magnetic dopant atoms to generate a ferromagnetic state is the most widely applied approach. However, it is unknown how the spatial arrangements of the magnetic dopant atoms influence the Dirac-mass gap at the atomic scale or, conversely, whether the ferromagnetic interactions between dopant atoms are influenced by the topological surface states. Here we image the locations of the magnetic (Cr) dopant atoms in the ferromagnetic TI Cr0.08(Bi0.1Sb0.9)1.92Te3. Simultaneous visualization of the Dirac-mass gap Δ(r) reveals its intense disorder, which we demonstrate is directly related to fluctuations in n(r), the Cr atom areal density in the termination layer. We find the relationship of surface-state Fermi wavevectors to the anisotropic structure of Δ(r) not inconsistent with predictions for surface ferromagnetism mediated by those states. Moreover, despite the intense Dirac-mass disorder, the anticipated relationship [Formula: see text] is confirmed throughout and exhibits an electron-dopant interaction energy J* = 145 meV·nm(2). These observations reveal how magnetic dopant atoms actually generate the TI mass gap locally and that, to achieve the novel physics expected of time-reversal symmetry breaking TI materials, control of the resulting Dirac-mass gap disorder will be essential.

Imaging Dirac-mass disorder from magnetic dopant atoms in the ferromagnetic topological insulator Crx(Bi0.1Sb0.9)2-xTe3

PubMed Central

Lee, Inhee; Kim, Chung Koo; Lee, Jinho; Billinge, Simon J. L.; Zhong, Ruidan; Schneeloch, John A.; Liu, Tiansheng; Valla, Tonica; Tranquada, John M.; Gu, Genda; Davis, J. C. Séamus

2015-01-01

To achieve and use the most exotic electronic phenomena predicted for the surface states of 3D topological insulators (TIs), it is necessary to open a “Dirac-mass gap” in their spectrum by breaking time-reversal symmetry. Use of magnetic dopant atoms to generate a ferromagnetic state is the most widely applied approach. However, it is unknown how the spatial arrangements of the magnetic dopant atoms influence the Dirac-mass gap at the atomic scale or, conversely, whether the ferromagnetic interactions between dopant atoms are influenced by the topological surface states. Here we image the locations of the magnetic (Cr) dopant atoms in the ferromagnetic TI Cr0.08(Bi0.1Sb0.9)1.92Te3. Simultaneous visualization of the Dirac-mass gap Δ(r) reveals its intense disorder, which we demonstrate is directly related to fluctuations in n(r), the Cr atom areal density in the termination layer. We find the relationship of surface-state Fermi wavevectors to the anisotropic structure of Δ(r) not inconsistent with predictions for surface ferromagnetism mediated by those states. Moreover, despite the intense Dirac-mass disorder, the anticipated relationship Δ(r)∝n(r) is confirmed throughout and exhibits an electron–dopant interaction energy J* = 145 meV·nm2. These observations reveal how magnetic dopant atoms actually generate the TI mass gap locally and that, to achieve the novel physics expected of time-reversal symmetry breaking TI materials, control of the resulting Dirac-mass gap disorder will be essential. PMID:25605947

Key structure-activity relationships in the vanadium phosphorus oxide catalyst system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thompson, M.R.; Ebner, J.R.

1990-04-01

The crystal structure of vanadyl pyrophosphate has been redetermined using single crystals obtained from a near solidified melt of a microcrystalline catalyst sample. Crystals that index as vanadyl pyrophosphate obtained from this melt are variable in color. Crystallographic refinement of the single crystal x-ray diffraction data indicates that structural differences among these materials can be described in terms of crystal defects associated with linear disorder of the vanadium atoms. The importance of the disorder is outlined in the context of its effect on the proposed surface topology parallel to (1,0,0). Models of the surface topology simply and intuitively account formore » the non-stoichometric surface atomic P/V ratio exhibited by selective catalysts of this phase. These models also point to the possible role of the excess phosphorus in providing site isolation of reactive centers at the surface. 33 refs., 7 figs.« less

Disorder enabled band structure engineering of a topological insulator surface

DOE PAGES

Xu, Yishuai; Chiu, Janet; Miao, Lin; ...

2017-02-03

Three-dimensional topological insulators are bulk insulators with Z 2 topological electronic order that gives rise to conducting light-like surface states. These surface electrons are exceptionally resistant to localization by non-magnetic disorder, and have been adopted as the basis for a wide range of proposals to achieve new quasiparticle species and device functionality. Recent studies have yielded a surprise by showing that in spite of resisting localization, topological insulator surface electrons can be reshaped by defects into distinctive resonance states. Here we use numerical simulations and scanning tunnelling microscopy data to show that these resonance states have significance well beyond themore » localized regime usually associated with impurity bands. Lastly, at native densities in the model Bi 2X 3 (X=Bi, Te) compounds, defect resonance states are predicted to generate a new quantum basis for an emergent electron gas that supports diffusive electrical transport.« less

Early Intervention Experiences of Families of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Pilot Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grygas Coogle, Christan; Guerette, Amy R.; Hanline, Mary Frances

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to obtain an understanding of the unique experiences of families who have a young child at risk for or identified with an autism spectrum disorder and their experiences with early intervention. Thirty-nine parents of children with or at risk for an autism spectrum disorder receiving Part C services in a state in the…

[From disability to the adunatos: some thoughts on disability and somatoform pain disorder].

PubMed

Delli Noci, C; Barras, V; Stiefel, F

2013-02-13

Disability, especially if related to a psychiatric disorder, such as somatoform pain disorder, is characterized by medical, psychological, relational, social and societal, as well as financial and political aspects. This manuscript, part of a PhD thesis which reflects on a possible dialogue between an ancient text and the modern conceptualization of disability, tries to address the phenomenological, historical and political dimensions of disability.

The Comparative Effectiveness of Levels of Training and Years of Work Experience in Firefighters as Determining Factors in the Development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turner, Melva W.

2011-01-01

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been known by other names and not well studied prior to returning Vietnam veterans who suffered psychological dysfunction. However, the term PTSD became part of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders in 1981. Since that time PTSD has been researched extensively in veterans. However,…

Inherited disorders in the Afrikaner population of southern Africa. Part I. Historical and demographic background, cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic and intestinal conditions.

PubMed

Botha, M C; Beighton, P

1983-10-08

Certain genetic disorders occur with unusually high frequency in the Afrikaner population of southern Africa. Conditions of this type (reviewed in Part I of this article) include familial hypercholesterolaemia, progressive familial heart block, Huntington's chorea, porphyria variegata, Gaucher's disease, cystic fibrosis and familial colonic polyposis. This genetic situation is explicable to some extent on the basis of the demographic development of the Afrikaner population during the 14 generations since the arrival of the first immigrants from Holland more than 330 years ago.

Analysis of lower back pain disorder using deep learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritwik Kulkarni, K.; Gaonkar, Abhijitsingh; Vijayarajan, V.; Manikandan, K.

2017-11-01

Lower back pain (LBP) is caused because of assorted reasons involving body parts such as the interconnected network of spinal cord, nerves, bones, discs or tendons in the lumbar spine. LBP is pain, muscle pressure, or stiffness localized underneath the costal edge or more the substandard gluteal folds, with or without leg torment for the most part sciatica, and is characterized as endless when it holds on for 12 weeks or more then again, non-particular LBP is torment not credited to an unmistakable pathology such as infection, tumour, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fracture, or inflammation. Over 70% of people usually suffer from such backpain disorder at some time. But recovery is not always favorable, 82% of non-recent-onset patients still experience pain 1 year later. Even though not having any history of lower back pain, many patients suffering from this disorder spend months or years healing from it. Hence aiming to look for preventive measure rather than curative, this study suggests a classification methodology for Chronic LBP disorder using Deep Learning techniques.

Distinctive features of transport in topological insulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sacksteder, Vincent; Wu, Quansheng; Arnardottir, Kristin; Shelykh, Ivan; Kettemann, Stefan

2015-03-01

The surface states of a topological insulator in a fine-tuned magnetic field are ideal candidates for realizing a topological metal which is protected against disorder. Its signatures are (1) a conductance plateau in long wires and (2) a conductivity which always increases with sample size. We numerically show that the bulk substantially accelerates the conductance plateaus's decay in a magnetic field. It also reduces the effects of surface disorder and causes the magnitude of the surface conductivity and the magnetoconductivity to depend systematically on sample details such as doping and disorder strength. In addition, we predict a new signature of the topological state: at low temperatures the magnetoresistance will deviate strongly from the Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka (HLN) formula. In this regime the magnetoresistance is dominated by scattering processes which wrap around the TI sample. The HLN formula's shoulder is replaced by a feature with a larger critical field magnetic strength that is caused by wrapping. Inside the wrapping regime the magnetoconductance will lose its dependence on temperature. This new topological signature should be visible in the same samples and temperatures where the Altshuler-Aronov-Spivak (AAS) effect has already been observed.

Investigation of solid phase composition on tablet surfaces by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction.

PubMed

Koradia, Vishal; Tenho, Mikko; Lopez de Diego, Heidi; Ringkjøbing-Elema, Michiel; Møller-Sonnergaard, Jørn; Salonen, Jarno; Lehto, Vesa-Pekka; Rantanen, Jukka

2012-01-01

To investigate solid state transformations of drug substances during compaction using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD). The solid forms of three model drugs-theophylline (TP), nitrofurantoin (NF) and amlodipine besylate (AMB)-were compacted at different pressures (from 100 to 1000 MPa); prepared tablets were measured using GIXD. After the initial measurements of freshly compacted tablets, tablets were subjected to suitable recrystallization treatment, and analogous measurements were performed. Solid forms of TP, NF and AMB showed partial amorphization as well as crystal disordering during compaction; the extent of these effects generally increased as a function of pressure. The changes were most pronounced at the outer surface region. The different solid forms showed difference in the formation of amorphicity/crystal disordering. Dehydration due to compaction was observed for the TP monohydrate, whereas hydrates of NF and AMB were stable towards dehydration. With GIXD measurements, it was possible to probe the solid form composition at the different depths of the tablet surfaces and to obtain depth-dependent information on the compaction-induced amorphization, crystal disordering and dehydration.

Extreme marginalization: addiction and other mental health disorders, stigma, and imprisonment

PubMed Central

Kreek, Mary Jeanne

2013-01-01

Major well-defined medical problems that are, in part, the unfortunate outcome of a negative social environment may include specific addictive diseases and other mental health disorders, in particular the affective disorders of anxiety, depression, social phobia, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. This overview touches on the topic of extreme marginalization associated with addiction and other mental health disorders, along with arrest, imprisonment, and parole. All of these are characterized by lasting stigma that hauntingly continues to impact upon each person suffering from any of these problems. PMID:21884162

Morphological Alterations in the Thalamus, Striatum, and Pallidum in Autism Spectrum Disorder

PubMed Central

Schuetze, Manuela; Park, Min Tae M; Cho, Ivy YK; MacMaster, Frank P; Chakravarty, M Mallar; Bray, Signe L

2016-01-01

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with cognitive, motor, and emotional symptoms. The thalamus and basal ganglia form circuits with the cortex supporting all three of these behavioral domains. Abnormalities in the structure of subcortical regions may suggest atypical development of these networks, with implications for understanding the neural basis of ASD symptoms. Findings from previous volumetric studies have been inconsistent. Here, using advanced surface-based methodology, we investigated localized differences in shape and surface area in the basal ganglia and thalamus in ASD, using T1-weighted anatomical images from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (373 male participants aged 7–35 years with ASD and 384 typically developing). We modeled effects of diagnosis, age, and their interaction on volume, shape, and surface area. In participants with ASD, we found expanded surface area in the right posterior thalamus corresponding to the pulvinar nucleus, and a more concave shape in the left mediodorsal nucleus. The shape of both caudal putamen and pallidum showed a relatively steeper increase in concavity with age in ASD. Within ASD participants, restricted, repetitive behaviors were positively associated with surface area in bilateral globus pallidus. We found no differences in overall volume, suggesting that surface-based approaches have greater sensitivity to detect localized differences in subcortical structure. This work adds to a growing body of literature implicating corticobasal ganglia-thalamic circuits in the pathophysiology of ASD. These circuits subserve a range of cognitive, emotional, and motor functions, and may have a broad role in the complex symptom profile in ASD. PMID:27125303

Facial Structure Analysis Separates Autism Spectrum Disorders into Meaningful Clinical Subgroups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Obafemi-Ajayi, Tayo; Miles, Judith H.; Takahashi, T. Nicole; Qi, Wenchuan; Aldridge, Kristina; Zhang, Minqi; Xin, Shi-Qing; He, Ying; Duan, Ye

2015-01-01

Varied cluster analysis were applied to facial surface measurements from 62 prepubertal boys with essential autism to determine whether facial morphology constitutes viable biomarker for delineation of discrete Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) subgroups. Earlier study indicated utility of facial morphology for autism subgrouping (Aldridge et al. in…

Susceptibility of Bunch Grape and Muscadine Cultivars to Berry Splitting and Spotted-Wing Drosophila Oviposition

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

One of the main disorders that widely reduces fruit quality and commercial value is fruit splitting. Fruit splitting is a physiological disorder that produces surface cracks that promotes disease and insect damage. Moreover, the spotted wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a spe...

Substantia nigra and Parkinson disease (image)

MedlinePlus

... is a slowly progressive disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and balance. Part of the disease process develops as cells are destroyed in certain parts of the brain stem, particularly the crescent-shaped cell mass known as ...

Personality disorders and normal personality dimensions in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

PubMed

Samuels, J; Nestadt, G; Bienvenu, O J; Costa, P T; Riddle, M A; Liang, K Y; Hoehn-Saric, R; Grados, M A; Cullen, B A

2000-11-01

Little is known about personality disorders and normal personality dimensions in relatives of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To determine whether specific personality characteristics are part of a familial spectrum of OCD. Clinicians evaluated personality disorders in 72 OCD case and 72 control probands and 198 case and 207 control first-degree relatives. The selfcompleted Revised NEO Personality Inventory was used for assessment of normal personality dimensions. The prevalence of personality disorders and scores on normal personality dimensions were compared between case and control probands and between case and control relatives. Case probands and case relatives had a high prevalence of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and high neuroticism scores. Neuroticism was associated with OCPD in case but not control relatives. Neuroticism and OCPD may share a common familial aetiology with OCD.

Does Pregabalin Have Neuropsychotropic Effects?: A Short Perspective

PubMed Central

Marks, David M.; Patkar, Ashwin A.; Masand, Prakash S.

2009-01-01

Pregabalin is a newly developed synthetic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia and several neuropathy. It has been proven to show analgesic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sleep enhancement effects, which could be applicable in the treatment of a variety of psychiatric disorders. There have been consistent reports that unexplained somatic symptoms (i.e., pain) may be a part of psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders. Previous researches have also suggested the possible therapeutic potential of anticonvulsants as augmentation therapy or monotherapy in the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Hence this short perspective tries to prompt and facilitate a shifting of researchers' attention to potential neuropsychotropic drug role of pregabalin to treat a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders. PMID:20046375

[Specific developmental disorder of speech and language in adulthood].

PubMed

Vlassopoulos, M; Anagnostopoulos, D C

2012-06-01

Specific developmental disorder of speech and language is part of a more general category of neurodevelopmental disorders, which is encountered in 7-10% of the childhood population. These children exhibit a significant impairment in speech and language development, which cannot be justified by hearing impairment, cognitive impairment, neuromuscular or orofacial disorders, as well as by emotional or environmental factors. Specific developmental disorders of speech and language are often comorbid with other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as motor coordination disorder and ADHD. These disorders are usually detected in early childhood and commonly treated during the preschool and school years. Despite this fact clinical and empirical evidence suggest that often these disorders persist beyond the school years, even though the symptomatology may be differentiated. In this literature review, we address the question of whether specific developmental language disorders are encountered only during childhood, and, if they persist, how they are manifested in adulthood. Finally, possible factors which may lead to these manifestations are analyzed. A considerable body of research has shown that even though the symptoms of children with specific developmental language disorders are resolved before the end of childhood, a significant part of this population continues to have persisting difficulties through adolescence and into adulthood. The continuity of this disorder may sometimes be directly linked to language disorder, as in the case of learning impairments or, on the other hand, symptoms may be related with those of conduct disorders, social adjustment disorder, emotional and psychiatric disorders in adolescence and adulthood. It therefore appears that specific developmental language disorder is often an early symptom of other disorders in the future. Even though the precise mechanisms which are responsible for these disorders are not yet known, it is possible that a fragile neurobiological substratum in these disorders may explain why early symptoms are usually manifested as language disorders and later develop into other disorders over time. However, these symptom changes may be linked to other parameters, such as the increasing social and emotional demands made on these individuals with increasing age, which may be a contributing environmental parameter to an already vulnerable system. Despite all of the limitations in the longterm study of these children, it is suggested that in some way, and not in all cases, pathology may continue into adulthood, although with a different symptomatology, which is linked to behavioural and social adjustment, as well as with more pervasive psychiatric disorders. In conclusion, it is suggested that a continuum of services may be necessary for these cases into adulthood.

Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities. Volume 10. Part A: Theoretical Perspectives [and] Part B: Intervention Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scruggs, Thomas E., Ed.; Mastropieri, Margo A., Ed.

This two-volume set presents 11 papers on the state of the art in learning and behavioral disabilities, the first volume, Part A, includes 6 papers providing theoretical perspectives and, the second volume, Part B, includes 5 papers on intervention research. The theoretical papers are: "Defining Emotional or Behavioral Disorders: Divergence…

Control of Cross Talk between Angiogenesis and Inflammation by Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Ocular Surface Diseases.

PubMed

Li, Fei; Zhao, Shao-Zhen

2016-01-01

Angiogenesis is beneficial in the treatment of ischemic heart disease and peripheral artery disease. However, it facilitates inflammatory cell filtration and inflammation cascade that disrupt the immune and angiogenesis privilege of the avascular cornea, resulting in ocular surface diseases and even vision loss. Although great progress has been achieved, healing of severe ocular surface injury and immunosuppression of corneal transplantation are the most difficult and challenging step in the treatment of ocular surface disorders. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from various adult tissues, are able to differentiate into different cell types such as endothelial cells and fat cells. Although it is still under debate whether MSCs could give rise to functional corneal cells, recent results from different study groups showed that MSCs could improve corneal disease recovery through suppression of inflammation and modulation of immune cells. Thus, MSCs could become a promising tool for ocular surface disorders. In this review, we discussed how angiogenesis and inflammation are orchestrated in the pathogenesis of ocular surface disease. We overviewed and updated the knowledge of MSCs and then summarized the therapeutic potential of MSCs via control of angiogenesis, inflammation, and immune response in the treatment of ocular surface disease.

Clusterin Seals the Ocular Surface Barrier in Mouse Dry Eye

PubMed Central

Bauskar, Aditi; Mack, Wendy J.; Mauris, Jerome; Argüeso, Pablo; Heur, Martin; Nagel, Barbara A.; Kolar, Grant R.; Gleave, Martin E.; Nakamura, Takahiro; Kinoshita, Shigeru; Moradian-Oldak, Janet; Panjwani, Noorjahan; Pflugfelder, Stephen C.; Wilson, Mark R.; Fini, M. Elizabeth; Jeong, Shinwu

2015-01-01

Dry eye is a common disorder caused by inadequate hydration of the ocular surface that results in disruption of barrier function. The homeostatic protein clusterin (CLU) is prominent at fluid-tissue interfaces throughout the body. CLU levels are reduced at the ocular surface in human inflammatory disorders that manifest as severe dry eye, as well as in a preclinical mouse model for desiccating stress that mimics dry eye. Using this mouse model, we show here that CLU prevents and ameliorates ocular surface barrier disruption by a remarkable sealing mechanism dependent on attainment of a critical all-or-none concentration. When the CLU level drops below the critical all-or-none threshold, the barrier becomes vulnerable to desiccating stress. CLU binds selectively to the ocular surface subjected to desiccating stress in vivo, and in vitro to the galectin LGALS3, a key barrier component. Positioned in this way, CLU not only physically seals the ocular surface barrier, but it also protects the barrier cells and prevents further damage to barrier structure. These findings define a fundamentally new mechanism for ocular surface protection and suggest CLU as a biotherapeutic for dry eye. PMID:26402857

Clusterin Seals the Ocular Surface Barrier in Mouse Dry Eye.

PubMed

Bauskar, Aditi; Mack, Wendy J; Mauris, Jerome; Argüeso, Pablo; Heur, Martin; Nagel, Barbara A; Kolar, Grant R; Gleave, Martin E; Nakamura, Takahiro; Kinoshita, Shigeru; Moradian-Oldak, Janet; Panjwani, Noorjahan; Pflugfelder, Stephen C; Wilson, Mark R; Fini, M Elizabeth; Jeong, Shinwu

2015-01-01

Dry eye is a common disorder caused by inadequate hydration of the ocular surface that results in disruption of barrier function. The homeostatic protein clusterin (CLU) is prominent at fluid-tissue interfaces throughout the body. CLU levels are reduced at the ocular surface in human inflammatory disorders that manifest as severe dry eye, as well as in a preclinical mouse model for desiccating stress that mimics dry eye. Using this mouse model, we show here that CLU prevents and ameliorates ocular surface barrier disruption by a remarkable sealing mechanism dependent on attainment of a critical all-or-none concentration. When the CLU level drops below the critical all-or-none threshold, the barrier becomes vulnerable to desiccating stress. CLU binds selectively to the ocular surface subjected to desiccating stress in vivo, and in vitro to the galectin LGALS3, a key barrier component. Positioned in this way, CLU not only physically seals the ocular surface barrier, but it also protects the barrier cells and prevents further damage to barrier structure. These findings define a fundamentally new mechanism for ocular surface protection and suggest CLU as a biotherapeutic for dry eye.

Modulating interactions between ligand-coated nanoparticles and phase-separated lipid bilayers by varying the ligand density and the surface charge.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaojie; Tieleman, D Peter; Liang, Qing

2018-02-01

The interactions between nanoparticles and lipid bilayers are critical in applications of nanoparticles in nanomedicine, cell imaging, toxicology, and elsewhere. Here, we investigate the interactions between nanoparticles coated with neutral and/or charged ligands and phase-separated lipid bilayers using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation. Both penetration and adsorption processes as well as the final distribution of the nanoparticles can be readily modulated by varying the ligand density and the surface charge of the nanoparticles. Completely hydrophobic (neutral) nanoparticles with larger size initially preferentially penetrate into the liquid-disordered region of the lipid bilayer and finally transfer into the liquid-ordered region; partially hydrophilic nanoparticles with low or moderate surface charge tend to either distribute in the liquid-disordered region or be adsorbed on the surface of the lipid bilayer, while strongly hydrophilic nanoparticles with high surface charge always reside on the surface of the lipid bilayer. Interactions of the nanoparticles with the lipid bilayers are affected by the surface charge of nanoparticles, hydrophobic mismatch, bending of the ligands, and the packing state of the lipids. Insight in these factors can be used to improve the efficiency of designing nanoparticles for specific applications.

The DSM diagnostic criteria for transvestic fetishism.

PubMed

Blanchard, Ray

2010-04-01

This paper contains the author's report on transvestism, submitted on July 31, 2008, to the work group charged with revising the diagnoses concerning sexual and gender identity disorders for the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). In the first part of this report, the author reviews differences among previous editions of the DSM as a convenient way to illustrate problems with the nomenclature and uncertainties in the descriptive pathology of transvestism. He concludes this part by proposing a revised set of diagnostic criteria, including a new set of specifiers. In the second part, he presents a secondary analysis of a pre-existing dataset in order to investigate the utility of the proposed specifiers.

General medicine and surgery for dental practitioners. Part 5--Psychiatry.

PubMed

Brown, S; Greenwood, M; Meechan, J G

2010-07-10

There are a significant number of patients in society who have some form of psychiatric disorder. It is important that dental practitioners have an awareness of the more common psychiatric disorders and their potential implications as they are likely to encounter them in clinical practice.

Anatomy, diagnosis and management of disorders of the tongue.

PubMed

Lobprise, H B; Wiggs, R B

1993-03-01

The tongue is an integral and functional part of the oral cavity. This article reviews and describes various disorders of the tongue. A comprehensive description of diagnosis and management of tongue problems is included. A review of the anatomy related to the tongue is described.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on 1-peso and 2-pesos of the Argentine Republic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gard, Faramarz S.; Duffo, Gustavo; Bergamasco, Pablo; Forlerer, Elena

2018-04-01

Relative concentrations of nickel and copper at the surface of the ring and centre parts of 1-peso and 2-pesos Argentine coins have been studied by means of X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). It has been observed Ni-enrichment at the surface of the ring (silvery) part of a 1-peso, minted in 1994, whereas the XPS data reveals lack of nickel at the surface of the centre (silvery) part of a 2-pesos, minted in 2016. This discrepancy is explained by analyzing the XPS peaks of oxygen and carbon, and is suggested to be related to the contamination layer on the surface of the coins. The XPS analysis of the golden parts of the coins, namely the centre part of the 1-peso and the ring part of the 2-pesos coins were inconclusive, due to the small amount of the Ni (nominally %2) used in those parts. The possible oxidations states of the metals at the surface of the untreated and treated coins with the artificial human sweat were also identified.

10 CFR Appendix D to Part 835 - Surface Contamination Values

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Surface Contamination Values D Appendix D to Part 835 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Pt. 835, App. D Appendix D to Part 835—Surface Contamination Values The data presented in appendix D are to be used in identifying the need for...

10 CFR Appendix D to Part 835 - Surface Contamination Values

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Surface Contamination Values D Appendix D to Part 835 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Pt. 835, App. D Appendix D to Part 835—Surface Contamination Values The data presented in appendix D are to be used in identifying the need for...

10 CFR Appendix D to Part 835 - Surface Contamination Values

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Surface Contamination Values D Appendix D to Part 835 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Pt. 835, App. D Appendix D to Part 835—Surface Contamination Values The data presented in appendix D are to be used in identifying the need for...

Early brain development in infants at high risk for autism spectrum disorder

PubMed Central

Hazlett, Heather Cody; Gu, Hongbin; Munsell, Brent C.; Kim, Sun Hyung; Styner, Martin; Wolff, Jason J.; Elison, Jed T.; Swanson, Meghan R.; Zhu, Hongtu; Botteron, Kelly N.; Collins, D. Louis; Constantino, John N.; Dager, Stephen R.; Estes, Annette M.; Evans, Alan C.; Fonov, Vladimir S.; Gerig, Guido; Kostopoulos, Penelope; McKinstry, Robert C.; Pandey, Juhi; Paterson, Sarah; Pruett, John R.; Schultz, Robert T.; Shaw, Dennis W.; Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie; Piven, Joseph

2017-01-01

Summary Brain enlargement has been observed in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but the timing of this phenomenon and its relationship to the appearance of behavioral symptoms is unknown. Retrospective head circumference and longitudinal brain volume studies of 2 year olds followed up at age 4 years, have provided evidence that increased brain volume may emerge early in development.1, 2 Studies of infants at high familial risk for autism can provide insight into the early development of autism and have found that characteristic social deficits in ASD emerge during the latter part of the first and in the second year of life3,4. These observations suggest that prospective brain imaging studies of infants at high familial risk for ASD might identify early post-natal changes in brain volume occurring before the emergence of an ASD diagnosis. In this prospective neuroimaging study of 106 infants at high familial risk of ASD and 42 low-risk infants, we show that cortical surface area hyper-expansion between 6-12 months of age precedes brain volume overgrowth observed between 12-24 months in the 15 high-risk infants diagnosed with autism at 24 months. Brain volume overgrowth was linked to the emergence and severity of autistic social deficits. A deep learning algorithm primarily using surface area information from brain MRI at 6 and 12 months of age predicted the diagnosis of autism in individual high-risk children at 24 months (with a positive predictive value of 81%, sensitivity of 88%). These findings demonstrate that early brain changes unfold during the period in which autistic behaviors are first emerging. PMID:28202961

Insights into the Hendra virus NTAIL-XD complex: Evidence for a parallel organization of the helical MoRE at the XD surface stabilized by a combination of hydrophobic and polar interactions.

PubMed

Erales, Jenny; Beltrandi, Matilde; Roche, Jennifer; Maté, Maria; Longhi, Sonia

2015-08-01

The Hendra virus is a member of the Henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. The nucleoprotein, which consists of a structured core and of a C-terminal intrinsically disordered domain (N(TAIL)), encapsidates the viral genome within a helical nucleocapsid. N(TAIL) partly protrudes from the surface of the nucleocapsid being thus capable of interacting with the C-terminal X domain (XD) of the viral phosphoprotein. Interaction with XD implies a molecular recognition element (MoRE) that is located within N(TAIL) residues 470-490, and that undergoes α-helical folding. The MoRE has been proposed to be embedded in the hydrophobic groove delimited by helices α2 and α3 of XD, although experimental data could not discriminate between a parallel and an antiparallel orientation of the MoRE. Previous studies also showed that if the binding interface is enriched in hydrophobic residues, charged residues located close to the interface might play a role in complex formation. Here, we targeted for site directed mutagenesis two acidic and two basic residues within XD and N(TAIL). ITC studies showed that electrostatics plays a crucial role in complex formation and pointed a parallel orientation of the MoRE as more likely. Further support for a parallel orientation was afforded by SAXS studies that made use of two chimeric constructs in which XD and the MoRE were covalently linked to each other. Altogether, these studies unveiled the multiparametric nature of the interactions established within this complex and contribute to shed light onto the molecular features of protein interfaces involving intrinsically disordered regions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Solid-solid collapse transition in a two dimensional model molecular system.

PubMed

Singh, Rakesh S; Bagchi, Biman

2013-11-21

Solid-solid collapse transition in open framework structures is ubiquitous in nature. The real difficulty in understanding detailed microscopic aspects of such transitions in molecular systems arises from the interplay between different energy and length scales involved in molecular systems, often mediated through a solvent. In this work we employ Monte-Carlo simulation to study the collapse transition in a model molecular system interacting via both isotropic as well as anisotropic interactions having different length and energy scales. The model we use is known as Mercedes-Benz (MB), which, for a specific set of parameters, sustains two solid phases: honeycomb and oblique. In order to study the temperature induced collapse transition, we start with a metastable honeycomb solid and induce transition by increasing temperature. High density oblique solid so formed has two characteristic length scales corresponding to isotropic and anisotropic parts of interaction potential. Contrary to the common belief and classical nucleation theory, interestingly, we find linear strip-like nucleating clusters having significantly different order and average coordination number than the bulk stable phase. In the early stage of growth, the cluster grows as a linear strip, followed by branched and ring-like strips. The geometry of growing cluster is a consequence of the delicate balance between two types of interactions, which enables the dominance of stabilizing energy over destabilizing surface energy. The nucleus of stable oblique phase is wetted by intermediate order particles, which minimizes the surface free energy. In the case of pressure induced transition at low temperature the collapsed state is a disordered solid. The disordered solid phase has diverse local quasi-stable structures along with oblique-solid like domains.

The Work Softening by Deformation-Induced Disordering and Cold Rolling of 6.5 wt pct Si Steel Thin Sheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xianglong; Li, Haoze; Zhang, Weina; Liu, Zhenyu; Wang, Guodong; Luo, Zhonghan; Zhang, Fengquan

2016-09-01

As-cast strip of 6.5 wt pct Si steel was fabricated by twin-roll strip casting. After hot rolling at 1323 K (1050 °C), thin sheets with the thickness of 0.35 mm were produced by warm rolling at 373 K (100 °C) with rolling reductions of 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, and 65 pct. Influence of warm rolling reduction on ductility was investigated by room temperature bending test. The measurement of macro-hardness showed that "work softening" could begin when the warm rolling reduction exceeded 35 pct. The room temperature ductility of the thin sheets gradually increased with the increase of warm rolling reductions, and the plastic deformation during bending began to form when the warm rolling reduction was greater than 45 pct, the 65 pct rolled thin sheet exhibited the maximum plastic deformation of about 0.6 pct during bending at room temperature, with a few small dimples having been observed on the fracture surfaces. B2-ordered domains were formed in the 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 pct rolled specimens, and their average size decreased with the increase of warm rolling reductions. By contrast, no B2-ordered domain could be found in the 65 pct rolled specimen. It had been observed that large-ordered domains could be split into several small parts by the slip of partial super-dislocations during warm rolling, which led to significant decrease of the order degree to cause the phenomenon of deformation-induced disordering. On the basis of these results, cold rolling schedule was developed to successfully fabricate 0.25-mm-thick sheets with good surface qualities and magnetic properties from warm rolled sheets.

Early brain development in infants at high risk for autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Hazlett, Heather Cody; Gu, Hongbin; Munsell, Brent C; Kim, Sun Hyung; Styner, Martin; Wolff, Jason J; Elison, Jed T; Swanson, Meghan R; Zhu, Hongtu; Botteron, Kelly N; Collins, D Louis; Constantino, John N; Dager, Stephen R; Estes, Annette M; Evans, Alan C; Fonov, Vladimir S; Gerig, Guido; Kostopoulos, Penelope; McKinstry, Robert C; Pandey, Juhi; Paterson, Sarah; Pruett, John R; Schultz, Robert T; Shaw, Dennis W; Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie; Piven, Joseph

2017-02-15

Brain enlargement has been observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the timing of this phenomenon, and the relationship between ASD and the appearance of behavioural symptoms, are unknown. Retrospective head circumference and longitudinal brain volume studies of two-year olds followed up at four years of age have provided evidence that increased brain volume may emerge early in development. Studies of infants at high familial risk of autism can provide insight into the early development of autism and have shown that characteristic social deficits in ASD emerge during the latter part of the first and in the second year of life. These observations suggest that prospective brain-imaging studies of infants at high familial risk of ASD might identify early postnatal changes in brain volume that occur before an ASD diagnosis. In this prospective neuroimaging study of 106 infants at high familial risk of ASD and 42 low-risk infants, we show that hyperexpansion of the cortical surface area between 6 and 12 months of age precedes brain volume overgrowth observed between 12 and 24 months in 15 high-risk infants who were diagnosed with autism at 24 months. Brain volume overgrowth was linked to the emergence and severity of autistic social deficits. A deep-learning algorithm that primarily uses surface area information from magnetic resonance imaging of the brain of 6-12-month-old individuals predicted the diagnosis of autism in individual high-risk children at 24 months (with a positive predictive value of 81% and a sensitivity of 88%). These findings demonstrate that early brain changes occur during the period in which autistic behaviours are first emerging.

Solid-solid collapse transition in a two dimensional model molecular system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Rakesh S.; Bagchi, Biman

2013-11-01

Solid-solid collapse transition in open framework structures is ubiquitous in nature. The real difficulty in understanding detailed microscopic aspects of such transitions in molecular systems arises from the interplay between different energy and length scales involved in molecular systems, often mediated through a solvent. In this work we employ Monte-Carlo simulation to study the collapse transition in a model molecular system interacting via both isotropic as well as anisotropic interactions having different length and energy scales. The model we use is known as Mercedes-Benz (MB), which, for a specific set of parameters, sustains two solid phases: honeycomb and oblique. In order to study the temperature induced collapse transition, we start with a metastable honeycomb solid and induce transition by increasing temperature. High density oblique solid so formed has two characteristic length scales corresponding to isotropic and anisotropic parts of interaction potential. Contrary to the common belief and classical nucleation theory, interestingly, we find linear strip-like nucleating clusters having significantly different order and average coordination number than the bulk stable phase. In the early stage of growth, the cluster grows as a linear strip, followed by branched and ring-like strips. The geometry of growing cluster is a consequence of the delicate balance between two types of interactions, which enables the dominance of stabilizing energy over destabilizing surface energy. The nucleus of stable oblique phase is wetted by intermediate order particles, which minimizes the surface free energy. In the case of pressure induced transition at low temperature the collapsed state is a disordered solid. The disordered solid phase has diverse local quasi-stable structures along with oblique-solid like domains.

Antibodies to pituitary surface antigens during various pituitary disease states.

PubMed

Keda, Y M; Krjukova, I V; Ilovaiskaia, I A; Morozova, M S; Fofanova, O V; Babarina, M B; Marova, E I; Pankov, Y A; Kandror, V I

2002-11-01

Autoantibodies to cell surface antigens of human somatotropinoma (ASAS), human prolactinoma (ASAP) and rat adenohypophysis (ASARA) were assayed in the serum of patients with pituitary diseases associated with GH deficiency (GHD), such as pituitary dwarfism and primary empty sella syndrome (ESS), and in the serum of patients with hyperprolactinaemia of different etiologies: idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia, prolactinoma and ESS. The investigation was carried out with a cellular variant of an ELISA. Among children with GHD, the highest percentage of antibody-positive patients was found in the group with idiopathic isolated GHD (89% of ASAS(+) patients and 30% of ASARA(+) patients vs 33.3% and 0% respectively in the group with idiopathic combined pituitary hormone deficiency, and 33.3% and 9% in patients with pituitary hypoplasia associated with isolated GHD or combined pituitary hormone deficiency). Among hyperprolactinaemic patients, the highest ASAP and ASARA frequency was observed in patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia (67.7% and 41.9% respectively) where it was twice as high as in the group of patients with prolactinoma. The proportion of ASAS(+) and ASARA(+) did not differ significantly between the groups of patients with ess with or without GHD. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the number of ESS ASAP(+) and ASARA(+) patients with or without hyperprolactinaemia. The data obtained suggested that autoimmune disorders may be primary, and responsible, at least in part, for pituitary dysfunction in the cases of idiopathic isolated GHD and idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia. At the same time, the autoimmune disorders in the patients with prolactinoma or ESS are probably secondary to the organic pituitary lesion and their significance in the development of the pituitary dysfunction is obscure.

Sleep-related movement disorders.

PubMed

Merlino, Giovanni; Gigli, Gian Luigi

2012-06-01

Several movement disorders may occur during nocturnal rest disrupting sleep. A part of these complaints is characterized by relatively simple, non-purposeful and usually stereotyped movements. The last version of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders includes these clinical conditions (i.e. restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, sleep-related leg cramps, sleep-related bruxism and sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder) under the category entitled sleep-related movement disorders. Moreover, apparently physiological movements (e.g. alternating leg muscle activation and excessive hypnic fragmentary myoclonus) can show a high frequency and severity impairing sleep quality. Clinical and, in specific cases, neurophysiological assessments are required to detect the presence of nocturnal movement complaints. Patients reporting poor sleep due to these abnormal movements should undergo non-pharmacological or pharmacological treatments.

Between Difference and Belonging: Configuring Self and Others in Inpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders

PubMed Central

Eli, Karin

2014-01-01

Dedicated inpatient care for eating disorders has profound impact on patients' embodied practices and lived realities. Analyses of inpatients' accounts have shown that participants endorse complex and conflicting attitudes toward their experiences in eating disorders wards, yet the apparent ambivalence that characterizes inpatient experiences has not been subject to critical examination. This paper examines the narrated experiences of 13 participants (12 women and one man; age 18–38 years at first interview) with past or present anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder not otherwise specified, who had been hospitalized in an inpatient eating disorders ward for adults in central Israel. The interviews, which took place in 2005–2006, and again in 2011, were part of a larger longitudinal study exploring the subjective experiences of eating disorders and recovery among Israeli adults. Employing qualitative analysis, this study finds that the participants' accounts were concerned with dynamics of difference and belonging, as they played out in various aspects of inpatient care, including diagnosis, treatment, relationships with fellow patients and staff, and everyday life in hospital. Notably, participants simultaneously defined themselves as connected to, but also distinct from, the eating disordered others who formed their reference group at the ward. Through negotiating a protectively ambivalent positioning, participants recognized their eating disordered identities and connected with others on the ward, while also asserting their non-disordered individuality and distancing themselves from the potential dangers posed by ‘excessive’ belonging. The paper suggests that this ambivalent positioning can usefully be understood through the anthropological concept of liminality: being both a part of and apart from one's community. PMID:25210886

Predictors of Response to Ketamine in Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

PubMed Central

Park, Caroline; Rosenblat, Joshua D.; Subramaniapillai, Mehala; Zuckerman, Hannah; Fus, Dominika; Lee, Yena L.; Pan, Zihang; Brietzke, Elisa; Mansur, Rodrigo B.; Cha, Danielle S.; Lui, Leanna M. W.; McIntyre, Roger S.

2018-01-01

Objectives: Extant evidence indicates that ketamine exerts rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depressive (TRD) symptoms as a part of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). The identification of depressed sub-populations that are more likely to benefit from ketamine treatment remains a priority. In keeping with this view, the present narrative review aims to identify the pretreatment predictors of response to ketamine in TRD as part of MDD and BD. Method: Electronic search engines PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Scopus were searched for relevant articles from inception to January 2018. The search term ketamine was cross-referenced with the terms depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, predictors, and response and/or remission. Results: Multiple baseline pretreatment predictors of response were identified, including clinical (i.e., Body Mass Index (BMI), history of suicide, family history of alcohol use disorder), peripheral biochemistry (i.e., adiponectin levels, vitamin B12 levels), polysomnography (abnormalities in delta sleep ratio), neurochemistry (i.e., glutamine/glutamate ratio), neuroimaging (i.e., anterior cingulate cortex activity), genetic variation (i.e., Val66Met BDNF allele), and cognitive functioning (i.e., processing speed). High BMI and a positive family history of alcohol use disorder were the most replicated predictors. Conclusions: A pheno-biotype of depression more, or less likely, to benefit with ketamine treatment is far from complete. Notwithstanding, metabolic-inflammatory alterations are emerging as possible pretreatment response predictors of depressive symptom improvement, most notably being cognitive impairment. Sophisticated data-driven computational methods that are iterative and agnostic are more likely to provide actionable baseline pretreatment predictive information. PMID:29673146

Predictors of Response to Ketamine in Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.

PubMed

Rong, Carola; Park, Caroline; Rosenblat, Joshua D; Subramaniapillai, Mehala; Zuckerman, Hannah; Fus, Dominika; Lee, Yena L; Pan, Zihang; Brietzke, Elisa; Mansur, Rodrigo B; Cha, Danielle S; Lui, Leanna M W; McIntyre, Roger S

2018-04-17

Extant evidence indicates that ketamine exerts rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depressive (TRD) symptoms as a part of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). The identification of depressed sub-populations that are more likely to benefit from ketamine treatment remains a priority. In keeping with this view, the present narrative review aims to identify the pretreatment predictors of response to ketamine in TRD as part of MDD and BD. Electronic search engines PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Scopus were searched for relevant articles from inception to January 2018. The search term ketamine was cross-referenced with the terms depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, predictors , and response and/or remission . Multiple baseline pretreatment predictors of response were identified, including clinical (i.e., Body Mass Index (BMI), history of suicide, family history of alcohol use disorder), peripheral biochemistry (i.e., adiponectin levels, vitamin B12 levels), polysomnography (abnormalities in delta sleep ratio), neurochemistry (i.e., glutamine/glutamate ratio), neuroimaging (i.e., anterior cingulate cortex activity), genetic variation (i.e., Val66Met BDNF allele), and cognitive functioning (i.e., processing speed). High BMI and a positive family history of alcohol use disorder were the most replicated predictors. A pheno-biotype of depression more, or less likely, to benefit with ketamine treatment is far from complete. Notwithstanding, metabolic-inflammatory alterations are emerging as possible pretreatment response predictors of depressive symptom improvement, most notably being cognitive impairment. Sophisticated data-driven computational methods that are iterative and agnostic are more likely to provide actionable baseline pretreatment predictive information.

Appraisal of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire in a perinatal cohort: The APrON study.

PubMed

Leung, Brenda; Letourneau, Nicole; Bright, Katherine; Giesbrecht, Gerald F; Ntanda, Henry; Gagnon, Lisa

2017-08-01

Depression and anxiety are routinely screened as part of perinatal care. However, other Axis 1 disorders and specific anxiety disorders are less likely to be screened or assessed as part of obstetric care. The objective of this study was to determine whether the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) is a potentially useful tool to screen for psychiatric conditions in pregnant and postpartum women in a community setting. We compared the prevalence of DSM Axis I disorders obtained on the PDSQ with: (1) the prevalence of these disorders reported in previous studies of pregnant and postpartum women, and (2) scores obtained on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90R) anxiety scale. Data were obtained from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study. The PDSQ was completed by 1575 women prenatally and 1481 postnatally. The three most prevalent PDSQ conditions were social phobia, somatic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The prevalence of social phobia, alcohol disorder, OCD and psychosis were higher in the APrON cohort compared with statistics in the literature. The proportion of women meeting depression and anxiety cut-offs on the PDSQ were lower than for the EPDS and the SCL-90R. The Cohens Kappa index ( k) indicated poor to fair agreement between the measures in classifying pregnant women as depressed or anxious. The PDSQ subscales may not be appropriate for the pregnant population. Research into instruments more specific to pregnant and postpartum women are needed to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in this population.

The Missing Link between Juvenile Delinquency and Pediatric Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Attachment Theory Lens.

PubMed

Amatya, Pooja L; Barzman, Drew H

2012-01-01

The present paper reviews pediatric posttraumatic stress disorder, emphasizing the relational basis of the disorder and highlighting the missing link between juvenile delinquency and trauma. The first part of the paper defines trauma and the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, noting child-specific features. The second part reviews the literature emphasizing the relational and attachment relevant nature of trauma. The third part explores psychological mechanisms for how attachment relations could affect trauma responses. Attachment relations (1) shape core schemas of the world, others, and the self and (2) foster emotional engagement or disengagement, both of which have been associated with traumatic responses. The most empirically supported pediatric trauma treatment, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), acknowledges the attachment figure's influence and includes treating and training the parent and conjoint child-parent discussion. The next section reviews the noteworthy link between juvenile delinquency and trauma history. More awareness of trauma and PTSD in children and adolescents is recommended to effectively address juvenile delinquency. The review ends with a few helpful points for practicing pediatricians regarding childhood trauma.

The effects of work surface hardness on mechanical stress, muscle activity, and wrist postures.

PubMed

Kim, Jeong Ho; Aulck, Lovenoor; Trippany, David; Johnson, Peter W

2015-01-01

Contact pressure is a risk factor which can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of the present study was to determine whether a work surface with a soft, pliable front edge could reduce contact pressure, muscle activity, and subjective musculoskeletal comfort, and improve wrist posture relative to a conventional, hard work surface. In a repeated-measures blinded experiment with eighteen subjects (8 females and 10 males), contact pressure, wrist posture, typing productivity, perceived fatigue, wrist and shoulder muscle activity, and subjective comfort were compared between the two different work surfaces during keyboard use, mouse use and mixed mouse and keyboard use. The results showed that across the three modes of computer work, the contact pressure was lower on the soft-edge work surface compared to the conventional work surface (p's <0.03) and subjects reported to have less perceived fatigue in the forearms and wrists. No differences in muscle activity, wrist posture, and subjective comfort were measured between the two work surfaces. Given the significant reduction in contact pressure and corresponding lower ratings in perceived fatigue, the soft-edge work surface subjectively and objectively improved measures of contact stress which may reduce physical exposures associated with the onset and development of musculoskeletal disorders.

Morphological abnormalities in prefrontal surface area and thalamic volume in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

PubMed

Batty, Martin J; Palaniyappan, Lena; Scerif, Gaia; Groom, Madeleine J; Liddle, Elizabeth B; Liddle, Peter F; Hollis, Chris

2015-08-30

Although previous morphological studies have demonstrated abnormalities in prefrontal cortical thickness in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), studies investigating cortical surface area are lacking. As the development of cortical surface is closely linked to the establishment of thalam-ocortical connections, any abnormalities in the structure of the thalamus are likely to relate to altered cortical surface area. Using a clinically well-defined sample of children with ADHD (n = 25, 1 female) and typically developing controls (n = 24, 1 female), we studied surface area across the cortex to determine whether children with ADHD had reduced thalamic volume that related to prefrontal cortical surface area. Relative to controls, children with ADHD had a significant reduction in thalamic volume and dorsolateral prefrontal cortical area in both hemispheres. Furthermore, children with ADHD with smaller thalamic volumes were found to have greater reductions in surface area, a pattern not evident in the control children. Our results are further evidence of reduced lateral prefrontal cortical area in ADHD. Moreover, for the first time, we have also shown a direct association between thalamic anatomy and frontal anatomy in ADHD, suggesting the pathophysiological process that alters surface area maturation is likely to be linked to the development of the thalamus. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Intersession Telephone Contact with Individuals Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder: Lessons from Dialectical Behavior Therapy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ben-Porath, Denise D.

2004-01-01

Therapists often struggle with managing intersession contact with clients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, particularly when dangerous and life-threatening symptoms are communicated (Gunderson, 1996). Difficulties have arisen, in part, because previous phone contacts with this population have failed to recognize the importance of…

The Ecological and Developmental Role of Recovery High Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finch, Andrew J.; Frieden, Gina

2014-01-01

Recovery high schools are secondary schools designed specifically for students recovering from substance use or co-occurring disorders. Studies have affirmed the chronic nature of substance use disorders and the developmental value of social supports for adolescents. As part of understanding human growth and development, training programs for…

Adaptations for Students with ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGrady, Mart

2005-01-01

ADHD is a neurobiological-based brain disorder, most often hereditary, affecting nearly one in twenty students. The ADHD brain functions differently because the area between the frontal lobe and rear lobe is having short-circuit problems and is not transmitting necessary information. The technical part of the disorder does not engage us as…

Measuring Impulsivity in Adolescents with Serious Substance and Conduct Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Laetitia L.; Whitmore, Elizabeth A.; Raymond, Kristen M.; Crowley, Thomas J.

2006-01-01

Adolescents with substance use and conduct disorders have high rates of aggression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), all of which have been characterized in part by impulsivity. Developing measures that capture impulsivity behaviorally and correlate with self-reported impulsivity has been difficult. One promising behavioral…

75 FR 41092 - Stressor Determinations for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-15

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 38 CFR Part 3 RIN 2900-AN32 Stressor Determinations for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Correction In rule document 2010-16885 beginning on page 39843 in the issue of Tuesday, July 13, 2010 make the following corrections: 1. On page 39843, in the first column, under the...

Assessing Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the University Setting

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tinklenberg, Julie; Patel, Bina; Gelman, Kathryn; Albucher, Ronald

2018-01-01

Objective: To address the increasing demand for assessments of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the primary author developed a protocol for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Stanford University's Vaden Student Health Center to improve the efficiency of such evaluations. Participants: As part of quality…

Autistic Traits and Abnormal Sensory Experiences in Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Horder, Jamie; Wilson, C. Ellie; Mendez, M. Andreina; Murphy, Declan G.

2014-01-01

Sensory processing abnormalities are common in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and now form part of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th Edition" (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria, but it is unclear whether they characterize the "broader phenotype" of the disorder. We recruited adults (n = 772) with and without an ASD and…

Social Media Literacy as an IEP Intervention for Social and Emotional Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Probst, Donnell

2017-01-01

Media literacy and special education communities have largely ignored the impact of digital media useonspecial education students with Autism spectrum disorder and Emotional and Behavioral Disorder. This paper investigates the possibility of using social media literacy education as part of an individualized education plan (IEP) intervention for…

Reward-Related Decision-Making in Pediatric Major Depressive Disorder: An fMRI Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forbes, Erika E.; Christopher May, J.; Siegle, Greg J.; Ladouceur, Cecile D.; Ryan, Neal D.; Carter, Cameron S.; Birmaher, Boris; Axelson, David A.; Dahl, Ronald E.

2006-01-01

Background: Although reward processing is considered an important part of affective functioning, few studies have investigated reward-related decisions or responses in young people with affective disorders. Depression is postulated to involve decreased activity in reward-related affective systems. Methods: Using functional magnetic resonance…

Children of Alcoholics/Addicts: Children at Risk.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gover, F. Jill

Children of alcoholics/addicts (COAs) are at a greater risk to develop alcohol and drug dependency, eating disorders, attention deficit disorders, stress-related illness, and suicidal behavior. Children become part of a conspiracy of silence by being told not to talk about the drug problem. The family members assume different roles which…

Recessive resistance to Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus in melon

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) reduces melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit quality and yield in many parts of the world. CYSDV and its vector, sweetpotato whitefly (MEAM1 cryptic species of Bemisia tabaci; SPWF) are a devastating combination in the Sonoran Desert areas of California and A...

Peeling Back the Labels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Dana

2008-01-01

In this article, the author, who has a child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), shares her concerns about the stereotypes that too often surround the disorder. She suggests that because most biases and stereotypes are born of ignorance and misinformation, it is important that parents and educators do their part to…

Exploring Contemporary Issues in Genetics & Society: Karyotyping, Biological Sex, & Gender

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Julie C.

2013-01-01

In this two-part activity, high school biology students examine human karyotyping, sex-chromosome-linked disorders, and the relationship between biological sex and gender. Through interactive simulations and a structured discussion lab, students create a human karyotype and diagnose chromosomal disorders in hypothetical patients, as well as…

Students' Evidence-Based Practice Intervention for Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ronen, Tammie

2005-01-01

Objective: This project integrates clinical intervention as an integral part of social work studies for third-year students. Students applied a new manual-based intervention aiming to develop self-control skills among children exhibiting oppositional defiant disorder. Throughout, students were involved in assessment, intervention, and evaluation.…

Validity of Evidence-Derived Criteria for Reactive Attachment Disorder: Indiscriminately Social/Disinhibited and Emotionally Withdrawn/Inhibited Types

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gleason, Mary Margaret; Fox, Nathan A.; Drury, Stacy; Smyke, Anna; Egger, Helen L.; Nelson, Charles A., III; Gregas, Matthew C.; Zeanah, Charles H.

2011-01-01

Objective: This study examined the validity of criteria for indiscriminately social/disinhibited and emotionally withdrawn/inhibited reactive attachment disorder (RAD). Method: As part of a longitudinal intervention trial of previously institutionalized children, caregiver interviews and direct observational measurements provided continuous and…

Selective layer disordering in intersubband Al 0.028Ga 0.972 N/AlN superlattices with silicon nitride capping layer

DOE PAGES

Wierer, Jonathan J.; Allerman, Andrew A.; Skogen, Erik J.; ...

2015-06-01

We demonstrate the selective layer disordering in intersubband Al 0.028Ga 0.972 N/AlN superlattices using a silicon nitride (SiN x) capping layer. The (SiN x) capped superlattice exhibits suppressed layer disordering under high-temperature annealing. In addition, the rate of layer disordering is reduced with increased SiN x thickness. The layer disordering is caused by Si diffusion, and the SiN x layer inhibits vacancy formation at the crystal surface and ultimately, the movement of Al and Ga atoms across the heterointerfaces. In conclusion, patterning of the SiN x layer results in selective layer disordering, an attractive method to integrate active and passivemore » III–nitride-based intersubband devices.« less

CdSxSe1-x quantum dots as colouring agents of Art Nouveau and contemporary stained glass: a combined transmission electron microscopy and Raman study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fornacelli, C.; Sciau, Ph.; Colomban, Ph.

2016-12-01

The use of cadmium chalchogenide nanoprecipitates to obtain brightly coloured glasses enormously expanded by the beginning of the twentieth century, when the production of cadmium-based pigments was already well established. Six historical stained glass pieces produced between the late 1920s and modern days have been investigated in order to delineate the average size and the elemental composition of the nanocrystals. As non-invasive conditions are now mandatory when considering objects belonging to cultural heritage, Raman spectroscopy is used to measure the (average) elemental composition of the nanoparticles. Zinc substitution is also detected by the shifting of the Raman peak position. Moreover, a tentative evaluation of size distribution and crystallinity of the nanoparticles has been performed considering those parameters that are mainly influenced by the disorder of the system, such as Raman band width, surface phonons and the ratio between second and first order band intensities. A confirmation of the above-mentioned conclusion is searched by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and local elemental analysis. Raman investigations allowed identifying a different and more pronounced disorder characterizing the oldest glasses, also verified by TEM observations, suggesting a different manufacture. This article is part of the themed issue "Raman spectroscopy in art and archaeology".

Large deletion in PIGL: a common mutational mechanism in CHIME syndrome?

PubMed

Ceroni, José Rm; Yamamoto, Guilherme L; Honjo, Rachel S; Kim, Chong A; Passos-Bueno, Maria R; Bertola, Débora R

2018-01-01

CHIME syndrome is an extremely rare autosomal recessive multisystemic disorder caused by mutations in PIGL. PIGL is an endoplasmic reticulum localized enzyme that catalyzes the second step of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis, which plays a role in the anchorage of cell-surface proteins including receptors, enzymes, and adhesion molecules. Germline mutations in other members of GPI and Post GPI Attachment to Proteins (PGAP) family genes have been described and constitute a group of diseases within the congenital disorders of glycosylation. Patients in this group often present alkaline phosphatase serum levels abnormalities and neurological symptoms. We report a CHIME syndrome patient who harbors a missense mutation c.500T > C (p.Leu167Pro) and a large deletion involving the 5' untranslated region and part of exon 1 of PIGL. In CHIME syndrome, a recurrent missense mutation c.500T > C (p.Leu167Pro) is found in the majority of patients, associated with a null mutation in the other allele, including an overrepresentation of large deletions. The latter are not detected by the standard analysis in sequencing techniques, including next-generation sequencing. Thus, in individuals with a clinical diagnosis of CHIME syndrome in which only one mutation is found, an active search for a large deletion should be sought.

Structure of native cellulose microfibrils, the starting point for nanocellulose manufacture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarvis, Michael C.

2017-12-01

There is an emerging consensus that higher plants synthesize cellulose microfibrils that initially comprise 18 chains. However, the mean number of chains per microfibril in situ is usually greater than 18, sometimes much greater. Microfibrils from woody tissues of conifers, grasses and dicotyledonous plants, and from organs like cotton hairs, all differ in detailed structure and mean diameter. Diameters increase further when aggregated microfibrils are isolated. Because surface chains differ, the tensile properties of the cellulose may be augmented by increasing microfibril diameter. Association of microfibrils with anionic polysaccharides in primary cell walls and mucilages leads to in vivo mechanisms of disaggregation that may be relevant to the preparation of nanofibrillar cellulose products. For the preparation of nanocrystalline celluloses, the key issue is the nature and axial spacing of disordered domains at which axial scission can be initiated. These disordered domains do not, as has often been suggested, take the form of large blocks occupying much of the length of the microfibril. They are more likely to be located at chain ends or at places where the microfibril has been mechanically damaged, but their structure and the reasons for their sensitivity to acid hydrolysis need better characterization. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue `New horizons for cellulose nanotechnology'.

Autoimmune bullous skin diseases. Part 1: Clinical manifestations.

PubMed

Kneisel, Andrea; Hertl, Michael

2011-10-01

Autoimmune bullous skin diseases are characterized by autoantibodies against adhesion molecules of the skin. Pemphigus is a disorder with an intraepidermal loss of adhesion and is characterized by fragile blisters and erosions. Pemphigus vulgaris often shows extensive lesions of the oral mucosa, while pemphigus foliaceus is commonly restricted to cutaneous involvement with puff pastry-like scale formation. Paraneoplastic pemphigus is obligatorily associated with malignancies and often presents as hemorrhagic stomatitis with multiforme-like exanthems. IgA pemphigus typically presents with pustules and annular plaques but not with mucosal involvement. The clinical spectrum of the pemphigoids includes tense blisters, urticarial plaques, and prurigo- like eczematous lesions. Pemphigoid gestationis mostly occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy and mucous membrane pemphigoid primarily involves the oral mucosa and conjunctivae and leads to scarring. Linear IgA bullous dermatosis manifests with tense blisters in a "cluster of jewels"-like pattern in childhood and is more heterogeneous in adulthood. Classical epidermolysis bullosa acquisita shows extensive skin fragility. Dermatitis herpetiformis is associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and manifests clinically with severe itching and papulovesicles on the extensor surfaces of the extremities and the lumbosacral area. The intention of the review is to demonstrate the heterogeneous clinical spectrum of autoimmune bullous disorders. © The Authors • Journal compilation © Blackwell Verlag GmbH, Berlin.

Structure of native cellulose microfibrils, the starting point for nanocellulose manufacture.

PubMed

Jarvis, Michael C

2018-02-13

There is an emerging consensus that higher plants synthesize cellulose microfibrils that initially comprise 18 chains. However, the mean number of chains per microfibril in situ is usually greater than 18, sometimes much greater. Microfibrils from woody tissues of conifers, grasses and dicotyledonous plants, and from organs like cotton hairs, all differ in detailed structure and mean diameter. Diameters increase further when aggregated microfibrils are isolated. Because surface chains differ, the tensile properties of the cellulose may be augmented by increasing microfibril diameter. Association of microfibrils with anionic polysaccharides in primary cell walls and mucilages leads to in vivo mechanisms of disaggregation that may be relevant to the preparation of nanofibrillar cellulose products. For the preparation of nanocrystalline celluloses, the key issue is the nature and axial spacing of disordered domains at which axial scission can be initiated. These disordered domains do not, as has often been suggested, take the form of large blocks occupying much of the length of the microfibril. They are more likely to be located at chain ends or at places where the microfibril has been mechanically damaged, but their structure and the reasons for their sensitivity to acid hydrolysis need better characterization.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'New horizons for cellulose nanotechnology'. © 2017 The Author(s).

Large deletion in PIGL: a common mutational mechanism in CHIME syndrome?

PubMed Central

Ceroni, José RM; Yamamoto, Guilherme L; Honjo, Rachel S; Kim, Chong A; Passos-Bueno, Maria R; Bertola, Débora R

2018-01-01

Abstract CHIME syndrome is an extremely rare autosomal recessive multisystemic disorder caused by mutations in PIGL. PIGL is an endoplasmic reticulum localized enzyme that catalyzes the second step of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis, which plays a role in the anchorage of cell-surface proteins including receptors, enzymes, and adhesion molecules. Germline mutations in other members of GPI and Post GPI Attachment to Proteins (PGAP) family genes have been described and constitute a group of diseases within the congenital disorders of glycosylation. Patients in this group often present alkaline phosphatase serum levels abnormalities and neurological symptoms. We report a CHIME syndrome patient who harbors a missense mutation c.500T > C (p.Leu167Pro) and a large deletion involving the 5’ untranslated region and part of exon 1 of PIGL. In CHIME syndrome, a recurrent missense mutation c.500T > C (p.Leu167Pro) is found in the majority of patients, associated with a null mutation in the other allele, including an overrepresentation of large deletions. The latter are not detected by the standard analysis in sequencing techniques, including next-generation sequencing. Thus, in individuals with a clinical diagnosis of CHIME syndrome in which only one mutation is found, an active search for a large deletion should be sought. PMID:29473937

A multinational deployment of 3D laser scanning to study craniofacial dysmorphology in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogers, Jeff; Wernert, Eric; Moore, Elizabeth; Ward, Richard; Wetherill, Leah F.; Foroud, Tatiana

2007-01-01

Craniofacial anthropometry (the measurement and analysis of head and face dimensions) has been used to assess and describe abnormal craniofacial variation (dysmorphology) and the facial phenotype in many medical syndromes. Traditionally, anthropometry measurements have been collected by the direct application of calipers and tape measures to the subject's head and face, and can suffer from inaccuracies due to restless subjects, erroneous landmark identification, clinician variability, and other forms of human error. Three-dimensional imaging technologies promise a more effective alternative that separates the acquisition and measurement phases to reduce these variabilities while also enabling novel measurements and longitudinal analysis of subjects. Indiana University (IU) is part of an international consortium of researchers studying fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Fetal alcohol exposure results in predictable craniofacial dysmorphologies, and anthropometry has been proven to be an effective diagnosis tool for the condition. IU is leading a project to study the use of 3D surface scanning to acquire anthropometry data in order to more accurately diagnose FASD, especially in its milder forms. This paper describes our experiences in selecting, verifying, supporting, and coordinating a set of 3D scanning systems for use in collecting facial scans and anthropometric data from around the world.

Voice Relative Fundamental Frequency via Neck-Skin Acceleration in Individuals with Voice Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lien, Yu-An S.; Calabrese, Carolyn R.; Michener, Carolyn M.; Murray, Elizabeth Heller; Van Stan, Jarrad H.; Mehta, Daryush D.; Hillman, Robert E.; Noordzij, J. Pieter; Stepp, Cara E.

2015-01-01

Purpose: This study investigated the use of neck-skin acceleration for relative fundamental frequency (RFF) analysis. Method: Forty individuals with voice disorders associated with vocal hyperfunction and 20 age- and sex-matched control participants were recorded with a subglottal neck-surface accelerometer and a microphone while producing speech…

Undifferentiated Facial Electromyography Responses to Dynamic, Audio-Visual Emotion Displays in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rozga, Agata; King, Tricia Z.; Vuduc, Richard W.; Robins, Diana L.

2013-01-01

We examined facial electromyography (fEMG) activity to dynamic, audio-visual emotional displays in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing (TD) individuals. Participants viewed clips of happy, angry, and fearful displays that contained both facial expression and affective prosody while surface electrodes measured…

Evaluation of Core Vocabulary Intervention for Treatment of Inconsistent Phonological Disorder: Three Treatment Case Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIntosh, Beth; Dodd, Barbara

2009-01-01

Children with unintelligible speech differ in severity, underlying deficit, type of surface error patterns and response to treatment. Detailed treatment case studies, evaluating specific intervention protocols for particular diagnostic groups, can identify best practice for children with speech disorder. Three treatment case studies evaluated the…

Autoimmune encephalopathies

PubMed Central

Leypoldt, Frank; Armangue, Thaís; Dalmau, Josep

2014-01-01

Over the last 10 years the continual discovery of novel forms of encephalitis associated with antibodies to cell-surface or synaptic proteins has changed the paradigms for diagnosing and treating disorders that were previously unknown or mischaracterized. We review here the process of discovery, the symptoms, and the target antigens of twelve autoimmune encephatilic disorders, grouped by syndromes and approached from a clinical perspective. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis, several subtypes of limbic encephalitis, stiff-person spectrum disorders, and other autoimmune encephalitides that result in psychosis, seizures, or abnormal movements are described in detail. We include a novel encephalopathy with prominent sleep dysfunction that provides an intriguing link between chronic neurodegeneration and cell-surface autoimmunity (IgLON5). Some of the caveats of limited serum testing are outlined. In addition, we review the underlying cellular and synaptic mechanisms that for some disorders confirm the antibody pathogenicity. The multidisciplinary impact of autoimmune encephalitis has been expanded recently by the discovery that herpes simplex encephalitis is a robust trigger of synaptic autoimmunity, and that some patients may develop overlapping syndromes, including anti-NMDAR encephalitis and neuromyelitis optica or other demyelinating diseases. PMID:25315420

Wet/dry cooling tower and method

DOEpatents

Glicksman, Leon R.; Rohsenow, Warren R.

1981-01-01

A wet/dry cooling tower wherein a liquid to-be-cooled is flowed along channels of a corrugated open surface or the like, which surface is swept by cooling air. The amount of the surface covered by the liquid is kept small compared to the dry part thereof so that said dry part acts as a fin for the wet part for heat dissipation.

Impact of chemical polishing on surface roughness and dimensional quality of electron beam melting process (EBM) parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dolimont, Adrien; Rivière-Lorphèvre, Edouard; Ducobu, François; Backaert, Stéphane

2018-05-01

Additive manufacturing is growing faster and faster. This leads us to study the functionalization of the parts that are produced by these processes. Electron Beam melting (EBM) is one of these technologies. It is a powder based additive manufacturing (AM) method. With this process, it is possible to manufacture high-density metal parts with complex topology. One of the big problems with these technologies is the surface finish. To improve the quality of the surface, some finishing operations are needed. In this study, the focus is set on chemical polishing. The goal is to determine how the chemical etching impacts the dimensional accuracy and the surface roughness of EBM parts. To this end, an experimental campaign was carried out on the most widely used material in EBM, Ti6Al4V. Different exposure times were tested. The impact of these times on surface quality was evaluated. To help predicting the excess thickness to be provided, the dimensional impact of chemical polishing on EBM parts was estimated. 15 parts were measured before and after chemical machining. The improvement of surface quality was also evaluated after each treatment.

A Review of Oxytocin and Arginine-Vasopressin Receptors and Their Modulation of Autism Spectrum Disorder

PubMed Central

Cataldo, Ilaria; Azhari, Atiqah; Esposito, Gianluca

2018-01-01

Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) play a key regulatory part in social and affiliative behaviors; two aspects highly compromised in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Furthermore, variants in the adjacent oxytocin-vasopressin gene regions have been found to be associated with ASD diagnosis and endophenotypes. This review focuses mainly on common OXTr single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), AVPR1a microsatellites and AVPR1b polymorphisms in relation to the development of autism. Although these genes did not surface in genome-wide association studies, evidence supports the hypothesis that these receptors and their polymorphisms are widely involved in the regulation of social behavior, and in modulating neural and physiological pathways contributing to the etiology of ASD. With a specific focus on variants considered to be among the most prevalent in the development of ASD, these issues will be discussed in-depth and suggestions to approach inconsistencies in the present literature will be provided. Translational implications and future directions are deliberated from a short-term and a forward-looking perspective. While the scientific community has made significant progress in enhancing our understanding of ASD, more research is required for the ontology of this disorder to be fully elucidated. By supplementing information related to genetics, highlighting the differences across male and female sexes, this review provides a wider view of the current state of knowledge of OXTr and AVPr mechanisms of functioning, eventually addressing future research in the identification of further risk factors, to build new strategies for early interventions. PMID:29487501

Intercalation of Lithium in Pitch-Based Graphitized Carbon Fibers Chemically Modified by Fluorine: Soft Carbon With or Without an Oxide Surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, Ching-Chen; Prisko, Aniko

1999-01-01

The effects of carbon structure and surface oxygen on the carbon's performance as the anode in lithium-ion battery were studied. Two carbon materials were used for the electrochemical tests: soft carbon made from defluorination of graphite fluoride, and the carbon precursor from which the graphite fluoride was made. In this research the precursor was graphitized carbon fiber P-100. It was first fluorinated to form CF(0.68), then defluorinated slowly at 350 to 450 C in bromoform, and finally heated in 1000 C nitrogen before exposed to room temperature air, producing disordered soft carbon having basic surface oxides. This process caused very little carbon loss. The electrochemical test involved cycles of lithium intercalation and deintercalation using C/saturated LiI-50/50 (vol %) EC and DMC/Li half cell. The cycling test had four major results. (1) The presence of a basic oxide surface may prevent solvent from entering the carbon structure and therefore prolong the carbon's cycle life for lithium intercalation-deintercalation. (2) The disordered soft carbon can store lithium through two different mechanisms. One of them is lithium intercalation. which gives the disordered carbon an electrochemical behavior similar to its more ordered graphitic precursor. The other is unknown in its chemistry, but is responsible for the high-N,oltage portion (less than 0.3V) of the charge-discharge curve. (3) Under certain conditions, the disordered carbon can store more lithium than its precursor. (4) These sample and its precursor can intercalate at 200 mA/g. and deintercalate at a rate of 2000 mA/g without significant capacity loss.

Imaging Dirac-mass disorder from magnetic dopant atoms in the ferromagnetic topological insulator Cr x(Bi 0.1Sb 0.9) 2-xTe 3

DOE PAGES

Lee, Inhee; Kim, Chung Koo; Lee, Jinho; ...

2015-01-20

To achieve and use the most exotic electronic phenomena predicted for the surface states of 3D topological insulators (TIs), it is necessary to open a “Dirac-mass gap” in their spectrum by breaking time-reversal symmetry. Use of magnetic dopant atoms to generate a ferromagnetic state is the most widely applied approach. However, it is unknown how the spatial arrangements of the magnetic dopant atoms influence the Dirac-mass gap at the atomic scale or, conversely, whether the ferromagnetic interactions between dopant atoms are influenced by the topological surface states. Here we image the locations of the magnetic (Cr) dopant atoms in themore » ferromagnetic TI Cr₀.₀₈(Bi₀.₁Sb₀.₉)₁.₉₂Te₃. Simultaneous visualization of the Dirac-mass gap Δ(r) reveals its intense disorder, which we demonstrate is directly related to fluctuations in n(r), the Cr atom areal density in the termination layer. We find the relationship of surface-state Fermi wavevectors to the anisotropic structure of Δ(r) not inconsistent with predictions for surface ferromagnetism mediated by those states. Moreover, despite the intense Dirac-mass disorder, the anticipated relationship Δ(r)∝n(r) is confirmed throughout and exhibits an electron–dopant interaction energy J* = 145 meV·nm². In addition, these observations reveal how magnetic dopant atoms actually generate the TI mass gap locally and that, to achieve the novel physics expected of time-reversal symmetry breaking TI materials, control of the resulting Dirac-mass gap disorder will be essential.« less

Effect of Tooling Material on the Internal Surface Quality of Ti6Al4V Parts Fabricated by Hot Isostatic Pressing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Chao; Song, Bo; Wei, Qingsong; Yan, Wu; Xue, Pengju; Shi, Yusheng

2017-01-01

For the net-shape hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process, control of the internal surface roughness of as-HIPped parts remains a challenge for practical engineering. To reveal the evolution mechanism of the internal surface of the parts during the HIP process, the effect of different tooling materials (H13, T8, Cr12 steel, and graphite) as internal cores on the interfacial diffusion and surface roughness was systematically studied.

RCRA, superfund and EPCRA hotline training module. Introduction to: Land disposal units (40 cfr parts 264/265, subparts k, l, m, n) updated July 1996

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1996-07-01

The module provides an overview of the requirements for landfills, surface impoundments, waste piles, and land treatment units. It summarizes the differences between interim status (Part 265) and permitted (Part 264) standards for land disposal units. It defines `surface impoundment` and distinguishes surface impoundments from tanks and describes surface impoundment retrofitting and retrofitting variance procedures. It explains the connection between land disposal standards, post-closure, and groundwater monitoring.

A Cerebellar Framework for Predictive Coding and Homeostatic Regulation in Depressive Disorder.

PubMed

Schutter, Dennis J L G

2016-02-01

Depressive disorder is associated with abnormalities in the processing of reward and punishment signals and disturbances in homeostatic regulation. These abnormalities are proposed to impair error minimization routines for reducing uncertainty. Several lines of research point towards a role of the cerebellum in reward- and punishment-related predictive coding and homeostatic regulatory function in depressive disorder. Available functional and anatomical evidence suggests that in addition to the cortico-limbic networks, the cerebellum is part of the dysfunctional brain circuit in depressive disorder as well. It is proposed that impaired cerebellar function contributes to abnormalities in predictive coding and homeostatic dysregulation in depressive disorder. Further research on the role of the cerebellum in depressive disorder may further extend our knowledge on the functional and neural mechanisms of depressive disorder and development of novel antidepressant treatments strategies targeting the cerebellum.

The digestive system: part 1.

PubMed

Johnstone, Carolyn; Hendry, Charles; Farley, Alistair; McLafferty, Ella

This article, which forms part of the life sciences series and is the first of two articles on the digestive system, explores the structure and function of the digestive system. It is important that nurses understand how the digestive system works and its role in maintaining health. The article describes the gross structure of the gastrointestinal tract along with relevant physiology. It also outlines several disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and their treatment and nursing management. The second article will explain the liver, pancreas and gall bladder and their digestive functions, and provides a brief overview of the disorders of chronic liver disease, pancreatitis and gallstones.

Emerging therapies in allergic conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome.

PubMed

Nye, Michael; Rudner, Shara; Bielory, Leonard

2013-08-01

Inflammatory disorders of the anterior surface of the eye consist of a spectrum of disorders that range from ocular allergy, dry eye syndrome (DES), and various infections. They exhibit similar pathological profiles, but have divergent immune mechanisms with some overlap. A number of novel treatments are currently being studied that capitalize on the growing understanding of underlying immunopathophysiology. The goal of this review is to examine the emerging pipeline for noninfectious inflammatory disorders of the anterior surface of the eye - primarily allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and DES - in light of the recent basic science discoveries that have fueled their development. Novel molecules for the treatment of AC and DES from clinicaltrials.gov as well as recently filed patents for new molecular entities were reviewed from PUBMED and OVID. Significant progress toward targeted treatments for AC and DES has become increasingly reliant on understanding the immunomodulatory and inflammatory mechanisms of the conjunctiva.

Nutrition and Bipolar Depression.

PubMed

Beyer, John L; Payne, Martha E

2016-03-01

As with physical conditions, bipolar disorder is likely to be impacted by diet and nutrition. Patients with bipolar disorder have been noted to have relatively unhealthy diets, which may in part be the reason they also have an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity. An improvement in the quality of the diet should improve a bipolar patient's overall health risk profile, but it may also improve their psychiatric outcomes. New insights into biological dysfunctions that may be present in bipolar disorder have presented new theoretic frameworks for understanding the relationship between diet and bipolar disorder. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Sensitive character: an almost forgotten personality disorder - illustrated by the case Anton Reiser].

PubMed

Tölle, R

2013-03-01

n his famous 1918 book „The sensitive relative delusion” Ernst Kretschmer not only described this specific delusional disorder but also the underlying sensitive personality disorder. Until now, relatively little attention has been paid to this part of his work. The incomplete reception is outlined, followed by a description of the symptoms, psychodynamics and course of sensitive personality disorder. The interpretation of "Anton Reiser: a psychological novel" - the autobiographical work by Karl Philipp Moritz in 1785 – is used as an example since it describes Anton Reiser as a sensitive personality.

The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (29.3).

PubMed

Magee, Laura A; Pels, Anouk; Helewa, Michael; Rey, Evelyne; von Dadelszen, Peter

2015-07-01

Hypertensive disorders are the most common medical complication of pregnancy. As such, a large part of antenatal care is dedicated to the detection of pre-eclampsia, the most dangerous of the hypertensive disorders. The highlights of this chapter include progress in the use of out-of-office blood pressure measurement as an adjunct to office blood pressure measurement, pre-eclampsia defined as proteinuria or relevant end-organ dysfunction, antihypertensive therapy for severe and non-severe hypertension and post-partum follow-up to mitigate the increased cardiovascular risk associated with any of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neuromuscular Diseases Associated with HIV-1 Infection

PubMed Central

Robinson-Papp, Jessica; Simpson, David M.

2010-01-01

Neuromuscular disorders are common in HIV, occurring at all stages of disease and affecting all parts of the peripheral nervous system. These disorders have diverse etiologies including HIV itself, immune suppression and dysregulation, co-morbid illnesses and infections, and side effects of medications. In this article, we review the following HIV-associated conditions: distal symmetric polyneuropathy, inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, mononeuropathy, mononeuropathy multiplex, autonomic neuropathy, progressive polyradiculopathy due to cytomegalovirus, herpes zoster, myopathy and other rarer disorders. PMID:19771594

Boosting Affinity by Correct Ligand Preorganization for the S2 Pocket of Thrombin: A Study by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry, Molecular Dynamics, and High-Resolution Crystal Structures.

PubMed

Rühmann, Eggert H; Rupp, Melinda; Betz, Michael; Heine, Andreas; Klebe, Gerhard

2016-02-04

Structural preorganization to fix bioactive conformations at protein binding sites is a popular strategy to enhance binding affinity during late-stage optimization. The rationale for this enhancement relates to entropic advantages assigned to rigidified versus flexible ligands. We analyzed a narrow series of peptidomimetics binding to thrombin. The individual ligands exhibit at P2 a conformationally flexible glycine, more restricted alanine, N-methylglycine, N-methylhomoalanine, and largely rigidified proline moiety. Overall, affinity was found to increase by a factor of 1000, explained partly by an entropic advantage. All ligands adopt the same binding mode with small deviations. The residual mobility of the bound ligands is decreased across the series, and a protein side chain differs in its order/disorder behavior along with changes in the surface-water network pattern established across the newly generated protein-ligand surfaces. The enthalpy/entropy inventory displays a rather complex picture and emphasizes that thermodynamics can only be compared in terms of relative differences within a structurally similar ligand series. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Infrared thermography quantitative image processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skouroliakou, A.; Kalatzis, I.; Kalyvas, N.; Grivas, TB

2017-11-01

Infrared thermography is an imaging technique that has the ability to provide a map of temperature distribution of an object’s surface. It is considered for a wide range of applications in medicine as well as in non-destructive testing procedures. One of its promising medical applications is in orthopaedics and diseases of the musculoskeletal system where temperature distribution of the body’s surface can contribute to the diagnosis and follow up of certain disorders. Although the thermographic image can give a fairly good visual estimation of distribution homogeneity and temperature pattern differences between two symmetric body parts, it is important to extract a quantitative measurement characterising temperature. Certain approaches use temperature of enantiomorphic anatomical points, or parameters extracted from a Region of Interest (ROI). A number of indices have been developed by researchers to that end. In this study a quantitative approach in thermographic image processing is attempted based on extracting different indices for symmetric ROIs on thermograms of the lower back area of scoliotic patients. The indices are based on first order statistical parameters describing temperature distribution. Analysis and comparison of these indices result in evaluating the temperature distribution pattern of the back trunk expected in healthy, regarding spinal problems, subjects.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Risk Factors among Chinese Medical Staff of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

PubMed

Wang, Jingjing; Cui, Ya; He, Lihua; Xu, Xiangrong; Yuan, Zhiwei; Jin, Xianning; Li, Zhimin

2017-05-26

Medical staff in the department of obstetrics and gynecology are a group of professionals reportedly at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), however, little is known about the current status of this problem in China. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among this population in China. A self-developed questionnaire was distributed to 1017 obstetrics and gynecology practitioners to collect information on musculoskeletal symptoms and relevant factors. Prevalence and severity of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in different parts of the body were calculated and the relationship between personal and ergonomic factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders was analyzed using Chi-square test and unconditional logistic regression models. The results indicated a high prevalence of 85.5% among the subjects, with the shoulder ( n = 575, 62.0%), neck ( n = 560, 60.3%) and lower back ( n = 504, 54.3%) being the three most affected regions. Individual, postural, work-environmental as well as psychosocial factors were recognized to be associated with WMSDs in different body parts. Therefore, attention must be given to the problem of musculoskeletal disorders among Chinese obstetrics and gynecology staff. It is recommended to develop good life habits, improve work environment, adjust work organization as well as train on proper postures in their daily operation.

Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Female Patients With Eating Disorders: Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

ter Huurne, Elke D; de Haan, Hein A; Postel, Marloes G; van der Palen, Job; VanDerNagel, Joanne E L; DeJong, Cornelis A J

2015-06-18

Many patients with eating disorders do not receive help for their symptoms, even though these disorders have severe morbidity. The Internet may offer alternative low-threshold treatment interventions. This study evaluated the effects of a Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention using intensive asynchronous therapeutic support to improve eating disorder psychopathology, and to reduce body dissatisfaction and related health problems among patients with eating disorders. A two-arm open randomized controlled trial comparing a Web-based CBT intervention to a waiting list control condition (WL) was carried out among female patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). The eating disorder diagnosis was in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, and was established based on participants' self-report. Participants were recruited from an open-access website, and the intervention consisted of a structured two-part program within a secure Web-based application. The aim of the first part was to analyze participant's eating attitudes and behaviors, while the second part focused on behavioral change. Participants had asynchronous contact with a personal therapist twice a week, solely via the Internet. Self-report measures of eating disorder psychopathology (primary outcome), body dissatisfaction, physical health, mental health, self-esteem, quality of life, and social functioning were completed at baseline and posttest. A total of 214 participants were randomized to either the Web-based CBT group (n=108) or to the WL group (n=106) stratified by type of eating disorder (BN: n=44; BED: n=85; EDNOS: n=85). Study attrition was low with 94% of the participants completing the posttest assignment. Overall, Web-based CBT showed a significant improvement over time for eating disorder psychopathology (F97=63.07, P<.001, d=.82) and all secondary outcome measures (effect sizes between d=.34 to d=.49), except for Body Mass Index. WL participants also improved on most outcomes; however, effects were smaller in this group with significant between-group effects for eating disorder psychopathology (F201=9.42, P=.002, d=.44), body dissatisfaction (F201=13.16, P<.001, d=.42), physical health (F200=12.55, P<.001, d=.28), mental health (F203=4.88, P=.028, d=.24), self-esteem (F202=5.06, P=.026, d=.20), and social functioning (F205=7.93, P=.005, d=.29). Analyses for the individual subgroups BN, BED, and EDNOS showed that eating disorder psychopathology improved significantly over time among Web-based CBT participants in all three subgroups; however, the between-group effect was significant only for participants with BED (F78=4.25, P=.043, d=.61). Web-based CBT proved to be effective in improving eating disorder psychopathology and related health among female patients with eating disorders. Nederlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2415; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2415 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6T2io3DnJ).

Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Female Patients With Eating Disorders: Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

de Haan, Hein A; Postel, Marloes G; van der Palen, Job; VanDerNagel, Joanne EL; DeJong, Cornelis AJ

2015-01-01

Background Many patients with eating disorders do not receive help for their symptoms, even though these disorders have severe morbidity. The Internet may offer alternative low-threshold treatment interventions. Objective This study evaluated the effects of a Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention using intensive asynchronous therapeutic support to improve eating disorder psychopathology, and to reduce body dissatisfaction and related health problems among patients with eating disorders. Methods A two-arm open randomized controlled trial comparing a Web-based CBT intervention to a waiting list control condition (WL) was carried out among female patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). The eating disorder diagnosis was in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, and was established based on participants’ self-report. Participants were recruited from an open-access website, and the intervention consisted of a structured two-part program within a secure Web-based application. The aim of the first part was to analyze participant’s eating attitudes and behaviors, while the second part focused on behavioral change. Participants had asynchronous contact with a personal therapist twice a week, solely via the Internet. Self-report measures of eating disorder psychopathology (primary outcome), body dissatisfaction, physical health, mental health, self-esteem, quality of life, and social functioning were completed at baseline and posttest. Results A total of 214 participants were randomized to either the Web-based CBT group (n=108) or to the WL group (n=106) stratified by type of eating disorder (BN: n=44; BED: n=85; EDNOS: n=85). Study attrition was low with 94% of the participants completing the posttest assignment. Overall, Web-based CBT showed a significant improvement over time for eating disorder psychopathology (F 97=63.07, P<.001, d=.82) and all secondary outcome measures (effect sizes between d=.34 to d=.49), except for Body Mass Index. WL participants also improved on most outcomes; however, effects were smaller in this group with significant between-group effects for eating disorder psychopathology (F 201=9.42, P=.002, d=.44), body dissatisfaction (F 201=13.16, P<.001, d=.42), physical health (F 200=12.55, P<.001, d=.28), mental health (F 203=4.88, P=.028, d=.24), self-esteem (F 202=5.06, P=.026, d=.20), and social functioning (F 205=7.93, P=.005, d=.29). Analyses for the individual subgroups BN, BED, and EDNOS showed that eating disorder psychopathology improved significantly over time among Web-based CBT participants in all three subgroups; however, the between-group effect was significant only for participants with BED (F 78=4.25, P=.043, d=.61). Conclusions Web-based CBT proved to be effective in improving eating disorder psychopathology and related health among female patients with eating disorders. Trial Registration Nederlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2415; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2415 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6T2io3DnJ). PMID:26088580

Neuropsychological and neuroimaging underpinnings of schizoaffective disorder: a systematic review.

PubMed

Madre, M; Canales-Rodríguez, E J; Ortiz-Gil, J; Murru, A; Torrent, C; Bramon, E; Perez, V; Orth, M; Brambilla, P; Vieta, E; Amann, B L

2016-07-01

The neurobiological basis and nosological status of schizoaffective disorder remains elusive and controversial. This study provides a systematic review of neurocognitive and neuroimaging findings in the disorder. A comprehensive literature search was conducted via PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Knowledge (from 1949 to 31st March 2015) using the keyword 'schizoaffective disorder' and any of the following terms: 'neuropsychology', 'cognition', 'structural neuroimaging', 'functional neuroimaging', 'multimodal', 'DTI' and 'VBM'. Only studies that explicitly examined a well defined sample, or subsample, of patients with schizoaffective disorder were included. Twenty-two of 43 neuropsychological and 19 of 51 neuroimaging articles fulfilled inclusion criteria. We found a general trend towards schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder being related to worse cognitive performance than bipolar disorder. Grey matter volume loss in schizoaffective disorder is also more comparable to schizophrenia than to bipolar disorder which seems consistent across further neuroimaging techniques. Neurocognitive and neuroimaging abnormalities in schizoaffective disorder resemble more schizophrenia than bipolar disorder. This is suggestive for schizoaffective disorder being a subtype of schizophrenia or being part of the continuum spectrum model of psychosis, with schizoaffective disorder being more skewed towards schizophrenia than bipolar disorder. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Perceived Impact of 42 CFR Part 2 on Coordination and Integration of Care: A Qualitative Analysis.

PubMed

McCarty, Dennis; Rieckmann, Traci; Baker, Robin L; McConnell, K John

2017-03-01

Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 2 (42 CFR Part 2) controls the release of patient information about treatment for substance use disorders. In 2016, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a proposed rule to update the regulations, reduce provider burdens, and facilitate information exchange. Oregon's Medicaid program (Oregon Health Plan) altered the financing and structure of medical, dental, and behavioral care to promote greater integration and coordination. A qualitative analysis examined the perceived impact of 42 CFR Part 2 on care coordination and integration. Interviews with 76 stakeholders (114 interviews) conducted in 2012-2015 probed the processes of integrating behavioral health into primary care settings in Oregon and assessed issues associated with adherence to 42 CFR Part 2. Respondents expressed concerns that the regulations caused legal confusion, inhibited communication and information sharing, and required updating. Addiction treatment directors noted the challenges of obtaining patient consent to share information with primary care providers. The confidentiality regulations were perceived as a barrier to care coordination and integration. The Oregon Health Authority, therefore, requested regulatory changes. SAMHSA's proposed revisions permit a general consent to an entire health care team and allow inclusion of substance use disorder information within health information exchanges, but they mandate data segmentation of diagnostic and procedure codes related to substance use disorders and restrict access only to parties with authorized consent, possibly adding barriers to the coordination and integration of addiction treatment with primary care.

Real time dynamics of Si magic clusters mediating phase transformation: Si(111)-(1 × 1) to (7 × 7) reconstruction revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ong, Wei Jie; Tok, Eng Soon

2012-07-01

Using Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM), we show that the surface undergoes phase transformation from disordered "1 × 1" to (7 × 7) reconstruction which is mediated by the formation of Si magic clusters. Mono-disperse Si magic clusters of size ~ 13.5 ± 0.5 Å can be formed by heating the Si(111) surface to 1200 °C and quenching it to room temperature at cooling rates of at least 100 °C/min. The structure consists of 3 tetra-clusters of size ~ 4.5 Ǻ similar to the Si magic clusters that were formed from Si adatoms deposited by Si solid source on Si(111)-(7 × 7) [1]. Using real time STM scanning to probe the surface at ~ 400 °C, we show that Si magic clusters pop up from the (1 × 1) surface and form spontaneously during the phase transformation. This is attributed to the difference in atomic density between "disordered 1 × 1" and (7 × 7) surface structures which lead to the release of excess Si atoms onto the surface as magic clusters.

DIAGNOSTIC CLASSIFICATION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS OF INFANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DC:0-5: SELECTIVE REVIEWS FROM A NEW NOSOLOGY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PSYCHOPATHOLOGY.

PubMed

Zeanah, Charles H; Carter, Alice S; Cohen, Julie; Egger, Helen; Gleason, Mary Margaret; Keren, Miri; Lieberman, Alicia; Mulrooney, Kathleen; Oser, Cindy

2016-09-01

The Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood: Revised Edition (DC:0-5; ZERO TO THREE) is scheduled to be published in 2016. The articles in this section are selective reviews that have been undertaken as part of the process of refining and updating the nosology. They provide the rationales for new disorders, for disorders that had not been included previously in the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood: Revised Edition (DC:0-3R; ZERO TO THREE, 2005), and for changes in how certain types of disorders are conceptualized. © 2016 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.

Burden of illness in functional gastrointestinal disorder--the consequences for the individual and society.

PubMed

Glise, H; Wiklund, I; Hallerbäck, B

1998-01-01

To review the consequences of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGD), i.e. heartburn without esophagitis, dyspepsia and IBS for the individual and society. Current publications indicate that functional gastrointestinal disorders are more prevalent than organic gastrointestinal disorders in the population. Symptoms, not the organic finding per se, are most important to the individual. Functional disorders are furthermore linked to somatic symptoms, from other parts of the body, as well as to mental health. Together they constitute a large medical burden on society in terms of consultations, drug consumption and surgery. Social costs are further increased by problems at work and a considerable increase in absenteeism. Functional gastrointestinal disorders should be taken more seriously by the medical community and society, since the burden of illness seems much larger than earlier anticipated.

The role of sleep problems and circadian clock genes in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and mood disorders during childhood and adolescence: an update.

PubMed

Dueck, Alexander; Berger, Christoph; Wunsch, Katharina; Thome, Johannes; Cohrs, Stefan; Reis, Olaf; Haessler, Frank

2017-02-01

A more recent branch of research describes the importance of sleep problems in the development and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mood disorders (MD). Research about clock genes has continued since 2012 with a focus on metabolic processes within all parts of the mammalian body, but particularly within different cerebral regions. Research has focused on complex regulatory circuits involving clock genes themselves and their influence on circadian rhythms of diverse body functions. Current publications on basic research in human and animal models indicate directions for the treatment of mental disorders targeting circadian rhythms and mechanisms. The most significant lines of research are described in this paper.

C-terminal, endoplasmic reticulum-lumenal domain of prosurfactant protein C - structural features and membrane interactions.

PubMed

Casals, Cristina; Johansson, Hanna; Saenz, Alejandra; Gustafsson, Magnus; Alfonso, Carlos; Nordling, Kerstin; Johansson, Jan

2008-02-01

Surfactant protein C (SP-C) constitutes the transmembrane part of prosurfactant protein C (proSP-C) and is alpha-helical in its native state. The C-terminal part of proSP-C (CTC) is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and binds to misfolded (beta-strand) SP-C, thereby preventing its aggregation and amyloid fibril formation. In this study, we investigated the structure of recombinant human CTC and the effects of CTC-membrane interaction on protein structure. CTC forms noncovalent trimers and supratrimeric oligomers. It contains two intrachain disulfide bridges, and its secondary structure is significantly affected by urea or heat only after disulfide reduction. The postulated Brichos domain of CTC, with homologs found in proteins associated with amyloid and proliferative disease, is up to 1000-fold more protected from limited proteolysis than the rest of CTC. The protein exposes hydrophobic surfaces, as determined by CTC binding to the environment-sensitive fluorescent probe 1,1'-bis(4-anilino-5,5'-naphthalenesulfonate). Fluorescence energy transfer experiments further reveal close proximity between bound 1,1'-bis(4-anilino-5,5'-naphthalenesulfonate) and tyrosine residues in CTC, some of which are conserved in all Brichos domains. CTC binds to unilamellar phospholipid vesicles with low micromolar dissociation constants, and differential scanning calorimetry and CD analyses indicate that membrane-bound CTC is less structurally ordered than the unbound protein. The exposed hydrophobic surfaces and the structural disordering that result from interactions with phospholipid membranes suggest a mechanism whereby CTC binds to misfolded SP-C in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Respiratory effects in people exposed to arsenic via the drinking water and tobacco smoking in southern part of Pakistan.

PubMed

Arain, Muhammad Balal; Kazi, Tasneem Gul; Baig, Jameel Ahmed; Jamali, Muhammad Khan; Afridi, Hassan Imran; Jalbani, Nusrat; Sarfraz, Raja Adil; Shah, Abdul Qadir; Kandhro, Ghulam Abbas

2009-10-15

In this study, a survey has been conducted during 2005-2007 on surface and groundwater arsenic (As) contamination and its impact on the health of local population, of villages located on the banks of Manchar lake, southern part of Sindh, Pakistan. We have also assessed the relationship between arsenic exposure through respiratory disorders in male subjects with drinking water and smoking cigarettes made from tobacco grown in agricultural land irrigated with As contaminated lake water. The biological samples (blood and scalp hair) were collected from As exposed subjects (100% smokers) and age matched healthy male subjects (40.2% smoker and 59.8% non smokers) belong to unexposed areas for comparison purposes. The As concentration in drinking water (surface and underground water), agricultural soil, cigarette tobacco and biological samples were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The range of As concentrations in lake water was 35.2-158 microg/L (average 97.5 microg/L), which is 3-15 folds higher than permissible limit of World Health Organization (WHO, 2004). While the As level in local cigarette tobacco was found to be 3-6 folds higher than branded cigarettes (0.37-0.79 microg/g). Arsenic exposed subjects (with and without RD) had significantly elevated levels of As in their biological samples as compared to referent male subject of unexposed area. These respiratory effects were more pronounced in individuals who had also As induced skin lesions. The linear regressions showed good correlations between As concentrations in water versus hair and blood samples of exposed subjects with and without respiratory problems.

Mental disorders and termination of education in high-income and low- and middle-income countries: epidemiological study

PubMed Central

Lee, S.; Tsang, A.; Breslau, J.; Aguilar-Gaxiola, S.; Angermeyer, M.; Borges, G.; Bromet, E.; Bruffaerts, R.; de Girolamo, G.; Fayyad, J.; Gureje, O.; Haro, J. M.; Kawakami, N.; Levinson, D.; Browne, M. A. Oakley; Ormel, J.; Posada-Villa, J.; Williams, D. R.; Kessler, R. C.

2009-01-01

Background Studies of the impact of mental disorders on educational attainment are rare in both high-income and low- and middle-income (LAMI) countries. Aims To examine the association between early-onset mental disorder and subsequent termination of education. Method Sixteen countries taking part in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey Initiative were surveyed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (n=41 688). Survival models were used to estimate associations between DSM–IV mental disorders and subsequent non-attainment of educational milestones. Results In high-income countries, prior substance use disorders were associated with non-completion at all stages of education (OR 1.4–15.2). Anxiety disorders (OR=1.3), mood disorders (OR=1.4) and impulse control disorders (OR=2.2) were associated with early termination of secondary education. In LAMI countries, impulse control disorders (OR=1.3) and substance use disorders (OR=1.5) were associated with early termination of secondary education. Conclusions Onset of mental disorder and subsequent non-completion of education are consistently associated in both high-income and LAMI countries. PMID:19407270

Holistic Treatment Approaches to ADHD: Nutrition, Sleep,and Exercise, Part 7

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lavoie, Theresa

2009-01-01

This article is part of a series exploring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In this seventh installment, the author discusses three holistic treatments for children and adults with ADHD: diet and nutrition, sleep, and exercise. These approaches focus and improve the overall health of ADHD patients. (For Part 6 of this series, see…

Familiar Face Recognition in Children with Autism: The Differential Use of Inner and Outer Face Parts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Rebecca; Pascalis, Olivier; Blades, Mark

2007-01-01

We investigated whether children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) have a deficit in recognising familiar faces. Children with ASD were given a forced choice familiar face recognition task with three conditions: full faces, inner face parts and outer face parts. Control groups were children with developmental delay (DD) and typically…

Advancing Virtual Patient Simulations through Design Research and Inter"PLAY": Part II--Integration and Field Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hirumi, Atsusi; Johnson, Teresa; Reyes, Ramsamooj Javier; Lok, Benjamin; Johnsen, Kyle; Rivera-Gutierrez, Diego J.; Bogert, Kenneth; Kubovec, Stacey; Eakins, Michael; Kleinsmith, Andrea; Bellew, Michael; Cendan, Juan

2016-01-01

In Part I of this two-part series, we examined the design and development of NERVE: A virtual patient simulation created to give medical students standardized experiences in interviewing, examining, and diagnosing virtual patients with cranial nerve disorders. We illustrated key design features and discussed how design-based research studies…

Role of Electrostatic Interactions in Binding of Peptides and Intrinsically Disordered Proteins to Their Folded Targets: 2. The Model of Encounter Complex Involving the Double Mutant of the c-Crk N-SH3 Domain and Peptide Sos.

PubMed

Yuwen, Tairan; Xue, Yi; Skrynnikov, Nikolai R

2016-03-29

In the first part of this work (paper 1, Xue, Y. et al. Biochemistry 2014 , 53 , 6473 ), we have studied the complex between the 10-residue peptide Sos and N-terminal SH3 domain from adaptor protein c-Crk. In the second part (this paper), we designed the double mutant of the c-Crk N-SH3 domain, W169F/Y186L, with the intention to eliminate the interactions responsible for tight peptide-protein binding, while retaining the interactions that create the initial electrostatic encounter complex. The resulting system was characterized experimentally by measuring the backbone and side-chain (15)N relaxation rates, as well as binding shifts and (1)H(N) temperature coefficients. In addition, it was also modeled via a series of ∼5 μs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations recorded in a large water box under an Amber ff99SB*-ILDN force field. Similar to paper 1, we have found that the strength of arginine-aspartate and arginine-glutamate salt bridges is overestimated in the original force field. To address this problem we have applied the empirical force-field correction described in paper 1. Specifically, the Lennard-Jones equilibrium distance for the nitrogen-oxygen pair across Arg-to-Asp/Glu salt bridges has been increased by 3%. This modification led to MD models in good agreement with the experimental data. The emerging picture is that of a fuzzy complex, where the peptide "dances" over the surface of the protein, making transient contacts via salt-bridge interactions. Every once in a while the peptide assumes a certain more stable binding pose, assisted by a number of adventitious polar and nonpolar contacts. On the other hand, occasionally Sos flies off the protein surface; it is then guided by electrostatic steering to quickly reconnect with the protein. The dynamic interaction between Sos and the double mutant of c-Crk N-SH3 gives rise to only small binding shifts. The peptide retains a high degree of conformational mobility, although it is appreciably slowed down due to its (loose) association with the protein. Note that spin relaxation data are indispensable in determining the dynamic status of the peptide. Such data can be properly modeled only on a basis of bona fide MD simulations, as shown in our study. We anticipate that in future the field will move away from the ensemble view of protein disorder and toward more sophisticated MD models. This will require further optimization of force fields, aimed specifically at disordered systems. Efforts in this direction have been recently initiated by several research groups; the empirical salt-bridge correction proposed in our work falls in the same category. MD models obtained with the help of suitably refined force fields and guided by experimental NMR data will provide a powerful insight into an intricate world of disordered biomolecules.

Quantized circular photogalvanic effect in Weyl semimetals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Juan, Fernando; Grushin, Adolfo G.; Morimoto, Takahiro; Moore, Joel E.

The circular photogalvanic effect (CPGE) is the part of a photocurrent that switches depending on the sense of circular polarization of the incident light. It has been consistently observed in systems without inversion symmetry and depends on non-universal material details. We find that in a class of Weyl semimetals (e.g. SrSi2) and three-dimensional Rashba materials (e.g. doped Te) without inversion and mirror symmetries, the CPGE trace is effectively Quantized in terms of the combination of fundamental constants e3/h2 cɛ0 with no material-dependent parameters. This is so because the CPGE directly measures the topological charge of Weyl points near the Fermi surface, and non-quantized corrections from disorder and additional bands can be small over a significant range of incident frequencies. Moreover, the magnitude of the CPGE induced by a Weyl node is relatively large, which enables the direct detection of the monopole charge with current techniques.

Autoimmune encephalitis update

PubMed Central

Dalmau, Josep; Rosenfeld, Myrna R.

2014-01-01

Cancer-associated immune-mediated disorders of the central nervous system are a heterogeneous group. These disorders include the classic paraneoplastic neurologic disorders and the more recently described autoimmune encephalitis associated with antibodies to neuronal cell-surface or synaptic receptors that occur with and without a cancer association. Autoimmune encephalitis is increasingly recognized as the cause of a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes that can be severe and prolonged. In contrast to the classic paraneoplastic disorders that are poorly responsive to tumor treatment and immunotherapy, autoimmune encephalitis often responds to these treatments, and patients can have full or marked recoveries. As early treatment speeds recovery, reduces disability, and decreases relapses that can occur in about 20% of cases, it is important that the immune pathogenesis of these disorders is recognized. PMID:24637228

The Effect of Rebamipide on Ocular Surface Disorders Induced by Latanoprost and Timolol in Glaucoma Patients.

PubMed

Tokuda, Naoto; Kitaoka, Yasushi; Matsuzawa, Akiko; Miyamoto, Junsuke; Sakae, Shinsuke; Munemasa, Yasunari; Takagi, Hitoshi

2015-01-01

Purpose. To examine the efficacy of ophthalmic rebamipide suspensions on ocular surface disorders induced by antiglaucoma eye drops. Patients and Methods. Forty eyes of 40 patients receiving latanoprost (0.005%) and timolol (0.5%) were included in this randomized prospective study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 20): the rebamipide-treated group and control group. Changes in intraocular pressure, tear film break-up time (TBUT), and corneal epithelial barrier function were evaluated at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after rebamipide administration. Furthermore, superficial punctate keratopathy severity was evaluated by scoring the lesion area and density. Results. There was no significant difference in intraocular pressure before and after rebamipide treatment. However, corneal epithelial barrier function improved significantly 4 and 8 weeks after rebamipide treatment. TBUT was partially, but significantly, increased (P = 0.02) 8 weeks after rebamipide treatment, whereas no significant change was observed at 4 weeks. Additionally, a significant decrease in area and density of keratopathy was observed 8 weeks after rebamipide treatment but not at 4 weeks. The control group showed no significant difference compared to baseline. Conclusions. Our data suggests that rebamipide treatment may reduce the occurrence of drug-induced ocular surface disorder.

Tick receptor for outer surface protein A from Ixodes ricinus — the first intrinsically disordered protein involved in vector-microbe recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urbanowicz, Anna; Lewandowski, Dominik; Szpotkowski, Kamil; Figlerowicz, Marek

2016-04-01

The tick receptor for outer surface protein A (TROSPA) is the only identified factor involved in tick gut colonization by various Borrelia species. TROSPA is localized in the gut epithelium and can recognize and bind the outer surface bacterial protein OspA via an unknown mechanism. Based on earlier reports and our latest observations, we considered that TROSPA would be the first identified intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) involved in the interaction between a vector and a pathogenic microbe. To verify this hypothesis, we performed structural studies of a TROSPA mutant from Ixodes ricinus using both computational and experimental approaches. Irrespective of the method used, we observed that the secondary structure content of the TROSPA polypeptide chain is low. In addition, the collected SAXS data indicated that this protein is highly extended and exists in solution as a set of numerous conformers. These features are all commonly considered hallmarks of IDPs. Taking advantage of our SAXS data, we created structural models of TROSPA and proposed a putative mechanism for the TROSPA-OspA interaction. The disordered nature of TROSPA may explain the ability of a wide spectrum of Borrelia species to colonize the tick gut.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Accelerated Castings on Marginal Fit and Surface Roughness.

PubMed

Jadhav, Vivek Dattatray; Motwani, Bhagwan K; Shinde, Jitendra; Adhapure, Prasad

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal fit and surface roughness of complete cast crowns made by a conventional and an accelerated casting technique. This study was divided into three parts. In Part I, the marginal fit of full metal crowns made by both casting techniques in the vertical direction was checked, in Part II, the fit of sectional metal crowns in the horizontal direction made by both casting techniques was checked, and in Part III, the surface roughness of disc-shaped metal plate specimens made by both casting techniques was checked. A conventional technique was compared with an accelerated technique. In Part I of the study, the marginal fit of the full metal crowns as well as in Part II, the horizontal fit of sectional metal crowns made by both casting techniques was determined, and in Part III, the surface roughness of castings made with the same techniques was compared. The results of the t -test and independent sample test do not indicate statistically significant differences in the marginal discrepancy detected between the two casting techniques. For the marginal discrepancy and surface roughness, crowns fabricated with the accelerated technique were significantly different from those fabricated with the conventional technique. Accelerated casting technique showed quite satisfactory results, but the conventional technique was superior in terms of marginal fit and surface roughness.

Learning and Consolidation of New Spoken Words in Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henderson, Lisa; Powell, Anna; Gaskell, M. Gareth; Norbury, Courtenay

2014-01-01

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by rich heterogeneity in vocabulary knowledge and word knowledge that is not well accounted for by current cognitive theories. This study examines whether individual differences in vocabulary knowledge in ASD might be partly explained by a difficulty with consolidating newly learned spoken words…

2010 Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, 2010

2010-01-01

As part of the Combating Autism Act of 2006, the members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) are required to develop an annual "Summary of Advances" to describe each year's top advances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research. These advances represent significant progress in the early diagnosis of ASD, understanding the…

Somatic Symptoms in Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ginsburg, Golda S.; Riddle, Mark A.; Davies, Mark

2006-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of somatic symptoms (SSs) in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders; the relationship between SSs and anxiety severity, impairment, and child global functioning; and the impact of fluvoxamine (FLV) versus pill placebo (PBO) on reducing SSs. Method: As part of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,…

Evidence-Based Practice for Children with Speech Sound Disorders: Part 1 Narrative Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Elise; McLeod, Sharynne

2011-01-01

Purpose: This article provides a comprehensive narrative review of intervention studies for children with speech sound disorders (SSD). Its companion paper (Baker & McLeod, 2011) provides a tutorial and clinical example of how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can engage in evidence-based practice (EBP) for this clinical population. Method:…

Conducting Research with Minimally Verbal Participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tager-Flusberg, Helen; Plesa Skwerer, Daniela; Joseph, Robert M.; Brukilacchio, Brianna; Decker, Jessica; Eggleston, Brady; Meyer, Steven; Yoder, Anne

2017-01-01

A growing number of research groups are now including older minimally verbal individuals with autism spectrum disorder in their studies to encompass the full range of heterogeneity in the population. There are numerous barriers that prevent researchers from collecting high-quality data from these individuals, in part because of the challenging…

Lack of Awareness for Spatial and Verbal Constructive Apraxia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rinaldi, Maria Cristina; Piras, Federica; Pizzamiglio, Luigi

2010-01-01

It is still a matter of debate whether constructive apraxia (CA) should be considered a form of apraxia or, rather, the motor expression of a more pervasive impairment in visuo-spatial processing. Constructive disorders were linked to visuo-spatial disorders and to deficits in appreciating spatial relations among component sub-parts or problems in…

Executive Functions in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brady, Danielle I.; Saklofske, Donald H.; Schwean, Vicki L.; Montgomery, Janine M.; Thorne, Keoma J.; McCrimmon, Adam W.

2017-01-01

Researchers have proposed that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized, at least in part, by executive function (EF) difficulties associated with the integrity of the frontal lobe. Given the paucity of research regarding EFs in young adults with high functioning ASD (HF-ASD), this research involves an examination of various indices of EF…

Recessive resistance to Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus in melon TGR 1551

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) reduces melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit quality and yield in many parts of the world. Host plant resistance of melon to CYSDV is a high priority for sustainable melon production in affected production areas. High-level resistance to CYSDV exhibited by TG...

[Misophonia is a neglected disorder].

PubMed

Blegvad-Nissen, Camilla; Thomsen, Per Hove

2015-11-23

A 14-year-old girl, who was diagnosed with OCD when she was 11-year-old, experienced emotional reactions and autonomic arousal in response to specific human-made sounds. At first she thought that these symptoms were part of her OCD, but it became clear to her that she suffered from misophonia - a disorder not yet classified.

Art Therapy with a Child Experiencing Sensory Integration Difficulty. Brief Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kearns, Diane

2004-01-01

An increasing number of students diagnosed with difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Asperger?s syndrome are being seen in schools. Sensory integration difficulties may be part of the symptomatology of these disorders. These difficulties may result in difficulties with both classroom behaviors and academic performance.…

78 FR 7659 - Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-04

... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 20 CFR Part 404 [Docket No. SSA-2009-0039] RIN 0960-AH04 Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems AGENCY: Social... in adults and children under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (Act). The revisions...

Online Communication Training for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Douglas, Sarah N.; Kammes, Rebecca; Nordquist, Erica

2018-01-01

Parent training is an essential part of quality programming for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, limited research exists exploring online training approaches to support parents of children with both ASD and complex communication needs (CCN; e.g., limited verbal ability), despite the many benefits that online training might…

Alexithymia in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Szatmari, Peter; Georgiades, Stelios; Duku, Eric; Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie; Goldberg, Jeremy; Bennett, Terry

2008-01-01

Given the recent findings regarding the association between alexithymia and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the accumulating evidence for the presence of the Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP) in relatives of individuals with ASD, we further explored the construct of alexithymia in parents of children with ASD as a potential part of the BAP. We…

Conservatism and the Underidentification of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Special Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wiley, Andrew L.; Kauffman, James M.; Plageman, Kristen

2014-01-01

Underidentification of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD; emotional disturbance or ED in federal language) is a critical issue, perhaps explainable in part by causal attributions of problem behavior associated with conservatism. Conservatism in 58 counties in the state of California was measured by finding the percentage of…

Candidate biomarker discovery and selection for ‘Granny Smith' superficial scald risk management and diagnosis, poster board

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Discovery of candidate biomarkers for superficial scald, a peel disorder that develops during storage of susceptible apple cultivars, is part of a larger project aimed at developing biomarker-based risk-management and diagnostic tools for multiple apple postharvest disorders (http://www.tfrec.wsu.ed...

Characterization, modeling and simulation of fused deposition modeling fabricated part surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taufik, Mohammad; Jain, Prashant K.

2017-12-01

Surface roughness is generally used for characterization, modeling and simulation of fused deposition modeling (FDM) fabricated part surfaces. But the average surface roughness is not able to provide the insight of surface characteristics with sharp peaks and deep valleys. It deals in the average sense for all types of surfaces, including FDM fabricated surfaces with distinct surface profile features. The present research work shows that kurtosis and skewness can be used for characterization, modeling and simulation of FDM surfaces because these roughness parameters have the ability to characterize a surface with sharp peaks and deep valleys. It can be critical in certain application areas in tribology and biomedicine, where the surface profile plays an important role. Thus, in this study along with surface roughness, skewness and kurtosis are considered to show a novel strategy to provide new transferable knowledge about FDM fabricated part surfaces. The results suggest that the surface roughness, skewness and kurtosis are significantly different at 0° and in the range (0°, 30°], [30°, 90°] of build orientation.

An impression cytology based study of ocular surface in an urban population.

PubMed

Mukhopadhyay, Somnath; Dutta, Jayanta; Mitra, Jayati; Prakash, Ratnesh; Datta, Himadri

2013-04-01

To assess the health of ocular surface in a defined urban population, conjunctival goblet cell density and degree of surface squamous metaplasia were utilized as study tools. Two thousand names of those aged between 20 and 79 years from the 2006 electoral register in ward number 63 of Kolkata Corporation area were initially selected. Normal healthy human volunteers without any history of ocular surface disorder were recruited and divided into five age-groups. Impression cytology samples were obtained from interpalpebral part of bulbar conjunctiva from all the participants fixated and stained by a single observer. A stratified, clustered, disproportionate, random sampling method was used. The software used in the statistical analysis was EPI Info. The tests applied were t test and ANOVA. A variation in the number of goblet cells according to gender (women having less cells) and age (20-30 years group having the highest number of cells) was found. Those working outdoors were found to have fewer goblet cells compared to those who stay indoors. The majority of the people had grade 1 cytological appearance in both males and females. There was no statistically significant difference in Nelson's grading with age. People using coal and kerosene to cook were found to have a smaller goblet cell density than those who cooked on LPG or those who did not cook at all. Besides age and sex, environmental factors like the method of cooking and occupational variables (like outdoor activity, prolonged period of computer use, etc.) modify the health of the ocular surface. The results of this study will help put these findings into perspective as public health problems.

Grinding and its influence to ground surface durability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holesovsky, F.; Novak, M.

2011-01-01

A number of parameters of running process effect on the formed surface at grinding. Above all, the following influences can be mentioned: grinding wheel speed, workpiece speed, tool properties, rigidity of machine tool, etc. The plastic deformation and thermal load of surface layer are evoked at the action of cutting conditions. A new surface keeps the definite properties, which are given by its roughness, surface profile, geometry accuracy, intensity and residual stress distribution, respectively microhardness course in surface layer and changes of microstructure in this layer. The surface properties predict the surface behaviour in the real machinery at the dynamical, respectively static loading. At the load, the changes of surface properties proceed, e.g. roughness, residual stress. Simultaneously, changes of surface properties influence the durability of machine part and can also lead to surface damage and machine part breakdown. The slackness can also evoke the cracks, which leads to the fracture. The behaviour of part differs in the operating environment without and with oil or in the corrosion environment.

A preliminary view on adsorption of organics on ice at temperatures close to melting point

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Xiangrui; Waldner, Astrid; Orlando, Fabrizio; Artiglia, Luca; Ammann, Markus; Bartels-Rausch, Thorsten

2016-04-01

Ice and snow play active roles in the water cycle, the energy budget of the Earth, and environmental chemistry in the atmosphere and cryosphere. The uptake of trace gases from the atmosphere may induce changes in the structure of the surface layer of ice crystals and has important consequences for atmospheric chemistry and the climate system. However, a molecular-level understanding of trace gas adsorption on ice is still missing, and also little is known about the impurity-induced ice-surface disorder in the context of environmental relevance. It is a general challenge to apply highly sensitive experimental approaches to ambient air conditions, e.g. studies of volatile surfaces, because of the strict requirements of vacuum experimental conditions. In this study, we employed synchrotron-based X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and partial electron yield Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) in a state-of-the-art Near-Ambient Pressure Photoelectron (NAPP) spectroscopy end station. The NAPP enables to utilize the surface sensitive experimental methods, XPS and NEXAFS with electron detection, on volatile surfaces, i.e. ice at temperatures approaching zero degree Celsius. XPS and NEXAFS provide unique information of hydrogen bonding network, surface concentration of organic adsorbates, depth profile of dopants in the ice, and acid-base dissociation on the surfaces. For instance, a few carboxylic acids, e.g. acetic acid and formic acid, have been recently studied by XPS and NEXAFS in NAPP. Amines are a group of nitrogen-containing basic organics with atmospheric relevance. Only few studies have been focused on amines, and atmospheric models rarely take account of them due to the limitation of knowledge. Several amines have been found to play active roles in the processes of aerosol formation, e.g. dimethylamine (DMA), trimethylamine (TMA) and 1-propanamine. In this study, we will focus on one of these three amines after pre-tests, and perform core-level spectroscopies to reveal the behaviour of adsorption and dissociation on ice. Additionally, pure ice and amine doped ice will be compared for their surface structure change at different temperatures, which will indicate the differences of surface disordering caused by different factors. For instance, we will have a chance to know better if impurities will cause local disordering, i.e. forming hydration shell, which challenges the traditional picture of a homogenous disordered doped ice surface. The findings of this study could not only improve our understanding of how acidic organics adsorb to ice, and of their chemical properties on ice, but also have potentials to know better the behaviour of pure ice at temperatures approaching to the melting point.

Sexual dysfunction, Part II: Diagnosis, management, and prognosis.

PubMed

Halvorsen, J G; Metz, M E

1992-01-01

Sexual problems are common but infrequently diagnosed. They are classified into four major categories: (1) sexual desire disorders, (2) sexual arousal disorders, (3) orgasmic disorders, and (4) sexual pain disorders. MEDLINE files from 1966 to the present were searched using the specific sexual dysfunctions as key words along with the general key word "sexual dysfunction" to review the published literature. Additional articles came from the reference lists of dysfunction-specific reviews. The key to diagnosis often rests on the physician's willingness to raise the issue with patients. A rational protocol can be followed to identify causative organic and psychogenic factors using the psychosexual and medical history, a comprehensive physical examination, psychological assessment instruments, laboratory tests, and special procedures. Current psychological treatment includes one or more of the following components: sensate focus exercises, cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation training, hypnosis and guided imagery, and group therapies. Specific techniques, such as directed self-stimulation, the stop-start and squeeze techniques, the sexological examination, systematic desensitization, and Kegel exercises, are added therapy when appropriate. Marital therapy to improve communication and resolve conflict is also part of standard therapy. Medical management can include pharmacologic agents to correct endocrine dysfunctions or to alter the progression of the sexual response. Surgical management can involve arterial revascularization, venous ligation, and penile implants. A noninvasive vacuum constriction device is also used to treat erectile disorders. The long-term prognosis of the sexual dysfunctions varies with the type of disorder and its causes. Generally good results (80 to 95 percent satisfaction) are obtained when treating vaginismus, dyspareunia, male erectile disorders, and female orgasmic dysfunctions. Long-term results are modestly successful (40 to 80 percent) when treating inhibited male orgasm and premature ejaculation. Long-term success is poorest at present for treating sexual desire disorders.

Participating, Navigating and Succeeding with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Ontario Postsecondary Education System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luey, Jennifer

2014-01-01

Increases in the frequency of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the postsecondary education system are now beginning to surface. Through a review of the literature this paper will focus on the persistence, retention and successful completion of autistics in the postsecondary education (PSE) sector. The author found no concrete statistics for…

Sensory Contributions to Balance in Boys with Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deconinck, Frederik J. A.; De Clercq, Dirk; Van Coster, Rudy; Oostra, Ann; Dewitte, Griet; Savelsbergh, Geert J. P.; Cambier, Dirk; Lenoir, Matthieu

2008-01-01

This study examined and compared the control of posture during bilateral stance in ten boys with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) of 6-8 years old and ten matched typically developing boys in four sensory conditions (with or without vision, on a firm or complaint surface). In all conditions mean postural sway velocity was larger for the…

Facet Dependent Disorder in the Pristine High Voltage Lithium-Manganese-Rich Cathode Material

DOE PAGES

Dixit, Hemant M.; Zhou, Wu; Idrobo Tapia, Juan Carlos; ...

2014-11-21

Defects and surface reconstructions are thought to be crucial for the long term stability of high-voltage lithium-manganese-rich cathodes. Unfortunately, many of these defects arise only after electrochemical cycling which occur under harsh conditions making it difficult to fully comprehend the role they play in degrading material performance. Recently, it has been observed that defects are present even in the pristine material. This study, therefore, focuses on examining the nature of the disorder observed in pristine Limore » $$_{1.2}$$Ni$$_{0.175}$$Mn$$_{0.525}$$Co$$_{0.1}$$O$$_2$$ (LNMCO) particles. Using atomic resolution Z-contrast imaging and electron energy-loss spectroscopy measurements we show that there are indeed a significant amount of anti-site defects present in this material; with transition metals substituting on Li metal sites. Furthermore, we find a strong tendency of segregation of these types of defects towards open facets (surfaces perpendicular to the layered arrangement of atoms), rather than closed facets (surfaces parallel to the layered arrangement of atoms). First principles calculations identify anti-site defect pairs of Ni swapping with Li ions as the predominant defect in the material. Furthermore, energetically favorable swapping of Ni on the Mn sites were observed to lead to Mn depletion at open facets. Relatively, low Ni migration barriers also support the notion that Ni are the predominant cause of disorder. These insights suggests that certain facets of the LNMCO particles may be more useful for inhibiting surface reconstruction and improving the stability of these materials through careful consideration of the exposed surface.« less

Antisocial Personality as a Neurodevelopmental Disorder.

PubMed

Raine, Adrian

2018-05-07

Although antisocial personality disorder (APD) is one of the most researched personality disorders, it is still surprisingly resistant to treatment. This lack of clinical progress may be partly due to the failure to view APD as a neurodevelopmental disorder and to consider early interventions. After first defining what constitutes a neurodevelopmental disorder, this review evaluates the extent to which APD meets neurodevelopmental criteria, covering structural and functional brain imaging, neurocognition, genetics and epigenetics, neurochemistry, and early health risk factors. Prevention and intervention strategies for APD are then outlined, focusing on addressing early biological and health systems, followed by forensic and clinical implications. It is argued both that APD meets criteria for consideration as a neurodevelopmental disorder and that consideration should be given both to the possibility that early onset conduct disorder is neurodevelopmental in nature, and also to the inclusion of psychopathy as a specifier in future Diagnostic and Statistical Manual revisions of APD.

Is major depressive episode related to anxiety disorders in anorexics and bulimics?

PubMed

Godart, Nathalie T; Perdereau, Fabienne; Curt, Florence; Rein, Zoé; Lang, François; Venisse, Jean Luc; Halfon, Olivier; Bizouard, Paul; Loas, Gwenole; Corcos, Maurice; Jeammet, Philippe; Flament, Martine F

2006-01-01

To determine whether the presence of anxiety disorders is related to depressive comorbidity in subjects with eating disorders (ED), while taking into account certain variables that may be related to depression (subjects' age, ED duration, prior incidents of anorexia nervosa in bulimic subjects, inpatient or outpatient status, nutritional state [as measured by body mass index]). We evaluated the frequency of depressive disorders in 271 subjects presenting with a diagnosis of either anorexia nervosa or bulimia, using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, DSM-IV version. A multivariate analysis reveals that anxiety disorders do not all have the same influence in terms of risk of onset of major depressive episode in anorexics and bulimics when adjusted on variables related to depression. Depression in subjects with ED can be explained in part by comorbidity with obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety, social phobia, and panic disorder.

MMPI screening scales for somatization disorder.

PubMed

Wetzel, R D; Brim, J; Guze, S B; Cloninger, C R; Martin, R L; Clayton, P J

1999-08-01

44 items on the MMPI were identified which appear to correspond to some of the symptoms in nine of the 10 groups on the Perley-Guze checklist for somatization disorder (hysteria). This list was organized into two scales, one reflecting the total number of symptoms endorsed and the other the number of organ systems with at least one endorsed symptom. Full MMPIs were then obtained from 29 women with primary affective disorder and 37 women with somatization disorder as part of a follow-up study of a consecutive series of 500 psychiatric clinic patients seen at Washington University. Women with the diagnosis of somatization disorder scored significantly higher on the somatization disorder scales created from the 44 items than did women with only major depression. These new scales appeared to be slightly more effective in identifying somatization disorder than the use of the standard MMPI scales for hypochondriasis and hysteria. Further development is needed.

Clinical identification of the simple sleep-related movement disorders.

PubMed

Walters, Arthur S

2007-04-01

Simple sleep-related movement disorders must be distinguished from daytime movement disorders that persist during sleep, sleep-related epilepsy, and parasomnias, which are generally characterized by activity that appears to be simultaneously complex, goal-directed, and purposeful but is outside the conscious awareness of the patient and, therefore, inappropriate. Once it is determined that the patient has a simple sleep-related movement disorder, the part of the body affected by the movement and the age of the patient give clues as to which sleep-related movement disorder is present. In some cases, all-night polysomnography with accompanying video may be necessary to make the diagnosis. Hypnic jerks (ie, sleep starts), bruxism, rhythmic movement disorder (ie, head banging/body rocking), and nocturnal leg cramps are discussed in addition to less well-appreciated disorders such as benign sleep myoclonus of infancy, excessive fragmentary myoclonus, and hypnagogic foot tremor/alternating leg muscle activation.

[Psychopathological disorders in otorhinolaryngological neoplasms].

PubMed

Llorca, G; Derecho, J; Gómez del Castillo, M J; Martín, T; del Cañizo Fernández, A

1991-01-01

The authors analyze the psychopathologic disorders at the patients affected from O.R.L. cancers. They refer specially to larynx cancer, because of the significance on the loss in speech ability, if the treatment includes total laryngectomy, added to the fear characteristic of the patient with cancer. The highly incidence of alcoholism before diagnosis is also verified, what imply the addiction of psychopathologic disorders. It's estimated a well order to take part actively in their rehabilitation besides the lower incidence of alcoholism after surgery.

A Comparison of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities with and without ASD on Parallel Measures of Challenging Behaviour: The Behavior Problems Inventory-01 (BPI-01) and Autism Spectrum Disorders-Behavior Problems for Intellectually Disabled Adults (ASD-BPA)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rojahn, Johannes; Wilkins, Jonathan; Matson, Johnny L.; Boisjoli, Jessica

2010-01-01

Challenging behaviour may not be part of the diagnostic criteria for Autistic Disorder but they are frequently exhibited by children and adults with this condition. Levels of challenging behaviours are highest in individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring intellectual disability (ID). The sample for this study consisted of…

[Non-epileptic paroxysmal sleep disorders].

PubMed

Malagón-Valdez, Jorge

2013-09-06

Non-epileptic paroxysmal disorders during sleep are a great challenge for the clinician. It is important to know the various clinical manifestations for appropriate differential diagnosis, since alterations in sleep, mostly motor, are part of these disorders. Our paper describes the normal sleep stages and electroencephalographic characteristics and polysomnography basic data. The confusions especially with nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy are frequent and cause unnecessary drugs administered, the emotional burden of the parents or caretakers, which is the diagnosis of epilepsy. We discuss the possible causes of diagnostic errors.

Dancing Protein Clouds: The Strange Biology and Chaotic Physics of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins*

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Biologically active but floppy proteins represent a new reality of modern protein science. These intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and hybrid proteins containing ordered and intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs) constitute a noticeable part of any given proteome. Functionally, they complement ordered proteins, and their conformational flexibility and structural plasticity allow them to perform impossible tricks and be engaged in biological activities that are inaccessible to well folded proteins with their unique structures. The major goals of this minireview are to show that, despite their simplified amino acid sequences, IDPs/IDPRs are complex entities often resembling chaotic systems, are structurally and functionally heterogeneous, and can be considered an important part of the structure-function continuum. Furthermore, IDPs/IDPRs are everywhere, and are ubiquitously engaged in various interactions characterized by a wide spectrum of binding scenarios and an even wider spectrum of structural and functional outputs. PMID:26851286

[Pierre Janet's views on the etiology, pathogenesis and therapy of dissociative and conversion disorders ("hysterias")].

PubMed

Bühler, Karl-Ernst; Heim, Gerhard

2010-01-01

Pierre Janet (1859-1947) is one of those more or less forgotten authors whose approach differed significantly from Freud's psychoanalysis. In the first part of this paper, Janet's conception of hysteria is discussed and his place in French psychiatry described. Different aspects of Janet's diathesis-stress-approach are presented (particularly his important pathogenic concept of fixed ideas) which refer not only to a conception of hysteria, but also to traumatic (stress) disorders and other psychological disturbances. The second part of the paper details the varieties of Janetian therapeutic treatments for these disorders: the 'liquidation' of fixed ideas by hypnosis and suggestion, confrontation techniques which resemble contemporary cognitive behavioural approaches, and special cognitive ("logagogic") interventions. Finally, we also discuss the various treatment strategies Janet proposes for dealing with symptoms, such as asthenic or depressive states, from his psycho-economic perspective.

Evaluating the performance of free-formed surface parts using an analytic network process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Xueming; Ma, Yanqiao; Liang, Dezhi

2018-03-01

To successfully design parts with a free-formed surface, the critical issue of how to evaluate and select a favourable evaluation strategy before design is raised. The evaluation of free-formed surface parts is a multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem that requires the consideration of a large number of interdependent factors. The analytic network process (ANP) is a relatively new MCDM method that can systematically deal with all kinds of dependences. In this paper, the factors, which come from the life-cycle and influence the design of free-formed surface parts, are proposed. After analysing the interdependence among these factors, a Hybrid ANP (HANP) structure for evaluating the part’s curved surface is constructed. Then, a HANP evaluation of an impeller is presented to illustrate the application of the proposed method.

The morbid anatomy of the human genome: chromosomal location of mutations causing disease.

PubMed Central

McKusick, V A; Amberger, J S

1993-01-01

Information is given in tabular form derived from a synopsis of the human gene map which has been updated continuously since 1973 as part of Mendelian Inheritance in Man (Johns Hopkins University Press, 10th ed, 1992) and of OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, available generally since 1987). The part of the synopsis reproduced here consists of chromosome by chromosome gene lists of loci for which there are associated disorders (table 1), a pictorial representation of this information (fig 1a-d), and an index of disorders for which the causative mutations have been mapped (table 2). In table 1, information on genes that have been located to specific chromosomal positions and are also the site of disease producing mutations is arranged by chromosome, starting with chromosome 1 and with the end of the short arm of the chromosome in each case. In table 2 an alphabetized list of these disorders and the chromosomal location of the mutation in each case are provided. Both in the 'Disorder' field of table 1 and in table 2, the numbers 1, 2, or 3 in parentheses after the name of the disorder indicate that its chromosomal location was determined by mapping of the wildtype gene (1), by mapping of the clinical phenotype (2), or by both strategies (3). PMID:8423603

Initial evidence that polymorphisms in neurotransmitter-regulating genes contribute to being born small for gestational age

PubMed Central

Morgan, Angharad R.; Thompson, John M.D.; Waldie, Karen E.; Cornforth, Christine M.; Turic, Darko; Sonuga-Barke, Edmund J.S.; Lam, Wen-Jiun; Ferguson, Lynnette R.; Mitchell, Edwin A.

2012-01-01

Being born small for gestational age (SGA) is a putative risk factor for the development of later cognitive and psychiatric health problems. While the inter-uterine environment has been shown to play an important role in predicting birth weight, little is known about the genetic factors that might be important. Here we test the hypothesis that neurotransmitter-regulating genes implicated in psychiatric disorders previously shown to be associated with SGA (such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) are themselves predictive of SGA. DNA was collected from 227 SGA and 319 appropriate for gestational age children taking part in the Auckland Birthweight Collaborative Study. Candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes regulating activity within dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid pathways were genotyped. Multiple regression analysis, controlling for potentially confounding factors, supported nominally significant associations between SGA and single nucleotide polymorphisms in COMT, HTR2A, SLC1A1 and SLC6A1. This is the first evidence that genes implicated in psychiatric disorders previously linked to SGA status themselves predict SGA. This highlights the possibility that the link between SGA and psychiatric disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder may in part be genetically determined – that SGA marks pre-existing genetic risk for later problems. PMID:27625810

Behavioural phenotypes of the mucopolysaccharide disorders: a systematic literature review of cognitive, motor, social, linguistic and behavioural presentation in the MPS disorders.

PubMed

Cross, E M; Hare, D J

2013-03-01

The mucopolysaccharide disorders (MPS) are a group of recessively inherited metabolic disorders resulting in progressive physical and cognitive decline. MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase databases were searched, alongside manual screening, to identify relevant literature. Papers were included in the review if they were published in a peer reviewed journal and conducted empirical research into cognitive, motor, social or linguistic development or behaviour in one or more MPS disorders. Twenty-five papers were reviewed. Two papers used methodology of a sufficiently high standard to demonstrate a behavioural phenotype; both found sleep disturbance to be part of the phenotype of MPS III. Fearfulness and sleep disturbance were frequently observed in people with MPS I and II. Cognitive and motor impairment and decline, and challenging behaviour were highly prevalent in the severe form of MPS II. Cognitive decline and severe behavioural problems relating to aggression, hyperactivity, orality, unusual affect and temper tantrums were seen in MPS III. Sleep disturbance is part of the behavioural phenotype of MPS III, and challenging behaviour is highly prevalent in MPS II and MPS III, therefore the efficacy of behavioural interventions for these populations should be investigated. Further research into the behaviour and adaptive skills of children with MPS III and MPS IV is required.

The Locus Preservation Hypothesis: Shared Linguistic Profiles across Developmental Disorders and the Resilient Part of the Human Language Faculty

PubMed Central

Leivada, Evelina; Kambanaros, Maria; Grohmann, Kleanthes K.

2017-01-01

Grammatical markers are not uniformly impaired across speakers of different languages, even when speakers share a diagnosis and the marker in question is grammaticalized in a similar way in these languages. The aim of this work is to demarcate, from a cross-linguistic perspective, the linguistic phenotype of three genetically heterogeneous developmental disorders: specific language impairment, Down syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder. After a systematic review of linguistic profiles targeting mainly English-, Greek-, Catalan-, and Spanish-speaking populations with developmental disorders (n = 880), shared loci of impairment are identified and certain domains of grammar are shown to be more vulnerable than others. The distribution of impaired loci is captured by the Locus Preservation Hypothesis which suggests that specific parts of the language faculty are immune to impairment across developmental disorders. Through the Locus Preservation Hypothesis, a classical chicken and egg question can be addressed: Do poor conceptual resources and memory limitations result in an atypical grammar or does a grammatical breakdown lead to conceptual and memory limitations? Overall, certain morphological markers reveal themselves as highly susceptible to impairment, while syntactic operations are preserved, granting support to the first scenario. The origin of resilient syntax is explained from a phylogenetic perspective in connection to the “syntax-before-phonology” hypothesis. PMID:29081756

Geographic variation of clinically diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders in Christchurch after the 2010/11 earthquakes.

PubMed

Hogg, Daniel; Kingham, Simon; Wilson, Thomas M; Griffin, Edward; Ardagh, Michael

2014-11-01

The 22nd February 2011 Christchurch earthquake killed 185 people, injured over 8000, damaged over 100,000 buildings and on-going aftershocks maintained high anxiety levels. This paper examines the dose of exposure effect of earthquake damage assessments, earthquake intensity measures, liquefaction and lateral spreading on mood and anxiety disorders in Christchurch after this event. We hypothesise that such disorders are more likely to develop in people who have experienced greater exposure to these impacts within their neighborhood than others who have been less exposed, but also live in the city. For this purpose, almost all clinically diagnosed incident and relapsed cases in Christchurch in a 12 months period after the 2011 earthquake were analysed. Spatio-temporal cluster analysis shows that people living in the widely affected central and eastern parts after the 2010/11 earthquakes have a 23% higher risk of developing a mood or anxiety disorder than people living in other parts of the city. Generally, mood and anxiety-related disorders increase with closer proximity to damage from liquefaction and moderate to major lateral spreading, as well as areas that are more likely to suffer from damage in future earthquakes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Joining mechanism with stem tension and interlocked compression ring

DOEpatents

James, Allister W.; Morrison, Jay A.

2012-09-04

A stem (34) extends from a second part (30) through a hole (28) in a first part (22). A groove (38) around the stem provides a non-threaded contact surface (42) for a ring element (44) around the stem. The ring element exerts an inward force against the non-threaded contact surface at an angle that creates axial tension (T) in the stem, pulling the second part against the first part. The ring element is formed of a material that shrinks relative to the stem by sintering. The ring element may include a split collet (44C) that fits partly into the groove, and a compression ring (44E) around the collet. The non-threaded contact surface and a mating distal surface (48) of the ring element may have conic geometries (64). After shrinkage, the ring element is locked onto the stem.

Measurement of machine parts dimensions positional deviation with regard to their geometric accuracy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martemyanov, D. B.; Pshenichnikova, V. V.; Penner, V. A.; Zemtsov, A. E.

2018-04-01

Real surfaces of the parts, obtained with the help of technological processes, are always characterized by deviations from a nominal (regular) form. When analyzing a nominal cylindrical surface or a prismatic component element, the interrelation between current dimensions in various sections and a surface form, as well as surfaces position, can be found.

Drugs for rare disorders.

PubMed

Cremers, Serge; Aronson, Jeffrey K

2017-08-01

Estimates of the frequencies of rare disorders vary from country to country; the global average defined prevalence is 40 per 100 000 (0.04%). Some occur in only one or a few patients. However, collectively rare disorders are fairly common, affecting 6-8% of the US population, or about 30 million people, and a similar number in the European Union. Most of them affect children and most are genetically determined. Diagnosis can be difficult, partly because of variable presentations and partly because few clinicians have experience of individual rare disorders, although they may be assisted by searching databases. Relatively few rare disorders have specific pharmacological treatments (so-called orphan drugs), partly because of difficulties in designing trials large enough to determine benefits and harms alike. Incentives have been introduced to encourage the development of orphan drugs, including tax credits and research aids, simplification of marketing authorization procedures and exemption from fees, and extended market exclusivity. Consequently, the number of applications for orphan drugs has grown, as have the costs of using them, so much so that treatments may not be cost-effective. It has therefore been suggested that not-for-profit organizations that are socially motivated to reduce those costs should be tasked with producing them. A growing role for patient organizations, improved clinical and translational infrastructures, and developments in genetics have also contributed to successful drug development. The translational discipline of clinical pharmacology is an essential component in drug development, including orphan drugs. Clinical pharmacologists, skilled in basic pharmacology and its links to clinical medicine, can be involved at all stages. They can contribute to the delineation of genetic factors that determine clinical outcomes of pharmacological interventions, develop biomarkers, design and perform clinical trials, assist regulatory decision making, and conduct postmarketing surveillance and pharmacoepidemiological and pharmacoeconomic assessments. © 2017 The British Pharmacological Society.

The addition of STEPPS in the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder and comorbid borderline personality features: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Riemann, Georg; Weisscher, Nadine; Goossens, Peter J J; Draijer, Nel; Apenhorst-Hol, Marjolein; Kupka, Ralph W

2014-06-09

Bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) both are severe and chronic psychiatric disorders. Both disorders have overlapping symptoms, and current research shows that the presence of a BPD has an adverse effect on the course of BD. The limited research available shows an unfavorable illness course, a worse prognosis and response to medication, longer treatment duration, more frequent psychiatric admissions, higher drop-out, increased risk of substance abuse, increased risk of suicide, and more impairment of social and occupational functioning. However, there is no research available on the effect of specific psychotherapeutic treatment for this patients. This paper presents the protocol of a RCT to investigate the presence of borderline personality features in patients treated for BD (study part 1) and the effectiveness of STEPPS (Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving) added to treatment as usual (TAU) for BD compared to TAU in patients with BD and comorbid borderline personality features (study part 2). STEPPS is a validated and effective intervention for BPD. The study population consists of patients treated for BD at specialized outpatient clinics for BD in the Netherlands. At first the prevalence of comorbid borderline personality features in outpatients with BD is investigated. Inclusion criteria for study part 2 is defined as having three or more of the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria of BPD, including impulsivity and anger bursts. Primary outcomes will be the frequency and severity of manic and depressive recurrences as well as severity, course and burden of borderline personality features. Secondary outcomes will be quality of life, utilizing mental healthcare and psychopathologic symptoms not primarily related to BD or BPD. Assessment will be at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at 12 and 18 months follow-up. This will be the first randomized controlled trial of a specific intervention in patients with BD and comorbid BPD or borderline personality features. There are no recommendations in the guideline of treatment of bipolar disorders for patients with this complex comorbidity. We expect that a combined treatment aimed at mood disorder and emotion regulation will improve treatment outcomes for these patients.

Separation of the Magnetic Field into Parts Produced by Internal and External Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lazanja, David

2005-10-01

Given the total magnetic field on a toroidal plasma surface, a method for decomposing the field into a part due to internal currents (often the plasma) and a part due to external currents is presented. The decomposition exploits Laplace theory which is valid in the vacuum region between the plasma surface and the chamber walls. The method does not assume toroidal symmetry, and it is partly based on Merkel's 1986 work on vacuum field computations. A change in the plasma shape is produced by the total normal field perturbation on the plasma surface. This method allows a separation of the total normal field perturbation into a part produced by external currents and a part produced by the plasma response.

Spin-glass-like freezing of inner and outer surface layers in hollow γ-Fe 2O 3 nanoparticles

DOE PAGES

Khurshid, Hafsa; Lampen-Kelley, Paula; Iglesias, Òscar; ...

2015-10-27

Disorder among surface spins largely dominates the magnetic response of ultrafine magnetic particle systems. In this work, we examine time-dependent magnetization in high-quality, monodisperse hollow maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) with a 14.8±0.5 nm outer diameter and enhanced surface-to-volume ratio. The nanoparticle ensemble exhibits spin-glass-like signatures in dc magnetic aging and memory protocols and ac magnetic susceptibility. The dynamics of the system slow near 50 K, and becomes frozen on experimental time scales below 20 K. Remanence curves indicate the development of magnetic irreversibility concurrent with the freezing of the spin dynamics. A strong exchange-bias effect and its training behavior point tomore » highly frustrated surface spins that rearrange much more slowly than interior spins with bulk coordination. Monte Carlo simulations of a hollow particle reproducing the experimental morphology corroborate strongly disordered surface layers with complex energy landscapes that underlie both glass-like dynamics and magnetic irreversibility. Calculated hysteresis loops reveal that magnetic behavior is not identical at the inner and outer surfaces, with spins at the outer surface layer of the 15 nm hollow particles exhibiting a higher degree of frustration. Lastly, our combined experimental and simulated results shed light on the origin of spin-glass-like phenomena and the important role played by the surface spins in magnetic hollow nanostructures.« less

Spin-glass-like freezing of inner and outer surface layers in hollow γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Khurshid, Hafsa; Lampen-Kelley, Paula; Iglesias, Òscar; Alonso, Javier; Phan, Manh-Huong; Sun, Cheng-Jun; Saboungi, Marie-Louise; Srikanth, Hariharan

2015-01-01

Disorder among surface spins is a dominant factor in the magnetic response of magnetic nanoparticle systems. In this work, we examine time-dependent magnetization in high-quality, monodisperse hollow maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) with a 14.8 ± 0.5 nm outer diameter and enhanced surface-to-volume ratio. The nanoparticle ensemble exhibits spin-glass-like signatures in dc magnetic aging and memory protocols and ac magnetic susceptibility. The dynamics of the system slow near 50 K, and become frozen on experimental time scales below 20 K. Remanence curves indicate the development of magnetic irreversibility concurrent with the freezing of the spin dynamics. A strong exchange-bias effect and its training behavior point to highly frustrated surface spins that rearrange much more slowly than interior spins. Monte Carlo simulations of a hollow particle corroborate strongly disordered surface layers with complex energy landscapes that underlie both glass-like dynamics and magnetic irreversibility. Calculated hysteresis loops reveal that magnetic behavior is not identical at the inner and outer surfaces, with spins at the outer surface layer of the 15 nm hollow particles exhibiting a higher degree of frustration. Our combined experimental and simulated results shed light on the origin of spin-glass-like phenomena and the important role played by the surface spins in magnetic hollow nanostructures. PMID:26503506

An introduction to Kundalini yoga meditation techniques that are specific for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

PubMed

Shannahoff-Khalsa, David S

2004-02-01

The ancient system of Kundalini yoga includes a vast array of meditation techniques and many were discovered to be specific for treating the psychiatric disorders as we know them today. One such technique was found to be specific for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the fourth most common psychiatric disorder, and the tenth most disabling disorder worldwide. Two published clinical trials are described here for treating OCD using a specific Kundalini yoga protocol. This OCD protocol also includes techniques that are useful for a wide range of anxiety disorders, as well as a technique specific for learning to manage fear, one for tranquilizing an angry mind, one for meeting mental challenges, and one for turning negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Part of that protocol is included here and published in detail elsewhere. In addition, a number of other disorder-specific meditation techniques are included here to help bring these tools to the attention of the medical and scientific community. These techniques are specific for phobias, addictive and substance abuse disorders, major depressive disorders, dyslexia, grief, insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Virginia Woolf, neuroprogression, and bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Boeira, Manuela V; Berni, Gabriela de Á; Passos, Ives C; Kauer-Sant'Anna, Márcia; Kapczinski, Flávio

2017-01-01

Family history and traumatic experiences are factors linked to bipolar disorder. It is known that the lifetime risk of bipolar disorder in relatives of a bipolar proband are 5-10% for first degree relatives and 40-70% for monozygotic co-twins. It is also known that patients with early childhood trauma present earlier onset of bipolar disorder, increased number of manic episodes, and more suicide attempts. We have recently reported that childhood trauma partly mediates the effect of family history on bipolar disorder diagnosis. In light of these findings from the scientific literature, we reviewed the work of British writer Virginia Woolf, who allegedly suffered from bipolar disorder. Her disorder was strongly related to her family background. Moreover, Virginia Woolf was sexually molested by her half siblings for nine years. Her bipolar disorder symptoms presented a pernicious course, associated with hospitalizations, suicidal behavioral, and functional impairment. The concept of neuroprogression has been used to explain the clinical deterioration that takes places in a subgroup of bipolar disorder patients. The examination of Virgina Woolf's biography and art can provide clinicians with important insights about the course of bipolar disorder.

Inflammatory bowel disease: An archetype disorder of outer environment sensor systems

PubMed Central

Actis, Giovanni C; Rosina, Floriano

2013-01-01

The pathogenesis of the two inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) phenotypes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) has remained elusive, thus frustrating attempts at defining a cure. IBD often presents as a complex inflammatory process wherein colon lesions (UC) or widespread ulceration and fissure (CD) might be accompanied by ancillary extra-intestinal manifestations involving the eye, skin, joints or liver, but also by full-blown “autoimmune” disorders from psoriasis and multiple sclerosis to rheumatoid arthritis; attempts at unraveling a link or a hierarchical order in these entities have proven almost fruitless. More recently, the input of genetics has suggested that the IBDs might be multi-organ inflammatory processes, elicited by a large number of low-penetrance susceptibility genes, with environmental factors needed to induce full-blown disease. At a noteworthy exception to this rule, the description of the nucleotide-oligomerization domain (NOD) gene mutations in CD came at the beginning of the 2000s: the NOD-LRR are part of a highly conserved microbial sensor system which respond to bacterial peptidoglycans by mounting an inflammatory response. At least in Caucasian patients, the prevalently loss-of-function mutation of NOD permitted to unexpectedly define CD as an immune deficiency state, and upon its recent description in apparently unrelated disorders such as the Blau syndrome (a granulomatous pediatric syndrome), and perhaps in psoriasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, has contributed to revolutionize our view of IBD and CD in particular. The latter affection, together with psoriasis and chronic pulmonary disease can now be included into a newly identified category named “barrier organ disease”, wherein a barrier organ is defined as a large mucosal or epithelial surface with an abundant metagenomic microbial population and an underneath reactive tissue, the whole structure being in contact with the outer environment and capable to react to it. Personalized treatments and empowerment of research across different disease phenotypes should be the advantages of this novel mindset. PMID:23919214

Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Disorders of Aging.

PubMed

Mattis, Joanna; Sehgal, Amita

2016-04-01

Sleep-wake cycles are known to be disrupted in people with neurodegenerative disorders. These findings are now supported by data from animal models for some of these disorders, raising the question of whether the disrupted sleep/circadian regulation contributes to the loss of neural function. As circadian rhythms and sleep consolidation also break down with normal aging, changes in these may be part of what makes aging a risk factor for disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mechanisms underlying the connection between circadian/sleep dysregulation and neurodegeneration remain unclear, but several recent studies provide interesting possibilities. While mechanistic analysis is under way, it is worth considering treatment of circadian/sleep disruption as a means to alleviate symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Kant on mental disorder. Part 2: philosophical implications of Kant's account.

PubMed

Frierson, Patrick

2009-09-01

This paper considers various philosophical problems arising from Kant's account of mental disorder. Starting with the reasons why Kant considered his theory of mental disorder important, I then turn to the implications of this theory of Kant's metaphysics, epistemology and ethics. Given Kant's account of insanity as 'a totally different standpoint... from which one sees all objects differently' (7: 216), the Critique of Pure Reason should be read as offering a more social epistemology than typically recognized. Also, mental disorders that seem to undermine human freedom and rationality raise problems for Kant's moral philosophy that his pragmatic anthropology helps to mitigate. Finally, I propose some implications of Kant's account of mental disorder for contemporary work on mental illness.

The Review on the Charge Distribution on the Conductor Surface

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matehkolaee, M. Jafari; Asrami, A. Naderi

2013-01-01

In this paper we have a full review on the surface charge density at disordered conductor surfaces. Basically, reading text books does not resolve ambiguities in this field. As far as is possible, we have tried to the concepts easier to turn. In fact we will answer two questions. One of them is that why do charges tend to go where the curvature is…

The arcuate nucleus of the C57BL/6J mouse hindbrain is a displaced part of the inferior olive.

PubMed

Fu, Yu Hong; Watson, Charles

2012-01-01

The arcuate nucleus is a prominent cell group in the human hindbrain, characterized by its position on the pial surface of the pyramid. It is considered to be a precerebellar nucleus and has been implicated in the pathology of several disorders of respiration. An arcuate nucleus has not been convincingly demonstrated in other mammals, but we have found a similarly positioned nucleus in the C57BL/6J mouse. The mouse arcuate nucleus consists of a variable group of neurons lying on the pial surface of the pyramid. The nucleus is continuous with the ventrolateral part of the principal nucleus of the inferior olive and both groups are calbindin positive. At first we thought that this mouse nucleus was homologous with the human arcuate nucleus, but we have discovered that the neurons of the human nucleus are calbindin negative, and are therefore not olivary in nature. We have compared the mouse arcuate neurons with those of the inferior olive in terms of molecular markers and cerebellar projection. The neurons of the arcuate nucleus and of the inferior olive share three major characteristics: they both contain neurons utilizing glutamate, serotonin or acetylcholine as neurotransmitters; they both project to the contralateral cerebellum, and they both express a number of genes not present in the major mossy fiber issuing precerebellar nuclei. Most importantly, both cell groups express calbindin in an area of the ventral hindbrain almost completely devoid of calbindin-positive cells. We conclude that the neurons of the hindbrain mouse arcuate nucleus are a displaced part of the inferior olive, possibly separated by the caudal growth of the pyramidal tract during development. The arcuate nucleus reported in the C57BL/6J mouse can therefore be regarded as a subgroup of the rostral inferior olive, closely allied with the ventral tier of the principal nucleus. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Part-time sick leave as a treatment method for individuals with musculoskeletal disorders.

PubMed

Andrén, Daniela; Svensson, Mikael

2012-09-01

There is increasing evidence that staying active is an important part of a recovery process for individuals on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It has been suggested that using part-time sick-leave rather than full-time sick leave will enhance the possibility of full recovery to the workforce, and several countries actively favor this policy. The aim of this paper is to examine if it is beneficial for individuals on sick leave due to MSDs to be on part-time sick leave compared to full-time sick leave. A sample of 1,170 employees from the RFV-LS (register) database of the Social Insurance Agency of Sweden is used. The effect of being on part-time sick leave compared to full-time sick leave is estimated for the probability of returning to work with full recovery of lost work capacity. A two-stage recursive bivariate probit model is used to deal with the endogeneity problem. The results indicate that employees assigned to part-time sick leave do recover to full work capacity with a higher probability than those assigned to full-time sick leave. The average treatment effect of part-time sick leave is 25 percentage points. Considering that part-time sick leave may also be less expensive than assigning individuals to full-time sick leave, this would imply efficiency improvements from assigning individuals, when possible, to part-time sick leave.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Case Study

PubMed Central

Glass, Leila; Mattson, Sarah N.

2017-01-01

This grand rounds manuscript reviews important considerations in developing case conceptualizations for individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure. This case study provides an introduction to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, diagnostic issues, a detailed description of the individual's history, presenting symptoms, neuropsychological test results, and an integrated summary. We describe a 9-year old girl diagnosed with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD): Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE). This patient is a composite of a prototypical child who participated as part of a research project at the Center for Behavioral Teratology who was subsequently seen at an outpatient child psychiatry facility. PMID:28948136

Recognition and management of eating disorders in children and young people.

PubMed

Oakley, Thomas James; Dey, Indranil; Discombe, Sandra; Fitzpatrick, Lynn; Paul, Siba Prosad

2017-10-25

Eating disorders form a group of mental health conditions characterised by abnormal eating habits and are associated with high mortality rates. This article provides nurses working in various settings with evidence-based strategies to identify, manage and refer children and young people with eating disorders. It explores what eating disorders are, and their association with physical and psychiatric co-morbidities. Eating disorders have a significant effect on children and young people's health and development, and nurses have a vital role in managing them. This article presents a case study that illustrates some of the challenges nurses may experience when managing children and young people with eating disorders. ©2012 RCN Publishing Company Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be copied, transmitted or recorded in any way, in whole or part, without prior permission of the publishers.

75 FR 60271 - Technical Amendments 2010

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-29

... Part VI Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 30 CFR... INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 30 CFR Parts 740, 761, 773, 795, 816, 817...: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We, the...

Surface Coating of Plastic Parts for Business Machines (Industrial Surface Coating): New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Learn more about the new source performance standards (NSPS) for surface coating of plastic parts for business machines by reading the rule summary and history and finding the code of federal regulations as well as related rules.

Dual-eligibles with Mental Disorders and Medicare Part D: How are they faring?

PubMed Central

Donohue, Julie M.; Huskamp, Haiden A.; Zuvekas, Samuel H.

2009-01-01

In 2006, 6 million beneficiaries who were dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid switched from Medicaid to Medicare Part D coverage of their prescription drugs. This change led to a significant expansion of Medicare’s role in financing psychotropic medications for this group. A reduction in the number of plans serving dual-eligibles and an increase in utilization restrictions for some psychotropics since 2006 raises concerns about medication access for dual-eligibles with mental disorders and point to potential problems with adverse selection. To improve access to medication for this population, Medicare might consider changes to the enrollment and risk-sharing systems. PMID:19414883

[Oxidative Stress Derived from Airborne Fine and Ultrafine Particles and the Effects on Brain-Nervous System: Part 2].

PubMed

Sagai, Masaru; Tin Win-Shwe, Tin

2015-01-01

Traffic-related air pollution is a major contributor to urban air pollution. Diesel exhaust (DE) is its most important component of near-road and urban air pollutions and is commonly used as a surrogate model of air pollution in health effects studies. In particular, diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) and nanoparticles in DEPs are the components considered hazardous for health. It is widely known that exposure to DEPs is associated with mortality caused by respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, evidence has been accumulating showing that DEPs and nanoparticles may cause neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we introduce evidence suggesting their association with these disorders. The chemical components and the translocation of DEPs and nanoparticles to the brain are described in part 1. In part 2, we introduce the mechanism of development of neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease via oxidative stress and inflammatory events. Furthermore, there are many lines of epidemiological evidence showing that the particulates impair cognitive function and ability of memory through oxidative and inflammatory events in the brain. These lines of evidences are supported by many animal experiments on neurological disorders.

A cross-syndrome study of the development of holistic face recognition in children with autism, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome.

PubMed

Annaz, Dagmara; Karmiloff-Smith, Annette; Johnson, Mark H; Thomas, Michael S C

2009-04-01

We report a cross-syndrome comparison of the development of holistic processing in face recognition in school-aged children with developmental disorders: autism, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome. The autism group was split into two groups: one with high-functioning children and one with low-functioning children. The latter group has rarely been studied in this context. The four disorder groups were compared with typically developing children. Cross-sectional trajectory analyses were used to compare development in a modified version of Tanaka and Farah's part-whole task. Trajectories were constructed linking part-whole performance either to chronological age or to several measures of mental age (receptive vocabulary, visuospatial construction, and the Benton Facial Recognition Test). In addition to variable delays in onset and rate of development, we found an atypical profile in all disorder groups. These profiles were atypical in different ways, indicating multiple pathways to, and variable outcomes in, the development of face recognition. We discuss the implications for theories of face recognition in both atypical and typical development, including the idea that part-whole and rotation manipulations may tap different aspects of holistic and/or configural processing.

Skills Practice in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Suicidal Women Meeting Criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindenboim, Noam; Comtois, Katherine Anne; Linehan, Marsha M.

2007-01-01

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based practice for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and suicidal behavior that has been replicated with a variety of populations. Patients' practice of behavioral skills taught in the group skills training component of DBT may be partly responsible for the positive treatment outcomes according…

The Conditions of Beginning Reading Instruction for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spector, Janet E.; Cavanaugh, Brian J.

2015-01-01

A disproportionate number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are below grade level in reading. This trend may be due in part to characteristics of the disability, but it may also reflect lack of access to the instructional conditions needed for success in beginning reading. In this study, we surveyed special education teachers to…

Cell Model Of A Disordered Solid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peng, Steven T. J.; Landel, Robert F.; Moacanin, Jovan; Simha, Robert; Papazoglou, Elizabeth

1990-01-01

Elastic properties predicted from first principles. Paper discusses generalization of cell theory of disordered (non-crystaline) solid to include anisotropic stresses. Study part of continuing effort to understand macroscopic stress-and-strain properties of solid materials in terms of microscopic physical phenomena. Emphasis on derivation, from first principles, of bulk, shear, and Young's moduli of glassy material at zero absolute temperature.

State Guidance Documents for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Content and Comparison

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coakley, Tom

2010-01-01

The dramatic increase in the identification of young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) beginning in the 1980s presented many challenges to State Education Agencies responsible for Special Education for school aged children and State Part C Lead Agencies responsible for Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers under the…

Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Causal Mechanisms and Recent Findings on Attention and Emotion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bryson, Susan E.; Landry, Reginald; Czapinski, Patrycja; McConnell, Beth; Rombough, Vicki; Wainwright, Ann

2004-01-01

This paper provides an overview of selective research on autism. Autism forms part of a spectrum of related developmental disorders that vary in severity. Both their prevalence and severity argue for concerted efforts aimed at improving our understanding and treatment of the many individuals affected. We begin by outlining an important discovery…

Elephants in Pyjamas: Testing the Weak Central Coherence Account of Autism Spectrum Disorders Using a Syntactic Disambiguation Task

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riches, N. G.; Loucas, T.; Baird, G.; Charman, T.; Simonoff, E.

2016-01-01

According to the weak central coherence (CC) account individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exhibit enhanced local processing and weak part-whole integration. CC was investigated in the verbal domain. Adolescents, recruited using a 2 (ASD status) by 2 (language impairment status) design, completed an aural forced choice comprehension…

Assessing Teachers' Attitudes towards Students with Mental Health Disorders in 16 Postsecondary Institutions in Quebec

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

St-Onge, Myreille; Lemyre, Alexandre

2018-01-01

The number of students with mental health disorders (MHDs) in postsecondary institutions is increasing. Teachers' attitudes are among the main factors that influence these students' academic success. Unfortunately, their attitudes are little studied, in part because of lack of validated scales. Therefore, this article has two purposes: (1) analyse…

Help-Seeking Stigma in Asian American College Women: The Role of Disordered Eating Cognitions and Psychological Inflexibility

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Masuda, Akihiko; Goodnight, Bradly L.; Ng, Stacey Y.; Ward Schaefer, L.; Tully, Erin C.; Chan, Wing Yi; Drake, Chad E.

2017-01-01

Help-seeking stigma is considered a major obstacle to seeking professional psychological services in Asian American college women. Informed in part by objectification theory and the psychological flexibility model of behavior change, the present cross-sectional study examines the role of disordered eating cognition and psychological inflexibility…

Your Family and Managed Care: A Guide for Families of Children with Mental, Emotional or Behavioral Disorders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Washington, DC.

Designed for parents of children with mental, emotional, or behavior disorders, this booklet provides information on accessing mental health services through health maintenance organizations. The first part of the guide provides information on how managed care can improve children's access to behavioral health services through expanded service…

Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons with Co-Occurring Disorders. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 42

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005

2005-01-01

Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs), developed by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), are best-practice guidelines for the treatment of substance use disorders. CSAT draws on the experience…

The Effect of Gestational Age on Symptom Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Movsas, Tammy Z.; Paneth, Nigel

2012-01-01

Between 2006 and 2010, two research-validated instruments, Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) were filled out online by 4,188 mothers of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children, aged 4-21, as part of voluntary parental participation in a large web-based registry. Univariate and multivariate linear…

Conceptualizing and Treating Social Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Focus Group Study with Multidisciplinary Professionals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spain, Debbie; Rumball, Freya; O'Neill, Lucy; Sin, Jacqueline; Prunty, Jonathan; Happé, Francesca

2017-01-01

Background: Individuals who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD) commonly experience social anxiety (SA). Disentangling SA symptoms from core ASD characteristics is complex, partly due to diagnostic overshadowing and co-occurring alexithymia. Causal and maintaining mechanisms for SA in ASD are underexplored, but it is feasible that there is an ASD…

Regression of Language and Non-Language Skills in Pervasive Developmental Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meilleur, A. -A. S.; Fombonne, E.

2009-01-01

Background: As part of the pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), there is a subgroup of individuals reported to have a different onset of symptom appearance consisting of an apparently normal early development, followed by a loss of verbal and/or non-verbal skills prior to 2 years of age. This study aims at comparing the symptomatology of…

Measuring Theory of Mind in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brewer, Neil; Young, Robyn L.; Barnett, Emily

2017-01-01

Deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM)--the ability to interpret others' beliefs, intentions and emotions--undermine the ability of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to interact in socially normative ways. This study provides psychometric data for the Adult-Theory of Mind (A-ToM) measure using video-scenarios based in part on Happé's…

Development of the NIDA-Funded Center on Substance Abuse and Mental Illness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Singer, Mark I.; Kola, Lenore A.; Biegel, David E.

2008-01-01

This article describes one school's effort to establish a social work research development center in the area of coexisting drug and mental disorders (dual disorders), within the context of the social work profession's efforts to compete more effectively for federal research grants. This center was funded as part of a successful application in…

The Role of Family Experiences and ADHD in the Early Development of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harvey, Elizabeth A.; Metcalfe, Lindsay A.; Herbert, Sharonne D.; Fanton, John H.

2011-01-01

Objective: The present study examined the role of family experiences in the early development and maintenance of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms in preschool-age children with behavior problems. Method: Participants were 199 3-year-old children with behavior problems who took part in 4 annual child and family assessments. Results:…

Working Bibliography on Behavioral and Emotional Disorders and Assessment Instruments in Mental Retardation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aman, Michael G.

This working bibliography was compiled as part of an extensive review of instruments used for assessing behavioral and emotional disorders in persons with mental retardation. The literature search went back to the early 1970s and included computer searches as well as survey responses from 50 prominent workers in the field, responses from…

Analysis of Behavioural Responding across Multiple Instructional Conditions for a Child with Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, Stacy L.; Wheeler, John J.

2007-01-01

The effects of multiple instructional conditions on self-injury/aggression and on-task behaviours were assessed with a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with childhood disintegrative disorder. Behavioural responses were assessed as part of an educational evaluation to determine the occurrence of target behaviours in relation to varying degrees of…

Measuring Anxiety as a Treatment Endpoint in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lecavalier, Luc; Wood, Jeffrey J.; Halladay, Alycia K.; Jones, Nancy E.; Aman, Michael G.; Cook, Edwin H.; Handen, Benjamin L.; King, Bryan H.; Pearson, Deborah A.; Hallett, Victoria; Sullivan, Katherine Anne; Grondhuis, Sabrina; Bishop, Somer L.; Horrigan, Joseph P.; Dawson, Geraldine; Scahill, Lawrence

2014-01-01

Despite the high rate of anxiety in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), measuring anxiety in ASD is fraught with uncertainty. This is due, in part, to incomplete consensus on the manifestations of anxiety in this population. Autism Speaks assembled a panel of experts to conduct a systematic review of available measures for anxiety in…

Early Intervention Outcomes for Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noyes-Grosser, Donna M.; Elbaum, Batya; Wu, Yan; Siegenthaler, Kirsten M.; Cavalari, Rachel S.; Gillis, Jennifer M.; Romanczyk, Raymond G.

2018-01-01

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be diagnosed as early as 18 months of age. State Early Intervention (EI) programs under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are serving increasing numbers of children with ASD; however, little is known about outcomes of these services. This study evaluated the impact of EI for…

Developing a Schedule to Identify Social Communication Difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children with Visual Impairment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Absoud, Michael; Parr, Jeremy R.; Salt, Alison; Dale, Naomi

2011-01-01

Available observational tools used in the identification of social communication difficulties and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rely partly on visual behaviours and therefore may not be valid in children with visual impairment. A pilot observational instrument, the Visual Impairment and Social Communication Schedule (VISS), was…

Overuse of Psychotropic Medications among Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Perspective from a Developing Country

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Memari, Amir Hossein; Ziaee, Vahid; Beygi, Sara; Moshayedi, Pouria; Mirfazeli, Fatemeh Sadat

2012-01-01

Psychopharmacotherapy can be an effective part of the treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However debate continues over the potential benefits and costs of these treatments; additionally little is known about the pattern of psychotropic medication use in developing countries. We aimed to survey the use of psychotropic…

Evidence-Based Practices in Interventions for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Odom, Samuel L.; Collet-Klingenberg, Lana; Rogers, Sally J.; Hatton, Deborah D.

2010-01-01

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) are the basis on which teachers and other service providers are required to design educational programs for learners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). As part of their work with the National Professional Development Center (NPDC) on ASD, researchers developed a process for reviewing the research literature and…

ADHD: Not Just a Childhood Disorder--A Discussion of Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dodson, William

2008-01-01

While many people tend to think of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a childhood problem, at least two-thirds of children with ADHD maintain symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity into adulthood. This article presents the fifth of a 10-part series exploring ADHD. The author provides some background…

Peer Rejection and Friendships in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Contributions to Long-Term Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mrug, Sylvie; Molina, Brooke S. G.; Hoza, Betsy; Gerdes, Alyson C.; Hinshaw, Stephen P.; Hechtman, Lily; Arnold, L. Eugene

2012-01-01

Even after evidence-based treatment, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with poor long-term outcomes. These outcomes may be partly explained by difficulties in peer functioning, which are common among children with ADHD and which do not respond optimally to standard ADHD treatments. We examined whether peer rejection and…

Academic Instruction and Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hagaman, Jessica L.

2012-01-01

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are known to experience academic deficits across core subject areas such as reading and mathematics. Until recently, less attention had been paid to the academic deficits of students with EBD. This was due, in part, to a common belief that academic deficits could not be addressed until problem…

The Influence of Thought Suppression and Cognitive Load on Intrusions and Memory Processes following an Analogue Stressor

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nixon, Reginald D. V.; Cain, Neralie; Nehmy, Thomas; Seymour, Melanie

2009-01-01

Ironic Process Theory and the role of thought suppression have been used in part to explain the phenomenon of intrusive memories in various disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder. How thought suppression interacts with other cognitive processes believed to be instrumental in the development of traumatic intrusive memory is unclear. In…

Differential Amygdala Response to Lower Face in Patients with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: An fMRI Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ishitobi, Makoto; Kosaka, Hirotaka; Omori, Masao; Matsumura, Yukiko; Munesue, Toshio; Mizukami, Kimiko; Shimoyama, Tomohiro; Murata, Tetsuhito; Sadato, Norihiro; Okazawa, Hidehiko; Wada, Yuji

2011-01-01

Much functional neuroimaging evidence indicates that autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) demonstrate marked brain abnormalities in face processing. Most of these findings were obtained from studies using tasks related to whole faces. However, individuals with ASD tend to rely more on individual parts of the face for identification than on the…

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Underlying Brain Mechanism in the Oculoauriculovertebral Spectrum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johansson, Maria; Billstedt, Eva; Danielsson, Susanna; Stromland, Kerstin; Miller, Marilyn; Granstrom, Gosta; Flodmark, Olof; Rastam, Maria; Gillberg, Christopher

2007-01-01

As part of a multidisciplinary study, the rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disability (LD), and brain abnormalities was examined in 20 participants (12 males, 8 females; age range 8mo-17y, mean age 8y 1mo) diagnosed as falling within the oculoauriculovertebral spectrum (OAV). A neuropsychiatric examination was performed, including…

Validity of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaat, Aaron J.; Lecavalier, Luc; Aman, Michael G.

2014-01-01

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a widely used measure in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment studies. We conducted confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses of the ABC in 1,893 children evaluated as part of the Autism Treatment Network. The root mean square error of approximation was .086 for the standard item assignment, and in…

"It is caused of the womans part or of the mans part": the role of gender in the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction in early modern England.

PubMed

Evans, Jennifer

2011-01-01

Philip Barrough wrote in 1590 that barrenness 'is caused of the womans part or of the mans part'. By the eighteenth century, however, barrenness was perceived as a female disorder distinguished from male impotence. Few historians have addressed the uncertainty surrounding early modern definitions of infertility, choosing instead to adopt set terms that fit comfortably with modern ideas. This article will highlight the difficulties surrounding the gender distinction of the terms 'barrenness' and 'impotence' during this period. Moreover, the discussion will examine the role of gender in diagnosing these disorders to sufferers. The article will argue that ideas of gender were more central to diagnosis of poor sexual health than to effectual treatment. Although it appears that barrenness and impotence were treated with separate remedies, many treatments were described as effectual for both sexes. Additionally, the ingredients used in such recipes were often sexual stimulants explained without reference to gender.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Accelerated Castings on Marginal Fit and Surface Roughness

PubMed Central

Jadhav, Vivek Dattatray; Motwani, Bhagwan K.; Shinde, Jitendra; Adhapure, Prasad

2017-01-01

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal fit and surface roughness of complete cast crowns made by a conventional and an accelerated casting technique. Settings and Design: This study was divided into three parts. In Part I, the marginal fit of full metal crowns made by both casting techniques in the vertical direction was checked, in Part II, the fit of sectional metal crowns in the horizontal direction made by both casting techniques was checked, and in Part III, the surface roughness of disc-shaped metal plate specimens made by both casting techniques was checked. Materials and Methods: A conventional technique was compared with an accelerated technique. In Part I of the study, the marginal fit of the full metal crowns as well as in Part II, the horizontal fit of sectional metal crowns made by both casting techniques was determined, and in Part III, the surface roughness of castings made with the same techniques was compared. Statistical Analysis Used: The results of the t-test and independent sample test do not indicate statistically significant differences in the marginal discrepancy detected between the two casting techniques. Results: For the marginal discrepancy and surface roughness, crowns fabricated with the accelerated technique were significantly different from those fabricated with the conventional technique. Conclusions: Accelerated casting technique showed quite satisfactory results, but the conventional technique was superior in terms of marginal fit and surface roughness. PMID:29042726

ICD-10 classification in Danish child and adolescent psychiatry--have diagnoses changed after the introduction of ICD-10?

PubMed

Møller, Lene Ruge; Sørensen, Merete Juul; Thomsen, Per Hove

2007-01-01

The aim was to test this in a nationwide register study of diagnoses used in child and adolescents psychiatry in Denmark. A larger number of different diagnoses were expected to be applied after the introduction of the 10th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Reflecting the time trend, we particularly expected an increase in the number of neuropsychiatric diagnoses. From the Danish Psychiatric Central Register data were drawn on clinical discharge diagnoses. All patients aged 0-15 years examined at psychiatric hospitals from 1995-2002 were included; 22,469 children and adolescents with a first contact were registered. The most frequent discharge diagnoses were pervasive development disorders (PDD; 11.9%), adjustment disorders (10.6%), conduct disorder (9.5%), emotional and anxiety disorders (7.6%), hyperkinetic disorders (7.3%), and specific developmental disorders (7.3%). We found a significant increase in the number of neuropsychiatric and affective diagnoses and a significant decrease in the number of adjustment, conduct and anxiety diagnoses during the study period. Of the 22,469 diagnoses, 45% were only partly specified according to ICD-10. Thirty-four per cent had diagnoses unspecified on the four-character level (Fxx.9) and 11% had Z-diagnoses. A larger number of different diagnoses and an increase in the use of neuropsychiatric diagnoses were seen after the introduction of ICD-10. Many diagnoses were only partly specified; consequently, a more detailed specification of the ICD-10 is still required.

Ordered and disordered dynamics in monolayers of rolling particles.

PubMed

Kim, Byungsoo; Putkaradze, Vakhtang

2010-12-10

We consider the ordered and disordered dynamics for monolayers of rolling self-interacting particles modeling water molecules. The rolling constraint represents a simplified model of a strong, but rapidly decaying bond with the surface. We show the existence and nonlinear stability of ordered lattice states, as well as disturbance propagation through and chaotic vibrations of these states. We study the dynamics of disordered gas states and show that there is a surprising and universal linear connection between distributions of angular and linear velocity, allowing definition of temperature.

Surface morphology of chitin highly related with the isolated body part of butterfly (Argynnis pandora).

PubMed

Kaya, Murat; Bitim, Betül; Mujtaba, Muhammad; Koyuncu, Turgay

2015-11-01

This study was conducted to understand the differences in the physicochemical properties of chitin samples isolated from the wings and the other body parts except the wings (OBP) of a butterfly species (Argynnis pandora). The same isolation method was used for obtaining chitin specimens from both types of body parts. The chitin content of the wings (22%) was recorded as being much higher than the OBP (8%). The extracted chitin samples were characterized via FT-IR, TGA, XRD, SEM, and elemental analysis techniques. Results of these characterizations revealed that the chitins from both structures (wings and OBP) were very similar, except for their surface morphologies. SEM results demonstrated one type of surface morphology for the wings and four different surface morphologies for the OBP. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that the surface morphology of the chitin is highly related with the body part. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Richards-Gebaur AFB, Missouri Limited Surface Observations Climatic Summary (LISOCS). Parts A, C-F.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-07-01

Pressure" summaries for METAR stations. Table of Contents: AWS Form 2 "Station History " Part 1: Weather Conditions Part 2: Surface Winds Part 3...LOCATION AND INSTRUMENTATION HISTORY NUNiER TYPE 4T THIS LOCATION ELEVATION ABOVE NSL 065 or GEVORWICALL LOCATION I AIME Of LATITUDE LO4CI3 U01 PER

Dynamic measurement of surface strain distribution on the foot during walking.

PubMed

Ito, Kohta; Maeda, Kosuke; Fujiwara, Ikumi; Hosoda, Koh; Nagura, Takeo; Lee, Taeyong; Ogihara, Naomichi

2017-05-01

To clarify the mechanism underlying the development of foot disorders such as diabetic ulcers and deformities, it is important to understand how the foot surface elongates and contracts during gait. Such information is also helpful for improving the prevention and treatment of foot disorders. We therefore measured temporal changes in the strain distribution on the foot surface during human walking. Five adult male participants walked across a glass platform placed over an angled mirror set in a wooden walkway at a self-selected speed and the dorsolateral and plantar surfaces of the foot were filmed using two pairs of synchronized high-speed cameras. Three-dimensional (3D) digital image correlation was used to quantify the spatial strain distribution on the foot surface with respect to that during quiet standing. Using the proposed method, we observed the 3D patterns of foot surface strain distribution during walking. Large strain was generated around the ball on the plantar surface of the foot throughout the entire stance phase, due to the windlass mechanism. The dorsal surface around the cuboid was stretched in the late stance phase, possibly due to lateral protruding movement of the cuboid. It may be possible to use this technique to non-invasively estimate movements of the foot bones under the skin using the surface strain distribution. The proposed technique may be an effective tool with which to analyze foot deformation in the fields of diabetology, clinical orthopedics, and ergonomics. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Polishing compound for plastic surfaces

DOEpatents

Stowell, Michael S.

1995-01-01

A polishing compound for plastic surfaces. The compound contains by weight approximately 4 to 17 parts at least one petroleum distillate lubricant, 1 to 6 parts mineral spirits, 2.5 to 15 parts abrasive particles, and 2.5 to 10 parts water. The abrasive is tripoli or a similar material that contains fine particles silica. Preferably, most of the abrasive particles are less than approximately 10 microns, more preferably less than approximately 5 microns in size. The compound is used on PLEXIGLAS.TM., LEXAN.TM., LUCITE.TM., polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and similar plastic materials whenever a smooth, clear polished surface is desired.

Polishing compound for plastic surfaces

DOEpatents

Stowell, M.S.

1993-01-01

A polishing compound for plastic surfaces is disclosed. The compound contains by weight approximately 4 to 17 parts at least one petroleum distillate lubricant, 1 to 6 parts mineral spirits, 2.5 to 15 parts abrasive particles, and 2.5 to 10 parts water. The abrasive is tripoli or a similar material that contains colloidal silica. Preferably, most of the abrasive particles are less than approximately 10 microns, more preferably less than approximately 5 microns in size. The compound is used on PLEXIGLAS{sup TM}, LEXAN{sup TM}, LUCITE{sup TM}, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and similar plastic materials whenever a smooth, clear polished surface is desired.

Polishing compound for plastic surfaces

DOEpatents

Stowell, M.S.

1995-08-22

A polishing compound for plastic surfaces is disclosed. The compound contains by weight approximately 4 to 17 parts at least one petroleum distillate lubricant, 1 to 6 parts mineral spirits, 2.5 to 15 parts abrasive particles, and 2.5 to 10 parts water. The abrasive is tripoli or a similar material that contains fine particles silica. Preferably, most of the abrasive particles are less than approximately 10 microns, more preferably less than approximately 5 microns in size. The compound is used on PLEXIGLAS{trademark}, LEXAN{trademark}, LUCITE{trademark}, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and similar plastic materials whenever a smooth, clear polished surface is desired. 5 figs.

Single Subject Prediction of Brain Disorders in Neuroimaging: Promises and Pitfalls

PubMed Central

Arbabshirani, Mohammad R.; Plis, Sergey; Sui, Jing; Calhoun, Vince D.

2016-01-01

Neuroimaging-based single subject prediction of brain disorders has gained increasing attention in recent years. Using a variety of neuroimaging modalities such as structural, functional and diffusion MRI, along with machine learning techniques, hundreds of studies have been carried out for accurate classification of patients with heterogeneous mental and neurodegenerative disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. More than 500 studies have been published during the past quarter century on single subject prediction focused on a multiple brain disorders. In the first part of this study, we provide a survey of more than 200 reports in this field with a focus on schizophrenia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), depressive disorders, autism spectrum disease (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Detailed information about those studies such as sample size, type and number of extracted features and reported accuracy are summarized and discussed. To our knowledge, this is by far the most comprehensive review of neuroimaging-based single subject prediction of brain disorders. In the second part, we present our opinion on major pitfalls of those studies from a machine learning point of view. Common biases are discussed and suggestions are provided. Moreover, emerging trends such as decentralized data sharing, multimodal brain imaging, differential diagnosis, disease subtype classification and deep learning are also discussed. Based on this survey, there are extensive evidences showing the great potential of neuroimaging data for single subject prediction of various disorders. However, the main bottleneck of this exciting field is still the limited sample size, which could be potentially addressed by modern data sharing models such as the ones discussed in this paper. Emerging big data technologies and advanced data-intensive machine learning methodologies such as deep learning have coincided with an increasing need for accurate, robust and generalizable single subject prediction of brain disorders during an exciting time. In this report, we survey the past and offer some opinions regarding the road ahead. PMID:27012503

Single subject prediction of brain disorders in neuroimaging: Promises and pitfalls.

PubMed

Arbabshirani, Mohammad R; Plis, Sergey; Sui, Jing; Calhoun, Vince D

2017-01-15

Neuroimaging-based single subject prediction of brain disorders has gained increasing attention in recent years. Using a variety of neuroimaging modalities such as structural, functional and diffusion MRI, along with machine learning techniques, hundreds of studies have been carried out for accurate classification of patients with heterogeneous mental and neurodegenerative disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. More than 500 studies have been published during the past quarter century on single subject prediction focused on a multiple brain disorders. In the first part of this study, we provide a survey of more than 200 reports in this field with a focus on schizophrenia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), depressive disorders, autism spectrum disease (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Detailed information about those studies such as sample size, type and number of extracted features and reported accuracy are summarized and discussed. To our knowledge, this is by far the most comprehensive review of neuroimaging-based single subject prediction of brain disorders. In the second part, we present our opinion on major pitfalls of those studies from a machine learning point of view. Common biases are discussed and suggestions are provided. Moreover, emerging trends such as decentralized data sharing, multimodal brain imaging, differential diagnosis, disease subtype classification and deep learning are also discussed. Based on this survey, there is extensive evidence showing the great potential of neuroimaging data for single subject prediction of various disorders. However, the main bottleneck of this exciting field is still the limited sample size, which could be potentially addressed by modern data sharing models such as the ones discussed in this paper. Emerging big data technologies and advanced data-intensive machine learning methodologies such as deep learning have coincided with an increasing need for accurate, robust and generalizable single subject prediction of brain disorders during an exciting time. In this report, we survey the past and offer some opinions regarding the road ahead. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The relationship of DSM-IV pathological gambling to compulsive buying and other possible spectrum disorders: results from the Iowa PG family study.

PubMed

Black, Donald W; Coryell, William; Crowe, Raymond; Shaw, Martha; McCormick, Brett; Allen, Jeff

2015-03-30

This study investigates the possible relationship between pathological gambling (PG) and potential spectrum disorders including the DSM-IV impulse control disorders (intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, pyromania, trichotillomania) and several non-DSM disorders (compulsive buying disorder, compulsive sexual behavior, Internet addiction). PG probands, controls, and their first-degree relatives were assessed with instruments of known reliability. Detailed family history information was collected on relatives who were deceased or unavailable. Best estimate diagnoses were assigned blind to family status. The results were analyzed using logistic regression by the method of generalized estimating equations. The sample included 95 probands with PG, 91 controls, and 1075 first-degree relatives (537 PG, 538 controls). Compulsive buying disorder and having "any spectrum disorder" were more frequent in the PG probands and their first-degree relatives vs. controls and their relatives. Spectrum disorders were significantly more prevalent among PG relatives compared to control relatives (adjusted OR=8.37), though much of this difference was attributable to the contribution from compulsive buying disorder. We conclude that compulsive buying disorder is likely part of familial PG spectrum. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Size-depressed critical temperatures for the order-disorder transition of FePt, CoPt, FePb, Cu2S, and ZnS nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, R.; Zhou, Z. F.; Yang, X. X.; Guo, N. G.; Qi, W. H.; Sun, C. Q.

2013-01-01

The size dependency of the critical temperature (TC) for the order-disorder phase transitions of both the bimetallic and the chalcogenide nanoclusters is shown to follow the rule of bond order-length-strength correlation. The loss of the cohesive energy of the undercoordinated atoms in the surface skin dictates the structural stability. Theoretical reproduction of the size TC trends of FePt, CoPt, FePb, Cu2S, and ZnS nanostructures not only confirms our expectations without involving the concepts of surface energy or entropy used for continuum bulk materials but also provides guideline for engineering nanostructured alloys or compounds.

Quantitative EEG and neurofeedback in children and adolescents: anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, comorbid addiction and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and brain injury.

PubMed

Simkin, Deborah R; Thatcher, Robert W; Lubar, Joel

2014-07-01

This article explores the science surrounding neurofeedback. Both surface neurofeedback (using 2-4 electrodes) and newer interventions, such as real-time z-score neurofeedback (electroencephalogram [EEG] biofeedback) and low-resolution electromagnetic tomography neurofeedback, are reviewed. The limited literature on neurofeedback research in children and adolescents is discussed regarding treatment of anxiety, mood, addiction (with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and traumatic brain injury. Future potential applications, the use of quantitative EEG for determining which patients will be responsive to medications, the role of randomized controlled studies in neurofeedback research, and sensible clinical guidelines are considered. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Psychosocial morbidity associated with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder in psychiatric out-patients: comparative study.

PubMed

Zimmerman, Mark; Ellison, William; Morgan, Theresa A; Young, Diane; Chelminski, Iwona; Dalrymple, Kristy

2015-10-01

The morbidity associated with bipolar disorder is, in part, responsible for repeated calls for improved detection and recognition. No such commentary exists for the improved detection of borderline personality disorder. Clinical experience suggests that it is as disabling as bipolar disorder, but no study has directly compared the two disorders. To compare the levels of psychosocial morbidity in patients with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. Patients were assessed with semi-structured interviews. We compared 307 patients with DSM-IV borderline personality disorder but without bipolar disorder and 236 patients with bipolar disorder but without borderline personality disorder. The patients with borderline personality disorder less frequently were college graduates, were diagnosed with more comorbid disorders, more frequently had a history of substance use disorder, reported more suicidal ideation at the time of the evaluation, more frequently had attempted suicide, reported poorer social functioning and were rated lower on the Global Assessment of Functioning. There was no difference between the two patient groups in history of admission to psychiatric hospital or time missed from work during the past 5 years. The level of psychosocial morbidity associated with borderline personality disorder was as great as (or greater than) that experienced by patients with bipolar disorder. From a public health perspective, efforts to improve the detection and treatment of borderline personality disorder might be as important as efforts to improve the recognition and treatment of bipolar disorder. © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2015.

Sustained unemployment in psychiatric outpatients with bipolar depression compared to major depressive disorder with comorbid borderline personality disorder.

PubMed

Zimmerman, Mark; Martinez, Jennifer H; Young, Diane; Chelminski, Iwona; Dalrymple, Kristy

2012-12-01

The morbidity associated with bipolar disorder is, in part, responsible for repeated calls for improved detection and recognition. No such clinical commentary exists for improved detection of borderline personality disorder in depressed patients. Clinical experience suggests that borderline personality disorder is as disabling as bipolar disorder; however, no studies have directly compared the two disorders. For this reason we undertook the current analysis from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project comparing unemployment and disability rates in patients with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. Patients were interviewed with semi-structured interviews. We compared three non-overlapping groups of depressed patients: (i) 181 patients with DSM-IV major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder, (ii) 1068 patients with major depressive disorder without borderline personality disorder, and (iii) 84 patients with bipolar depression without borderline personality disorder. Compared to depressed patients without borderline personality disorder, depressed patients with borderline personality disorder were significantly more likely to have been persistently unemployed. A similar difference was found between patients with bipolar depression and major depressive disorder without borderline personality disorder. No differences were found between patients with bipolar depression and depression with borderline personality disorder. Both bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder were associated with impaired occupational functioning and thus carry a significant public health burden. Efforts to improve detection of borderline personality disorder in depressed patients might be as important as the recognition of bipolar disorder. © 2012 John Wiley and Sons A/S.

Psychotic and Bipolar Disorders: Bipolar Disorder.

PubMed

Holder, Sarah D

2017-04-01

Bipolar disorder is a severe chronic mental illness that affects a large number of individuals. This disorder is separated into two major types, bipolar I disorder, with mania and typically recurrent depression, and bipolar II disorder, with recurrent major depression and hypomania. Patients with bipolar disorder spend the majority of time experiencing depression, and this typically is the presenting symptom. Because outcomes are improved with earlier diagnosis and treatment, physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for bipolar disorder. The most effective long-term treatments are lithium and valproic acid, although other drugs also are used. In addition to referral to a mental health subspecialist for initiation and management of drug treatment, patients with bipolar disorder should be provided with resources for psychotherapy. Several comorbidities commonly associated with bipolar disorder include other mental disorders, substance use disorders, migraine headaches, chronic pain, stroke, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Family physicians who care for patients with bipolar disorder should focus their efforts on prevention and management of comorbidities. These patients should be assessed continually for risk of suicide because they are at high risk and their suicide attempts tend to be successful. Written permission from the American Academy of Family Physicians is required for reproduction of this material in whole or in part in any form or medium.

Understanding the latent structure of the emotional disorders in children and adolescents.

PubMed

Trosper, Sarah E; Whitton, Sarah W; Brown, Timothy A; Pincus, Donna B

2012-05-01

Investigators are persistently aiming to clarify structural relationships among the emotional disorders in efforts to improve diagnostic classification. The high co-occurrence of anxiety and mood disorders, however, has led investigators to portray the current structure of anxiety and depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV, APA 2000) as more descriptive than empirical. This study assesses various structural models in a clinical sample of youths with emotional disorders. Three a priori factor models were tested, and the model that provided the best fit to the data showed the dimensions of anxiety and mood disorders to be hierarchically organized within a single, higher-order factor. This supports the prevailing view that the co-occurrence of anxiety and mood disorders in children is in part due to a common vulnerability (e.g., negative affectivity). Depression and generalized anxiety loaded more highly onto the higher-order factor than the other disorders, a possible explanation for the particularly high rates of comorbidity between the two. Implications for the taxonomy and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders for children and adolescents are discussed.

Lysosomal Storage Disorders in the Newborn

PubMed Central

Staretz-Chacham, Orna; Lang, Tess C.; LaMarca, Mary E.; Krasnewich, Donna; Sidransky, Ellen

2009-01-01

Lysosomal storage disorders are rare inborn errors of metabolism, with a combined incidence of 1 in 1500 to 7000 live births. These relatively rare disorders are seldom considered when evaluating a sick newborn. A significant number of the >50 different lysosomal storage disorders, however, do manifest in the neonatal period and should be part of the differential diagnosis of several perinatal phenotypes. We review the earliest clinical features, diagnostic tests, and treatment options for lysosomal storage disorders that can present in the newborn. Although many of the lysosomal storage disorders are characterized by a range in phenotypes, the focus of this review is on the specific symptoms and clinical findings that present in the perinatal period, including neurologic, respiratory, endocrine, and cardiovascular manifestations, dysmorphic features, hepatosplenomegaly, skin or ocular involvement, and hydrops fetalis/congenital ascites. A greater awareness of these features may help to reduce misdiagnosis and promote the early detection of lysosomal storage disorders. Implementing therapy at the earliest stage possible is crucial for several of the lysosomal storage disorders; hence, an early appreciation of these disorders by physicians who treat newborns is essential. PMID:19336380

Psychiatric emergencies (part II): psychiatric disorders coexisting with organic diseases.

PubMed

Testa, A; Giannuzzi, R; Sollazzo, F; Petrongolo, L; Bernardini, L; Dain, S

2013-02-01

In this Part II psychiatric disorders coexisting with organic diseases are discussed. "Comorbidity phenomenon" defines the not univocal interrelation between medical illnesses and psychiatric disorders, each other negatively influencing morbidity and mortality. Most severe psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, show increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, related to poverty, use of psychotropic medication, and higher rate of preventable risk factors such as smoking, addiction, poor diet and lack of exercise. Moreover, psychiatric and organic disorders can develop together in different conditions of toxic substance and prescription drug use or abuse, especially in the emergency setting population. Different combinations with mutual interaction of psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders are defined by the so called "dual diagnosis". The hypotheses that attempt to explain the psychiatric disorders and substance abuse relationship are examined: (1) common risk factors; (2) psychiatric disorders precipitated by substance use; (3) psychiatric disorders precipitating substance use (self-medication hypothesis); and (4) synergistic interaction. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulty concerning the problem of dual diagnosis, and legal implications, are also discussed. Substance induced psychiatric and organic symptoms can occur both in the intoxication and withdrawal state. Since ancient history, humans selected indigene psychotropic plants for recreational, medicinal, doping or spiritual purpose. After the isolation of active principles or their chemical synthesis, higher blood concentrations reached predispose to substance use, abuse and dependence. Abuse substances have specific molecular targets and very different acute mechanisms of action, mainly involving dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems, but finally converging on the brain's reward pathways, increasing dopamine in nucleus accumbens. The most common substances producing an addiction status may be assembled in depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines, opiates), stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, caffeine, modafinil), hallucinogens (mescaline, LSD, ecstasy) and other substances (cannabis, dissociatives, inhalants). Anxiety disorders can occur in intoxication by stimulants, as well as in withdrawal syndrome, both by stimulants and sedatives. Substance induced mood disorders and psychotic symptoms are as much frequent conditions in ED, and the recognition of associated organic symptoms may allow to achieve diagnosis. Finally, psychiatric and organic symptoms may be caused by prescription and doping medications, either as a direct effect or after withdrawal. Adverse drug reactions can be divided in type A, dose dependent and predictable, including psychotropic drugs and hormones; and type B, dose independent and unpredictable, usually including non psychotropic drugs, more commonly included being cardiovascular, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic medications.

Introduction and Overview to ADHD--Part 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lavoie, Theresa

2008-01-01

In this 10-part series, which will run every other month through 2008 and 2009, "EP" will explore Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is technically defined as a neurodevelopmental, biological condition characterized by three hallmark symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity. Each of these symptoms has a special meaning…

In Sickness and in Health: Perineuronal Nets and Synaptic Plasticity in Psychiatric Disorders

PubMed Central

Pantazopoulos, Harry; Berretta, Sabina

2016-01-01

Rapidly emerging evidence implicates perineuronal nets (PNNs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules that compose or interact with PNNs, in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders. Studies on schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy point to the involvement of ECM molecules such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, Reelin, and matrix metalloproteases, as well as their cell surface receptors. In many of these disorders, PNN abnormalities have also been reported. In the context of the “quadripartite” synapse concept, that is, the functional unit composed of the pre- and postsynaptic terminals, glial processes, and ECM, and of the role that PNNs and ECM molecules play in regulating synaptic functions and plasticity, these findings resonate with one of the most well-replicated aspects of the pathology of psychiatric disorders, that is, synaptic abnormalities. Here we review the evidence for PNN/ECM-related pathology in these disorders, with particular emphasis on schizophrenia, and discuss the hypothesis that such pathology may significantly contribute to synaptic dysfunction. PMID:26839720

Sensing Coulomb impurities with 1/f noise in 3D Topological Insulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharyya, Semonti; Banerjee, Mitali; Nhalil, Hariharan; Elizabeth, Suja; Ghosh, Arindam

2015-03-01

Electrical transport in the non-trivial surface states of bulk Topological Insulator (TI) reveal several intriguing properties ranging from bipolar field effect transistor action, weak antilocalization in quantum transport, to the recently discovered quantum anomalous Hall effect. Many of these phenomena depend crucially on the nature of disorder and its screening by the Dirac Fermions at the TI surface. We have carried out a systematic study of low-frequency 1/f noise in Bi1.6Sb0.4Te2Se1 single crystals, to explore the dominant source of scattering of surface electrons and monitor relative contributions of the surface and bulk channels. Our results reveal that while trapped coulomb impurities at the substrate-TI interface are dominating source of scattering for thin (10 nm) TI, charged crystal disorder contribute strongly in thick TI (110 nm) channels. An unexpected maximum at 25K in noise from thick TI devices indicate scattering of the surface states by a cooperative charge dynamics in the bulk of the TI, possibly associated with the Selenium vacancies. Our experiment demonstrates, for the first time, impact of the bulk charge distribution on the surface state transport in TIs that could be crucial to the implementation of these materials in electronic applications.

40 CFR 63.3110 - What notifications must I submit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... elect to include the surface coating of new other motor vehicle bodies, body parts for new other motor vehicles, parts for new other motor vehicles, or aftermarket repair or replacement parts for other motor... volume of applied coating solids from: (i) The combined primer-surfacer, topcoat, final repair, glass...

Nail disorders in older people, and aspects of their pharmaceutical treatment.

PubMed

Murdan, Sudaxshina

2016-10-30

The aim of this paper was to explore how aging influences the nail unit, its disorders and its response to treatment, and to identify some of the age-related gaps in the ungual drug delivery literature. Aging causes obvious changes to the nail, some of which are inherently due to old age, while others are due to diseases/conditions which become more prevalent as we age. Alterations in the nail plate's colour, contour, thickness, fragility, surface features, cell size, chemical composition and growth rate are some of the changes, with toenails and fingernails showing different effects. With respect to disease, the incidence of onychomycosis - the most common nail disorder - is considerably higher in older people. Similarly, brittle nails become more common as we age. In contrast, the literature about aging and the incidence of nail psoriasis is inconclusive, although, it is clear that as one gets older, the negative impact of nail psoriasis on one's quality of life decreases. Pharmaceutical treatment of the diseases comprises local and systemic therapies, sometimes in combination. Systemic therapies have the inherent disadvantages of adverse systemic effects, drug interactions and the need for monitoring, disadvantages which are especially problematic for older people who are more likely to suffer from co-morbidities and be on other medications. Topical therapy avoids such disadvantages. However, the success rates of commercially available preparations are low, and older people may need help with their application. It is also proposed that regular inspection and grooming of nails should become part of routine care of older people, as these would provide opportunities to identify and treat any problems at an earlier stage. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative studies of placentation and immunology in non-human primates suggest a scenario for the evolution of deep trophoblast invasion and an explanation for human pregnancy disorders.

PubMed

Carter, Anthony M

2011-04-01

Deep trophoblast invasion in the placental bed has been considered the hallmark of human pregnancy. It occurs by two routes, interstitial and endovascular, and results in transformation of the walls of the spiral arteries as they traverse the decidua and the inner third of the myometrium. Disturbances in this process are associated with reproductive disorders such preeclampsia. In contrast, trophoblast invasion in Old World monkeys occurs only by the endovascular route and seldom reaches the myometrium. Recently, it was shown that this pattern is maintained in gibbons, but that the human arrangement also occurs in chimpanzee and gorilla. There is an interesting parallel with results from placental immunology regarding the evolution of the major histocompatability complex class I antigen HLA-C and its cognate receptors. HLA-C is not present in Old World monkeys or gibbons. It emerged in the orangutan and became polymorphic in the lineage leading to gorilla, bonobo, chimpanzee, and human. Interaction between HLA-C1 and HLA-C2 on the surface of trophoblast and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) expressed by uterine natural killer cells are important regulators of trophoblast invasion. Evolution of this system in great apes may have been one prerequisite for deep trophoblast invasion but seems to have come at a price. The evidence now suggests that certain combinations of maternal genotype for KIRs and fetal genotype for HLA-C imply an increased risk of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and recurrent abortion. The fetal genotype is in part derived from the father providing an explanation for the paternal contribution to reproductive disorders.

Inattention Predicts Increased Thickness of Left Occipital Cortex in Men with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

PubMed

Sörös, Peter; Bachmann, Katharina; Lam, Alexandra P; Kanat, Manuela; Hoxhaj, Eliza; Matthies, Swantje; Feige, Bernd; Müller, Helge H O; Thiel, Christiane; Philipsen, Alexandra

2017-01-01

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is a serious and frequent psychiatric disorder with the core symptoms inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. The principal aim of this study was to investigate associations between brain morphology, i.e., cortical thickness and volumes of subcortical gray matter, and individual symptom severity in adult ADHD. Surface-based brain morphometry was performed in 35 women and 29 men with ADHD using FreeSurfer. Linear regressions were calculated between cortical thickness and the volumes of subcortical gray matter and the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity subscales of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS). Two separate analyses were performed. For the first analysis, age was included as additional regressor. For the second analysis, both age and severity of depression were included as additional regressors. Study participants were recruited between June 2012 and January 2014. Linear regression identified an area in the left occipital cortex of men, covering parts of the middle occipital sulcus and gyrus, in which the score on the CAARS inattention subscale predicted increased mean cortical thickness [ F (1,27) = 26.27, p  < 0.001, adjusted R 2  = 0.4744]. No significant associations were found between cortical thickness and the scores on CAARS subscales in women. No significant associations were found between the volumes of subcortical gray matter and the scores on CAARS subscales, neither in men nor in women. These results remained stable when severity of depression was included as additional regressor, together with age. Increased cortical thickness in the left occipital cortex may represent a mechanism to compensate for dysfunctional attentional networks in male adult ADHD patients.

Soluble stem cell factor receptor (CD117) and IL-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25) levels in the plasma of patients with mastocytosis: relationships to disease severity and bone marrow pathology.

PubMed

Akin, C; Schwartz, L B; Kitoh, T; Obayashi, H; Worobec, A S; Scott, L M; Metcalfe, D D

2000-08-15

Systemic mastocytosis is a disease of mast cell proliferation that may be associated with hematologic disorders. There are no features on examination that allow the diagnosis of systemic disease, and mast cell-derived mediators, which may be elevated in urine or blood, may also be elevated in individuals with severe allergic disorders. Thus, the diagnosis usually depends on results of bone marrow biopsy. To facilitate evaluation, surrogate markers of the extent and severity of the disease are needed. Because of the association of mastocytosis with hematologic disease, plasma levels were measured for soluble KIT (sKIT) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (sCD25), which are known to be cleaved in part from the mast cell surface and are elevated in some hematologic malignancies. Results revealed that levels of both soluble receptors are increased in systemic mastocytosis. Median plasma sKIT concentrations as expressed by AU/mL (1 AU = 1.4 ng/mL) were as follows: controls, 176 (n = 60); urticaria pigmentosa without systemic involvement, 194 (n = 8); systemic indolent mastocytosis, 511 (n = 30); systemic mastocytosis with an associated hematologic disorder, 1320 (n = 7); aggressive mastocytosis, 3390 (n = 3). Plasma sCD25 levels were elevated in systemic mastocytosis; the highest levels were associated with extensive bone marrow involvement. Levels of sKIT correlated with total tryptase levels, sCD25 levels, and bone marrow pathology. These results demonstrate that sKIT and sCD25 are useful surrogate markers of disease severity in patients with mastocytosis and should aid in diagnosis, in the selection of those needing a bone marrow biopsy, and in the documentation of disease progression. (Blood. 2000;96:1267-1273)

Graphene Growth on Low Carbon Solubility Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wofford, Joseph Monroe

Advances in synthesis are imperative if graphene is to fulfill its scientific and technological potential. Single crystal graphene of is currently available only in the small flakes generated by mechanical exfoliation. Layers of larger size may be grown either by the thermal decomposition of SiC or by chemical vapor deposition on metals. However, as they are currently implemented, these methods yield graphene films of inferior quality. Thus the requirement for wafer-scale, high-quality graphene films remains unmet. This dissertation addresses this issue by examining graphene growth on metal surfaces. Through a survey of the fundamental underlying processes, it provides guidance for improving the quality of the resulting graphene films. Graphene was grown on Cu(100), Cu(111), and Au(111) by physical vapor deposition of elemental C. The nucleation and growth behaviors of graphene were evaluated by low-energy electron microscopy. Graphene tends to nucleate heterogeneously at surface imperfections although it also does so homogeneously on Cu(111) and Au(111). Graphene growing on Cu(100) is governed by the attachment kinetics of C at the propagating crystal front. The resulting angularly dependent growth rate sculpts individual crystals into elongated lobes. In contrast, graphene growth on both Cu(111) and Au(111) is surface diffusion limited. This yields ramified, dendritic graphene islands. Graphene films grown on Cu(100) contain significant rotational disorder. This disorder is partially attributable to the symmetry mismatch between film and substrate. The common symmetry between graphene and Cu(111) contributes to a significant reduction in disorder in films grown on this surface. Most graphene domains occupy a ˜6º arc of orientations. On Au(111) the vast majority of graphene domains are locked into alignment with the substrate surface. The extraordinary extent of their orientational homogeneity is such that the resulting graphene film is a quasi-single crystal. The findings presented illustrate how metal species and crystal symmetry influence the structural properties of monolayer graphene. The selection of an optimal substrate for graphene growth can significantly reduce crystalline disorder in the resulting film.

Effects of heavy-ion irradiation on the microwave surface impedance of (Ba1-x K x )Fe2As2 single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghigo, G.; Torsello, D.; Gerbaldo, R.; Gozzelino, L.; Laviano, F.; Tamegai, T.

2018-07-01

The electrodynamic response of Ba1-x K x Fe2As2 single crystals at the microwave frequencies has been investigated by means of a coplanar resonator technique, at different values of non-magnetic disorder introduced into the samples by heavy-ion irradiation. The surface impedance Z s = R s + iX s conforms to the classical skin effect above the critical temperature. Below T c, R s monotonically decreases while X s shows a peak, which evolves as a function of the irradiation fluence. The disorder-dependent Z s (T) curves are analyzed within a two-fluid model, suitably modified to account for a finite quasiparticle fraction at T = 0. The analysis gives, for the unirradiated crystal, quasiparticle relaxation times τ that are in good agreement with previous literature. Smaller τ values are deduced for the disordered crystals, both in the normal and in the superconducting states. The limits of application of the model are discussed.

Advances in the understanding of headache.

PubMed

Goadsby, Peter J

2005-01-01

Primary headache disorders account for a substantial part of the morbidity seen in medical practice and so advances in their understanding and management are of general importance. The classification of headache disorders has recently been revised, and the importance of frequent migraine, chronic (transformed) migraine and some important, albeit rarer, conditions that were previously not included has been recognized. Identification of the first genes for a migraine syndrome, namely familial hemiplegic migraine, and their classification as channelopathies opens up new understanding of these disorders and their possible pathophysiology. Functional brain imaging of migraine and cluster headache has placed the pathophysiology of these disorders firmly and clearly in the brain. As our understanding of migraine and related syndromes has increased, new therapies have been developed which reduce the significant disability associated with these important neurological disorders.

What is a mental/psychiatric disorder? From DSM-IV to DSM-V.

PubMed

Stein, D J; Phillips, K A; Bolton, D; Fulford, K W M; Sadler, J Z; Kendler, K S

2010-11-01

The distinction between normality and psychopathology has long been subject to debate. DSM-III and DSM-IV provided a definition of mental disorder to help clinicians address this distinction. As part of the process of developing DSM-V, researchers have reviewed the concept of mental disorder and emphasized the need for additional work in this area. Here we review the DSM-IV definition of mental disorder and propose some changes. The approach taken here arguably takes a middle course through some of the relevant conceptual debates. We agree with the view that no definition perfectly specifies precise boundaries for the concept of mental/psychiatric disorder, but in line with a view that the nomenclature can improve over time, we aim here for a more scientifically valid and more clinically useful definition.

Ordering of rods near planar and curved surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izzo, Dora; de Oliveira, Mário J.

2018-01-01

We study the orientational profile of a semi-infinite system of cylinders bounded in two different ways: by a flat and by a curved wall. The latter corresponds to the interior of a spherical shell, where the dimensions of the rods are comparable to the radius of curvature of the container: they have to accomodate to fill the available space, leading to a rich orientation profile. In order to study these problems, we make a mapping onto a three-state Potts model on a semi-infinite lattice, which is solved using a mean-field approach; we fix the boundary conditions on the surface and in the bulk. In the case of a curved surface, the increase in the effective volume interactions towards the bulk, due to compression, is obtained by increasing the nearest neighbor interactions. The mean-field equations are iterated numerically and we obtain various interesting results concerning the free energy and the orientation profile. We show that there is always a first order transition and the stability of the coexisting phases is strongly affected by the surface. When the surface is disordered and the bulk ordered, the profile may present a step that depends on the degree of disorder on the surface, on the rate of increase of the particle interactions and on the surface external potential. The existence of this step may be relevant to applications in nanotechnology.