Goh, Elaine Suk-Ying; Li, Chumei; Horsburgh, Sheri; Kasai, Yumi; Kolomietz, Elena; Morel, Chantal France
2010-02-01
Roberts syndrome (RBS) (OMIM #268300) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by tetraphocomelia (symmetrical limb reduction), craniofacial anomalies, growth retardation, mental retardation, cardiac and renal abnormalities. The syndrome is caused by mutations in the ESCO2 (establishment of cohesion 1 homolog 2) (Entrez 609353) gene, which is located at 8p21.1, and encodes a protein essential in establishing sister chromatid cohesion during S phase. SC phocomelia (SC) (OMIM #269000), has less severe symmetric limb reduction, flexion contractures of various joints, minor facial anomalies, growth retardation and occasionally, mental retardation. These two syndromes can be considered part of a spectrum, with RBS at the most severe range in which severely affected infants may be stillborn or die in the post-natal period, while individuals with SC phocomelia represent the milder end of the spectrum and typically survive to adulthood. In both presentations, karyotype investigations characteristically reveal premature centromere separation (PCS), otherwise known as heterochromatin repulsion or puffing. There is little literature about the follow-up of adults with the spectrum of RBS/SC phocomelia or their recommended management. We report on an adult presentation of RBS/SC phocomelia spectrum disorder with a history of major cardiac malformation in childhood, normal limbs on physical examination, mild facial anomalies, mild learning difficulties, and PCS. Molecular studies of ESCO2 have confirmed the diagnosis. A literature review, focussing on adult manifestations of this condition and a discussion of follow-up guidelines are presented. Copyright 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tetra-phocomelia: a rarest of rare case.
Shukla, Anil Kumar; Sanjay, S C; Krishna, L; Krishnappa, N
2015-03-01
We present a rarest of rare case of Tetra-Phocomelia evaluated by antenatal Ultrasonography. It is a condition seen in 0.62 per 100,000 live births. An ultrasonogram was done at 18 wk of pregnancy to assess the fetus and after termination gross specimen was evaluated and X-ray infantograms were done to confirm the findings. The case showed classic Tetra-Phocomelia with limbs like flippers of a seal. Our findings make it rarest of rare as only few cases have been so far reported.
Tetra-Phocomelia: A Rarest of Rare Case
Sanjay, S.C.; Krishna, L.; Krishnappa, N.
2015-01-01
We present a rarest of rare case of Tetra-Phocomelia evaluated by antenatal Ultrasonography. It is a condition seen in 0.62 per 100,000 live births. An ultrasonogram was done at 18 wk of pregnancy to assess the fetus and after termination gross specimen was evaluated and X-ray infantograms were done to confirm the findings. The case showed classic Tetra-Phocomelia with limbs like flippers of a seal. Our findings make it rarest of rare as only few cases have been so far reported. PMID:25954680
Phocomelia: Report of Three Cases
Coodin, Fischel J.; Uchida, Irene A.; Murphy, Claude H.
1962-01-01
Three infants were born with phocomelia in Winnipeg during the period from May 1961 to May 1962. In one case thalidomide had been administered to the mother early in the pregnancy. No etiological agent was discovered in the other two, both of whom died. Known teratogenic agents capable of causing phocomelia are reviewed, but no clear association with the two cases described in this report is evident. ImagesFig. 1Fig. 2Fig. 3Fig. 4Fig. 5 PMID:14022756
AlQattan, Mohammad M; AlAbdulkareem, Ibrahim; Ballow, Mariam; Al Balwi, Mohammed
2013-09-15
Although there is a long list of syndromes with phocomelia, there are only two syndromes in which there is concurrent pelvic dysplasia and phocomelia: Al-Awadi-Raas-Rothschild syndrome (AARRS) and Schinzel phocomelia syndrome (SPS). Currently, there is a diagnostic confusion between the two syndromes and both have the same MIM entry (MIM 276820). We believe that the two syndromes are different entities and we also believe that the limb defect in SPS is a "true" phocomelia while the limb defect in AARRS is an "apparent" phocomelia. "Apparent" phocomelia describes the most severe form of ulnar ray deficiency in which there is absent ulna with radio-humeral synostosis. "Apparent" phocomelia is diagnosed radiologically by three radiological features: the apparently single bone occupying the arm/forearm appears relatively long, the area of radio-humeral synostosis will have thicker cortex with or without slight angulation, and the lower end of the bone resembles the lower end of a radius and not a humerus. In this paper, we present two new cases of AARRS from two different Saudi Arabian tribes: one case with R292C mutation of WNT7A with bilateral "apparent" phocomelia and a second case with a novel c.814G>T mutation of the WNT7A gene (resulting in wnt7a protein truncation at position 272) with unilateral "apparent" phocomelia. We reviewed previously reported cases of AARRS and SPS to further delineate the differences between these two syndromes. We make the argument that these two syndromes are two different entities and hence require two different MIM entries. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Phocomelia: Case report and differential diagnosis.
Osadsky, Captain Rasto
2011-01-01
While rarely seen in the present-day Western world, phocomelia is not uncommon in underdeveloped countries. Phocomelia is an abnormality in which the limbs are not fully formed. It may be inherited as an autosomal recessive or dominant disorder. This case concerns a 12-year-old Afghan boy with multiple skeletal anomalies, most prominently of his right arm, including aplasia of the entire proximal humerus, hypoplasia of the clavicle and scapula, and absence of the radial ray and thumb. A hypoplastic left thumb was also present. Other anomalies included thoracic scoliosis, upper thoracic hemivertebrae, and mild cardiomegaly. The differential diagnosis and likely diagnosis are discussed.
Tetra-phocomelia: the seal limb deformity - a case report.
Samal, Sunil Kumar; Rathod, Setu; Ghose, Seetesh
2015-02-01
We report a case of term live baby with tetra-phocomelia born to a 35-year-old G3P2L2A0 with history of consanguineous marriage. She was an unbooked case from a tribal community with no previous antenatal visits. At 39 wk of gestation, she was admitted to our hospital with complaint of pain abdomen and on examination was found to be in second stage of labour. She delivered vaginally a term live 2.5 kg female baby with multiple anomalies. There was no history of drug intake, radiation exposure, maternal diabetes or family history of congenital anomalies to support the occurrence of tetra-phocomelia in this baby. The neonate also had multiple facial abnormalities like hypertelorism, microretrognathia and partial cleft palate. Further investigations revealed no abnormalities of internal organs. At present the baby is being followed up at our paediatric department. The case is reported owing to its rarity and term live birth.
Tetra-Phocomelia: The Seal Limb Deformity - A Case Report
Rathod, Setu; Ghose, Seetesh
2015-01-01
We report a case of term live baby with tetra-phocomelia born to a 35-year-old G3P2L2A0 with history of consanguineous marriage. She was an unbooked case from a tribal community with no previous antenatal visits. At 39 wk of gestation, she was admitted to our hospital with complaint of pain abdomen and on examination was found to be in second stage of labour. She delivered vaginally a term live 2.5 kg female baby with multiple anomalies. There was no history of drug intake, radiation exposure, maternal diabetes or family history of congenital anomalies to support the occurrence of tetra-phocomelia in this baby. The neonate also had multiple facial abnormalities like hypertelorism, microretrognathia and partial cleft palate. Further investigations revealed no abnormalities of internal organs. At present the baby is being followed up at our paediatric department. The case is reported owing to its rarity and term live birth. PMID:25859493
Subhani, Muhammad; Akangire, Gangaram; Kulkarni, Archana; Wilson, Golder N
2009-07-01
We describe a girl infant with anomalies of the left pelvis and lower limb (pelvic, femoral, and tibial hypogenesis with absent fibula), subtle facial changes, patent foraman ovale, single umbilical artery, single kidney, and imperforate anus. The external genitalia were asymmetric and ambiguous with normal uterus and ovaries visualized by ultrasound. The anomalies are compatible with previously reported cases of Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild/Schinzel (AARRS) phocomelia, an autosomal recessive disorder with WNT7 gene mutations documented in one family. We suggest that AARRS phocomelia, Fuhrmann syndrome, and similar conditions comprise a spectrum, and that the anomaly pattern derives from serial action of the same signal pathways within primary (e.g., the major axes), secondary (e.g., heart or limb primordia), and/or local (e.g., tibial-fibular differentiation) developmental fields.
[Newborn with phocomelia and thrombocytopenia. Case report].
Maas, C; Arand, J; Orlikowsky, Th; Goelz, R
2002-01-01
Associated malformations and symptoms may be decisive in the differential diagnosis of neonatal phocomelia. We report on a neonate with phocomelia, petechiae and thrombocytopenia. This constellation is typical for the phocomelia-thrombocytopenia-syndrome, a variant of the thrombocytopenia-absent radius-(TAR) syndrome. During the neonatal period platelet transfusions were necessary. Relevant bleeding and development delays were not evident until the age of seven months. Cardinal symptoms of the TAR syndrome are bilaterally absent radius and neonatal thrombocytopenia. The patient presented with phocomelia of the upper extremities which occurs in only 5 - 10 % of the patients with TAR syndrome. Further abnormalities include additional bone and joint disorders and haematopoietic problems, such as thrombocytopenia. Bleeding episodes mainly occur in the first year of life, hence platelet transfusions may be necessary during this period. A new experimental approach is the Interleukin-6-mediated stimulation of thrombopoiesis. Usually platelet counts reach normal values in adults. The main problem remains a satisfactory management of various limb defects.
[Phocomelia in Africa: thoughts about a case report].
Mouafo Tambo, Faustin Félicien; Andze, Ondobo Gervais
2010-01-01
Phocomelia is a developmental abnormality which occurs during pregnancy and results in congenital ectromelia (developmental arrest of one or more limbs), with characteristically atrophied limbs that look as if they were directly implanted on the trunk, that is, like seal (phocid) flippers. The authors report the case of a Cameroonian neonate. Abnormalities were limited to the upper limbs. The lack of useful causal information and especially the difficulties in therapeutic management in this context are highlighted.
Upper-extremity phocomelia reexamined: a longitudinal dysplasia.
Goldfarb, Charles A; Manske, Paul R; Busa, Riccardo; Mills, Janith; Carter, Peter; Ezaki, Marybeth
2005-12-01
focal deficiency, were common in those patients. Eleven limbs in ten patients were identified as having severe combined dysplasia, which was type A in seven of them and type B in four. Four patients with severe combined dysplasia had congenital cardiac anomalies, and four had associated musculoskeletal abnormalities. Three of the four patients with the type-B disorder had a contralateral ulnar longitudinal dysplasia. We propose that cases previously classified as upper-extremity phocomelia represent a spectrum of severe longitudinal dysplasia, as none of the sixty extremities that we studied demonstrated a true intercalary deficiency. These findings have both developmental and genetic implications.
Bermejo-Sánchez, Eva; Cuevas, Lourdes; Amar, Emmanuelle; Bianca, Sebastiano; Bianchi, Fabrizio; Botto, Lorenzo D; Canfield, Mark A; Castilla, Eduardo E; Clementi, Maurizio; Cocchi, Guido; Landau, Danielle; Leoncini, Emanuele; Li, Zhu; Lowry, R Brian; Mastroiacovo, Pierpaolo; Mutchinick, Osvaldo M; Rissmann, Anke; Ritvanen, Annukka; Scarano, Gioacchino; Siffel, Csaba; Szabova, Elena; Martínez-Frías, María-Luisa
2011-11-15
Epidemiologic data on phocomelia are scarce. This study presents an epidemiologic analysis of the largest series of phocomelia cases known to date. Data were provided by 19 birth defect surveillance programs, all members of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research. Depending on the program, data corresponded to a period from 1968 through 2006. A total of 22,740,933 live births, stillbirths and, for some programs, elective terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (ETOPFA) were monitored. After a detailed review of clinical data, only true phocomelia cases were included. Descriptive data are presented and additional analyses compared isolated cases with those with multiple congenital anomalies (MCA), excluding syndromes. We also briefly compared congenital anomalies associated with nonsyndromic phocomelia with those presented with amelia, another rare severe congenital limb defect. A total of 141 phocomelia cases registered gave an overall total prevalence of 0.62 per 100,000 births (95% confidence interval: 0.52-0.73). Three programs (Australia Victoria, South America ECLAMC, Italy North East) had significantly different prevalence estimates. Most cases (53.2%) had isolated phocomelia, while 9.9% had syndromes. Most nonsyndromic cases were monomelic (55.9%), with an excess of left (64.9%) and upper limb (64.9%) involvement. Most nonsyndromic cases (66.9%) were live births; most isolated cases (57.9%) weighed more than 2,499 g; most MCA (60.7%) weighed less than 2,500 g, and were more likely stillbirths (30.8%) or ETOPFA (15.4%) than isolated cases. The most common associated defects were musculoskeletal, cardiac, and intestinal. Epidemiological differences between phocomelia and amelia highlighted possible differences in their causes. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bermejo-Sánchez, Eva; Cuevas, Lourdes; Amar, Emmanuelle; Bianca, Sebastiano; Bianchi, Fabrizio; Botto, Lorenzo D.; Canfield, Mark A.; Castilla, Eduardo E.; Clementi, Maurizio; Cocchi, Guido; Landau, Danielle; Leoncini, Emanuele; Li, Zhu; Lowry, R. Brian; Mastroiacovo, Pierpaolo; Mutchinick, Osvaldo M.; Rissmann, Anke; Ritvanen, Annukka; Scarano, Gioacchino; Siffel, Csaba; Szabova, Elena; Martínez-Frías, María-Luisa
2015-01-01
Epidemiologic data on phocomelia are scarce. This study presents an epidemiologic analysis of the largest series of phocomelia cases known to date. Data were provided by 19 birth defect surveillance programs, all members of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research. Depending on the program, data corresponded to a period from 1968 through 2006. A total of 22,740,933 live births, stillbirths and, for some programs, elective terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (ETOPFA) were monitored. After a detailed review of clinical data, only true phocomelia cases were included. Descriptive data are presented and additional analyses compared isolated cases with those with multiple congenital anomalies (MCA), excluding syndromes. We also briefly compared congenital anomalies associated with nonsyndromic phocomelia with those presented with amelia, another rare severe congenital limb defect. A total of 141 phocomelia cases registered gave an overall total prevalence of 0.62 per 100,000 births (95% confidence interval: 0.52–0.73). Three programs (Australia Victoria, South America ECLAMC, Italy North East) had significantly different prevalence estimates. Most cases (53.2%) had isolated phocomelia, while 9.9% had syndromes. Most nonsyndromic cases were monomelic (55.9%), with an excess of left (64.9%) and upper limb (64.9%) involvement. Most nonsyndromic cases (66.9%) were live births; most isolated cases (57.9%) weighed more than 2,499 g; most MCA (60.7%) weighed less than 2,500 g, and were more likely stillbirths (30.8%) or ETOPFA (15.4%) than isolated cases. The most common associated defects were musculoskeletal, cardiac, and intestinal. Epidemiological differences between phocomelia and amelia highlighted possible differences in their causes. PMID:22002800
Antonini, Tanya N; Van Horn Kerne, Valerie; Axelrad, Marni E; Karaviti, Lefkothea P; Schwartz, David D
2015-07-01
DK phocomelia/von Voss Cherstvoy syndrome is a rare condition characterized by upper limb and urogenital abnormalities and various brain anomalies. Previously reported cases have noted significant developmental delays, although no formal testing of cognitive abilities has been reported. In this paper we describe results from a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation of a 12-year-old male with DK phocomelia syndrome. Test findings indicated mild impairment in intellectual functioning, with more significant impairment in adaptive skills and academic achievement. The neuropsychological profile converged with neurological findings, showing a distinct pattern of strengths and weaknesses that suggests functional compromise of posterior brain regions with relatively well-preserved functioning of more anterior regions. Specifically, impairments were evident in perceptual reasoning, visual perception, and visuomotor integration, whereas normal or near normal functioning was evident in memory, receptive language, social cognition, attention, and most aspects of executive functioning. To our knowledge this is the first report to describe the neurocognitive profile of an individual with DK phocomelia syndrome. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of ectrodactyly and distal phocomelia.
Delrue, M A; Lacombe, D
2002-01-01
Ectrodactyly and phocomelia are well known limbs malformations. They can be a part of various syndromes, and are more often transmitted with dominant autosomal Inheritance with variable expression and Incomplete penetrance. Different loci have been Identified for ectrodactyly (SHFM1 at 7q21.3q22.1, SHFM2 at Xq26, SHFM3 at 10q24q25, SHFM4 at 3q27), and two genes are known (DSS1 for SHFM1, p63 for SHFM4). We report the case of a 33 year-old female affected with the association of ectrodactyly and phocomelia. It could be a "new" association, or a mild or partial expression of the syndrome Including ectrodactyly, phocomelia, deafness and sinusal arythmia.
DK phocomelia phenotype (von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome) caused by somatic mosaicism for del(13q).
Bamforth, J S; Lin, C C
1997-12-31
DK phocomelia (von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome) is a rare condition characterized by radial ray defects, occipital encephalocoele, and urogenital abnormalities. Lubinsky et al. [1994: Am J Med Genet 52:272-278] pointed out similarities between this and the del(13q) syndrome. To date, all reported cases of DK phocomelia have been apparently normal chromosomally. We report on a case of DK phocomelia in which the proposita had normal lymphocyte chromosomes, but was mosaic in fibroblasts for del(13)(q12). Fibroblast chromosomes studies on other cases of DK phocomelia have not been reported: this raises the possibility that some cases of DK phocomelia may be somatic mosaics for del(13)(q12).
Roberts-SC Phocomelia Syndrome (Pseudothalidomide Syndrome): A Case Report.
Keypour, Farideh; Naghi, Ilana; Behnam, Babak
2013-03-01
A 39-year-old pregnant woman at 38 weeks of gestation was referred with labor pain to a hospital. She had consanguinity with her husband. A female newborn had multiple craniofacial anomalies and phocomelia in right upper limb. The disease locus was assigned to chromosome17q21. Four days later, infant died of cardiopulmonary arrest.
Roberts-SC Phocomelia Syndrome (Pseudothalidomide Syndrome): A Case Report
Naghi, Ilana; Behnam, Babak
2013-01-01
A 39-year-old pregnant woman at 38 weeks of gestation was referred with labor pain to a hospital. She had consanguinity with her husband. A female newborn had multiple craniofacial anomalies and phocomelia in right upper limb. The disease locus was assigned to chromosome17q21. Four days later, infant died of cardiopulmonary arrest. PMID:24971102
A reevaluation of X-irradiation-induced phocomelia and proximodistal limb patterning.
Galloway, Jenna L; Delgado, Irene; Ros, Maria A; Tabin, Clifford J
2009-07-16
Phocomelia is a devastating, rare congenital limb malformation in which the long bones are shorter than normal, with the upper portion of the limb being most severely affected. In extreme cases, the hands or fingers are attached directly to the shoulder and the most proximal elements (those closest to the shoulder) are entirely missing. This disorder, previously known in both autosomal recessive and sporadic forms, showed a marked increase in incidence in the early 1960s due to the tragic toxicological effects of the drug thalidomide, which had been prescribed as a mild sedative. This human birth defect is mimicked in developing chick limb buds exposed to X-irradiation. Both X-irradiation and thalidomide-induced phocomelia have been interpreted as patterning defects in the context of the progress zone model, which states that a cell's proximodistal identity is determined by the length of time spent in a distal limb region termed the 'progress zone'. Indeed, studies of X-irradiation-induced phocomelia have served as one of the two major experimental lines of evidence supporting the validity of the progress zone model. Here, using a combination of molecular analysis and lineage tracing in chick, we show that X-irradiation-induced phocomelia is fundamentally not a patterning defect, but rather results from a time-dependent loss of skeletal progenitors. Because skeletal condensation proceeds from the shoulder to fingers (in a proximal to distal direction), the proximal elements are differentially affected in limb buds exposed to radiation at early stages. This conclusion changes the framework for considering the effect of thalidomide and other forms of phocomelia, suggesting the possibility that the aetiology lies not in a defect in the patterning process, but rather in progenitor cell survival and differentiation. Moreover, molecular evidence that proximodistal patterning is unaffected after X-irradiation does not support the predictions of the progress zone model.
Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome.
Maheshwari, A; Kumar, P; Dutta, S; Narang, A
2001-06-01
A severely growth retarded baby was born at 38 weeks gestation. He had multiple craniofacial anomalies, microbrachycephaly, phocomelia in the upper limbs and renal cysts visible on ultrasound. He died of recurrent apneas. The autopsy showed left sided multicystic dysplastic kidney and absence of one testis. Cytogenetic studies did not reveal any abnormality. The phenotypic features match those described in the Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome. A literature review revealed that 50% of these patients have chromosomal defects and antenatal detection is possible on ultrasound and by chromosome analysis of the amniocytes.
A Reevaluation of X-Irradiation Induced Phocomelia and Proximodistal Limb Patterning
Galloway, Jenna L.; Delgado, Irene; Ros, Maria A.; Tabin, Clifford J.
2009-01-01
Phocomelia is a devastating, rare congenital limb malformation in which the long bones are shorter than normal, with the upper portion of the limb being most severely affected. In extreme cases, the hands or fingers are attached directly to the shoulder and the most proximal elements (those closest to the shoulder) are entirely missing. This disorder, previously known in both autosomal recessive and sporadic forms, showed a dramatic increase in incidence in the early 1960’s due to the tragic toxicological effects of the drug thalidomide, which had been prescribed as a mild sedative1, 2. This human birth defect is mimicked in developing chick limb buds exposed to X-irradiation3-5. Both X-irradiation5 and thalidomide-induced phocomelia5, 6 have been interpreted as patterning defects in the context of the Progress Zone Model, which states that a cell’s proximodistal (PD) identity is determined by the length of time spent in a distal limb region termed the “Progress Zone” 7. Indeed, studies of X-irradiation induced phocomelia have served as one of the two major experimental lines of evidence supporting the validity of the Progress Zone Model. Here, using a combination of molecular analysis and lineage tracing, we show that X-irradiation-induced phocomelia is fundamentally not a patterning defect, but rather results from a time-dependent loss of skeletal progenitors. As skeletal condensation proceeds from the shoulder to fingers (in a proximal to distal direction), the proximal elements are differentially affected in limb buds exposed to radiation at early stages. This conclusion changes the framework for considering the effect of thalidomide and other forms of phocomelia, suggesting the possibility that the etiology lies not in a defect in the patterning process, but rather in progenitor cell survival and differentiation. Moreover, molecular evidence that PD patterning is unaffected following X-irradiation does not support the predictions of the Progress Zone
Olney, R S; Hoyme, H E; Roche, F; Ferguson, K; Hintz, S; Madan, A
2001-11-01
Schinzel phocomelia syndrome is characterized by limb/pelvis hypoplasia/aplasia: specifically, intercalary limb deficiencies and absent or hypoplastic pelvic bones. The phenotype is similar to that described in a related multiple malformation syndrome known as Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild syndrome. The additional important feature of large parietooccipital skull defects without meningocele, encephalocele, or other brain malformation has thus far been reported only in children with Schinzel phocomelia syndrome. We recently evaluated a boy affected with Schinzel phocomelia born to nonconsanguineous healthy parents of Mexican origin. A third-trimester fetal ultrasound scan showed severe limb deficiencies and an absent pelvis. The infant died shortly after birth. Dysmorphology examination, radiographs, and autopsy revealed quadrilateral intercalary limb deficiencies with preaxial toe polydactyly; an absent pelvis and a 7 x 3-cm skull defect; and extraskeletal anomalies including microtia, telecanthus, micropenis with cryptorchidism, renal cysts, stenosis of the colon, and a cleft alveolar ridge. A normal 46,XY karyotype was demonstrated, and autosomal recessive inheritance was presumed on the basis of previously reported families. This case report emphasizes the importance of recognizing severe pelvic and skull deficiencies (either post- or prenatally) in differentiating infants with Schinzel phocomelia from other multiple malformation syndromes that feature intercalary limb defects, including thalidomide embryopathy and Roberts-SC phocomelia. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell (POC) with Phocomelia and Other Associated Rare Anomalies
Shukla, Dhirajkumar B; Jain, Akash; Jagtap, Swati S
2014-01-01
We are reporting a rare case of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell (CPOC) with phocomelia and other associated anomalies such as encephalocoele, craniofacial defects, limb defects and a flexion deformity, with club foot in right lower limb. Antenatal ultrasonography done in a 20 year old primigravida revealed multiple thoraco-abdominal and CNS anomalies in a foetus with an average gestational age of 18.2 weeks. Foetal autopsy done following termination of the pregnancy revealed a combination of defects, based on which the diagnosis of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell with associated anomalies was given. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell with phocomelia which has been seen in the world. PMID:24995190
Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell (POC) with Phocomelia and Other Associated Rare Anomalies.
Jagtap, Sunil V; Shukla, Dhirajkumar B; Jain, Akash; Jagtap, Swati S
2014-05-01
We are reporting a rare case of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell (CPOC) with phocomelia and other associated anomalies such as encephalocoele, craniofacial defects, limb defects and a flexion deformity, with club foot in right lower limb. Antenatal ultrasonography done in a 20 year old primigravida revealed multiple thoraco-abdominal and CNS anomalies in a foetus with an average gestational age of 18.2 weeks. Foetal autopsy done following termination of the pregnancy revealed a combination of defects, based on which the diagnosis of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell with associated anomalies was given. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell with phocomelia which has been seen in the world.
The importance of chromosome studies in Roberts syndrome/SC phocomelia and other cohesinopathies.
Gerkes, Erica H; van der Kevie-Kersemaekers, Anne-Marie F; Yakin, Mariam; Smeets, Dominique F C M; van Ravenswaaij-Arts, Conny M A
2010-01-01
Roberts syndrome/SC phocomelia is a rare, autosomal recessive syndrome characterised by pre- and postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, craniofacial anomalies, mental retardation, and tetraphocomelia in varying degrees of severity. The clinical diagnosis can be challenging in phenotypically mild cases. In the extremely mild case presented here, specific mitotic abnormalities were detected and proved to be very helpful, since Roberts syndrome/SC phocomelia could be diagnosed after finding premature centromere separation and somatic aneuploidy at routine karyotyping. We discuss these and other mitotic cytogenetic abnormalities that can be of significant diagnostic importance, but which will be missed if only array studies are performed. We also discuss the difference between premature centromere separation and premature (sister) chromatid separation. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
The classification of phocomelia.
Tytherleigh-Strong, G; Hooper, G
2003-06-01
We studied 24 patients with 44 phocomelic upper limbs. Only 11 limbs could be grouped in the classification system of Frantz and O' Rahilly. The non-classifiable limbs were further studied and their characteristics identified. It is confirmed that phocomelia is not an intercalary defect.
[Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome].
Musfeld, D A; Bühler, E M; Heinzl, S
2001-01-01
The Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder clinically manifested by tetraphocomelia, pre- and postnatal growth retardation, and craniofacial abnormalities (skull, eyes, lip, and palate), accompanied at times by centromer puffing and splitting, renal abnormalities, heart defect, clitoral or penile enlargement, and bilateral corneal opacities. Mental retardation is common in surviving patients.
Rather, Tanveeer Ah; Khan, Shoukat H; Singh, Manjeet; Choh, Naseer A
2013-01-01
The possibility of an ectopic gallbladder should always be considered whenever there is a failure to localize it in its normal anatomical position on routine imaging. Although a very rare entity, the anomalous position of gallbladder can result in misinterpretation of imaging findings and create clinical confusion. Awareness of such an anomaly facilitates proper diagnosis and subsequent management. The authors report a very rare case of suprahepatic gallbladder associated with phocomelia, pancytopenia, and splenomegaly in a young 25-year-old female. The suprahepatic gallbladder was initially visualized on Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) Mebrofenin radionuclide hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Subsequent magnetic resonance cholecystopancreatography (MRCP) was also done to confirm the diagnosis.
Rather, Tanveeer Ah; Khan, Shoukat H.; Singh, Manjeet; Choh, Naseer A.
2013-01-01
The possibility of an ectopic gallbladder should always be considered whenever there is a failure to localize it in its normal anatomical position on routine imaging. Although a very rare entity, the anomalous position of gallbladder can result in misinterpretation of imaging findings and create clinical confusion. Awareness of such an anomaly facilitates proper diagnosis and subsequent management. The authors report a very rare case of suprahepatic gallbladder associated with phocomelia, pancytopenia, and splenomegaly in a young 25-year-old female. The suprahepatic gallbladder was initially visualized on Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) Mebrofenin radionuclide hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Subsequent magnetic resonance cholecystopancreatography (MRCP) was also done to confirm the diagnosis. PMID:23961256
Murray, R S; Keeling, J W; Ellis, P M; FitzPatrick, D R
2002-04-01
We report a female fetus of 20 weeks gestation with severe symmetrical deformity affecting all four limbs. These deformities were unusual in that there was upper limb peromelia and lower limb phocomelia. No additional major malformations were identified on postmortem examination. In particular there was no evidence of splenogonadal fusion or micrognathia and hypoglossia. The limb malformations in this case are associated with a de novo apparently balanced reciprocal translocation 46,XX,t(2;12)(p25.1;q24.1). The cytogenetic features of Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome were not detected. Unfortunately, the fibroblast line died and no FISH or DNA analysis could be carried out. In spite of this, the case is presented as it may be useful to other researchers in the selection of candidate genes for mendelian forms of peromelia and phocomelia.
Schüle, Birgitt; Oviedo, Angelica; Johnston, Kathreen; Pai, Shashidhar; Francke, Uta
2005-12-01
The rare, autosomal recessive Roberts syndrome (RBS) is characterized by tetraphocomelia, profound growth deficiency of prenatal onset, craniofacial anomalies, microcephaly, and mental deficiency. SC phocomelia (SC) has a milder phenotype, with a lesser degree of limb reduction and with survival to adulthood. Since heterochromatin repulsion (HR) is characteristic for both disorders and is not complemented in somatic-cell hybrids, it has been hypothesized that the disorders are allelic. Recently, mutations in ESCO2 (establishment of cohesion 1 homolog 2) on 8p21.1 have been reported in RBS. To determine whether ESCO2 mutations are also responsible for SC, we studied three families with SC and two families in which variable degrees of limb and craniofacial abnormalities, detected by fetal ultrasound, led to pregnancy terminations. All cases were positive for HR. We identified seven novel mutations in exons 3-8 of ESCO2. In two families, affected individuals were homozygous--for a 5-nucleotide deletion in one family and a splice-site mutation in the other. In three nonconsanguineous families, probands were compound heterozygous for a single-nucleotide insertion or deletion, a nonsense mutation, or a splice-site mutation. Abnormal splice products were characterized at the RNA level. Since only protein-truncating mutations were identified, regardless of clinical severity, we conclude that genotype does not predict phenotype. Having established that RBS and SC are caused by mutations in the same gene, we delineated the clinical phenotype of the tetraphocomelia spectrum that is associated with HR and ESCO2 mutations and differentiated it from other types of phocomelia that are negative for HR.
Schüle, Birgitt; Oviedo, Angelica; Johnston, Kathreen; Pai, Shashidhar; Francke, Uta
2005-01-01
The rare, autosomal recessive Roberts syndrome (RBS) is characterized by tetraphocomelia, profound growth deficiency of prenatal onset, craniofacial anomalies, microcephaly, and mental deficiency. SC phocomelia (SC) has a milder phenotype, with a lesser degree of limb reduction and with survival to adulthood. Since heterochromatin repulsion (HR) is characteristic for both disorders and is not complemented in somatic-cell hybrids, it has been hypothesized that the disorders are allelic. Recently, mutations in ESCO2 (establishment of cohesion 1 homolog 2) on 8p21.1 have been reported in RBS. To determine whether ESCO2 mutations are also responsible for SC, we studied three families with SC and two families in which variable degrees of limb and craniofacial abnormalities, detected by fetal ultrasound, led to pregnancy terminations. All cases were positive for HR. We identified seven novel mutations in exons 3–8 of ESCO2. In two families, affected individuals were homozygous—for a 5-nucleotide deletion in one family and a splice-site mutation in the other. In three nonconsanguineous families, probands were compound heterozygous for a single-nucleotide insertion or deletion, a nonsense mutation, or a splice-site mutation. Abnormal splice products were characterized at the RNA level. Since only protein-truncating mutations were identified, regardless of clinical severity, we conclude that genotype does not predict phenotype. Having established that RBS and SC are caused by mutations in the same gene, we delineated the clinical phenotype of the tetraphocomelia spectrum that is associated with HR and ESCO2 mutations and differentiated it from other types of phocomelia that are negative for HR. PMID:16380922
Wang, Anthony C; Gemmete, Joseph J; Keegan, Catherine E; Witt, Cordelie E; Muraszko, Karin M; Than, Khoi D; Maher, Cormac O
2011-11-01
Roberts/SC phocomelia syndrome (RBS) is a rare but distinct genetic disorder with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. It has been associated with microcephaly, craniofacial malformation, cavernous hemangioma, encephalocele, and hydrocephalus. There are no previously reported cases of RBS with intracranial aneurysms. The authors report on a patient with a history of RBS who presented with a spontaneous posterior fossa hemorrhage. Multiple small intracranial aneurysms were noted on a preoperative CT angiogram. The patient underwent emergency craniotomy for evacuation of the hemorrhage. A postoperative angiogram confirmed the presence of multiple, distal small intracranial aneurysms.
Management of an infant with cleft lip and palate with phocomelia in dental practice.
Muthu, M S
2000-12-01
Cleft lip and palate is a severe birth defect occurring approximately one in 800-1000 newborn infants. The incidence varies widely among races. Cleft lip and palate together account for approximately 50% of all cases whereas isolated cleft lip and isolated cleft palate occur in about 25% of cases. Many of these congenital anomalies appear to be genetically determined though the majority are of unknown causes or teratogenic influences. Presented here is a 3 day old infant with bilateral cleft lip and palate and phocomelia for whom a feeding obturator was made and delivered to facilitate feeding.
Hodo, Thomas; Hamrick, Mark; Melenevsky, Yulia
Musculoskeletal anatomy is widely known to have components that stray from the norm in the form of variant muscle and tendon presence, absence, origin, insertion, and bifurcation. Although these variant muscles and tendons might be deemed incidental and insignificant findings by most, they can be important contributors to pathologic physiology or, more importantly, an option for effective treatment. In the present case report, we describe a patient with phocomelia and Müllerian abnormalities secondary to in utero thalidomide exposure. The patient had experienced recurrent bilateral foot pain accompanied by numbness, stiffness, swelling, and longstanding pes planus. These symptoms persisted despite conservative treatment with orthotics, steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Radiographic imaging showed dysmorphic and degenerative changes of the ankle and foot joints. Further investigation with magnetic resonance imaging revealed complex anatomic abnormalities, including the absence of the posterior tibialis and peroneus brevis, lateralization of the peroneus longus, and the presence of a variant anterior compartment muscle. The variant structure was likely a previously described anterior compartment variant, anterior fibulocalcaneus, and might have been a source of the recurrent pain. Also, the absence of the posterior tibialis might have caused the pes planus in the present patient, considering that posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction is the most common cause of acquired pes planus. Although thalidomide infrequently affects the lower extremities, its effects on growth and development were likely the cause of this rare array of anatomic abnormalities and resulting ankle and foot pathologic features. Copyright © 2017 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Woods, C G; Stricker, S; Seemann, P; Stern, R; Cox, J; Sherridan, E; Roberts, E; Springell, K; Scott, S; Karbani, G; Sharif, S M; Toomes, C; Bond, J; Kumar, D; Al-Gazali, L; Mundlos, S
2006-08-01
Fuhrmann syndrome and the Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild/Schinzel phocomelia syndrome are considered to be distinct limb-malformation disorders characterized by various degrees of limb aplasia/hypoplasia and joint dysplasia in humans. In families with these syndromes, we found homozygous missense mutations in the dorsoventral-patterning gene WNT7A and confirmed their functional significance in retroviral-mediated transfection of chicken mesenchyme cell cultures and developing limbs. The results suggest that a partial loss of WNT7A function causes Fuhrmann syndrome (and a phenotype similar to mouse Wnt7a knockout), whereas the more-severe limb truncation phenotypes observed in Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild/Schinzel phocomelia syndrome result from null mutations (and cause a phenotype similar to mouse Shh knockout). These findings illustrate the specific and conserved importance of WNT7A in multiple aspects of vertebrate limb development.
Woods, C. G.; Stricker, S.; Seemann, P.; Stern, R.; Cox, J.; Sherridan, E.; Roberts, E.; Springell, K.; Scott, S.; Karbani, G.; Sharif, S. M.; Toomes, C.; Bond, J.; Kumar, D.; Al-Gazali, L.; Mundlos, S.
2006-01-01
Fuhrmann syndrome and the Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild/Schinzel phocomelia syndrome are considered to be distinct limb-malformation disorders characterized by various degrees of limb aplasia/hypoplasia and joint dysplasia in humans. In families with these syndromes, we found homozygous missense mutations in the dorsoventral-patterning gene WNT7A and confirmed their functional significance in retroviral-mediated transfection of chicken mesenchyme cell cultures and developing limbs. The results suggest that a partial loss of WNT7A function causes Fuhrmann syndrome (and a phenotype similar to mouse Wnt7a knockout), whereas the more-severe limb truncation phenotypes observed in Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild/Schinzel phocomelia syndrome result from null mutations (and cause a phenotype similar to mouse Shh knockout). These findings illustrate the specific and conserved importance of WNT7A in multiple aspects of vertebrate limb development. PMID:16826533
Earle, Rosie; Vaghadia, Himat; Shanahan, Enda; Tang, Raymond; Sawka, Andrew
2016-11-01
We report the novel application of photoplethysmographic technology with the Nexfin HD monitor for real-time measurement of blood pressure (BP) in a patient with tetraamelia. The patient was a 58-year-old man with tetraamelia secondary to thalidomide exposure in utero, who presented for surgical excision of a maxillary schwannoma. Because difficulty of cuff use on rudimentary limbs and failure to gain invasive arterial access due to abnormalities of limb vasculature, this population is known to pose some unique challenges for BP measurement. Nexfin may offer an alternative noninvasive method to detect BP in patients with phocomelia during the perioperative period. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Cellular anomalies underlying retinoid-induced phocomelia.
Zhou, Jian; Kochhar, Devendra M
2004-11-01
The question of how alterations in cell behavior produced by retinoic acid (RA) influenced the development of skeletogenic mesenchyme of the limb bud was examined in this study. Our established model was employed, which involves treatment of pregnant mice with a teratogenic dose of RA (100 mg/kg) on 11 days postcoitum (dpc) resulting in a severe truncation of all long bones of the forelimbs in virtually every exposed fetus. It is shown that RA, administered at a stage to induce phocomelia in virtually all exposed embryos, resulted in immediate appearance of enhanced cell death within the mesenchyme in the central core of the limb bud, an area destined for chondrogenesis. The central core mesenchyme, which in the untreated limb buds experiences a sharp decline in cell proliferation heralding the onset of chondrogenesis, demonstrated a reversal of the process; this mesenchyme maintained a higher rate of cell proliferation upon RA exposure. These events resulted in a truncation and disorganization of the chondrogenic anlage, more pronounced in zeugopodal mesenchyme than in the autopod. We conclude that an inhibition of chondrogenesis was secondary to a disruption in cellular behavior caused by RA, a likely consequence of misregulation in the growth factor signaling cascade.
Krassikoff, N E; Cowan, J M; Parry, D M; Francke, U
1986-01-01
Different cell types from a female patient with Roberts/SC phocomelia syndrome were evaluated quantitatively for the presence of repulsion of heterochromatin and satellite regions of mitotic chromosomes. Whereas EBV-transformed lymphoblasts from an established cell line revealed these phenomena at frequencies equal to those in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts, aneuploid cells from a metastatic melanoma displayed them at 50% lower frequency. Cocultivation of the patient's fibroblasts with either an immortal Chinese hamster cell line or with a human male fibroblast strain carrying a t(4;6)(p14;q21) translocation showed that the phenomenon was not corrected or induced by a diffusible factor or by cell-to-cell contact. In each experiment, only the patient's metaphase spreads revealed chromatid repulsion. In fusion hybrids between the patient's fibroblasts and an established Chinese hamster cell line, the human chromosomes behaved perfectly normally, suggesting that the gene product which is missing or mutant in Roberts/SC phocomelia syndrome is supplied by the Chinese hamster genome. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 PMID:3788975
Expanding the mutation and clinical spectrum of Roberts syndrome.
Afifi, Hanan H; Abdel-Salam, Ghada M H; Eid, Maha M; Tosson, Angie M S; Shousha, Wafaa Gh; Abdel Azeem, Amira A; Farag, Mona K; Mehrez, Mennat I; Gaber, Khaled R
2016-07-01
Roberts syndrome and SC phocomelia syndrome are rare autosomal recessive genetic disorders representing the extremes of the spectrum of severity of the same condition, caused by mutations in ESCO2 gene. We report three new patients with Roberts syndrome from three unrelated consanguineous Egyptian families. All patients presented with growth retardation, mesomelic shortening of the limbs more in the upper than in the lower limbs and microcephaly. Patients were subjected to clinical, cytogenetic and radiologic examinations. Cytogenetic analysis showed the characteristic premature separation of centromeres and puffing of heterochromatic regions. Further, sequencing of the ESCO2 gene identified a novel mutation c.244_245dupCT (p.T83Pfs*20) in one family besides two previously reported mutations c.760_761insA (p.T254Nfs*27) and c.764_765delTT (p.F255Cfs*25). All mutations were in homozygous state, in exon 3. The severity of the mesomelic shortening of the limbs and craniofacial anomalies showed variability among patients. Interestingly, patient 1 had abnormal skin hypopigmentation. Serial fetal ultrasound examinations and measurements of long bones diagnosed two affected fetuses in two of the studied families. A literature review and case comparison was performed. In conclusion, we report a novel ESCO2 mutation and expand the clinical spectrum of Roberts syndrome. © 2015 Japanese Teratology Society.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Case Study
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
Morita, Akihiro; Nakahira, Kumiko; Hasegawa, Taeko; Uchida, Kaoru; Taniguchi, Yoshihito; Takeda, Shunichi; Toyoda, Atsushi; Sakaki, Yoshiyuki; Shimada, Atsuko; Takeda, Hiroyuki; Yanagihara, Itaru
2012-06-01
Roberts syndrome and SC phocomelia (RBS/SC) are genetic autosomal recessive syndromes caused by establishment of cohesion 1 homolog 2 ( ESCO 2) mutation. RBS/SC appear to have a variety of clinical features, even with the same mutation of the ESCO2 gene. Here, we established and genetically characterized a medaka model of RBS/SC by reverse genetics. The RBS/SC model was screened from a mutant medaka library produced by the Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes method. The medaka mutant carrying the homozygous mutation at R80S in the conserved region of ESCO2 exhibited clinical variety (i.e. developmental arrest with craniofacial and chromosomal abnormalities and embryonic lethality) as characterized in RBS/SC. Moreover, widespread apoptosis and downregulation of some gene expression, including notch1a, were detected in the R80S mutant. The R80S mutant is the animal model for RBS/SC and a valuable resource that provides the opportunity to extend knowledge of ESCO2. Downregulation of some gene expression in the R80S mutant is an important clue explaining non-correlation between genotype and phenotype in RBS/SC. © 2012 The Authors Development, Growth & Differentiation © 2012 Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists.
A Full Spectrum Case for the Heavy Force
2011-03-01
PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Professor John Bonin Concepts, Doctrine, and General Officer Updates Office 8. PERFORMING...SPECTRUM CASE FOR THE HEAVY FORCE by Colonel Richard D. Creed, Jr. United States Army Dr. John Bonin Project...8 Ibid.; also. Programs Branch Common Operating Picture 2010 Briefing. 9 Colonel (R) John Bonin , Ph. D., in an email to the author on 21 DEC 10. Dr
Ünver, Buket; Öner, Özgür; Yurtbaşı, Pınar
2015-01-01
Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by social and interpersonal deficits marked by discomfort with, and reduced capacity for, close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior. Inappropriate or constricted affect, reduced capacity for relationships, lack of close friends and reduced capacity for social life are the symptoms that overlap both schizotypal personality disorder and autism spectrum disorders. The making of differential diagnosis may be difficult since several symptoms are similar between these disorders. In this study, we discussed the differential diagnosis issues on the basis of an adolescent case. Odd appearance, magical thoughts, reference thoughts suggests Schizotypal Personality Disorder whereas lack of eye contact at 2 years old, a preference to be isolated and play alone and referral to a child psychiatrist at 4 years old suggest Autism Spectrum Disorders. Based on the results of psychological assessment, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) profile is compatible with autistic children's profiles. Based on Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, the patient's anxiety, lack of close friends, constricted affect symptoms which take place in the category of interpersonal schizotypy seems to overlap with lack of communication of Autism Spectrum Disorders. This case report indicates that, separation of autism and schizophrenia, a very important historical breakthrough in autism research, may be blurred in cases with less typical clinical pictures representing autistic and schizophrenic "spectrum" diagnosis.
A Multiple Case Study Analysis Exploring Autism Spectrum Disorder as a Culture
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hutto, Lori Lynn
2017-01-01
This qualitative multiple case study analysis included the exploration of the phenomenon of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from a cultural standpoint, rather than the traditional view of deficits caused by disability. This effort was undertaken to determine if those within this population would be better served by the educational system and more…
Social Competence Intervention in Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDS) - A Case Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Amin, Noor A.; Oweini, Ahmad
2013-01-01
The purpose of this case study was to determine the effectiveness of a combined intervention in remediating the social skills in a first-grader with a disorder from the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The researcher also aimed to identify the changes observed during the intervention period. The combined intervention consisted of reading…
Kabuki syndrome: a Chinese case series and systematic review of the spectrum of mutations.
Liu, Shuang; Hong, Xiafei; Shen, Cheng; Shi, Quan; Wang, Jian; Xiong, Feng; Qiu, Zhengqing
2015-04-21
Kabuki syndrome is a rare hereditary disease affecting multiple organs. The causative genes identified to date are KMT2D and KDMA6. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical manifestations and the spectrum of mutations of KMT2D. We retrospectively retrieved a series of eight patients from two hospitals in China and conducted Sanger sequencing for all of the patients and their parents if available. We also reviewed the literature and plotted the mutation spectrum of KMT2D. The patients generally presented with typical clinical manifestations as previously reported in other countries. Uncommon symptoms included spinal bifida and Dandy-Walker malformation. With respect to the mutations, five mutations were found in five patients, including two frameshift indels, one nonsense mutation and two missense mutations. This is the first case series on Kabuki syndrome in Mainland China. Unusual symptoms, such as spinal bifida and Dandy-Walker syndrome, suggested that neurological developmental defects may accompany Kabuki syndrome. This case series helps broaden the mutation spectrum of Kabuki syndrome and adds information regarding the manifestations of Kabuki syndrome.
Brief Report: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder: A Review and Case Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rengit, Ashy C.; McKowen, James W.; O'Brien, Julie; Howe, Yamini J.; McDougle, Christopher J.
2016-01-01
There is limited literature available on the comorbidity between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and substance use disorder (SUD). This paper reviews existing literature and exemplifies the challenges of treating this population with a case report of an adult male with ASD and DSM-5 alcohol use disorder. This review and case study seeks to…
Olgun, Z Deniz; Demirkiran, Gokhan; Polly, David; Yazici, Muharrem
2018-03-01
There is an increased incidence of scoliosis in patients with congenital malformations of the upper extremity even in the absence of overt vertebral abnormalities. In this case series, we summarize the curve characteristics of four patients presenting to two spine surgery clinics with unilateral amelia or phocomelia and a progressive scoliotic curve with the apex on the side of deficiency. All patients required orthopedic intervention for their curves. Amelia and phocomelia are severe congenital malformations of the upper limb affecting trunk balance and, conceivably, causing scoliosis with the absence of counterbalancing weight on the affected side. The combination of upper limb absence and same-sided scoliosis in these patients may provide a clue of the mechanical factors causing scoliosis in other disorders. In this article, we attempt to define this exceptional deformity, theorize on its etiology, and draw attention to this particular combination of problems. Case series; Level IV.
Kantaputra, Piranit N; Mundlos, Stefan; Sripathomsawat, Warissara
2010-11-01
Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild/Schinzel phocomelia (AARRS) syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, comprises malformations of upper and lower limbs with severely hypoplastic pelvis and abnormal genitalia. Mutations in WNT7A have been reported as cause of the syndrome. We report on two sisters in a Thai family with short and malformed long bones, absent fibulae, flexion contracture of digits, and a/hypoplastic nails. Fusion between severely malformed femora and slender tibiae has never been reported in patients with WNT7A mutations. Lower limbs were more severely malformed than the upper ones and the pelvis was also severely affected. Multiple fusions of long bones and of the femoral heads to the acetabula were evident. A novel homozygous missense mutation in coding exon 4 of the WNT7A was detected in both affected daughters (c.664C > T) leading to an amino acid exchange from arginine to tryptophan (p.Arg222Trp; R222W). The phenotype is likely to result from an abnormality of all three signaling centers in the developing limb resulting in ventralization with a loss of dorsal structures (aplasia/hypoplasia of nails) a loss of anterior-posterior identity (single distal bones in lower limb without polarity) and an outgrowth defect resulting in distal truncations. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The spectrum of psychosis in multiple sclerosis: a clinical case series
Gilberthorpe, Thomas G; O’Connell, Kara E; Carolan, Alison; Silber, Eli; Brex, Peter A; Sibtain, Naomi A; David, Anthony S
2017-01-01
Psychosis in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS) has previously been reported as a rare occurrence. However, recent epidemiological studies have found prevalence rates of psychosis in MS that are two to three times higher than those in the general population. Untreated psychosis in patients with MS can adversely impact on adherence to MS medication, levels of disability, and quality of life. This retrospective case series describes the spectrum of psychotic disorders occurring in association with MS using demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging data. In the discussion, we highlight the particular diagnostic and treatment challenges that such disorders can pose for clinicians and through our case vignettes provide examples of potential interventions for this complex patient population. PMID:28203081
Nutritional Status of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs): A Case-Control Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Marí-Bauset, Salvador; Llopis-González, Agustín; Zazpe-García, Itziar; Marí-Sanchis, Amelia; Morales-Suárez-Varela, María
2015-01-01
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have problems of food selectivity, implying risks of nutritional deficiencies. The aim was to compare intakes of macro and micronutrients and body mass index in ASD and typically developing (TD) children. In a case--control study, 3-day food diaries and anthropometric measurements were completed for ASD…
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders--a case-control study from India.
Nayak, Raghavendra; Murthy, Pratima; Girimaji, Satish; Navaneetham, Jamuna
2012-02-01
Maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy can lead to fetal neurotoxicity and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). To compare the clinical features and neurobehavioral profiles of children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy with controls. Children exposed to alcohol in utero (n = 26) and 27-years age- and sex-matched controls were compared on FAS facial features, minor physical anomalies (MPAs), anthropometric measures, behavioral problems and intellectual functioning. MPAs were more common in cases (p = 0.001). Among FAS facial features, only philtrum smoothness varied significantly between the groups (p = 0.001). Behavioral problems (on Childhood Behavior Check List) were more pronounced (p = 0.001) and intellectual functioning significantly poorer in cases (p = 0.001) compared to controls. Children prenatally exposed to alcohol manifest several neurobehavioral problems compared to controls. Underlying malnutrition may have altered some of the clinical findings.
Spectrum of perforation peritonitis in India--review of 504 consecutive cases.
Jhobta, Rajender Singh; Attri, Ashok Kumar; Kaushik, Robin; Sharma, Rajeev; Jhobta, Anupam
2006-09-05
Perforation peritonitis is the most common surgical emergency in India. The spectrum of etiology of perforation in Tropical countries continues to be different from its Western counterpart. The objective of the study was to highlight the spectrum of perforation peritonitis as encountered by us at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh. Five hundred and four consecutive cases of perforation peritonitis over a period of five years were reviewed in terms of clinical presentation, operative findings and postoperative course retrospectively at GMCH, Chandigarh. The most common cause of perforation in our series was perforated duodenal ulcer (289 cases) followed by appendicitis (59 cases), gastrointestinal perforation due to blunt trauma abdomen (45 cases), typhoid fever (41 cases) and tuberculosis (20 cases). Despite delay in seeking medical treatment (53%), the overall mortality (10%) was favourably comparable with other published series though the overall morbidity (50%) was unusually high. In contrast to western literature, where lower gastrointestinal tract perforations predominate, upper gastrointestinal tract perforations constitute the majority of cases in India. The increasing incidence of post-traumatic gastro-enteric injuries may be due to an increase in high speed motor vehicle accidents which warrant early recognition and prompt treatment to avoid serious complications and death.
2005-06-02
the interaction of the Privacy Rule and FDA regulations with the Common Rule. Appendix B CRS-12 20 Phocomelia Syndrome is a birth defect that may...linked to the birth defect phocomelia .20 ! Congress enacts the Drug Amendments of 1962 (P.L. 87-781), requiring researchers to obtain subjects...information about Phocomelia Syndrome, see [http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/nord780.asp], visited Apr. 11, 2005. 178 Section 505(i) of the Food
A Comparison of Fast-Spectrum and Moderated Space Fission Reactors
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Poston, David I.
2005-02-01
The reactor neutron spectrum is one of the fundamental design choices for any fission reactor, but the implications of using a moderated spectrum are vastly different for space reactors as opposed to terrestrial reactors. In addition, the pros and cons of neutron spectra are significantly different among many of the envisioned space power applications. This paper begins with a discussion of the neutronic differences between fast-spectrum and moderated space reactors. This is followed by a discussion of the pros and cons of fast-spectrum and moderated space reactors separated into three areas—technical risk, performance, and safety/safeguards. A mix of quantitative and qualitative arguments is presented, and some conclusions generally can be made regarding neutron spectrum and space power application. In most cases, a fast-spectrum system appears to be the better alternative (mostly because of simplicity and higher potential operating temperatures); however, in some cases, such as a low-power (<100-kWt) surface reactor, a moderated spectrum could provide a better approach. In all cases, the determination of which spectrum is preferred is a strong function of the metrics provided by the "customer"— i.e., if a certain level of performance is required, it could provide a different solution than if a certain level of safeguards is required (which in some cases could produce a null solution). The views expressed in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect agreement by the Government.
[The case of an adult man with savant syndrome in the course of autism spectrum disorder].
Sipowicz, Kasper; Pietras, Tadeusz
2017-07-21
The paper reports on a case of 57-year man with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy with an unusual feature of calendar calculation. Namely, this is the case of savant syndrome, which appears rarely in the course of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Commorbidity of epilepsy and autism particularly predispose to the aforementioned syndrome. In the presented case, apart from the calendar calculation, the man has high language abilities. As previous studies suggest, the extraordinary abilities among persons with savant syndrome works similarly to the language module in healthy persons. Savant syndrome may appear in any patient with neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly in those suffering from autism spectrum disorder with comorbid epilepsy.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Assistive Technology: Action Research Case Study of Reading Supports
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lindsey, Pam
2012-01-01
This descriptive action research experience with case study procedures examined the use of best practices paired with assistive technologies as interventions to individualize fiction reading instruction for a high-functioning elementary student, JB (pseudonym), diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. JB's instructional, reading goals were to…
Sexuality and gender role in autism spectrum disorder: a case control study.
Bejerot, Susanne; Eriksson, Jonna M
2014-01-01
The 'extreme male brain theory of autism' describes an extreme male pattern of cognitive traits defined as strong systemising abilities paired with empathising weaknesses in autism spectrum disorder. However, beyond these cognitive traits, clinical observations have suggested an ambiguous gender-typed pattern regarding several sexually dimorphic traits. The aim of the present study was to investigate if patterns of non-cognitive sexually dimorphic traits differed between the autism spectrum disorder and control groups. Fifty adults with autism spectrum disorder and intelligence within the normal range, and 53 neurotypical controls responded to questions on gender role, self-perceived gender typicality and gender identity, as well as sexuality. Measures used were a Swedish modification of the Bem Sex Role Inventory and questions on sexuality and gender designed for the purpose of this study. Our results showed that one common gender role emerged in the autism spectrum disorder group. Masculinity (e.g. assertiveness, leadership and competitiveness) was weaker in the autism spectrum disorder group than in the controls, across men and women. Self-perceived gender typicality did not differ between the groups but tomboyism and bisexuality were overrepresented amongst women with autism spectrum disorder. Lower libido was reported amongst both male and female participants with autism spectrum disorder compared with controls. We conclude that the extreme male patterns of cognitive functions in the autistic brain do not seem to extend to gender role and sexuality. A gender-atypical pattern for these types of characteristics is suggested in autism spectrum disorder.
Oral health among preschool children with autism spectrum disorders: A case-control study.
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.
Intrapartum diagnostic of Roberts syndrome - case presentation.
Socolov, Răzvan Vladimir; Andreescu, Nicoleta Ioana; Haliciu, Ana Maria; Gorduza, Eusebiu Vlad; Dumitrache, Florentin; Balan, Raluca Anca; Puiu, Maria; Dobrescu, Mihaela Amelia; Socolov, Demetra Gabriela
2015-01-01
Roberts syndrome is a rare disease, with multiple limb and skeletal abnormalities (called "pseudothalidomide disease"). There are only around 150 cases described in literature. We present a case of Roberts syndrome, diagnosed in moment of delivery, after a pregnancy without prenatal follow-up. The stillborn baby was naturally delivered by a 17-year-old primiparous woman at 38 weeks of amenorrhea. The pregnancy was not followed due to socioeconomic and family situation, and no prenatal ultrasound was performed. The male baby has 2650 g and presented several morphological abnormalities and tight double umbilical abdominal loop. The macroscopic evaluation showed: dolichocephaly, hypoplastic inferior maxilla with micrognathia, antimongoloid palpebral slant, pterygium colli, abnormal and lower implanted ears, superior limbs phocomelia, syndactyly at lower left limb and tetradactyly in all limbs, bilateral cryptorchidism, pancreatic aplasia. Roberts syndrome is a rare genetic disease with recessive autosomal transmission generated by mutations in ESCO2 gene, located on chromosome 8. The disease should be easy to diagnose by antenatal ultrasound examination, but in our case, the lack of prenatal follow-up determined the diagnostic at term. We believe consider this case is an argument towards introducing ultrasound-screening compulsory to all pregnancies. To identify a possible genetic mutation, further investigations of the parents are in progress, but classically the disease has a recessive autosomal transmission.
Sexuality and Gender Role in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Control Study
Bejerot, Susanne; Eriksson, Jonna M.
2014-01-01
The ‘extreme male brain theory of autism’ describes an extreme male pattern of cognitive traits defined as strong systemising abilities paired with empathising weaknesses in autism spectrum disorder. However, beyond these cognitive traits, clinical observations have suggested an ambiguous gender-typed pattern regarding several sexually dimorphic traits. The aim of the present study was to investigate if patterns of non-cognitive sexually dimorphic traits differed between the autism spectrum disorder and control groups. Fifty adults with autism spectrum disorder and intelligence within the normal range, and 53 neurotypical controls responded to questions on gender role, self-perceived gender typicality and gender identity, as well as sexuality. Measures used were a Swedish modification of the Bem Sex Role Inventory and questions on sexuality and gender designed for the purpose of this study. Our results showed that one common gender role emerged in the autism spectrum disorder group. Masculinity (e.g. assertiveness, leadership and competitiveness) was weaker in the autism spectrum disorder group than in the controls, across men and women. Self-perceived gender typicality did not differ between the groups but tomboyism and bisexuality were overrepresented amongst women with autism spectrum disorder. Lower libido was reported amongst both male and female participants with autism spectrum disorder compared with controls. We conclude that the extreme male patterns of cognitive functions in the autistic brain do not seem to extend to gender role and sexuality. A gender-atypical pattern for these types of characteristics is suggested in autism spectrum disorder. PMID:24498228
Equine-Assisted Intervention in a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: a case report.
Cerino, Stefania; Borgi, Marta; Fiorentini, Ilaria; Correale, Cinzia; Lori, Alessia; Cirulli, Francesca
2016-01-01
An increasing number of studies have shown the beneficial effects of both recreational and therapeutic interventions assisted by animals for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The observed effects are believed to be mainly due to the ability of some animals to positively engage people, thus potentially counteracting the social withdrawal characterizing these subjects. Here we report the case of a child with high-functioning autism who has been included in an Equine-Assisted Intervention (EAI) program for 2 years. In particular, the relationship with the animal was used to encourage child’s narrative abilities as a primary means of improving cognition and communication. This case represents a first attempt to theorize the role of human-animal interaction as an adjunct to classic therapeutic strategies in ASD. During the intervention, the child appeared to gradually abandon his attitude to avoid the contact with the present and to hide in imaginative past and future. We propose animal-assisted interventions as complementary approaches capable to facilitate the verbalization of the patient’s internal states and to promote psychological well-being through the development of a bond with the animal.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lautenbacher, Susan L.
2013-01-01
This qualitative case study examines the perceptions of parents of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) towards family/school partnerships. Interviews were conducted with parents of children with autism that belonged to a parent support group in western Pennsylvania. The resulting interviews cast light on the motivators and barriers that…
Spectrum of dermoscopic patterns in lichen planus: a case series from China.
Tan, Cheng; Min, Zhong-Sheng; Xue, Yanning; Zhu, Wen-Yuan
2014-01-01
Dermoscopy has been shown to be a promising method to facilitate the diagnosis of lichen planus (LP) outside of China. To investigate the spectrum of dermoscopic patterns in Chinese LP patients. The clinical data and dermoscopic patterns of nine LP cases with a total of 43 lesions were evaluated. To the naked eye, 20.97% of the lesions exhibited graying Wickham striae (WS); however, 37.5% presented with white streaks of annular, reticular, or leaf venation patterns under dermoscopy. Blue-white veils were occasionally observed in the center. Pigment patterns varied from dots, globules, and peppered pigment to pigmented lines, which were unrelated to the pigment network of the skin. At the periphery of the WS, red fine lines ran parallel to the delicate white streaming lines. WS exhibits five morphological patterns (leaf venation, reticular, white dots, circular and radial streaming) and three color patterns (homogeneous crystalline white, blue-white veil and yellowish-white). The pigment patterns consisted of dots/globules, peppered pigments and pigment. streaming lines.
Electroacupuncture for children with autism spectrum disorder: pilot study of 2 cases.
Chen, Wen-Xiong; Wu-Li, Liu; Wong, Virginia C N
2008-10-01
The objective of this study was to observe for efficacy, safety, and compliance of electroacupuncture for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Two (2) children with ASD received electroacupuncture for 24 sessions over 8 weeks and were assessed pre- and postacupuncture. We defined a positive or negative change as an improvement or deterioration of 25%, respectively, in total score or any subscales of Aberrant Behavioral Checklist (ABC), Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Scale (RFRLS), WeeFIM, and as a rating of much improved or much worse on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale. For ABC, positive changes in "Irritability" and "Stereotypy" was noted in case 1 but no changes occurred for case 2. For RFRLS, positive changes were found for both cases in "Sensory motor," "Sensory response," and "Total score," although negative change was noted for case 2 in "Affectual response." For WeeFIM, there were no positive or negative changes in both cases. For CGI-I, positive change in case 1 with much improved in "Social relatedness, Communication, and Stereotypy behavior" was reported. A short intensive course of electroacupuncture might improve some core features of children with ASD.
2011-01-01
Introduction Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder in which the interactions of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences are thought to play a causal role. In humans, throughout embryonic and fetal life, brain development is exquisitely susceptible to injury caused by exposure to toxic chemicals present in the environment. Although the use of herbal supplements during pregnancy is relatively common, little information is available on their association with fetal neurodevelopment. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report in the literature to associate a new plausible mechanism of neurodevelopmental toxicity with a case of autism spectrum disorder through a vitamin deficiency potentiated by concomitant use of herbal supplements and ethanol exposure. Case presentation We describe the pediatric environmental history of a three-year-old Caucasian girl with an autism spectrum disorder. We utilized her pediatric environmental history to evaluate constitutional, genetic, and environmental factors pertinent to manifestation of neurodevelopment disorders. Both parents reported prenatal exposure to several risk factors of interest. A year prior to conception the mother began a weight loss diet and ingested 1200 mg/day of 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedies containing thiaminase, an enzyme that with long-term use can lead to vitamin deficiency. The mother reported a significant weight loss during the pregnancy and a deficiency of B-complex vitamins. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency could have been potentiated by the horsetail's thiaminase activity and ethanol exposure during pregnancy. No other risk factors were identified. Conclusions A detailed and careful pediatric environmental history, which includes daily intake, herbal remedies and ethanol exposure, should be obtained from all patients with autism spectrum disorder. Maternal consumption of ethanol and of herbal supplements with suspected or potential toxicity should be
Asato, Yuko; Kamitani, Toshiaki; Ootsuka, Kuniyuki; Kuramochi, Mizuki; Nakanishi, Kozo; Shimada, Tetsuya; Takahashi, Toshiyuki; Misu, Tatsuro; Aoki, Masashi; Fujihara, Kazuo; Kawabata, Yoshinori
2018-05-18
We herein report the case of a 76-year old man with aquaporin-4-Immunoglobulin-G (AQP4-IgG)-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), in whom transient interstitial pulmonary lesions developed at the early stage of the disease. Chest X-ray showed multiple infiltrative shadows in both upper lung fields, and computed tomography revealed abnormal shadows distributed randomly in the lungs. Surgical lung biopsy showed features of unclassifiable interstitial pneumonia, characterized by various types of air-space organization, which resulted in obscure lung structure. This is the first report to describe the pathological findings of interstitial pneumonia, which may represent a rare extra-central nervous system complication of NMOSD.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Neeley, Richard A.; Pulliam, Mary Hannah; Catt, Merrill; McDaniel, D. Mike
2015-01-01
This case study examined the initial and renewed impact of speech generating devices on the expressive communication behaviors of a child with autism spectrum disorder. The study spanned six years of interrupted use of two speech generating devices. The child's communication behaviors were analyzed from video recordings and included communication…
Metaphor Comprehension in Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Case Studies of Two High-Functioning Children
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Melogno, Sergio; D'Ardia, Caterina; Pinto, Maria Antonietta; Levi, Gabriel
2012-01-01
This article presents case studies on metaphor comprehension in two boys with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorder, aged 9;1 (9 years, 1 month) and 8;11. The participants were assessed twice, before and after an intervention program aimed at improving their social skills. The focus of the article is on the specific patterns exhibited by…
Stavropoulos, Katherine Kuhl-Meltzoff; Bolourian, Yasamine; Blacher, Jan
2018-01-01
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to affect one in 68 children. Given the increase in both prevalence and awareness of ASD, it is critical to provide accurate and timely diagnosis. However, ASD often co-occurs with other disorders, making diagnosis difficult. The objective of the current case study was to provide two examples of differential diagnosis in ASD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) observed in an autism clinic. In both cases, the goal was to decide whether each child should be given a diagnosis of ASD, PTSD, or both. PMID:29642485
[Variants of radial hemimelia with and without vitium cordis (Holt-Oram syndrome) in 2 families].
Pfeiffer, R A; Böwing, B; Deeg, K H
1989-05-01
In two families radial hemimelia is inherited as a dominant trait. The first proposita suffered from bilateral radial aplasia, the 2nd propositus exhibited (pseudo)phocomelia. In this case the diagnosis was Holt-Oram-syndrome. The affected mothers showed unilateral hypoplasia of the thumb only. Cases like these ones are likely to be overlooked or misinterpreted. The recurrence risk is 50%. Similar observations are quoted. The cause of "variable expressivity" is unknown.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Douglas, Jessica F.; Sanders, Kevin B.; Benneyworth, M. Hannah; Smith, Jessica L.; DeJean, Virginia M.; McGrew, Susan G.; Veenstra-VanderWeele, Jeremy
2013-01-01
We examined response to oxcarbazepine prescribed for irritability/agitation symptoms in a retrospective case series of 30 patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The average patient was 12.0 years old (range 5-21) and taking two other psychotropic medications (range 0-4). Fourteen patients (47 %) had a clinical global impression of…
Wallace, Gregory L; Happé, Francesca; Giedd, Jay N
2009-05-27
Neuropsychological functioning and brain morphometry in a savant (case GW) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and both calendar calculation and artistic skills are quantified and compared with small groups of neurotypical controls. Good memory, mental calculation and visuospatial processing, as well as (implicit) knowledge of calendar structure and 'weak' central coherence characterized the cognitive profile of case GW. Possibly reflecting his savant skills, the superior parietal region of GW's cortex was the only area thicker (while areas such as the superior and medial prefrontal, middle temporal and motor cortices were thinner) than that of a neurotypical control group. Taken from the perspective of learning/practice-based models, skills in domains (e.g. calendars, art, music) that capitalize upon strengths often associated with ASD, such as detail-focused processing, are probably further enhanced through over-learning and massive exposure, and reflected in atypical brain structure.
Wallace, Gregory L.; Happé, Francesca; Giedd, Jay N.
2009-01-01
Neuropsychological functioning and brain morphometry in a savant (case GW) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and both calendar calculation and artistic skills are quantified and compared with small groups of neurotypical controls. Good memory, mental calculation and visuospatial processing, as well as (implicit) knowledge of calendar structure and ‘weak’ central coherence characterized the cognitive profile of case GW. Possibly reflecting his savant skills, the superior parietal region of GW's cortex was the only area thicker (while areas such as the superior and medial prefrontal, middle temporal and motor cortices were thinner) than that of a neurotypical control group. Taken from the perspective of learning/practice-based models, skills in domains (e.g. calendars, art, music) that capitalize upon strengths often associated with ASD, such as detail-focused processing, are probably further enhanced through over-learning and massive exposure, and reflected in atypical brain structure. PMID:19528026
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Knox, Michael
2013-01-01
This action qualitative study with a case research design investigated the impact of facilitated communication (FC) on the educational lives of high school students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The effect of FC on nonverbal students and schools' reactions to FC were also examined. The results from the four case studies indicate that FC…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Barcadepone, Michael J.
2012-01-01
The purpose of this case study was to investigate existing New Jersey case law for the special education population classified as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and analyze New Jersey Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decisions to identify why districts win or lose cases, adding to the limited body of research in New Jersey. In addition, the purpose…
Oral Health among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case-Control Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Du, Rennan Y; Yiu, Cynthia K. Y.; King, Nigel M.; Wong, Virginia C. N.; McGrath, Colman P. J.
2015-01-01
Aim: To assess and compare the oral health status of preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorders. Methods: 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…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wang, Shin-Yi; Parrila, Rauno
2008-01-01
In this paper, we describe a quality checklist that parents, teachers, clinicians, and policy-makers with basic research skills can use to systematically evaluate the methodological quality of single-case studies on social skill training of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). We provide a rationale for included quality indicators, and…
A robust power spectrum split cancellation-based spectrum sensing method for cognitive radio systems
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Qi, Pei-Han; Li, Zan; Si, Jiang-Bo; Gao, Rui
2014-12-01
Spectrum sensing is an essential component to realize the cognitive radio, and the requirement for real-time spectrum sensing in the case of lacking prior information, fading channel, and noise uncertainty, indeed poses a major challenge to the classical spectrum sensing algorithms. Based on the stochastic properties of scalar transformation of power spectral density (PSD), a novel spectrum sensing algorithm, referred to as the power spectral density split cancellation method (PSC), is proposed in this paper. The PSC makes use of a scalar value as a test statistic, which is the ratio of each subband power to the full band power. Besides, by exploiting the asymptotic normality and independence of Fourier transform, the distribution of the ratio and the mathematical expressions for the probabilities of false alarm and detection in different channel models are derived. Further, the exact closed-form expression of decision threshold is calculated in accordance with Neyman—Pearson criterion. Analytical and simulation results show that the PSC is invulnerable to noise uncertainty, and can achive excellent detection performance without prior knowledge in additive white Gaussian noise and flat slow fading channels. In addition, the PSC benefits from a low computational cost, which can be completed in microseconds.
Autism spectrum disorder symptoms in infants with fragile X syndrome: A prospective case series
Hogan, Abigail L.; Caravella, Kelly E.; Ezell, Jordan; Rague, Lisa; Hills, Kimberly; Roberts, Jane E.
2017-01-01
No studies to date have prospectively examined early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) markers in infants with fragile X syndrome (FXS), who are at elevated risk for ASD. This paper describes the developmental profiles of eight infants with FXS from 9 to 24 months of age. Four meet diagnostic criteria for ASD at 24 months of age, and four do not. Trends in these case studies suggest that early social-communicative deficits differentiate infants with and without later ASD diagnoses in ways that are similar to later-born siblings of children with ASD. Repetitive behaviors and cognitive and adaptive impairments are present in all FXS infants throughout development, suggesting that these deficits reflect the general FXS phenotype and not ASD in FXS specifically. PMID:28281129
MAOA, DBH and SLC6A4 variants in CHARGE: A case control study of autism spectrum disorders
Tassone, Flora; Qi, Lihong; Zhang, Wenting; Hansen, Robin L; Pessah, Isaac N; Hertz-Picciotto, Irva
2011-01-01
Background Genetic factors are established to contribute to the development of autism. We examined three loci, serotonin transporter (SLC6A4), dopamine hydroxylase (DBH) and the variable number of tandem repeat promoter of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) for association with autism in participants from the CHARGE (CHildhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment) Study, the first large-scale population-based case-control investigation of both environmental and genetic contributions to autism risk. Methods Among male children enrolled in the CHARGE study we tested associations between each of the three polymorphisms and autism (AU) (n=119), or a combined group of autism and other autism spectrum disorders (AU+ASD, which includes an additional n=53) as compared with typically developing controls (TD, n=137). Results The case-control association analysis showed neither SLC6A4 nor DBH to be statistically significantly associated with AU or ASD. However, the male children carrying 4 tandem repeats in the promoter region of the MAOA gene showed a 2-fold higher risk of AU (or AU+ASD) than those carrying allele 3, adjusted for confounders (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.12, 3.65, p = 0.02 for AU vs. TD, and OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.19, 3.53, p = 0.01 for ASD vs. TD). In addition, mothers homozygous for the 4 tandem repeat allele showed at least a 3-fold higher risk of AU (or AU+ASD) than mothers homozygous for allele 3 (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.19, 7.91, p = 0.02 for AU vs. TD, and OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.35, 7.89, p = 0.009 for AU+ASD vs. TD). Conclusions These results suggest a potential role of the functional MAOA promoter alleles in the male child, the mother, or both in autism spectrum disorders. PMID:21538940
Abnormal centromere-chromatid apposition (ACCA) and Peters' anomaly.
Wertelecki, W; Dev, V G; Superneau, D W
1985-08-01
Abnormal centromere-chromatid apposition (ACCA) was noted in a patient with Peters' anomaly. Previous reports of ACCA emphasized its association with tetraphocomelia and other congenital malformations (Roberts, SC Phocomelia, Pseudothalidomide Syndromes). This report expands the array of congenital malformations associated with ACCA and emphasizes the diagnostic importance of ocular defects for the ascertainment of additional cases of ACCA and its possible relationship with abnormal cell division.
Parental Age and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Finnish National Birth Cohort
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lampi, Katja M.; Hinkka-Yli-Salomäki, Susanna; Lehti, Venla; Helenius, Hans; Gissler, Mika; Brown, Alan S.; Sourander, Andre
2013-01-01
Aim of the study was to examine the associations between parental age and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Data were based on the FIPS-A (Finnish Prenatal Study of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders), a case-control study with a total of 4,713 cases with childhood autism (n = 1,132), Asperger's syndrome (n = 1,785) or other pervasive…
Motor Skill Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Liu, Ting; Breslin, Casey M.; ElGarhy, Sayed
2017-01-01
Without proper motor assessment, children with autism spectrum disorder may be placed in educational settings that are inappropriate for their motor abilities. However, many practitioners find it challenging to choose which assessment to use to assess these children, especially with the number of instruments available. The purpose of this study…
DiGuiseppi, Carolyn G.; Daniels, Julie L.; Fallin, Daniele M.; Rosenberg, Steven A.; Schieve, Laura A.; Thomas, Kathleen C.; Windham, Gayle C.; Goss, Cynthia W.; Soke, Gnakub N.; Currie, Dustin W.; Singer, Alison B.; Lee, Li-Ching; Bernal, Pilar; Croen, Lisa A.; Miller, Lisa A.; Pinto-Martin, Jennifer A.; Young, Lisa M.; Schendel, Diana E.
2016-01-01
Background The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) is designed to enhance knowledge of autism spectrum disorder characteristics and etiologies. Objective This paper describes the demographic profile of enrolled families and examines sociodemographic differences between children with autism spectrum disorder and children with other developmental problems or who are typically developing. Methods This multi-site case-control study used health, education, and birth certificate records to identify and enroll children aged 2–5 years into one of three groups: 1) cases (children with autism spectrum disorder), 2) developmental delay or disorder controls, or 3) general population controls. Study group classification was based on sampling source, prior diagnoses, and study screening tests and developmental evaluations. The child's primary caregiver provided demographic characteristics through a telephone (or occasionally face-to-face) interview. Groups were compared using ANOVA, chi-squared test, or multinomial logistic regression as appropriate. Results Of 2768 study children, sizeable proportions were born to mothers of non-White race (31.7%), Hispanic ethnicity (11.4%), and foreign birth (17.6%); 33.0% of households had incomes below the US median. The autism spectrum disorder and population control groups differed significantly on nearly all sociodemographic parameters. In contrast, the autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay or disorder groups had generally similar sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions SEED enrolled a sociodemographically diverse sample, which will allow further, in-depth exploration of sociodemographic differences between study groups and provide novel opportunities to explore sociodemographic influences on etiologic risk factor associations with autism spectrum disorder and phenotypic subtypes. PMID:26917104
DiGuiseppi, Carolyn G; Daniels, Julie L; Fallin, Daniele M; Rosenberg, Steven A; Schieve, Laura A; Thomas, Kathleen C; Windham, Gayle C; Goss, Cynthia W; Soke, Gnakub N; Currie, Dustin W; Singer, Alison B; Lee, Li-Ching; Bernal, Pilar; Croen, Lisa A; Miller, Lisa A; Pinto-Martin, Jennifer A; Young, Lisa M; Schendel, Diana E
2016-07-01
The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) is designed to enhance knowledge of autism spectrum disorder characteristics and etiologies. This paper describes the demographic profile of enrolled families and examines sociodemographic differences between children with autism spectrum disorder and children with other developmental problems or who are typically developing. This multi-site case-control study used health, education, and birth certificate records to identify and enroll children aged 2-5 years into one of three groups: 1) cases (children with autism spectrum disorder), 2) developmental delay or disorder controls, or 3) general population controls. Study group classification was based on sampling source, prior diagnoses, and study screening tests and developmental evaluations. The child's primary caregiver provided demographic characteristics through a telephone (or occasionally face-to-face) interview. Groups were compared using ANOVA, chi-squared test, or multinomial logistic regression as appropriate. Of 2768 study children, sizeable proportions were born to mothers of non-White race (31.7%), Hispanic ethnicity (11.4%), and foreign birth (17.6%); 33.0% of households had incomes below the US median. The autism spectrum disorder and population control groups differed significantly on nearly all sociodemographic parameters. In contrast, the autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay or disorder groups had generally similar sociodemographic characteristics. SEED enrolled a sociodemographically diverse sample, which will allow further, in-depth exploration of sociodemographic differences between study groups and provide novel opportunities to explore sociodemographic influences on etiologic risk factor associations with autism spectrum disorder and phenotypic subtypes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Hall, John E.
1963-01-01
The deformities commonly seen in “thalidomide babies” are described. These vary from relatively uncomplicated radial-ray defects to complete phocomelia of all four extremities. It is suggested that the care of these children is best carried out in a clinic accustomed to dealing with juvenile amputee problems. A plea is made for very early fitting of upper-extremity prostheses (at approximately three months of age) in cases of unilateral upper-limb deficiencies. A “bucket” for sitting should be supplied for children with quadrilateral phocomelia to sit in when they reach seven or eight months of age. Children with severe upper-limb malformations will be candidates for some form of externally powered prostheses. ImagesFig. 1a and 1bFig. 2a and 2bFig. 3a and 3bFig. 4a and 4bFig. 5a, b and cFig. 6a and 6bFig. 7Fig. 8Fig. 9a and 9bFig. 10a,bFig. 10c and d PMID:13952105
Chang, Thashi; Withana, Milinda
2015-02-10
Neuromyelitis optica is characterised by optic neuritis, longitudinally-extensive transverse myelitis and presence of anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies in the serum. However, non-opticospinal central nervous system manifestations have been increasingly recognised. Awareness of the widening clinical spectrum of neuromyelitis optica (unified within the nosology of 'neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders') is key to earlier diagnosis and appropriate therapy. We report 2 patients to illustrate the varied clinical manifestations of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders while postulating an effect of anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies on the miscarriage of pregnancy. This is the first report of horizontal gaze palsy as a presenting symptom of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Patient 1: A 17-year-old Sri Lankan female presented with hypersomnolence, lateral gaze palsy and loss of taste of 1 week duration. Two years previously she had presented with intractable hiccups and vomiting followed by a brainstem syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion in the left cerebellum extending into the pons while lesions in bilateral hypothalami and medulla noted 2 years ago had resolved. Autoimmune, vasculitis and infection screens were negative. Anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies were detected in serum. All her symptoms resolved with immunosuppressive therapy. Patient 2: A 47-Year-old Sri Lankan female presented with persistent vomiting lasting over 3 weeks. Three years previously, at 25-weeks of her 4(th) pregnancy, she had presented with quadriparesis and was found to have a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis from C2 to T2 vertebral levels, which gradually improved following intravenous steroid therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a hyper-intense lesion in the area postrema and longitudinally extensive atrophy of the cord corresponding to her previous myelitis. Autoimmune, vasculitis and infection screens were negative. Anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies were detected in
Operto, Francesca Felicia; Martino, Federica; Rinaldi, Annalisa; Cerracchio, Angelo; Salvati, Giovanni; Orza, Mariano; Lembo, Claudia; Panzarino, Gianvito; Di Paolantonio, Claudia; Verrotti, Alberto; Farello, Giovanni; Coppola, Giangennaro
2017-09-20
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by impaired social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviours, as well as associated features including intellectual disability and impaired sensorimotor function. Despite a growing interest in this devastating disorder for families and young parents, there are no certainties as regards its aetiology, although a significant genetic background is considered to be important. Since there is little information about the social adaptation and quality of life of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, we decided to study and evaluate the long-term outcome and quality of life in a sample of children, adolescent and young adults. This is a case study of subjects diagnosed with ASD and followed by clinics and rehabilitation centers in Campania region, in the south of Italy. The study sample was composed by 110 patients (83 males, 27 females), aged between 8.1 and 28.0 years (mean 20.6; median 21.2; SD ± 4.85), recruited in 8 rehabilitation centers of Campania region. A follow-up interview was performed by means of a questionnaire administered to the parents/caregivers of patients at a mean age of their son/daughter of 20.6 years (median 21.2 years; range 8.1-28.0). Reports from parents or caregivers show an overall improvement with regard to social and adaptive abilities in a group of teen-agers and young adults with ASD. Major concerns on significant quality of life parameters such as independent living, work experiences, friendships and relationships, accommodation type, recreational activities and personal autonomy were persisting. The present study shows an overall improvement with regard to social and adaptive abilities in a large number of subjects. Considerable problems are related to autonomy, employment opportunities and social relationships of these patients. Parents need more recreational activities and continuous support with facilities for families.
Histological spectrum of angiofibroma of soft tissue: histological and genetic analysis of 13 cases.
Yamada, Yuichi; Yamamoto, Hidetaka; Kohashi, Kenichi; Ishii, Takeaki; Iura, Kunio; Maekawa, Akira; Bekki, Hirofumi; Otsuka, Hiroshi; Yamashita, Kyoko; Tanaka, Hiroyuki; Hiraki, Tsubasa; Mukai, Munenori; Shirakawa, Atsuko; Shinnou, Yoko; Jinno, Mari; Yanai, Hiroyuki; Taguchi, Kenichi; Maehara, Yoshihiko; Iwamoto, Yukihide; Oda, Yosinao
2016-09-01
Angiofibroma of soft tissue (AFST) is a rare soft tissue neoplasm characterized by a fibroblastic cytomorphology and a prominent vascular structure. AFSTs possess a novel fusion gene, i.e. NCOA2-AHRR/AHRR-NCOA2 or GTF2I-NCOA2, providing a useful approach to diagnosing AFST. Morphologically, AFSTs span a wide spectrum, making diagnosis a challenge. The aim of this study was to review AFST cases and to report previously unknown histological features, which we confirmed by genetic analysis. We reviewed 276 cases diagnosed as solitary fibrous tumours/haemangiopericytomas (232 cases), unclassified tumours of fibroblastic differentiation (36 cases), and recently diagnosed AFSTs (eight cases), and retrieved 13 cases compatible with AFST. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for these cases, all 13 of which were analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in-situ hybridization. The histological findings were as follows: amianthoid fibres, extravasation of red blood cells, haemosiderin deposition, aggregates of foamy histiocytes, cystic change, necrosis, and haemorrhage. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (four of 13 cases), desmin (six of 13 cases), CD163 (13 of 13 cases), CD68 (seven of 13 cases), oestrogen receptor (13 of 13 cases), progesterone receptor (three of 13 cases), and STAT6 (one of 13 cases, weak nuclear staining), but they were negative for CD34, α-smooth muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, S100, pan-cytokeratin, MDM2, and CDK4. The AHRR-NCOA2 fusion gene was detected in eight cases, and NCOA2 gene rearrangement in nine cases. We revealed the previously unreported histological variation and immunohistochemical findings of AFST, and confirmed them by using genetic methods. The results suggested that AFST should be considered in the diagnosis of fibrous or fibrohistiocytic tumours with the above histological features. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Does a Claims Diagnosis of Autism Mean a True Case?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Burke, James P.; Jain, Anjali; Yang, Wenya; Kelly, Jonathan P.; Kaiser, Marygrace; Becker, Laura; Lawer, Lindsay; Newschaffer, Craig J.
2014-01-01
The purpose of this study was to validate autism spectrum disorder cases identified through claims-based case identification algorithms against a clinical review of medical charts. Charts were reviewed for 432 children who fell into one of the three following groups: (a) more than or equal to two claims with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis…
Chevallier, Coralie; Molesworth, Catherine; Happé, Francesca
2012-01-01
Human beings are endowed with a unique motivation to be included in social interactions. This natural social motivation, in turn, is thought to encourage behaviours such as flattery or self-deprecation aimed to ease interaction and to enhance the reputation of the individual who produces them. If this is the case, diminished social interest should affect reputation management. Here, we use Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) –primarily characterised by pervasive social disinterest– as a model to investigate the effect of social motivation on reputation management. Children first rated a set of pictures and were then given the opportunity to inflate their initial ratings in front of an experimenter who declared that she had drawn the picture. Contrary to the controls, children with ASD did not enhance their ratings in the drawer's presence. Moreover, participants' flattery behaviour correlated with self-reports of social enjoyment. Our findings point to a link between diminished social interest and reputation management. PMID:22303483
Embracing a Full Spectrum Definition of Art Therapy
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Spooner, Heather
2016-01-01
In this viewpoint the author makes a case for developing a clear and concise definition of art therapy that can easily be adopted by art therapists working across a spectrum of theoretical frameworks. The reader is asked to widen the lens through which art therapy is defined by considering its influence on society, the mind, health, and behavior.…
An Evolving GeV Spectrum from Prompt to Afterglow: The Case of GRB 160509A
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tam, Pak-Hin Thomas; He, Xin-Bo; Tang, Qing-Wen; Wang, Xiang-Yu
2017-07-01
We present the high-energy emission properties of GRB 160509A, from its prompt mission to late afterglow phase. GRB 160509A contains two emission episodes: 0-40 s and 280-420 s after the burst onset ({t}0). The relatively high fluence of GRB 160509A allows us to establish an evolving spectrum above 100 MeV. During the first emission episode, the >100 MeV spectrum is soft with Γ ≥ 3.0, which can be smoothly connected to keV energies with a Band function with or without a high-energy cutoff. The >100 MeV spectrum rapidly changes to a hard spectrum with Γ ≤ 1.5 after {t}0+40 s. The existence of very energetic photons, e.g., a 52 GeV that arrives at {t}0+77 s and a 29 GeV that arrives at {t}0+70 ks, is hard to reconcile by the synchrotron emission from forward-shock electrons, but is likely due to an inverse-Compton (IC) mechanism (e.g., synchrotron self-Compton emission). A soft spectrum (Γ ˜ 2) between 300 and 1000 s after the burst onset is also found at a significance of about 2 standard deviations, which suggests a different emission mechanism at work for this short period of time. GRB 160509A represents the latest example where IC emission has to be taken into account in explaining the afterglow GeV emission, which had been suggested long before the launch of the Fermi Large Area Telescope.
Costa, Nayara Thais de Oliveira; Martinho-Carvalho, Ana Claudia; Cunha, Maria Claudia; Lewis, Doris Ruthi
2012-01-01
This study had the aim to investigate the auditory and communicative abilities of children diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder due to mutation in the Otoferlin gene. It is a descriptive and qualitative study in which two siblings with this diagnosis were assessed. The procedures conducted were: speech perception tests for children with profound hearing loss, and assessment of communication abilities using the Behavioral Observation Protocol. Because they were siblings, the subjects in the study shared family and communicative context. However, they developed different communication abilities, especially regarding the use of oral language. The study showed that the Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder is a heterogeneous condition in all its aspects, and it is not possible to make generalizations or assume that cases with similar clinical features will develop similar auditory and communicative abilities, even when they are siblings. It is concluded that the acquisition of communicative abilities involves subjective factors, which should be investigated based on the uniqueness of each case.
Kumar, Ankur; Juneja, Monica; Mishra, Devendra
2016-06-01
This study determined the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in 201 siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders. Siblings were screened using Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and Social Responsiveness Scale, parent version. Screen-positive siblings were assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) criteria. The risk of autism spectrum disorder in siblings was correlated with various familial and disease characteristics of the index case. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in siblings was 4.97%. There was a significant effect of the presence of aggressive behavior, externalizing problems and total problems in the proband, assessed using Childhood Behavior Checklist, and the young age of the father at conception on sibling risk of autism spectrum disorder. Results of our study are in line with previous studies reporting similar prevalence but have also brought up the association with behavioral problems as a possible risk factor. Siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder should be routinely screened, and genetic counseling for this increased risk should be explained to the family. © The Author(s) 2016.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bellini, Scott; McConnell, Luke L.
2010-01-01
Video-self modeling (VSM) is an effective but underused instructional strategy for youth on the autism spectrum. The authors present VSM in the context of strength-based educational programming for youth on the autism spectrum. The authors summarize research studies investigating VSM with youth on the autism spectrum in school settings and discuss…
Velocity Spectrum Variation in Central Gulf of Mexico: 9Case Studies for the 2005 Hurricanes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, F.; Li, C.
2012-12-01
Significant near inertial oscillation caused by hurricanes is common in the ocean. The details of the vertical and temporal variations of hurricane induced near inertial oscillation are usually complicated. We have done a case study of such vertical and temporal variations of velocity spectrum focusing around the inertial frequency for the 2005 hurricane season. Data were from a deep water mooring chain containing a series of current meters and 2 ADCPs from June to November 2005. The velocity spectrum is obtained with a 10-day sliding window at different depths for the 40-hour high-passed data to exclude the low frequency Loop Current variations. This gives a temporal variation of the spectrum at different depths. Such variations in velocity spectrum are resulted from the ocean dynamics influenced by the passage of hurricanes. Our preliminary analysis of the results show that (1) right before the center of the hurricane gets closest to the mooring site, there always exists a 2-peak feature of energy at almost all depths; while during the passage of the hurricane these two peaks will merge Into one peak which has a corresponding period of 30.3 to 25.6 hours, encompassing that corresponding to the inertial frequency in this latitude; (2) after the passage of the hurricane, the decay process of energy is also complicated. It is found that the whole profile can be at least divided into 3 layers: surface to 800m, 800m to 1500m, and 1500m to the bottom, which is consistent with the stratification of the water column. It is also found that shift in the peak frequency to either side of the inertial frequency is very common. The main peak of energy can break into several parts during the decay stage, with blue shift and red shift.; ;
College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Growing Role for Adult Psychiatrists
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
van Schalkwyk, Gerrit I.; Beyer, Chad; Martin, Andrés; Volkmar, Fred R.
2016-01-01
Objective: Adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are increasingly attending college. This case report highlights the nature of the psychiatric difficulties these individuals may face and the potential role for college mental health practitioners. Participants: A case of a female student with ASD presenting with significant inattentive…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bakian, Amanda V.; Bilder, Deborah A.; Carbone, Paul S.; Hunt, Tyler D.; Petersen, Brent; Rice, Catherine E.
2015-01-01
An independent validation was conducted of the Utah Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network's (UT-ADDM) classification of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). UT-ADDM final case status (n = 90) was compared with final case status as determined by independent external expert reviewers (EERs). Inter-rater reliability…
Postorgasm illness syndrome--a spectrum of illnesses.
Ashby, Jane; Goldmeier, David
2010-05-01
We describe two men with marked symptoms following orgasm. In each case, the symptoms were consistent with those found in postorgasm illness syndrome (POIS). Further elucidation of the cause of the patients' symptoms. Both cases were investigated for causes of POIS with biochemical, hormonal, neurological, autonomic, cardiological, and psychological workup. Extensive investigation did not reveal a major organic cause for these patients' symptoms. Detailed history revealed likely differing etiologies in each case. In one case, the symptom picture suggested cytokine release, and, in fact, the patient subjectively improved by 80% on taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs just prior to and for a day or two after orgasm. The other case appeared to have an ethnic/cultural etiology that was associated with the "Dhat" syndrome. The apparent differing etiologies/clinical associations of these cases highlight the need for careful history, examination, and investigations in patients presenting with POIS. We recommend that each case needs individual consideration and investigation, and treatment needs to be tailored to the likely cause. It seems likely that POIS represents a spectrum of syndromes of differing etiologies. Further research into the neurobiochemical sequelae of orgasm will be useful in understanding the pathological processes in these cases.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pinto, Prasopsuk Y.
2014-01-01
The purpose of this collection of multiple case studies was to examine teachers' perspectives and practices to determine whether instructional strategies implemented in their classrooms to promote literacy skills for students with autism spectrum disorders were described as research-based practices. Although extensive research has been conducted…
Flat spectrum T Tauri stars: The case for infall
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Calvet, Nuria; Hartmann, Lee; Kenyon, S. J.; Whitney, B. A.
1994-01-01
We show that the mid- to far-infrared fluxes of 'flat spectrum' T Tauri stars can be explained by radiative equilibrium emission from infalling dusty envelopes. Infall eliminates the need for accretion disks with non-standard temperature distributions. The simplicity and power of this explanantion indicates that models employing 'active' disks, in which the temperature distribution is a parameterized power law, should be invoked with caution. Infall also naturally explains the scattered light nebulae detected around many flat spectrum sources. To match the observed spectra, material must fall onto a disk rather than the central star, as expected for collapse of a rotating molecular cloud. It may be necessary to invoke cavities in the envelopes to explain the strength of optical and near-infrared emission; these cavities could be produced by the powerful bipolar outflows commonly observed from young stars. If viewed along the cavity, a source may be lightly extincted at visual wavelengths, while still accreting substantial amounts of material from the envelope. Infall may also be needed to explain the infrared-bright companions of many optical T Tauri stars. This picture suggests that many of the flat spectrum sources are 'protostars'-young stellar objects surrounded by dust infalling envelopes of substantial mass.
Dell'Osso, L; Gesi, C; Massimetti, E; Cremone, I M; Barbuti, M; Maccariello, G; Moroni, I; Barlati, S; Castellini, G; Luciano, M; Bossini, L; Rocchetti, M; Signorelli, M; Aguglia, E; Fagiolini, A; Politi, P; Ricca, V; Vita, A; Carmassi, C; Maj, M
2017-02-01
Increasing literature has shown the usefulness of a dimensional approach to autism. The present study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), a new questionnaire specifically tailored to assess subthreshold forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adulthood. 102 adults endorsing at least one DSM-5 symptom criterion for ASD (ASDc), 143 adults diagnosed with a feeding and eating disorder (FED), and 160 subjects with no mental disorders (CTL), were recruited from 7 Italian University Departments of Psychiatry and administered the following: SCID-5, Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale 14-item version (RAADS-14), and AdAS Spectrum. The AdAS Spectrum demonstrated excellent internal consistency for the total score (Kuder-Richardson's coefficient=.964) as well as for five out of seven domains (all coefficients>.80) and sound test-retest reliability (ICC=.976). The total and domain AdAS Spectrum scores showed a moderate to strong (>.50) positive correlation with one another and with the AQ and RAADS-14 total scores. ASDc subjects reported significantly higher AdAS Spectrum total scores than both FED (p<.001) and CTL (p<.001), and significantly higher scores on the Childhood/adolescence, Verbal communication, Empathy, Inflexibility and adherence to routine, and Restricted interests and rumination domains (all p<.001) than FED, while on all domains compared to CTL. CTL displayed significantly lower total and domain scores than FED (all p<.001). A significant effect of gender emerged for the Hyper- and hyporeactivity to sensory input domain, with women showing higher scores than men (p=.003). A Diagnosis* Gender interaction was also found for the Verbal communication (p=.019) and Empathy (p=.023) domains. When splitting the ASDc in subjects with one symptom criterion (ASD 1 ) and those with a ASD, and the FED in subjects with no ASD symptom criteria (FED 0 ) and those with
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Whalon, Kelly J.; Conroy, Maureen A.; Martinez, Jose R.; Werch, Brittany L.
2015-01-01
The purpose of this review was to critically examine and summarize the impact of school-based interventions designed to facilitate the peer-related social competence of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reviewed studies employed a single-case experimental design, targeted peer-related social competence, included children 3-12 years old…
Power-law modulation of the scalar power spectrum from a heavy field with a monomial potential
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huang, Qing-Guo; Pi, Shi
2018-04-01
The effects of heavy fields modulate the scalar power spectrum during inflation. We analytically calculate the modulations of the scalar power spectrum from a heavy field with a separable monomial potential, i.e. V(phi)~ phin. In general the modulation is characterized by a power-law oscillation which is reduced to the logarithmic oscillation in the case of n=2.
The TRAP (twin reversed arterial perfusion) sequence - case presentation.
Mărginean, Claudiu; Mărginean, Maria Oana; Mureşan, Daniel; Zahiu, LuminiŢa; Horváth, Emőke
2016-01-01
We present a particular case of TRAP (twin reversed arterial perfusion) syndrome, which has a very rarely association of the simultaneous existence of a rudimentary malformed heart and brain, and also other malformations like abdominal wall abnormality, absent bladder with present kidneys, and absence of the lungs, which appear only in a few cases on the receptor twin from this sequence, malformations incompatible with life. A Caucasian 26-year-old pregnant woman, at the first pregnancy, with a monochorionic-diamniotic pregnancy, 26 weeks of gestation was referred to our hospital, for polyhydramnios. The patient delivered a living female newborn, weighing 950 g, with an Apgar score of 2 at one minute - the donor fetus and a second female newborn with multiple malformations, no signs of life and who weighed 2300 g - the receptor fetus. The anatomopathological examination confirmed the TRAP sequence associated with severe facial dysmorphism, bilateral phocomelia and cardiac malformations (rudimentary hypoplastic, univentricular) and a vascular anastomosis between the two umbilical cords. Anemia and cardiac complications which can lead to cardiac failure, appear early during pregnancy and caused the death of the pumping twin. We emphasize that in our case of TRAP sequence, the ultrasound examination established the diagnosis of the syndrome with high accuracy. Therefore, we can conclude that the existence of a rudimentary heart and a vascular anastomosis between the two umbilical cords supports the apparition of TRAP sequence. The early diagnosis of this pathology, the observation of the pregnancy with the help of weekly ultrasounds and the intrauterine interventions can increase the survival chances of the donor fetus from the TRAP sequence.
Kaplan, Bonnie J; Isaranuwatchai, Wanrudee; Hoch, Jeffrey S
2017-01-01
Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, with mental health treatment amongst the most expensive, especially when hospitalization is involved. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, one in five Canadians is living with a mental disorder in any given year, at an annual cost of $50 billion. In light of this societal burden, alternative approaches are being evaluated, such as brief psychotherapy by phone, peer support, and, as part of the emerging field of nutritional mental health, treatment with micronutrients (minerals and vitamins). Effectiveness of micronutrients has been demonstrated for many types of psychiatric symptoms, in about 45 studies of formulas that are either multinutrient (e.g., several B vitamins) or broad-spectrum (usually over 20 minerals and vitamins). Although this literature demonstrates therapeutic benefits, the potential economic impact of micronutrient treatment has been evaluated in only one case study of childhood psychosis. The current case study was initiated to evaluate mental health-related hospitalization costs from 1997 to 2003 for a female adult diagnosed with various mood and psychotic symptoms. She was treated for the first 5 years with conventional methods and then subsequently with a broad-spectrum micronutrient formula. The patient's annual mental health hospitalization costs during conventional treatment averaged $59,864 across 5 years (1997-2001), with a peak annual cost of about $140,000. Since transitioning to broad-spectrum micronutrients, she has incurred no provincial hospitalization costs for mental health care, though her self-funded costs are currently $720/year for the micronutrients. Further exploration of the treatment of mental health problems with broad-spectrum micronutrient formulas has the potential to make two significant contributions: improved mental health, and decreased costs for governments.
So You Think the Crab is Described by a Power-Law Spectrum
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Weisskopf, Martin C.
2008-01-01
X-ray observations of the Crab Nebula and its pulsar have played a prominent role in the history of X-ray astronomy. Discoveries range from the detection of the X-ray Nebula and pulsar and the measurement of the Nebula-averaged X-ray polarization, to the observation of complex X-ray morphology, including jets emanating from the pulsar and the ring defining the shocked pulsar wind. The synchrotron origin of much of the radiation has been deduced by detailed studies across the electromagnetic spectrum, yet has fooled many X-ray astronomers into believing that the integrated spectrum from this system ought to be a power law. In many cases, this assumption has led observers to adjust the experiment response function(s) to guarantee such a result. We shall discuss why one should not observe a power-law spectrum, and present simulations using the latest available response matrices showing what should have been observed for a number of representative cases including the ROSAT IPC, XMM-Newton, and RXTE. We then discuss the implications, if any, for current calibrations.
A spectrum fractal feature classification algorithm for agriculture crops with hyper spectrum image
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Su, Junying
2011-11-01
A fractal dimension feature analysis method in spectrum domain for hyper spectrum image is proposed for agriculture crops classification. Firstly, a fractal dimension calculation algorithm in spectrum domain is presented together with the fast fractal dimension value calculation algorithm using the step measurement method. Secondly, the hyper spectrum image classification algorithm and flowchart is presented based on fractal dimension feature analysis in spectrum domain. Finally, the experiment result of the agricultural crops classification with FCL1 hyper spectrum image set with the proposed method and SAM (spectral angle mapper). The experiment results show it can obtain better classification result than the traditional SAM feature analysis which can fulfill use the spectrum information of hyper spectrum image to realize precision agricultural crops classification.
Effects of a Decoding Program on a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Infantino, Josephine; Hempenstall, Kerry
2006-01-01
This case study examined the effects of a parent-presented Direct Instruction decoding program on the reading and language skills of a child with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. Following the 23 hour intervention, reading comprehension, listening comprehension and fluency skills improved to grade level, whilst statistically significant…
Ahmed, Mostafa M; Heckman, W Wesley; Dailey, Seth H
2013-03-01
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are commonly associated with Tourette syndrome (TS). TS is classically associated with tic production. A tic is defined as sudden, brief, involuntary production of movement (motor tics) or sound (phonic tics). Case report. We present a case report of a 14-year-old boy with ASD and vocal tics. Vocal tic frequency was nearly 2000 per day and 90 dB in volume. He presented to our laryngology clinic after multiple failed attempts of pharmacologic management of vocal fold botulinum toxin injection. After evaluation in our clinic, we recommended a lateralization (type IIB) thyroplasty. An autologous cartilage graft from the superior thyroid ala was used and held in place with a bioresorbable mesh. Using 4-0 prolene sutures, the mesh was secured in place. The operation was well tolerated with minimal signs of aspiration, and he was discharged to his home within 48 hours. Six months postoperatively, there was 90% reduction in tic frequency and 50% reduction in intensity. Additionally, he has shown improved ability to converse with his peers, participate in school activities, and even has improved nutritional status. Alteration of laryngeal geometry could serve as an effective site of intervention for intractable phonic tics. Reduction of phonic tic frequency and intensity may also stimulate language development in patients ASD. We also demonstrate additional use of bioresorbable plates in pediatric laryngeal framework surgery. Additional neurophysiologic studies are needed to explore the mechanism by which midline lateralization thyroplasty influences phonic tic generation. Copyright © 2013 The Voice Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wang, Xianhui; Laffey, James; Xing, Wanli; Galyen, Krista; Stichter, Janine
2017-01-01
This case study describes the verbal and nonverbal social interaction of 11 youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders in a 3D Collaborative Virtual Learning Environment-iSocial. The youth were developing social competence through participation in a social competence intervention curriculum implemented online so as to provide access to high quality…
Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy of Hidden Objects. Part II: Recovery of a Target Spectrum.
Pomerantsev, Alexey L; Rodionova, Oxana Ye; Skvortsov, Alexej N
2017-08-01
In this study, we consider the reconstruction of a diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectrum of an object (target spectrum) in case the object is covered by an interfering absorbing and scattering layer. Recovery is performed using a new empirical method, which was developed in our previous study. We focus on a system, which consists of several layers of polyethylene (PE) film and underlayer objects with different spectral features. The spectral contribution of the interfering layer is modeled by a three-component two-parameter multivariate curve resolution (MCR) model, which was built and calibrated using spectrally flat objects. We show that this model is applicable to real objects with non-uniform spectra. Ultimately, the target spectrum can be reconstructed from a single spectrum of the covered target. With calculation methods, we are able to recover quite accurately the spectrum of a target even when the object is covered by 0.7 mm of PE.
BINGO: a code for the efficient computation of the scalar bi-spectrum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hazra, Dhiraj Kumar; Sriramkumar, L.; Martin, Jérôme
2013-05-01
We present a new and accurate Fortran code, the BI-spectra and Non-Gaussianity Operator (BINGO), for the efficient numerical computation of the scalar bi-spectrum and the non-Gaussianity parameter fNL in single field inflationary models involving the canonical scalar field. The code can calculate all the different contributions to the bi-spectrum and the parameter fNL for an arbitrary triangular configuration of the wavevectors. Focusing firstly on the equilateral limit, we illustrate the accuracy of BINGO by comparing the results from the code with the spectral dependence of the bi-spectrum expected in power law inflation. Then, considering an arbitrary triangular configuration, we contrast the numerical results with the analytical expression available in the slow roll limit, for, say, the case of the conventional quadratic potential. Considering a non-trivial scenario involving deviations from slow roll, we compare the results from the code with the analytical results that have recently been obtained in the case of the Starobinsky model in the equilateral limit. As an immediate application, we utilize BINGO to examine of the power of the non-Gaussianity parameter fNL to discriminate between various inflationary models that admit departures from slow roll and lead to similar features in the scalar power spectrum. We close with a summary and discussion on the implications of the results we obtain.
Dell'Osso, Liliana; Dalle Luche, Riccardo; Cerliani, Corrado; Bertelloni, Carlo Antonio; Gesi, Camilla; Carmassi, Claudia
2015-08-01
This paper highlights the clinical challenges faced when assessing patients with stalking behaviors with psychotic disorders, suggesting the need for an accurate assessment of adult autism spectrum symptoms. A 25-year-old man with a diagnosis of delusional disorder, erotomanic type, was hospitalized for acute psychotic symptoms occurred in the framework of a repeated stalking behavior towards his ex girlfriend. When assessed for adult autism spectrum symptoms upon an accurate clinical evaluation, he reported elevated scores in the mentalizing deficit and social anxiety domains by means of the 14 item Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale (RAADS-14). Authors discuss a possible role of adult (subthreshold) autism spectrum symptoms, generally disregarded in adult psychiatry, on the type of psychotic features and stalking behavior developed that may help for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Relativistic and thermal effects on the magnon spectrum of a ferromagnetic monolayer.
Rózsa, L; Udvardi, L; Szunyogh, L
2013-12-18
A spin model including magnetic anisotropy terms and Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interactions is studied for the case of a ferromagnetic monolayer with C2v symmetry like Fe/W(110). Using the quasiclassical stochastic Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equations, the magnon spectrum of the system is derived using linear response theory. The Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction leads to asymmetry in the spectrum, while the anisotropy terms induce a gap. It is shown that, in the presence of lattice defects, both the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interactions and the two-site anisotropy lead to a softening of the magnon energies. Two methods are developed to investigate the magnon spectrum at finite temperatures. The theoretical results are compared to atomistic spin dynamics simulations and good agreement is found between them.
On the nature of solvatochromic effect: The riboflavin absorption spectrum as a case study
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Daidone, Isabella; Amadei, Andrea; Aschi, Massimiliano; Zanetti-Polzi, Laura
2018-03-01
We present here the calculation of the absorption spectrum of riboflavin in acetonitrile and dimethyl sulfoxide using a hybrid quantum/classical approach, namely the perturbed matrix method, based on quantum mechanical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The calculated spectra are compared to the absorption spectrum of riboflavin previously calculated in water and to the experimental spectra obtained in all three solvents. The experimentally observed variations in the absorption spectra upon change of the solvent environment are well reproduced by the calculated spectra. In addition, the nature of the excited states of riboflavin interacting with different solvents is investigated, showing that environment effects determine a recombination of the gas-phase electronic states and that such a recombination is strongly affected by the polarity of the solvent inducing significant changes in the absorption spectra.
Adaptive multitaper time-frequency spectrum estimation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pitton, James W.
1999-11-01
In earlier work, Thomson's adaptive multitaper spectrum estimation method was extended to the nonstationary case. This paper reviews the time-frequency multitaper method and the adaptive procedure, and explores some properties of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The variance of the adaptive estimator is used to construct an adaptive smoother, which is used to form a high resolution estimate. An F-test for detecting and removing sinusoidal components in the time-frequency spectrum is also given.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Helverschou, Sissel Berge; Rasmussen, Kirsten; Steindal, Kari; Søndanaa, Erik; Nilsson, Britta; Nøttestad, Jim Aage
2015-01-01
This study examined the characteristics of adults with autism spectrum disorder who have undergone a forensic examination and explored any relationships between the diagnosis and the offence. The reports described 41 men and 7 women. The autism spectrum disorder was diagnosed late (mean age: 25.3?years), and 22 of the 48 cases were diagnosed with…
The Spectrum of Mutations in Progranulin
Yu, Chang-En; Bird, Thomas D.; Bekris, Lynn M.; Montine, Thomas J.; Leverenz, James B.; Steinbart, Ellen; Galloway, Nichole M.; Feldman, Howard; Woltjer, Randall; Miller, Carol A.; Wood, Elisabeth McCarty; Grossman, Murray; McCluskey, Leo; Clark, Christopher M.; Neumann, Manuela; Danek, Adrian; Galasko, Douglas R.; Arnold, Steven E.; Chen-Plotkin, Alice; Karydas, Anna; Miller, Bruce L.; Trojanowski, John Q.; Lee, Virginia M.-Y.; Schellenberg, Gerard D.; Van Deerlin, Vivianna M.
2010-01-01
Background Mutation in the progranulin gene (GRN) can cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, it is unclear whether some rare FTD-related GRN variants are pathogenic and whether neurodegenerative disorders other than FTD can also be caused by GRN mutations. Objectives To delineate the range of clinical presentations associated with GRN mutations and to define pathogenic candidacy of rare GRN variants. Design Case-control study. Setting Clinical and neuropathology dementia research studies at 8 academic centers. Participants Four hundred thirty-four patients with FTD, including primary progressive aphasia, semantic dementia, FTD/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), FTD/motor neuron disease, corticobasal syndrome/corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, Pick disease, dementia lacking distinctive histopathology, and pathologically confirmed cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-U); and 111 non-FTD cases (controls) in which TDP-43 deposits were a prominent neuropathological feature, including subjects with ALS, Guam ALS and/or parkinsonism dementia complex, Guam dementia, Alzheimer disease, multiple system atrophy, and argyrophilic grain disease. Main Outcome Measures Variants detected on sequencing of all 13 GRN exons and at least 80 base pairs of flanking introns, and their pathogenic candidacy determined by in silico and ex vivo splicing assays. Results We identified 58 genetic variants that included 26 previously unknown changes. Twenty-four variants appeared to be pathogenic, including 8 novel mutations. The frequency of GRN mutations was 6.9% (30 of 434) of all FTD-spectrum cases, 21.4% (9 of 42) of cases with a pathological diagnosis of FTLD-U, 16.0% (28 of 175) of FTD-spectrum cases with a family history of a similar neurodegenerative disease, and 56.2% (9 of 16) of cases of FTLD-U with a family history. Conclusions Pathogenic mutations were found only in FTD-spectrum cases and not in other
Maternal Infection during Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Zerbo, Ousseny; Qian, Yinge; Yoshida, Cathleen; Grether, Judith K.; Van de Water, Judy; Croen, Lisa A.
2015-01-01
We conducted a nested case-control study including 407 cases and 2,075 frequency matched controls to investigate the association between maternal infections during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Cases, controls, and maternal infections were ascertained from Kaiser Permanente Northern California clinical databases. No…
Morphological Features in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Matched Case-Control Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ozgen, Heval; Hellemann, Gerhard S.; Stellato, Rebecca K.; Lahuis, Bertine; van Daalen, Emma; Staal, Wouter G.; Rozendal, Marije; Hennekam, Raoul C.; Beemer, Frits A.; van Engeland, Herman
2011-01-01
This study was designed to examine morphological features in a large group of children with autism spectrum disorder versus normal controls. Amongst 421 patients and 1,007 controls, 224 matched pairs were created. Prevalence rates and odds ratios were analyzed by conditional regression analysis, McNemar test or paired t-test matched pairs.…
Is Neonatal Jaundice Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Amin, Sanjiv B.; Smith, Tristram; Wang, Hongyue
2011-01-01
Using guidelines of the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Group, we systematically reviewed the literature on neonatal jaundice (unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in term and preterm infants. Thirteen studies were included in a meta-analysis. Most used retrospective matched case-control…
1988-10-01
A statistical analysis on the output signals of an acousto - optic spectrum analyzer (AOSA) is performed for the case when the input signal is a...processing, Electronic warfare, Radar countermeasures, Acousto - optic , Spectrum analyzer, Statistical analysis, Detection, Estimation, Canada, Modelling.
Educator of the Court: The Role of the Expert Witness in Cases Involving Autism Spectrum Disorder
Berryessa, Colleen M.
2017-01-01
The role of the expert witness in legal contexts is to educate fact finders of the court who may have no background in the expert’s area. This role can be especially difficult for those who assist in cases involving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As expert assistance on ASD is crucial to ensuring just outcomes for individuals diagnosed with ASD, knowledge on how expert witnesses perceive and approach their roles, and what factors may influence these perceptions, is essential. This qualitative research utilizes semi-structured interviews with a sample of expert witnesses in cases involving ASD, analyzed using a grounded-theory constant comparative analytic approach. Data reveal that experts appear to view their roles in court as reconstructionists, educators, myth-dispellers, and most of all, communicators, actively using their testimony to fill these roles in cases. These results also allow for the development of a model that illustrates two areas that coalesce to affect how experts view their roles in court: (1) personal experiences of experts in cases in which they have been involved; and (2) influences outside experts’ personal experiences, such as their general opinions or observations regarding ASD and its relationship to the criminal justice system. PMID:28943746
Earth's transmission spectrum from lunar eclipse observations.
Pallé, Enric; Osorio, María Rosa Zapatero; Barrena, Rafael; Montañés-Rodríguez, Pilar; Martín, Eduardo L
2009-06-11
Of the 342 planets so far discovered orbiting other stars, 58 'transit' the stellar disk, meaning that they can be detected through a periodic decrease in the flux of starlight. The light from the star passes through the atmosphere of the planet, and in a few cases the basic atmospheric composition of the planet can be estimated. As we get closer to finding analogues of Earth, an important consideration for the characterization of extrasolar planetary atmospheres is what the transmission spectrum of our planet looks like. Here we report the optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the Earth, obtained during a lunar eclipse. Some biologically relevant atmospheric features that are weak in the reflection spectrum (such as ozone, molecular oxygen, water, carbon dioxide and methane) are much stronger in the transmission spectrum, and indeed stronger than predicted by modelling. We also find the 'fingerprints' of the Earth's ionosphere and of the major atmospheric constituent, molecular nitrogen (N(2)), which are missing in the reflection spectrum.
Brian, Jessica; Bryson, Susan E; Smith, Isabel M; Roberts, Wendy; Roncadin, Caroline; Szatmari, Peter; Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie
2016-10-01
Considerable evidence on autism spectrum disorder emergence comes from longitudinal high-risk samples (i.e. younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder). Diagnostic stability to age 3 is very good when diagnosed as early as 18-24 months, but sensitivity is weaker, and relatively little is known beyond toddlerhood. We examined stability and change in blinded, clinical best-estimate diagnosis from age 3 to middle childhood (mean age = 9.5 years) in 67 high-risk siblings enrolled in infancy. Good agreement emerged for clinical best-estimate diagnoses (89.6% overall; kappa = 0.76, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval = 0.59-0.93). At age 3, 18 cases (26.9%) were classified with "autism spectrum disorder": 17 retained their autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (94.4%; 13 boys, 4 girls) and 1 no longer met autism spectrum disorder criteria at follow-up. Among "non-autism spectrum disorder" cases at age 3, 43/49 remained non-autism spectrum disorder at follow-up (87.8%; 22 boys, 21 girls) and 6/49 met lower autism symptomatology criteria ("Later-Diagnosed"; 3 boys, 3 girls). Later-diagnosed cases had significantly lower autism spectrum disorder symptomatology and higher receptive language at age 3 and trends toward lower autism symptoms and higher cognitive abilities at follow-up. Emerging developmental concerns were noted in all later-diagnosed cases, by age 3 or 5. High-risk children need to be followed up into middle childhood, particularly when showing differences in autism-related domains. © The Author(s) 2015.
Electroencephalography for children with autistic spectrum disorder: a sedation protocol.
Keidan, Ilan; Ben-Menachem, Erez; Tzadok, Michal; Ben-Zeev, Bruria; Berkenstadt, Haim
2015-02-01
To report the effectiveness and efficiency of a predetermined sedation protocol for providing sedation for electroencephalograph (EEG) studies in children with autism. Sleep EEG has been advocated for the majority of children with autism spectrum disorder. In most cases, sedation is required to allow adequate studies. Most sedation drugs have negative effects on the EEG pattern. The sedation protocol we adopted included chloral hydrate, dexmedetomidine, and ketamine and was evaluated prospectively for 2 years. One hundred and eighty-three children with autistic spectrum disorder were sedated with the described drug protocol that was efficient, provided adequate EEG readings, and was not associated with serious adverse events. Our protocol kept costs to a minimum but provided appropriate escalation in care when required. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
DNA methylation as a predictor of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Lussier, Alexandre A; Morin, Alexander M; MacIsaac, Julia L; Salmon, Jenny; Weinberg, Joanne; Reynolds, James N; Pavlidis, Paul; Chudley, Albert E; Kobor, Michael S
2018-01-01
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a developmental disorder that manifests through a range of cognitive, adaptive, physiological, and neurobiological deficits resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Although the North American prevalence is currently estimated at 2-5%, FASD has proven difficult to identify in the absence of the overt physical features characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome. As interventions may have the greatest impact at an early age, accurate biomarkers are needed to identify children at risk for FASD. Building on our previous work identifying distinct DNA methylation patterns in children and adolescents with FASD, we have attempted to validate these associations in a different clinical cohort and to use our DNA methylation signature to develop a possible epigenetic predictor of FASD. Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns were analyzed using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 array in the buccal epithelial cells of a cohort of 48 individuals aged 3.5-18 (24 FASD cases, 24 controls). The DNA methylation predictor of FASD was built using a stochastic gradient boosting model on our previously published dataset FASD cases and controls (GSE80261). The predictor was tested on the current dataset and an independent dataset of 48 autism spectrum disorder cases and 48 controls (GSE50759). We validated findings from our previous study that identified a DNA methylation signature of FASD, replicating the altered DNA methylation levels of 161/648 CpGs in this independent cohort, which may represent a robust signature of FASD in the epigenome. We also generated a predictive model of FASD using machine learning in a subset of our previously published cohort of 179 samples (83 FASD cases, 96 controls), which was tested in this novel cohort of 48 samples and resulted in a moderately accurate predictor of FASD status. Upon testing the algorithm in an independent cohort of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, we did not detect any bias towards
Sandeep, Nefthi; Slack, Michael C
2014-10-01
Coronary sinus atrial septal defects are the rarest defects of the atrial septum comprising <1% of the five different types of atrial septal defects. Despite the widespread adoption of percutaneous device closure of secundum atrial septal defects, the published experience with percutaneous device closure of coronary sinus atrial septal defects is limited to only a few isolated case reports because of uncertainty regarding safety and efficacy. Open-heart surgical repair remains the treatment of choice for coronary sinus atrial septal defects, although this may not be the only treatment option in selected cases. Herein we describe our own experience with two patients with different clinical presentations and our method of successful percutaneous coronary sinus atrial septal defect closure in each. We then present a review of the anatomic spectrum of coronary sinus atrial septal defects along with a review of contemporary surgical and percutaneous device treatment.
A first-principle calculation of the XANES spectrum of Cu2+ in water
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
La Penna, G.; Minicozzi, V.; Morante, S.; Rossi, G. C.; Stellato, F.
2015-09-01
The progress in high performance computing we are witnessing today offers the possibility of accurate electron density calculations of systems in realistic physico-chemical conditions. In this paper, we present a strategy aimed at performing a first-principle computation of the low energy part of the X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) spectrum based on the density functional theory calculation of the electronic potential. To test its effectiveness, we apply the method to the computation of the X-ray absorption near edge structure part of the XAS spectrum in the paradigmatic, but simple case of Cu2+ in water. In order to keep into account the effect of the metal site structure fluctuations in determining the experimental signal, the theoretical spectrum is evaluated as the average over the computed spectra of a statistically significant number of simulated metal site configurations. The comparison of experimental data with theoretical calculations suggests that Cu2+ lives preferentially in a square-pyramidal geometry. The remarkable success of this approach in the interpretation of XAS data makes us optimistic about the possibility of extending the computational strategy we have outlined to the more interesting case of molecules of biological relevance bound to transition metal ions.
The spectrum of skin biopsies and excisions in a pediatric skin center.
Theiler, Martin; Neuhaus, Kathrin; Kerl, Katrin; Weibel, Lisa
2017-12-01
Little is known about the spectrum of pediatric skin disorders requiring biopsy/excision, their indication, impact on further management, and the accuracy of clinical diagnosis. We aimed to address these questions in the patient population seen at our Swiss University referral center for Pediatric Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. All skin biopsies/excisions performed in patients aged ≤ 16 years over a period of 2 years were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 506 samples were included. The majority of biopsies/excisions (n = 413, 82%) was performed for tumors, cysts, and hamartomas and 18% for other skin conditions. Malignant tumors were found in 12 samples (2%) from four patients. In 121 (24%) patients, the histopathology had an important impact on patient management. In 80 (16%) cases, the pathology did not match with the clinical diagnosis. In 382 (75%) cases, excision was the treatment of choice. Of these, the indication for surgery was based on patient's request in 181 (47%) cases. Surgical interventions for pediatric skin disorders are performed for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. In this cohort, histopathology was essential for treatment in one quarter of cases. Skin tumors, cysts, and hamartomas often require excision during childhood, with families' request and esthetic considerations playing an important role. What is Known: • The spectrum of pediatric skin conditions has been studied in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings. • In contrast, no data exist on the spectrum of pediatric skin disorders undergoing biopsy/excision specifically. What is New: • We analyze biopsies/excisions in children, focusing on diagnosis, indication, and impact on patient management. • Surgical interventions for skin disorders in children are often performed for tumors and hamartomas with esthetic considerations playing a relevant role. If used for diagnostic purposes, they are often performed to confirm or rule out severe skin disease.
Ganz, Jennifer B; Earles-Vollrath, Theresa L; Heath, Amy K; Parker, Richard I; Rispoli, Mandy J; Duran, Jaime B
2012-01-01
Many individuals with autism cannot speak or cannot speak intelligibly. A variety of aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) approaches have been investigated. Most of the research on these approaches has been single-case research, with small numbers of participants. The purpose of this investigation was to meta-analyze the single case research on the use of aided AAC with individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Twenty-four single-case studies were analyzed via an effect size measure, the Improvement Rate Difference (IRD). Three research questions were investigated concerning the overall impact of AAC interventions on targeted behavioral outcomes, effects of AAC interventions on individual targeted behavioral outcomes, and effects of three types of AAC interventions. Results indicated that, overall, aided AAC interventions had large effects on targeted behavioral outcomes in individuals with ASD. AAC interventions had positive effects on all of the targeted behavioral outcome; however, effects were greater for communication skills than other categories of skills. Effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System and speech-generating devices were larger than those for other picture-based systems, though picture-based systems did have small effects.
Epilepsy Among Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Population-Based Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jokiranta, Elina; Sourander, Andre; Suominen, Auli; Timonen-Soivio, Laura; Brown, Alan S.; Sillanpää, Matti
2014-01-01
The present population-based study examines associations between epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The cohort includes register data of 4,705 children born between 1987 and 2005 and diagnosed as cases of childhood autism, Asperger's syndrome or pervasive developmental disorders--not otherwise specified. Each case was matched to four…
Fiscal mapping autism spectrum disorder funds: a case study of Ohio.
Joyce, Hilary D; Hoffman, Jill; Anderson-Butcher, Dawn; Moodie-Dyer, Amber
2014-01-01
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have complex needs requiring regular service utilization. Policymakers, administrators, and community leaders are looking for ways to finance ASD services and systems. Understanding the fiscal resources that support ASD services is essential. This article uses fiscal mapping to explore ASD funding streams in Ohio. Fiscal mapping steps are overviewed to assist ASD stakeholders in identifying and examining ASD-related funding. Implications are drawn related to how fiscal mapping could be used to identify and leverage funding for ASD services. The resulting information is critical to utilizing existing resources, advocating for resources, and leveraging available funds.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Curiel, Emily S. L.; Sainato, Diane M.; Goldstein, Howard
2016-01-01
Matrix training is a systematic teaching approach that can facilitate generalized language. Specific responses are taught that result in the emergence of untrained responses. This type of training facilitates the use of generalized language in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study used a matrix training procedure with a toddler…
A spread-spectrum modem using constant envelope BPSK for a mobile satellite communications terminal
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Iizuka, N.; Yamashita, A.; Takenaka, S.; Morikawa, E.; Ikegami, T.
1990-01-01
This paper describes a 5-kilobit/s spread spectrum modem with a 1.275 mega-Hz chip rate for mobile satellite communications. We used a Viterbi decoder with a coding gain of 7.8 dB at a BER of 10(exp -5) to decrease the required receiver power. This reduces the cost of communication services. The spread spectrum technique makes the modem immune to terrestrial radio signals and keeps it from causing interference in terrestrial radio systems. A class C power amplifier reduces the modem's power consumption. To avoid nonlinear distortion caused by the amplifier, the envelope of the input signal is kept constant by adding quadrature channel signal to the BPSK signal. To simulate the worst case, we measured the modem's output spectrum using a limiting amplifier instead of the class C amplifier, and found that 99 percent of the spectral power was confined to the specified 2.55 mega-Hz bandwidth.
Primordial power spectrum features and consequences
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Goswami, G.
2014-03-01
The present Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) temperature and polarization anisotropy data is consistent with not only a power law scalar primordial power spectrum (PPS) with a small running but also with the scalar PPS having very sharp features. This has motivated inflationary models with such sharp features. Recently, even the possibility of having nulls in the power spectrum (at certain scales) has been considered. The existence of these nulls has been shown in linear perturbation theory. What shall be the effect of higher order corrections on such nulls? Inspired by this question, we have attempted to calculate quantum radiative corrections to the Fourier transform of the 2-point function in a toy field theory and address the issue of how these corrections to the power spectrum behave in models in which the tree-level power spectrum has a sharp dip (but not a null). In particular, we have considered the possibility of the relative enhancement of radiative corrections in a model in which the tree-level spectrum goes through a dip in power at a certain scale. The mode functions of the field (whose power spectrum is to be evaluated) are chosen such that they undergo the kind of dynamics that leads to a sharp dip in the tree level power spectrum. Next, we have considered the situation in which this field has quartic self interactions, and found one loop correction in a suitably chosen renormalization scheme. Thus, we have attempted to answer the following key question in the context of this toy model (which is as important in the realistic case): In the chosen renormalization scheme, can quantum radiative corrections be enhanced relative to tree-level power spectrum at scales, at which sharp dips appear in the tree-level spectrum?
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in Algeria: A preliminary study in the region of Tizi Ouzou.
Daoudi, Smail; Bouzar, Melissa
2016-03-01
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a disabling inflammatory condition that targets astrocytes in the optic nerves and spinal cord. Recent advances led to the individualization of a set of conditions now referred as NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD). To describe the prevalence and characteristics of NMO SD in north Algeria. The present study is a retrospective and descriptive work which took place in Nedir Mohamed teaching hospital, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria. 938 Medical files of patients with CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases were reviewed then patients with optic neuritis and/or myelitis were preselected. Patients who met the 2015 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders criteria were selected and analyzed 08 Patients (3.4%) met the 2015 criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, 3/8 (37.5%) were positive to AQ4-IgG and 5/8 (62.5%) were negative. Mean age of onset was 29 years, female to male ratio was 3:1, cerebral MRI was normal in 75% of cases and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis was present in 75% of cases. 37/232 Patients (15.9%) were considered at high risk of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders The present study suggests that the spectrum of NMO disorders is a rare entity among patients with optic nerve and spinal cord demyelinating lesions in north Algeria. However, the lack of accurate AQ4-IgG test certainly underestimates its real prevalence. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Spectrum of perforation peritonitis in delhi: 77 cases experience.
Yadav, Dinesh; Garg, Puneet K
2013-04-01
Perforation peritonitis is the most common surgical emergency encountered by surgeons all over the world as well in India. The spectrum of etiology of perforation peritonitis in tropical countries continues to differ from its western counterpart. This study was conducted at Hindu Rao Hospital, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi, India, designed to highlight the spectrum of perforation peritonitis in the eastern countries and to improve its outcome. This prospective study included 77 consecutive patients of perforation peritonitis studied in terms of clinical presentations, causes, site of perforation, surgical treatment, postoperative complications, and mortality at Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, from March 1, 2011 to December 1, 2011, over a period of 8 months. All patients were resuscitated and underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy. On laparotomy cause of perforation peritonitis was found and controlled. The most common cause of perforation peritonitis noticed in our series was perforated duodenal ulcer (26.4 %) and ileal typhoid perforation (26.4 %), each followed by small bowel tuberculosis (10.3 %) and stomach perforation (9.2 %), perforation due to acute appendicitis (5 %). The highest number of perforations was seen in ileum (39.1 %), duodenum (26.4 %), stomach (11.5 %), appendix (3.5 %), jejunum (4.6 %), and colon (3.5 %). Overall mortality was 13 %. The spectrum of perforation peritonitis in India continuously differs from western countries. The highest number of perforations was noticed in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract as compared to the western countries where the perforations seen mostly in the distal part. The most common cause of perforation peritonitis was perforated duodenal ulcer and small bowel typhoid perforation followed by typhoid perforation. Large bowel perforations and malignant perforations were least common in our setup.
Coexistence of 9p Deletion Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Günes, Serkan; Ekinci, Özalp; Ekinci, Nuran; Toros, Fevziye
2017-01-01
Deletion or duplication of the short arm of chromosome 9 may lead to a variety of clinical conditions including craniofacial and limb abnormalities, skeletal malformations, mental retardation, and autism spectrum disorder. Here, we present a case report of 5-year-old boy with 9p deletion syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.
A spectrum of an extrasolar planet.
Richardson, L Jeremy; Deming, Drake; Horning, Karen; Seager, Sara; Harrington, Joseph
2007-02-22
Of the over 200 known extrasolar planets, 14 exhibit transits in front of their parent stars as seen from Earth. Spectroscopic observations of the transiting planets can probe the physical conditions of their atmospheres. One such technique can be used to derive the planetary spectrum by subtracting the stellar spectrum measured during eclipse (planet hidden behind star) from the combined-light spectrum measured outside eclipse (star + planet). Although several attempts have been made from Earth-based observatories, no spectrum has yet been measured for any of the established extrasolar planets. Here we report a measurement of the infrared spectrum (7.5-13.2 microm) of the transiting extrasolar planet HD 209458b. Our observations reveal a hot thermal continuum for the planetary spectrum, with an approximately constant ratio to the stellar flux over this wavelength range. Superposed on this continuum is a broad emission peak centred near 9.65 microm that we attribute to emission by silicate clouds. We also find a narrow, unidentified emission feature at 7.78 microm. Models of these 'hot Jupiter' planets predict a flux peak near 10 microm, where thermal emission from the deep atmosphere emerges relatively unimpeded by water absorption, but models dominated by water fit the observed spectrum poorly.
A review of supernumerary and absent limbs and digits of the upper limb.
Klaassen, Zachary; Choi, Monica; Musselman, Ruth; Eapen, Deborah; Tubbs, R Shane; Loukas, Marios
2012-03-01
For years people have been enamored by anomalies of the human limbs, particularly supernumerary and absent limbs and digits. Historically, there are a number of examples of such anomalies, including royal families of ancient Chaldea, tribes from Arabia, and examples from across nineteenth century Europe. The development of the upper limbs in a growing embryo is still being elucidated with the recent advent of homeobox genes, but researchers agree that upper limbs develop between stages 12-23 through a complex embryological process. Maternal thalidomide intake during limb development is known to cause limb reduction and subsequent amelia or phocomelia. Additionally, a number of clinical reports have illustrated different limb anomaly cases, with each situation unique in phenotype and developmental abnormality. Supernumerary and absent limbs and digits are not unique to humans, and a number of animal cases have also been reported. This review of the literature illustrates the historical, anatomical, and clinical aspects of supernumerary and absent limbs and digits for the upper limb.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Charron, Nancy; Lewis, Lundy; Craig, Michael
2017-01-01
The purpose of this article is to describe a possible methodology for developing joint attention skills in students with autism spectrum disorder. Co-robot therapy with the humanoid robot NAO was used to foster a student's joint attention skill development; 20-min sessions conducted once weekly during the school year were video recorded and…
Peculiarities of the electron energy spectrum in the Coulomb field of a superheavy nucleus
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Voronov, B. L.; Gitman, D. M.; Levin, A. D.; Ferreira, R.
2016-05-01
We consider the peculiarities of the electron energy spectrum in the Coulomb field of a superheavy nucleus and discuss the long history of an incorrect interpretation of this problem in the case of a pointlike nucleus and its current correct solution. We consider the spectral problem in the case of a regularized Coulomb potential. For some special regularizations, we derive an exact equation for the point spectrum in the energy interval (-m,m) and find some of its solutions numerically. We also derive an exact equation for charges yielding bound states with the energy E = -m; some call them supercritical charges. We show the existence of an infinite number of such charges. Their existence does not mean that the oneparticle relativistic quantum mechanics based on the Dirac Hamiltonian with the Coulomb field of such charges is mathematically inconsistent, although it is physically unacceptable because the spectrum of the Hamiltonian is unbounded from below. The question of constructing a consistent nonperturbative second-quantized theory remains open, and the consequences of the existence of supercritical charges from the standpoint of the possibility of constructing such a theory also remain unclear.
On the Absolutely Continuous Spectrum of Stark Operators
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Perelman, Galina
The stability of the absolutely continuous spectrum of the one-dimensional Stark operator
Bone Mineral Density in Boys Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Barnhill, Kelly; Ramirez, Lucas; Gutierrez, Alan; Richardson, Wendy; Marti, C. Nathan; Potts, Amy; Shearer, Rebeca; Schutte, Claire; Hewitson, Laura
2017-01-01
This study compared bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), nutritional status, biochemical markers, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in 4-8 year old boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with a group of age-matched, healthy boys without ASD. Boys with ASD had significantly lower spine BMD…
Lehti, Venla; Hinkka-Yli-Salomäki, Susanna; Cheslack-Postava, Keely; Gissler, Mika; Brown, Alan S; Sourander, Andre
2015-01-01
The association between parental socio-economic status (SES) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been studied in several countries, but the results have been contradictory. The aim of this study was to examine the association between maternal SES and subtypes of ASD in Finland. A national case-control study was conducted. Children born in 1991-2005 and diagnosed with ASD by the year 2007 were identified from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register (FHDR). Their matched controls were selected from the Finnish Medical Birth Register (FMBR). There were 3468 cases and 13,868 controls. The information on maternal SES was collected from the FMBR and categorized into upper white-collar workers (referent), lower white-collar workers, blue-collar workers and "others", consisting of students, housewives and other groups with unknown SES. The statistical test used was conditional logistic regression. The likelihood of ASD was increased among offspring of mothers who belong to the group "others" (adjusted OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.009-1.3). The likelihood of Asperger's syndrome was decreased among offspring of lower white-collar workers (adjusted OR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-0.9) and blue-collar workers (adjusted OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.7). The likelihood of pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) was increased among offspring of blue-collar workers (adjusted OR = 1.5, 1.2-1.9) and "others" (adjusted OR = 1.3, 1.1-1.7). No association was found between maternal SES and childhood autism. The association between maternal SES and ASD differs by ASD subtype. Socio-economic groups might differ from each other by risk factors for ASD subtypes or by their service use.
A Modified Dialogic Reading Intervention for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fleury, Veronica P.; Schwartz, Ilene S.
2017-01-01
We examined the effect of a modified dialogic reading intervention on levels of verbal participation and vocabulary growth in nine preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using single-case design methodology. Baseline book reading resulted in consistently low levels of verbal participation followed by an immediate increase in verbal…
A Spectrum Sensing Network for Cognitive PMSE Systems
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Brendel, Johannes; Riess, Steffen; Stoeckle, Andreas; Rummel, Rafael; Fischer, Georg
2012-09-01
This article is about a Spectrum Sensing Network (SSN) which generates an accurate radio environment map (e.g. power over frequency, time, and location) from a given application area. It is intended to be used in combination with cognitive Program Making and Special Events (PMSE) devices (e.g. wireless microphones) to improve their operation reliability. The SSN consists of a distributed network of multiple scanning radio receivers and a central data management and storage unit. The parts of the SSN are presented in detail and the advantages and use cases of such a sensing network structure will be outlined.
Deafness and Autistic Spectrum Disorders
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Vernon, McCay; Rhodes, Anthony
2009-01-01
An orientation to autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), also known as autism, is provided, and the specific syndrome of autism and deafness is addressed. The two conditions have in common a major problem: communication. Case histories are provided, the development of treatment for autism is discussed, and the separate disorders that make up ASD are…
Urbanicity and Autism Spectrum Disorders
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lauritsen, Marlene B.; Astrup, Aske; Pedersen, Carsten Bøcker; Obel, Carsten; Schendel, Diana E.; Schieve, Laura; Yeargin-Allsopp, Marshalyn; Parner, Erik T.
2014-01-01
The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is for the majority of cases unknown and more studies of risk factors are needed. Geographic variation in ASD occurrence has been observed, and urban residence has been suggested to serve as a proxy for etiologic and identification factors in ASD. We examined the association between urbanicity level…
Video Game Playing Effects on Obesity in an Adolescent with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study.
Strahan, Brandy E; Elder, Jennifer H
2015-01-01
Adolescent obesity has tripled in the past two decades, and adolescents with disabilities, specifically autism spectrum disorders (ASD), may be at greater risk for obesity due to the behavioral, physical, and psychosocial complications related to their disorder. This case study reports the effects of video game playing on an obese adolescent with ASD and illustrates the use of a multiple baseline single subject design. Over 12 weeks, the participant played inactive (6 weeks) and active video games (6 weeks) on the Wii console. Physiological data were evaluated weekly at home. Stress and anxiety were measured via the Stress Survey Schedule for Individuals with Autism and Other Pervasive Non-Developmental Disorders (SSS) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children Second Edition (BASC-2) pre- and postintervention. The Therapy Attitude Inventory (TAI) was used to determine parental perception of video game playing as a socially valid intervention to reduce stress and anxiety. Results demonstrated that active video game playing slowed and/or reduced weight and BMI with minimal changes to waist-to-hip ratios, triceps skinfolds, and stress and anxiety. This study demonstrates how alternative methods for physical activity may be used to improve health outcomes of overweight/obese adolescents with ASD and suggests directions for future research.
Evaporation Spectrum of Black Holes from a Local Quantum Gravity Perspective.
Barrau, Aurélien
2016-12-30
We revisit the hypothesis of a possible line structure in the Hawking evaporation spectrum of black holes. Because of nonperturbative quantum gravity effects, this would take place arbitrarily far away from the Planck mass. We show, based on a speculative but consistent hypothesis, that this naive prediction might in fact hold in the specific context of loop quantum gravity. A small departure from the ideal case is expected for some low-spin transitions and could allow us to distinguish several quantum gravity models. We also show that the effect is not washed out by the dynamics of the process, by the existence of a mass spectrum up to a given width, or by the secondary component induced by the decay of neutral pions emitted during the time-integrated evaporation.
Maury, Augusto; Revilla, Reynier I
2015-08-01
Cosmic rays (CRs) occasionally affect charge-coupled device (CCD) detectors, introducing large spikes with very narrow bandwidth in the spectrum. These CR features can distort the chemical information expressed by the spectra. Consequently, we propose here an algorithm to identify and remove significant spikes in a single Raman spectrum. An autocorrelation analysis is first carried out to accentuate the CRs feature as outliers. Subsequently, with an adequate selection of the threshold, a discrete wavelet transform filter is used to identify CR spikes. Identified data points are then replaced by interpolated values using the weighted-average interpolation technique. This approach only modifies the data in a close vicinity of the CRs. Additionally, robust wavelet transform parameters are proposed (a desirable property for automation) after optimizing them with the application of the method in a great number of spectra. However, this algorithm, as well as all the single-spectrum analysis procedures, is limited to the cases in which CRs have much narrower bandwidth than the Raman bands. This might not be the case when low-resolution Raman instruments are used.
A Cognitive Agent for Spectrum Monitoring and Informed Spectrum Access
2017-06-01
electromagnetic environments (EMEs) to understand what spectrum bands are accessed, when those bands are accessed, and how much energy is...recall. The cognitive agent in this report uses the second approach. The knowledge domain of the cognitive agent is the electromagnetic spectrum. The...Knowledge DTV digital television EME electromagnetic environments FM frequency modulated RF radio frequency VHF very high frequency
The expanding spectrum of COL2A1 gene variants IN 136 patients with a skeletal dysplasia phenotype
Barat-Houari, Mouna; Dumont, Bruno; Fabre, Aurélie; Them, Frédéric TM; Alembik, Yves; Alessandri, Jean-Luc; Amiel, Jeanne; Audebert, Séverine; Baumann-Morel, Clarisse; Blanchet, Patricia; Bieth, Eric; Brechard, Marie; Busa, Tiffany; Calvas, Patrick; Capri, Yline; Cartault, François; Chassaing, Nicolas; Ciorca, Vidrica; Coubes, Christine; David, Albert; Delezoide, Anne-Lise; Dupin-Deguine, Delphine; El Chehadeh, Salima; Faivre, Laurence; Giuliano, Fabienne; Goldenberg, Alice; Isidor, Bertrand; Jacquemont, Marie-Line; Julia, Sophie; Kaplan, Josseline; Lacombe, Didier; Lebrun, Marine; Marlin, Sandrine; Martin-Coignard, Dominique; Martinovic, Jelena; Masurel, Alice; Melki, Judith; Mozelle-Nivoix, Monique; Nguyen, Karine; Odent, Sylvie; Philip, Nicole; Pinson, Lucile; Plessis, Ghislaine; Quélin, Chloé; Shaeffer, Elise; Sigaudy, Sabine; Thauvin, Christel; Till, Marianne; Touraine, Renaud; Vigneron, Jacqueline; Baujat, Geneviève; Cormier-Daire, Valérie; Le Merrer, Martine; Geneviève, David; Touitou, Isabelle
2016-01-01
Heterozygous COL2A1 variants cause a wide spectrum of skeletal dysplasia termed type II collagenopathies. We assessed the impact of this gene in our French series. A decision tree was applied to select 136 probands (71 Stickler cases, 21 Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita cases, 11 Kniest dysplasia cases, and 34 other dysplasia cases) before molecular diagnosis by Sanger sequencing. We identified 66 different variants among the 71 positive patients. Among those patients, 18 belonged to multiplex families and 53 were sporadic. Most variants (38/44, 86%) were located in the triple helical domain of the collagen chain and glycine substitutions were mainly observed in severe phenotypes, whereas arginine to cysteine changes were more often encountered in moderate phenotypes. This series of skeletal dysplasia is one of the largest reported so far, adding 44 novel variants (15%) to published data. We have confirmed that about half of our Stickler patients (46%) carried a COL2A1 variant, and that the molecular spectrum was different across the phenotypes. To further address the question of genotype–phenotype correlation, we plan to screen our patients for other candidate genes using a targeted next-generation sequencing approach. PMID:26626311
The expanding spectrum of COL2A1 gene variants IN 136 patients with a skeletal dysplasia phenotype.
Barat-Houari, Mouna; Dumont, Bruno; Fabre, Aurélie; Them, Frédéric Tm; Alembik, Yves; Alessandri, Jean-Luc; Amiel, Jeanne; Audebert, Séverine; Baumann-Morel, Clarisse; Blanchet, Patricia; Bieth, Eric; Brechard, Marie; Busa, Tiffany; Calvas, Patrick; Capri, Yline; Cartault, François; Chassaing, Nicolas; Ciorca, Vidrica; Coubes, Christine; David, Albert; Delezoide, Anne-Lise; Dupin-Deguine, Delphine; El Chehadeh, Salima; Faivre, Laurence; Giuliano, Fabienne; Goldenberg, Alice; Isidor, Bertrand; Jacquemont, Marie-Line; Julia, Sophie; Kaplan, Josseline; Lacombe, Didier; Lebrun, Marine; Marlin, Sandrine; Martin-Coignard, Dominique; Martinovic, Jelena; Masurel, Alice; Melki, Judith; Mozelle-Nivoix, Monique; Nguyen, Karine; Odent, Sylvie; Philip, Nicole; Pinson, Lucile; Plessis, Ghislaine; Quélin, Chloé; Shaeffer, Elise; Sigaudy, Sabine; Thauvin, Christel; Till, Marianne; Touraine, Renaud; Vigneron, Jacqueline; Baujat, Geneviève; Cormier-Daire, Valérie; Le Merrer, Martine; Geneviève, David; Touitou, Isabelle
2016-07-01
Heterozygous COL2A1 variants cause a wide spectrum of skeletal dysplasia termed type II collagenopathies. We assessed the impact of this gene in our French series. A decision tree was applied to select 136 probands (71 Stickler cases, 21 Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita cases, 11 Kniest dysplasia cases, and 34 other dysplasia cases) before molecular diagnosis by Sanger sequencing. We identified 66 different variants among the 71 positive patients. Among those patients, 18 belonged to multiplex families and 53 were sporadic. Most variants (38/44, 86%) were located in the triple helical domain of the collagen chain and glycine substitutions were mainly observed in severe phenotypes, whereas arginine to cysteine changes were more often encountered in moderate phenotypes. This series of skeletal dysplasia is one of the largest reported so far, adding 44 novel variants (15%) to published data. We have confirmed that about half of our Stickler patients (46%) carried a COL2A1 variant, and that the molecular spectrum was different across the phenotypes. To further address the question of genotype-phenotype correlation, we plan to screen our patients for other candidate genes using a targeted next-generation sequencing approach.
Vitte, Franck; Fabiani, Bettina; Bénet, Claire; Dalac, Sophie; Balme, Brigitte; Delattre, Claire; Vergier, Béatrice; Beylot-Barry, Marie; Vignon-Pennamen, Dominique; Ortonne, Nicolas; Algros, Marie Paule; Carlotti, Agnès; Samaleire, Dimitri; Frouin, Eric; Levy, Anne; Laroche, Liliane; Theate, Ivan; Monnien, Franck; Mugneret, Francine; Petrella, Tony
2012-09-01
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare clonal hematopoietic disorder that can also involve the skin. The histopathology of these skin lesions is not clearly defined, and few data are available in the literature. To better understand tumoral skin involvements in CMML we carried out an extensive, retrospective clinicopathologic study of 42 cases selected from the database of the French Study Group of Cutaneous Lymphomas. On the basis of clinical data, morphology, and phenotype we identified 4 clinicopathologic profiles representing 4 distinct groups. The first group comprised myelomonocytic cell tumors (n=18), exhibiting a proliferation of granulocytic or monocytic blast cells, which were CD68 and/or MPO positive but negative for dendritic cell markers. The second group comprised mature plasmacytoid dendritic cell tumors (n=16), denoted by a proliferation of mature plasmacytoid dendritic cells, which were CD123, TCL1, and CD303 positive but CD56, CD1a, and S100 negative. The third group comprised blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell tumors (n=4), characterized by a proliferation of monomorphous medium-sized blast cells, which were CD4, CD56, CD123, TCL1 positive but CD1a and S100 negative. The fourth group consisted of a putatively novel category of tumor that we named blastic indeterminate dendritic cell tumors (n=4), distinguished by a proliferation of large blast cells that not only exhibited monocytic markers but also the dendritic markers CD1a and S100. These 4 groups showed distinctive outcomes. Finally, we showed, by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, a clonal link between bone marrow disease and skin lesions in 4 patients. Herein, we have described a novel scheme for pathologists and physicians to handle specific lesions in CMML, which correspond to a spectrum of myelomonocytic and dendritic cell proliferations with different outcomes. A minimal panel of immunohistochemical markers including CD68, CD1a, S100, Langerin, and CD123 is
Priorities for autism spectrum disorder risk communication and ethics.
Yudell, Michael; Tabor, Holly K; Dawson, Geraldine; Rossi, John; Newschaffer, Craig
2013-11-01
Autism spectrum disorders are an issue of increasing public health significance. The incidence of autism spectrum disorders has been increasing in recent years, and they are associated with significant personal and financial impacts for affected persons and their families. In recent years, a large number of scientific studies have been undertaken, which investigate genetic and environmental risk factors for autism, with more studies underway. At present, much remains unknown regarding autism spectrum disorder risk factors, but the emerging picture of causation is in many cases complex, with multiple genes and gene-environment interactions being at play. The complexity and uncertainty surrounding autism spectrum disorder risk factors raise a number of questions regarding the ethical considerations that should be taken into account when undertaking autism spectrum disorder risk communication. At present, however, little has been written regarding autism spectrum disorder risk communication and ethics. This article summarizes the findings of a recent conference investigating ethical considerations and policy recommendations in autism spectrum disorder risk communication, which to the authors' knowledge is the first of its kind. Here, the authors discuss a number of issues, including uncertainty; comprehension; inadvertent harm; justice; and the appropriate roles of clinicians, scientists, and the media in autism spectrum disorder risk communication.
Dell'Osso, Liliana; Conversano, Ciro; Bertelloni, Carlo A.; Cremone, Ivan M.; Carpita, Barbara; Gesi, Camilla
2018-01-01
This case report draws attention to the potential relevance of undetected autism spectrum symptoms in a bipolar patient with high work functioning showing a peculiar addictive profile with impulsive and antisocial behaviors. A 23-year-old man with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder (BD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) was hospitalized at the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa for diuretics and β-2 adrenergic agonist abuse in a remission phase of benzodiazepines and substance abuse. He reported a history of behavioral addictions in the framework of a global high work functioning with particular skills in computer science. When assessed for adult autism spectrum symptoms, despite not fulfilling a DSM-5 diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), he reported a score of 93/240 at the Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale (RAADS-r) and of 88/160 at the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), both indicative of ASD. We argue the possible role of adult subthreshold autism spectrum features, generally disregarded in adult psychiatry, in the peculiar addictive profile developed by this patient with BD that may deserve appropriate treatment. PMID:29682383
Clinical Spectrum of Autoerythrocyte Sensitization Syndrome: A Series of Five Cases
Thokchom, Nandakishore Singh; Pradeepa, D.; Hafi, N. A. Bishurul; Verma, Kapila
2018-01-01
Autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome (Gardner Diamond syndrome or GDS) is a rare syndrome characterized by painful and spontaneous purpura commonly affecting adult women, and is mostly associated with psychiatric illness. Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical presentation, exclusion of other simulating diseases, and psychiatric evaluation. Only few cases have been reported till date. We report five cases of spontaneous purpura with a normal investigation profile, except for iron deficiency anemia in 1 patient, of which three had associated underlying psychiatric illness. Autoerythrocyte sensitization test was positive in all our cases. Patients presenting with painful bruises without significant medical history such as underlying bleeding disorder or drug history or history of trauma should be considered for autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome, and managed accordingly. The present study is a case series of patients with characteristic features of autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome, considering the rarity of the reports on its clinical spectra. PMID:29644197
Brief Report: Maternal Smoking during Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lee, Brian K.; Gardner, Renee M.; Dal, Henrik; Svensson, Anna; Galanti, Maria Rosaria; Rai, Dheeraj; Dalman, Christina; Magnusson, Cecilia
2012-01-01
Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke is suggested as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous epidemiological studies of this topic have yielded mixed findings. We performed a case-control study of 3,958 ASD cases and 38,983 controls nested in a large register-based cohort in Sweden. ASD case status was measured using a…
Russell, Ailsa J; Murphy, Clodagh M; Wilson, Ellie; Gillan, Nicola; Brown, Cordelia; Robertson, Dene M; Craig, Michael C; Deeley, Quinton; Zinkstok, Janneke; Johnston, Kate; McAlonan, Grainne M; Spain, Deborah; Murphy, Declan Gm
2016-07-01
Growing awareness of autism spectrum disorders has increased the demand for diagnostic services in adulthood. High rates of mental health problems have been reported in young people and adults with autism spectrum disorder. However, sampling and methodological issues mean prevalence estimates and conclusions about specificity in psychiatric co-morbidity in autism spectrum disorder remain unclear. A retrospective case review of 859 adults referred for assessment of autism spectrum disorder compares International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision diagnoses in those that met criteria for autism spectrum disorder (n = 474) with those that did not (n = 385). Rates of psychiatric diagnosis (>57%) were equivalent across both groups and exceeded general population rates for a number of conditions. The prevalence of anxiety disorders, particularly obsessive compulsive disorder, was significantly higher in adults with autism spectrum disorder than adults without autism spectrum disorder. Limitations of this observational clinic study, which may impact generalisability of the findings, include the lack of standardised structured psychiatric diagnostic assessments by assessors blind to autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and inter-rater reliability. The implications of this study highlight the need for careful consideration of mental health needs in all adults referred for autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. © The Author(s) 2015.
Video Modeling for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thompson, Teresa Lynn
2014-01-01
The objective of this research was to conduct a meta-analysis to examine existing research studies on video modeling as an effective teaching tool for children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Study eligibility criteria included (a) single case research design using multiple baselines, alternating treatment designs,…
Spectrum of perforation peritonitis in Pakistan: 300 cases Eastern experience.
Afridi, Shahida Parveen; Malik, Faiza; Ur-Rahman, Shafiq; Shamim, Shahid; Samo, Khursheed A
2008-11-08
Perforation peritonitis is the most common surgical emergency encountered by the surgeons all over the world as well in Pakistan. The spectrum of etiology of perforation peritonitis in tropical countries continues to differ from its western counter part. This study was conducted at Dow University of health sciences and Civil Hospital Karachi (DUHS & CHK) Pakistan, designed to highlight the spectrum of perforation peritonitis in the East and to improve its outcome. A prospective study includes three hundred consecutive patients of perforation peritonitis studied in terms of clinical presentations, Causes, site of perforation, surgical treatment, post operative complications and mortality, at (DUHS&CHK) Pakistan, from 1st September 2005 - 1st March 2008, over a period of two and half years. All patients were resuscitated underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy. On laparotomy cause of perforation peritonitis was found and controlled. The most common cause of perforation peritonitis noticed in our series was acid peptic disease 45%, perforated duodenal ulcer (43.6%) and gastric ulcer 1.3%. followed by small bowel tuberculosis (21%) and typhoid (17%). large bowel perforation due to tuberculosis 5%, malignancy 2.6% and volvulus 0.3%. Perforation due to acute appendicitis (5%). Highest number of perforations has seen in the duodenum 43.6%, ileum37.6%, and colon 8%, appendix 5%, jejunum 3.3%, and stomach 2.3%. Overall mortality was (10.6%). The spectrum of perforation peritonitis in Pakistan continuously differs from western country. Highest number of perforations noticed in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract as compared to the western countries where the perforations seen mostly in the distal part. Most common cause of perforation peritonitis is perforated duodenal ulcer, followed by small bowel tuberculosis and typhoid perforation. Majority of the large bowel perforations are also tubercular. Malignant perforations are least common in our setup.
Outdoor measurements of a photovoltaic system using diffractive spectrum-splitting and concentration
Mohammad, N.; Schulz, M.; Wang, P.; ...
2016-09-16
In a single-bandgap absorber, photons having energy less than the bandgap are not absorbed, while those having energy larger than the bandgap lose the excess energy via thermalization. We present outdoor measurements of a photovoltaic system that overcomes these losses via spectrum splitting and concentration using a planar diffractive optic. The system was comprised of the diffractive optic coupled with GaInP and CIGS solar cells. The optic provides a geometric concentration of 3X for each solar cell. It is easily fabricated by single-step grayscale lithography and it is ultra-thin with a maximum thickness of only 2.5μm. Electrical measurements under directmore » sunlight demonstrated an increase of ~25% in total output power compared to the reference case without spectrum splitting and concentration. Since different bandgaps are in the same plane, the proposed photovoltaic system successfully circumvents the lattice-matching and current-matching issues in conventional tandem multi-junction solar cells. As a result, this system is also tolerant to solar spectrum variation and fill-factor degradation of constitutive solar cells.« less
Outdoor measurements of a photovoltaic system using diffractive spectrum-splitting and concentration
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Mohammad, N.; Schulz, M.; Wang, P.
In a single-bandgap absorber, photons having energy less than the bandgap are not absorbed, while those having energy larger than the bandgap lose the excess energy via thermalization. We present outdoor measurements of a photovoltaic system that overcomes these losses via spectrum splitting and concentration using a planar diffractive optic. The system was comprised of the diffractive optic coupled with GaInP and CIGS solar cells. The optic provides a geometric concentration of 3X for each solar cell. It is easily fabricated by single-step grayscale lithography and it is ultra-thin with a maximum thickness of only 2.5μm. Electrical measurements under directmore » sunlight demonstrated an increase of ~25% in total output power compared to the reference case without spectrum splitting and concentration. Since different bandgaps are in the same plane, the proposed photovoltaic system successfully circumvents the lattice-matching and current-matching issues in conventional tandem multi-junction solar cells. As a result, this system is also tolerant to solar spectrum variation and fill-factor degradation of constitutive solar cells.« less
Furukawa, Takahiro; Matsui, Naoko; Tanaka, Keiko; Izumi, Yuishin; Kaji, Ryuji
2017-02-25
A 33 year-old woman presented with intentional incontinence, motor aphasia, supranuclear gaze palsy, and spasticity after parotitis. Brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) showed abnormal signaling in long corticospinal tract involving internal capsules and cerebral peduncles, middle cerebellar peduncle, and frontal subcortical white matter lesions. She had a long history of dry eye and mouth. Immunoserological study showed that she was positive for anti-SS-A, aquaporin 4 (AQP4), and AQP5 antibodies. She clinically showed not only Sjögren's syndrome but also neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) without optic neuritis or myelitis. She responded to steroid followed by plasma exchange dramatically. Thereafter, the relapse of brain lesion was once detected while tapering of steroid, but her symptoms have been stable for several years after administration of immunosuppressant. This case suggested that salivary gland inflammation might be associated with the pathogenesis of NMOSD.
Spectrum-to-Spectrum Searching Using a Proteome-wide Spectral Library*
Yen, Chia-Yu; Houel, Stephane; Ahn, Natalie G.; Old, William M.
2011-01-01
The unambiguous assignment of tandem mass spectra (MS/MS) to peptide sequences remains a key unsolved problem in proteomics. Spectral library search strategies have emerged as a promising alternative for peptide identification, in which MS/MS spectra are directly compared against a reference library of confidently assigned spectra. Two problems relate to library size. First, reference spectral libraries are limited to rediscovery of previously identified peptides and are not applicable to new peptides, because of their incomplete coverage of the human proteome. Second, problems arise when searching a spectral library the size of the entire human proteome. We observed that traditional dot product scoring methods do not scale well with spectral library size, showing reduction in sensitivity when library size is increased. We show that this problem can be addressed by optimizing scoring metrics for spectrum-to-spectrum searches with large spectral libraries. MS/MS spectra for the 1.3 million predicted tryptic peptides in the human proteome are simulated using a kinetic fragmentation model (MassAnalyzer version2.1) to create a proteome-wide simulated spectral library. Searches of the simulated library increase MS/MS assignments by 24% compared with Mascot, when using probabilistic and rank based scoring methods. The proteome-wide coverage of the simulated library leads to 11% increase in unique peptide assignments, compared with parallel searches of a reference spectral library. Further improvement is attained when reference spectra and simulated spectra are combined into a hybrid spectral library, yielding 52% increased MS/MS assignments compared with Mascot searches. Our study demonstrates the advantages of using probabilistic and rank based scores to improve performance of spectrum-to-spectrum search strategies. PMID:21532008
Use of Methyl Salicylates As a Trialing Chemical Agent Simulant
1990-05-01
phocomelia of the hind-limbs were frequently seen after injection on day 11. Hydronephrosis , ectoplc kidneys, and exencephaly were occasionally observed...Oapparent hydronephrosis " late in gestition. This apparent abnormality decreases by steady lengthening of the renal papilla with advancing fetal anw...treated fetuses at weaning., This persistent condition, suggestive, of hydronephrosis or hypoplasia, was not noted in control fetuses. Monie (1970
Gender dysphoria and autism spectrum disorder: A narrative review.
Van Der Miesen, Anna I R; Hurley, Hannah; De Vries, Annelou L C
2016-01-01
The current literature shows growing evidence of a link between gender dysphoria (GD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study reviews the available clinical and empirical data. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Scopus; utilizing different combinations of the following search terms: autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Asperger's disorder (AD), co-morbidity, gender dysphoria (GD), gender identity disorder (GID), transgenderism and transsexualism. In total, 25 articles and reports were selected and discussed. Information was grouped by found co-occurrence rates, underlying hypotheses and implications for diagnosis and treatment. GD and ASD were found to co-occur frequently - sometimes characterized by atypical presentation of GD, which makes a correct diagnosis and determination of treatment options for GD difficult. Despite these challenges there are several case reports describing gender affirming treatment of co-occurring GD in adolescents and adults with ASD. Various underlying hypotheses for the link between GD and ASD were suggested, but almost all of them lack evidence.
Choroid plexus adenoma in a child: expanding the clinical and pathological spectrum.
Prendergast, Nicole; Goldstein, Jeffrey D; Beier, Alexandra D
2018-04-01
Primary choroid plexus tumors encompass a variety of tumors, with choroid plexus papilloma and carcinoma being the most common. Also in the differential diagnosis is the rare benign choroid plexus adenoma. As these tumors are infrequently described, the histological profile continues to evolve. The authors present a case with unusual characteristics that will broaden the pathological spectrum for choroid plexus adenomas.
Frequency spectrum of an optical resonator in a curved spacetime
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rätzel, Dennis; Schneiter, Fabienne; Braun, Daniel; Bravo, Tupac; Howl, Richard; Lock, Maximilian P. E.; Fuentes, Ivette
2018-05-01
The effect of gravity and proper acceleration on the frequency spectrum of an optical resonator—both rigid or deformable—is considered in the framework of general relativity. The optical resonator is modeled either as a rod of matter connecting two mirrors or as a dielectric rod whose ends function as mirrors. Explicit expressions for the frequency spectrum are derived for the case that it is only perturbed slightly and variations are slow enough to avoid any elastic resonances of the rod. For a deformable resonator, the perturbation of the frequency spectrum depends on the speed of sound in the rod supporting the mirrors. A connection is found to a relativistic concept of rigidity when the speed of sound approaches the speed of light. In contrast, the corresponding result for the assumption of Born rigidity is recovered when the speed of sound becomes infinite. The results presented in this article can be used as the basis for the description of optical and opto-mechanical systems in a curved spacetime. We apply our results to the examples of a uniformly accelerating resonator and an optical resonator in the gravitational field of a small moving sphere. To exemplify the applicability of our approach beyond the framework of linearized gravity, we consider the fictitious situation of an optical resonator falling into a black hole.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bennett, Emily; Heaton, Pamela
2012-01-01
Parents of 125 children, adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders completed a newly developed questionnaire aimed at identifying cognitive and behavioural characteristics associated with savant skills in this group. Factors distinguishing skilled individuals were then further investigated in case studies of three individuals…
Parents as a Team: Mother, Father, a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and a Spinning Toy
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Maynard, Douglas W.; McDonald, T. A.; Stickle, Trini
2016-01-01
This paper is a single case study involving a visit to a diagnostic clinic for autism spectrum disorder. A young boy finds a toy that he can hold with one hand and spin with another. In order to retrieve the toy and leave it in the clinic, the parents engage in a team effort. We describe this achievement in terms of two styles of practice or…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Miller, Judith S.; Bilder, Deborah; Farley, Megan; Coon, Hilary; Pinborough-Zimmerman, Judith; Jenson, William; Rice, Catherine E.; Fombonne, Eric; Pingree, Carmen B.; Ritvo, Edward; Ritvo, Riva-Ariella; McMahon, William M.
2013-01-01
The purpose of the present study was to re-examine diagnostic data from a state-wide autism prevalence study (n = 489) conducted in the 1980s to investigate the impact of broader diagnostic criteria on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) case status. Sixty-four (59%) of the 108 originally "Diagnosed Not Autistic" met the current ASD case definition.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Koch, Sabine C.; Mehl, Laura; Sobanski, Esther; Sieber, Maik; Fuchs, Thomas
2015-01-01
From the 1970s on, case studies reported the effectiveness of therapeutic mirroring in movement with children with autism spectrum disorder. In this feasibility study, we tested a dance movement therapy intervention based on mirroring in movement in a population of 31 young adults with autism spectrum disorder (mainly high-functioning and…
[Gas Concentration Measurement Based on the Integral Value of Absorptance Spectrum].
Liu, Hui-jun; Tao, Shao-hua; Yang, Bing-chu; Deng, Hong-gui
2015-12-01
The absorptance spectrum of a gas is the basis for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the gas by the law of the Lambert-Beer. The integral value of the absorptance spectrum is an important parameter to describe the characteristics of the gas absorption. Based on the measured absorptance spectrum of a gas, we collected the required data from the database of HIT-RAN, and chose one of the spectral lines and calculated the integral value of the absorptance spectrum in the frequency domain, and then substituted the integral value into Lambert-Beer's law to obtain the concentration of the detected gas. By calculating the integral value of the absorptance spectrum we can avoid the more complicated calculation of the spectral line function and a series of standard gases for calibration, so the gas concentration measurement will be simpler and faster. We studied the changing trends of the integral values of the absorptance spectrums versus temperature. Since temperature variation would cause the corresponding variation in pressure, we studied the changing trends of the integral values of the absorptance spectrums versus both the pressure not changed with temperature and changed with the temperature variation. Based on the two cases, we found that the integral values of the absorptance spectrums both would firstly increase, then decrease, and finally stabilize with temperature increasing, but the ranges of specific changing trend were different in the two cases. In the experiments, we found that the relative errors of the integrated values of the absorptance spectrum were much higher than 1% and still increased with temperature when we only considered the change of temperature and completely ignored the pressure affected by the temperature variation, and the relative errors of the integrated values of the absorptance spectrum were almost constant at about only 1% when we considered that the pressure were affected by the temperature variation. As the integral value
Autistic spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and vagus nerve stimulation.
Hull, Mariam Mettry; Madhavan, Deepak; Zaroff, Charles M
2015-08-01
In individuals with a comorbid autistic spectrum disorder and medically refractory epilepsy, vagus nerve stimulation may offer the potential of seizure control and a positive behavioral side effect profile. We aimed to examine the behavioral side effect profile using longitudinal and quantitative data and review the potential mechanisms behind behavioral changes. We present a case report of a 10-year-old boy with autistic spectrum disorder and epilepsy, who underwent vagus nerve stimulation subsequent to unsuccessful treatment with antiepileptic medication. Following vagus nerve stimulation implantation, initial, if temporary, improvement was observed in seizure control. Modest improvements were also observed in behavior and development, improvements which were observed independent of seizure control. Vagus nerve stimulation in autistic spectrum disorder is associated with modest behavioral improvement, with unidentified etiology, although several candidates for this improvement are evident.
Baixauli-Fortea, I; Gascon-Herranz, N; de Carlos-Isla, M; Colomer-Diago, C
2018-03-01
The 'More than Words' programme aims to enable parents to take advantage of day-to-day situations as communication learning settings, through the use of instruction in responsive-type interaction strategies. To describe the effects of this programme on the communication skills of a child with autism spectrum disorder and on the language the parents use to address him. A three-phase design (pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention) was employed, in which the responsive interactions of the parents and the child's communicative acts were measured. The intervention can modify the parents' communicative style, especially when the family receives guidance from a speech therapist. Nevertheless, the responsive nature of the parents' communication tends to diminish when the intervention finishes. Conversely, the child's communicative acts increase, with a medium-sized effect of the treatment. The 'More than Words' programme can be a good starting point for parents to become familiar with strategies that foster communication with their children who have autism spectrum disorder.
The Solar Spectrum: An Atmospheric Remote Sensing Perspective
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Toon, Geoff
2013-01-01
The solar spectrum not only contains information about the composition and structure of the sun, it also provides a bright and stable continuum source for earth remote sensing (atmosphere and surface). Many types of remote sensors use solar radiation. While high-resolution spaceborne sensors (e.g. ACE) can largely remove the effects of the solar spectrum by exo-atmospheric calibration, this isn't an option for sub-orbital sensors, such as the FTIR spectrometers used in the NDACC and TCCON networks. In this case the solar contribution must be explicitly included in the spectral analysis. In this talk the methods used to derive the solar spectrum are presented, and the underlying solar physics are discussed. Implication for remote sensing are described.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Agnew, C. E.
1981-01-01
At present, the Federal Communications Commission assigns radio licenses following a determination of the public interest. Whenever mutually conflicting license applications are filed, the Commission holds a comparative hearing. This assignment mechanism is criticized as cumbersome and unrealiable, and three alternatives are proposed: increasing the available spectrum, and either auctions or lotteries of radio licenses. An analysis is presented of the present system and these alternative arrangments for assigning rights to the frequency spectrum for the Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS). Although MDS is a relatively minor radio service, it serves as a prototype for message distribution services with a large potential for use in business communications. Moreover, the way in which the initial batch of MDS licenses was assigned provides a unique opportunity for empirical work on the economics of the licensing process.
Deimos: A featureless asteroid-like spectrum
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Grundy, W. M.; Fink, Uwe
1991-01-01
High quality CCD spectra were obtained of Deimos from 0.5 to 1.0 micron at a spectral resolution of 15A at the time of the 1988 Mars opposition. The data acquisition and reduction methods allowed the quantitative prevention of scattered light from Mars contaminating the spectra. Solar analog stars BS560, BS2007, and BS8931 were observed the same night to allow removal of telluric absorptions. The ratio spectrum of Deimos has a red slope, increasing in reflectance by a factor of approx. 50 pct. over the one octave wavelength interval observed. Other than this slope, the spectrum is remarkably featureless. The absence of absorption bands in the spectrum of Deimos is in marked contrast with the spectra of Martian surface materials. No trace of the Fe(2+) charge transfer absorption band around 1 micron is observed, which rules out the presence of significant quantities of minerals such as the pyroxenes or olivine at the surface of Deimos. The featureless red spectrum of Deimos appears to be consistent with a surface composition of fine grained carbonaceous chondrite type material. An analysis is presented of the spectrum of Deimos which makes use of the Hapke scattering surface model.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms in Infants with Fragile X Syndrome: A Prospective Case Series
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hogan, Abigail L.; Caravella, Kelly E.; Ezell, Jordan; Rague, Lisa; Hills, Kimberly; Roberts, Jane E.
2017-01-01
No studies to date have prospectively examined early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) markers in infants with fragile X syndrome (FXS), who are at elevated risk for ASD. This paper describes the developmental profiles of eight infants with FXS from 9 to 24 months of age. Four meet diagnostic criteria for ASD at 24 months of age, and four do not.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Dewinter, Jeroen; Van Parys, Hanna; Vermeiren, Robert; van Nieuwenhuizen, Chijs
2017-01-01
This qualitative study explored how adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorder experience their sexuality. Previous research has demonstrated that sexuality is a developmental task for boys with autism spectrum disorder, as it is for their peers. Case studies have suggested a relation between autism spectrum disorder and atypical sexual…
The energy spectrum in a barotropic atmosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kurgansky, M. V.
2008-03-01
In a forced-dissipative barotropic model of the atmosphere on a spherical planet, by following mathematical techniques in (Thompson, P. D.: The equilibrium energy spectrum of randomly forced two-dimensional turbulence, Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 30, 1593-1598, 1973) but applying them in a novel context of the discrete spectrum on a rotating sphere, the "minus 2" energy spectrum for wavenumbers much greater than a characteristic wavenumber of the baroclinic forcing has been obtained if the forcing is taken in the simplest and most fundamental form. Some observation-based atmospheric kinetic energy spectra, with their slopes lying between "minus 2" and "minus 3" laws, are discussed from the perspective of the deduced "minus 2" energy spectrum.
Badrakh, Jugderjav; Zayasaikhan, Setsen; Jagdagsuren, Davaalkham; Enkhbat, Erdenetungalag; Jadambaa, Narantuya; Munkhbaatar, Sergelen; Taylor, Melanie; Rowley, Jane; Mahiané, Guy; Korenromp, Eline
2017-01-01
To estimate Mongolia's prevalence and incidence trends of gonorrhoea and chlamydia in women and men 15-49 years old to inform control of STIs and HIV, a national health sector priority. We applied the Spectrum-STI estimation model, fitting data from two national population surveys (2001 and 2008) and from routine gonorrhoea screening of pregnant women in antenatal care (1997 to 2016) adjusted for diagnostic test performance, male/female differences and missing high-risk populations. Prevalence and incidence estimates were then used to assess completeness of national case reporting. Gonorrhoea prevalence was estimated at 3.3% (95% confidence interval, 1.6-3.9%) in women and 2.9% (1.6-4.1%) in men in 2016; chlamydia prevalence levels were 19.5% (17.3-21.9%) and 15.6% (10.0-21.2%), respectively. Corresponding new incident cases in women and men in 2016 totalled 60 334 (36 147 to 121 933) and 76 893 (35 639 to 254 913) for gonorrhoea and 131 306 (84 232 to 254 316) and 148 162 (71 885 to 462 588) for chlamydia. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia prevalence declined by an estimated 33% and 11%, respectively from 2001 to 2016.Comparing numbers of symptomatic and treated cases estimated by Spectrum with gonorrhoea case reports suggests that 15% of symptomatic treated gonorrhoea cases were reported in 2016; only a minority of chlamydia episodes were reported as male urethral discharge cases. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia prevalence are estimated to have declined in Mongolia during the early 2000s, possibly associated with syndromic management in primary care facilities and improving treatment coverage since 2001 and scale up of HIV/STI prevention interventions since 2003. However, prevalence remains high with most gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases not treated or recorded in the public health system.
The effects of bell vibrations on the acoustic spectrum of the trumpet
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Moore, Thomas R.
2003-04-01
The acoustic spectrum of a modern trumpet with the bell section heavily damped has been compared to the spectrum of the same instrument with the bell section left free to vibrate. The amplitude of vibration of the metal was measured in both cases and was shown to be significantly different between the two sets of measurements. Artificial lips were used to ensure consistency between trials. A significant change in the acoustic spectrum between the two cases is found, with the variation being largest in the lower harmonics where the relative power may change by as much as a factor of 2. It is shown that the changes can be explained by a variation in the viscous boundary layer that is attributable to the vibrating walls of the bell. [Work supported by a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.
Obsessive–compulsive spectrum of disorders: a defensible construct?
Castle, David J.; Phillips, Katharine A.
2006-01-01
Objective To explore critically whether there is a robust basis for the concept of an obsessive–compulsive (OC) spectrum of disorders, and if so, which disorders should be included. Method Selective literature review concentrating on three proposed members of the OC spectrum, namely body dysmorphic disorder, hypochondriasis and trichotillomania. Results Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) itself is a heterogeneous condition or group of conditions, and this needs to be appreciated in any articulation of a ‘spectrum’ of OC disorders. The basis for ‘membership’ of the spectrum is inconsistent and varied, with varying level of support for inclusion in the putative spectrum. Conclusion A more fruitful approach may be to consider behaviours and dimensions in OCD and OC spectrum disorders, and that this should be encompassed in further developments of the OC spectrum model. PMID:16476128
Ruskin, David N; Fortin, Jessica A; Bisnauth, Subrina N; Masino, Susan A
2017-01-01
The core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder are poorly treated with current medications. Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder are frequently comorbid with a diagnosis of epilepsy and vice versa. Medically-supervised ketogenic diets are remarkably effective nonpharmacological treatments for epilepsy, even in drug-refractory cases. There is accumulating evidence that supports the efficacy of ketogenic diets in treating the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in animal models as well as limited reports of benefits in patients. This study tests the behavioral effects of ketogenic diet feeding in the EL mouse, a model with behavioral characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and comorbid epilepsy. Male and female EL mice were fed control diet or one of two ketogenic diet formulas ad libitum starting at 5weeks of age. Beginning at 8weeks of age, diet protocols continued and performance of each group on tests of sociability and repetitive behavior was assessed. A ketogenic diet improved behavioral characteristics of autism spectrum disorder in a sex- and test-specific manner; ketogenic diet never worsened relevant behaviors. Ketogenic diet feeding improved multiple measures of sociability and reduced repetitive behavior in female mice, with limited effects in males. Additional experiments in female mice showed that a less strict, more clinically-relevant diet formula was equally effective in improving sociability and reducing repetitive behavior. Taken together these results add to the growing number of studies suggesting that ketogenic and related diets may provide significant relief from the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, and suggest that in some cases there may be increased efficacy in females. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Maternal Immune-Mediated Conditions, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Developmental Delay
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lyall, Kristen; Ashwood, Paul; Van de Water, Judy; Hertz-Picciotto, Irva
2014-01-01
The maternal immune system may play a role in offspring neurodevelopment. We examined whether maternal autoimmune disease, asthma, and allergy were associated with child autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delay without autism (DD) using 560 ASD cases, 391 typically developing controls, and 168 DD cases from the CHildhood Autism Risk…
Gastric Emphysema a Spectrum of Pneumatosis Intestinalis: A Case Report and Literature Review
López-Medina, Guillermo; Castillo Díaz de León, Roxana; Heredia-Salazar, Alberto Carlos; Hernández-Salcedo, Daniel Ramón
2014-01-01
The finding of gas within the gastric wall is not a disease by itself, rather than a sign of an underlying condition which could be systemic or gastric. We present the case of a woman identified with gastric emphysema secondary to the administration of high doses of steroids, with the purpose of differentiating emphysematous gastritis versus gastric emphysema due to the divergent prognostic implications. Gastric emphysema entails a more benign course, opposed to emphysematous gastritis which often presents as an acute abdomen and carries a worse prognosis. Owing to the lack of established diagnostic criteria, computed tomography is the assessment method of choice. Currently no guidelines are available for the management of this entity, since the evidence is limited to a few case series and a considerable number of single case reports. PMID:25093129
Fast radio burst search: cross spectrum vs. auto spectrum method
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Liu, Lei; Zheng, Weimin; Yan, Zhen; Zhang, Juan
2018-06-01
The search for fast radio bursts (FRBs) is a hot topic in current radio astronomy studies. In this work, we carry out a single pulse search with a very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) pulsar observation data set using both auto spectrum and cross spectrum search methods. The cross spectrum method, first proposed in Liu et al., maximizes the signal power by fully utilizing the fringe phase information of the baseline cross spectrum. The auto spectrum search method is based on the popular pulsar software package PRESTO, which extracts single pulses from the auto spectrum of each station. According to our comparison, the cross spectrum method is able to enhance the signal power and therefore extract single pulses from data contaminated by high levels of radio frequency interference (RFI), which makes it possible to carry out a search for FRBs in regular VLBI observations when RFI is present.
Entanglement spectrum of random-singlet quantum critical points
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fagotti, Maurizio; Calabrese, Pasquale; Moore, Joel E.
2011-01-01
The entanglement spectrum (i.e., the full distribution of Schmidt eigenvalues of the reduced density matrix) contains more information than the conventional entanglement entropy and has been studied recently in several many-particle systems. We compute the disorder-averaged entanglement spectrum in the form of the disorder-averaged moments TrρAα̲ of the reduced density matrix ρA for a contiguous block of many spins at the random-singlet quantum critical point in one dimension. The result compares well in the scaling limit with numerical studies on the random XX model and is also expected to describe the (interacting) random Heisenberg model. Our numerical studies on the XX case reveal that the dependence of the entanglement entropy and spectrum on the geometry of the Hilbert space partition is quite different than for conformally invariant critical points.
Wnt-Spectrum Vitreoretinopathy Masquerading as Congenital Toxoplasmosis.
Callaway, Natalia F; Berrocal, Audina M
2018-06-01
Wnt-spectrum vitreoretinopathies are a group of rare inherited disorders of retinal angiogenesis that include familial exudative vitreoretinopathy/Norrie disease and are most commonly autosomal dominant; however, they can rarely present with other inheritance patterns that are more difficult to diagnose. The authors describe a case of an uncle misdiagnosed as congenital toxoplasmosis for decades and his 2-month-old nephew presenting with bilateral retinal detachments. Genetic analysis revealed an NDP gene mutation in the child and the uncle, as well as heterozygosity of the mother confirming a Wnt-spectrum vitreoretinopathy. This report describes the evaluation, diagnosis, and importance of early laser stabilization of this disorder. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:446-450.]. Copyright 2018, SLACK Incorporated.
Jacobs, Laura A; Rachlin, Katherine; Erickson-Schroth, Laura; Janssen, Aron
2014-12-01
Transgender and gender nonconforming people who fulfill diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often present to mental health providers with concerns that are distinct from those without ASDs. Gender Dysphoria (GD) and ASDs have been proposed to share etiologic mechanisms and there is evidence that ASDs may be more common in transgender and gender nonconforming people. We explore the impact of ASD characteristics on individual gender identity, expression, and the process of psychotherapy. The authors present two case studies of high-functioning individuals with ASD and GD diagnoses. The limited ability to articulate an inner experience, deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM), along with the intolerance of ambiguity as a manifestation of the cognitive rigidity characteristic of ASDs, may present special difficulties to gender identity formation and consolidation and create challenges in psychotherapy. The authors suggest that ASDs do not preclude gender transition and that individuals with high-functioning ASDs are capable of making informed decisions regarding their medical care and life choices. The authors also consider possible challenges and suggest techniques for assisting such clients in exploring their gender identities.
Dersch, R; Sommer, H; Rauer, S; Meerpohl, J J
2016-01-01
Controversy exists about residual symptoms after pharmacological treatment of Lyme neuroborreliosis. Reports of disabling long-term sequels lead to concerns in patients and health care providers. We systematically reviewed the available evidence from studies reporting treatment of Lyme neuroborreliosis to assess the prevalence and spectrum of residual symptoms after treatment. A literature search was performed in three databases and three clinical trial registers to find eligible studies reporting on residual symptoms in patients after pharmacological treatment of LNB. Diagnosis must have been performed according to consensus-derived case definitions. No restrictions regarding study design or language were set. Symptom prevalence was pooled using a random-effects model. Forty-four eligible clinical trials and studies were found: 8 RCTs, 17 cohort studies, 2 case-control studies, and 17 case series. The follow-up period in the eligible studies ranged from 7 days to 20 years. The weighted mean proportion of residual symptoms was 28 % (95 % CI 23-34 %, n = 34 studies) for the latest reported time point. Prevalence of residual symptoms was statistically significantly higher in studies using the "possible" case definition (p = 0.0048). Cranial neuropathy, pain, paresis, cognitive disturbances, headache, and fatigue were statistically significantly lower in studies using the "probable/definite" case definition. LNB patients may experience residual symptoms after treatment with a prevalence of approximately 28 %. The prevalence and spectrum of residual symptoms differ according to the applied case definition. Symptoms like fatigue are not reported in studies using the "probable/definite" case definition. As the "possible" case definition is more unspecific, patients with other conditions may be included. Reports of debilitating fatigue and cognitive impairment after LNB, a "post-Lyme syndrome", could therefore be an artifact of unspecific case definitions in single
Roger, P-M; Risso, K; Hyvernat, H; Landraud, L; Vassallo, M; Dellamonica, J; de Salvador, F; Cua, E; Bernardin, G
2010-06-01
We performed urinary antigen tests for pneumococcus and Legionella for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), to prescribe a documented antibiotic therapy. We report the efficiency of low-spectrum antibiotic treatment, illustrating the inappropriateness of bacteriological respiratory sampling. Patients with CAP were enrolled from three different units; the pneumonia severity index was used to assess the disease. Respiratory samples were also listed. Low-spectrum antibiotic therapy was amoxicillin for pneumococcal infection, and macrolides or non-anti-pneumococcal fluoroquinolone for legionellosis. Six hundred and seventy-five CAP were diagnosed during the study period,, 150 with positive urinary antigen tests (23%), among which 108 pneumococcal infections (73%), 40 legionellosis (26%), and two mixed infections. The pneumonia severity index was 106+/-38. Amoxicillin was prescribed in 108 cases, fluoroquinolone in 24 cases, macrolide in 18 cases. The outcome was favourable for 138 patients (92%). Eighty three respiratory samples allowed identification of a bacterium for 58 patients (39%), among which 24 strains were not in the antibiotic spectrum: Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudmomonas aeruginosa in six cases, Staphylococcus aureus in five cases, Klebsiella pneumoniae in two cases, and another Gram negative bacillus in five cases. These strains were resistant in vitro to the prescribed treatment in 19/24 cases (79%). One out of 12 patients who died had a respiratory sample positive for Enterobacter spp strain resistant to the ongoing antibiotic treatment. The low-spectrum antibiotic therapy based on urinary antigen tests is efficient, and demonstrates respiratory tract colonisation with bacteriological strains usually considered as pathogenic.
Strysko, Jonathan P; Mony, Vidya; Cleveland, Jeremiah; Siddiqui, Hanna; Homel, Peter; Gagliardo, Christina
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL) infections are increasing in both adults and children. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of children with ESBL in an ethnically-diverse population, to determine what proportion of these infections were community-onset, and to identify risk factors predisposing children to ESBL acquisition. A case-case-control study of children aged 0-18 years was conducted from 2012 to 2014. Patients with ESBL (detected via VITEK2) were matched 1:1:5 (based on age, sex, specimen source, and healthcare setting) with non-ESBL and uninfected controls. Data on prior antibiotic and healthcare exposure, international travel, prior urinary tract infection (UTI), comorbid gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU), neurologic, and immunocompromising conditions were collected and compared. Seventy-six patients were identified with 85 ESBL infections, of which 77 (91%) were E. coli. ESBL was isolated most frequently from urine (n = 72, 85%). Most infections were community-onset (n = 76, 89%) and were managed in the ambulatory setting (n = 47, 62%). On multivariate analysis, international travel (p < 0.001, OR 8.93; CI 2.92-27.78), comorbid GI condition (p = 0.002, OR 2.65, CI 1.36-5.15), Asian race (p = 0.005, OR 2.56, CI 1.34-4.89) and prior UTI (p < 0.001, OR 8.06, CI 3.47-18.87) were significant risk factors for ESBL. Most ESBL infections in this study were community-onset. To our knowledge, this is the first description of international travel as a risk factor for ESBL acquisition in children in the United States. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Gender identity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in a 23-year-old female.
Lemaire, Mathieu; Thomazeau, Barbara; Bonnet-Brilhault, Frédérique
2014-02-01
We describe the case of a 23-year-old woman with Gender Identity Disorder (GID) asking for a cross-sex hormonal treatment with sex reassignment surgery and who was recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Gender identity clinics are now reporting an overrepresentation of individuals with ASD among GID patients. The prevalence of ASD is 10-fold higher among GID patients than in general population. However, few case reports or studies have explored the co-occurrence of ASD and GID. This co-occurrence is relevant for diagnostic and clinical management and also raises important theoretical issues.
First Observation of the Submillimeter Polarization Spectrum in a Translucent Molecular Cloud
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ashton, Peter C.; Ade, Peter A. R.; Angilè, Francesco E.; Benton, Steven J.; Devlin, Mark J.; Dober, Bradley; Fissel, Laura M.; Fukui, Yasuo; Galitzki, Nicholas; Gandilo, Natalie N.; Klein, Jeffrey; Korotkov, Andrei L.; Li, Zhi-Yun; Martin, Peter G.; Matthews, Tristan G.; Moncelsi, Lorenzo; Nakamura, Fumitaka; Netterfield, Calvin B.; Novak, Giles; Pascale, Enzo; Poidevin, Frédérick; Santos, Fabio P.; Savini, Giorgio; Scott, Douglas; Shariff, Jamil A.; Soler, Juan D.; Thomas, Nicholas E.; Tucker, Carole E.; Tucker, Gregory S.; Ward-Thompson, Derek
2018-04-01
Polarized emission from aligned dust is a crucial tool for studies of magnetism in the ISM, but a troublesome contaminant for studies of cosmic microwave background polarization. In each case, an understanding of the significance of the polarization signal requires well-calibrated physical models of dust grains. Despite decades of progress in theory and observation, polarized dust models remain largely underconstrained. During its 2012 flight, the balloon-borne telescope BLASTPol obtained simultaneous broadband polarimetric maps of a translucent molecular cloud at 250, 350, and 500 μm. Combining these data with polarimetry from the Planck 850 μm band, we have produced a submillimeter polarization spectrum, the first for a cloud of this type. We find the polarization degree to be largely constant across the four bands. This result introduces a new observable with the potential to place strong empirical constraints on ISM dust polarization models in a previously inaccessible density regime. Compared to models by Draine & Fraisse, our result disfavors two of their models for which all polarization arises due only to aligned silicate grains. By creating simple models for polarized emission in a translucent cloud, we verify that extinction within the cloud should have only a small effect on the polarization spectrum shape, compared to the diffuse ISM. Thus, we expect the measured polarization spectrum to be a valid check on diffuse ISM dust models. The general flatness of the observed polarization spectrum suggests a challenge to models where temperature and alignment degree are strongly correlated across major dust components.
Paranoid personality disorder and the schizophrenia spectrum-Where to draw the line?
Birkeland, Søren Fryd
2013-08-01
By means of a case vignette, this study explores the clinical intersection between paranoid personality disorder and other schizophrenia-spectrum illness. Even though the patient described had paramount signs of a paranoid personality disorder and was diagnosed as such, psychopathological symptoms extended considerably beyond the common concept and diagnostic criteria of the disorder. Management strategies included psychopharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, yet psychosocial functioning permanently appeared defective. While there is a persistent need for an opportunity to distinguish the characteristic syndromal pattern of paranoid personality attributes, the case exemplifies the challenges associated with classifying some largely suspicious and distrustful eccentrics within the schizophrenia spectrum. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to Pluck a Spectrum from a Planet
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
2007-01-01
This diagram illustrates how astronomers using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope can capture the elusive spectra of hot-Jupiter planets. Spectra are an object's light spread apart into its basic components, or wavelengths. By dissecting light in this way, scientists can sort through it and uncover clues about the composition of the object giving off the light. To obtain a spectrum for an object, one first needs to capture its light. Hot-Jupiter planets are so close to their stars that even the most powerful telescopes can't distinguish their light from the light of their much brighter stars. But, there are a few planetary systems that allow astronomers to measure the light from just the planet by using a clever technique. Such 'transiting' systems are oriented in such a way that, from our vantage point, the planets' orbits are seen edge-on and cross directly in front of and behind their stars. In this technique, known as the secondary eclipse method, changes in the total infrared light from a star system are measured as its planet transits behind the star, vanishing from our Earthly point of view. The dip in observed light can then be attributed to the planet alone. To capture a spectrum of the planet, Spitzer must observe the system twice. It takes a spectrum of the star together with the planet (first panel), then, as the planet disappears from view, a spectrum of just the star (second panel). By subtracting the star's spectrum from the combined spectrum of the star plus the planet, it is able to get the spectrum for just the planet (third panel). This ground-breaking technique was used by Spitzer to obtain the first-ever spectra of two planets beyond our solar system, HD 209458b and HD 189733b. The results suggest that the hot planets are socked in with dry clouds high up in the planet's stratospheres. In addition, HD 209458b showed hints of silicates, indicating those high clouds might be made of very fine sand-like particles.de Vries, Marlene M.; Joubert, Belinda; Cloete, Marise; Roux, Sumien; Baca, Beth A.; Hasken, Julie M.; Barnard, Ronel; Buckley, David; Kalberg, Wendy O.; Snell, Cudore L.; Marais, Anna-Susan; Seedat, Soraya; Parry, Charles D. H.; May, Philip A.
2015-01-01
In the Western Cape Province of South Africa (ZA) a subculture of binge drinking produces the highest global documented prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD prevention research activities in ZA use the Comprehensive Prevention approach from the United States Institute of Medicine. Case management (CM) was delivered as a method of indicated prevention to empower heavy drinking pregnant women to achieve cessation or a reduction in drinking. CM activities incorporated life management, Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques and the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA). Data were collected at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. Mean drinking decreases 6 months into CM; but overall alcohol consumption rose significantly over time to levels higher than baseline at 12 and 18 months. Alcohol consumption drops significantly from before pregnancy to the second and third trimesters. AUDIT scores indicate that problematic drinking decreases significantly even after the vulnerable fetus/baby was born. CM significantly increases client happiness, which correlates with reduced weekend drinking. CM was successful for women with high-risk drinking behaviour, and was effective in helping women stop drinking, or drink less, while pregnant, reducing the risk of FASD. PMID:26703708
A synthetic method of solar spectrum based on LED
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Ji-qiang; Su, Shi; Zhang, Guo-yu; Zhang, Jian
2017-10-01
A synthetic method of solar spectrum which based on the spectral characteristics of the solar spectrum and LED, and the principle of arbitrary spectral synthesis was studied by using 14 kinds of LED with different central wavelengths.The LED and solar spectrum data were selected by Origin Software firstly, then calculated the total number of LED for each center band by the transformation relation between brightness and illumination and Least Squares Curve Fit in Matlab.Finally, the spectrum curve of AM1.5 standard solar spectrum was obtained. The results met the technical indexes of the solar spectrum matching with ±20% and the solar constant with >0.5.
Arroyo, M R; Green, D M; Perlman, E J; Beckwith, J B; Argani, P
2001-04-01
The authors report nine new metanephric adenofibroma (MAFs; previously termed nephrogenic adenofibroma) and 16 related tumors from the files of the National Wilms Tumor Study Group Pathology Center (NWTSGPC). All tumors contained a variable amount of a bland spindle cell stroma, which is essentially identical to the recently described metanephric stromal tumor (MST). Features that distinguish this stroma from congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) include intratumoral angiodysplasia, concentric cuffing of entrapped tubules ("onion skinning"), and heterologous differentiation. The epithelial components of these lesions spanned a wide range of appearances. All tumors contained at least focally an inactive embryonal epithelium identical morphologically to metanephric adenoma (MA), and hence each case could be classified as containing MAF. The epithelium of nine tumors had this appearance throughout, and hence these were considered usual MAFs. The epithelium of four tumors demonstrated increased mitotic activity but was otherwise similar to MA. The epithelial component of seven tumors spanned a morphologic spectrum from inactive MA to malignant epithelial predominant Wilms tumor (WT), with gradual transitions noted in several cases. Five other tumors contained a carcinomatous component distinct from these lesions but identical morphologically to papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC). In one of these cases, this component had metastasized to the regional lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis. No tumor recurred during follow-up, although almost all patients received adjuvant therapy for WT regardless of their tumor's histology and NWTSGPC diagnosis. In conclusion, MAF is a biphasic tumor that spans the morphologic spectrum between benign pure stromal (MST) and pure epithelial (MA) lesions, and can merge with the morphology of WT, supporting the concept that these are all related lesions. A relationship to PRCC is also evident.
Diagnostic profile and suicide risk in schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
Reutfors, Johan; Bahmanyar, Shahram; Jönsson, Erik G; Ekbom, Anders; Nordström, Peter; Brandt, Lena; Ösby, Urban
2010-11-01
Earlier studies of patients with schizophrenia have investigated suicide risk in relation to specific psychiatric symptoms, but it remains to be better understood how suicide risk relates to the diagnostic profile in these patients. We identified all patients with a first clinical ICD-diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder in Stockholm County between 1984 and 2000. Patients who died by suicide within five years from diagnosis were defined as cases (n=84) and were individually matched with a similar number of living controls from the same population. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were retrieved from hospital records through a blind process. DSM-IV lifetime diagnoses for cases and controls were derived using the OPCRIT algorithm. A schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis (i.e. schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder) was assigned by OPCRIT to 50% of the suicide cases and 62% of the controls. Criteria for schizophrenia were met by 41% of the cases and 51% of the controls; for schizoaffective disorder by 8% of the cases and 10% of the controls; for other psychosis by 23% of the cases and 25% of the controls; and for mood disorder by 26% of the cases and 12% of the controls. Using the schizophrenia diagnosis as a reference, suicide risk was significantly higher in patients meeting criteria for a mood disorder diagnosis with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.3 (95% CI 1.2-9.0). In patients with a clinical schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis, a DSM-IV mood disorder diagnosis increases the suicide risk more than three-fold. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The 3 micron spectrum of the classical Be star Beta Monocerotis A
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sellgren, K.; Smith, R. G.
1992-01-01
A 3.1-3.7-micron spectrum of the classical Be star Beta Mon A is presented at a resolution of lambda/Delta-lambda of 700-800. The spectrum shows strong hydrogen recombination lines, including Pf-delta and a series of Humphreys lines from Hu 19 to Hu 28. The relative recombination line strengths suggest that Pf-delta has a large optical depth. The Humphreys lines have relative strengths consistent with case B and may be optically thin. The line widths observed are broader than the Balmer lines and similar in width to Fe II lines, consistent with a disk model in which optically thinner lines arise primarily from a faster rotating inner disk, while optically thicker lines come mainly from a slower rotating outer disk. The apparent lack of Stark broadening of the Humphreys lines is used to place an upper limit on the circumstellar electron density of about 10 exp 12/cu cm.
[Genetic and neuroendocrine aspects in autism spectrum disorder].
Oviedo, Norma; Manuel-Apolinar, Leticia; de la Chesnaye, Elsa; Guerra-Araiza, Christian
The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was described in 1943 and is defined as a developmental disorder that affects social interaction and communication. It is usually identified in early stages of development from 18 months of age. Currently, autism is considered a neurological disorder with a spectrum covering cases of different degrees, which is associated with genetic factors, not genetic and environmental. Among the genetic factors, various syndromes have been described that are associated with this disorder. Also, the neurobiology of autism has been studied at the genetic, neurophysiological, neurochemical and neuropathological levels. Neuroimaging techniques have shown multiple structural abnormalities in these patients. There have also been changes in the serotonergic, GABAergic, catecholaminergic and cholinergic systems related to this disorder. This paper presents an update of the information presented in the genetic and neuroendocrine aspects of autism spectrum disorder. Copyright © 2014 Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.
A Case Study on Autism: School Accommodations and Inclusive Settings
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Coffey, Kenneth M.; Obringer, S. John
2004-01-01
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a mother and father raising their two children with autism. This single case study revealed the supports involved in educating and socializing school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. The case study indicated that the parents agreed on a majority of issues and clearly pointed out that their…
Age of Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Latino Children: The Case of Venezuelan Children
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Montiel-Nava, Cecilia; Chacín, José A.; González-Ávila, Zoila
2017-01-01
Latino children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder later in life, usually with more severe symptoms, and lower IQs, compared with non-Latino children. Possible reasons for such disparities could be due to lower levels of parent education, lower socioeconomic status, limited knowledge of parents about autism spectrum disorder, and…
Kashiwagi, Maki; Chaoui, Rabih; Stallmach, Thomas; Hürlimann, Sandra; Lauper, Urs; Hebisch, Gundula
2003-11-01
Maternal cocaine abuse in pregnancy is associated with complications such as intrauterine growth retardation, abruptio placentae, and preterm delivery. We report what is, to our knowledge, the first published observation of fetal bilateral renal agenesis associated with a vascular disruption syndrome comprising upper limb reduction defect and a single umbilical artery following maternal cocaine abuse in early pregnancy. This constellation in a fetus aborted at 18 weeks extends the spectrum of complications possibly associated with cocaine abuse in pregnancy. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SLAM, a Mathematica interface for SUSY spectrum generators
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Marquard, Peter; Zerf, Nikolai
2014-03-01
We present and publish a Mathematica package, which can be used to automatically obtain any numerical MSSM input parameter from SUSY spectrum generators, which follow the SLHA standard, like SPheno, SOFTSUSY, SuSeFLAV or Suspect. The package enables a very comfortable way of numerical evaluations within the MSSM using Mathematica. It implements easy to use predefined high scale and low scale scenarios like mSUGRA or mhmax and if needed enables the user to directly specify the input required by the spectrum generators. In addition it supports an automatic saving and loading of SUSY spectra to and from a SQL data base, avoiding the rerun of a spectrum generator for a known spectrum. Catalogue identifier: AERX_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AERX_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 4387 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 37748 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Mathematica. Computer: Any computer where Mathematica version 6 or higher is running providing bash and sed. Operating system: Linux. Classification: 11.1. External routines: A SUSY spectrum generator such as SPheno, SOFTSUSY, SuSeFLAV or SUSPECT Nature of problem: Interfacing published spectrum generators for automated creation, saving and loading of SUSY particle spectra. Solution method: SLAM automatically writes/reads SLHA spectrum generator input/output and is able to save/load generated data in/from a data base. Restrictions: No general restrictions, specific restrictions are given in the manuscript. Running time: A single spectrum calculation takes much less than one second on a modern PC.
Methyl Group Internal Rotation in the Pure Rotational Spectrum of 1,1-DIFLUOROACETONE
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Grubbs, G. S. Grubbs, II; Cooke, S. A.; Groner, P.
2011-06-01
We have used chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy to record the pure rotational spectrum of the title molecule. The spectrum was doubled owing to the internal rotation of the methyl group. The spectrum has been assigned and two approaches to the spectral analysis have been performed. In the first case, the A and E components were fit separately using a principal axis method with the SPFIT code of Pickett. In the second case, the A and E states were fit simultaneously using the ERHAM code. For a satisfactory analysis of the spectral data it has been found that the choice of Hamiltonian reduction, i.e. Watson A or S, is very important. The barrier to the internal rotation has been determined to be 261.1(8) Cm-1 and it will be compared to that of acetone and other halogenated acetone species recently studied in our laboratory.
Chau, Thinh; Parsi, Kory K; Ogawa, Toru; Kiuru, Maija; Konia, Thomas; Li, Chin-Shang; Fung, Maxwell A
2017-12-01
Psoriasis is usually diagnosed clinically, so only non-classic or refractory cases tend to be biopsied. Diagnostic uncertainty persists when dermatopathologists encounter features regarded as non-classic for psoriasis. Define and document classic and non-classic histologic features in skin biopsies from patients with clinically confirmed psoriasis. Minimal clinical diagnostic criteria were informally validated and applied to a consecutive series of biopsies histologically consistent with psoriasis. Clinical confirmation required 2 of the following criteria: (1) classic morphology, (2) classic distribution, (3) nail pitting, and (4) family history, with #1 and/or #2 as 1 criterion in every case RESULTS: Fifty-one biopsies from 46 patients were examined. Classic features of psoriasis included hypogranulosis (96%), club-shaped rete ridges (96%), dermal papilla capillary ectasia (90%), Munro microabscess (78%), suprapapillary plate thinning (63%), spongiform pustules (53%), and regular acanthosis (14%). Non-classic features included irregular acanthosis (84%), junctional vacuolar alteration (76%), spongiosis (76%), dermal neutrophils (69%), necrotic keratinocytes (67%), hypergranulosis (65%), neutrophilic spongiosis (61%), dermal eosinophils (49%), compact orthokeratosis (37%), papillary dermal fibrosis (35%), lichenoid infiltrate (25%), plasma cells (16%), and eosinophilic spongiosis (8%). Psoriasis exhibits a broader histopathologic spectrum. The presence of some non-classic features does not necessarily exclude the possibility of psoriasis. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A case of Michelin tire baby syndrome with a thickened epiglottis.
Samarin, Frank M; Baum, Eric D; Antaya, Richard J
2010-01-01
Multiple circumferential skin folds have been reported as part of the Michelin tire baby syndrome (MTBS). There has been a wide spectrum of associated clinical findings reported in children with MTBS. We report a case of MTBS associated with a thickened epiglottis.
Paganini, Irene; Sestini, Roberta; Cacciatore, Matilde; Capone, Gabriele L; Candita, Luisa; Paolello, Concetta; Sbaraglia, Marta; Dei Tos, Angelo P; Rossi, Sabrina; Papi, Laura
2015-08-01
Schwannomatosis is a tumor predisposition syndrome characterized by development of multiple intracranial, spinal, and peripheral schwannomas. Constitutional alterations in either SMARCB1 or LZTR1 on 22q are responsible of the phenotype. We describe a 34-year-old woman who developed multiple benign peripheral sheath tumors and a uterine leiomyosarcoma. The patient carried a de novo constitutional alteration in exon 8 of SMARCB1, c.1118G > A, which destroyed the splice donor site of intron 8. Two schwannomas and the leiomyosarcoma of the patient retained the SMARCB1 mutation; in addition, the tumors showed loss of the normal chromosome 22. In conclusion, our findings enlarged the spectrum of SMARCB1-predisposing tumors and demonstrated, for the first time, the association of a malignant smooth muscle tumor to schwannomatosis. Therefore, clinicians should definitely be aware that a constitutional SMARCB1 mutation, which mainly predisposes to benign nerve sheath tumors, may also predispose to aggressive neoplasms throughout life, within an unexpected spectrum. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A consideration of sentencing and unreliable confessions.
Douglas, Heather
2015-12-01
While Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) are now a strong focus of policy-makers throughout Australia, they have received strikingly little consideration in Australian criminal courts. Many people who have an FASD are highly suggestible, have difficulty linking their actions to consequences, controlling impulses and remembering things, and thus FASD raises particular issues for appropriate sentencing and the admissibility of evidence. This article considers the approach of Australian criminal courts to FASD. It reviews the recent case of AH v Western Australia which exemplifies the difficulties associated with appropriate sentencing in cases where the accused is likely to have an FASD. The article also considers the implications for Australian courts of the New Zealand case of Pora v The Queen, recently heard by the Privy Council. In this case, the Privy Council accepted expert evidence that people with FASD may confabulate evidence, potentially making their testimony unreliable. The article concludes with an overview of developments in criminal policy and legal response in relation to FASD in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Time Trends in Reported Autism Spectrum Disorders in Israel, 1986-2005
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gal, Gilad; Abiri, Lili; Reichenberg, Abraham; Gabis, Lidia; Gross, Raz
2012-01-01
Reports indicate sharp increase in prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We aimed to assess the time trend in prevalence of ASD in Israel and describe demographic characteristics of the registered cases. We reviewed the autism registry of the Israeli Ministry of Social Affairs which includes 4,709 cases and identified 4,138 cases born…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Qi, Cathy H.; Barton, Erin E.; Collier, Margo; Lin, Yi-Ling; Montoya, Charisse
2018-01-01
The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize 22 single-case research design (SCRD) studies on social stories intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) SCRD standards to analyze study rigor and evidence of a causal relation. We calculated four nonoverlap indices to…
Onida, S; Lynes, K; Whitehouse, PA
2010-01-01
Internal herniations through broad ligament defects are very rare. We present the first report of the triad of broad ligament defect, internal herniation of the caecum and appendicitis. A 36-year-old woman with phocomelia presented with right iliac fossa pain and vomiting. The patient had no previous history of trauma or surgery. Abdominal ultrasound showed a small amount of free fluid. At laparoscopy, bilateral broad ligament defects were found, with herniation of the caecum and an inflamed appendix through the right-sided defect. A laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy was required for reduction of the herniated bowel, and an appendicectomy was performed. Broad ligament defects may be congenital or acquired. In this case, in light of the limb abnormality and absence of previous surgery, a congenital aetiology is more likely. Ultrasound scan is not reliable and, although computed tomography may be of help, a diagnostic laparoscopy is the best investigation. PMID:20566032
Tratselas, Athanasios; Iosifidis, Elias; Ioannidou, Maria; Saoulidis, Stamatis; Kollios, Konstantinos; Antachopoulos, Charalampos; Sofianou, Danai; Roilides, Emmanuel J
2011-08-01
The outcome of patients with urinary tract infections caused by extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing bacteria (cases) was compared with that of matched controls with urinary tract infections caused by non-extended spectrum β-lactamases-producing isolates. Significantly, more case patients received inappropriate empiric therapy than controls. Nevertheless, clinical and microbiologic outcomes as well as formation of renal scars did not differ between the 2 groups.
Blake, Jerome; Hoyme, H Eugene; Crotwell, Patricia L
2013-01-01
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a common spectrum of developmental disabilities, sharing deficits in social interactions, communication and restricted interests or repetitive behaviors with difficult transitions. In this article, we review the history of the identification and classification of autism and the origin of the now widely-debunked autism/vaccine hypothesis. The differences between syndromal (complex) and non-syndromal (essential) autism are described and illustrated with case descriptions where appropriate. Finally, the evidence that autism is fundamentally a genetic disease is discussed, including family studies, the role of DNA copy number variation and known single gene mutations.
Qavi, Abdul; Garg, Ravindra Kumar; Malhotra, Hardeep Singh; Jain, Amita; Kumar, Neeraj; Malhotra, Kiran Preet; Srivastava, Pradeep Kumar; Verma, Rajesh; Sharma, Praveen Kumar
2016-09-01
In this study, we describe clinical and imaging spectrum, and the natural course of patients with disseminated cysticercosis. How albendazole affects the course of disease has also been evaluated. We assessed the Toll-like receptor-4 gene polymorphisms, to know the reason for the apparently higher prevalence of disseminated cysticercosis in India.Sixty consecutive patients with disseminated cysticercosis were enrolled. Sixty age-and-sex-matched healthy controls were also enrolled for the purpose of genetic study. Twenty patients, who gave consent, were treated with albendazole along with corticosteroids. Forty patients did not give consent for antiparasitic therapy. Assessment for Toll-like receptor-4 gene polymorphisms (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile genes) was done. Patients were followed for 6 months. We also performed a literature search of cases published in English language using PubMed electronic database and analyzed 56 cases thus available.There was an increased risk (6.63 fold and 4.61 fold) of disseminated cysticercosis in the presence of Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor-4, respectively. The allelic frequency of Gly (11% vs. 3%, P = 0.024, odds ratio [OR] = 3.52) and Ile alleles (11% vs. 2%, P = 0.009, OR = 4.738) in disseminated cysticercosis was high. Albendazole resulted in complete disappearance of all cerebral lesions in 35% (7/20) patients and reduction in lesion load in remaining 65% (13/20) patients. No significant change in number of cysticercal lesion was noted in patients who did not receive albendazole. No major adverse reaction following antiparasitic treatment was noted. Three deaths were recorded in patients who did not receive antiparasitic treatment.Of the 56 cases reported in PubMed, 33 patients received antiparasitic treatment with follow-up data available for 31 patients. Most (24) of these patients received albendazole. A significant clinical and/or imaging improvements, on follow up, were observed in 27 patients
Autism in the Son of a Woman with Mitochondrial Myopathy and Dysautonomia: A Case Report.
Brown, Bradley D; Rais, Theodore
2015-01-01
The relationship between autism spectrum disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial myopathies and other mitochondrial diseases, is an area of ongoing research. All autism spectrum disorders are known to be heritable, via genetic and/or epigenetic mechanisms, but specific modes of inheritance are not well characterized. Nevertheless, autism spectrum disorders have been linked to many specific genes associated with mitochondrial function, especially to genes involved in mitochondrial tRNA and the electron transport chain, both particularly vulnerable to point mutations, and clinical research also supports a relationship between the two pathologies. Although only a small minority of patients with autism have a mitochondrial disease, many patients with mitochondrial myopathies have autism spectrum disorder symptoms, and these symptoms may be the presenting symptoms, which presents a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The authors report the case of a 15-year-old boy with a history of autism spectrum disorder and neurocardiogenic syncope, admitted to the inpatient unit for self-injury, whose young mother, age 35, was discovered to suffer from mitochondrial myopathy, dysautonomia, neurocardiogenic syncope, Ehler-Danlos syndrome, and other uncommon multisystem pathologies likely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. This case illustrates the need for a high index of suspicion for mitochondrial disease in patients with autism, as they have two orders of magnitude greater risk for such diseases than the general population. The literature shows that mitochondrial disease is underdiagnosed in autism spectrum disorder patients and should not be viewed as a "zebra" (i.e., an obscure diagnosis that is made when a more common explanation is more likely).
Autism in the Son of a Woman with Mitochondrial Myopathy and Dysautonomia: A Case Report
Rais, Theodore
2015-01-01
The relationship between autism spectrum disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial myopathies and other mitochondrial diseases, is an area of ongoing research. All autism spectrum disorders are known to be heritable, via genetic and/or epigenetic mechanisms, but specific modes of inheritance are not well characterized. Nevertheless, autism spectrum disorders have been linked to many specific genes associated with mitochondrial function, especially to genes involved in mitochondrial tRNA and the electron transport chain, both particularly vulnerable to point mutations, and clinical research also supports a relationship between the two pathologies. Although only a small minority of patients with autism have a mitochondrial disease, many patients with mitochondrial myopathies have autism spectrum disorder symptoms, and these symptoms may be the presenting symptoms, which presents a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The authors report the case of a 15-year-old boy with a history of autism spectrum disorder and neurocardiogenic syncope, admitted to the inpatient unit for self-injury, whose young mother, age 35, was discovered to suffer from mitochondrial myopathy, dysautonomia, neurocardiogenic syncope, Ehler-Danlos syndrome, and other uncommon multisystem pathologies likely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. This case illustrates the need for a high index of suspicion for mitochondrial disease in patients with autism, as they have two orders of magnitude greater risk for such diseases than the general population. The literature shows that mitochondrial disease is underdiagnosed in autism spectrum disorder patients and should not be viewed as a “zebra” (i.e., an obscure diagnosis that is made when a more common explanation is more likely). PMID:26634179
Unguioblastoma and unguioblastic fibroma--an expanded spectrum of onychomatricoma.
Ko, Christine J; Shi, Linda; Barr, Ronald J; Mölne, Lena; Ternesten-Bratel, Annika; Headington, John T
2004-04-01
Onychomatricoma is a rare tumor that appears to originate from cells of the nail matrix. Three cases of onychomatricoma that met Perrin et al.'s1 histologic criteria of onychomatricoma are described. However, using a single term to classify all three tumors ignores the apparent microscopic differences that exist among them. To demonstrate better the spectrum of so-called onychomatricoma and properly acknowledge the noticeable disparity among our cases, a series of terms is proposed. This terminology is based on the histologic spectrum of epithelial-stromal ratio of stromal cellularity and of extent nuclear pleomorphism. Use of such criteria has a precedent in the classification of follicular and odontogenic fibroepithelial neoplasms. This new nomenclature includes "unguioblastoma" for tumors with a predominant epithelial component and "unguioblastic fibroma" for tumors where a cellular stroma is more prominent and characteristic. The term "atypical unguioblastic fibroma" is used to describe a third rare neoplasm, in which the cellular stroma shows nuclear pleomorphism and atypia with an increase of mitotic activity.
Bakare, Muideen O; Munir, Kerim M
2012-01-01
Objectives Characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in Africa are not known because of unavailability of large-scale epidemiological studies in this region. This review explored the age at first presentation to orthodox clinical practice of African children with ASDs and their expressive language ability at presentation. Methods A literature search of case series and case reports of ASDs from Africa was done through PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, African Journals Online (AJOL), and archives of the Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry. Six articles included content relating to age of the child at first presentation to orthodox clinical practice and symptoms at presentation related to expressive language ability and therefore fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Suggestions are made to explain the observations emanating from the review. Results An excess of non-verbal over verbal cases of ASDs have been presenting to orthodox clinical practice and there is a common denominator of late presentation/diagnosis and in turn late intervention, with most cases presenting for the first time well above 8 years of age. Attempts to explain these observations included low levels of knowledge and awareness about ASDs in Africa; problems with help-seeking behaviour; and lack of mental healthcare facilities and trained personnel. Conclusions Enhancement of processes directed at ensuring early diagnosis and interventions, especially interventions aimed at improving speech and language development well and sufficiently early, may bring about a shift in the trend of excess non-verbal cases of ASDs over verbal cases presenting to orthodox clinical practice. PMID:22229024
Comparison of RF spectrum prediction methods for dynamic spectrum access
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kovarskiy, Jacob A.; Martone, Anthony F.; Gallagher, Kyle A.; Sherbondy, Kelly D.; Narayanan, Ram M.
2017-05-01
Dynamic spectrum access (DSA) refers to the adaptive utilization of today's busy electromagnetic spectrum. Cognitive radio/radar technologies require DSA to intelligently transmit and receive information in changing environments. Predicting radio frequency (RF) activity reduces sensing time and energy consumption for identifying usable spectrum. Typical spectrum prediction methods involve modeling spectral statistics with Hidden Markov Models (HMM) or various neural network structures. HMMs describe the time-varying state probabilities of Markov processes as a dynamic Bayesian network. Neural Networks model biological brain neuron connections to perform a wide range of complex and often non-linear computations. This work compares HMM, Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) algorithms and their ability to perform RF channel state prediction. Monte Carlo simulations on both measured and simulated spectrum data evaluate the performance of these algorithms. Generalizing spectrum occupancy as an alternating renewal process allows Poisson random variables to generate simulated data while energy detection determines the occupancy state of measured RF spectrum data for testing. The results suggest that neural networks achieve better prediction accuracy and prove more adaptable to changing spectral statistics than HMMs given sufficient training data.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gauderis, Tjerk
2014-02-01
This paper addresses the question of how scientists determine which type of hypothesis is most suitable for tackling a particular problem by examining the historical case of the anomalous β spectrum in early nuclear physics (1927-1934), a puzzle that occasioned the most diverse hypotheses amongst physicists at the time. It is shown that such determinations are most often implicitly informed by scientists' individual perspectives on the structural relations between the various elements of the theory and the problem at hand. In addition to this main result, it is suggested that Wolfgang Pauli's neutrino idea may well have been an adaptation of Ernst Rutherford's original and older neutron idea, which would provide evidence that the adaptation of older ideas is a more common practice than is often thought.
Tuberculin skin testing: Spectrum of adverse reactions.
Praveen, Ramar; Bahuguna, Amit; Dhadwal, Bhumesh Singh
2015-01-01
Tuberculin skin testing (TST) is one of the primary diagnostic modalities recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) study conducted in the United Kingdom (UK) for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB). Even after acceptance as a diagnostic modality and stern standardization, TST has its own flaws that include a spectrum of adverse reactions. We report a series of cases with a spectrum of adverse reactions occurring with a higher frequency than present in the available evidence. The study has some demerits such as being a retrospective one with interobserver variation and lack of histopathological confirmation. The observation is presented to accentuate the fact that adverse reactions are not a rarity and that further studies are required to establish the cause and exact incidence of the same.
A mechanism to explain the spectrum of Hessdalen Lights phenomenon
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Paiva, G. S.; Taft, C. A.
2012-07-01
In this work, we present a model to explain the apparently contradictory spectrum observed in Hessdalen Lights (HL) phenomenon. According to our model, its nearly flat spectrum on the top with steep sides is due to the effect of optical thickness on the bremsstrahlung spectrum. At low frequencies self-absorption modifies the spectrum to follow the Rayleigh-Jeans part of the blackbody curve. This spectrum is typical of dense ionized gas. Additionally, spectrum produced in the thermal bremsstrahlung process is flat up to a cutoff frequency, ν cut, and falls off exponentially at higher frequencies. This sequence of events forms the typical spectrum of HL phenomenon when the atmosphere is clear, with no fog.
Teaching Students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in HE
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Taylor, M. J.
2005-01-01
Purpose--The purpose of the research reported in this paper was to examine the type of adjustments to delivery appropriate for students with an autistic spectrum disorder in a UK higher education setting. Design/Methodology/Approach--A case study in a UK university was conducted over a two-year period. Findings--A variety of adjustments may be…
Melcer, Yaakov; Jauniaux, Eric; Maymon, Shlomit; Tsviban, Anna; Pekar-Zlotin, Marina; Betser, Moshe; Maymon, Ron
2018-04-01
Placenta accreta spectrum and vasa previa (VP) are congenital disorders of placentation associated with high morbidity and mortality for both mothers and newborns when undiagnosed before delivery. Prenatal diagnosis of these conditions is essential to allow multidisciplinary management and thus improve perinatal outcomes. The objective of the study was to compare perinatal outcome in women with placenta accreta spectrum or vasa previa before and after implementation of targeted scanning protocols. This retrospective study included 2 nonconcurrent cohorts for each condition before and after implementation of the corresponding protocols (2004-1012 vs 2013-2016 for placenta accreta spectrum and 1988-2007 vs 2008-2016 for vasa previa). Clinical reports of women diagnosed with placenta accreta spectrum and vasa previa during the study periods were reviewed and outcomes were compared. In total, there were 97 cases of placenta accreta spectrum and 51 cases with vasa previa, all confirmed at delivery. In both cohorts, the prenatal detection rate increased after implementation of the scanning protocols (28 of 65 cases [43.1%] vs 31 of 32 cases [96.9%], P < .001, for placenta accreta spectrum and 9 of 18 cases [50%] vs 29 of 33 cases [87.9%], 87.9%, P < .01 for vasa previa). The perinatal outcome improved also significantly in both cohorts after implementation of the protocols. In the placenta accreta spectrum cohort, the estimated blood loss and the postoperative hospitalization stay decreased between periods (1520 ± 845 vs 1168 ± 707 mL, P < .01, and 10.9 ± 14.1 vs 5.7 ± 2.2 days, P < .05, respectively). In the vasa previa cohort, the number of 5 minute Apgar score ≤5 and umbilical cord pH <7 decreased between periods (5 of 18 cases [27.8%] vs 1 of 33 cases [3%]; P < .05, and 4 of 18 cases [22.2%] vs 1 of 33 cases [3%], P < .05, respectively). The implementation of standardized prenatal targeted scanning protocols for pregnant women with risk factors for placenta
A study of spectrum fatigue crack propagation in two aluminum alloys. 1: Spectrum simplification
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Telesman, J.; Antolovich, S. D.
1985-01-01
The fatigue crack propagation behavior of two commercial Al alloys was studied using spectrum loading conditions characteristics of those encountered at critical locations in high performance fighter aircraft. A tension dominated (TD) and tension compression (TC) spectrum were employed for each alloy. Using a mechanics-based analysis, it was suggested that negative loads could be eliminated for the TC spectrum for low to intermediate maximum stress intensities. The suggestion was verified by subsequent testing. Using fractographic evidence, it was suggested that a further similification in the spectra could be accomplished by eliminating low and intermediate peak load points resulting in near or below threshold maximum peak stress intensity values. It is concluded that load interactions become more important at higher stress intensities and more plasticity at the crack tip. These results suggest that a combined mechanics/fractographic mechanisms approach can be used to simplify other complex spectra.
Genotype and phenotype spectrum of NRAS germline variants.
Altmüller, Franziska; Lissewski, Christina; Bertola, Debora; Flex, Elisabetta; Stark, Zornitza; Spranger, Stephanie; Baynam, Gareth; Buscarilli, Michelle; Dyack, Sarah; Gillis, Jane; Yntema, Helger G; Pantaleoni, Francesca; van Loon, Rosa LE; MacKay, Sara; Mina, Kym; Schanze, Ina; Tan, Tiong Yang; Walsh, Maie; White, Susan M; Niewisch, Marena R; García-Miñaúr, Sixto; Plaza, Diego; Ahmadian, Mohammad Reza; Cavé, Hélène; Tartaglia, Marco; Zenker, Martin
2017-06-01
RASopathies comprise a group of disorders clinically characterized by short stature, heart defects, facial dysmorphism, and varying degrees of intellectual disability and cancer predisposition. They are caused by germline variants in genes encoding key components or modulators of the highly conserved RAS-MAPK signalling pathway that lead to dysregulation of cell signal transmission. Germline changes in the genes encoding members of the RAS subfamily of GTPases are rare and associated with variable phenotypes of the RASopathy spectrum, ranging from Costello syndrome (HRAS variants) to Noonan and Cardiofaciocutaneous syndromes (KRAS variants). A small number of RASopathy cases with disease-causing germline NRAS alterations have been reported. Affected individuals exhibited features fitting Noonan syndrome, and the observed germline variants differed from the typical oncogenic NRAS changes occurring as somatic events in tumours. Here we describe 19 new cases with RASopathy due to disease-causing variants in NRAS. Importantly, four of them harbored missense changes affecting Gly12, which was previously described to occur exclusively in cancer. The phenotype in our cohort was variable but well within the RASopathy spectrum. Further, one of the patients (c.35G>A; p.(Gly12Asp)) had a myeloproliferative disorder, and one subject (c.34G>C; p.(Gly12Arg)) exhibited an uncharacterized brain tumour. With this report, we expand the genotype and phenotype spectrum of RASopathy-associated germline NRAS variants and provide evidence that NRAS variants do not spare the cancer-associated mutation hotspots.
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…
Acquired auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder after an attack of chikungunya: case study.
Prabhu, Prashanth
2016-01-01
Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a retrocochlear disorder in which the cochlear functioning is normal but the transmission in the auditory neural pathway is affected. The present study reports of a 14-year-old teenager with acquired ANSD after an attack of chikungunya. He reported symptoms of difficulty in understanding speech, tinnitus and vertigo when exposed to loud sounds. The audiological characteristics suggested auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder with raising audiogram configuration. The results of tinnitus evaluation showed low-pitched tinnitus and it was persistent causing significant handicap to him based on self report tinnitus handicap questionnaire results. The results of depression, anxiety and stress scale also suggested symptoms of mild depression and anxiety. Chikungunya virus is suspected to be neurotropic in nature which can damage auditory nerve cells and may have caused ANSD. The result also shows presence of tullio's phenomenon and absence of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials suggesting damage to the vestibular neuronal system. The possible pathophysiology of chikungunya virus causing ANSD and vestibular symptoms needs to be explored further in future studies.
Joint resonant CMB power spectrum and bispectrum estimation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Meerburg, P. Daniel; Münchmeyer, Moritz; Wandelt, Benjamin
2016-02-01
We develop the tools necessary to assess the statistical significance of resonant features in the CMB correlation functions, combining power spectrum and bispectrum measurements. This significance is typically addressed by running a large number of simulations to derive the probability density function (PDF) of the feature-amplitude in the Gaussian case. Although these simulations are tractable for the power spectrum, for the bispectrum they require significant computational resources. We show that, by assuming that the PDF is given by a multivariate Gaussian where the covariance is determined by the Fisher matrix of the sine and cosine terms, we can efficiently produce spectra that are statistically close to those derived from full simulations. By drawing a large number of spectra from this PDF, both for the power spectrum and the bispectrum, we can quickly determine the statistical significance of candidate signatures in the CMB, considering both single frequency and multifrequency estimators. We show that for resonance models, cosmology and foreground parameters have little influence on the estimated amplitude, which allows us to simplify the analysis considerably. A more precise likelihood treatment can then be applied to candidate signatures only. We also discuss a modal expansion approach for the power spectrum, aimed at quickly scanning through large families of oscillating models.
Tomar, Swati; Sethi, Raman; Sundar, Gangadhara; Quah, Thuan Chong; Quah, Boon Long; Lai, Poh San
2017-01-01
Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare childhood malignant disorder caused by the biallelic inactivation of RB1 gene. Early diagnosis and identification of carriers of heritable RB1 mutations can improve disease outcome and management. In this study, mutational analysis was conducted on fifty-nine matched tumor and peripheral blood samples from 18 bilateral and 41 unilateral unrelated RB cases by a combinatorial approach of Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) assay, deletion screening, direct sequencing, copy number gene dosage analysis and methylation assays. Screening of both blood and tumor samples yielded a mutation detection rate of 94.9% (56/59) while only 42.4% (25/59) of mutations were detected if blood samples alone were analyzed. Biallelic mutations were observed in 43/59 (72.9%) of tumors screened. There were 3 cases (5.1%) in which no mutations could be detected and germline mutations were detected in 19.5% (8/41) of unilateral cases. A total of 61 point mutations were identified, of which 10 were novel. There was a high incidence of previously reported recurrent mutations, occurring at 38.98% (23/59) of all cases. Of interest were three cases of mosaic RB1 mutations detected in the blood from patients with unilateral retinoblastoma. Additionally, two germline mutations previously reported to be associated with low-penetrance phenotypes: missense-c.1981C>T and splice variant-c.607+1G>T, were observed in a bilateral and a unilateral proband, respectively. These findings have implications for genetic counselling and risk prediction for the affected families. This is the first published report on the spectrum of mutations in RB patients from Singapore and shows that further improved mutation screening strategies are required in order to provide a definitive molecular diagnosis for every case of RB. Our findings also underscore the importance of genetic testing in supporting individualized disease management plans for patients and asymptomatic
Tomar, Swati; Sethi, Raman; Sundar, Gangadhara; Quah, Thuan Chong; Quah, Boon Long; Lai, Poh San
2017-01-01
Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare childhood malignant disorder caused by the biallelic inactivation of RB1 gene. Early diagnosis and identification of carriers of heritable RB1 mutations can improve disease outcome and management. In this study, mutational analysis was conducted on fifty-nine matched tumor and peripheral blood samples from 18 bilateral and 41 unilateral unrelated RB cases by a combinatorial approach of Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) assay, deletion screening, direct sequencing, copy number gene dosage analysis and methylation assays. Screening of both blood and tumor samples yielded a mutation detection rate of 94.9% (56/59) while only 42.4% (25/59) of mutations were detected if blood samples alone were analyzed. Biallelic mutations were observed in 43/59 (72.9%) of tumors screened. There were 3 cases (5.1%) in which no mutations could be detected and germline mutations were detected in 19.5% (8/41) of unilateral cases. A total of 61 point mutations were identified, of which 10 were novel. There was a high incidence of previously reported recurrent mutations, occurring at 38.98% (23/59) of all cases. Of interest were three cases of mosaic RB1 mutations detected in the blood from patients with unilateral retinoblastoma. Additionally, two germline mutations previously reported to be associated with low-penetrance phenotypes: missense-c.1981C>T and splice variant-c.607+1G>T, were observed in a bilateral and a unilateral proband, respectively. These findings have implications for genetic counselling and risk prediction for the affected families. This is the first published report on the spectrum of mutations in RB patients from Singapore and shows that further improved mutation screening strategies are required in order to provide a definitive molecular diagnosis for every case of RB. Our findings also underscore the importance of genetic testing in supporting individualized disease management plans for patients and asymptomatic
Paley, Blair; O'Connor, Mary J
2009-01-01
Exposure to alcohol in utero is considered to be the leading cause of developmental disabilities of known etiology. The most severe consequence of such exposure, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), is characterized by a distinct constellation of characteristic facial anomalies, growth retardation, and central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. Some individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) do not meet the full criteria for FAS, but instead are diagnosed with partial FAS, alcohol related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), or alcohol related birth defects (ARBD). The entire continuum of effects from PAE is increasingly being referred to under the umbrella term of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). An extensive body of research has documented major cognitive, behavioral, adaptive, social, and emotional impairments among individuals with FASDs. Although FAS was identified in the U.S. over 35 years ago, the development, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence-based interventions for individuals with FASDs have lagged behind significantly. Encouragingly, however, in recent years there has been a marked increase in efforts to design and test interventions to remediate the impairments associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. This article will review treatment needs and considerations for individuals with FASDs and their families, current empirically tested treatment approaches, case management issues, and suggestions for future directions in research on the treatment of FASDs. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Probing dark energy using convergence power spectrum and bi-spectrum
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Dinda, Bikash R., E-mail: bikash@ctp-jamia.res.in
Weak lensing convergence statistics is a powerful tool to probe dark energy. Dark energy plays an important role to the structure formation and the effects can be detected through the convergence power spectrum, bi-spectrum etc. One of the most promising and simplest dark energy model is the ΛCDM . However, it is worth investigating different dark energy models with evolving equation of state of the dark energy. In this work, detectability of different dark energy models from ΛCDM model has been explored through convergence power spectrum and bi-spectrum.
The Torsional Spectrum of Doubly Deuterated Methanol CHD_2OH
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ndao, M.; Coudert, L. H.; Kwabia Tchana, F.; Barros, J.; Margulès, L.; Manceron, Laurent; Roy, P.
2014-06-01
Although the torsional spectrum of several isotopic species of methanol with a symmetrical CH_3 or CD_3 was analyzed some time ago, it is recently, and only for the monodeuterated species CH_2DOH, that such an analysis was extended to the case of an asymmetrical methyl group. In this talk, based on a Fourier transform high-resolution spectrum recorded in the 20 to 670 wn region, the first analysis of the torsional spectrum of doubly deuterated methanol CHD_2OH will be presented. The Q branch of many torsional subbands could be observed and their assignment was initiated using a theoretical torsion-rotation spectrum computed with an approach accounting for the torsion-rotation Coriolis coupling and for the dependence of the generalized inertia tensor on the angle of internal rotation. 46 torsional subbands were thus assigned. For 28 of them, their rotational structure could be assigned and fitted using an effective Hamiltonian expressed as a J(J+1) expansion; and for 2 of them microwave transitions within the lower torsional level could also be included in the analysis. In several cases these analysis revealed that the torsional levels are strongly perturbed. In the talk, the torsional parameters retrieved in the analysis of the torsional subband centers will be discussed. The results of the analysis of the rotational structure of the torsional subbands will be presented and we will also try to understand the nature of the perturbations. At last, preliminary results about the analysis of the microwave spectrum will be presented. El Hilali, Coudert, Konov, and Klee, J. Chem. Phys. 135 (2011) 194309 Lauvergnat, Coudert, Klee, and Smirnov, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 256 (2009) 204 Quade, Liu, Mukhopadhyay, and Su, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 192 (1998) 378 Pearson, Yu, and Drouin, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 280 (2012) 119
Features in the primordial spectrum from WMAP: A wavelet analysis
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Shafieloo, Arman; Souradeep, Tarun; Manimaran, P.
2007-06-15
Precise measurements of the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background enable us to do an accurate study on the form of the primordial power spectrum for a given set of cosmological parameters. In a previous paper [A. Shafieloo and T. Souradeep, Phys. Rev. D 70, 043523 (2004).], we implemented an improved (error sensitive) Richardson-Lucy deconvolution algorithm on the measured angular power spectrum from the first year of WMAP data to determine the primordial power spectrum assuming a concordance cosmological model. This recovered spectrum has a likelihood far better than a scale invariant, or, 'best fit' scale free spectra ({delta}lnL{approx_equal}25 withmore » respect to the Harrison-Zeldovich spectrum, and, {delta}lnL{approx_equal}11 with respect to the power law spectrum with n{sub s}=0.95). In this paper we use the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to decompose the local features of the recovered spectrum individually to study their effect and significance on the recovered angular power spectrum and hence the likelihood. We show that besides the infrared cutoff at the horizon scale, the associated features of the primordial power spectrum around the horizon have a significant effect on improving the likelihood. The strong features are localized at the horizon scale.« less
Badrakh, Jugderjav; Zayasaikhan, Setsen; Jagdagsuren, Davaalkham; Enkhbat, Erdenetungalag; Jadambaa, Narantuya; Munkhbaatar, Sergelen; Taylor, Melanie; Rowley, Jane; Mahiané, Guy
2017-01-01
Objective To estimate Mongolia’s prevalence and incidence trends of gonorrhoea and chlamydia in women and men 15–49 years old to inform control of STIs and HIV, a national health sector priority. Methods We applied the Spectrum-STI estimation model, fitting data from two national population surveys (2001 and 2008) and from routine gonorrhoea screening of pregnant women in antenatal care (1997 to 2016) adjusted for diagnostic test performance, male/female differences and missing high-risk populations. Prevalence and incidence estimates were then used to assess completeness of national case reporting. Results Gonorrhoea prevalence was estimated at 3.3% (95% confidence interval, 1.6–3.9%) in women and 2.9% (1.6–4.1%) in men in 2016; chlamydia prevalence levels were 19.5% (17.3–21.9%) and 15.6% (10.0–21.2%), respectively. Corresponding new incident cases in women and men in 2016 totalled 60 334 (36 147 to 121 933) and 76 893 (35 639 to 254 913) for gonorrhoea and 131 306 (84 232 to 254 316) and 148 162 (71 885 to 462 588) for chlamydia. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia prevalence declined by an estimated 33% and 11%, respectively from 2001 to 2016. Comparing numbers of symptomatic and treated cases estimated by Spectrum with gonorrhoea case reports suggests that 15% of symptomatic treated gonorrhoea cases were reported in 2016; only a minority of chlamydia episodes were reported as male urethral discharge cases. Discussion Gonorrhoea and chlamydia prevalence are estimated to have declined in Mongolia during the early 2000s, possibly associated with syndromic management in primary care facilities and improving treatment coverage since 2001 and scale up of HIV/STI prevention interventions since 2003. However, prevalence remains high with most gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases not treated or recorded in the public health system. PMID:29487760
NEUROBILOGY OF ASPERGER'S SYNDROME : A CASE STUDY AND OVERVIEW
Duggal, Harpreet S.; Dutta, Siddhartha; Sinha, Vinod K.; Basu, Soumya; Pandey, Smita; Nizamie, Haque S.; Nizamie, Alka
2001-01-01
Asperger's syndrome is an autistic spectrum disorder, which has engendered lesser attention in comparison to autism. Recent literature has focused on the involvement of cortical areas of the brain in this syndrome. We report a case of Asperger′s syndrome in which an extensive work-up, including neuropsychological, neurophysiological and neuroimaging procedures, were undertaken. The findings of the various investigative procedures are discussed and literature supporting the neurobiological basis of Asperger's syndrome is highlighted. Finally, we briefly touch upon the ‘Theory of Mind’ construct in autistic spectrum disorders. PMID:21407867
The clinical spectrum of late-onset Alexander disease: a systematic literature review.
Balbi, Pietro; Salvini, Silvana; Fundarò, Cira; Frazzitta, Giuseppe; Maestri, Roberto; Mosah, Dibo; Uggetti, Carla; Sechi, GianPietro
2010-12-01
Following the discovery of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mutations as the causative factor of Alexander disease (AxD), new case reports have recently increased, prompting a more detailed comprehension of the clinical features of the three disease subtypes (infantile, juvenile and adult). While the clinical pattern of the infantile form has been substantially confirmed, the late-onset subtypes (i.e., juvenile and adult), once considered rare manifestations of AxD, have displayed a wider clinical spectrum. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical phenotype of the adult and juvenile forms by reviewing the previously reported cases. Data were collected from previously published reports on 112 subjects affected by neuropathologically or genetically proven adult and juvenile Alexander disease. Although the late-onset forms of AxD show a wide clinical variability, a common pattern emerges from comparing previously reported cases, characterized by pseudo-bulbar signs, ataxia, and spasticity, associated with atrophy of the medulla and upper cervical cord on neuroimaging. Late-onset AxD cases can no longer be considered as rare manifestations of the disease. The clinical pattern usually reflects the topographic localization of the lesions, with adult cases displaying a predominant infratentorial localization of the lesions. Juvenile cases show clinical and radiological features which are intermediate between adult and infantile forms.
Hassan, Suha M; Harteveld, Cornelis L; Bakker, Egbert; Giordano, Piero C
2015-01-01
The objective of this study was to expand and study the molecular spectrum of β-thalassemia (β-thal) mutations in Oman by examining cases from seven different regions and comparing the prevalence with neighboring countries. A total of 446 cases of β hemoglobinopathies was obtained and analyzed to determine the frequency and distribution of the different β alleles. The molecular spectrum of β-thal in Oman revealed the presence of 32 mutations from different origins and 11 alleles are reported for the first time in the Omani population. The wide heterogeneous spectrum of β-thal mutations found can be associated with the history of trade and migration as well as the past domination from other countries. The presented data will facilitate the development of a comprehensive prevention strategy in Oman.
Excitation spectrum and staggering transformations in lattice quantum models.
Faria da Veiga, Paulo A; O'Carroll, Michael; Schor, Ricardo
2002-08-01
We consider the energy-momentum excitation spectrum of diverse lattice Hamiltonian operators: the generator of the Markov semigroup of Ginzburg-Landau models with Langevin stochastic dynamics, the Hamiltonian of a scalar quantum field theory, and the Hamiltonian associated with the transfer matrix of a classical ferromagnetic spin system at high temperature. The low-lying spectrum consists of a one-particle state and a two-particle band. The two-particle spectrum is determined using a lattice version of the Bethe-Salpeter equation. In addition to the two-particle band, depending on the lattice dimension and on the attractive or repulsive character of the interaction between the particles of the system, there is, respectively, a bound state below or above the two-particle band. We show how the existence or nonexistence of these bound states can be understood in terms of a nonrelativistic single-particle lattice Schrödinger Hamiltonian with a delta potential. A staggering transformation relates the spectra of the attractive and the repulsive cases.
Sound spectrum of a pulsating optical discharge
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Grachev, G N; Smirnov, A L; Tishchenko, V N
A spectrum of sound of an optical discharge generated by a repetitively pulsed (RP) laser radiation has been investigated. The parameters of laser radiation are determined at which the spectrum of sound may contains either many lines, or the main line at the pulse repetition rate and several weaker overtones, or a single line. The spectrum of sound produced by trains of RP radiation comprises the line (and overtones) at the repetition rate of train sequences and the line at the repetition rate of pulses in trains. A CO{sub 2} laser with the pulse repetition rate of f ≈ 3more » – 180 kHz and the average power of up to 2 W was used in the experiments. (optical discharges)« less
5-AZA-2'-DEOXYCYTIDINE INDUCED CYTOTOXICITY AND LONG BONE REDUCTION DEFECTS IN THE MURINE LIMB
The antineoplastic drug 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (dAZA) is a DNA hypomethylating agent that can be used to induce hind limb phocomelia in the offspring of CD-1 Swiss Webster mice. Previously, our laboratory investigated the possibility that dAZA induced alterations in gene express...
Detecting Autism Spectrum Disorders in the General Practitioner's Practice
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
van Tongerloo, Michelle A. M. M.; Bor, Hans H. J.; Lagro-Janssen, Antoine L. M.
2012-01-01
It takes considerable time before Autism Spectrum Disorders are diagnosed. Validated diagnostic instruments are available, but not applicable to primary healthcare. By means of a case-control study we investigated whether there were differences in presented complaints and referral patterns between children with ASD (n = 49) and a control group of…
Association of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lee, Maunoo; Krishnamurthy, Jayasree; Susi, Apryl; Sullivan, Carolyn; Gorman, Gregory H.; Hisle-Gorman, Elizabeth; Erdie-Lalena, Christine R.; Nylund, Cade M.
2018-01-01
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) both have multifactorial pathogenesis with an increasing number of studies demonstrating gut-brain associations. We aim to examine the association between ASD and IBD using strict classification criteria for IBD. We conducted a retrospective case-cohort study using records from…
Concise expression of a classical radiation spectrum
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Wang, C.
1993-06-01
In this paper we present a concise expression of the classical electromagnetic radiation spectrum of a moving charge. It is shown to be equivalent to the often used and much more complicated form derived from the Lienard-Wiechert potentials when the observation distance [ital R] satisfies the condition [ital R][much gt][gamma][lambda]. The expression reveals a relationship between the radiation spectrum and the motion of the radiation source. It also forms the basis of an efficient computing approach, which is of practical value in numerical calculations of the spectral output of accelerated charges. The advantages of this approach for analytical and numericalmore » applications are discussed and the bending-magnet synchrotron radiation spectrum is calculated according to the approach.« less
The spectrum of rheumatic in-patient diagnoses at a pediatric hospital in Kenya.
Migowa, Angela; Colmegna, Inés; Hitchon, Carol; Were, Eugene; Ng'ang'a, Evelyn; Ngwiri, Thomas; Wachira, John; Bernatsky, Sasha; Scuccimarri, Rosie
2017-01-14
Pediatric rheumatic diseases are chronic illnesses that can cause considerable disease burden to children and their families. There is limited epidemiologic data on these diseases in East Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the spectrum of pediatric rheumatic diagnoses in an in-patient setting and determine the accuracy of ICD-10 codes in identifying these conditions. Medical records from Gertrude's Children's Hospital in Kenya were reviewed for patients diagnosed with "diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue" as per ICD-10 diagnostic codes assigned at discharge between January and December 2011. Cases were classified as "rheumatic" or "non-rheumatic". Accuracy of the assigned ICD-10 code was ascertained. Death records were reviewed. Longitudinal follow-up of "rheumatic" cases was done by chart review up to March 2014. Twenty six patients were classified as having a "rheumatic" condition accounting for 0.32% of patients admitted. Of these, 11 (42.3%) had an acute inflammatory arthropathy, 6 (23.1%) had septic arthritis, 4 (15.4%) had Kawasaki disease, 2 (7.7%) had pyomyositis, and there was one case each of septic bursitis, rheumatic fever, and a non-specific soft tissue disorder. No cases of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) were identified. One case of systemic lupus erythematosus was documented by death records. The agreement between the treating physician's discharge diagnosis and medical records ICD-10 code assignment was good (Kappa: 0.769). On follow-up, one child had recurrent knee swelling that was suspicious for JIA. Pediatric rheumatic conditions represented 0.32% of admissions at a pediatric hospital in Kenya. Acute inflammatory arthropathies, septic arthritis and Kawasaki disease were the most frequent in-patient rheumatic diagnoses. Chronic pediatric rheumatic diseases were rare amongst this in-patient population. Despite limitations associated with the use of administrative diagnostic codes, they can be a first step in
Autism Spectrum Features in Smith-Magenis Syndrome
Laje, Gonzalo; Morse, Rebecca; Richter, William; Ball, Jonathan; Pao, Maryland; Smith, Ann C.M.
2010-01-01
Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS; OMIM 182290) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a well-defined pattern of anomalies. The majority of cases are due to a common deletion in chromosome 17p11.2 that includes the RAI1 gene. In children with SMS, autistic-like behaviors and symptoms start to emerge around 18 months of age. This study included 26 individuals (15 females and 11 males), with a confirmed deletion (del 17p11.2). Parents/caregivers were asked to complete the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) both current and lifetime versions. The results suggest that 90% of the sample had SRS scores consistent with autism spectrum disorders. Moreover, females showed more impairment in total T-scores (p=0.02) and in the social cognition (p=0.01) and autistic mannerisms (p=0.002) subscales. The SCQ scores are consistent to show that a majority of individuals may meet criteria for autism spectrum disorders at some point in their lifetime. These results suggest that SMS needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders but also that therapeutic interventions for autism are likely to benefit individuals with SMS. The mechanisms by which the deletion of RAI1 and contiguous genes cause psychopathology remain unknown but they provide a solid starting point for further studies of gene-brain-behavior interactions in SMS and autism spectrum disorders. PMID:20981775
Autism spectrum features in Smith-Magenis syndrome.
Laje, Gonzalo; Morse, Rebecca; Richter, William; Ball, Jonathan; Pao, Maryland; Smith, Ann C M
2010-11-15
Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS; OMIM 182290) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a well-defined pattern of anomalies. The majority of cases are due to a common deletion in chromosome 17p11.2 that includes the RAI1 gene. In children with SMS, autistic-like behaviors and symptoms start to emerge around 18 months of age. This study included 26 individuals (15 females and 11 males), with a confirmed deletion (del 17p11.2). Parents/caregivers were asked to complete the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) both current and lifetime versions. The results suggest that 90% of the sample had SRS scores consistent with autism spectrum disorders. Moreover, females showed more impairment in total T-scores (P = 0.02), in the social cognition (P = 0.01) and autistic mannerisms (P = 0.002) subscales. The SCQ scores are consistent to show that a majority of individuals may meet criteria for autism spectrum disorders at some point in their lifetime. These results suggest that SMS needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders but also that therapeutic interventions for autism are likely to benefit individuals with SMS. The mechanisms by which the deletion of RAI1 and contiguous genes cause psychopathology remain unknown but they provide a solid starting point for further studies of gene-brain-behavior interactions in SMS and autism spectrum disorders.
Spectrum sharing in cognitive radio networks--an auction-based approach.
Wang, Xinbing; Li, Zheng; Xu, Pengchao; Xu, Youyun; Gao, Xinbo; Chen, Hsiao-Hwa
2010-06-01
Cognitive radio is emerging as a promising technique to improve the utilization of the radio frequency spectrum. In this paper, we consider the problem of spectrum sharing among primary (or "licensed") users (PUs) and secondary (or "unlicensed") users (SUs). We formulate the problem based on bandwidth auction, in which each SU makes a bid for the amount of spectrum and each PU may assign the spectrum among the SUs by itself according to the information from the SUs without degrading its own performance. We show that the auction is a noncooperative game and that Nash equilibrium (NE) can be its solution. We first consider a single-PU network to investigate the existence and uniqueness of the NE and further discuss the fairness among the SUs under given conditions. Then, we present a dynamic updating algorithm in which each SU achieves NE in a distributed manner. The stability condition of the dynamic behavior for this spectrum-sharing scheme is studied. The discussion is generalized to the case in which there are multiple PUs in the network, where the properties of the NE are shown under appropriate conditions. Simulations were used to evaluate the system performance and verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Marí-Bauset, Salvador; Llopis-González, Agustín; Zazpe, Itziar; Marí-Sanchis, Amelia; Morales Suárez-Varela, Maria
2017-04-01
This case-control study investigated nutrient intake, healthy eating index with 10 items on foods and nutrients, on 3-day food diaries and anthropometric measurements in 105 children with autism spectrum disorder and 495 typically developing children (6-9 years) in Valencia (Spain). Children with autism spectrum disorder were at a higher risk for underweight, eating more legumes, vegetables, fiber, and some micronutrients (traditional Mediterranean diet) but fewer dairy and cereal products, and less iodine, sodium, and calcium than their typically developing peers. Differences existed in total energy intake but healthy eating index and food variety score differences were not significant. Autism spectrum disorder group failed to meet dietary recommendations for thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin C, or calcium. Risk of inadequate intake of fiber, vitamin E, and sodium was lower in children with autism spectrum disorder than typically developing children. Results suggest that (1) risk of inadequate intake of some micronutrients in children with autism spectrum disorder and (2) cultural patterns and environment may influence food intake and anthropometric characteristics in autism spectrum disorder. Primary care should include anthropometric and nutritional surveillance in this population to identify intervention on a case-by-case basis. Future research should explore dietary patterns and anthropometric characteristics in different autism spectrum disorder populations in other countries, enhancing our understanding of the disorder's impact.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ozuna, Jennifer; Mavridis, Alexis; Hott, Brittany L.
2015-01-01
Social interaction is a core deficit in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, parents and teachers need effective interventions to support students with ASD. This synthesis provides a quantitative analysis of single-subject studies that examine interventions to support social interactions in children with ASD. Results suggest…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lee, Sharon Y.; Lo, Ya-yu; Lo, Yafen
2017-01-01
The researchers used a single-case, multiple probe design across three sets of toys (i.e., farm toy, doctor's clinic toy, and rescue toy) to examine the effects of video self-modeling (VSM) on the functional play skills of a 5-year-old child with autism spectrum disorder. The findings showed a functional relation between VSM and increased…
Integrating sensing across a broader spectrum to support homeland security
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
O'Brien, Thomas W.; Finkelstein, Marc
2003-08-01
All objects and activities give off energy in some part of the spectrum, may leave tell-tail signs from their previous activities (e.g., earth scaring or vapor trails), or leave information about relationships that they may have with other entities and activities (e.g., networks). Many of these phenomenologies are either not picked up by current stovepiped sensors, or the data supplied by those sensors are not fully exploited to properly observe them. In either case, new sensor data as well as the better exploitation of existing data could be used to provide, or at least cross cue or correlate with other sensor data to detect, identify, geolocate or track different kind of problems. Current sensors are often designed for specific purposes and are capable of sensing only limited parts of the spectrum. Significantly broadening the sensing spectrum will be an essential element of solving the emerging class of new "hard problems". There are many other observables available that could be exploited to assist in that process. Thus one could broaden the sensing to observe those phenomenologies associated with combustion effluents; thermal radiation; magnetic anomalies; seismic movement; acoustics; unintended electromagnetic emissions, changing weather conditions, logistics support indicators, debris trails; impressed observables (such as tagging); and others. What's needed is a disciplined, analytical process that can map observables to sensors, and ultimately to mission utility. The process, described in this SPIE presentation will address a specific example on the flow from the establishment of requirements to prosecutable observables, to objectives, to identification of sensors and assets, to the allocation of sensors and assets to observables, all based on optimizing mission utility.
Li, Hui; Haldane, F D M
2008-07-04
We study the "entanglement spectrum" (a presentation of the Schmidt decomposition analogous to a set of "energy levels") of a many-body state, and compare the Moore-Read model wave function for the nu=5/2 fractional quantum Hall state with a generic 5/2 state obtained by finite-size diagonalization of the second-Landau-level-projected Coulomb interactions. Their spectra share a common "gapless" structure, related to conformal field theory. In the model state, these are the only levels, while in the "generic" case, they are separated from the rest of the spectrum by a clear "entanglement gap", which appears to remain finite in the thermodynamic limit. We propose that the low-lying entanglement spectrum can be used as a "fingerprint" to identify topological order.
Cytomorphological Spectrum of Thyroiditis: A Review of 110 Cases
Nair, Rahul; Gambhir, Anushree; Kaur, Supreet; Pandey, Aditi; Shetty, Abhinav; Naragude, Piyusha
2018-01-01
Introduction Different types of thyroiditis may share some parallel clinical and biochemical features. Timely intervention can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. Aim Aim of this study is to find the frequency of various thyroiditis, study the cytomorphological features and correlate with clinical findings including radiological findings, thyroid function test, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO antibodies). Materials and Methods The study included consecutive 110 cases of thyroiditis. Detailed cytomorphological features were studied and correlated with ultrasonography findings, thyroid function test, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) and histopathological features where thyroidectomy specimens were received for histopathological examination. Results The majority were Hashimoto's thyroiditis (n = 100) and females (n = 103). Other forms of thyroiditis were Hashimoto's thyroiditis with colloid goiter (n = 5), De Quervain's thyroiditis (n = 3), and one case each of postpartum thyroiditis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis with associated malignancy. The majority of patients were in the age group of 21–40 (n = 70) and the majority (n = 73) had diffuse enlargement of thyroid. The majority of patients were hypothyroid (n = 52). The serum anti-TPO antibodies were elevated in 47 patients out of 71 patients. In the 48 patients who underwent ultrasonography, 38 were diagnosed as having thyroiditis. The most consistent cytomorphological features seen in fine-needle aspiration smears of Hashimoto's thyroiditis were increased background lymphocytes, lymphocytic infiltration of thyroid follicular cell clusters, and Hurthle cells. Conclusion The diagnostic cytological features in Hashimoto's thyroiditis are increased background lymphocytes, lymphocytic infiltration of thyroid follicular cell clusters, and Hurthle cells. FNAC remains the “Gold Standard” for diagnosing Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Clinical history, thyroid function, and biochemical
Prenatal neurogenesis in autism spectrum disorders
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kaushik, Gaurav; Zarbalis, Konstantinos
2016-03-01
An ever-increasing body of literature describes compelling evidence that a subset of young children on the autism spectrum show abnormal cerebral growth trajectories. In these cases, normal cerebral size at birth is followed by a period of abnormal growth and starting in late childhood often by regression compared to unaffected controls. Recent work has demonstrated an abnormal increase in the number of neurons of the prefrontal cortex suggesting that cerebral size increase in autism is driven by excess neuronal production. In addition, some affected children display patches of abnormal laminar positioning of cortical projection neurons. As both cortical projection neuron numbers and their correct layering within the developing cortex requires the undisturbed proliferation of neural progenitors, it appears that neural progenitors lie in the center of the autism pathology associated with early brain overgrowth. Consequently, autism spectrum disorders associated with cerebral enlargement should be viewed as birth defects of an early embryonic origin with profound implications for their early diagnosis, preventive strategies, and therapeutic intervention.
Autism Spectrum Disorders in Gender Dysphoric Children and Adolescents
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
de Vries, Annelou L. C.; Noens, Ilse L. J.; Cohen-Kettenis, Peggy T.; van Berckelaer-Onnes, Ina A.; Doreleijers, Theo A.
2010-01-01
Only case reports have described the co-occurrence of gender identity disorder (GID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study examined this co-occurrence using a systematic approach. Children and adolescents (115 boys and 89 girls, mean age 10.8, SD = 3.58) referred to a gender identity clinic received a standardized assessment during which…
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, X.; Wu, H.; Tu, C. Y.; Wang, L.; He, J.; Tian, H.
2017-12-01
Sunward-propagating Alfvénic fluctuations with a power-law spectrum (SAFP) have been recently reported to be a significant physical phenomenon in the solar wind. However, some characteristics of these SAFPs are still unknown. Here we develop a new method for identifying SAFPs. In this method, we can identify all SAFPs with any value of θRB (angle between the global magnetic field and the radial direction). We find 508 SAFPs using the WIND spacecraft observation from 1995 to 2014. We also find that SAFP occurs more frequently when θRB equals 90°. The spectral index with an average -1.77 changes continuously from -2.18 for the parallel to -1.71 for the perpendicular. SAFPs occur more at the maximum and tend to be observed in the slow solar wind especially at solar minimum. We also apply the new method to identify anti-sunward-propagating Alfvénic fluctuations with a power-law spectrum (AFP) for comparison. The number of SAFPs is much less than AFPs, and the cases with local bending account for about half of all observed cases. SAFPs have a preference for negative σc and ASFs for positive. The statistical results demonstrate that SAFP has a steeper and weaker power spectrum and present a weaker power anisotropy than that of AFP. These new results may reveal new insight into the physical mechanism of the SAFP generation.
[Norfloxacin: a broad-spectrum quinolone for superficial eye infections].
Grosset, J
1990-09-01
Norfloxacin is a synthetic antibiotic belonging to the fluoroquinolone class. At present, an oral formulation is available and indicated for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Because of the properties of norfloxacin, a 0.3% norfloxacin ophtalmic solution may be used by ophtalmologists. The molecular target of norfloxacin is DNA gyrase that regulates DNA replication. Norfloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic. A flurin atome in position 6 is responsible for the broad spectrum of activity as compared with the first generation quinolones. MICs of norfloxacin against Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and enterbacteriaceae are low or intermediate. Norfloxacin is a bactericidal drug of which MBCs are equivalent to or twice as high as MICs against the majority of organisms. The proportion of norfloxacin resistant strains is limited and, at present, no plasmid resistance has been observed. This explains the activity of norfloxacin against clinical isolates whose drug resistance is plasmid-mediated. Norfloxacin resistance is chromosomic, but the mutation rate is low. There is no cross-resistance between quinolones and other classes of drug, with the exception of drug resistance related to changes in the bacterial outer membrane proteins. A low decrease in norfloxacin susceptibility is observed in case of resistance to first generation quinolones. The above-mentioned properties make norfloxacin in ophtalmic solution a first line drug for treatment of superficial ocular infections and a second line drug for treatment of infections due to organisms resistant to other drugs.
Opportunistic tri-band carrier aggregation in licensed spectrum for multi-operator 5G hetnet
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Maksymuk, Taras; Kyryk, Maryan; Klymash, Mykhailo; Jo, Minho; Romaniuk, Ryszard; Kotyra, Andrzej; Zhanpeisova, Aizhan; Kozbekova, Ainur
2017-08-01
Increasing capacity of mobile networks is a real challenge due to rapid increasing of traffic demands and spectrum scarcity. Carrier aggregation technology is aimed to increase the user data rate by combining the throughput of few spectrum bands, even if they are not physically collocated. Utilization of unlicensed Wi-Fi 5 GHz band for mobile transmission opens new perspectives for carrier aggregation due to vast amount of spectrum range, which can be available for aggregation to supplement data rates for end users. There are many solutions proposed to enable mobile data transmission in unlicensed band without disturbing interference for the existing Wi-Fi users. The paper presents a new approach for opportunistic carrier aggregation in licensed and unlicensed band for multi-operator 5G network. It allows multiple network operators to utilize unlicensed spectrum opportunistically if it is not currently used by Wi-Fi or other mobile network operators. Performance of the proposed approach has been simulated in case of two competing operators. Simulation results reveal that applying the proposed method ensures achieving satisfactory performance of carrier aggregation for the case of two network operators.
Rao, Qiu; Cheng, Liang; Xia, Qiu-yuan; Liu, Biao; Li, Li; Shi, Qun-li; Shi, Shan-shan; Yu, Bo; Zhang, Ru-song; Ma, Heng-hui; Lu, Zhen-feng; Tu, Pin; Zhou, Xiao-jun
2013-03-01
Recent studies have demonstrated that cathepsin K seems to be a powerful marker in identifying renal perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms (PEComas). However, the expression in extrarenal PEComas has not been well characterized due to their rare incidence. Our aim was to investigate the expression of cathepsin K in a wide spectrum of extrarenal PEComas and evaluate its potential diagnostic usefulness in comparison with other commonly used markers. Twenty-three cases of PEComa (liver, n = 9; lung, n = 1; broad ligament of uterus, n = 1; vertex subcutaneous soft tissue, n = 1; abdominal wall, n = 1; and kidney, n = 10) were selected for study. All displayed a high percentage of cells with moderately to strongly positive reactions for cathepsin K (mean 91%; range 80-100%). HMB45, Melan-A and smooth muscle actin (SMA) were expressed in 78, 87 and 87% of cases, respectively, with various percentages of positive cells (mean, 34, 40 and 38%; range 0-80, 0-90 and 0-90%). Transcription factor E3 (TFE3) was expressed strongly in only three cases; none exhibited evidence of TFE3 gene fusion or amplification. Cathepsin K appears to be more powerful than other commonly used markers in diagnosing a wide spectrum of PEComas and distinguishing them from the majority of human cancers. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Matson, Johnny L.; Lo Vullo, Santino V.
2008-01-01
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are considered to be among the most serious of the mental health conditions. Concomitant with many cases of ASD is intellectual disability. Further compounding the disability is the fact that both conditions are known risk factors for self-injurious behavior (SIB). To date, the most effective intervention methods,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lundqvist, Lars-Olov; Lindner, Helen
2017-01-01
The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is among the most widely used scales assessing autistic traits in the general population. However, some aspects of the AQ are questionable. To test its scale properties, the AQ was translated into Swedish, and data were collected from 349 adults, 130 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 219 without ASD, and…
Use of a priori statistics to minimize acquisition time for RFI immune spread spectrum systems
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Holmes, J. K.; Woo, K. T.
1978-01-01
The optimum acquisition sweep strategy was determined for a PN code despreader when the a priori probability density function was not uniform. A psuedo noise spread spectrum system was considered which could be utilized in the DSN to combat radio frequency interference. In a sample case, when the a priori probability density function was Gaussian, the acquisition time was reduced by about 41% compared to a uniform sweep approach.
Secure information transmission in filter bank multi-carrier spread spectrum systems
Majid, Arslan; Moradi, Hussein; Farhang-Boroujeny, Behrouz
2015-12-17
This report discusses the issue of secure information transmission for a spread-spectrum system, which in our case is Filter-Bank Multi-Carrier spread spectrum (FB-MC SS). We develop a novel method for generating a secret key to augment the security of the spread spectrum system. The proposed key generation takes advantage of the channel reciprocity exhibited between two communicating parties.We validate the key generation aspect of our system by using real-world measurements. It is found that our augmentation of strongest path cancellation (SPC) is shown to be highly effective in our measurement scenarios where the adversary’s key would otherwise be significantly correlatedmore » with the legitimate nodes. Our approach in using the proposed key generation method as a part of FB-MC SS allows for it to be fault tolerant and it is not necessarily limited to FB-MC SS or spread-spectrum system in general. However, the advantage that our approach has in the domain of spread-spectrum security is that it significantly decorrelates the adversary’s key from the authentic parties. This aspect is crucial because if the adversary’s key is similar to the legitamate parties, then the adversary obtains a sizable advantage due to the fault tolerance nature of the developed spread spectrum key.« less
Secure information transmission in filter bank multi-carrier spread spectrum systems
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Majid, Arslan; Moradi, Hussein; Farhang-Boroujeny, Behrouz
This report discusses the issue of secure information transmission for a spread-spectrum system, which in our case is Filter-Bank Multi-Carrier spread spectrum (FB-MC SS). We develop a novel method for generating a secret key to augment the security of the spread spectrum system. The proposed key generation takes advantage of the channel reciprocity exhibited between two communicating parties.We validate the key generation aspect of our system by using real-world measurements. It is found that our augmentation of strongest path cancellation (SPC) is shown to be highly effective in our measurement scenarios where the adversary’s key would otherwise be significantly correlatedmore » with the legitimate nodes. Our approach in using the proposed key generation method as a part of FB-MC SS allows for it to be fault tolerant and it is not necessarily limited to FB-MC SS or spread-spectrum system in general. However, the advantage that our approach has in the domain of spread-spectrum security is that it significantly decorrelates the adversary’s key from the authentic parties. This aspect is crucial because if the adversary’s key is similar to the legitamate parties, then the adversary obtains a sizable advantage due to the fault tolerance nature of the developed spread spectrum key.« less
Is Emotion Recognition Impaired in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tracy, Jessica L.; Robins, Richard W.; Schriber, Roberta A.; Solomon, Marjorie
2011-01-01
Researchers have argued that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) use an effortful "systematizing" process to recognize emotion expressions, whereas typically developing (TD) individuals use a more holistic process. If this is the case, individuals with ASDs should show slower and less efficient emotion recognition, particularly for…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Coggins, Truman E.; Timler, Geralyn R.; Olswang, Lesley B.
2007-01-01
Purpose: This article is a retrospective examination of environmental risk, language performance, and narrative discourse data from a clinical database of school-age children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Method: A case-defined diagnostic approach for measuring and reporting the full spectrum of disabilities in children with…
Spasm of the near reflex: a spectrum of anomalies.
Goldstein, J H; Schneekloth, B B
1996-01-01
Spasm of the near reflex has been characterized as the variable appearance of pseudomyopia, convergent strabismus and miosis. These characteristics may appear together or separately. In addition, abnormalities of accommodation may appear not only as pseudomyopia, but may also be manifest in cases with significant hypermetropia in which the patient is unable to relax accommodation even when plus lenses are used. The intent of this review is to identify the various clinical presentations of anomalies of the entire near reflex as well as the component parts. The relationship to functional and organic disorders are discussed as well as the related neuroanatomy. We suggest that one may more readily understand the clinical manifestations as a spectrum of anomalies of the near reflex rather than a multitude of disconnected entities.
Effect of Shufeng Jiedu capsules as a broad-spectrum antibacterial.
Bao, Yanyan; Gao, Yingjie; Cui, Xiaolan
2016-02-01
This study sought to investigate the broad-spectrum antibacterial action of an alternative medicine, Shufeng Jiedu capsules (SFJDC). Antibacterial testing was performed to determine whether SFJDC had broad-spectrum antibacterial action in vitro, and testing was performed to verify whether SFJDC prevented death due to a Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice. Results of antibacterial testing suggested that SFJDC are a broad-spectrum antibacterial and that SFJDC are superior to Lianhua Qingwen capsules as a broad-spectrum antibacterial. Results of testing revealed that SFJDC lowered the mortality rate, it reduced mortality, it increased average survival time, and it increased the lifespan of mice dying due to a Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus infection. Thus, SFJDC could become a complement to broad-spectrum antimicrobials in clinical settings.
Cuesta, José A; Delius, Gustav W; Law, Richard
2018-01-01
The Sheldon spectrum describes a remarkable regularity in aquatic ecosystems: the biomass density as a function of logarithmic body mass is approximately constant over many orders of magnitude. While size-spectrum models have explained this phenomenon for assemblages of multicellular organisms, this paper introduces a species-resolved size-spectrum model to explain the phenomenon in unicellular plankton. A Sheldon spectrum spanning the cell-size range of unicellular plankton necessarily consists of a large number of coexisting species covering a wide range of characteristic sizes. The coexistence of many phytoplankton species feeding on a small number of resources is known as the Paradox of the Plankton. Our model resolves the paradox by showing that coexistence is facilitated by the allometric scaling of four physiological rates. Two of the allometries have empirical support, the remaining two emerge from predator-prey interactions exactly when the abundances follow a Sheldon spectrum. Our plankton model is a scale-invariant trait-based size-spectrum model: it describes the abundance of phyto- and zooplankton cells as a function of both size and species trait (the maximal size before cell division). It incorporates growth due to resource consumption and predation on smaller cells, death due to predation, and a flexible cell division process. We give analytic solutions at steady state for both the within-species size distributions and the relative abundances across species.
Charting the Parameter Space of the 21-cm Power Spectrum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cohen, Aviad; Fialkov, Anastasia; Barkana, Rennan
2018-05-01
The high-redshift 21-cm signal of neutral hydrogen is expected to be observed within the next decade and will reveal epochs of cosmic evolution that have been previously inaccessible. Due to the lack of observations, many of the astrophysical processes that took place at early times are poorly constrained. In recent work we explored the astrophysical parameter space and the resulting large variety of possible global (sky-averaged) 21-cm signals. Here we extend our analysis to the fluctuations in the 21-cm signal, accounting for those introduced by density and velocity, Lyα radiation, X-ray heating, and ionization. While the radiation sources are usually highlighted, we find that in many cases the density fluctuations play a significant role at intermediate redshifts. Using both the power spectrum and its slope, we show that properties of high-redshift sources can be extracted from the observable features of the fluctuation pattern. For instance, the peak amplitude of ionization fluctuations can be used to estimate whether heating occurred early or late and, in the early case, to also deduce the cosmic mean ionized fraction at that time. The slope of the power spectrum has a more universal redshift evolution than the power spectrum itself and can thus be used more easily as a tracer of high-redshift astrophysics. Its peaks can be used, for example, to estimate the redshift of the Lyα coupling transition and the redshift of the heating transition (and the mean gas temperature at that time). We also show that a tight correlation is predicted between features of the power spectrum and of the global signal, potentially yielding important consistency checks.
Cleft-palate lateral synechia syndrome: insight into the phenotypic spectrum of Fryns syndrome?
Jaeger, April; Kapur, Raj; Whelan, Michael; Leung, Eric; Cunningham, Michael
2003-06-01
In 1972, Fuhrmann et al. (Humangenetik 1972;14:196-203) described a novel syndrome consisting of cleft palate (CP) and lateral synechiae (LS) between the palate and the floor of the mouth. This constellation of malformations, since denoted as cleft-palate lateral synechiae syndrome (CPLS), is a rare syndrome; only five cases have been reported since the original description. Because of the paucity of recognized cases, little is known regarding the phenotypic spectrum of this presumably autosomal dominant condition. We report two unrelated patients who presented with remarkably similar phenotypic features, including multiple intraoral synechiae (filiforme intraalveolar bands), cleft palate, micrognathia, and redundant lower lip tissue. Their phenotypic findings indicate a diagnosis of CPLS; however, case 3 (the monozygotic twin of case 2) had classic phenotypic features of Fryns syndrome. This report presents two new cases of CPLS, and suggests that the CPLS phenotype may represent the mild end of the Fryns syndrome phenotypic spectrum. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the Birth Defects Research (Part A) website (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/ jpages/1542-0752/suppmat/67/fig5.xls).
Song, Shao-Na; Zhang, Bi-Li; Wang, Wen-Hong; Zhang, Xuan
2012-09-01
To investigate the spectrum and drug sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) complicated by urinary tract infection (UTI). A retrospective analysis was performed on the spectrum and drug sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria in 97 children with NS complicated by UTI, who hospitalized from January to December, 2011. The incidence of UTI in children with NS was 36.5%. It was significantly more common in children with recurrent NS than in those with primary NS (44.0% vs 31.9%; P<0.05). These cases mainly presented with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Enterococcus was the most common pathogenic bacteria (50.5%), including Enterococcus faecium (29.4%) and Enterococcus faecalis (21.1%), followed by Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (15.6%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.7%). Enterococcus was highly sensitive to nitrofurantoin, vacomycin and linezolid, but was highly resistant to tetracycline and moxifloxacin. More multi-resistant strains were detected in Enterococcus faecium than in Enterococcus faecalis (72% vs 17%; P<0.05). Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were highly sensitive to amikacin, imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam. Of the Gram-negative bacteria, 25% produced extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). ESBLs-producing bacteria had 100% sensitivity to imipenem, amikacin and piperacillin/tazobactam but were highly resistant to ampicillin, cefazolin and ceftriaxone. Children with recurrent NS are more susceptible to UTI than those with primary NS. Enterococcus is becoming major pathogenic bacteria for UTI in children with NS and has relatively high drug resistance, and most strains of Enterococcus faecium are multi-resistant.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ji, Kun; Bouaanani, Najib; Wen, Ruizhi; Ren, Yefei
2018-05-01
This paper aims at implementing and introducing the use of conditional mean spectrum (CMS) and conditional spectrum (CS) as the main input parameters in the practice of seismic safety evaluation (SSE) in China, instead of the currently used uniform hazard spectrum (UHS). For this purpose, a procedure for M-R-epsilon seismic hazard deaggregation in China was first developed. For illustration purposes, two different typical sites in China, with one to two dominant seismic zones, were considered as examples to carry out seismic hazard deaggregation and illustrate the construction of CMS/CS. Two types of correlation coefficients were used to generate CMS and the results were compared over a vibration period range of interest. Ground motion records were selected from the NSMONS (2007-2015) and PEER NGA-West2 databases to correspond to the target CMS and CS. Hazard consistency of the spectral accelerations of the selected ground motion records was evaluated and validated by computing the annual exceedance probability rate of the response spectra and comparing the results to the hazard curve corresponding to each site of concern at different periods. The tools developed in this work and their illustrative application to specific case studies in China are a first step towards the adoption of CMS and CS into the practice of seismic safety evaluation in this country.
Dell’Osso, Liliana; Luche, Riccardo Dalle; Gesi, Camilla; Moroni, Ilenia; Carmassi, Claudia; Maj, Mario
2016-01-01
Growing interest has recently been devoted to partial forms of autism, lying at the diagnostic boundaries of those conditions previously diagnosed as Asperger’s Disorder. This latter includes an important retrieval of the European classical psychopathological concepts of adult autism to which Hans Asperger referred in his work. Based on the review of Asperger's Autistische Psychopathie, from first descriptions through the DSM-IV Asperger’s Disorder and up to the recent DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder, the paper aims to propose a Subthreshold Autism Spectrum Model that encompasses not only threshold-level manifestations but also mild/atypical symptoms, gender-specific features, behavioral manifestations and personality traits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This model includes, but is not limited to, the so-called broad autism phenotype spanning across the general population that does not fully meet Autism Spectrum Disorder criteria. From this perspective, we propose a subthreshold autism as a unique psychological/behavioral model for research that could help to understand the neurodevelopmental trajectories leading from autistic traits to a broad range of mental disorders. PMID:27867417
Søgaard, M; Heide-Jørgensen, U; Vandenbroucke, J P; Schønheyder, H C; Vandenbroucke-Grauls, C M J E
2017-12-01
To verify the role of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and nitrofurantoin, which have appeared as novel risk factors for carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) -producing Escherichia coli, as risk factors for ESBL E. coli urinary tract infection (UTI). We included known risk factors to ascertain whether our findings are comparable with those of previous studies. Population-based case-control study including 339 cases with community-onset ESBL E. coli UTI in 2007-2012, 3390 non-ESBL E. coli UTI controls and 3390 population controls. We investigated potential risk factors by estimating ORs and 95% CIs adjusting for sex, age and co-morbidity. Comparing cases with non-ESBL E. coli UTI, PPI use yielded an OR of 1.6 (95% CI 1.2-2.0) and antibiotic exposure gave an OR of 1.4 (95% CI 1.1-1.8); these were driven by nitrofurantoin (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3-2.6) and macrolides (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.3). Other risk factors included previous hospitalization with one or two and more than two hospitalizations versus none yielding ORs of 1.9 (95% CI 1.4-2.5) and 4.6 (95% CI 3.2-6.8), recent surgery (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.5-2.8), renal disease (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.4-3.4), chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0-2.0) and cancer (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.1). Comparing cases with population controls, we found that most risk factors were also risk factors for non-ESBL UTI. ESBL E. coli UTI were associated with previous hospitalization and surgery. Nitrofurantoin and macrolides augmented the risk. PPIs had a moderate effect but may be important facilitators of ESBL carriage due to their widespread use. Copyright © 2017 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
[A correction method of baseline drift of discrete spectrum of NIR].
Hu, Ai-Qin; Yuan, Hong-Fu; Song, Chun-Feng; Li, Xiao-Yu
2014-10-01
In the present paper, a new correction method of baseline drift of discrete spectrum is proposed by combination of cubic spline interpolation and first order derivative. A fitting spectrum is constructed by cubic spline interpolation, using the datum in discrete spectrum as interpolation nodes. The fitting spectrum is differentiable. First order derivative is applied to the fitting spectrum to calculate derivative spectrum. The spectral wavelengths which are the same as the original discrete spectrum were taken out from the derivative spectrum to constitute the first derivative spectra of the discrete spectra, thereby to correct the baseline drift of the discrete spectra. The effects of the new method were demonstrated by comparison of the performances of multivariate models built using original spectra, direct differential spectra and the spectra pretreated by the new method. The results show that negative effects on the performance of multivariate model caused by baseline drift of discrete spectra can be effectively eliminated by the new method.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Anusha, L. S.; Nagendra, K. N.; Stenflo, J. O.; Bianda, M.; Sampoorna, M.; Frisch, H.; Holzreuter, R.; Ramelli, R.
2010-08-01
To model the second solar spectrum (the linearly polarized spectrum of the Sun that is due to coherent scattering processes), one needs to solve the polarized radiative transfer (RT) equation. For strong resonance lines, partial frequency redistribution (PRD) effects must be accounted for, which make the problem computationally demanding. The "last scattering approximation" (LSA) is a concept that has been introduced to make this highly complex problem more tractable. An earlier application of a simple LSA version could successfully model the wings of the strong Ca I 4227 Å resonance line in Stokes Q/I (fractional linear polarization), but completely failed to reproduce the observed Q/I peak in the line core. Since the magnetic field signatures from the Hanle effect only occur in the line core, we need to generalize the existing LSA approach if it is to be useful for the diagnostics of chromospheric and turbulent magnetic fields. In this paper, we explore three different approximation levels for LSA and compare each of them with the benchmark represented by the solution of the full polarized RT, including PRD effects. The simplest approximation level is LSA-1, which uses the observed center-to-limb variation of the intensity profile to obtain the anisotropy of the radiation field at the surface, without solving any transfer equation. In contrast, the next two approximation levels use the solution of the unpolarized transfer equation to derive the anisotropy of the incident radiation field and use it as an input. In the case of LSA-2, the anisotropy at level τλ = μ, the atmospheric level from which an observed photon is most likely to originate, is used. LSA-3, on the other hand, makes use of the full depth dependence of the radiation anisotropy. The Q/I formula for LSA-3 is obtained by keeping the first term in a series expansion of the Q-source function in powers of the mean number of scattering events. Computationally, LSA-1 is 21 times faster than LSA-2
Mohan, Veena; Kunnath, Suja Kurian; Philip, Vineetha Sara; Mohan, Lakshmi Santha; Thampi, Neethu
2017-12-15
In this case study, we discuss the application of a patient-centred clinical approach that led to the use of an assisted communication platform to combat severe communicative deficit in a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Initial assessment at four years of age revealed that the patient had rudimentary communication skills, with significant sensory integration dysfunction manifested as oral, olfactory, and tactile seeking behaviours; self-stimulatory behaviour; and complete dependence on caregiver for activities of daily living. Intensive, multi-disciplinary intervention resulted in minimal improvement in communicative skills and sensory seeking over six months. Subsequently, a tailor-made picture-assisted communication training with the mother as the communication facilitator was adopted. This approach was abandoned due to the patient's poor response and mother's low acceptance of picture-based interaction. A preference for printed material was observed in the patient. Accordingly, further management was focused on employing a computer-based interactive platform that the patient was taught to use over the course of a few months as a part of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention program. This resulted in a remarkable improvement in the child's skills that now allowed for a better intentional communication of his thoughts and needs. This study highlights the importance of revisiting conventional rehabilitation strategies for communicative deficits and tailoring them according to the patient's needs and preferences. It also emphasises that besides excellent observation skills, clinicians must be willing to consider technology based approaches in patients responding poorly to traditional approaches in order to develop effective interventional programmes. Implication for Rehabilitation The current study highlights the importance of exploring the application of technology based intervention for building communication skills in the early
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Hanyu; Syed, Mubashir; Yao, Yu-Dong; Kamakaris, Theodoros
2009-12-01
This paper investigates spectrum sharing issues in the unlicensed industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands. It presents a radio frequency measurement setup and measurement results in 2.4 GHz. It then develops an analytical model to characterize the coexistence interference in the ISM bands, based on radio frequency measurement results in the 2.4 GHz. Outage performance using the interference model is examined for a hybrid direct-sequence frequency-hopping spread spectrum system. The utilization of beamforming techniques in the system is also investigated, and a simplified beamforming model is proposed to analyze the system performance using beamforming. Numerical results show that beamforming significantly improves the system outage performance. The work presented in this paper provides a quantitative evaluation of signal outages in a spectrum sharing environment. It can be used as a tool in the development process for future dynamic spectrum access models as well as engineering designs for applications in unlicensed bands.
Case reports of Dipylidium caninum; a pet associated infection.
Wijesundera, M D; Ranaweera, R L
1989-03-01
Two cases of Dipylidium caninum (dog tape worm) infection occurring in children are reported for the first time in Sri Lanka. The diagnosis and treatment with praziquantel, a new broad spectrum antiplatyhelmintic, are described. The importance of this pet associated infection is discussed with special reference to preventive measures.
Viergutz, T; Rohrer, O; Weiss, C; Braun, J; Kalenka, A
2014-12-01
Over the past decade the number of air rescue missions has increased continuously. The reasons for this are still discussed at great length. In addition to the demographic changes to becoming an increasingly older and sicker society, the political reform in the healthcare system with a simultaneous reduction and concentration of hospitals and formation of centers is also under discussion. The key questions to be answered are, therefore, can the increasing demands on the emergency physician really be explained by an increasing number of severely ill and injured patients? Is a proportion of the missions really not indicated because they do not involve immediately life-threatening "acute medical" emergencies and are caused by a lack of alternative paramedical service infrastructures, unavailability of a general practitioner or the only temporary availability of medical on-call standby services? This study therefore analyzed the alterations of a possible change with respect to the spectrum of missions and the utilization of air rescue services in the metropolitan area of Stuttgart. All primary missions of the rescue helicopter (RTH) "Christoph 41" (based in Leonberg) from 2006 to 2011 were included in the study and compared to the data from 1987 to 1992. The indications for missions and the spectrum of patients for the RTH Christoph 41 have changed over the last 25 years. The proportion of emergency trauma cases has significantly decreased and missions for non-trauma cases have increased. The proportion of patients with life-threatening conditions has increased. Despite the change in the spectrum of missions, emergency physicians are confronted with a greater number of patients with life-threatening conditions than 25 years ago. The patients treated were on average clearly older than the patients who were treated by the air rescue service 25 years ago. The changes in the spectrum of missions up to more emergencies involving non-trauma patients and older patients must
Biennial spectrum plan : 2009.
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
2009-01-01
In May 2003, the President established the Spectrum Policy Initiative to promote the development : and implementation of a U.S. spectrum management policy for the 21st century. The intent of the : Spectrum Policy Initiative is to " ... foster economi...
2017-10-16
Inside the Spectrum prototype unit, organisms in a Petri plate are exposed to blue excitation lighting. The device works by exposing organisms to different colors of fluorescent light while a camera records what's happening with time-lapse photography. Results from the Spectrum project will shed light on which living things are best suited for long-duration flights into deep space.
2017-10-16
Inside the Spectrum prototype unit, organisms in a Petri plate are exposed to different colors of lighting. The device works by exposing organisms to different colors of fluorescent light while a camera records what's happening with time-lapse photography. Results from the Spectrum project will shed light on which living things are best suited for long-duration flights into deep space.
Acrofacial dysostosis syndrome type Rodriguez: prenatal diagnosis and autopsy findings.
Sermer, David; Quercia, Nada; Chong, Karen; Chitayat, David
2007-12-15
A new lethal form of acrofacial dysostosis (AFD) syndrome was delineated by Rodriguez et al. [Rodriguez et al. (1990); Am J Med Genet 35:484-489]. We report on a male fetus with mandibulofacial dysostosis, including phocomelia-like upper limb deficiencies and lower limb anomalies which are characteristic of AFD Rodriguez type. The diagnosis was made on prenatal sonogram at 20 and at 24.1 weeks gestation. The severity of the upper limb defects, the involvement of lower limbs, and the absence of eyelid coloboma and polythelia excluded the possibility of other conditions associated with acrofacial dysostosis (AFD) including Nager acrofacial dysostosis syndrome (NADS) and postaxial acrofacial dysostosis syndrome (POADS). This case further delineates the AFD syndrome type Rodriguez. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lugo Marín, Jorge; Rodríguez-Franco, Montserrat Alviani; Mahtani Chugani, Vinita; Magán Maganto, María; Díez Villoria, Emiliano; Canal Bedia, Ricardo
2018-01-01
Since their separation as independent diagnostics, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) have been conceptualized as mutually exclusive disorders. Similarities between both disorders can lead to misdiagnosis, especially when it comes to average-IQ adults who were not identified during childhood. The aim of this…
Maternal Infection during Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Zerbo, Ousseny; Qian, Yinge; Yoshida, Cathleen; Grether, Judith K.; Van de Water, Judy; Croen, Lisa A.
2014-01-01
We conducted a nested case-control study including 407 cases and 2075 frequency matched controls to investigate the association between maternal infections during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Cases, controls, and maternal infections were ascertained from Kaiser Permanente Northern California clinical databases. No overall association between diagnoses of any maternal infection during pregnancy and ASD (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92 – 1.43). However, women with infections diagnosed during a hospital admission (ORadj= 1.48, 95% CI1.07 – 2.04), particularly bacterial infections (ORadj = 1.58, 95% CI 1.06 – 2.37), were at increased risk of delivering a child with ASD. Multiple infections during pregnancy were associated with ASD (ORadj = 1.36, 95% CI 1.05 – 1.78). PMID:24366406
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Martinez, Jose R.; Werch, Brittany L.; Conroy, Maureen A.
2016-01-01
The purpose of this review was to critically examine and summarize the impact of school-based interventions designed to decrease challenging behaviors in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Reviewed studies employed a single-case experimental design, targeted challenging behaviors, included children 3-8 years old with ASD, and took…
Volkman, Thomas; Hemingway, Cheryl
2017-11-01
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare relapsing autoimmune disease of the central nervous system constituting less than 1% of demyelinating diseases (Jeffery and Buncic, 1996). It preferentially affects the optic nerves and spinal cord, with the brain parenchyma generally spared. Demyelinating lesions are characterised by longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) and often longitudinally extensive optic neuritis. Following the discovery of a novel pathogenic antibody, Aquaporin 4 in 2004 (Lennon et al., 2004) this disease has been seen as a separate entity from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We report the case of a severe AQP4 IgG case of NMO in a 10 year old child. This case unusually had a coexisting diagnosis of acute nephrotic syndrome which has only been reported once previously in the literature 2 . This article will examine some of the treatment challenges and the spectrum of co-existing autoimmune disease in NMOSD. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.
[A basic research to share Fourier transform near-infrared spectrum information resource].
Zhang, Lu-Da; Li, Jun-Hui; Zhao, Long-Lian; Zhao, Li-Li; Qin, Fang-Li; Yan, Yan-Lu
2004-08-01
A method to share the information resource in the database of Fourier transform near-infrared(FTNIR) spectrum information of agricultural products and utilize the spectrum information sufficiently is explored in this paper. Mapping spectrum information from one instrument to another is studied to express the spectrum information accurately between the instruments. Then mapping spectrum information is used to establish a mathematical model of quantitative analysis without including standard samples. The analysis result is that the relative coefficient r is 0.941 and the relative error is 3.28% between the model estimate values and the Kjeldahl's value for the protein content of twenty-two wheat samples, while the relative coefficient r is 0.963 and the relative error is 2.4% for the other model, which is established by using standard samples. It is shown that the spectrum information can be shared by using the mapping spectrum information. So it can be concluded that the spectrum information in one FTNIR spectrum information database can be transformed to another instrument's mapping spectrum information, which makes full use of the information resource in the database of FTNIR spectrum information to realize the resource sharing between different instruments.
PROSPECT - A Precision Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, Xianyi; Prospect Collaboration
2017-01-01
PROSPECT, the PRecision Oscillation and SPECTrum Experiment, is a multi-phased short baseline reactor antineutrino experiment that aims to precisely measure the U-235 antineutrino spectrum and prob for oscillation effects involving a possible Δm2 1 eV2 scale sterile neutrino. In PROSPECT Phase-I, an optically segmented Li-6 loaded liquid scintillator detector will be deployed at at the baseline of 7-12m from the High Flux Isotope Reactor at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. PROSPECT will measure the spectrum of U-235 to aid in resolving the unexplained inconsistency between predictive spectral models and recent experimental measurements using LEU cores, while the oscillation measurement will probe the best fit region suggested by global fitting studies within 1-year data taking. This talk will introduce the design of PROSPECT Phase-I, the discovery potential of the experiment, and the progress the collaboration has made toward realizing PROSPECT Phase-I. Department of Energy
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wright, H. F.; Hall, S.; Hames, A.; Hardiman, J.; Mills, R.; Mills, D. S.
2015-01-01
This study describes the impact of pet dogs on stress of primary carers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Stress levels of 38 primary carers acquiring a dog and 24 controls not acquiring a dog were sampled at: Pre-intervention (17 weeks before acquiring a dog), post-intervention (3-10 weeks after acquisition) and follow-up…
Almomani, Basima A; Hayajneh, Wail A; Ayoub, Abeer M; Ababneh, Mera A; Al Momani, Miral A
2018-05-10
To assess incidence rate, risk factors and susceptibility patterns associated with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae in community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs). A prospective, case-control study was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital from Jan 2015 to Dec 2016. The results of microbiology cultures were initially screened to include only patients with positive E. coli or K. pneumoniae urine cultures. Afterwards, clinical symptoms were assessed to confirm the UTI. To investigate the risk factors, patients with a positive urine culture for ESBL-producing isolates were assigned as cases, while patients with non-ESBL were assigned as controls. Out of 591 patients included in this study, 57.5% (n = 340) were included in the control group and 42.5% (n = 251) were in the case group. The incidence rate of ESBL-producing isolates was 3.465 cases per 1000-patient hospital admissions. Male gender (OR = 1.856, 95% CI = 1.192-2.889, p = 0.006), pediatrics (OR = 1.676, 95% CI = 1.117-2.517, p = 0.013), patients with comorbidity (OR = 1.542, 95% CI = 1.029-2.312, p = 0.036) and UTI in the previous 12 months (OR = 1.705, 95% CI = 1.106-2.628, p = 0.016) were independently associated with a higher risk of infection. The resistance rate for most commonly prescribed antibiotics was high. Our results suggest that the incidence of ESBL producers among CA-UTIs is high. Male gender, pediatrics, comorbidity and UTI in the previous 12 months were associated with a higher risk for infection. Continuous surveillance and prudent antibiotic use by healthcare professionals are important factors for effective control of ESBL associated infections.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Greenslade, Thomas B., Jr.
1984-01-01
Describes several methods of executing lecture demonstrations involving the recombination of the spectrum. Groups the techniques into two general classes: bringing selected portions of the spectrum together using lenses or mirrors and blurring the colors by rapid movement or foreshortening. (JM)
Whalon, Kelly J; Conroy, Maureen A; Martinez, Jose R; Werch, Brittany L
2015-06-01
The purpose of this review was to critically examine and summarize the impact of school-based interventions designed to facilitate the peer-related social competence of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reviewed studies employed a single-case experimental design, targeted peer-related social competence, included children 3-12 years old with an ASD, and took place in school settings. Articles were analyzed descriptively and using the evaluative method to determine study quality. Additionally, effect size estimates were calculated using nonoverlap of all pairs method and Tau-U. A total of 37 studies including 105 children were reviewed. Overall, ES estimates ranged from weak to strong, but on average, the reviewed interventions produced a moderate to strong effect, and quality ratings were generally in the acceptable to high range. Findings suggest that children with ASD can benefit from social skill interventions implemented with peers in school settings.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Nickels, Paula Anderson
2010-01-01
This qualitative case study investigated the perceptions of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), special education teachers, and general education teachers in a Northeast Tennessee public school system regarding educational interventions for children with ASD including what interventions they have found effective, the barriers…
On the intrinsic spectrum of PKS 2155-304 from H.E.S.S. 2003 data
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Costamante, L.; Benbow, W.; Horns, D.
2005-02-21
In 2003, PKS 2155-304 has been significantly detected by H.E.S.S. at Very High Energies (VHE), with an average spectrum of {gamma} = 3.3. Due to absorption by the Extragalactic Background Light (EBL), the intrinsic spectrum is heavily modified both in shape and intensity. To correct for this effect, and locate the Inverse Compton (IC) peak of the Spectral Energy Distribution (SED), we used three EBL models (representatives of three different flux levels for the stellar peak component). The resulting TeV spectrum has a peak around 1 TeV for stellar peak fluxes above the Primack (2001) calculation, while the spectrum ismore » steeper than {gamma} = 2 (thus locating the IC peak < 200 GeV) for fluxes below. With bulk Lorentz factors {delta} = 20 - 30 (typically used for this object), in the first case the IC peak is in the Klein-Nishina transition region, while in the other case it is in the Thompson regime, and in agreement with the commonly fitted source parameters (e.g. [17]). The constraint on {delta} given by transparency to 2 TeV photons is {delta} > 19 (for historical SED fluxes and 2 hours variability timescale)« less
On the intrinsic spectrum of PKS 2155-304 from H.E.S.S. 2003 data
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Costamante, L.; Benbow, W.; Horns, D.; Reimer, A.; H.E.S.S. Collaboration
2005-02-01
In 2003, PKS 2155-304 has been significantly detected by H.E.S.S. at Very High Energies (VHE), with an average spectrum of Γ = 3.3. Due to absorption by the Extragalactic Background Light (EBL), the intrinsic spectrum is heavily modified both in shape and intensity. To correct for this effect, and locate the Inverse Compton (IC) peak of the Spectral Energy Distribution (SED), we used three EBL models (representatives of three different flux levels for the stellar peak component). The resulting TeV spectrum has a peak around 1 TeV for stellar peak fluxes above the Primack (2001) calculation, while the spectrum is steeper than Γ = 2 (thus locating the IC peak < 200 GeV) for fluxes below. With bulk Lorentz factors δ = 20 - 30 (typically used for this object), in the first case the IC peak is in the Klein-Nishina transition region, while in the other case it is in the Thompson regime, and in agreement with the commonly fitted source parameters (e.g. [17]). The constraint on δ given by transparency to 2 TeV photons is δ > 19 (for historical SED fluxes and 2 hours variability timescale).
Autoextraction of twelve permanent teeth in a child with autistic spectrum disorder.
Williams, Anne C
2016-03-01
This report discusses self-injurious behaviour; this is not unusual in people with autistic spectrum disorders but is not commonly experienced as autoextraction. This case concerns a 12 year old child who presented as a new patient with two teeth missing. He then went on to remove a further ten teeth over a relatively short space of time. The recognition of autoextraction by the dental team is important. its management involves a multidisciplinary team which includes professionals from education, health and social care who work together to prevent progressive self-injury. © 2015 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Soke, Gnakub N.; Rosenberg, Steven A.; Hamman, Richard F.; Fingerlin, Tasha; Robinson, Cordelia; Carpenter, Laura; Giarelli, Ellen; Lee, Li-Ching; Wiggins, Lisa D.; Durkin, Maureen S.; DiGuiseppi, Carolyn
2016-01-01
Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) have been reported in more than 30% of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in clinic-based studies. This study estimated the prevalence of SIB in a large population-based sample of children with ASD in the United States. A total of 8,065 children who met the surveillance case definition for ASD in the…
[Autism spectrum disorder and suicidality].
Huguet, G; Contejean, Y; Doyen, C
2015-09-01
Most studies on suicide exclude subjects with autism spectrum disorders, yet there is a risk group. The purpose of this article is to present the data in the literature regarding the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of suicidality in subjects with autism spectrum disorders and to identify the factors that promote the transition to action. This review was carried out using the data set collected in Medline PubMed, items with "autism spectrum disorder", "pervasive developmental disorder", "Asperger's syndrome", "suicide", "suicide attempt", and "suicide behavior". In all subjects from our research on PubMed, 21.3% of subjects with autism spectrum disorder reported suicidal ideation, have attempted suicide or died by suicide (115 out of 539 subjects) and 7.7% of subjects supported for suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide exhibited an autism spectrum disorder (62 out of 806 subjects), all ages combined. Suicidal ideation and morbid preoccupation are particularly common in adolescents and young adults. Suicide attempts are accompanied by a willingness for death and can lead to suicide. They are more common in high-functioning autism and Asperger subjects. The methods used are often violent and potentially lethal or fatal in two cases published. Suicide risk depends on many factors that highlight the vulnerability of these subjects, following autistic and developmental symptoms. Vulnerability complicating the diagnosis of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders are major factors associated with suicidality. Vulnerability but also directly related to suicidality, since the origin of physical and sexual abuse and victimization by peers assigning them the role of "scapegoat" are both responsible for acting out. Given the diversity of factors involved in the risk of suicide in this population, this does not validate "a" program of intervention, but the intervention of "customized programs". Their implementation should be as early as possible in order to treat
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1976-01-01
The results of the spread spectrum despreader project are reported and three principal products are designed and tested. The products are, (1) a spread spectrum despreader breadboard, (2) associated test equipment consisting of a spectrum spreader and bit reconstruction/error counter and (3) paper design of a Ku-band receiver which would incorporate the despreader as a principal subsystem. The despreader and test set are designed for maximum flexibility. A choice of unbalanced quadriphase or biphase shift keyed data modulation is available. Selectable integration time and threshold voltages on the despreader further lend true usefulness as laboratory test equipment to the delivered hardware.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Xu, Guifeng; Jing, Jin; Bowers, Katherine; Liu, Buyun; Bao, Wei
2014-01-01
We performed a systematic literature search regarding maternal diabetes before and during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the offspring. Of the 178 potentially relevant articles, 12 articles including three cohort studies and nine case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. Both the meta-analyses of cohort…
Spectrum of MRI brain lesion patterns in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a pictorial review.
Wang, Kevin Yuqi; Chetta, Justin; Bains, Pavit; Balzer, Anthony; Lincoln, John; Uribe, Tomas; Lincoln, Christie M
2018-06-01
Neuromyelitis optica is a neurotropic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system traditionally thought to exclusively involve the optic nerves and spinal cord. With the discovery of the disease-specific aquaporin-4 antibody and the increasing recognition of clinical and characteristic imaging patterns of brain involvement in what is now termed neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), MRI now plays a greater role in diagnosis of NMOSD based on the 2015 consensus criteria and in distinguishing it from other inflammatory disorders, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS). Several brain lesion patterns are highly suggestive of NMOSD, whereas others may serve as red flags. Specifically, long corticospinal lesions, hemispheric cerebral white matter lesions and periependymal lesions in the diencephalon, dorsal brainstem and white matter adjacent to lateral ventricles are typical of NMOSD. In contrast, juxtacortical, cortical, or lesions perpendicularly oriented to the surface of the lateral ventricle suggests MS as the diagnosis. Ultimately, a strong recognition of the spectrum of MRI brain findings in NMOSD is essential for accurate diagnosis, and particularly in differentiating from MS. This pictorial review highlights the spectrum of characteristic brain lesion patterns that may be seen in NMOSD and further delineates findings that may help distinguish it from MS.
Nayak, A; Iyer, V K; Agarwala, S
2011-02-01
To analyse the cytomorphologic spectrum of Wilms tumour (WT) on aspirates, the largest series reported to date. Adequate aspirates from paediatric renal tumours over a period of 17 years were reviewed and selected if subsequent excision showed WT or aspirates were diagnostic for WT and clinical/radiological evidence consistent with that diagnosis. Smears were re-examined for the proportion of components, degree of pleomorphism and mitosis. Of 110 aspirates, smears were triphasic in 44 (40.0%), biphasic (blastema and tubules) in 36 (32.7%) and monophasic (blastema alone) in 30 (27.3%). Stromal predominance was seen in 11 aspirates (10.0%) and five showed rhabdomyoblastic differentiation; all 11 were triphasic. Mean mitotic rate was 9.3/5000 cells (range 4-39/5000). Nuclear atypia not amounting to anaplasia and without atypical mitoses was seen in 15 (13.6%); these presented diagnostic problems. Two aspirates (1.8%) were considered anaplastic (unfavourable), both having atypical mitoses. Criteria similar to histology (i.e. 3-fold or more variation in nuclear size, marked hyperchromasia with bizarre nuclei and atypical mitoses in a biphasic or triphasic aspirate) helped in distinguishing anaplastic WT. Histopathological correlation in 67 cases showed good correlation of blastemal predominance, stromal predominance and anaplastic histology with the corresponding cytology. However, 9/27 (33.3%) triphasic tumours had only blastemal cells on corresponding aspiration because of sampling error. Cytokeratin was positive in 4 of 20 aspirates with blastema alone. Aspirates from WT were triphasic or biphasic in the majority (72.7%), permitting cytological diagnosis, which was improved by cytokeratin immunocytochemistry. Blastemal and stromal predominance on histology correlated well with cytology, but many triphasic tumours showed only blastema on aspiration. Anaplastic WT can be detected on aspirates using criteria similar to histology. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
The generalized anxiety spectrum: prevalence, onset, course and outcome.
Angst, Jules; Gamma, Alex; Baldwin, David S; Ajdacic-Gross, Vladeta; Rössler, Wulf
2009-02-01
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is generally considered to be a chronic condition, waxing and waning in severity; however prospective investigation of the course of GAD in community samples is lacking. This study seeks to fill that gap, by identifying the whole spectrum of generalized anxiety syndromes, sub-typing them according to their duration and frequency of occurrence, and evaluating their long-term course and outcome in the community. The prospective Zurich Study assessed psychiatric and somatic syndromes in a community sample of young adults (N = 591) (aged 20 years at first interview) by six interviews over a period of 20 years (1979-1999). GAD syndromes were defined by DSM-III symptom criteria without applying any exclusion criteria. A spectrum of generalized anxiety was defined by duration: 6 months (DSM-IV), 1 month (DSM-III), < or = 2 weeks (with weekly occurrence over one year), and anxiety symptoms. From 1978 (screening) to 1999 the annual presence of symptoms and treatment was assessed. Persistence of anxiety was defined by the almost daily presence of symptoms over the previous 12 months. The annual incidence of DSM-III GAD increased considerably between the ages of 20 and 40. The average age of onset of symptoms was 15.6 years; in 75% of cases it occurred before the age of 20. 75 of 105 DSM-III GAD cases had at least one follow-up. At their individual last follow-up, 12 of those 75 subjects (16%) were re-diagnosed as having GAD, 22 (29%) manifested subthreshold syndromes or anxiety symptoms, while 39 cases, the majority, (52%) were symptom-free; 5 of the 12 re-diagnosed GAD cases were persistent (corresponding to 7% of all 75 initial GAD cases). In their twenties they were treated at some time in 6% of all years, but in their thirties this figure rose to 12%. At their individual last follow-up 26% of 6-month GAD subjects and 22% of 1-month GAD subjects were still being treated. Treated vs. non-treated subjects did not differ in terms of gender
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nahhas, Tariq M.
2011-03-01
This paper presents a comparison of the seismic forces generated from a Modal Response Spectrum Analysis (MRSA) by applying the provisions of two building codes, the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC) and the 2000-2009 International Building Code (IBC), to the most common ordinary residential buildings of standard occupancy. Considering IBC as the state of the art benchmark code, the primary concern is the safety of buildings designed using the UBC as compared to those designed using the IBC. A sample of four buildings with different layouts and heights was used for this comparison. Each of these buildings was assumed to be located at four different geographical sample locations arbitrarily selected to represent various earthquake zones on a seismic map of the USA, and was subjected to code-compliant response spectrum analyses for all sample locations and for five different soil types at each location. Response spectrum analysis was performed using the ETABS software package. For all the cases investigated, the UBC was found to be significantly more conservative than the IBC. The UBC design response spectra have higher spectral accelerations, and as a result, the response spectrum analysis provided a much higher base shear and moment in the structural members as compared to the IBC. The conclusion is that ordinary office and residential buildings designed using UBC 1997 are considered to be overdesigned, and therefore they are quite safe even according to the IBC provisions.
A 1q42 Deletion Involving DISC1, DISC2, and TSNAX in an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Williams, Jaime M.; Beck, Tyler F.; Pearson, David M.; Proud, Monica B.; Cheung, Sau Wai; Scott, Daryl A.
2010-01-01
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders have impairments in social, communicative, and behavior development that are often accompanied by abnormalities in cognitive functioning, learning, attention, and sensory processing. In this report, we describe a 3-year-old male child with an autism spectrum disorder who carries a 2Mb deletion of chromosome 1q42. Array comparative genome hybridization revealed that this deletion involves at least three genes—DISC1, DISC2, and TSNAX—which have been found to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and are likely to play key roles in normal CNS development. Further studies revealed that the deletion was inherited from his unaffected mother. This suggests that other genetic and/or environmental factors, some of which may be sex specific, may modify the phenotypic effects of this deletion. While this case provides evidence for the potential role of DISC1, DISC2, and TSNAX in the development of autism spectrum disorders, it is equally clear that caution must be taken when providing families with prognostic information and genetic counseling regarding such deletions. PMID:19606485
Assessment of simulated aerosol effective radiative forcings in the terrestrial spectrum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Heyn, Irene; Block, Karoline; Mülmenstädt, Johannes; Gryspeerdt, Edward; Kühne, Philipp; Salzmann, Marc; Quaas, Johannes
2017-01-01
In its fifth assessment report (AR5), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change provides a best estimate of the effective radiative forcing (ERF) due to anthropogenic aerosol at -0.9 W m-2. This value is considerably weaker than the estimate of -1.2 W m-2 in AR4. A part of the difference can be explained by an offset of +0.2 W m-2 which AR5 added to all published estimates that only considered the solar spectrum, in order to account for adjustments in the terrestrial spectrum. We find that, in the CMIP5 multimodel median, the ERF in the terrestrial spectrum is small, unless microphysical effects on ice- and mixed-phase clouds are parameterized. In the latter case it is large but accompanied by a very strong ERF in the solar spectrum. The total adjustments can be separated into microphysical adjustments (aerosol "effects") and thermodynamic adjustments. Using a kernel technique, we quantify the latter and find that the rapid thermodynamic adjustments of water vapor and temperature profiles are small. Observation-based constraints on these model results are urgently needed.
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2011-11-28
..., Spectrum Trim, LLC and Grant Products International, Inc. D/B/A Spectrum Grant De Mexico Including Workers Whose Unemployment Insurance (UI) Wages Are Paid Through Grant Products International, Inc... Brownsville, TX; Amended Certification Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance In...
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Harrop, Clare
2015-01-01
Restricted and repetitive behaviors represent a core symptom of autism spectrum disorders. While there has been an increase in research into this domain in recent years, compared to social-communication impairments experienced by children with autism spectrum disorders, much less is known about their development, etiology, and management.…
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): The First-Year Postsecondary Educational Experience
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Shook Torres, Elizabeth
2014-01-01
This study utilized a qualitative case study interview methodology to explore the transition to postsecondary education and first-year postsecondary educational experiences of four students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This research provided a comprehensive understanding of the first-year postsecondary educational experience of the…
A New Digital Signal Processing Method for Spectrum Interference Monitoring
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Angrisani, L.; Capriglione, D.; Ferrigno, L.; Miele, G.
2011-01-01
Frequency spectrum is a limited shared resource, nowadays interested by an ever growing number of different applications. Generally, the companies providing such services pay to the governments the right of using a limited portion of the spectrum, consequently they would be assured that the licensed radio spectrum resource is not interested by significant external interferences. At the same time, they have to guarantee that their devices make an efficient use of the spectrum and meet the electromagnetic compatibility regulations. Therefore the competent authorities are called to control the access to the spectrum adopting suitable management and monitoring policies, as well as the manufacturers have to periodically verify the correct working of their apparatuses. Several measurement solutions are present on the market. They generally refer to real-time spectrum analyzers and measurement receivers. Both of them are characterized by good metrological accuracies but show costs, dimensions and weights that make no possible a use "on the field". The paper presents a first step in realizing a digital signal processing based measurement instrument able to suitably accomplish for the above mentioned needs. In particular the attention has been given to the DSP based measurement section of the instrument. To these aims an innovative measurement method for spectrum monitoring and management is proposed in this paper. It performs an efficient sequential analysis based on a sample by sample digital processing. Three main issues are in particular pursued: (i) measurement performance comparable to that exhibited by other methods proposed in literature; (ii) fast measurement time, (iii) easy implementation on cost-effective measurement hardware.
Flat-Spectrum Radio Sources as Likely Counterparts of Unidentified INTEGRAL Sources (Research Note)
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Molina, M.; Landi, R.; Bassani, L.; Malizia, A.; Stephen, J. B.; Bazzano, A.; Bird, A. J.; Gehrels, N.
2012-01-01
Many sources in the fourth INTEGRAL/IBIS catalogue are still unidentified since they lack an optical counterpart. An important tool that can help in identifying and classifying these sources is the cross-correlation with radio catalogues, which are very sensitive and positionally accurate. Moreover, the radio properties of a source, such as the spectrum or morphology, could provide further insight into its nature. In particular, flat-spectrum radio sources at high Galactic latitudes are likely to be AGN, possibly associated to a blazar or to the compact core of a radio galaxy. Here we present a small sample of 6 sources extracted from the fourth INTEGRAL/IBIS catalogue that are still unidentified or unclassified, but which are very likely associated with a bright, flat-spectrum radio object. To confirm the association and to study the source X-ray spectral parameters, we performed X-ray follow-up observations with Swift/XRT of all objects. We report in this note the overall results obtained from this search and discuss the nature of each individual INTEGRAL source. We find that 5 of the 6 radio associations are also detected in X-rays; furthermore, in 3 cases they are the only counterpart found. More specifically, IGR J06073-0024 is a flat-spectrum radio quasar at z = 1.08, IGR J14488-4008 is a newly discovered radio galaxy, while IGR J18129-0649 is an AGN of a still unknown type. The nature of two sources (IGR J07225-3810 and IGR J19386-4653) is less well defined, since in both cases we find another X-ray source in the INTEGRAL error circle; nevertheless, the flat-spectrum radio source, likely to be a radio loud AGN, remains a viable and, in fact, a more convincing association in both cases. Only for the last object (IGR J11544-7618) could we not find any convincing counterpart since the radio association is not an X-ray emitter, while the only X-ray source seen in the field is a G star and therefore unlikely to produce the persistent emission seen by INTEGRAL.
Varadinova, Miroslava; Boyadjieva, Nadka
2015-12-01
The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) still remains unclear and seems to involve a considerable overlap between polygenic, epigenetic and environmental factors. We have summarized the current understanding of the interplay between gene expression dysregulation via epigenetic modifications and the potential epigenetic impact of environmental factors in neurodevelopmental deficits. Furthermore, we discuss the scientific controversies of the relationship between prenatal exposure to alcohol and alcohol-induced epigenetic dysregulations, and gene expression alterations which are associated with disrupted neural plasticity and causal pathways for ASDs. The review of the literature suggests that a better understanding of developmental epigenetics should contribute to furthering our comprehension of the etiology and pathogenesis of ASDs and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Einerson, Brett D; Rodriguez, Christina E; Kennedy, Anne M; Woodward, Paula J; Donnelly, Meghan A; Silver, Robert M
2018-06-01
Magnetic resonance imaging is reported to have good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorders, and is often used as an adjunct to ultrasound. But the additional utility of obtaining magnetic resonance imaging to assist in the clinical management of patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorders, above and beyond the information provided by ultrasound, is unknown. We aimed to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging provides data that may inform clinical management by changing the sonographic diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorders. In all, 78 patients with sonographic evidence or clinical suspicion of placenta accreta spectrum underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen and pelvis in orthogonal planes through the uterus utilizing T1- and T2-weighted imaging sequences at the University of Utah and the University of Colorado from 1997 through 2017. The magnetic resonance imaging was interpreted by radiologists with expertise in diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum who had knowledge of the sonographic interpretation and clinical risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorders. The primary outcome was a change in diagnosis from sonographic interpretation that could alter clinical management, which was defined a priori. Diagnostic accuracy was verified by surgical and histopathologic diagnosis at the time of delivery. A change in diagnosis that could potentially alter clinical management occurred in 28 (36%) cases. Magnetic resonance imaging correctly changed the diagnosis in 15 (19%), and correctly confirmed the diagnosis in 34 (44%), but resulted in an incorrect change in diagnosis in 13 (17%), and an incorrect confirmation of ultrasound diagnosis in 15 (21%). Magnetic resonance imaging was not more likely to change a diagnosis in the 24 cases of posterior and lateral placental location compared to anterior location (33% vs 37%, P = .84). Magnetic resonance imaging resulted in overdiagnosis in
Spectrum of Dental Phenotypes in Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefting.
Howe, B J; Cooper, M E; Vieira, A R; Weinberg, S M; Resick, J M; Nidey, N L; Wehby, G L; Marazita, M L; Moreno Uribe, L M
2015-07-01
Children with oral clefts show a wide range of dental anomalies, adding complexity to understanding the phenotypic spectrum of orofacial clefting. The evidence is mixed, however, on whether the prevalence of dental anomalies is elevated in unaffected relatives and is mostly based on small samples. In the largest international cohort to date of children with nonsyndromic clefts, their relatives, and controls, this study characterizes the spectrum of cleft-related dental anomalies and evaluates whether families with clefting have a significantly higher risk for such anomalies compared with the general population. A total of 3,811 individuals were included: 660 cases with clefts, 1,922 unaffected relatives, and 1,229 controls. Dental anomalies were identified from in-person dental exams or intraoral photographs, and case-control differences were tested using χ(2) statistics. Cases had higher rates of dental anomalies in the maxillary arch than did controls for primary (21% vs. 4%, P = 3 × 10(-8)) and permanent dentitions (51% vs. 8%, P = 4 × 10(-62)) but not in the mandible. Dental anomalies were more prevalent in cleft lip with cleft palate than other cleft types. More anomalies were seen in the ipsilateral side of the cleft. Agenesis and tooth displacements were the most common dental anomalies found in case probands for primary and permanent dentitions. Compared with controls, unaffected siblings (10% vs. 2%, P = 0.003) and parents (13% vs. 7%, P = 0.001) showed a trend for increased anomalies of the maxillary permanent dentition. Yet, these differences were nonsignificant after multiple-testing correction, suggesting genetic heterogeneity in some families carrying susceptibility to both overt clefts and dental anomalies. Collectively, the findings suggest that most affected families do not have higher genetic risk for dental anomalies than the general population and that the higher prevalence of anomalies in cases is primarily a physical consequence of the
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Paley, Blair; O'Connor, Mary J.; Baillie, Susan J.; Guiton, Gretchen; Stuber, Margaret L.
2009-01-01
Objectives: This article describes the use of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) as a theme to connect the learning of basic neurosciences with clinical applications across the age span within a systems-based, integrated curricular structure that emphasizes problem-based learning. Methods: In collaboration with the Centers for Disease…
The eigenvalue spectrum of the Orr-Sommerfeld problem
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Antar, B. N.
1976-01-01
A numerical investigation of the temporal eigenvalue spectrum of the ORR-Sommerfeld equation is presented. Two flow profiles are studied, the plane Poiseuille flow profile and the Blasius boundary layer (parallel): flow profile. In both cases a portion of the complex c-plane bounded by 0 less than or equal to CR sub r 1 and -1 less than or equal to ci sub i 0 is searched and the eigenvalues within it are identified. The spectra for the plane Poiseuille flow at alpha = 1.0 and R = 100, 1000, 6000, and 10000 are determined and compared with existing results where possible. The spectrum for the Blasius boundary layer flow at alpha = 0.308 and R = 998 was found to be infinite and discrete. Other spectra for the Blasius boundary layer at various Reynolds numbers seem to confirm this result. The eigenmodes belonging to these spectra were located and discussed.
Tabatadze, T; Zhorzholiani, L; Kherkheulidze, M; Kandelaki, E; Ivanashvili, T
2015-11-01
study statistical results indicated, that deficient concentrations of trace elements such as zinc, manganese, molybdenum and selenium in hair significantly linked with ASD (Kramer's V was 0,740; 0,537; 0,333; 0,417 accordingly). In case of cooper we got excess levels of this element and this data was highly linked with autism spectrum disorder. We got high associations and significant values between of lead, mercury and cadmium concentrations and ASD. Study results indicate that there are significant differences of hair essential trace elements concentrations in children with autism spectrum disorder comparing with healthy children group. The result obtained also showed high contamination to heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium in ASD children compared to healthy ones. So, our study demonstrated alteration in levels of toxic heavy metals and essential trace elements in children with autistic spectrum disorders as compared to healthy children. This suggests a possible pathophysiological role of heavy metals and trace elements in the genesis of symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.
Transition from a spectrum filter to a polarizer in a metallic nano-slit array
Zhou, Jing; Guo, L. Jay
2014-01-01
The transition from a spectrum filter (resonant transmission) to a polarizer (broadband transmission) for TM polarized light is observed in a metallic nano-slit array as period is decreased. A theoretical model is developed and shows that the spectrum filter behavior is caused by the coupled slit/grating resonance. With decreasing period, the slit resonance is decoupled from the grating resonance, which then dominates the transmission spectrum and broadens the transmission peak. With further reducing period, the slit resonance diminishes and the peak spectrum transforms to a broadband transmission. This effect is the basis for the operation of wire grid polarizers. The transition is explained by the change of the impedance to the incoming wave. PMID:24402443
Transition from a spectrum filter to a polarizer in a metallic nano-slit array.
Zhou, Jing; Guo, L Jay
2014-01-09
The transition from a spectrum filter (resonant transmission) to a polarizer (broadband transmission) for TM polarized light is observed in a metallic nano-slit array as period is decreased. A theoretical model is developed and shows that the spectrum filter behavior is caused by the coupled slit/grating resonance. With decreasing period, the slit resonance is decoupled from the grating resonance, which then dominates the transmission spectrum and broadens the transmission peak. With further reducing period, the slit resonance diminishes and the peak spectrum transforms to a broadband transmission. This effect is the basis for the operation of wire grid polarizers. The transition is explained by the change of the impedance to the incoming wave.
Transition from a spectrum filter to a polarizer in a metallic nano-slit array
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhou, Jing; Guo, L. Jay
2014-01-01
The transition from a spectrum filter (resonant transmission) to a polarizer (broadband transmission) for TM polarized light is observed in a metallic nano-slit array as period is decreased. A theoretical model is developed and shows that the spectrum filter behavior is caused by the coupled slit/grating resonance. With decreasing period, the slit resonance is decoupled from the grating resonance, which then dominates the transmission spectrum and broadens the transmission peak. With further reducing period, the slit resonance diminishes and the peak spectrum transforms to a broadband transmission. This effect is the basis for the operation of wire grid polarizers. The transition is explained by the change of the impedance to the incoming wave.
Portrayal of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Young Adult Literature
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Black, Rhonda S.; Tsumoto, Courtney A.
2018-01-01
Characters with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have become increasingly popular in young adult literature. Using a case-study format, this article describes the communication, sensory, and social characteristics of eight protagonists in award-winning young adult novels. All told in the first person, these novels provide insight for young readers…
Fetal phenotypes in otopalatodigital spectrum disorders.
Naudion, S; Moutton, S; Coupry, I; Sole, G; Deforges, J; Guerineau, E; Hubert, C; Deves, S; Pilliod, J; Rooryck, C; Abel, C; Le Breton, F; Collardeau-Frachon, S; Cordier, M P; Delezoide, A L; Goldenberg, A; Loget, P; Melki, J; Odent, S; Patrier, S; Verloes, A; Viot, G; Blesson, S; Bessières, B; Lacombe, D; Arveiler, B; Goizet, C; Fergelot, P
2016-03-01
Otopalatodigital spectrum disorders (OPDSD) include OPD syndromes types 1 and type 2 (OPD1, OPD2), Melnick-Needles syndrome (MNS), and frontometaphyseal dysplasia (FMD). These conditions are clinically characterized by variable skeletal dysplasia associated in males, with extra-skeletal features including brain malformations, cleft palate, cardiac anomalies, omphalocele and obstructive uropathy. Mutations in the FLNA gene have been reported in most FMD and OPD2 cases and in all instances of typical OPD1 and MNS. Here, we report a series of 10 fetuses and a neonatally deceased newborn displaying a multiple congenital anomalies syndrome suggestive of OPDSD and in whom we performed FLNA analysis. We found a global mutation rate of 44%. This series allows expanding the clinical and FLNA mutational spectrum in OPDSD. However, we emphasize difficulties to correctly discriminate OPDSD based on clinical criteria in fetuses due to the major overlap between these conditions. Molecular analyses may help pathologists to refine clinical diagnosis according to the type and the location of FLNA mutations. Discriminating the type of OPDSD is of importance in order to improve the genetic counseling to provide to families. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Natural Fit with DDD.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Myles, Brenda Smith; Simpson, Richard L.; Babkie, Andrea M.
2003-01-01
This position statement from the Critical Issues Committee of the Developmental Disabilities Division of the Council for Exceptional Children focuses on clarifying the place of autism spectrum disorders within the field of developmental disabilities. The representation of concerns relating to autism spectrum disorders by the Developmental…
Computation of a spectrum from a single-beam fourier-transform infrared interferogram.
Ben-David, Avishai; Ifarraguerri, Agustin
2002-02-20
A new high-accuracy method has been developed to transform asymmetric single-sided interferograms into spectra. We used a fraction (short, double-sided) of the recorded interferogram and applied an iterative correction to the complete recorded interferogram for the linear part of the phase induced by the various optical elements. Iterative phase correction enhanced the symmetry in the recorded interferogram. We constructed a symmetric double-sided interferogram and followed the Mertz procedure [Infrared Phys. 7,17 (1967)] but with symmetric apodization windows and with a nonlinear phase correction deduced from this double-sided interferogram. In comparing the solution spectrum with the source spectrum we applied the Rayleigh resolution criterion with a Gaussian instrument line shape. The accuracy of the solution is excellent, ranging from better than 0.1% for a blackbody spectrum to a few percent for a complicated atmospheric radiance spectrum.
Ground state spectrum of methylcyanide
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Šimečková, Marie; Urban, Štěpán; Fuchs, Ulrike; Lewen, Frank; Winnewisser, Gisbert; Morino, Isamu; Yamada, Koichi M. T.
2004-08-01
The rotational spectrum of methylcyanide (acetonitrile) in the ground vibrational state was measured in the spectral region from 91 to 810 GHz using the Cologne and Tsukuba spectrometers operated in the Doppler-limited and sub-Doppler saturation layouts. The resolution of the saturation Lamb-dip measurements is estimated to be about 1 kHz at the best of circumstances and the measuring accuracy of 10-60 kHz depending very sensitively on the quality of the spectrum. In the cases of rotational transitions with the low quantum number J ( J<18) and with a low difference of the rotational quantum numbers J- K, the resolved or partly resolved hyperfine structures of the rotational transitions were observed. Together with the most accurate data from the literature, the newly measured experimental data were analyzed using the traditional polynomial energy formula as well as the Padè approximant for the effective rotational Hamiltonian. The resulting rotational, centrifugal distortion, and hyperfine structure spectroscopic constants were obtained with a significantly higher accuracy than the ones listed in the literature. In addition, an anomalous accidental resonance was detected between the K=14 ground state levels and the K=12, + l levels in the excited v8=1 vibrational state.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kim, Hyun Uk; Roberti, Marilyn
2014-01-01
Language differences in children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) often lead professionals to believe that children with ASC cannot or should not become bilingual, thus advising parents with a child with ASC raised in a bilingual household to adhere to English only. Emerging studies, however, attest that children with ASC can become…
Field, Timothy R; Bain, Alex D
2014-01-01
For a nucleus with a half-integral spin and a strong quadrupole coupling, the central transition (from magnetic quantum number -1/2 to +1/2) in the spectrum shows a characteristic lineshape. By strong coupling, we mean an interaction strong enough so that second-order perturbation theory is needed, yet still sufficient. The spectrum of a static sample is well-known and the magic-angle-spinning (MAS spectrum) is different, but still can be calculated. The important features of both these spectra are singularities and steps in the lineshape, since these are the main tools in fitting the calculated spectrum to experimental data. A useful tool in this investigation is a plot of the frequency as a function of orientation over the surface of the unit sphere. These plots have maxima, minima and saddle points, and these correspond to the features of the spectrum. We used these plots to define both the positions and derive new formulae for the heights of the features and we now extend this to the magic-angle spinning case. For the first time, we identify the orientations corresponding to the features of the MAS spectra and derive formulae for the heights. We then compare the static and MAS cases and show the relationships between the features in the two spectra. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum as a scientific "metaphor".
Pallanti, Stefano; Hollander, Eric
2008-09-01
As a result of clinical, epidemiological, neuroimaging, and therapy studies that took place in the late 1980s, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been well-characterized in the field of anxiety disorders. Other disorders attracted attention for their similarities to OCD, and were located in the orbit of the disorder. OCD has become known as the "primary domain" of a scientific "metaphor" comprising the putative cluster of OCD-related disorders (OCRDs). It is a "paradigm" with which to explore basal ganglia dysfunction. The OCRDs share common phenomenology, comorbidities, lifetime course, demographics, possible genetics, and frontostriatal dysfunction (particularly caudate hyperactivity.) The adoption of this metaphor analogy has proven useful. However, 15 years since its emergence, the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorders remains controversial. Questions under debate include whether OCD is a unitary or split condition, whether it is an anxiety disorder, and whether there exists only one spectrum or several possible spectrums. Further work is needed to clarify obsessive-compulsive symptoms, subtypes, and endophenotypes. There is need to integrate existing databases, better define associated symptom domains, and create a more comprehensive endophenotyping protocol for OCRDs. There is also a need to integrate biological and psychological perspectives, concepts, and data to drive this evolution. By increasing research in this field, the OCD spectrum may evolve from a fragmented level of conceptualization as a "metaphor" to one that is more comprehensive and structured.
McCullough, Elaine; Stedmon, Jacqui; Dallos, Rudi
2014-07-01
This paper offers research case studies of four severely maltreated children who had received a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. A range of measures were employed to explore the children's psychological and emotional functioning, including Theory of Mind assessment (Sally-Anne Test), attachment measures (Story Stems Assessment Profile and Relationship Problems Questionnaire), along with measures to assess general psychological and emotional well-being. Contrary to the diagnosis, the children did not reveal a theory of mind deficit. However, they did indicate a profile of difficulties in mentalisation on the Story Stems. The findings are discussed in terms of the extent to which mentalisation and theory of mind are influenced by situational factors, especially the anxiety evoked by the Story Stem attachment scenarios. Clinical implications regarding mentalisation as a state vs. trait phenomenon are discussed. © The Author(s) 2013.
Psychopharmacology of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Selective Review
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mohiuddin, Sarah; Ghaziuddin, Mohammad
2013-01-01
While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, psychopharmacologic agents are often used with behavioral and educational approaches to treat its comorbid symptoms of hyperactivity, irritability, and aggression. Studies suggest that at least 50% of persons with autism spectrum disorder receive psychotropic medications during their life span.…
Micro acoustic spectrum analyzer
Schubert, W. Kent; Butler, Michael A.; Adkins, Douglas R.; Anderson, Larry F.
2004-11-23
A micro acoustic spectrum analyzer for determining the frequency components of a fluctuating sound signal comprises a microphone to pick up the fluctuating sound signal and produce an alternating current electrical signal; at least one microfabricated resonator, each resonator having a different resonant frequency, that vibrate in response to the alternating current electrical signal; and at least one detector to detect the vibration of the microfabricated resonators. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer can further comprise a mixer to mix a reference signal with the alternating current electrical signal from the microphone to shift the frequency spectrum to a frequency range that is a better matched to the resonant frequencies of the microfabricated resonators. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer can be designed specifically for portability, size, cost, accuracy, speed, power requirements, and use in a harsh environment. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer is particularly suited for applications where size, accessibility, and power requirements are limited, such as the monitoring of industrial equipment and processes, detection of security intrusions, or evaluation of military threats.
Figueroa, Michelle; Guo, Yong; Tselis, Alexandros; Pittock, Sean J.; Lennon, Vanda A.; Lucchinetti, Claudia F.; Lisak, Robert P.
2014-01-01
IMPORTANCE Reports of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) occurring in the setting of neoplasia suggest that aquaporin-4 autoimmunitymay in some cases have a paraneoplastic basis. OBSERVATIONS In this case report, we describe a patient with NMOSD whose test results were seropositive for aquaporin-4 IgG and who had a hepatic metastasis from a small-bowel neuroendocrine tumor. The tumor cells expressed aquaporin-4 immunoreactivity. She presented to the Neurology Department at Wayne State University with bilateral leg weakness, ascending paresthesias, and decreased sensation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This case extends the context of NMOSD as a paraneoplastic disorder. PMID:24733266
Liang, Y Y; Chen, H; Mizuseki, H; Kawazoe, Y
2011-04-14
We use density functional theory based nonequilibrium Green's function to self-consistently study the current through the 1,4-benzenedithiol (BDT). The elastic and inelastic tunneling properties through this Au-BDT-Au molecular junction are simulated, respectively. For the elastic tunneling case, it is found that the current through the tilted molecule can be modulated effectively by the external gate field, which is perpendicular to the phenyl ring. The gate voltage amplification comes from the modulation of the interaction between the electrodes and the molecules in the junctions. For the inelastic case, the electron tunneling scattered by the molecular vibrational modes is considered within the self-consistent Born approximation scheme, and the inelastic electron tunneling spectrum is calculated.
mTOR, a Potential Target to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Sato, Atsushi
2016-01-01
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator in various cellular processes, including cell growth, gene expression, and synaptic functions. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently accompanied by monogenic disorders, such as tuberous sclerosis complex, phosphatase and tensin homolog tumor hamartoma syndrome, neurofibromatosis 1, and fragile X syndrome, in which mTOR is hyperactive. Mutations in the genes involved in the mTOR-mediated signaling pathway have been identified in some cases of syndromic ASD. Evidences indicate a pathogenic role for hyperactive mTOR-mediated signaling in ASD associated with these monogenic disorders, and mTOR inhibitors are a potential pharmacotherapy for ASD. Abnormal synaptic transmission through metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 may underlie in a part of ASD associated with hyperactive mTOR-mediated signaling. In this review, the relationship between mTOR and ASD is discussed.
mTOR, a Potential Target to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder
Sato, Atsushi
2016-01-01
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator in various cellular processes, including cell growth, gene expression, and synaptic functions. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently accompanied by monogenic disorders, such as tuberous sclerosis complex, phosphatase and tensin homolog tumor hamartoma syndrome, neurofibromatosis 1, and fragile X syndrome, in which mTOR is hyperactive. Mutations in the genes involved in the mTOR-mediated signaling pathway have been identified in some cases of syndromic ASD. Evidences indicate a pathogenic role for hyperactive mTOR-mediated signaling in ASD associated with these monogenic disorders, and mTOR inhibitors are a potential pharmacotherapy for ASD. Abnormal synaptic transmission through metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 may underlie in a part of ASD associated with hyperactive mTOR-mediated signaling. In this review, the relationship between mTOR and ASD is discussed. PMID:27071790
A maximally particle-hole asymmetric spectrum emanating from a semi-Dirac point.
Quan, Yundi; Pickett, Warren E
2018-02-21
Tight binding models have proven an effective means of revealing Dirac (massless) dispersion, flat bands (infinite mass), and intermediate cases such as the semi-Dirac (sD) dispersion. This approach is extended to a three band model that yields, with chosen parameters in a two-band limit, a closed line with maximally asymmetric particle-hole dispersion: infinite mass holes, zero mass particles. The model retains the sD points for a general set of parameters. Adjacent to this limiting case, hole Fermi surfaces are tiny and needle-like. A pair of large electron Fermi surfaces at low doping merge and collapse at half filling to a flat (zero energy) closed contour with infinite mass along the contour and enclosing no carriers on either side, while the hole Fermi surface has shrunk to a point at zero energy, also containing no carriers. The tight binding model is used to study several characteristics of the dispersion and density of states. The model inspired generalization of sD dispersion to a general ±[Formula: see text] form, for which analysis reveals that both n and m must be odd to provide a diabolical point with topological character. Evolution of the Hofstadter spectrum of this three band system with interband coupling strength is presented and discussed.
Facebook Role Play Addiction - A Comorbidity with Multiple Compulsive-Impulsive Spectrum Disorders.
Nathan, Deeepa; Shukla, Lekhansh; Kandasamy, Arun; Benegal, Vivek
2016-06-01
Background Problematic Internet use (PIU) is an emerging entity with varied contents. Behavioral addictions have high comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. Social networking site (SNS) addiction and role playing game (RPG) addiction are traditionally studied as separate entities. We present a case with excessive Internet use, with a particular focus on phenomenology and psychiatric comorbidities. Case presentation Fifteen-year-old girl with childhood onset attention deficit disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, adolescent onset trichotillomania, and disturbed family environment presented with excessive Facebook use. Main online activity was creating profiles in names of mainstream fictional characters and assuming their identity (background, linguistic attributes, etc.). This was a group activity with significant socialization in the virtual world. Craving, salience, withdrawal, mood modification, and conflict were clearly elucidated and significant social and occupational dysfunction was evident. Discussion This case highlights various vulnerability and sociofamilial factors contributing to behavioral addiction. It also highlights the presence of untreated comorbidities in such cases. The difference from contemporary RPGs and uniqueness of role playing on SNS is discussed. SNS role playing as a separate genre of PIU and its potential to reach epidemic proportions are discussed. Conclusions Individuals with temperamental vulnerability are likely to develop behavioral addictions. Identification and management of comorbid conditions are important. The content of PIU continues to evolve and needs further study.
Determination of a mutational spectrum
Thilly, William G.; Keohavong, Phouthone
1991-01-01
A method of resolving (physically separating) mutant DNA from nonmutant DNA and a method of defining or establishing a mutational spectrum or profile of alterations present in nucleic acid sequences from a sample to be analyzed, such as a tissue or body fluid. The present method is based on the fact that it is possible, through the use of DGGE, to separate nucleic acid sequences which differ by only a single base change and on the ability to detect the separate mutant molecules. The present invention, in another aspect, relates to a method for determining a mutational spectrum in a DNA sequence of interest present in a population of cells. The method of the present invention is useful as a diagnostic or analytical tool in forensic science in assessing environmental and/or occupational exposures to potentially genetically toxic materials (also referred to as potential mutagens); in biotechnology, particularly in the study of the relationship between the amino acid sequence of enzymes and other biologically-active proteins or protein-containing substances and their respective functions; and in determining the effects of drugs, cosmetics and other chemicals for which toxicity data must be obtained.
Høyland, Anne L; Øgrim, Geir; Lydersen, Stian; Hope, Sigrun; Engstrøm, Morten; Torske, Tonje; Nærland, Terje; Andreassen, Ole A
2017-01-01
Executive functions are often affected in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The underlying biology is however not well known. In the DSM-5, ASD is characterized by difficulties in two domains: Social Interaction and Repetitive and Restricted Behavior, RRB. Insistence of Sameness is part of RRB and has been reported related to executive functions. We aimed to identify differences between ASD and typically developing (TD) adolescents in Event Related Potentials (ERPs) associated with response preparation, conflict monitoring and response inhibition using a cued Go-NoGo paradigm. We also studied the effect of age and emotional content of paradigm related to these ERPs. We investigated 49 individuals with ASD and 49 TD aged 12-21 years, split into two groups below (young) and above (old) 16 years of age. ASD characteristics were quantified by the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and executive functions were assessed with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), both parent-rated. Behavioral performance and ERPs were recorded during a cued visual Go-NoGo task which included neutral pictures (VCPT) and pictures of emotional faces (ECPT). The amplitudes of ERPs associated with response preparation, conflict monitoring, and response inhibition were analyzed. The ASD group showed markedly higher scores than TD in both SCQ and BRIEF. Behavioral data showed no case-control differences in either the VCPT or ECPT in the whole group. While there were no significant case-control differences in ERPs from the combined VCPT and ECPT in the whole sample, the Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) was significantly enhanced in the old ASD group ( p = 0.017). When excluding ASD with comorbid ADHD we found a significantly increased N2 NoGo ( p = 0.016) and N2-effect ( p = 0.023) for the whole group. We found no case-control differences in the P3-components. Our findings suggest increased response preparation in adolescents with ASD older than 16 years and
Pedapati, Ernest V; Gilbert, Donald L; Erickson, Craig A; Horn, Paul S; Shaffer, Rebecca C; Wink, Logan K; Laue, Cameron S; Wu, Steve W
2016-09-01
This case-control study investigated the use of a low-intensity repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocol to measure motor cortex (M1) plasticity in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with typically developing children (TDC). We hypothesized that impairments in long-term potentiation-like properties represent a neurophysiological biomarker of abnormal cortical function in ASD. We studied youth with ASD aged 11-18 years and matched controls (TDC). Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) was delivered to the dominant M1 at an intensity of 70% of resting motor threshold. Suprathreshold single-pulse TMS was performed to compare amplitudes of motor-evoked potentials (MEP) measured from surface electromyography electrodes on a target muscle before (20 pulses) and after (10 pulses/time point) iTBS at predefined timepoints (up to 30 minutes) to measure any potentiation effects. A linear mixed model was used to examine group differences in MEP amplitudes over time following iTBS. Nine youth with ASD (mean age 15.6; 7 males; 6 right-hand dominant) and 9 TDC (mean age 14.5; 5 males; 9 right-hand dominant) participated. All subjects tolerated the procedure well. Both groups had a mean increase in excitability after iTBS for 30 minutes; however, the time course of excitability changes differed (F9,144 = 2.05; p = 0.038). Post-hoc testing identified a significant decrease in amplitude of the ASD group at 20 minutes following iTBS compared with the TDC after correcting for multiple comparisons. In this study, we demonstrate early evidence for a potential physiological biomarker of cortical plasticity in youth with ASD using a rapid low-intensity rTMS protocol with a discriminate measure at 20 minutes following stimulation. The procedure was well tolerated by all 18 participants. Future work will include modification of the protocol to improve the ability to distinguish subtypes of ASD based on behavioral and cognitive testing.
Jyonouchi, Harumi; Geng, Lee; Cushing-Ruby, Agnes; Quraishi, Huma
2008-11-21
Among patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) evaluated in our clinic, there appears to be a subset that can be clinically distinguished from other ASD children because of frequent infections (usually viral) accompanied by worsening behavioural symptoms and/or loss/decrease in acquired skills. This study assessed whether these clinical features of this ASD subset are associated with atopy, asthma, food allergy (FA), primary immunodeficiency (PID), or innate immune responses important in viral infections. This study included the ASD children described above (ASD test, N = 26) and the following controls: ASD controls (N = 107), non-ASD controls with FA (N = 24), non-ASD controls with chronic rhinosinusitis/recurrent otitis media (CRS/ROM; N = 38), and normal controls (N = 43). We assessed prevalence of atopy, asthma, FA, CRS/ROM, and PID. Innate immune responses were assessed by measuring production of proinflammatory and counter-regulatory cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to agonists of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), with or without pre-treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a TLR4 agonist. Non-IgE mediated FA was equally prevalent in both ASD test and ASD control groups, occurring at higher frequency than in the non-ASD controls. Allergic rhinitis, atopic/non-atopic asthma, and atopic dermatitis were equally prevalent among the study groups except for the CRS/ROM group in which non-atopic asthma was more prevalent (52.6%). CRS/ROM and specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD) were more prevalent in the ASD test group than in the ASD control, FA, and normal control groups: 23.1% vs. < 5% for CRS/ROS and 19.2% vs. < 1% for SPAD. However, CRS/ROM patients had the highest prevalence of SPAD (34.2%). When compared to ASD and normal case controls, PBMCs from 19 non-SPAD, ASD test group children produced: 1) less IL-1beta with a TLR7/8 agonist, less IL-10 with a TLR2/6 agonist, and more IL-23 with a TLR4 agonist without LPS
Jyonouchi, Harumi; Geng, Lee; Cushing-Ruby, Agnes; Quraishi, Huma
2008-01-01
Background Among patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) evaluated in our clinic, there appears to be a subset that can be clinically distinguished from other ASD children because of frequent infections (usually viral) accompanied by worsening behavioural symptoms and/or loss/decrease in acquired skills. This study assessed whether these clinical features of this ASD subset are associated with atopy, asthma, food allergy (FA), primary immunodeficiency (PID), or innate immune responses important in viral infections. Methods This study included the ASD children described above (ASD test, N = 26) and the following controls: ASD controls (N = 107), non-ASD controls with FA (N = 24), non-ASD controls with chronic rhinosinusitis/recurrent otitis media (CRS/ROM; N = 38), and normal controls (N = 43). We assessed prevalence of atopy, asthma, FA, CRS/ROM, and PID. Innate immune responses were assessed by measuring production of proinflammatory and counter-regulatory cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to agonists of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), with or without pre-treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a TLR4 agonist. Results Non-IgE mediated FA was equally prevalent in both ASD test and ASD control groups, occurring at higher frequency than in the non-ASD controls. Allergic rhinitis, atopic/non-atopic asthma, and atopic dermatitis were equally prevalent among the study groups except for the CRS/ROM group in which non-atopic asthma was more prevalent (52.6%). CRS/ROM and specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD) were more prevalent in the ASD test group than in the ASD control, FA, and normal control groups: 23.1% vs. < 5% for CRS/ROS and 19.2% vs. < 1% for SPAD. However, CRS/ROM patients had the highest prevalence of SPAD (34.2%). When compared to ASD and normal case controls, PBMCs from 19 non-SPAD, ASD test group children produced: 1) less IL-1β with a TLR7/8 agonist, less IL-10 with a TLR2/6 agonist, and more IL-23 with a
Hunting for tularaemia - a review of cases in North Carolina.
Rimawi, R H; Shah, K B; Chowdhary, R A; Cook, P P
2015-05-01
Human infections with Francisella tularensis can be acquired via numerous routes, including ingestion, inhalation, arthropod bite or direct contact with infected animals. Since 1991, there have been 25 reported cases of tularaemia in North Carolina, most of which were associated with rabbit hunting or cat bites. We present two adults cases of pulmonary and oropharyngeal tularaemia and review the reported cases since 1991-2013. We also present the fifth case of pulmonary empyema. While cavitary pneumonias are primarily treated with drainage, we illustrate a case of cavitary pneumonia associated with tularaemia successfully treated with oral ciprofloxacin after drainage. Tularaemia should be considered in patients with a perplexing radiographic image, animal exposure and lack of response to conventional empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics. Even in serious cases of pneumonic tularaemia, fluoroquinolones may provide a suitable alternative to aminoglycosides. © 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Otitis Media and Related Complications among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Adams, Daniel J.; Susi, Apryl; Erdie-Lalena, Christine R.; Gorman, Gregory; Hisle-Gorman, Elizabeth; Rajnik, Michael; Elrod, Marilisa; Nylund, Cade M.
2016-01-01
Acute otitis media (AOM) symptoms can be masked by communication deficits, common to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We sought to evaluate the association between ASD and otitis media. Using ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes, we performed a retrospective case-cohort study comparing AOM, and otitis-related diagnoses among children with and…
A NOVEL EMISSION SPECTRUM FROM A RELATIVISTIC ELECTRON MOVING IN A RANDOM MAGNETIC FIELD
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Teraki, Yuto; Takahara, Fumio, E-mail: teraki@vega.ess.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp
2011-07-10
We numerically calculate the radiation spectrum from relativistic electrons moving in small-scale turbulent magnetic fields expected in high-energy astrophysical sources. Such a radiation spectrum is characterized by the strength parameter a = {lambda}{sub B} e|B|/mc {sup 2}, where {lambda}{sub B} is the length scale of the turbulent field. When a is much larger than the Lorentz factor of a radiating electron {gamma}, synchrotron radiation is realized, while a << 1 corresponds to the so-called jitter radiation regime. Because for 1 < a < {gamma} we cannot use either approximations, we should have recourse to the Lienard-Wiechert potential to evaluate themore » radiation spectrum, which is performed in this Letter. We generate random magnetic fields assuming Kolmogorov turbulence, inject monoenergetic electrons, solve the equation of motion, and calculate the radiation spectrum. We perform numerical calculations for several values of a with {gamma} = 10. We obtain various types of spectra ranging between jitter radiation and synchrotron radiation. For a {approx} 7, the spectrum takes a novel shape which had not been noticed up to now. It is like a synchrotron spectrum in the middle energy region, but in the low frequency region it is a broken power law and in the high frequency region an extra power-law component appears beyond the synchrotron cutoff. We give a physical explanation of these features.« less
Heavy quarkonium hybrids: Spectrum, decay, and mixing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Oncala, Ruben; Soto, Joan
2017-07-01
We present a largely model-independent analysis of the lighter heavy quarkonium hybrids based on the strong coupling regime of potential nonrelativistic QCD. We calculate the spectrum at leading order, including the mixing of static hybrid states. We use potentials that fulfill the required short and long distance theoretical constraints and fit well the available lattice data. We argue that the decay width to the lower lying heavy quarkonia can be reliably estimated in some cases and provide results for a selected set of decays. We also consider the mixing with heavy quarkonium states. We establish the form of the mixing potential at O (1 /mQ) , mQ being the mass of the heavy quarks, and work out its short and long distance constraints. The weak coupling regime of potential nonrelativistic QCD and the effective string theory of QCD are used for that goal. We show that the mixing effects may indeed be important and produce large spin symmetry violations. Most of the isospin zero XYZ states fit well in our spectrum, either as a hybrid or standard quarkonium candidate.
Spectrum image analysis tool - A flexible MATLAB solution to analyze EEL and CL spectrum images.
Schmidt, Franz-Philipp; Hofer, Ferdinand; Krenn, Joachim R
2017-02-01
Spectrum imaging techniques, gaining simultaneously structural (image) and spectroscopic data, require appropriate and careful processing to extract information of the dataset. In this article we introduce a MATLAB based software that uses three dimensional data (EEL/CL spectrum image in dm3 format (Gatan Inc.'s DigitalMicrograph ® )) as input. A graphical user interface enables a fast and easy mapping of spectral dependent images and position dependent spectra. First, data processing such as background subtraction, deconvolution and denoising, second, multiple display options including an EEL/CL moviemaker and, third, the applicability on a large amount of data sets with a small work load makes this program an interesting tool to visualize otherwise hidden details. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Crossman, Molly K; Kazdin, Alan E
2016-01-01
Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder are vulnerable to overstated benefits of interventions, and such overstatements are common with interventions involving animals. This response to Wright, Hall, Hames, Hardmin, Mills, the Paws Team, and Mills' (2015) article, "Acquiring a Pet Dog Significantly Reduces Stress of Primary Careers for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Prospective Case Control Study," details why that study's conclusions are premature. Specific limitations of the study are detailed, including overstatements of the supportive literature, problems with the design, and mismatch between the findings and conclusions. The purpose is not to challenge the benefits of pet ownership, but to point out that those benefits have not yet been established.
The association between prune belly syndrome and dental anomalies: a case report
2012-01-01
Background Prune belly syndrome is a rare condition produced by an early mesodermal defect that causes abdominal abnormalities. However, the literature indicates that disturbances related to ectodermal development may also be present. This is the first case report in the literature to suggest that dental abnormalities are part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of prune belly syndrome. Because the syndrome causes many serious medical problems, early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions are encouraged. Case presentation The authors report the clinical case of a 4-year-old Caucasian boy with prune belly syndrome. In addition to the triad of abdominal muscle deficiency, abnormalities of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, and cryptorchidism, a geminated mandibular right central incisor, agenesis of a mandibular permanent left incisor, and congenitally missing primary teeth (namely, the mandibular right and left lateral incisors) were noted. Conclusion This original case report about prune belly syndrome highlights the possibility that dental abnormalities are a part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of the syndrome. Therefore, an accurate intra-oral clinical examination and radiographic evaluation are required for patients with this syndrome in order to provide an early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions. PMID:23249412
The Polycystic Ovary Morphology-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Spectrum
Rosenfield, Robert L.
2014-01-01
Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of chronic hyperandrogenic anovulation. Two-thirds of PCOS patients have functionally typical PCOS, with typical functional ovarian hyperandrogenism manifest as 17-hydroxyprogesterone hyper-responsiveness to gonadotropin stimulation. Most, but not all, of the remainder have atypical functional ovarian hyperandrogenism. Many asymptomatic volunteers with polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM) have similar abnormalities. Objective The objective of this paper is to review the relationship of biochemical ovarian function to the clinical spectrum observed in PCOS and in normal volunteers with PCOM. Findings Adolescents and adults with PCOS are similar clinically and biochemically. Ninety-five percent of functionally typical PCOS have classic PCOS, ie, hyperandrogenic anovulation with PCOM. In addition to having more severe hyperandrogenism and a greater prevalence of PCOM than other PCOS, they have a significantly greater prevalence of glucose intolerance although insulin resistance is similarly reduced. Half of normal-variant PCOM have PCOS-related steroidogenic dysfunction, which suggests a PCOS carrier state. Conclusions There is a spectrum of ovarian androgenic dysfunction that ranges from subclinical hyperandrogenemia in some normal-variant PCOM to severe ovarian hyperandrogenism in most classic PCOS. A minority of mild PCOS cases do not fall on this spectrum of ovarian androgenic dysfunction, but rather seem to have obesity as the basis of their hyperandrogenism, or, less often, isolated adrenal androgenic dysfunction. Half of normal-variant PCOM also do not fall on the PCOS spectrum, and some of these seem to have excessive folliculogenesis as a variant that may confer mild prolongation of the reproductive lifespan. Improved understanding of PCOM in young women is needed. PMID:25840648
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McCollow, Meaghan; Davis, Carol Ann; Copland, Michael
2013-01-01
This case study is intended for use in an educational leadership class to facilitate conversation on providing effective instructional practices to students on the autism spectrum. In particular, this case study demonstrates how a school district incorporated a research-based model into their system to provide support to teachers of students with…
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…
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Migliori, Giulia; Siemiginowska, Aneta; Celotti, Annalisa, E-mail: migliori@cfa.harvard.edu
2012-04-20
We present the X-ray analysis of a deep ({approx}200 ks) Chandra observation of the compact steep spectrum radio-loud quasar 3C 186 (z = 1.06) and investigate the contribution of the unresolved radio jet to the total X-ray emission. The spectral analysis is not conclusive on the origin of the bulk of the X-ray emission. In order to examine the jet contribution to the X-ray flux, we model the quasar spectral energy distribution, adopting several scenarios for the jet emission. For the values of the main physical parameters favored by the observables, a dominant role of the jet emission in themore » X-ray band is ruled out when a single-zone (leptonic) scenario is adopted, even including the contribution of the external photon fields as seed photons for inverse Compton emission. We then consider a structured jet, with the blazar component that-although not directly visible in the X-ray band-provides an intense field of seed synchrotron photons Compton-scattered by electrons in a mildly relativistic knot. In this case, the whole X-ray emission can be accounted for if we assume a blazar luminosity within the range observed from flat spectrum radio quasars. The X-ray radiative efficiency of such a (structured) jet is intimately related to the presence of a complex velocity structure. The jet emission can provide a significant contribution in X-rays if it decelerates within the host galaxy on kiloparsec scales. We discuss the implications of this model in terms of jet dynamics and interaction with the ambient medium.« less
Bessone, Fernando; Lucena, M I; Roma, Marcelo G; Stephens, Camilla; Medina-Cáliz, Inmaculada; Frider, Bernardo; Tsariktsian, Guillermo; Hernández, Nelia; Bruguera, Miquel; Gualano, Gisela; Fassio, Eduardo; Montero, Joaquín; Reggiardo, María V; Ferretti, Sebastián; Colombato, Luis; Tanno, Federico; Ferrer, Jaime; Zeno, Lelio; Tanno, Hugo; Andrade, Raúl J
2016-02-01
Cyproterone acetate (CPA), an anti-androgenic drug for prostate cancer, has been associated with drug-induced liver injury (DILI). We aim to expand the knowledge on the spectrum of phenotypes and outcomes of CPA-induced DILI. Twenty-two males (70 ± 8 years; range 54-83) developing liver damage as a result of CPA therapy (dose: 150 ± 50 mg/day; range 50-200) were included. Severity index and causality by RUCAM were assessed. From 1993 to 2013, 22 patients were retrieved. Latency was 163 ± 97 days. Most patients were symptomatic, showing hepatocellular injury (91%) and jaundice. Liver tests at onset were: ALT 18 ± 13 × ULN, ALP 0.7 ± 0.7 × ULN and total serum bilirubin 14 ± 10 mg/dl. International normalized ratio values higher than 1.5 were observed in 14 (66%) patients. Severity was mild in 1 case (4%), moderate in 7 (32%), severe in 11 (50%) and fatal in 3 (14%). Five patients developed ascitis, and four encephalopathy. One patient had a liver injury that resembled autoimmune hepatitis. Eleven (50%) were hospitalized. Nineteen patients recovered after CPA withdrawal, although three required steroid therapy (two of them had high ANA titres). Liver biopsy was performed in seven patients (two hepatocellular collapse, one submassive necrosis, two cholestatic hepatitis, one cirrhosis with iron overload and one autoimmune hepatitis). RUCAM category was 'highly probable' in 19 (86%), 'probable' in 1 (4%), and 'possible' in 2 (9%). CPA-induced liver injury is severe and can be fatal, and may occasionally resemble autoimmune DILI. The benefit/risk ratio of this drug should be thoroughly assessed in each patient. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Polynomials for crystal frameworks and the rigid unit mode spectrum
Power, S. C.
2014-01-01
To each discrete translationally periodic bar-joint framework in , we associate a matrix-valued function defined on the d-torus. The rigid unit mode (RUM) spectrum of is defined in terms of the multi-phases of phase-periodic infinitesimal flexes and is shown to correspond to the singular points of the function and also to the set of wavevectors of harmonic excitations which have vanishing energy in the long wavelength limit. To a crystal framework in Maxwell counting equilibrium, which corresponds to being square, the determinant of gives rise to a unique multi-variable polynomial . For ideal zeolites, the algebraic variety of zeros of on the d-torus coincides with the RUM spectrum. The matrix function is related to other aspects of idealized framework rigidity and flexibility, and in particular leads to an explicit formula for the number of supercell-periodic floppy modes. In the case of certain zeolite frameworks in dimensions two and three, direct proofs are given to show the maximal floppy mode property (order N). In particular, this is the case for the cubic symmetry sodalite framework and some other idealized zeolites. PMID:24379422
Luo, Jin Mei; Li, Shan; Huang, Hui; Cao, Jian; Xu, Kai; Bi, Ya Lan; Feng, Rui E; Huang, Cheng; Qin, Ying Zhi; Xu, Zuo Jun; Xiao, Yi
2015-04-09
Thorax is the common place to develop Castleman disease (CD), but there is no systemic clinical analysis for intrathoracic CD. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 48 intrathoracic CD patients with definite pathological diagnosis who were hospitalized between 1992 and 2012 in a Chinese tertiary referral hospital. The study included 16 cases with unicentric CD (UCD) and 32 cases with multicentric CD (MCD). UCD were younger than MCD (30.5y vs 41.6ys, P < 0.05). MCD were more symptomatic (50% vs 96.9%, P < 0.001) and sicker than UCD, including more fever, hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly and hypoalbuminemia. All of UCD showed solitary mass in various sites and two of them were complicated by small pleural effusion. In the MCD group, their chest CT showed obvious lymphadenopathy in the hilum and/or mediastinum (100%), diffuse parenchymal lung shadows (43.75%), pleural effusion (40.6%), mass in the mediastinum (6.25%) or hilum (3.12%) and bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) (3.12%). Besides LIP-like images, multiple nodules of different size and sites, patchy, ground-glass opacities and consolidation were showed in their chest CT. Surgery were arranged for all UCD for diagnosis and treatment and all were alive. In MCD group, superficial lymph nodes biopsies (21 cases), surgery biopsy (9 cases) and CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy (2 cases) were performed. Hyaline vascular (HV) variant were more common in the UCD group (75% vs 37.5%, P < 0.05). In MCD group, 28 cases were prescribed with chemotherapy, one refused to receive therapy and the rest three were arranged for regular follow-up. Among MCD, 18 cases was improved, 7 cases was stable, 4 cases lost follow-up and 3 cases died. Intrathoracic MCD was more common than UCD in our hospital. MCD was older, more symptomic and sicker than UCD. HV variant were more common in UCD. All of UCD showed mass in various intrathoracic locations and surgery resection was performed for all and all were alive. Mass, pleural
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Raz, Raanan; Weisskopf, Marc G.; Davidovitch, Michael; Pinto, Ofir; Levine, Hagai
2015-01-01
We analyzed data from the Israeli National Insurance Institute (NII). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) incidence was calculated for all children born in Israel 1992-2009, and by population groups. Overall, 9,109 ASD cases among 2,431,649 children were identified. ASD cumulative incidence by age 8 years increased 10-fold during 2000-2011, from 0.49 %…
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
... Browse AZTopics Browse A-Z Adrenal Gland Disorders Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Down Syndrome Endometriosis Learning Disabilities Menstruation and ... NICHD Research Information Find a Study More Information Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) About NICHD Research Information Find a Study ...
Morton, Reeva C; Gadke, Daniel L
2018-03-01
Cover, Copy, Compare (CCC) and Copy, Cover, Compare (MCCC) procedures are effective interventions for improving math fluency. However, there is a gap in literature exploring the use of these interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of the current study was to compare the use of CCC and MCCC for children with ASD using a multi-component single-case experimental design. The results showed no notable difference between the interventions. Implications and limitations, particularly surrounding experimental control, are discussed in detail.
What initial condition of inflation would suppress the large-scale CMB spectrum?
Chen, Pisin; Lin, Yu -Hsiang
2016-01-08
There is an apparent power deficit relative to the Λ CDM prediction of the cosmic microwave background spectrum at large scales, which, though not yet statistically significant, persists from WMAP to Planck data. Proposals that invoke some form of initial condition for the inflation have been made to address this apparent power suppression, albeit with conflicting conclusions. By studying the curvature perturbations of a scalar field in the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker universe parameterized by the equation of state parameter w, we find that the large-scale spectrum at the end of inflation reflects the superhorizon spectrum of the initial state. The large-scale spectrummore » is suppressed if the universe begins with the adiabatic vacuum in a superinflation (w < –1) or positive-pressure (w > 0) era. In the latter case, there is however no causal mechanism to establish the initial adiabatic vacuum. On the other hand, as long as the universe begins with the adiabatic vacuum in an era with –1 < w < 0, even if there exists an intermediate positive-pressure era, the large-scale spectrum would be enhanced rather than suppressed. In conclusion, we further calculate the spectrum of a two-stage inflation model with a two-field potential and show that the result agrees with that obtained from the ad hoc single-field analysis.« less
Jokiranta-Olkoniemi, Elina; Cheslack-Postava, Keely; Sucksdorff, Dan; Suominen, Auli; Gyllenberg, David; Chudal, Roshan; Leivonen, Susanna; Gissler, Mika; Brown, Alan S; Sourander, Andre
2016-06-01
Previous research has focused on examining the familial clustering of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Little is known about the clustering of other psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders among siblings of persons with ASD. To examine the risk for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders among full siblings of probands with ASD. The Finnish Prenatal Study of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders used a population-based cohort that included children born from January 1, 1987, to December 31, 2005, who received a diagnosis of ASD by December 31, 2007. Each case was individually matched to 4 control participants by sex and date and place of birth. The siblings of the cases and controls were born from January 1, 1977, to December 31, 2005, and received a diagnosis from January 1, 1987, to December 31, 2009. This nested case-control study included 3578 cases with ASD with 6022 full siblings and 11 775 controls with 22 127 siblings from Finnish national registers. Data were analyzed from March 6, 2014, to February 12, 2016. The adjusted risk ratio (RR) for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders among siblings of probands with ASD vs siblings of matched controls. Additional analyses were conducted separately for ASD subgroups, including childhood autism, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified. Analyses were further stratified by sex and intellectual disability among the probands. Among the 3578 cases with ASD (2841 boys [79.4%]) and 11 775 controls (9345 boys [79.4%]), 1319 cases (36.9%) and 2052 controls (17.4%) had at least 1 sibling diagnosed with any psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorder (adjusted RR, 2.5; 95% CI, 2.3-2.6). The largest associations were observed for childhood-onset disorders (1061 cases [29.7%] vs 1362 controls [11.6%]; adjusted RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.8-3.3), including ASD (374 cases [10.5%] vs 125 controls [1.1%]; adjusted RR, 11.8; 95% CI, 9
Hybrid spread spectrum radio system
Smith, Stephen F [London, TN; Dress, William B [Camas, WA
2010-02-09
Systems and methods are described for hybrid spread spectrum radio systems. A method, includes receiving a hybrid spread spectrum signal including: fast frequency hopping demodulating and direct sequence demodulating a direct sequence spread spectrum signal, wherein multiple frequency hops occur within a single data-bit time and each bit is represented by chip transmissions at multiple frequencies.
SOLAR-ISS: A new reference spectrum based on SOLAR/SOLSPEC observations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Meftah, M.; Damé, L.; Bolsée, D.; Hauchecorne, A.; Pereira, N.; Sluse, D.; Cessateur, G.; Irbah, A.; Bureau, J.; Weber, M.; Bramstedt, K.; Hilbig, T.; Thiéblemont, R.; Marchand, M.; Lefèvre, F.; Sarkissian, A.; Bekki, S.
2018-03-01
Context. Since April 5, 2008 and up to February 15, 2017, the SOLar SPECtrometer (SOLSPEC) instrument of the SOLAR payload on board the International Space Station (ISS) has performed accurate measurements of solar spectral irradiance (SSI) from the middle ultraviolet to the infrared (165 to 3088 nm). These measurements are of primary importance for a better understanding of solar physics and the impact of solar variability on climate. In particular, a new reference solar spectrum (SOLAR-ISS) is established in April 2008 during the solar minima of cycles 23-24 thanks to revised engineering corrections, improved calibrations, and advanced procedures to account for thermal and aging corrections of the SOLAR/SOLSPEC instrument. Aims: The main objective of this article is to present a new high-resolution solar spectrum with a mean absolute uncertainty of 1.26% at 1σ from 165 to 3000 nm. This solar spectrum is based on solar observations of the SOLAR/SOLSPEC space-based instrument. Methods: The SOLAR/SOLSPEC instrument consists of three separate double monochromators that use concave holographic gratings to cover the middle ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), and infrared (IR) domains. Our best ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra are merged into a single absolute solar spectrum covering the 165-3000 nm domain. The resulting solar spectrum has a spectral resolution varying between 0.6 and 9.5 nm in the 165-3000 nm wavelength range. We build a new solar reference spectrum (SOLAR-ISS) by constraining existing high-resolution spectra to SOLAR/SOLSPEC observed spectrum. For that purpose, we account for the difference of resolution between the two spectra using the SOLAR/SOLSPEC instrumental slit functions. Results: Using SOLAR/SOLSPEC data, a new solar spectrum covering the 165-3000 nm wavelength range is built and is representative of the 2008 solar minimum. It has a resolution better than 0.1 nm below 1000 nm and 1 nm in the 1000-3000 nm wavelength range. The new
Spectrum of clinical disease in a series of 135 hospitalised HIV-infected patients from north India
Sharma, SK; Kadhiravan, Tamilarasu; Banga, Amit; Goyal, Tarun; Bhatia, Indrish; Saha, PK
2004-01-01
Background Literature on the spectrum of opportunistic disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients from developing countries is sparse. The objective of this study was to document the spectrum and determine the frequency of various opportunistic infections (OIs) and non-infectious opportunistic diseases, in hospitalised HIV-infected patients from north India. Methods One hundred and thirty five consecutive, HIV-infected patients (age 34 ± 10 years, females 17%) admitted to a tertiary care hospital in north India, for the evaluation and management of an OI or HIV-related disorder between January 2000 and July 2003, were studied. Results Fever (71%) and weight loss (65%) were the commonest presenting symptoms. Heterosexual transmission was the commonest mode of HIV-acquisition. Tuberculosis (TB) was the commonest OI (71%) followed by candidiasis (39.3%), Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) (7.4%), cryptococcal meningitis and cerebral toxoplasmosis (3.7% each). Most of the cases of TB were disseminated (64%). Apart from other well-recognised OIs, two patients had visceral leishmaniasis. Two cases of HIV-associated lymphoma were encountered. CD4+ cell counts were done in 109 patients. Majority of the patients (82.6%) had CD4+ counts <200 cells/μL. Fifty patients (46%) had CD4+ counts <50 cells/μL. Only 50 patients (37%) received antiretroviral therapy. Twenty one patients (16%) died during hospital stay. All but one deaths were due to TB (16 patients; 76%) and PCP (4 patients; 19%). Conclusions A wide spectrum of disease, including both OIs and non-infectious opportunistic diseases, is seen in hospitalised HIV-infected patients from north India. Tuberculosis remains the most common OI and is the commonest cause of death in these patients. PMID:15555069
The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: A Measurement of the Primordial Power Spectrum
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hlozek, Renee; Dunkley, Joanna; Addison, Graeme; Appel, John William; Bond, J. Richard; Carvalho, C. Sofia; Das, Sudeep; Devlin, Mark J.; Duenner, Rolando; Essinger-Hileman, Thomas;
2011-01-01
We present constraints on the primordial power spectrum of adiabatic fluctuations using data from the 2008 Southern Survey of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT). The angular resolution of ACT provides sensitivity to scales beyond l = 1000 for resolution of multiple peaks in the primordial temperature power spectrum, which enables us to probe the primordial power spectrum of adiabatic scalar perturbations with wavenumbers up to k approx. = 0.2 Mp/c. We find no evidence for deviation from power-law fluctuations over two decades in scale. Matter fluctuations inferred from the primordial temperature power spectrum evolve over cosmic time and can be used to predict the matter power spectrum at late times; we illustrate the overlap of the matter power inferred from CMB measurements (which probe the power spectrum in thc linear regime) with existing probes of galaxy clustering, cluster abundances and weak lensing constraints on the primordial power. This highlights the range of scales probed by current measurement.s of the matter power spectrum.
Facebook Advertising Across an Engagement Spectrum: A Case Example for Public Health Communication.
Platt, Tevah; Platt, Jodyn; Thiel, Daniel B; Kardia, Sharon L R
2016-05-30
The interpersonal, dialogic features of social networking sites have untapped potential for public health communication. We ran a Facebook advertising campaign to raise statewide awareness of Michigan's newborn screening and biobanking programs. We ran a Facebook advertising campaign to stimulate public engagement on the complex and sensitive issue of Michigan's newborn screening and biobank programs. We ran an 11-week, US $15,000 Facebook advertising campaign engaging Michigan Facebook users aged 18-64 years about the state's newborn screening and population biobank programs, and we used a novel "engagement spectrum" framework to contextualize and evaluate engagement outcomes ranging from observation to multi-way conversation. The campaign reached 1.88 million Facebook users, yielding a range of engagement outcomes across ad sets that varied by objective, content, budget, duration, and bid type. Ad sets yielded 9009 page likes (US $4125), 15,958 website clicks (US $5578), and 12,909 complete video views to 100% (US $3750). "Boosted posts" yielded 528 comments and 35,966 page post engagements (US $1500). Overall, the campaign led to 452 shares and 642 comments, including 176 discussing newborn screening and biobanking. Facebook advertising campaigns can efficiently reach large populations and achieve a range of engagement outcomes by diversifying ad types, bid types, and content. This campaign provided a population-based approach to communication that also increased transparency on a sensitive and complex topic by creating a forum for multi-way interaction.
Spatial Relative Risk Patterns of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Utah
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bakian, Amanda V.; Bilder, Deborah A.; Coon, Hilary; McMahon, William M.
2015-01-01
Heightened areas of spatial relative risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), or ASD hotspots, in Utah were identified using adaptive kernel density functions. Children ages four, six, and eight with ASD from multiple birth cohorts were identified by the Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Each ASD case was gender-matched to…
Moebius Sequence and Autism Spectrum Disorders--Less Frequently Associated than Formerly Thought
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Briegel, Wolfgang; Schimek, Martina; Kamp-Becker, Inge
2010-01-01
Moebius sequence is a rare congenital disorder usually defined as a combination of facial weakness with impairment of ocular abduction. It is questionable, whether there is a strong association of the sequence with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) as suggested in some earlier case reports and studies. Twenty-two participants with Moebius sequence…
Hang, Jen-Fan; Hsieh, Min-Shu; Li, Wing-Yin; Chen, Jo-Yu; Lin, Shih-Yao; Liu, Shih-Hao; Pan, Chin-Chen; Kuo, Ying-Ju
2017-12-01
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related carcinoma with adenoid cystic-like features is a newly described entity of the sinonasal tract. In this study, we evaluated histomorphology, immunophenotype and molecular testing to identify potentially helpful features in distinguishing it from classic adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC). We retrospectively collected five HPV-related carcinomas with adenoid cystic-like features and 14 AdCCs of the sinonasal tract. All histological slides were retrieved for morphological evaluation. As comparing with AdCC, HPV-related carcinomas with adenoid cystic-like features were associated with squamous dysplasia of surface epithelium (80% versus 0%, P < 0.01) and the presence of a solid growth pattern (100% versus 29%, P = 0.01), but less densely hyalinized tumour stroma (20% versus 86%, P = 0.02). Squamous differentiation in the invasive tumour was seen in three HPV-related carcinomas with adenoid cystic-like features, two of them showing abrupt keratinization and one with scattered non-keratinizing squamous nests. Diffuse p16 staining in ≥75% of tumour cells was noted in all HPV-related carcinomas with adenoid cystic-like features but in only one AdCC (100% versus 7%, P < 0.01). High-risk HPV testing gave positive results in all HPV-related carcinomas with adenoid cystic-like features (four associated with type 33 and one associated with type 16) but not in AdCCs. MYB rearrangement was tested in four HPV-related carcinomas with adenoid cystic-like features, and all were negative. This study has further clarified the histological spectrum of this tumour type, and reports the first HPV type 16-related case. Diffuse p16 staining followed by HPV molecular testing is useful in distinguishing HPV-related carcinomas with adenoid cystic features from classic AdCCs. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McCloskey, Erin
2016-01-01
This case study uses an institutional ethnography approach to investigate the experiences of the parents of a son who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they engaged in meetings related to his progress and placement with school personnel over the course of one school year. Through an analysis of the discourse used in these meetings and…
Factors influencing success of clinical genome sequencing across a broad spectrum of disorders
Lise, Stefano; Broxholme, John; Cazier, Jean-Baptiste; Rimmer, Andy; Kanapin, Alexander; Lunter, Gerton; Fiddy, Simon; Allan, Chris; Aricescu, A. Radu; Attar, Moustafa; Babbs, Christian; Becq, Jennifer; Beeson, David; Bento, Celeste; Bignell, Patricia; Blair, Edward; Buckle, Veronica J; Bull, Katherine; Cais, Ondrej; Cario, Holger; Chapel, Helen; Copley, Richard R; Cornall, Richard; Craft, Jude; Dahan, Karin; Davenport, Emma E; Dendrou, Calliope; Devuyst, Olivier; Fenwick, Aimée L; Flint, Jonathan; Fugger, Lars; Gilbert, Rodney D; Goriely, Anne; Green, Angie; Greger, Ingo H.; Grocock, Russell; Gruszczyk, Anja V; Hastings, Robert; Hatton, Edouard; Higgs, Doug; Hill, Adrian; Holmes, Chris; Howard, Malcolm; Hughes, Linda; Humburg, Peter; Johnson, David; Karpe, Fredrik; Kingsbury, Zoya; Kini, Usha; Knight, Julian C; Krohn, Jonathan; Lamble, Sarah; Langman, Craig; Lonie, Lorne; Luck, Joshua; McCarthy, Davis; McGowan, Simon J; McMullin, Mary Frances; Miller, Kerry A; Murray, Lisa; Németh, Andrea H; Nesbit, M Andrew; Nutt, David; Ormondroyd, Elizabeth; Oturai, Annette Bang; Pagnamenta, Alistair; Patel, Smita Y; Percy, Melanie; Petousi, Nayia; Piazza, Paolo; Piret, Sian E; Polanco-Echeverry, Guadalupe; Popitsch, Niko; Powrie, Fiona; Pugh, Chris; Quek, Lynn; Robbins, Peter A; Robson, Kathryn; Russo, Alexandra; Sahgal, Natasha; van Schouwenburg, Pauline A; Schuh, Anna; Silverman, Earl; Simmons, Alison; Sørensen, Per Soelberg; Sweeney, Elizabeth; Taylor, John; Thakker, Rajesh V; Tomlinson, Ian; Trebes, Amy; Twigg, Stephen RF; Uhlig, Holm H; Vyas, Paresh; Vyse, Tim; Wall, Steven A; Watkins, Hugh; Whyte, Michael P; Witty, Lorna; Wright, Ben; Yau, Chris; Buck, David; Humphray, Sean; Ratcliffe, Peter J; Bell, John I; Wilkie, Andrew OM; Bentley, David; Donnelly, Peter; McVean, Gilean
2015-01-01
To assess factors influencing the success of whole genome sequencing for mainstream clinical diagnosis, we sequenced 217 individuals from 156 independent cases across a broad spectrum of disorders in whom prior screening had identified no pathogenic variants. We quantified the number of candidate variants identified using different strategies for variant calling, filtering, annotation and prioritisation. We found that jointly calling variants across samples, filtering against both local and external databases, deploying multiple annotation tools and using familial transmission above biological plausibility contributed to accuracy. Overall, we identified disease causing variants in 21% of cases, rising to 34% (23/68) for Mendelian disorders and 57% (8/14) in trios. We also discovered 32 potentially clinically actionable variants in 18 genes unrelated to the referral disorder, though only four were ultimately considered reportable. Our results demonstrate the value of genome sequencing for routine clinical diagnosis, but also highlight many outstanding challenges. PMID:25985138
Computing the multifractal spectrum from time series: an algorithmic approach.
Harikrishnan, K P; Misra, R; Ambika, G; Amritkar, R E
2009-12-01
We show that the existing methods for computing the f(alpha) spectrum from a time series can be improved by using a new algorithmic scheme. The scheme relies on the basic idea that the smooth convex profile of a typical f(alpha) spectrum can be fitted with an analytic function involving a set of four independent parameters. While the standard existing schemes [P. Grassberger et al., J. Stat. Phys. 51, 135 (1988); A. Chhabra and R. V. Jensen, Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 1327 (1989)] generally compute only an incomplete f(alpha) spectrum (usually the top portion), we show that this can be overcome by an algorithmic approach, which is automated to compute the D(q) and f(alpha) spectra from a time series for any embedding dimension. The scheme is first tested with the logistic attractor with known f(alpha) curve and subsequently applied to higher-dimensional cases. We also show that the scheme can be effectively adapted for analyzing practical time series involving noise, with examples from two widely different real world systems. Moreover, some preliminary results indicating that the set of four independent parameters may be used as diagnostic measures are also included.
Maude: A Wide Spectrum Language for Secure Active Networks
2002-08-01
AFRL-IF-RS-TR-2002-197 Final Technical Report August 2002 MAUDE: A WIDE SPECTRUM LANGUAGE FOR SECURE ACTIVE NETWORKS SRI...MAUDE: A WIDE SPECTRUM FORMAL LANGUAGE FOR SECURE ACTIVE NETWORKS 6. AUTHOR(S) Jose Meseguer and Carolyn Talcott 5. FUNDING NUMBERS C...specifications to address this challenge. We also show how, using the Maude rewriting logic language and tools, active network systems, languages , and
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stepanov, F. I.
2018-04-01
The mechanical properties of a material which is modeled by an exponential creep kernel characterized by a spectrum of relaxation and retardation times are studied. The research is carried out considering a contact problem for a solid indenter sliding over a viscoelastic half-space. The contact pressure, indentation depth of the indenter, and the deformation component of the friction coefficient are analyzed with respect to the case of half-space material modeled by single relaxation and retardation times.
A new model for the (geo)magnetic power spectrum, with application to planetary dynamo radii
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Langlais, Benoit; Amit, Hagay; Larnier, Hugo; Thébault, Erwan; Mocquet, Antoine
2014-09-01
We propose two new analytical expressions to fit the Mauersberger-Lowes geomagnetic field spectrum at the core-mantle boundary. These can be used to estimate the radius of the outer liquid core where the geodynamo operates, or more generally the radius of the planetary dynamo regions. We show that two sub-families of the geomagnetic field are independent of spherical harmonics degree n at the core-mantle boundary and exhibit flat spectra. The first is the non-zonal field, i.e., for spherical harmonics order m different from zero. The second is the quadrupole family, i.e., n+m even. The flatness of their spectra is motivated by the nearly axisymmetric time-average paleomagnetic field (for the non-zonal field) and the dominance of rotational effects in core dynamics (for the quadrupole family). We test our two expressions with two approaches using the reference case of the Earth. First we estimate at the seismic core radius the agreement between the actual spectrum and the theoretical one. Second we estimate the magnetic core radius, where the spectrum flattens. We show that both sub-families offer a better agreement with the actual spectrum compared with previously proposed analytical expressions, and predict a magnetic core radius within less than 10 km of the Earth's seismic core radius. These new expressions supersede previous ones to infer the core radius from geomagnetic field information because the low degree terms are not ignored. Our formalism is then applied to infer the radius of the dynamo regions on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The axisymmetric nature of the magnetic field of Saturn prevents the use of the non-zonal expression. For the three other planets both expressions converge and offer independent constraints on the internal structure of these planets. These non-zonal and quadrupole family expressions may be implemented to extrapolate the geomagnetic field spectrum beyond observable degrees, or to further regularize magnetic field models
Autism Spectrum Disorder - Multiple Languages
... Русский) Expand Section Autism Spectrum Disorder (An Introduction) - English PDF Autism Spectrum Disorder (An Introduction) - Русский (Russian) PDF Autism Spectrum Disorder (An Introduction) - English MP3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (An Introduction) - Русский (Russian) ...
Miller, Judith S.; Farley, Megan; Coon, Hilary; Pinborough-Zimmerman, Judith; Jenson, William; Rice, Catherine E.; Fombonne, Eric; Pingree, Carmen B.; Ritvo, Edward; Ritvo, Riva-Ariella; McMahon, William M.
2015-01-01
The purpose of the present study was to re-examine diagnostic data from a state-wide autism prevalence study (n = 489) conducted in the 1980s to investigate the impact of broader diagnostic criteria on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) case status. Sixty-four (59 %) of the 108 originally “Diagnosed Not Autistic” met the current ASD case definition. The average IQ estimate in the newly identified group (IQ = 35.58; SD = 23.01) was significantly lower than in the original group (IQ = 56.19 SD = 21.21; t = 5.75; p < .0001). Today’s diagnostic criteria applied to participants ascertained in the 1980s identified more cases of autism with intellectual disability. The current analysis puts this historic work into context and highlights differences in ascertainment between epidemiological studies performed decades ago and those of today. PMID:22696195
2017-10-16
Dr. Scott Shipley of Ascentech Enterprises makes an adjustment to the Spectrum unit. He is the project engineer for the effort working under the Engineering Services Contract at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The device is being built for use aboard the International Space Station and is designed to expose different organisms to different color of fluorescent light while a camera records what's happening with time-laps imagery. Results from the Spectrum project will shed light on which living things are best suited for long-duration flights into deep space.
Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders
Allen, Andrea; King, Audrey; Hollander, Eric
2003-01-01
The obsessive-compulsive spectrum is an important concept referring to a number of disorders drawn from several diagnostic categories that share core obsessive-compulsive features. These disorders can be grouped by the focus of their symptoms: bodily preoccupation, impulse control, or neurological disorders. Although the disorders are clearly distinct from one another, they have intriguing similarities in phenomenology, etiology, pathophysiology, patient characteristics, and treatment response. In combination with the knowledge gained through many years of research on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the concept of a spectrum has generated much fruitful research on the spectrum disorders. It has become apparent that these disorders can also be viewed as being on a continuum of compulsivity to impulsivity, characterized by harm avoidance at the compulsive end and risk seeking at the impulsive end. The compulsive and impulsive disorders differ in systematic ways that are just beginning to be understood. Here, we review these concepts and several representative obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders including both compulsive and impulsive disorders, as well as the three different symptom clusters: OCD, body dysmorphic disorder, pathological gambling, sexual compulsivity, and autism spectrum disorders. PMID:22033547
Liau, Jau-Yu; Lee, Jen-Chieh; Wu, Chen-Tu; Kuo, Kuan-Ting; Huang, Hsuan-Ying; Liang, Cher-Wei
2013-04-01
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is traditionally defined as a non-lipogenic high-grade sarcoma arising from a well-differentiated liposarcoma that confers metastatic potential. Recently, DDLPSs with lipoblastic differentiation, i.e. morphologically lipogenic DDLPSs, were reported. Because of the lipoblastic differentiation, these tumours caused confusion, and were reported under different names. However, cytogenetic and molecular studies have revealed their DDLPS nature. So far, the cases reported have been high-grade pleomorphic liposarcoma-like tumours. In this study we have collected another series that contains low-grade tumours, and expand the histological spectrum. Eighteen cases of DDLPS with lipoblastic differentiation from various anatomical locations were analysed by routine histology, immunohistochemistry, and MDM2 fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Two main histological patterns were seen: one featured a spindle cell sarcoma containing lipoblasts with variable nuclear pleomorphism, and the other a pleomorphic liposarcoma-like tumour including the epithelioid variant. Two cases showed low nuclear grade and lipogenic activity in the metastatic foci. CDK4, MDM2 and p16(INK) (4a) overexpression was seen in all except one case. MDM2 amplification was found in all 16 cases tested. We have expanded the spectrum of this variant of DDLPS to include low-grade tumours, in which a careful search for increased mitotic activity is essential. Like conventional DDLPS, these tumours are capable of metastasis. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Thalidomide in Dermatology: Revisited
Hassan, Iffat; Dorjay, Konchok; Anwar, Parvaiz
2015-01-01
The use of thalidomide in relation to dermatology is well- known and enough data is available in the literature about various aspects of thalidomide. Despite being an interesting and useful drug for many dermatoses, it is associated with many health hazards including the birth defects, phocomelia. We hereby present a comprehensive review about thalidomide and its application in dermatology. PMID:25814738
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
... Español (Spanish) Recommend on Facebook Tweet Share Compartir Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that ... key findings. ABOUT US Overview of CDC’s work. Autism: What's New MMWR article: Prevalence of Autism Spectrum ...
Experiences of Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Angell, Maureen E.; Meadan, Hedda; Stoner, Julia B.
2012-01-01
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and identify their self-reported support needs. We conducted in-person semi-structured interviews with 12 siblings aged 7 to 15 of children aged 6 to 15 with ASDs. Employing a qualitative collective case study research method, we conducted cross-case analyses to address our research questions. Three major themes emerged: (a) descriptions of the sibling subsystem (b) cohesion between and among the siblings, and (c) adaptability of the participant siblings to having family members with ASDs. Discussion of these findings and recommendations for future research contributes to the existing literature on siblings of children with disabilities. PMID:22928104
On the intrinsic spectrum of PKS 2155-304 from the H.E.S.S. 2003 data.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Costamante, L.; Aharonian, F.; Benbow, W.; Horns, D.; Reimer, A.; Reimer, O.; Rowell, G.; H.E.S.S. Collaboration
2004-08-01
In 2003, PKS 2155-304 (z=0.116) has been significantly detected by H.E.S.S. ( 44sigma) at TeV energies, with an average spectrum of Γ =3.3. Due to absorption by the Extragalactic Background Light (EBL), the intrinsic spectrum is heavily modified both in shape and intensity. To correct for this effect, and see where could be the Inverse Compton (IC) peak of the SED, we used 3 EBL models (representatives of 3 different flux levels for the stellar peak component). The resulting TeV spectrum has a peak around 1 TeV for stellar peak fluxes above the Primack (2001) calculation, while the spectrum is steeper than 2 (thus locating the IC peak <200 GeV) for fluxes below. With bulk Lorentz factors δ =20-30 (typically used for this object), in the first case the IC peak is in the Klein-Nishina transition region, while in the other case it is in the Thomson regime, and in agreement with the commonly fitted source parameters (e.g. Tavecchio et al. 1998). The constraint on δ given by transparency to 1-2 TeV photons is δ >19 (for historical SED fluxes and 2 hrs variability timescale).
Diprosopus: a unique case and review of the literature.
Wu, June; Staffenberg, David A; Mulliken, John B; Shanske, Alan L
2002-12-01
We present a case of partial facial duplication in a male infant. The clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings for this patient are described, followed by a review of the literature. Craniofacial duplication is a rare form of conjoined twinning and presents in a wide spectrum, from dicephalus to diprosopus to partial facial duplication. Many of these cases can be diagnosed prenatally. Prenatal assessment of our patient revealed only agenesis of the corpus callosum. The pathogenesis is believed to involve duplication of the notochord. Where there are more severe associated anomalies, the prognosis is poor. Partial facial duplication, as in our case, is associated with fewer anomalies, and the prognosis is better. Symmetry and an excess of tissue, rather than deficiency, favor a positive result. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regression in autistic spectrum disorders.
Stefanatos, Gerry A
2008-12-01
A significant proportion of children diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder experience a developmental regression characterized by a loss of previously-acquired skills. This may involve a loss of speech or social responsitivity, but often entails both. This paper critically reviews the phenomena of regression in autistic spectrum disorders, highlighting the characteristics of regression, age of onset, temporal course, and long-term outcome. Important considerations for diagnosis are discussed and multiple etiological factors currently hypothesized to underlie the phenomenon are reviewed. It is argued that regressive autistic spectrum disorders can be conceptualized on a spectrum with other regressive disorders that may share common pathophysiological features. The implications of this viewpoint are discussed.
A Quick and Easy Simplification of Benzocaine's NMR Spectrum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Carpenter, Suzanne R.; Wallace, Richard H.
2006-04-01
The preparation of benzocaine is a common experiment used in sophomore-level organic chemistry. Its straightforward procedure and predictable good yields make it ideal for the beginning organic student. Analysis of the product via NMR spectroscopy, however, can be confusing to the novice interpreter. An inexpensive, quick, and effective method for simplifying the NMR spectrum is reported. The method results in a spectrum that is cleanly integrated and more easily interpreted.
Niinemets, Ulo
2015-01-01
The leaf economics spectrum is a general concept describing coordinated variation in foliage structural, chemical and physiological traits across resource gradients. Yet, within this concept,the role of within-species variation, including ecotypic and plastic variation components, has been largely neglected. This study hypothesized that there is a within-species economics spectrum within the general spectrum in the evergreen sclerophyll Quercus ilex which dominates low resource ecosystems over an exceptionally wide range. An extensive database of foliage traits covering the full species range was constructed, and improved filtering algorithms were developed. Standardized data filtering was deemed absolutely essential as additional variation sources can result in trait variation of 10–300%,blurring the broad relationships. Strong trait variation, c. two-fold for most traits to up to almost an order of magnitude, was uncovered.Although the Q. ilex spectrum is part of the general spectrum, within-species trait and climatic relationships in this species partly differed from the overall spectrum. Contrary to world-wide trends, Q. ilex does not necessarily have a low nitrogen content per mass and can increase photosynthetic capacity with increasing foliage robustness. This study argues that the within-species economics spectrum needs to be considered in regional- to biome-level analyses.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Epp, Kathleen Marie
2008-01-01
There is a paucity of literature on social skills therapy for students on the autism spectrum, revealing an urgent need for additional research. Past research has focused on the use of small groups or single-case study designs. The present study examines the effectiveness of a social skills therapy program for school-age children ages 11 through…
A maximally particle-hole asymmetric spectrum emanating from a semi-Dirac point
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Quan, Yundi; Pickett, Warren E.
2018-02-01
Tight binding models have proven an effective means of revealing Dirac (massless) dispersion, flat bands (infinite mass), and intermediate cases such as the semi-Dirac (sD) dispersion. This approach is extended to a three band model that yields, with chosen parameters in a two-band limit, a closed line with maximally asymmetric particle-hole dispersion: infinite mass holes, zero mass particles. The model retains the sD points for a general set of parameters. Adjacent to this limiting case, hole Fermi surfaces are tiny and needle-like. A pair of large electron Fermi surfaces at low doping merge and collapse at half filling to a flat (zero energy) closed contour with infinite mass along the contour and enclosing no carriers on either side, while the hole Fermi surface has shrunk to a point at zero energy, also containing no carriers. The tight binding model is used to study several characteristics of the dispersion and density of states. The model inspired generalization of sD dispersion to a general ± \\sqrt{k_x2n +k_y2m} form, for which analysis reveals that both n and m must be odd to provide a diabolical point with topological character. Evolution of the Hofstadter spectrum of this three band system with interband coupling strength is presented and discussed.
Solar EUV irradiance from the San Marco ASSI - A reference spectrum
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schmidtke, Gerhard; Woods, Thomas N.; Worden, John; Rottman, Gary J.; Doll, Harry; Wita, Claus; Solomon, Stanley C.
1992-01-01
The only satellite measurement of the solar EUV irradiance during solar cycle 22 has been obtained with the Airglow Solar Spectrometer Instrument (ASSI) aboard the San Marco 5 satellite flown in 1988. The ASSI in-flight calibration parameters are established by using the internal capabilities of ASSI and by comparing ASSI results to the results from other space-based experiments on the ASSI calibration rocket and the Solar Mesospheric Explorer (SME). A solar EUV irradiance spectrum derived from ASSI observations on November 10, 1988 is presented as a reference spectrum for moderate solar activity for the aeronomy community. This ASSI spectrum should be considered as a refinement and extension of the solar EUV spectrum published for the same day by Woods and Rottman (1990).
The Polycystic Ovary Morphology-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Spectrum.
Rosenfield, Robert L
2015-12-01
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of chronic hyperandrogenic anovulation. Two-thirds of PCOS patients have functionally typical PCOS, with typical functional ovarian hyperandrogenism manifest as 17-hydroxyprogesterone hyper-responsiveness to gonadotropin stimulation. Most, but not all, of the remainder have atypical functional ovarian hyperandrogenism. Many asymptomatic volunteers with polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM) have similar abnormalities. The objective of this paper is to review the relationship of biochemical ovarian function to the clinical spectrum observed in PCOS and in normal volunteers with PCOM. Adolescents and adults with PCOS are similar clinically and biochemically. Ninety-five percent of functionally typical PCOS have classic PCOS, ie, hyperandrogenic anovulation with PCOM. In addition to having more severe hyperandrogenism and a greater prevalence of PCOM than other PCOS, they have a significantly greater prevalence of glucose intolerance although insulin resistance is similarly reduced. Half of normal-variant PCOM have PCOS-related steroidogenic dysfunction, which suggests a PCOS carrier state. There is a spectrum of ovarian androgenic dysfunction that ranges from subclinical hyperandrogenemia in some normal-variant PCOM to severe ovarian hyperandrogenism in most classic PCOS. A minority of mild PCOS cases do not fall on this spectrum of ovarian androgenic dysfunction, but rather seem to have obesity as the basis of their hyperandrogenism, or, less often, isolated adrenal androgenic dysfunction. Half of normal-variant PCOM also do not fall on the PCOS spectrum, and some of these seem to have excessive folliculogenesis as a variant that may confer mild prolongation of the reproductive lifespan. Improved understanding of PCOM in young women is needed. Copyright © 2015 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Solitary Fibrous Tumor of Retromolar Pad; a Rare Challenging Case
Lotfi, Ali; Mokhtari, Sepideh; Moshref, Mohammad; Shahla, Maryam; Atarbashi Moghadam, Saede
2017-01-01
Solitary fibrous tumor has a wide spectrum of histopathologic features and many tumors show similar microscopic features. This similarity poses diagnostic challenges to the pathologists and immunohistochemical analysis is required in many cases. Moreover, it is a rare entity in orofacial region which consequently would make its diagnosis more challenging in oral cavity. The knowledge of various microscopic patterns of this tumor contributes to a proper diagnosis and prevents unnecessary treatment. This study reports a case of solitary fibrous tumor in the retromolar pad area and discusses its various histological features and differential diagnoses. PMID:28620640
Su, Pen-Hua; Yu, Ju-Shan; Chen, Jia-Yuh; Chen, Suh-Jen; Li, Shuan-Yow; Chen, Hsiao-Neng
2007-10-01
Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum, the exact genetic predisposition of which has not yet been resolved, is characterized by varying degrees of the prevalently unilateral underdevelopment of craniofacial structures and spinal anomalies. Here, we analyzed four cases exhibiting multiple features of oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum and one case with Treacher-Collins syndrome. The cranium was analyzed using three-dimensional computed tomography, which reliably identifies craniofacial malformations. We detected one typical oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum patient who had a missense mutation in exon 9 of the TCOF1 gene complex and two silent mutations in exons 10 and 23, three partial oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum patients who had no detectable mutations in the TCOF1 gene complex, and one Treacher-Collins syndrome patient who had a nonsense mutation in exon 14. All five patients had eight previously reported polymorphic changes in the TCOF1 exons 10, 11, 12, 16, 21, 22, and 23, and four unreported polymorphisms in exons 9, 17, and 22 that were also detected in 51 Taiwanese control patients. These observations strongly suggest that the TCOF1 genetic changes observed in these five patients might be related to oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum symptoms.
Muscle dysmorphia symptomatology during a period of religious fasting: a case report.
Murray, Stuart B; Rieger, Elizabeth; Touyz, Stephen W
2011-01-01
We present a case of muscle dysmorphia in a Muslim male, whose muscle dysmorphia symptomatology markedly escalated during a period of religious fasting, in which abstinence from food and liquid during daylight hours was endorsed. This case represents the first attempt to delineate the relative centrality of eating versus exercise practices in muscle dysmorphia presentations, and suggests that the maintenance of muscle dysmorphia is inclusive of a central eating component, irrespective of exercise status, lending support to the notion of conceptualising muscle dysmorphia within an eating disorder spectrum. Implications and further research are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Marí-Bauset, Salvador; Llopis-González, Agustín; Zazpe, Itziar; Marí-Sanchis, Amelia; Morales Suárez-Varela, Maria
2017-01-01
This case-control study investigated nutrient intake, healthy eating index with 10 items on foods and nutrients, on 3-day food diaries and anthropometric measurements in 105 children with autism spectrum disorder and 495 typically developing children (6-9 years) in Valencia (Spain). Children with autism spectrum disorder were at a higher risk for…
Necrotizing fasciitis in a patient receiving tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis - Case report.
Rosa-Gonçalves, Diana; Bernardes, Miguel; Costa, Lúcia
We present a case of necrotizing fasciitis in a 66-year-old Caucasian woman with rheumatoid arthritis receiving tocilizumab, and provide a review of published cases. The patient exhibited no systemic symptoms and discreet cutaneous inflammatory signals at presentation. She was successfully treated with broad-spectrum empiric antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.
Facebook Role Play Addiction – A Comorbidity with Multiple Compulsive–Impulsive Spectrum Disorders
Nathan, Deeepa; Shukla, Lekhansh; Kandasamy, Arun; Benegal, Vivek
2016-01-01
Background Problematic Internet use (PIU) is an emerging entity with varied contents. Behavioral addictions have high comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders. Social networking site (SNS) addiction and role playing game (RPG) addiction are traditionally studied as separate entities. We present a case with excessive Internet use, with a particular focus on phenomenology and psychiatric comorbidities. Case presentation Fifteen-year-old girl with childhood onset attention deficit disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, adolescent onset trichotillomania, and disturbed family environment presented with excessive Facebook use. Main online activity was creating profiles in names of mainstream fictional characters and assuming their identity (background, linguistic attributes, etc.). This was a group activity with significant socialization in the virtual world. Craving, salience, withdrawal, mood modification, and conflict were clearly elucidated and significant social and occupational dysfunction was evident. Discussion This case highlights various vulnerability and sociofamilial factors contributing to behavioral addiction. It also highlights the presence of untreated comorbidities in such cases. The difference from contemporary RPGs and uniqueness of role playing on SNS is discussed. SNS role playing as a separate genre of PIU and its potential to reach epidemic proportions are discussed. Conclusions Individuals with temperamental vulnerability are likely to develop behavioral addictions. Identification and management of comorbid conditions are important. The content of PIU continues to evolve and needs further study. PMID:27156380
The Spectrum of Thermally Stimulated Surface Plasmon Polaritons of a Linear Sample
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gerasimov, V. V.; Nikitin, A. K.; Khasanov, I. Sh.; Trang, Ta Thu
2017-12-01
An analytical model of the spectrum of thermally stimulated surface plasmon polaritons (TSSPPs) coming to the edge of a linear conducting sample has been developed. It has been found that the spectrum of such TSSPPs obeys neither the Wien law nor the Stefan-Boltzmann law for thermal radiation. The maximum of this spectrum is shifted to the low-frequency region with respect to the spectrum of the absolutely black body, and the magnitude of the shift is proportional to the sample length. The plasmon nature of the intensity increment of thermal radiation from the edge of a plane face of a duralumin sample has been verified experimentally. It has been shown that the intensity and spectrum of this increment can be controlled both by the sample temperature and by the extension of the face.
Recovering information of tunneling spectrum from weakly isolated horizon
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, Ge-Rui; Huang, Yong-Chang
2015-02-01
In this paper we investigate the properties of tunneling spectrum from weakly isolated horizon (WIH)—a locally defined black hole. We find that there exist correlations among Hawking radiations from a WIH, information can be carried out by such correlations, and the radiation is an entropy conservation process. Through revisiting the calculation of the tunneling spectrum from a WIH, we find that Zhang et al.'s (Ann Phys 326:350, 2011) requirement that radiated particles have the same angular momenta of a unit mass as that of the black hole is unnecessary, and the energy and angular momenta of the emitted particles are very arbitrary, restricted only by keeping the cosmic censorship hypothesis of black holes. So we resolve the information loss paradox based on the method of Zhang et al. (Phys Lett B 675:98, 2009; Ann Phys 326:350, 2011; Int J Mod Phys D 22:1341014, 2013) in a general case.
Dandy-Walker malformation: a review of 78 cases diagnosed by prenatal sonography.
Has, Recep; Ermiş, Hayri; Yüksel, Atil; Ibrahimoğlu, Lem'i; Yildirim, Alkan; Sezer, Hande Delier; Başaran, Seher
2004-01-01
The purpose of this study was to determine the associated abnormalities and clinical outcomes of fetuses with Dandy-Walker malformations. Sonograms and medical reports of 78 cases were reviewed and information regarding each outcome was collected from autopsy records, hospital charts and specialists caring for the surviving infants. We identified 64 fetuses with classic Dandy-Walker malformation (DW) and 14 fetuses with Dandy-Walker variant (DWV). A high proportion (44.8%) of the parents were consanguineous. The spectrum and proportion of central nervous system (67.1 vs. 71.4%; p = 1.0) and other malformations (43.7 vs. 64.2%; p = 0.57) associated with DW and DWV were similar. Chromosome abnormalities were found in 9 of the 51 (17.6%) fetuses that underwent karyotype analysis. Only 4 of 64 (6.2%) DW and 3 of 14 (21.4%) DWV infants survived (p 0.14), and all surviving infants with DW or DWV had neurological disorders. DW and DWV cases show so many similarities that a clear-cut distinction is difficult. There was no significant difference in the spectrum of associated anomalies and postnatal prognosis between DW and DWV cases. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
Is neonatal jaundice associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a systematic review.
Amin, Sanjiv B; Smith, Tristram; Wang, Hongyue
2011-11-01
Using guidelines of the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Group, we systematically reviewed the literature on neonatal jaundice (unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in term and preterm infants. Thirteen studies were included in a meta-analysis. Most used retrospective matched case-control designs. There was significant heterogeneity (Q = 31, p = 0.002) and no evidence of publication bias (p = 0.12). Overall, jaundice, assessed by total serum bilirubin (TSB), was associated with ASD (OR, 1.43, 95% CI 1.22-1.67, random effect model). This association was not found in preterms (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.38-1.02) but deserves further investigation since other measures of bilirubin such as unbound unconjugated bilirubin may be better predictors of neurotoxicity than TSB in preterms.
Miao, Yi; Cao, Lei; Sun, Qian; Li, Xiao-Tong; Wang, Yan; Qiao, Chun; Wang, Li; Wang, Rong; Qiu, Hai-Rong; Xu, Wei; Li, Jian-Yong; Wu, Yu-Jie; Fan, Lei
2018-02-01
The incidence of B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPDs) is significantly lower in China than that in western countries. There have been studies involving small cohorts with conflicting results regarding the spectrum of B-CLPDs in China, and the types and immunophenotyping of B-CLPDs in China remain largely unexplored. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 653 cases of B-CLPDs seen in our centre from 2011 to 2015. Four-colour flow cytometry was used to determine the expression of each immunological marker, and the diagnostic values of the immunological markers were also investigated. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) was the most common type of B-CLPD, which was consistent with that in west countries. However, the proportions of CLL (55.9%), follicular lymphoma (2.6%), and hairy cell leukaemia (0.2%) were lower, while the proportion of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/WaldenstrÖm macroglobulinaemia (5.4%) was higher in China, as compared with western countries. With respect to immunophenotypic characteristics, CD23 (31.7%) was more frequently expressed in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in our cohort than that in western countries. Immunophenotyping was useful in differentiating MCL from CLL or B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/WaldenstrÖm macroglobulinaemia from splenic marginal zone lymphoma. CD200 was of better diagnostic performance (accuracy: 94.6%) in differentiating CLL from MCL compared with CD23 (accuracy: 93.3%). Some cases of B-CPLDs, however, had no definite diagnoses, which were diagnosed as CD5 + B-CPLDs unclassified (7.7%) and CD5 - B-CPLDs unclassified (15.8%). This is the largest study that systematically explores the spectrum and immunophenotyping of B-CLPDs in Asia, confirming that spectrum of B-CLPDs in China was different from that in western countries. The immunophenotypic features of B-CLPDs were similar between China and western countries, although a few disparities exist. Cases with no definite
Chemodectomas: review and report of nine cases.
Poster, D S; Schapiro, H; Woronoff, R
1979-01-01
We have reviewed the broad spectrum of disease caused by chemodectomas. This spectrum extends from the benign to the aggressively malignant with many graduations in-between. Our analyses included cases from the literature and nine new cases seen over the past twenty-five years. Surgery as the primary and most definitive form of therapy, is recommended if feasible, with total excision as the goal, in both benign and malignant histologies. An excellent outcome is to be expected in benign cases. At present, no predictor exists to foretell the behavior of malignant lesions, which can range from the aggressive to the slowly progressive. Both radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been tried in malignant cases. No consistent good result has occurred from the use of either. The future will hopefully bring us more effective therapy.
Multiproteinopathy, neurodegeneration and old age: a case study.
Rojas, Julio C; Stephens, Melanie L; Rabinovici, Gil D; Kramer, Joel H; Miller, Bruce L; Seeley, William W
2018-02-01
A complex spectrum of mixed brain pathologies is common in older people. This clinical pathologic conference case study illustrates the challenges of formulating clinicopathologic correlations in late-onset neurodegenerative diseases featuring cognitive-behavioral syndromes with underlying multiple proteinopathy. Studies on the co-existence and interactions of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with neurodegenerative non-AD pathologies in the aging brain are needed to understand the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and to support the development of diagnostic biomarkers and therapies.
Multiproteinopathy, neurodegeneration and old age: a case study
Rojas, Julio C.; Stephens, Melanie L.; Rabinovici, Gil D.; Kramer, Joel H.; Miller, Bruce L.; Seeley, William W.
2018-01-01
A complex spectrum of mixed brain pathologies is common in older people. This clinical pathologic conference case study illustrates the challenges of formulating clinicopathologic correlations in late-onset neurodegenerative diseases featuring cognitive-behavioral syndromes with underlying multiple proteinopathy. Studies on the co-existence and interactions of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with neurodegenerative non-AD pathologies in the aging brain are needed to understand the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and to support the development of diagnostic biomarkers and therapies. PMID:29307276
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gu, Ye-Ming; Li, Chung-Sheng
1986-01-01
On the basis of the summing-up and analysis of the observations and theories about the impulsive microwave and hard X-ray bursts, the correlations between these two kinds of emissions were investigated. It is shown that it is only possible to explain the optically-thin microwave spectrum and its relations with the hard X-ray spectrum by means of the nonthermal source model. A simple nonthermal trap model in the mildly-relativistic case can consistently explain the main characteristics of the spectrum and the relative time delays.
Brief Report: Prevalence of Autistic Spectrum Disorders in the Sultanate of Oman
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Al-Farsi, Yahya M.; Al-Sharbati, Marwan M.; Al-Farsi, Omar A.; Al-Shafaee, Mohammed S.; Brooks, Daniel R.; Waly, Mostafa I.
2011-01-01
Prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in Oman is unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of ASD among 0-14 year old children. Diagnoses were made as per DSM-IV-TR criteria and supplemented with information collected with the standard Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) questionnaire. A total 113 cases of…
Radiation detector spectrum simulator
Wolf, Michael A.; Crowell, John M.
1987-01-01
A small battery operated nuclear spectrum simulator having a noise source nerates pulses with a Gaussian distribution of amplitudes. A switched dc bias circuit cooperating therewith generates several nominal amplitudes of such pulses and a spectral distribution of pulses that closely simulates the spectrum produced by a radiation source such as Americium 241.
Faulkner, Sophie; Bee, Penny
2017-05-02
Sleep problems are very common in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and impact negatively on functioning and wellbeing. Research regarding interventions to improve sleep in this population has been lacking. Little is known regarding these patient's perspectives on sleep problems and their treatment, providing very little foundation on which to develop acceptable and patient-centred treatments. This study aims to explore perspectives and priorities of participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders regarding sleep and sleep disturbance, and their perspectives on existing treatments. An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study was conducted; data were gathered through in depth interviews with 15 people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and varying degrees of self-reported sleep disturbance, each case was analysed individually before cross-case comparisons were made. Sleep maintenance and sleep quality were universally valued. Changes to sleep were interpreted as part of a perceived loss of normality relating to diagnosis. Participants differed in the extent of any hopes that sleep would improve. Sleep disturbances were linked to a reduced ability or opportunity to participate in valued activities, and were entangled with self-image due to a wish to be perceived as alert and in control. During difficult times, sleep could be seen as an escape. Concerns were expressed regarding the negative effects of using hypnotics or anti-psychotics to aid sleep, although typically antipsychotics were deemed more acceptable than hypnotics. Concerns regarding barriers to adherence and effectiveness of self-help approaches were common. Non-pharmacological interventions were noted to require a personalised whole-lifestyle approach. This is the first study to explore sleep perspectives in participants with established schizophrenia spectrum disorders, recruited from a population receiving usual care. Findings re-enforce the importance of considering sleep
Autism spectrum disorders in gender dysphoric children and adolescents.
de Vries, Annelou L C; Noens, Ilse L J; Cohen-Kettenis, Peggy T; van Berckelaer-Onnes, Ina A; Doreleijers, Theo A
2010-08-01
Only case reports have described the co-occurrence of gender identity disorder (GID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study examined this co-occurrence using a systematic approach. Children and adolescents (115 boys and 89 girls, mean age 10.8, SD = 3.58) referred to a gender identity clinic received a standardized assessment during which a GID diagnosis was made and ASD suspected cases were identified. The Dutch version of the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (10th rev., DISCO-10) was administered to ascertain ASD classifications. The incidence of ASD in this sample of children and adolescents was 7.8% (n = 16). Clinicians should be aware of co-occurring ASD and GID and the challenges it generates in clinical management.
A reinterpretation of the electronic spectrum of pyrrole: A quantum dynamics study
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Neville, S. P.; Worth, G. A., E-mail: g.a.worth@bham.ac.uk
The first band in the electronic spectrum of pyrrole is calculated from wavepacket propagations performed using the MCTDH method. To do so, two model Hamiltonians are constructed to describe seven low-lying excited electronic states of pyrrole. These Hamiltonians are based on the vibronic coupling model, and are parameterised via fitting to extensive CASPT2 and EOM-CCSD calculations. A detailed analysis of the structure of pyrrole's electronic spectrum in the range 5.5 to 6.5 eV is made. The role of intensity borrowing from transitions to ππ{sup *} states by lower-lying 3s and 3p Rydberg states is assessed, and reassignments of much ofmore » the spectrum are subsequently made which indicate that most of the states in the spectrum are predominantly Rydberg in character. The resulting conclusions drawn serve to highlight the limitations of assignments based on the matching of calculated vertical excitation energies and the positions of peak maxima observed in electronic spectra.« less
Injection Locking Techniques for Spectrum Analysis
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gathma, Timothy D.; Buckwalter, James F.
2011-04-01
Wideband spectrum analysis supports future communication systems that reconfigure and adapt to the capacity of the spectral environment. While test equipment manufacturers offer wideband spectrum analyzers with excellent sensitivity and resolution, these spectrum analyzers typically cannot offer acceptable size, weight, and power (SWAP). CMOS integrated circuits offer the potential to fully integrate spectrum analysis capability with analog front-end circuitry and digital signal processing on a single chip. Unfortunately, CMOS lacks high-Q passives and wideband resonator tunability that is necessary for heterodyne implementations of spectrum analyzers. As an alternative to the heterodyne receiver architectures, two nonlinear methods for performing wideband, low-power spectrum analysis are presented. The first method involves injecting the spectrum of interest into an array of injection-locked oscillators. The second method employs the closed loop dynamics of both injection locking and phase locking to independently estimate the injected frequency and power.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
He, Y. F.; Zhu, W.; Zhang, Q.; Zhang, W. T.
2018-04-01
InSAR technique can measure the surface deformation with the accuracy of centimeter-level or even millimeter and therefore has been widely used in the deformation monitoring associated with earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geologic process. However, ionospheric irregularities can lead to the wavy fringes in the low frequency SAR interferograms, which disturb the actual information of geophysical processes and thus put severe limitations on ground deformations measurements. In this paper, an application of two common methods, the range split-spectrum and azimuth offset methods are exploited to estimate the contributions of the ionosphere, with the aim to correct ionospheric effects in interferograms. Based on the theoretical analysis and experiment, a performance analysis is conducted to evaluate the efficiency of these two methods. The result indicates that both methods can mitigate the ionospheric effect in SAR interferograms and the range split-spectrum method is more precise than the other one. However, it is also found that the range split-spectrum is easily contaminated by the noise, and the achievable accuracy of the azimuth offset method is limited by the ambiguous integral constant, especially with the strong azimuth variations induced by the ionosphere disturbance.
Radiation detector spectrum simulator
Wolf, M.A.; Crowell, J.M.
1985-04-09
A small battery operated nuclear spectrum simulator having a noise source generates pulses with a Gaussian distribution of amplitudes. A switched dc bias circuit cooperating therewith to generate several nominal amplitudes of such pulses and a spectral distribution of pulses that closely simulates the spectrum produced by a radiation source such as Americium 241.
75 FR 81558 - Promoting More Efficient Use of Spectrum Through Dynamic Spectrum Use Technologies
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2010-12-28
... wireless innovation to ensure that the promise of dynamic spectrum access technologies can be fully... intensive and efficient use of the radio spectrum, and the potential that these technological innovations have for enabling more effective management of spectrum. DATES: Comments must be filed on or before...
Primary Spinal Intramedullary Neurocysticercosis: A Report of 3 Cases.
Datta, Subramanya G S; Mehta, Ritu; Macha, Shrikant; Tripathi, Sanjog
2017-09-01
We describe a series of 3 cases of the rare intramedullary form of primary spinal neurocysticercosis. The cases were seen in varied age groups and showed different profiles at presentation. All the cases were thoroughly evaluated clinically and radiologically. Serologic tests were not conducted. In all cases, magnetic resonance imaging showed a large intramedullary lesion in the thoracic spinal cord consisting of a cystic lesion with a well-defined intramural nodule. One case was managed with steroids and cysticidal therapy, a second case was managed with steroids and surgery (2 emergency procedures), while the third case was managed without any medical or surgical intervention, as the patient was unwilling for either. All cases showed good neurologic recovery. In the second case where surgery was done, histologic examination of the resected specimen demonstrated the cysticercal parasite surrounded by mixed inflammatory infiltrate. As there were no intracranial lesions in all 3 cases, the final diagnosis was primary isolated intramedullary neurocysticercosis. Primary isolated intramedullary-neurocysticercosis remains a rare condition afflicting the spinal cord. It forms a small subset of cysticercal infestation of the neuraxis. Such evidence is rare, and only anecdotal reports are available. Our case series captures the wide spectrum of presentations, as well as the management options, and highlights the varied ways in which these cases were managed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sullivan, Jillian C.; Miller, Lucy J.; Nielsen, Darcy M.; Schoen, Sarah A.
2014-01-01
Migraine headaches are associated with sensory hyperreactivity and anxiety in the general population, but it is unknown whether this is also the case in autism spectrum disorders. This pilot study asked parents of 81 children (aged 7-17 years) with autism spectrum disorders to report their child's migraine occurrence, sensory hyperreactivity…
PROSPECT - A precision oscillation and spectrum experiment
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Langford, T. J.; PROSPECT Collaboration
2015-08-01
Segmented antineutrino detectors placed near a compact research reactor provide an excellent opportunity to probe short-baseline neutrino oscillations and precisely measure the reactor antineutrino spectrum. Close proximity to a reactor combined with minimal overburden yield a high background environment that must be managed through shielding and detector technology. PROSPECT is a new experimental effort to detect reactor antineutrinos from the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy. The detector will use novel lithium-loaded liquid scintillator capable of neutron/gamma pulse shape discrimination and neutron capture tagging. These enhancements improve the ability to identify neutrino inverse-beta decays (IBD) and reject background events in analysis. Results from these efforts will be covered along with their implications for an oscillation search and a precision spectrum measurement.
Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: A Review
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Norrix, Linda W.; Velenovsky, David S.
2014-01-01
Purpose: Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, or ANSD, can be a confusing diagnosis to physicians, clinicians, those diagnosed, and parents of children diagnosed with the condition. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with an understanding of the disorder, the limitations in current tools to determine site(s) of lesion, and…
Ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the half-filled bilayer graphene
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Apinyan, V.; Kopeć, T. K.
2018-07-01
We consider the optical properties of the half-filled AB-stacked bilayer graphene with the excitonic pairing and condensation between the layers. Both intra and interlayer local Coulomb interaction effects have been taken into account and the role of the exact Fermi energy has been discussed in details. We have calculated the absorption coefficient, refractive index, dielectric response functions and the electron energy loss spectrum for different interlayer Coulomb interaction regimes and for different temperatures. Considering the full four-band model for the interacting AB bilayer graphene, a good agreement is achieved with other theoretical and experimental works on the subject, in particular, limiting cases of the theory. The calculations, presented here, permit to estimate accurately the effects of excitonic pairing and condensation on the optical properties of the bilayer graphene. The modifications of the plasmon excitation spectrum are discussed in details for a very large interval of the interlayer interaction parameter.
A review on the clinical spectrum and natural history of human influenza.
Punpanich, Warunee; Chotpitayasunondh, Tawee
2012-10-01
The objective of this review is to provide updated information on the clinical spectrum and natural history of human influenza, including risk factors for severe disease, and to identify the knowledge gap in this area. We searched the MEDLINE database of the recent literature for the period January 2009 to August 17, 2011 with regard to the abovementioned aspects of human influenza, focusing on A(H1N1)pdm09 and seasonal influenza. The clinical spectrum and outcomes of cases of A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza have been mild and rather indistinguishable from those of seasonal influenza. Sporadic cases covering a wide range of neurological complications have been reported. Underlying predisposing conditions considered to be high-risk for A(H1N1)pdm09 infections are generally similar to those of seasonal influenza, but with two additional risk groups: pregnant women and the morbidly obese. Co-infections with bacteria and D222/N variants or 225G substitution of the viral genome have also been reported to be significant factors associated with the severity of disease. The current knowledge gap includes: (1) a lack of clarification regarding the relatively greater severity of the Mexican A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza outbreak in the early phase of the pandemic; (2) insufficient data on the clinical impact, risk factors, and outcomes of human infections caused by resistant strains of influenza; and (3) insufficient data from less developed countries that would enable them to prioritize strategies for influenza prevention and control. Clinical features and risk factors of A(H1N1)pdm09 are comparable to those of seasonal influenza. Emerging risk factors for severe disease with A(H1N1)pdm09 include morbid obesity, pregnancy, bacterial co-infections, and D222/N variants or 225G substitution of the viral genome. Copyright © 2012 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Spectrum of coherent transition radiation generated by a modulated electron beam
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Naumenko, G. A.; Potylitsyn, A. P.; Karataev, P. V.; Shipulya, M. A.; Bleko, V. V.
2017-07-01
The spectrum of coherent transition radiation has been recorded with the use of a Martin-Puplett interferometer. It has been shown that the spectrum includes monochromatic lines that are caused by the modulation of an electron beam with the frequency of an accelerating radio-frequency field νRF and correspond to resonances at ν k = kνRF k ≤ 10. To determine the length of an electron bunch from the measurement of the spectrum from a single bunch, it is necessary to use a spectrometer with the resolution Δνsp > νRF.
Spectrum transformation for divergent iterations
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gupta, Murli M.
1991-01-01
Certain spectrum transformation techniques are described that can be used to transform a diverging iteration into a converging one. Two techniques are considered called spectrum scaling and spectrum enveloping and how to obtain the optimum values of the transformation parameters is discussed. Numerical examples are given to show how this technique can be used to transform diverging iterations into converging ones; this technique can also be used to accelerate the convergence of otherwise convergent iterations.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Liu, Yingyi; Zhou, Lijuan; Liu, Yuanqing; Yuan, Haiwen; Ji, Liang
2017-11-01
Audible noise is closely related to corona current on a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line. In this paper, we measured a large amount of audible noise and corona current waveforms simultaneously based on the largest outdoor HVDC corona cage all over the world. By analyzing the experimental data, the related statistical regularities between a corona current spectrum and an audible noise spectrum were obtained. Furthermore, the generation mechanism of audible noise was analyzed theoretically, and the related mathematical expression between the audible noise spectrum and the corona current spectrum, which is suitable for all of these measuring points in the space, has been established based on the electro-acoustic conversion theory. Finally, combined with the obtained mathematical relation, the internal reasons for these statistical regularities appearing in measured corona current and audible noise data were explained. The results of this paper not only present the statistical association regularities between the corona current spectrum and the audible noise spectrum on a HVDC transmission line, but also reveal the inherent reasons of these associated rules.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dikmese, Sener; Srinivasan, Sudharsan; Shaat, Musbah; Bader, Faouzi; Renfors, Markku
2014-12-01
Multicarrier waveforms have been commonly recognized as strong candidates for cognitive radio. In this paper, we study the dynamics of spectrum sensing and spectrum allocation functions in cognitive radio context using very practical signal models for the primary users (PUs), including the effects of power amplifier nonlinearities. We start by sensing the spectrum with energy detection-based wideband multichannel spectrum sensing algorithm and continue by investigating optimal resource allocation methods. Along the way, we examine the effects of spectral regrowth due to the inevitable power amplifier nonlinearities of the PU transmitters. The signal model includes frequency selective block-fading channel models for both secondary and primary transmissions. Filter bank-based wideband spectrum sensing techniques are applied for detecting spectral holes and filter bank-based multicarrier (FBMC) modulation is selected for transmission as an alternative multicarrier waveform to avoid the disadvantage of limited spectral containment of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)-based multicarrier systems. The optimization technique used for the resource allocation approach considered in this study utilizes the information obtained through spectrum sensing and knowledge of spectrum leakage effects of the underlying waveforms, including a practical power amplifier model for the PU transmitter. This study utilizes a computationally efficient algorithm to maximize the SU link capacity with power and interference constraints. It is seen that the SU transmission capacity depends critically on the spectral containment of the PU waveform, and these effects are quantified in a case study using an 802.11-g WLAN scenario.
Adaptive estimation of a time-varying phase with a power-law spectrum via continuous squeezed states
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dinani, Hossein T.; Berry, Dominic W.
2017-06-01
When measuring a time-varying phase, the standard quantum limit and Heisenberg limit as usually defined, for a constant phase, do not apply. If the phase has Gaussian statistics and a power-law spectrum 1 /|ω| p with p >1 , then the generalized standard quantum limit and Heisenberg limit have recently been found to have scalings of 1 /N(p -1 )/p and 1 /N2 (p -1 )/(p +1 ) , respectively, where N is the mean photon flux. We show that this Heisenberg scaling can be achieved via adaptive measurements on squeezed states. We predict the experimental parameters analytically, and test them with numerical simulations. Previous work had considered the special case of p =2 .
Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor: A case series
Calomeni, Guilherme D.; Ataíde, Elaine B.; Machado, Ricardo R.; Escanhoela, Cecília A.F.; Costa, Larissa B.E.; Boin, Ilka F.F.
2013-01-01
INTRODUCTION Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a rare lesion consisted of inflammatory and myofibroblastic cells. These lesions may be found in different organs. There are less than 300 described cases. PRESENTATION OF CASE Case 1. 64-year-old cirrhotic male with a palpable epigastric mass. CT showed a lesion in liver segments 2 and 3 and left hepatic artery aneurism. Percutaneous embolization and wide spectrum antibiotics were tried, however the lesion grew. Left lateral hepatectomy was performed, and HIPT diagnosed. The patient died due to multiple organ dysfunction. Case 2. 30-year-old male with abdominal pain and fever. CT showed a hepatic hilar lesion. Surgical resection was performed after an ineffectual antibiotic trial, and HIPT was confirmed. The patient is doing well. Case 3. 73-year-old female with abdominal pain and fever. CT showed a 7 cm lesion in the left liver lobe. Unrewarding cancerous screening was performed, and unsuccessful antibiotic course was tried. Resection was performed, and HIPT diagnosed. The patient is doing well. Case 4. 50-year-old cirrhotic male with abdominal pain. CT showed a segment 6 lesion and portal vein thrombosis. Considering cancer as the first hypothesis and the MELD score of 9, segmentectomy was performed. HIPT was the final diagnosis. The patient died due to abdominal sepsis. DISCUSSION HIPT is a lesion with a vast list of differential diagnosis. Antibiotics are the first line of therapy, although surgery is often necessary. Overall prognosis is good, although comorbidities may worsen it. CONCLUSION HIPT is a rare and misleading entity. PMID:23399515
Primordial power spectrum: a complete analysis with the WMAP nine-year data
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Hazra, Dhiraj Kumar; Shafieloo, Arman; Souradeep, Tarun, E-mail: dhiraj@apctp.org, E-mail: arman@apctp.org, E-mail: tarun@iucaa.ernet.in
2013-07-01
We have improved further the error sensitive Richardson-Lucy deconvolution algorithm making it applicable directly on the un-binned measured angular power spectrum of Cosmic Microwave Background observations to reconstruct the form of the primordial power spectrum. This improvement makes the application of the method significantly more straight forward by removing some intermediate stages of analysis allowing a reconstruction of the primordial spectrum with higher efficiency and precision and with lower computational expenses. Applying the modified algorithm we fit the WMAP 9 year data using the optimized reconstructed form of the primordial spectrum with more than 300 improvement in χ{sup 2}{sub eff}more » with respect to the best fit power-law. This is clearly beyond the reach of other alternative approaches and reflects the efficiency of the proposed method in the reconstruction process and allow us to look for any possible feature in the primordial spectrum projected in the CMB data. Though the proposed method allow us to look at various possibilities for the form of the primordial spectrum, all having good fit to the data, proper error-analysis is needed to test for consistency of theoretical models since, along with possible physical artefacts, most of the features in the reconstructed spectrum might be arising from fitting noises in the CMB data. Reconstructed error-band for the form of the primordial spectrum using many realizations of the data, all bootstrapped and based on WMAP 9 year data, shows proper consistency of power-law form of the primordial spectrum with the WMAP 9 data at all wave numbers. Including WMAP polarization data in to the analysis have not improved much our results due to its low quality but we expect Planck data will allow us to make a full analysis on CMB observations on both temperature and polarization separately and in combination.« less
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Neal, Daniene; Matson, Johnny L.; Belva, Brian C.
2013-01-01
The "autism spectrum disorder observation for children" ("ASD-OC") is a newly created 54-item observation measure for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Due to the fact that many of the ASD observation measures currently available do not have established psychometric properties and require extensive time and training to administer, the "ASD-OC"…
The Early Start Denver Model: A Case Study of an Innovative Practice
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Vismara, Laurie A.; Rogers, Sally J.
2008-01-01
Intervention was implemented with an infant identified at 9 months of age with a behavioral profile consistent with autistic spectrum disorder. The intervention approach, the Early Start Denver model, consisted of a 12-week, 1.5-hr-per-week individualized parent-child education program. Results of this case study demonstrated that the parent…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rutherford, Marion; McKenzie, Karen; Johnson, Tess; Catchpole, Ciara; O'Hare, Anne; McClure, Iain; Forsyth, Kirsty; McCartney, Deborah; Murray, Aja
2016-01-01
This article reports on gender ratio, age of diagnosis and the duration of assessment procedures in autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in a national study which included all types of clinical services for children and adults. Findings are reported from a retrospective case note analysis undertaken with a representative sample of 150 Scottish…
Loss of glyphosate efficacy: a changing weed spectrum in Georgia cotton
USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database
Introduction of glyphosate resistance into crops through genetic modification has revolutionized crop protection. Glyphosate, the proverbial silver bullet, is a broad spectrum herbicide with favorable environmental characteristics and effective broad-spectrum weed control that has greatly improved ...
The association between prune belly syndrome and dental anomalies: a case report.
Basso, Maria Daniela; Favretto, Carla Oliveira; Cunha, Robson Frederico
2012-12-18
Prune belly syndrome is a rare condition produced by an early mesodermal defect that causes abdominal abnormalities. However, the literature indicates that disturbances related to ectodermal development may also be present. This is the first case report in the literature to suggest that dental abnormalities are part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of prune belly syndrome. Because the syndrome causes many serious medical problems, early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions are encouraged. The authors report the clinical case of a 4-year-old Caucasian boy with prune belly syndrome. In addition to the triad of abdominal muscle deficiency, abnormalities of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, and cryptorchidism, a geminated mandibular right central incisor, agenesis of a mandibular permanent left incisor, and congenitally missing primary teeth (namely, the mandibular right and left lateral incisors) were noted. This original case report about prune belly syndrome highlights the possibility that dental abnormalities are a part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of the syndrome. Therefore, an accurate intra-oral clinical examination and radiographic evaluation are required for patients with this syndrome in order to provide an early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions.
Sjögren syndrome and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder co-exist in a common autoimmune milieu.
Carvalho, Diogo C; Tironi, Tauana S; Freitas, Denise S; Kleinpaul, Rodrigo; Talim, Natalia C; Lana-Peixoto, Marco A
2014-08-01
The relationship between Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is not completely understood. We report two patients with both conditions and review 47 other previously reported cases meeting currently accepted diagnostic criteria, from 17 articles extracted from PubMed. Out of 44 patients whose gender was informed, 42 were females. Mean age at onset of neurological manifestation was 36.2 years (10-74). Serum anti-AQP4-IgG was positive in 32 patients, borderline in 1, and negative in 4. Our Case 1 was seronegative for AQP4-IgG and had no non-organ-specific autoantibodies other than anti-SSB antibodies. Our Case 2 had serum anti-AQP4, anti-SSA/SSB, anti-thyreoglobulin and anti-acethylcholine-receptor antibodies, as well as clinical hypothyreoidism, but no evidence of myasthenia gravis. Our Cases and others, as previously reported in literature, with similar heterogeneous autoimmune response to aquaporin-4, suggest that SS and NMO co-exist in a common autoimmune milieu which is not dependent on aquaporin-4 autoimmunity.
Optimal Bandwidth for Multitaper Spectrum Estimation
Haley, Charlotte L.; Anitescu, Mihai
2017-07-04
A systematic method for bandwidth parameter selection is desired for Thomson multitaper spectrum estimation. We give a method for determining the optimal bandwidth based on a mean squared error (MSE) criterion. When the true spectrum has a second-order Taylor series expansion, one can express quadratic local bias as a function of the curvature of the spectrum, which can be estimated by using a simple spline approximation. This is combined with a variance estimate, obtained by jackknifing over individual spectrum estimates, to produce an estimated MSE for the log spectrum estimate for each choice of time-bandwidth product. The bandwidth that minimizesmore » the estimated MSE then gives the desired spectrum estimate. Additionally, the bandwidth obtained using our method is also optimal for cepstrum estimates. We give an example of a damped oscillatory (Lorentzian) process in which the approximate optimal bandwidth can be written as a function of the damping parameter. Furthermore, the true optimal bandwidth agrees well with that given by minimizing estimated the MSE in these examples.« less
Neoclassical Current Drive by Waves with a Symmetric Spectrum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Helander, Per
2000-10-01
It is well known that plasma waves can produce electric currents if the waves have an asymmetric spectrum, so that they either interact preferentially with electrons travelling in one direction along the magnetic field or impart net parallel momentum to the electrons [1]. This directionality creates an asymmetry in the electron distribution function and thereby produces a current parallel to the field. We demonstrate, somewhat surprisingly, that in a plasma confined by a curved magnetic field no such spectral asymmetry is necessary for current drive if the effect of collisions is properly taken into account. For instance, in a toroidal plasma a current can be produced by a spectrally symmetric wave field if this field is instead up-down asymmetric, which is frequently the case for electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) in tokamaks. We have calculated the resulting current drive efficiency and found it to be smaller than that of the conventional current drive mechanism in the banana regime, but not insignificant in the plateau regime. The results will be compared with experiments in DIII-D, where the measured efficiency exceeds the classical prediction [2]. Our calculations are focused on this case of ECCD in tokamaks, but the basic physical mechanism is much more general. It is of a universal neoclassical nature and applies to all wave-particle interaction in curved magnetic fields. [1] N.J. Fisch, Rev. Mod. Phys. 59, 175 (1987). [2] Y. R. Lin-Liu et al., 26th EPS Conf. on Contr. Fusion and Plasma Phys.(European Phys. Soc. Paris, 1999) Vol. 23J, p 1245.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ha, Tri T.; Pratt, Timothy
1989-01-01
The feasibility of using spread spectrum techniques to provide a low-cost multiple access system for a very large number of low data terminals was investigated. Two applications of spread spectrum technology to very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite communication networks are presented. Two spread spectrum multiple access systems which use a form of noncoherent M-ary FSK (MFSK) as the primary modulation are described and the throughput analyzed. The analysis considers such factors as satellite power constraints and adjacent satellite interference. Also considered is the effect of on-board processing on the multiple access efficiency and the feasibility of overlaying low data rate spread spectrum signals on existing satellite traffic as a form of frequency reuse is investigated. The use of chirp is examined for spread spectrum communications. In a chirp communication system, each data bit is converted into one or more up or down sweeps of frequency, which spread the RF energy across a broad range of frequencies. Several different forms of chirp communication systems are considered, and a multiple-chirp coded system is proposed for overlay service. The mutual interference problem is examined in detail and a performance analysis undertaken for the case of a chirp data channel overlaid on a video channel.
Rutherford, Marion; McKenzie, Karen; Johnson, Tess; Catchpole, Ciara; O'Hare, Anne; McClure, Iain; Forsyth, Kirsty; McCartney, Deborah; Murray, Aja
2016-07-01
This article reports on gender ratio, age of diagnosis and the duration of assessment procedures in autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in a national study which included all types of clinical services for children and adults. Findings are reported from a retrospective case note analysis undertaken with a representative sample of 150 Scottish children and adults recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The study reports key findings that the gender ratio in this consecutively referred cohort is lower than anticipated in some age groups and reduces with increasing age. The gender ratio in children, together with the significant difference in the mean age of referral and diagnosis for girls compared to boys, adds evidence of delayed recognition of autism spectrum disorder in younger girls. There was no significant difference in duration of assessment for males and females suggesting that delays in diagnosis of females occur prior to referral for assessment. Implications for practice and research are considered. © The Author(s) 2016.
Device for frequency modulation of a laser output spectrum
Beene, James R.; Bemis, Jr., Curtis E.
1986-01-01
A device is provided for fast frequency modulating the output spectrum of multimode lasers and single frequency lasers that are not actively stabilized. A piezoelectric transducer attached to a laser cavity mirror is driven in an unconventional manner to excite resonance vibration of the transducer to rapidly, cyclicly change the laser cavity length. The result is a cyclic sweeping of the output wavelength sufficient to fill the gaps in the laser output frequency spectrum. When such a laser is used to excite atoms or molecules, complete absorption line coverage is made possible.
Device for frequency modulation of a laser output spectrum
Beene, J.R.; Bemis, C.E. Jr.
1984-07-17
A device is provided for fast frequency modulating the output spectrum of multimode lasers and single frequency lasers that are not actively stabilized. A piezoelectric transducer attached to a laser cavity mirror is driven in an unconventional manner to excite resonance vibration of the tranducer to rapidly, cyclicly change the laser cavity length. The result is a cyclic sweeping of the output wavelength sufficient to fill the gaps in the laser output frequency spectrum. When a laser is used to excite atoms or molecules, complete absorption line coverage is made possible.
Overactive lifestyle in patients with fibromyalgia as a core feature of bipolar spectrum disorder.
Alciati, Alessandra; Sarzi-Puttini, Piercarlo; Batticciotto, Alberto; Torta, Riccardo; Gesuele, Felice; Atzeni, Fabiola; Angst, Jules
2012-01-01
To test the hypothesis that the premorbid overactivity previously described in subjects with fibromyalgia is a core feature of the manic/hypomanic symptoms characterising bipolar spectrum disorders. 110 consecutive patients with fibromyalgia were assessed for bipolar spectrum disorders using both categorical and dimensional approaches. The first was based on a version of the DSM-IV SCID-CV interview, modified to improve the detection of bipolar spectrum disorders, the second on the hypomania symptom checklist HCL-32, which adopts a dimensional perspective of the manic/hypomanic component of mood by including sub-syndromal hypomania. Both DSM-IV and Zurich criteria diagnosed high rates of bipolar spectrum disorder in patients with fibromyalgia (70% and 86.3%, respectively). Individuals with a major bipolar spectrum disorder (bipolar II disorder) and with a minor bipolar spectrum disorder (subthreshold depression and hypomania) did not differ in their demographic and clinical aspects. Hypomanic symptom counts on the HCL-32 confirmed high estimates of the bipolar spectrum, with 79% of subjects with fibromyalgia scoring 14 (threshold for hypomania) or above. Overactivity reported in previous studies may be considered a core feature of hypomanic symptoms or syndromes comorbid with bipolar spectrum disorders. Major and minor bipolar spectrum disorders are not associated with differences in demographic or clinical characteristics, suggesting that fibromyalgia rather than being related specifically to depression is related to bipolar spectrum disorders and in particular to the hypomania/overactivity component.
Chronic Disease Risks in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Forewarned Is Forearmed
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tyler, Carl V.; Schramm, Sarah C.; Karafa, Matthew; Tang, Anne S.; Jain, Anil K.
2011-01-01
An emerging, cost-effective method to examine prevalent and future health risks of persons with disabilities is electronic health record (EHR) analysis. As an example, a case-control EHR analysis of adults with autism spectrum disorder receiving primary care through the Cleveland Clinic from 2005 to 2008 identified 108 adults with autism spectrum…
Application of a neural network for reflectance spectrum classification
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yang, Gefei; Gartley, Michael
2017-05-01
Traditional reflectance spectrum classification algorithms are based on comparing spectrum across the electromagnetic spectrum anywhere from the ultra-violet to the thermal infrared regions. These methods analyze reflectance on a pixel by pixel basis. Inspired by high performance that Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) have demonstrated in image classification, we applied a neural network to analyze directional reflectance pattern images. By using the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) data, we can reformulate the 4-dimensional into 2 dimensions, namely incident direction × reflected direction × channels. Meanwhile, RIT's micro-DIRSIG model is utilized to simulate additional training samples for improving the robustness of the neural networks training. Unlike traditional classification by using hand-designed feature extraction with a trainable classifier, neural networks create several layers to learn a feature hierarchy from pixels to classifier and all layers are trained jointly. Hence, the our approach of utilizing the angular features are different to traditional methods utilizing spatial features. Although training processing typically has a large computational cost, simple classifiers work well when subsequently using neural network generated features. Currently, most popular neural networks such as VGG, GoogLeNet and AlexNet are trained based on RGB spatial image data. Our approach aims to build a directional reflectance spectrum based neural network to help us to understand from another perspective. At the end of this paper, we compare the difference among several classifiers and analyze the trade-off among neural networks parameters.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chezan, Laura C.; Gable, Robert A.; McWhorter, Gabriela Z.; White, Sherita D.
2017-01-01
Our purpose in this systematic review was to identify, evaluate, and summarize the single-case research design studies examining behavioral interventions to address self-injurious behavior for young children with autism spectrum disorder. We identified 24 studies published between 2000 and 2016 that met the inclusion criteria. We reviewed and…
Broad-spectrum antibiotics in Norwegian hospitals.
Holen, Øyunn; Alberg, Torunn; Blix, Hege Salvesen; Smith, Ingrid; Neteland, Marion Iren; Eriksen, Hanne Merete
2017-03-01
BACKGROUND One of the objectives in the action plan to reduce antimicrobial resistance in the health services in Norway is to reduce the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in Norwegian hospitals. This study describes the use of certain broad-spectrum antibiotics mentioned in the action plan in Norwegian hospitals, and assesses prescribing practices in relation to the Norwegian guidelines for antibiotic use in hospitals.MATERIAL AND METHOD Data were analysed from a nationwide non-identifiable point prevalence survey in May 2016 where all systemic use of antibiotics was recorded.RESULTS Broad-spectrum antibiotics accounted for 33 % of all antibiotics prescribed. Altogether 84 % of all broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed as treatment, 8 % were for prophylactic use, and 8 % were classified as other/unknown. Lower respiratory tract infections were the most frequent indication for treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, involving 30 % of all broad-spectrum treatment.INTERPRETATION This point prevalence survey in Norwegian hospitals in spring 2016 indicates a possibility for reducing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections and for prophylactic use. Reduction of healthcare-associated infections may also contribute.
The imprint of Gould's belt on the local cosmic ray electron spectrum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pohl, M.; Perrot, C.; Grenier, I.
2001-08-01
In a recent paper Pohl and Esposito (1998) demonstrated that if the sources of cosmic-rays are discrete, as are Supernova Remnants (SNR), then the spectra of cosmic-ray electrons largely vary with location and time and the locally measured electron spectrum may not be representative of the electron spectra elsewhere in the Galaxy, which could be substantially harder than the local one. They have shown that the observed excess of γ-ray emission above 1 GeV can in fact be partially explained as a correspondingly hard inverse Compton component, provided the bulk of cosmic-ray electrons is produced in SNR. As part of a program to model the Galactic γ-ray foreground we have continued the earlier studies by investigating the impact of the star forming region Gould's Belt on the local electron spectrum. If the electron sources in Gould's Belt were continous, the local electron spectrum would be slightly hardened. If the electron sources are discrete, which is the more probable case, the variation in the local electron spectrum found by Pohl & Esposito persists. 1 The local cosmic-ray electron spectrum The recent detections of non-thermal X-ray synchrotron radiation from the supernova remnants SN1006 (Koyama et al., 1995), RX J1713.7-3946 (Koyama et al., 1997), IC443 (Keohane et al., 1997; Slane et al., 1999), Cas A (Allen et al., 1997), and RCW86 (Borkowski et al., 2001) and the subsequent detections of SN1006 (Tanimori et al., 1998), RX J1713.7-3946 (Muraishi et al., 2000), and Cas A (Aharonian et al., 2001) at TeV energies support the hypothesis that at least Galactic cosmic-ray electrons are accelerated predominantly in SNR. The Galactic distribution and spectrum of cosmic-ray electrons are intimately linked to the distribution and nature of their sources. Supernovae and hence their remnants are tran-
Disruption of MBD5 contributes to a spectrum of psychopathology and neurodevelopmental abnormalities
Hodge, Jennelle C.; Mitchell, Elyse; Pillalamarri, Vamsee; Toler, Tomi L.; Bartel, Frank; Kearney, Hutton M.; Zou, Ying S.; Tan, Wen-Hann; Hanscom, Carrie; Kirmani, Salman; Hanson, Rae R.; Skinner, Steven A.; Rogers, Curtis; Everman, David B.; Boyd, Ellen; Mullegama, Sureni V.; Keelean-Fuller, Debra; Powell, Cynthia M.; Elsea, Sarah H.; Morton, Cynthia C.; Gusella, James F.; DuPont, Barbara; Chaubey, Alka; Lin, Angela E.; Talkowski, Michael E.
2016-01-01
Microdeletions of chromosomal region 2q23.1 that disrupt MBD5 contribute to a spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes, however the impact of this locus in human psychopathology has not been described. To characterize the structural variation landscape of MBD5 disruptions and the associated psychopathology, 22 individuals with genomic disruption of MBD5 (translocation, point mutation, and deletion) were identified through whole-genome sequencing or cytogenomic microarray at 11 molecular diagnostic centers. The genomic impact ranged from a single base pair to 5.4 Mb. Parents were available for 11 cases, all of which confirmed the rearrangement arose de novo. Phenotypes were largely indistinguishable between patients with full-segment 2q23.1 deletions and those with intragenic MBD5 rearrangements, including alterations confined entirely to the 5′UTR, confirming the critical impact of non-coding sequence at this locus. We found heterogeneous, multi-system pathogenic effects of MBD5 disruption and characterized the associated spectrum of psychopathology, which includes sensory integration disorder, anxiety, self-hugging, bipolar disorder and others. Importantly, unique features of the oldest assessed patient were early-onset dementia and behavioral regression. Analyses also revealed phenotypes that distinguish MBD5 disruptions from seven well-established syndromes with significant diagnostic overlap. This study indicates that haploinsufficiency of MBD5 causes diverse phenotypes, yields insight into the spectrum of resulting neurodevelopmental and behavioral psychopathology, and provides clinical context for interpretation of MBD5 structural variations. Empirical evidence also suggests that disruption of non-coding MBD5 regulatory regions is sufficient for clinical manifestation, highlighting the limitations of exon-focused assessments. These results suggest an ongoing perturbation of neurological function throughout the lifespan, including risks for neurobehavioral
Energy spectrum of sputtered uranium - A new technique
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Weller, R. A.; Tombrello, T. A.
1978-01-01
The fission track technique for detecting U-235 has been used in conjunction with a mechanical time-of-flight spectrometer in order to measure the energy spectrum in the region 1 eV to 1 keV of material sputtered from a 93% enriched U-235 foil by 80 keV Ar-40(+) ions. The spectrum was found to exhibit a peak in the region 2-4 eV and to decrease approximately as E exp -1.77 for E not less than 100 eV. The design, construction and resolution of the mechanical spectrometer are discussed and comparisons are made between the data and the predictions of the random collision cascade model of sputtering.
Walukiewicz, Wladyslaw [Kensington, CA; Yu, Kin Man [Lafayette, CA; Wu, Junqiao [Richmond, CA; Schaff, William J [Ithaca, NY
2007-05-15
An alloy having a large band gap range is used in a multijunction solar cell to enhance utilization of the solar energy spectrum. In one embodiment, the alloy is In.sub.1-xGa.sub.xN having an energy bandgap range of approximately 0.7 eV to 3.4 eV, providing a good match to the solar energy spectrum. Multiple junctions having different bandgaps are stacked to form a solar cell. Each junction may have different bandgaps (realized by varying the alloy composition), and therefore be responsive to different parts of the spectrum. The junctions are stacked in such a manner that some bands of light pass through upper junctions to lower junctions that are responsive to such bands.
Electromagnetic spectrum survey of the environment in a locality in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Abood, Wafa Ali; Din, Norashidah Md; Ismail, Aiman; Mohamad, Hafizal
2013-06-01
The electromagnetic spectrum in the environment is becoming a scarce resource with the emergence of a high number of wireless communications services Cognitive radio (CR) is viewed as a possible solution to the spectrum bottleneck which work in a premise that at an any given time and spatial region there are frequency bands that has no signal occupancy. The CR technique utilizes a temporarily unoccupied licensed band by allowing secondary users to exploit opportunistically the underutilized spectrum licensed to primary users without any harmful interference. Before investigating the technical and political implications of CR, it is necessary to know to what extent the licensed bands are temporally unoccupied. In this paper a spectrum occupancy measurements is conducted to study the utilization of RF spectrum in an environment. The measurements are performed on UHF TV, GSM900 and GSM1800 frequency bands in an urban area in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The evaluation made is based on the power detection principle. From the measurements, the spectrum holes are identified. The obtained results show that the spectral usage is 7.37% for UHF TV band, 12.8% for GSM900 and 5.3% for GSM1800 band leading to the conclusion that a significant amount of spectrum is available for deployment of cognitive radio.
A proposal for in vitro/GFR molecular erythema action spectrum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
de Souza, João A. V.; Lorenzini, Fabiane; Rizzatti, Mara R.
2008-08-01
We propose an erythema action spectrum based on experimental molecular measurements named molecular erythema action spectrum or in vitro/GFR, where the acronym GFR represents our research group name, Grupo de Física das Radiaçöes. The in vitro methodology was developed by using a derma tissue simulator (TSD), as a radiation protection shield, and monochromatic ultraviolet (UV) sources of 254, 310, 365, 380, and 400 nm. The irradiance from each source was monitored through spectroradiometry in order to obtain the exposure dose over a period of time. Changes in the chemical structure were monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV and visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). The samples were analyzed by UV-vis at each 200 up to 1000 J/m2 and at each 400 up to 2000 J/m2. FTIR was performed only for samples exposed to a maximum dose of 2000 J/m2. The in vitro action parameters were obtained by considering the redshift revealed through UV-vis analysis, as being the molecular quantification of minimal erythema, and the chemical bond rupture of TSD molecules associated with erythema, revealed through FTIR. The in vitro/GFR action spectrum shows that UV-A and UV-B radiation are equally responsible for the damage observed in TSD. When this proposal was compared to the CIE erythema action spectrum from ISO [ISO17166 CIE S 007/E, Erythema Reference Action Spectrum and Standard Erythema Dose (CIE Central Bureau, Austria, 1998)], similarities could be observed in wavelengths less than 280 nm in UV-B region. However, for wavelengths higher than 300 nm, the efficiency of this radiation to induce damage, mainly in the UV-A part, was much higher than predicted in CIE model. The increasing concern on UV-A radiation, assumed to be as responsible as UV-B for inducing most of the already observed skin injuries, may be better understood when observing the experimental model presented in in vitro/GFR action spectrum.
Autism Spectrum Disorders in Gender Dysphoric Children and Adolescents
Noens, Ilse L. J.; Cohen-Kettenis, Peggy T.; van Berckelaer-Onnes, Ina A.; Doreleijers, Theo A.
2010-01-01
Only case reports have described the co-occurrence of gender identity disorder (GID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study examined this co-occurrence using a systematic approach. Children and adolescents (115 boys and 89 girls, mean age 10.8, SD = 3.58) referred to a gender identity clinic received a standardized assessment during which a GID diagnosis was made and ASD suspected cases were identified. The Dutch version of the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (10th rev., DISCO-10) was administered to ascertain ASD classifications. The incidence of ASD in this sample of children and adolescents was 7.8% (n = 16). Clinicians should be aware of co-occurring ASD and GID and the challenges it generates in clinical management. PMID:20094764
Vocational Support Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Synthesis Review of the Literature
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Nicholas, David B.; Attridge, Mark; Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie; Clarke, Margaret
2015-01-01
This synthesis-based analysis identifies and reviews studies evaluating vocational resources for adults with autism spectrum disorder. It is based on a larger systematic review of intervention studies in autism spectrum disorder, from which a critical interpretive synthesis was conducted on studies related to vocation and autism spectrum disorder.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kleinman, Jamie M.; Robins, Diana L.; Ventola, Pamela E.; Pandey, Juhi; Boorstein, Hilary C.; Esser, Emma L.; Wilson, Leandra B.; Rosenthal, Michael A.; Sutera, Saasha; Verbalis, Alyssa D.; Barton, Marianne; Hodgson, Sarah; Green, James; Dumont-Mathieu, Thyde; Volkmar, Fred; Chawarska, Katarzyna; Klin, Ami; Fein, Deborah
2008-01-01
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often go undetected in toddlers. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was used to screen 3,793 children aged 16-30 months from low- and high-risk sources; screen positive cases were diagnostically evaluated. Re-screening was performed on 1,416 children aged 42-54 months. Time1 Positive Predictive…
Critical excitation spectrum of a quantum chain with a local three-spin coupling.
McCabe, John F; Wydro, Tomasz
2011-09-01
Using the phenomenological renormalization group (PRG), we evaluate the low-energy excitation spectrum along the critical line of a quantum spin chain having a local interaction between three Ising spins and longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields, i.e., a Turban model. The low-energy excitation spectrum found with the PRG agrees with the spectrum predicted for the (D(4),A(4)) conformal minimal model under a nontrivial correspondence between translations at the critical line and discrete lattice translations. Under this correspondence, the measurements confirm a prediction that the critical line of this quantum spin chain and the critical point of the two-dimensional three-state Potts model are in the same universality class.
Grover, Sumit; Agale, Shubhangi Vinayak; D'Costa, Grace F; Valand, Arvind G; Gupta, Vikram Kumar
2016-04-01
Infectious Granulomatous Dermatoses (IGDS) have various aetiological factors with a considerable overlap in the histopathological and clinical features, thus posing a diagnostic dilemma for dermatologists and pathologists. We aimed at determining the histopathological profile of IGDS correlating it with clinical features with an attempt to find the aetiology. In a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary referral center of Mumbai over two years, out of 1872 skin biopsies received, 239 histopathologically diagnosed cases of IGDS were studied for histopathological features of granuloma. A clinico-histopathological correlation was attempted. Chi-square test was used for comparison of proportions of different groups. Leprosy (211 cases) and tuberculosis (28 cases) were the commonest histopathologically diagnosed IGDS. Leprosy spectrum included BT (30.33% cases), followed by TT (21.32%), BL and LL and 21.79% cases of lepra reactions. Skin TB biopsies on histopathology showed lupus vulgaris (53.85% cases), scrofuloderma (15.38%), TBVC and papulonecrotic tuberculid (11.54% each). In leprosy maximum clinico-pathological agreement was seen at tuberculoid pole (TT 72.7% and BT 56.6%). Among tuberculosis cases, scrofuloderma (100%) and lupus vulgaris (53.8%) showed maximum agreement. Leprosy and skin TB are the commonest IGDS in Mumbai region though difficult to diagnose and subcategorize with certainty during initial stages. Histopathology plays the important role to elucidate the dilemma. This being a single center study, more such studies with a larger sample size are recommended to get more elaborate data and regional prevalence of these IGDS for a better overall approach to prevention, treatment and control.
Challenges of Parenting Children with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Concept Map
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Brown, Jason D.; Bednar, Lisa M.
2004-01-01
The purpose of the study was to describe the challenges of parents of children with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Nineteen birth, foster or adoptive parents were asked to answer the following question: "What are the challenges you face parenting a child with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?" The data were analyzed using…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Grainger, Catherine; Williams, David M.; Lind, Sophie E.
2016-01-01
This study explored whether adults and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate difficulties making metacognitive judgments, specifically judgments of learning. Across two experiments, the study examined whether individuals with ASD could accurately judge whether they had learnt a piece of information (in this case word pairs).…
Multicarrier orthogonal spread-spectrum (MOSS) data communications
Smith, Stephen F [London, TN; Dress, William B [Camas, WA
2008-01-01
Systems and methods are described for multicarrier orthogonal spread-spectrum (MOSS) data communication. A method includes individually spread-spectrum modulating at least two of a set of orthogonal frequency division multiplexed carriers, wherein the resulting individually spread-spectrum modulated at least two of a set of orthogonal frequency division multiplexed carriers are substantially mutually orthogonal with respect to both frequency division multiplexing and spread-spectrum modulation.
Schiffman, Jason; Lam, Cecilia W; Jiwatram, Tina; Ekstrom, Morten; Sorensen, Holger; Mednick, Sarnoff
2004-11-01
This study examined data from a Danish prospective longitudinal project in attempt to address the state/trait controversy regarding theory of mind deficits in schizophrenia. Deficits in perspective-taking--a component of theory of mind--were investigated prospectively among children who developed schizophrenia spectrum disorders as adults in comparison to children who did not develop schizophrenia spectrum disorders. A total of 265 high risk and control subjects were studied in 1972. At the time of initial assessment, the Role-Taking Task (RTT) was administered. Two hundred and forty-two of these children were evaluated in 1992 during follow-up examinations. Sixteen developed schizophrenia, 10 developed a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, 70 had outcomes of other psychopathology, and 146 did not develop a mental illness. Children who later developed schizophrenia or a schizophrenia spectrum disorder had lower RTT scores, controlling for verbal IQ and age, compared to those who did not develop any mental illness. Although in the expected direction, RTT scores for those with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were not significantly different from those who developed a non-psychotic disorder. Deficits in perspective-taking among children who later developed schizophrenia spectrum disorders suggest that a facet of theory of mind is impaired prior to development of schizophrenia. Our findings lend support to the hypothesis that theory of mind deficits in schizophrenia are trait markers of the disorder.
Pediatric misophonia with comorbid obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.
Webber, Troy A; Johnson, Patricia L; Storch, Eric A
2014-01-01
Misophonia is a potentially debilitating condition characterized by increased sensitivity to specific sounds, which cause subsequent behavioral and emotional responses. The nature, clinical phenomenology and etiology of misophonia remain unclear, and misophonic clinical presentations are not currently accounted for by existing psychiatric or audiological disorders. We present a case of pediatric misophonia in the context of comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome. Given the interrelationships among obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders and misophonia, these disorders may share underlying pathophysiology, particularly within the dopaminergic and serotonergic neural systems. Clinical (i.e., treatment) and theoretical implications are discussed. Published by Elsevier Inc.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Daryl Leon Wasden; Hussein Moradi; Behrouz Farhang-Broujeny
2014-06-01
This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the performance of a filter bank-based multicarrier spread spectrum (FB-MC-SS) system. We consider an FB-MC-SS setup where each data symbol is spread across multiple subcarriers, but there is no spreading in time. The results are then compared with those of the well-known direct sequence spread spectrum (DS-SS) system with a rake receiver for its best performance. We compare the two systems when the channel noise is white. We prove that as the processing gains of the two systems tend to infinity both approach the same performance. However, numerical simulations show that, in practice,more » where processing gain is limited, FB-MC-SS outperforms DS-SS.« less
Fault diagnosis of rolling element bearings with a spectrum searching method
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Wei; Qiu, Mingquan; Zhu, Zhencai; Jiang, Fan; Zhou, Gongbo
2017-09-01
Rolling element bearing faults in rotating systems are observed as impulses in the vibration signals, which are usually buried in noise. In order to effectively detect faults in bearings, a novel spectrum searching method is proposed in this paper. The structural information of the spectrum (SIOS) on a predefined frequency grid is constructed through a searching algorithm, such that the harmonics of the impulses generated by faults can be clearly identified and analyzed. Local peaks of the spectrum are projected onto certain components of the frequency grid, and then the SIOS can interpret the spectrum via the number and power of harmonics projected onto components of the frequency grid. Finally, bearings can be diagnosed based on the SIOS by identifying its dominant or significant components. The mathematical formulation is developed to guarantee the correct construction of the SIOS through searching. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified with both simulated and experimental bearing signals.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ma, Suodong; Pan, Qiao; Shen, Weimin
2016-09-01
As one kind of light source simulation devices, spectrally tunable light sources are able to generate specific spectral shape and radiant intensity outputs according to different application requirements, which have urgent demands in many fields of the national economy and the national defense industry. Compared with the LED-type spectrally tunable light source, the one based on a DMD-convex grating Offner configuration has advantages of high spectral resolution, strong digital controllability, high spectrum synthesis accuracy, etc. As a key link of the above type light source to achieve target spectrum outputs, spectrum synthesis algorithm based on spectrum matching is therefore very important. An improved spectrum synthesis algorithm based on linear least square initialization and Levenberg-Marquardt iterative optimization is proposed in this paper on the basis of in-depth study of the spectrum matching principle. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by a series of simulations and experimental works.
A New Solar Spectrum from 656 to 3088 nm
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Meftah, M.; Damé, L.; Bolsée, D.; Pereira, N.; Sluse, D.; Cessateur, G.; Irbah, A.; Sarkissian, A.; Djafer, D.; Hauchecorne, A.; Bekki, S.
2017-08-01
The solar spectrum is a key parameter for different scientific disciplines such as solar physics, climate research, and atmospheric physics. The SOLar SPECtrometer (SOLSPEC) instrument of the Solar Monitoring Observatory (SOLAR) payload onboard the International Space Station (ISS) has been built to measure the solar spectral irradiance (SSI) from 165 to 3088 nm with high accuracy. To cover the full wavelength range, three double-monochromators with concave gratings are used. We present here a thorough analysis of the data from the third channel/double-monochromator, which covers the spectral range between 656 and 3088 nm. A new reference solar spectrum is therefore obtained in this mainly infrared wavelength range (656 to 3088 nm); it uses an absolute preflight calibration performed with the blackbody of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). An improved correction of temperature effects is also applied to the measurements using in-flight housekeeping temperature data of the instrument. The new solar spectrum (SOLAR-IR) is in good agreement with the ATmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS 3) reference solar spectrum from 656 nm to about 1600 nm. However, above 1600 nm, it agrees better with solar reconstruction models than with spacecraft measurements. The new SOLAR/SOLSPEC measurement of solar spectral irradiance at about 1600 nm, corresponding to the minimum opacity of the solar photosphere, is 248.08 ± 4.98 mW m-2 nm-1 (1 σ), which is higher than recent ground-based evaluations.
Effects of Source Correlations on the Spectrum of Radiated Fields
1990-09-01
media. When the refractive index n(co) is nearly constant over the source spectral width, the medium acts as a non- dispersive homogeneous medium of...constant refractive index no = n(w0 ), where o is the central frequency of the source spectrum. We will consider the non- dispersive case first. It is...in free space (a), for propagation in a homogeneous medium of an index of refraction n((o) = 1.5 (b) and for propagation in a medium of index of
Spectrum of MLL2 (ALR) mutations in 110 cases of Kabuki syndrome.
Hannibal, Mark C; Buckingham, Kati J; Ng, Sarah B; Ming, Jeffrey E; Beck, Anita E; McMillin, Margaret J; Gildersleeve, Heidi I; Bigham, Abigail W; Tabor, Holly K; Mefford, Heather C; Cook, Joseph; Yoshiura, Koh-ichiro; Matsumoto, Tadashi; Matsumoto, Naomichi; Miyake, Noriko; Tonoki, Hidefumi; Naritomi, Kenji; Kaname, Tadashi; Nagai, Toshiro; Ohashi, Hirofumi; Kurosawa, Kenji; Hou, Jia-Woei; Ohta, Tohru; Liang, Deshung; Sudo, Akira; Morris, Colleen A; Banka, Siddharth; Black, Graeme C; Clayton-Smith, Jill; Nickerson, Deborah A; Zackai, Elaine H; Shaikh, Tamim H; Donnai, Dian; Niikawa, Norio; Shendure, Jay; Bamshad, Michael J
2011-07-01
Kabuki syndrome is a rare, multiple malformation disorder characterized by a distinctive facial appearance, cardiac anomalies, skeletal abnormalities, and mild to moderate intellectual disability. Simplex cases make up the vast majority of the reported cases with Kabuki syndrome, but parent-to-child transmission in more than a half-dozen instances indicates that it is an autosomal dominant disorder. We recently reported that Kabuki syndrome is caused by mutations in MLL2, a gene that encodes a Trithorax-group histone methyltransferase, a protein important in the epigenetic control of active chromatin states. Here, we report on the screening of 110 families with Kabuki syndrome. MLL2 mutations were found in 81/110 (74%) of families. In simplex cases for which DNA was available from both parents, 25 mutations were confirmed to be de novo, while a transmitted MLL2 mutation was found in two of three familial cases. The majority of variants found to cause Kabuki syndrome were novel nonsense or frameshift mutations that are predicted to result in haploinsufficiency. The clinical characteristics of MLL2 mutation-positive cases did not differ significantly from MLL2 mutation-negative cases with the exception that renal anomalies were more common in MLL2 mutation-positive cases. These results are important for understanding the phenotypic consequences of MLL2 mutations for individuals and their families as well as for providing a basis for the identification of additional genes for Kabuki syndrome. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hadron spectrum in quenched lattice QCD and distribution of zero modes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Iwasaki, Yoichi
1989-06-01
I report the results of the calculation of the hadron spectrum with the standard one-plaquette gauge action on a 16★★3★48 lattice at β=5.85 in the quenched lattice QCD. The result remarkably agrees with that of quark potential models for the case where the quark mass is equal to or is larger than the strange quark mass, even when one uses the standard one-plaquette gauge action. This is contrary to what is stated in the literature. We clarify the reason of the discrepancy, paying close attention to systematic errors in numerical calculations. Further, I show the distribution of zero modes of quark matrix, both in the cases of a RG improved gauge action and the standard action, and discuss the difference between the two cases.
How to Produce a Reactor Neutron Spectrum Using a Proton Accelerator
Burns, Kimberly A.; Wootan, David W.; Gates, Robert O.; ...
2015-06-18
A method for reproducing the neutron energy spectrum present in the core of an operating nuclear reactor using an engineered target in an accelerator proton beam is proposed. The protons interact with a target to create neutrons through various (p,n) type reactions. Spectral tailoring of the emitted neutrons can be used to modify the energy of the generated neutron spectrum to represent various reactor spectra. Through the use of moderators and reflectors, the neutron spectrum can be modified to reproduce many different spectra of interest including spectra in small thermal test reactors, large pressurized water reactors, and fast reactors. Themore » particular application of this methodology is the design of an experimental approach for using an accelerator to measure the betas produced during fission to be used to reduce uncertainties in the interpretation of reactor antineutrino measurements. This approach involves using a proton accelerator to produce a neutron field representative of a power reactor, and using this neutron field to irradiate fission foils of the primary isotopes contributing to fission in the reactor, creating unstable, neutron rich fission products that subsequently beta decay and emit electron antineutrinos. A major advantage of an accelerator neutron source over a neutron beam from a thermal reactor is that the fast neutrons can be slowed down or tailored to approximate various power reactor spectra. An accelerator based neutron source that can be tailored to match various reactor neutron spectra provides an advantage for control in studying how changes in the neutron spectra affect parameters such as the resulting fission product beta spectrum.« less
Infections after PRK could have a happy ending: a series of three cases.
Bertschinger, D R; Hashemi, K; Hafezi, F; Majo, F
2010-04-01
Infectious keratitis after PRK remains a rare but potentially devastating complication. Medical records of 3 male patients with infectious keratitis after uneventful PRK for myopia and astigmatism were reviewed retrospectively. PRK was performed using the Wavelight Allegretto excimer laser. Postoperative care included a bandage contact lens (BCL) for 5 days, topical antibiotics, ketorolac, and artificial tears. Keratitis presented 2 - 4 days postoperatively. In one case, each culture was negative (case 1), and was positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae (case 2) and Staphylococcus aureus (case 3). Final BSCVA (best spectacle corrected visual acuity) after intensive antibiotic treatment and removal of BCL were 1.0 (case 1), 0.9 (case 2) and 0.3 correctable to 0.8 with pinhole (case 3). Postoperative broad-spectrum antibiotics are mandatory after PRK to prevent infectious keratitis. However, resistant organisms are more and more common. The presence of a bandage soft contact lens after surgery is an unfavourable element that may increase risk of infection. Based on our case series, we suggest limiting soft contact lens wear during the two postoperative days even if the corneal ulceration is not healed. Copyright Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart . New York.
Non-strictly black body spectrum from the tunnelling mechanism
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Corda, Christian, E-mail: cordac.galilei@gmail.com
2013-10-15
The tunnelling mechanism is widely used to explain Hawking radiation. However, in many cases the analysis used to obtain the Hawking temperature only involves comparing the emission probability for an outgoing particle with the Boltzmann factor. Banerjee and Majhi improved this approach by explicitly finding a black body spectrum associated with black holes. Their result, obtained using a reformulation of the tunnelling mechanism, is in contrast to that of Parikh and Wilczek, who found an emission probability that is compatible with a non-strictly thermal spectrum. Using the recently identified effective state for a black hole, we solve this contradiction viamore » a slight modification of the analysis by Banerjee and Majhi. The final result is a non-strictly black body spectrum from the tunnelling mechanism. We also show that for an effective temperature, we can express the corresponding effective metric using Hawking’s periodicity arguments. Potential important implications for the black hole information puzzle are discussed. -- Highlights: •We review an important result by Banerjee and Majhi on the tunnelling mechanism in the framework of Hawking radiation. •This result is in contrast to another result reported by Parikh and Wilczek. •We introduce the effective state of a black hole. •We explain the contrast via a slight modification of the analysis by Banerjee and Majhi. •We discuss potential important implications for the black hole information puzzle.« less
Hill, Ryley; Masui, Kiyoshi W; Scott, Douglas
2018-05-01
Cosmic background (CB) radiation, encompassing the sum of emission from all sources outside our own Milky Way galaxy across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, is a fundamental phenomenon in observational cosmology. Many experiments have been conceived to measure it (or its constituents) since the extragalactic Universe was first discovered; in addition to estimating the bulk (cosmic monopole) spectrum, directional variations have also been detected over a wide range of wavelengths. Here we gather the most recent of these measurements and discuss the current status of our understanding of the CB from radio to γ-ray energies. Using available data in the literature, we piece together the sky-averaged intensity spectrum and discuss the emission processes responsible for what is observed. We examine the effect of perturbations to the continuum spectrum from atomic and molecular line processes and comment on the detectability of these signals. We also discuss how one could, in principle, obtain a complete census of the CB by measuring the full spectrum of each spherical harmonic expansion coefficient. This set of spectra of multipole moments effectively encodes the entire statistical history of nuclear, atomic, and molecular processes in the Universe.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hill, Ryley; Masui, Kiyoshi W.; Scott, Douglas
2018-05-01
The cosmic background (CB) radiation, encompassing the sum of emission from all sources outside our own Milky Way galaxy across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, is a fundamental phenomenon in observational cosmology. Many experiments have been conceived to measure it (or its constituents) since the extragalactic Universe was first discovered; in addition to estimating the bulk (cosmic monopole) spectrum, directional variations have also been detected over a wide range of wavelengths. Here we gather the most recent of these measurements and discuss the current status of our understanding of the CB from radio to $\\gamma$-ray energies. Using available data in the literature we piece together the sky-averaged intensity spectrum, and discuss the emission processes responsible for what is observed. We examine the effect of perturbations to the continuum spectrum from atomic and molecular line processes and comment on the detectability of these signals. We also discuss how one could in principle obtain a complete census of the CB by measuring the full spectrum of each spherical harmonic expansion coefficient. This set of spectra of multipole moments effectively encodes the entire statistical history of nuclear, atomic and molecular processes in the Universe.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Narzisi, Antonio; Calderoni, Sara; Maestro, Sandra; Calugi, Simona; Mottes, Emanuela; Muratori, Filippo
2013-01-01
Tools to identify toddlers with autism in clinical settings have been recently developed. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the Child Behavior Check List 1 1/2-5 (CBCL 1 1/2-5) in the detection of toddlers subsequently diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ages 18-36 months. The CBCL of 47 children with ASD were…
Characterization of the Photon Energy Spectrum of a 6 MV Linac
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Hernandez Bojorquez, M.; Larraga, J. M.; Garcia, A.
2006-09-08
In this work we study the influence of the purity of the materials used in experimental transmission measurements to obtain data to reconstruct the photon energy spectrum of a 6 MV Linac. We also evaluate the contribution to PDDs due to electron contamination in the reconstructed spectrum.
Purty, Shashikala; Saranathan, Rajagopalan; Prashanth, K; Narayanan, K; Asir, Johny; Sheela Devi, Chandrakesan; Kumar Amarnath, Satish
2013-01-01
Although not previously known to cause human infections, Kocuria species have now emerged as human pathogens, mostly in compromised hosts with severe underlying disease. Recently, there has been an increasing incidence of different types of Kocuria infections reported, most likely due to the adoption of better identification methods. Here, we report a case of peritonitis caused by Kocuria rosea in a diabetic nephropathy patient who was on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Sepsis and peritonitis caused by K. rosea in our case yielded two identical Kocuria isolates from the peritoneal dialysate fluid within a period of three days. The infection was subsequently resolved by antibiotic treatment and catheter removal. In addition to reporting this case, we herein review the literature concerning the emergence of Kocuria as a significant human pathogen. The majority of cases were device-related, acquired in the hospital or endogenous, and different Kocuria species appear to share a common etiology of peritonitis. The overall disease burden associated with Kocuria appears to be high, and the treatment guidelines for diseases associated with Kocuria have not yet been clearly defined. PMID:26038440
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cerezo, M.A.; Pons-Salvador, G.
2004-01-01
Objectives:: The purpose of this 5-year study was to improve detection in two consecutive phases: (a) To close the gap between the number of identified cases and the actual number of cases of child abuse by increasing detection; and (b) To increase the possibility of a broader spectrum of detection. Method:: The Balearic Islands (one of the…
A Martian PFS average spectrum: Comparison with ISO SWS
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Formisano, V.; Encrenaz, T.; Fonti, S.; Giuranna, M.; Grassi, D.; Hirsh, H.; Khatuntsev, I.; Ignatiev, N.; Lellouch, E.; Maturilli, A.; Moroz, V.; Orleanski, P.; Piccioni, G.; Rataj, M.; Saggin, B.; Zasova, L.
2005-08-01
The evaluation of the planetary Fourier spectrometer performance at Mars is presented by comparing an average spectrum with the ISO spectrum published by Lellouch et al. [2000. Planet. Space Sci. 48, 1393.]. First, the average conditions of Mars atmosphere are compared, then the mixing ratios of the major gases are evaluated. Major and minor bands of CO 2 are compared, from the point of view of features characteristics and bands depth. The spectral resolution is also compared using several solar lines. The result indicates that PFS radiance is valid to better than 1% in the wavenumber range 1800-4200 cm -1 for the average spectrum considered (1680 measurements). The PFS monochromatic transfer function generates an overshooting on the left-hand side of strong narrow lines (solar or atmospheric). The spectral resolution of PFS is of the order of 1.3 cm -1 or better. A large number of narrow features to be identified are discovered.
Energy spectrum analysis - A model of echolocation processing. [in animals
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Johnson, R. A.; Titlebaum, E. L.
1976-01-01
The paper proposes a frequency domain approach based on energy spectrum analysis of the combination of a signal and its echoes as the processing mechanism for the echolocation process used by bats and other animals. The mechanism is a generalized wide-band one and can account for the large diversity of wide-band signals used for orientation. The coherency in the spectrum of the signal-echo combination is shown to be equivalent to correlation.