Implementation and evaluation of simultaneous video-electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging

The objective of this study was to demonstrate that the addition of simultaneous and synchronised video to electroencephalography (EEG)-correlated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) could increase recorded information without data quality reduction. We investigated the effect of placing EEG, video equipment and their required power supplies inside the scanner room, on EEG, video and MRI data quality, and evaluated video-EEG-fMRI by modelling a hand motor task. Gradient-echo, echo-planner images (EPI) were acquired on a 3-T MRI scanner at variable camera positions in a test object [with and without radiofrequency (RF) excitation], and human subjects. EEG was recorded using a commercial MR-compatible 64-channel cap and amplifiers. Video recording was performed using a two-camera custom-made system with EEG synchronization. An in-house script was used to calculate signal to fluctuation noise ratio (SFNR) from EPI in test object with variable camera positions and in human subjects with and without concurrent video recording. Five subjects were investigated with video-EEG-fMRI while performing hand motor task. The fMRI time series data was analysed using statistical parametric mapping, by building block design general linear models which were paradigm prescribed and video based. Introduction of the cameras did not alter the SFNR significantly, nor did it show any signs of spike noise during RF off conditions. Video and EEG quality also did not show any significant artefact. The Statistical Parametric Mapping{T} maps from video based design revealed additional blood oxygen level-dependent responses in the expected locations for non-compliant subjects compared to the paradigm prescribed design. We conclude that video-EEG-fMRI set up can be implemented without affecting the data quality significantly and may provide valuable information on behaviour to enhance the analysis of fMRI data

Collapse dynamics of a 176Yb {}^{176}\textrm{Yb}\,-174Yb{}^{174}\textrm{Yb} Bose-Einstein condensate

In this paper, we present a theoretical study of a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate composed of Ytterbium (Yb) isotopes in a three dimensional anisotropic harmonic potential. The condensate consists of a mixture of ${}^{176}\textrm{Yb}$ atoms which have a negative s-wave scattering length and ${}^{174}\textrm{Yb}$ atoms having a positive s-wave scattering length. We study the ground state as well as dynamic properties of this two-component condensate. Due to the attractive interactions between ${}^{176}\textrm{Yb}$ atoms, the condensate of ${}^{176}\textrm{Yb}$ undergo a collapse when the particle number exceed a critical value. The critical number and the collapse dynamics are modified due to the presence of ${}^{174}\textrm{Yb}$ atoms. We use coupled two-component Gross-Pitaevskii equations to study the collapse dynamics. The theoretical results obtained are in reasonable agreement with the experimental results of Fukuhara {\em et al.} [PRA{\bf 79}, 021601(R) (2009)].Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

An innovative approach to develop microporous activated carbons in oxidising atmosphere

The aim of the study was to investigate a rather oxidising atmosphere such as air for the development of a microporous activated carbon from demineralised kraft lignin. Demineralisation of lignin makes the precursor low in reactivity and hence can allow the use of more oxidising atmospheres. Control of the activation conditions allowed development of microporous activated carbons with type I N2 adsorption isotherms from demineralised kraft lignin having micropore volumes and mean micropore widths up to 0.374 cm3 g-1 and 1.12 nm, respectively. A unique feature of this study is to prepare high surface área (1305 m2 g-1) microporous activated carbon at a high temperature (950 ºC) in air atmosphere. The effect of temperature on the surface area, micropore volume, mean micropore width and total pore volume was also studied for the development of activated carbons from the precursor in the range 550-1050 ºC

Identification of micro satellite markers on chromosomes of bread wheat showing an association with karnal bunt resistance

A set of 104 wheat recombinant inbred lines developed from a cross between parents resistant (HD 29) and susceptible (WH 542) to karnal bunt (caused by Neovossia indica) were screened and used toidentify SSR markers linked with resistance to karnal bunt as these would allow indirect marker assisted selection of karnal bunt resistant genotypes. The two parents were analysed with 46 SSR primer pairs. Of these, 15 (32%) were found polymorphic between the two parental genotypes. Using these primer pairs, we carried out bulked segregate analysis on two bulked DNAs, one obtained by pooling DNA from 10 karnal bunt resistant recombinant inbred lines and the other similarly derived by pooling DNA from 10 karnal bunt susceptible recombinant inbred lines. Two molecular markers, Xgwm 337-1D and Xgwm 637-4A showed apparent linkage with resistance to karnal bunt. This was confirmed following selective genotyping of individual recombinant inbred lines included in the bulks. These markers may be useful in marker assisted selection for karnal bunt resistance in wheat